Reverend Anthony T. Weisman – Senior Minister
Having not grown up as a churchgoer himself, Anthony has a passion for helping others — especially those who may not be sure what they think about organized religion or believe about God — explore how a practice of faith might be meaningful and life-giving. His is a big-tent Christianity in which broadmindedness and bigheartedness count for more than having (or agreeing on!) all the answers.
Anthony comes to Darien from Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, having previously served at the Old South Church in Boston, and, through a Lilly Endowment fellowship, at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines, IA, one of the largest congregations in the United Church of Christ. He is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary.
Anthony enjoys reading, running, board games, the guitar, and spending time with his husband, Ben, a climate finance strategist at Bloomberg, and their Goldendoodle, Maynard.
Email: Anthony Weisman
203-655-0491 x 101 (Office)
Amber Scovell – Director of Family and Young Adult Ministries
Amber joined FCCD in July 2021. She recently graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Christian Education and Formation. Children’s ministry has been a part of her life since she was young – she volunteered in church school and then wrote curriculum and planned for Vacation Bible School whenever she had the chance. While in seminary, she had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer youth leader, and this led to a passion she hadn’t yet fully realized – planning lessons, forming relationships with students both inside and outside of the church, and planning youth events.
Email: Amber Scovell
203-655-0491 x 105
Karen Dill Linder – Church Administrator
Karen joined FCCD in the role as Church Administrator in April of 2021. She holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas. She comes to us with a solid background in nonprofit development, marketing, and management. Karen is responsible for our church administration, working closely with the pastor and supervision of assigned staff. Karen offers free Notary Public services to church members, by appointment.
Email: Karen Linder
203-655-0491 x 102
Cheri Jennings – Treasurer
Cheri Jennings joined FCCD in the role of Church Treasurer in February of 2021. She has an M.B.A in Finance from Babson College and graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Economics. Having lived in Darien for the past 23 years, she is very involved in the community, and her two daughters attended the First Congregational Church Nursery School. Cheri is responsible for keeping track of church finances and budgeting.
Email: Cheri Jennings
203-655-0491 x 103
John Morrow – Director of Music and Organist
John is a choral conductor, organist, and tenor from Altus, Oklahoma. He recently graduated with a Masters in Organ at Indiana University. From 2016-2021, he served as Associate Director of Music Ministries & Principal Organist at McFarlin Memorial UMC in Norman, OK. In September 2019 and 2022, John conducted and sang with the St. Jacob’s Chamber Choir in Stockholm, Sweden at the masterclass “Sacred Music Today.” Prior to his work in Indiana, John received a Masters in Choral Conducting at the University of Oklahoma, and has had the opportunity to collaborate with the Classical Music Festival in Austria.
John believes in the power of music to heal and empower, particularly in communal singing. Music in the church is a place for all people to sing and create together.
Email: John Morrow
203-655-0491 x 107
Max Pakhomov – Assistant Director of Music and Pianist
Max became our organist in September 2008. He is a graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory and brings many years of musical talent to our Sunday services. In addition to being a piano and voice instructor, he performs with The Westchester Chorale and is principal accompanist of the Bronx Opera Company. He formerly served as music director for Rugby Congregational Church in Brooklyn, NY.
KRIStA GUARINI – NURSERY SCHOOL DIRECTOR
After 14 years as a 4s teacher at FCCNS, Krista was named Director in May of 2021. She holds a BA in Psychology from SUNY College at Oneonta as well a Master of Science in Teaching with an Early Childhood Concentration from Pace University. She has worked in a variety of school settings during her 24 year tenure as an early childhood educator.
Krista and her husband, Mark, have called Darien their home since March of 2001. Her two sons, now young adults, were both students at the nursery school. In her free time, she enjoys long walks with her dog (Brooklyn) and spending time with her family.