Our Staff

Pastor Shawn has led a diverse life, preparing him to lead this community of faith for these times and in this place. Born in Hartford, Pastor Shawn earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Economics from the University of Connecticut and went on to have a successful 23-year private sector career in roles ranging from Chief Operating Officer, Head of Strategic Planning & Business Development, and Director of Corporate Finance. He was responsible for helping to start-up, turn-around, and grow organizations.

Pastor Shawn knows how to bring people together from diverse cultural backgrounds and to assure that people and organizations thrive, not just survive. He is trained in Culture Transformation and Innovation and believes that how an organization does things is as important as what is done. Shawn has also served on multiple non-profit boards, has been a mentor for youth in Hartford, and several years ago was named “Citizen of the Year” in Marlborough, CT. His focus has been on relationships and empowering people to do the right thing for the right reasons.

Shawn has had the opportunity to travel extensively within the United States as well as India, Mexico, many countries in Europe, and most recently to The Holy Land in Israel. However, the most important travel for both himself and his family has been to Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, where the family partnered with World Vision to do humanitarian work – helping to transform individual lives and communities. However, while he did ministry in his own way in the various areas of his life, a different sense of purpose began to knock at the door of his heart. Responding to a call “to build God’s Kingdom here on earth,” he left the private sector to dedicate his life to full-time ordained ministry.  

Pastor Shawn graduated from Hartford Seminary, performed his Clinical Pastoral Education at Hartford Hospital and then served as the Senior Pastor of Groton Congregational Church. During that time, the church reversed a 25-year period of decline and became an important partner in the community. Church participation grew, missions giving expanded, a successful Youth program was initiated, and awareness of the church increased through creative programs and deliberate outreach into the community.

Since becoming the Pastor of Bloomfield Congregational Church in 2018, the church has taken on new life. It is growing as it becomes deeply embedded in the community. In the past few years, the church has served over 30,000 meals to people through new programs such as the Bloomfield Congregational Community Kitchen and the Bloomfield Backpack Program. In the past three years, the congregation’s overall impact in the community has grown more than 400%. Pastor Shawn is also known as a powerful preacher and strong voice for social justice.

Shawn and his wife Linda have been married for 23 years. Linda is an Economics Professor at Quinnipiac University. Their son Garrett is a Junior at Bryant University.  

Pastor Shawn is a singer-songwriter who is currently working on his third Contemporary Christian album. Often seen taking in a Red Sox game, playing badminton, Wiffle Ball, or just getting down on the floor to wrestle with the dogs or play with young children, Pastor Shawn is known by those who know him, as a kid at heart.

Eustace was born in Barbados, West Indies, where he  began his studies of piano and organ at an early age with his father and with Gerald Hudson, Organist/Choirmaster at St. Michael’s Cathedral. In the U.S, he studied with  Eugene Hancock, Associate Organist/Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and  at Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford with John Holtz.

He has held positions in Brooklyn, NY, and in Plainfield and West Hartford, CT. before coming to Bloomfield Congregational Church in February 1969. Eustace also teaches piano at Wilson Music and Tutoring and has his own organ students. He is a member of the Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and recipient of the Collin Bennett-Marcus Garvey Community Award. He enjoys spending time with his family. He loves playing chess.

Dorine joined First Congregational Church in 2007 after five years as the Faith Formation Director of the Union Congregational Church in Rockville, CT. She received her Associates Degree in Christian Education from Hartford Seminary in 2000 and received her designation in the UCC in 2003.  Dorine worked as a part time teacher in the Hartford Public Schools as well as the Head Start program in Vernon.  She also served on the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council in Vernon. Dorine is creative, artistic and loves gardening and children. “My goal is to nurture children and youth to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Morgan joined First Congregational Church Staff in December of 2021, after five years of providing administrative support in a variety of fields including early childhood development in Granby, CT and non-profit organizations in Hartford County. They also work locally with several art organizations throughout Connecticut in administration and design. They received their Bachelor’s Degree in Printmaking from the University of Hartford in 2020. Morgan is passionate about organization, planning, and craftsmanship. They are excited to grow and learn in this position. “I enjoy helping others and solving problems!”