Reverend Carolyn Patierno is beginning her 20th year of ministry with All Souls New London.
The Reverend Carolyn Patierno has served All Souls since 2001. This call is her first having graduated from the Pacific School of Religion that same year. In the course of her tenure, the congregation has experienced a range of transitions including buying, renovating, and then settling into a new home, hosting and sharing space with a local non-profit that serves homeless men and women, staffing for growth and transitions, and an ever evolving congregation. All of these keep congregational life interesting and dynamic!
Prior to seminary, Reverend Carolyn was an HIV prevention & sexuality educator. This work meant traveling throughout the United States and abroad as a trainer and health advocate. Previous experiences that also influence her ministry include having been an actor and preschool teacher. She was raised Roman Catholic and found Unitarian Universalism as a college student in 1981.
Within our walls Reverend Carolyn has a particular commitment to children and youth and their spiritual and religious exploration. She leads the Coming of Age program and each week during the service shares the Story for All Ages. As well, she takes very seriously the connection between a faithful life and one that is dedicated to the creation of a more just world. Beyond our walls she serves as a founding Board member of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center as well as other ministries dedicated to creating peace.
And she likes to have fun, celebrate, to pay attention and reflect on all that is our lives. Worship engages all of these commitments and Sunday mornings is Reverend Carolyn’s favorite time of the week.
With all of the congregation, she looks forward to welcoming you to All Souls.
You can contact Reverend Carolyn by clicking on the email icon above her photograph.
On February 1, All Souls welcomed Reverend Tricia Brennan to serve as our ¾ time sabbatical minister. Here’s a peek into who she is and all that she will bring to New London.
First of all, Reverend Tricia grew up in Groton. Serving All Souls is a kind of homecoming for her. For the past 35 years she has lived in the greater Boston area.
For the past 20 years, she has specialized in interim ministry with short stints as a hospital chaplain and hospice worker. Prior to ministry, she was a community based social worker, directing shelter programs for unhoused families. She excels at bringing people together to achieve a common vision.
Unitarian Universalist congregations she’s served include Sharon, Dorchester, Winchester, Arlington and Lexington all in MA as well as East Greenwich, RI.
She’s a friend both of Reverend Caitlin (with whom she worked) and Reverend Carolyn.
Perry Montrose has been a religious educator for twenty years, serving four different congregations, with nine of those years leading Faith Formation at All Souls. It is his focus to create a space where children, youth, and adults have the freedom to discover and express their individuality, within a faith community that meaningfully connects them around common values. Perry believes in the transforming power of love in our world and embraces the responsibility to “side with love.” He commits to creating a Faith Formation ministry that welcomes each family as they are and encourages authentic spiritual growth.
You can reach Perry by clicking on the email icon above his picture.
We welcome back Arlene Stoltz as our Faith Formation Administrator!
Tammy joined the All Souls staff as Office Administrator in December 2017. Tammy brings a wealth of experience having worked in municipal positions in her hometown of Griswold, CT. You can reach Tammy at office@allsouls.net
Kathryn Aaron joined the All Souls staff in April 2022. Welcome Kathryn! More info coming soon.
Where would we be without Jesse!
Bil Groth has been providing music for our Sunday morning worship services and accompanying the Tuesday evening choir rehearsals since 2006. After completing studies in jazz improvisation and composition at the Berklee College of Music, he spent 15 years as a professional musician in Memphis, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia before returning to his home state of Connecticut. Bil continues to enjoy motivating and inspiring his piano students and presently performs with four area bands, including his own jazz group.
Gery Elliott has served as organist and accompanist for All Souls since 1976. In addition to sharing his musical talents at All Souls, he is an instrumental music teacher and band director in the public schools of Douglas, MA, having worked there since 1985. Gery is also the summer organist at Weekapaug Chapel in Westerly, RI.
Adam joined the All Souls staff in June 2022 as our assistant technical director. Welcome Adam!