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United Church of Christ (UCC)
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Staff

 

 

Minister: The Rev. Damaris D. Whittaker

The Reverend Damaris D. Whittaker is United Church of Christ minister who joined the church staff in September, 2012. She previously served as the Director of Marketing and Development at the Christian Activities Council of the UCC, and as the co-pastor at Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Esperanza.  Rev. Damaris has been an active speaker and advocate on issues of domestic violence, women’s leadership, and health care, and has worked in grassroots organizations that have provided pastoral and substance abuse counseling.  She is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry (DMin) at New York Theological Seminary.  Originally from Humacao, Puerto Rico, and now residing in Marlborough, Rev. Damaris is married to Sabas Whittaker. 

You may email Reverend Damaris at dwhittaker@centerchurchhartford.net

 

Director of Music and the Arts: Jason Charneski

Raised in Plainville, Connecticut, Jason Charneski has served as Center Church's Director of Music and the Arts since 2002. He holds a B. M. from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester (1996) and an M. M. from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1998). In addition to his work at Center Church, he is an accompanist and organist for CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists). He is a member of UCCMA, the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, for whom he has given workshops on and written articles about organ music and hymns that relate to seasonal themes and the cycles of the liturgical year, a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 400, and a member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Jason served as dean (2003-2005) and sub-dean (2001-2003) of the Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). He continues to be of service to the Chapter as the chairman of its Professional Concerns Committee and as the Convention Coordinator for the AGO’s Regions I and II Convention, to be held in Hartford June 30-July 3, 2013.

You may email Jason at jasoncharneski@centerchurchhartford.net.

Office Administrator: Marie Ferrantino

Born and raised in Newington, Connecticut, Marie Ferrantino joined the staff of Center Church in 2000. When not managing the Church Office, assisting staff and church members with various tasks, or managing the day-to-day needs of the church, Marie can be found researching ways to improve office procedural and technological efficiency. Marie has worked exclusively in church administration since 1982. Marie enjoys gardening, cooking, the arts, and studying Christian spirituality; and is in the Spiritual Director Internship Program at the Spiritual Life Center in West Hartford. You may email Marie at marie@centerchurchhartford.net.

Warburton Director of Outreach Ministries:

Rebecca Richards

Raised in Pepperell, Massachusetts and East Hartford, Connecticut, Rebecca has served as Center Church’s Warburton Director of Outreach Ministries since October 1, 2012. The daughter of a United Methodist pastor, living in a variety of settings, Rebecca developed an interest in social justice issues at a very young age which has guided her throughout her life and her ministry.  She is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT where she majored in Spanish and  Sociology  as well as Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC where she concentrated in Urban Ministry and Non-profit Management. While living in DC, Rebecca served in various churches throughout the area in a variety of positions.  When she is not at church, Rebecca enjoys running, volunteering, travel, hiking, swimming, biking and yoga.   You may email Rebecca at rebecca@centerchurchhartford.net