Introducing Your Church Council and the Unsung Heroes

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

Welcome dear members of Gloria Dei! We want to take a moment to introduce you to the dedicated individuals who serve on our Church Council, as well as the many staff and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make our church thrive. These unsung heroes play a vital role in fulfilling our mission and creating a vibrant worship and community experience for all.

The Church Council

Our Church Council is a group of faithful individuals who provide leadership and guidance in carrying out the vision of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Serving as the governing body, they diligently discern and make decisions that impact the life of our congregation. Allow us to introduce you to each member of the current Church Council:
Valerie Holcomb Serving as the Council President
Linel Noble Serving as the Vice President
Bob Richard Serving as the Council Treasurer
Tracy Carlson Serving as the Council Secretary
Cindy Broderick Serving as the Financial Secretary

Members at Large: Gary Mankus, Sue Parsons, Joan Lindquist, Deb Taylor and Wendy Colite.

Church Staff

At Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, we are privileged to have a dedicated team of individuals who serve and support our congregation. Among them, we have

John Parsons, our Minister of Music, who brings beautiful melodies and inspiring worship music. Retired from Parsons Buick, John served 37 years as music minister with First Congregational Church, UCC in Southington. He is a graduate of the School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary, and served churches in New Britain and in Michigan while an undergraduate at Alma College. He likes old things: lives in a house built in 1778 and is a member of the Organ Historical Society as well as the American Guild of Organists. Maintaining our sacred space is Mary Boyed, our amazing Sexton, ensuring everything is clean and well-prepared. Carin Grunwald keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. The Office Manager, keeps us organized and attends to the administrative tasks.

Together, John Parsons, Mary Boyd, and Carin Grunwald play crucial roles in fostering a welcoming and uplifting environment for our church community.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi

Meet Our Interim Minister Momma Jeanette Harris

Greetings as well to those who hold Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in their hearts and prayers! Greetings as well to those who may have joined us in worship online and for those we have yet to meet! “God is good, and our loving God is good all the time and not only that we continue to be recipients of such wonderful blessings”! Before I get too carried away as I consider our God good, let me introduce myself! Some of you I have already had the pleasure to meet, and I look forward to meeting the rest of “The family” soon. My given name is Jeanette Harris, but most of the time I go by the name, “Momma J.” First and foremost, I love the Lord and I find great joy in that relationship we share. In my faith walk, I am a Licensed Lay Minister and have been working with a new ministry in Bridgeport, CT, Genesis Gospel Café. Due to the effects of the pandemic our time at Genesis has shifted but we remain prayerful. Basic stuff includes me being the mother of 2 adults (Still my children!). I enjoy reading, writing, traveling, and singing. You can also tune in to our radio broadcast titled, “An Encouraging Word” on Radio1400am.com. I’m hoping we will have the opportunity to share bits of our lives not only in worship, but as we fellowship and work for God’s kingdom together. For those who want to know/hear more about me, and especially about the wonderful God we serve, feel free to contact me or join me in worship at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where we can learn more about one another. In the meantime, enjoy this day and be extremely blessed! (Just a side note – I am a professional storyteller with a group of puppets that are my “Juppets”)