Meet Our Staff

Committed to Reaching Out To Our Neighbors.

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PASTOR BEN GROTH

Rev. Ben Groth is a PhD Student researching the relationship between white supremacy and Christianity in the US in the Tulane University History Department. Previously, Ben served as a College Chaplain at Berea College in Berea, KY, the Associate Pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls, WI, and has worked as a Director of Music in Lutheran and Episcopal congregations in Wisconsin and Connecticut

PHONE: 860-224-2475 ext. 12

VISITATION PASTOR

The Rev. Will Baumgartner is our Visitation pastor, providing pastoral care support for the homebound, those in convalescent homes, and hospital.

PHONE: 860-628-8574

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Matthew Harrison graduated from Amity Regional Senior High School (Woodbridge, CT) before attending James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) for his undergraduate degree in piano and music education. He then went on to earn his M.M. from the New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) in voice performance.

Matt is the past-President of the Connecticut chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and has served on the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) executive board as the Membership Chair. His focus in these professional organizations has been to champion underrepresented factions of musicians in Connecticut and facilitate access and equity for all students.

In 2018 he became the first choral artist to be granted a National Park Artist-In-Residence position (Glacier National Park, Montana) and earned the distinction of Connecticut ACDA’s Choral Director of the Year, culminating in the first published choral work created specifically for a national park (Glacier Suite, Pavane Publishing).

Matt has been the choir director at Hamden Hall Country Day School since 2014. Matt has been a member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2005, writing original musicals and performing leading roles for touring union companies. Matt has been the director and music director of Madison Beach Club Follies (a musical review running for 85 years) since 2017. He also has over a decade of experience as a church musician and organist.

Phone (860) 224-2475 ext.14

Johanna S Furgalack CPA

Johanna Furgalack serves FLCR by providing appropriate and accurate accounting records and financial statements for the church. Johanna also oversees compliance of filing of tax required reporting forms.

PHONE: 860-224-2475 ext. 11

Office Manager

Nancy Peterson manages the production and distribution of FLCR monthly newsletter (Temple Chimes), coordinates the volunteers for weekly worship services (People Power), Maintains website with the most recent information, answers calls, administers the church office and congregation, coordinates with the music director and parish pastor to produce worship related materials and liaisons with FLCR volunteers.

PHONE: 860-224-2475 ext. 10