SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, pastor of First Congregational Church of Stamford, brings vast experience as a pastor, teacher, counselor, retreat facilitator, and organization development consultant. Dr. Jackson formerly served as interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, associate pastor for congregational life at The Church St. Paul and St. Andrew (United Methodist), interim pastor and lecturer at Union Theological Seminary, and associate worship coordinator at The Riverside Church in New York City. She is also the founder of Center of Spiritual Light, providing empowerment support and coaching for organizational leaders and helping professionals. Prior to entering professional ministry, Cari Jackson had an extensive career in human resources, organization development, management training, and mediation in a cross-section of business and community service organizations.
Dr. Jackson is the author of The Gift to Listen, the Courage to Hear (Augsburg Books, 2003). She holds a Ph.D. degree in Christian Social Ethics from Drew University, where her dissertation topic focused on the ethical issues of ministerial power. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctor degree from University of Maryland School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Oberlin College.
ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR
Pianist, organist, and composer Timothy Wallace began his formal study of the piano at age nine, while living in his native state, Texas. He gave his first solo piano recital as a high school student and progressed to graduate from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a degree in Piano Performance. While there, he studied with Alfred Mouledous, pianist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and protégé of Walter Geiseking. He also studied with Pierrette Mouledous, a student of Alfred Cartot at the Paris Conservatory of Music.
Mr. Wallace has performed throughout the United States as a soloist. As an accompanist, he has worked with choral ensembles, dance companies, and theatres. He has composed works for voice (solo and choral), solo piano and other instruments, chamber ensembles and full orchestra, including a full-length three-act ballet based on "Snow White."
Mr. Wallace has served as a church musician for nearly thirty years ranging in capacity from organist, choir master, and hand bell director to Music Director. He brings with him a multitude of experience and a unique creativity, which he utilizes in an all-inclusive manner.
"Music is one of the greatest gifts of all, for in it is the capacity o most fully express the vast richness of life itself-the greatest work of our Creator."
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Lynn Dunn coordinates our education program. Lynn is a M.Div. degree candidate at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and the mother of two adult children.
It is her philosophy that a church that is truly welcoming to children and families needs to thoughtfully consider what its theology of childhood is, and how its worship and education programs express that theology. She believes strongly that a healthy Christian faith is a gift from God, that can be nurtured through worship and education, and is among the tools young people need as they move forward in their lives.
Lynn is serving as Christian Education Coordinator of First Congregational Church of Stamford as part of her seminary field education. Her prior experience and education in business and as a community and church volunteer combine to make her uniquely qualified for this role at our church. She has previously been ordained as both a deacon and an elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and maintains her church membership at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY.