 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
.
REV. ROYAL B. GARREN, JR Royal Garren graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1977 with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained in 1978 by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served congregations in Jackson, WY; Vail, CO; Sarasota, FL; Akron, OH; Thousand Oaks, CA; and Danbury, CT. He accepted the call to serve as our pastor in the Fall of 2004. With roots strongly planted in the Reformed tradition, Royal always keeps his heart and mind open to the manifold ways God’s presence is revealed within our daily lives and through diverse cultures and traditions. He faithfully upholds the charge given to the Pilgrims, who would eventually establish the congregational church system, that “more light and truth has yet to break forth from God’s holy Word.” Royal grew up in the First Presbyterian Church, Ardmore on Philadelphia’s Main Line. He is a graduate of the Haverford School. He was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1974. An outdoor enthusiast, Royal is a volunteer Teacher/Naturalist at the Greenwich Audubon Center, conveniently located across the street from the Church. He strongly feels that stewardship and enjoyment of God’s created order is essential to sustaining our overall spiritual well being. His sermons are thought provoking and challenging. While providing essential insights into the Biblical text and its rich background, he always urges worshippers to explore the numerous ways the Gospel can be applied to our own daily experience. Royal holds dual standing in the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian (USA) denominations. He is the proud father of two sons: Seth, who is a graduate student in molecular biology at the University of Connecticut and Jared, who is a senior at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
MARQUITA AUFFENBERG Director of Christian Education When choosing a major at the University of Virginia, Quita indicates that it was a “toss up between Landscape Architecture and Early Childhood Education.” While she opted to pursue a career in landscape design, she has continued her interest in education as a Sunday School teacher in various congregational settings. Her classes are very creative. Discussions are augmented with art projects that keep students active and inter-active. “The children are fabulous,” she says, “I learn a lot from them and I learn to listen to their needs while at the same time ensuring an environment that has enough structure for the kids to learn and have fun.” Marquita is one of 9 siblings from St. Louis, Missouri. She has 27 nieces and nephews… “all of whom I adore!” Her professional career has taken her from St. Louis to Aspen, Colorado and, now, Fairfield County. She has designed highway projects, shopping centers as well as art museum and hospital gardens. She has experience in both residential and commercial landscaping. She is currently developing her own landscape architecture and consulting business with a particular interest in spiritual gardens and healing spaces.
|
