About Us | Staff

Richard Thayer - Sustaining Senior Minister Richard Thayer comes to CCC with nearly 30 years of ministerial experience. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, Richard served as Minister of Cadman Memorial Congregational Church in Brooklyn, NY. While serving Cadman, he received the opportunity to work in campus ministry at Stanford University, where Richard was Assistant Dean of the Chapel. He returned to the east coast to serve as a Copastor of the United Christian Parish of Reston, VA, where the Protestant priority of ecuminical worship remains in practice today. He was called from UCP to serve as an interim minister, first at Wellspring UCC in Centreville VA, and then at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville MD. Thereafter, Richard accepted a position with Capital Hospice, where he served seven years as chaplain of the long term care team in Leesburg VA. He left Capital Hospice to return to interim ministry, and now serves CCC as the Sustaining Senior Minister for the time remaining until a Senior Minister is called. Richard and his wife Myra have three children and two grandchildren, all living in places pleasing to visit, which they do as often as possible. Richard can be reached at richard@cccsilverspring.org

Amy L. Lewis - Minister for Adults Amy L. Lewis comes to CCC after serving as a health care chaplain for almost 15 years. Amy grew up in Texas and has a B.A. in Social Welfare from Texas Tech University. Upon graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994 with a M.A of Religious Education and a M. A. of Marriage and Family Counseling, Amy began to serve as a Hospice Chaplain and completed her Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). For 4 years, Amy served as the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Chaplain for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. In addition, she has served as chaplain for a long-term care facility. Just before coming on staff at CCC, Amy served as chaplain at The Children’s Inn at NIH. During her almost 4 years at The Inn, Amy created Spiritual Wellness Programs for children, teens, young adults, and their families from all around the world, who are on treatment for rare and often life threatening illnesses at the National Institutes of Health. Amy is serving as Minister for Adults at Christ Congregational Church. Her areas of focus include pastoral care, adult ministry and adult Christian education. In 2002, Amy was ordained at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. Affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists. Oakhurst is a congregation with a strong history of social justice, inclusivity and Christian faith.  Amy has been recommended by CCC to the Potomac Association for the Privilege of Call process within the United Church of Christ. Amy and her partner, Tricia, live in Silver Spring with their two children. Amy can be reached at amy@cccsilverspring.org

Nae Pearson - Director of Music: Nae Pearson came to serve Christ Congregational Church as Director of Music and Organist in July of 2006. Prior to coming to CCC, Nae served at Millian Memorial United Methodist Church in Rockville, Maryland, for five years and during that time earned his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Holding also a Master of Sacred Music from The Catholic University of America, which he completed while serving at St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia from 1990 until 2000. Nae recently completed an 18 month residency at The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland, and continues to lead workshops and retreats for Group Contemplative Prayer. In January of 2009, Nae began his candidacy for the Doctor of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary and after completion of his dissertation, hopes to graduate in May of 2011. Nae can reached at nae@cccsilverspring.org

 

Kristen Curlee - Minister for Christian Education Kristen Casmey Curlee grew up in the United Church of Christ in Wayzata, Minnesota where her mother and father were both active members. She attended American University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. During college she became an active member of Cleveland Park Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, DC. Shortly after graduation she and her husband, Ben, were married there. Over the next three years Kristen’s level of involvement at Cleveland Park continued to grow. She taught Sunday school, served as the mission committee chair, was the delegate to the Central Atlantic Conference’s Annual Meeting, sat on the Potomac Association’s Social Action and Mission Committee and was elected to a four year term to General Synod. She is currently serving the Central Atlantic Conference as the Youth Ministries Coordinator. In May 2009 Kristen completed her Master of Divinity program at Lancaster Theological Seminary, a reformed seminary of the United Church of Christ. This three year, full time program is one of the major steps for ordination in the United Church of Christ. Kristen sees her call to ordained parish ministry – teaching and leading a congregation. Lancaster Theological Seminary was a perfect fit for Kristen. The academics challenged her and the faith formation focus of the curriculum pushed her to develop a solid understanding of her theology and its applications toward her call. Kristen served on the Seminarian Community Council and participated in the seminary’s cross cultural trip to India January 2008. Kristen can be reached at kristen@cccsilverspring.org

Stephanie Peterson - Administrator for Church School:

coordinate and communicate Church School events.

Stephanie can be reached at sjpgab@verizon.net

Kristen Brown - Administrator for Youth Ministry:

coordinate and communicate youth program events.

Kristen can be reached at brown.jk@verizon.net

Stephanie Helsing - Coordinator for Camping Ministry:

lead efforts to create and implement a vibrant Summer 2009 camp program for children and youth.

Stephanie can be reached at nizwa328@rcn.com

Dianne Abraham - Church Administrator:

Dianne can be reached at propertyadmin@cccsilverspring.org

Susan Gray - Office Administrator:

Susan can be reached at cccoffice@cccsilverspring.org

 

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