God is doing a new thing at Green’s Farms Church! The 2024–2025 program year has been a banner season for GFC. Our culture of welcome continues to help people get connected, build community, grow in faith, and serve with purpose as we follow Jesus together.
This year, we launched a brand-new website, a church app, and our “Welcome Home” video—all designed to make it easier than ever to find GFC and feel at home here.
As we began the program year, we reflected on the words of Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing!” And truly, we have seen God at work.
We called LaQruishia Gill as our new Associate Minister and welcomed Pastoral Resident, Rev. Sophie Beal. Our vibrant youth programs have expanded, and we’ve witnessed unprecedented engagement in Bible study and service initiatives. Each week, 100+ adults participate in our thriving Men’s, Women’s, and Sunday Bible Groups—a sign of deepening faith and connection.
We look forward with hope and anticipation for all that God will continue to do!
With Joy,
Rev. Jeffrey Rider, Senior Minister
It has been a privilege to serve as Moderator of Green’s Farms Church. Over the past two years, I have witnessed the deep faithfulness and commitment of our congregation.
This November, we invited members to consider increasing their pledges by 10%—to keep pace with GFC’s rising operations costs due to increased programming and inflation. You rose to the challenge with generosity and grace.
In another significant step, we made the thoughtful decision to sell the 63 Hillandale property, allowing us to eliminate $1 million in debt. We are grateful to be a healthy, vibrant, and generous church, and I am confident that God will continue to guide us forward.
Best,
Craig Barney, Moderator 2023-2025
I am truly honored and excited to begin my term as Moderator this June. Serving as Vice-Moderator has given me a wonderful opportunity to witness the passion and dedication our congregation brings to living out their faith through service.
Over the past year, we have worked to make it easier than ever for everyone to step into the mission God has for us. With the launch of our new service page on the website and the addition of a service sign-up feature in the Church Center app, more of us have been able to answer the call to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus in our community. Our largest Service Sunday yet—where 150 families came together—was a beautiful testament to the power of collective faith in action.
As I look ahead, my prayer and commitment is to continue creating opportunities for all of us to grow in faith by serving those in need, embodying Jesus’s love in tangible ways. It is a privilege to follow in Craig’s footsteps, and I am eager to journey with you through another remarkable year at Green’s Farms Church.
In Christ,
Bruce Leavitt, Moderator 2025-2027
Our Men’s Group meets monthly for breakfast and honest conversation about the challenges and rewards of navigating faith and everyday life. They also go off-site to serve with our GFC Mission Partners. This fall, the Men’s Group planted over 400 bulbs at Homes with Hope’s new residence on Wilton Road, creating a beautiful and welcoming space for future residents.
An Adult Bible Study highlight was our Lenten Series Back to Life: Seven Sins and the Path to Spiritual Renewal. LaQruishia Gill shared: "Bible Study has felt particularly lively and energizing this year! I've been inspired by the questions asked, the insights offered, and the excitement over the things we find in Scripture."
Other favorite Adult Bible Study series included: Parables of the Harvest, Stewardship, Gospel Miracles and Wind Power: Exploring the Mysteries of God's Holy Spirit.
Special thank you to our Consulting Theologian, Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton who partnered with our Pastoral Team to create content for our Back to Life and Wind Power sermon learning series!
GFC traveled to Italy for our second pilgrimage, trekking 72 miles on the Via Francigena. Pilgrims engaged in daily devotions, practiced silent meditation while walking through rolling Tuscan hills, and ended each day with shared meals, meaningful conversation, and laughter. The one question everyone's asking is, “Where are we headed next year?” Stay tuned!
This fall, we unveiled a brand new Community Recreation Space! This collaboration with Green's Farms Nursery School features a brand new playground, fire pit and sport court—a perfect place for GFC children and youth to connect and have fun. Thank you to all who helped fund this incredible outdoor space!
Our Middle School Youth Group students gathering around the fire pit to share the highs and lows of their weeks. It is a joy to see students connecting in this new space. We are so grateful for Rev. Sophie Beal, Alison Lindsey-Noble, and Wes Beeler for their extraordinary work with our youth!
We hosted our first ever Icthus Fall Retreat and a January Confirmation Retreat with 100% participation!
Over the course of the school year, our middle schoolers assembled over 2,000 sandwiches for Open Door Shelter with our Hungry Hearts program!
We love seeing students enjoy youth group so much that they bring their whole families to church! Hannah Tankel (center), her sister Mia, and her mother Angie did a beautiful job lighting our Advent wreath.
"I've seen first-hand how important it is to form trust and communicate with both students and families in order to cultivate a thriving youth program. It's particularly important to meet each student wherever they are along their own journey. Listening to them and taking them seriously as individuals is the foundation of everything else we do here." - Rev. Sophie Beal
We are thrilled to welcome Rosa Carbajal as our new Director of Children and Family Ministries! Rosa has been a dedicated Sunday School teacher at GFC since 2023, and we are excited for her to step into this expanded role.
Originally from Honduras, Rosa is a native Spanish speaker and works full-time as a Multilingual Learner (MLL) teacher at Rowayton Elementary School. She is currently in the final phase of her Doctoral Degree in Second Language Acquisition through the American College of Education.
LaQruishia Gill shared: "It has been a joy to watch Rosa lead our Preschool through 1st graders in Sunday School these past two years as she nurtures their spiritual growth, engages them with Bible stories & activities, builds a safe & positive learning environment—and makes sure they have plenty of fun each Sunday morning, too! Rosa is so talented and capable, and I'm confident that both she and the children will continue to thrive in this new season of Sunday School at GFC."
We celebrated four new shows in The Gallery. Pictured above is Sally Harris' art show: The Colors and Culture of Oaxaca, Mexico. One congregant shared: "I love how GFC celebrates local artists. Each gallery show is so unique and captivating."
GFC loves celebrating our members’ artistic milestones! This year, Diane Parrish released her first book Something Better. GFC members enjoyed attending her book launch at the Westport Library and her special Q&A with our Women's Group. Diane even visited our Consulting Theologian, Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton, on a book tour stop in Austin, Texas!
Our chancel choir and praise band enriched GFC worship through cherished anthems and new musical challenges. Each Sunday, music ministry members grew together in faith and artistry. In the words of chancel choir member, Nancy Braun: "Music speaks to the soul in a way no other means of communication can."
We also enjoyed collaborations with handbell and brass choir as well as brand new songs from GFC song writers and musicians Dan Christian and Kristian Rose!
Kristian Rose took on a new role as the leader for the brand new Middle School Praise Band! Incorporating praise music into Middle School Youth Group has helped us bridge the gap between worship and youth programming at GFC. It is inspiring to see our students share their musical gifts with the congregation.
LaQruishia has served at Green's Farms Church for 11 years: first, as a Sunday School teacher; then, as Director of Children & Family Ministries; and most recently, as Pastoral Resident. She holds a Master’s of Divinity from Yale University and will begin her new role as Associate Minister on August 15th when her Pastoral Residency concludes.
LaQruishia will assume new responsibilities in worship, outreach and faith formation ministries. Additionally, she will mentor staff members and oversee the children's ministry team. We are thrilled to have her in this new role!
LaQruishia shares: "My heart has always been to help people go deeper in their faith, in their relationship with God, and in their exploration of the Bible. It's not always the most glamorous or flashy (unless you count some of our Sunday school crafts and experiments), but it is such a worthy goal and a special honor to lead others in those moments of discovery."
Credits:
Annual Report Design & Photography by Kelly Jarry, Instagram: @kelly_jarry