FCC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Music Ministry for the First Congregational Church
Adam has been the Director of Music Ministry for the First Congregational Church since the Fall of 2014. Originally from Nebraska, he has worked in a variety of churches in the northeast.
Adam completed an undergraduate degree in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music and a Master's Degree with a church music certificate from the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale. He also completed additional studies as a Fulbright scholar in Bremen, Germany.
Adam and his wife, Lauren, and daughters, Audrey and Annie, live in Chester, New Hampshire. Lauren, also a graduate of the Institute of Sacred Music, is a music teacher in North Andover, MA. Adam and his family are delighted to be a part of the First Congregational Church of Manchester, NH.
Job Titles:
- Children 's Ministry Coordinator
Kelda York and her family have been members since 2008. Her three children, Sylvie, Esme, and Lincoln, have grown up at First Congregational Church, where Kelda has been a teacher in our Church School and VBS Program. Kelda is the former Coordinator of the Ministry of Mission and Outreach, and has sung in the choir in addtion to her other volunteer roles.
Kelda can be reached at 603-625-5093, or by email at KYork@FCCManchesterNH.org.
Lauren is a delightful presence on our First Congregational Staff, and brings many gifts to our congregation. She works with every committee; produces and orchestrates the Bulletin, FCC Friday Link, and The Window to keep us all connected; and assists the Pastors and Administrator daily. Lauren also coordinates the ENA scheduling and reorganized the Food Closet to more efficiently aid our homeless and those in need of nourishment.
Lauren lives here in Manchester with her family. Her professional experience includes museum and library work. She has worked at the Currier and Shaker Village Museums, and taught Meditation and Yoga as well. Lauren's warm welcome will always make you "feel at home" at First Congregational Church!
Peter has been a member of FCC since 1979, and on April 1, 2021, took on the position of Building Manager. Peter has been involved in every aspect of FCC, serving as the Moderator of the Representative Council among his many achievements. Peter retired in 2018 as Assistant Principal at Memorial High School in Manchester, having spent nearly 50 years there starting as a student…he has been termed a "Granite State Great!" Peter brings his skills of communication and organization to ensure our building is sound and secure.
Rev. Carolyn Keilig is no stranger to First Congregational Church, having served here previously as the Interim Senior Pastor, 2013-2015. She is excited to return to Manchester in the same position, recognizing that we all have changed during the ensuing years.
Rev. Carolyn grew up in Trumbull, Connecticut and it was when she was active in her local church's youth group that she felt her call to ministry. From there she went to Defiance College where she double majored in Religious Education and Sociology. She received her M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School.
While she began her ordained ministry over 40 years ago as a settled pastor at the First Congregational Church in Kittery Point, Maine, she always felt a call to serve churches going through transitions. She eventually received the training to become an Intentional Interim, and has served numerous UCC churches throughout New Hampshire in that capacity. Rev. Carolyn says that one of the greatest joys of ministry, especially interim ministry, is meeting and getting to know a wonderful and diverse number of people with the opportunity to learn from the variety of perspectives that make up any particular community of faith.
She brings a wealth of experience to each church she serves, having served on many local, state and national boards.
When not making the commute to Manchester from her home in Hopkinton, Rev. Carolyn enjoys reading, cooking, fabric arts, bird watching, hosting high school exchange students and keeping up to date with her three adult children.
Sokhom fled Cambodia via Thailand in 1983. First Church welcomed him and his family, sponsoring his entrance into the United States and hiring him as our Sexton. A highlight was when Sokhom and his wife, Yean became American Citizens! Sokhom faithfully dedicates his days to the cleanliness and organization of First Church.
On his off days, he cares for his 14 grandchildren, his 25'x50' garden, his model train collection, and he escapes to go fishing as often as he can.