LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Rev. Linda Williams, Senior Pastor
Pastor Linda and her family, which includes her husband of 39 years, Michel, and their children, Lauren and Daniel, are from New Hampshire. She earned her Masters in Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, (Boston, MA) with an emphasis in Urban Ministry and holds Bachelor degrees in Early Childhood Development and Graphic Design. She has served churches in NH, MA, and MD.
In addition to her role as Pastor, she is Chaplain for the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Washington Ambulance Association.
Within the Covenant, she has served on numerous boards for the denomination. In addition, she has led workshops in the areas of Abuse and Trauma, Relationships, Marriage and more, also served as a retreat speaker.
Pastor Linda has a passion for building healthy families, a love for children and a heart for helping people find wholeness and healing in their lives through Christ. She holds a Specialized Certification through International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (icisf.org), is a CT-certified EMT, and a member of the CT CISM team.
For rest and relaxation, Linda enjoys hiking, gardening, art, and reading.
Email: pastor@salemcovenantchurch.com
Youth Pastor - Position Open
Susan Anthony-Klein, Music Director
Susan has her Bachelor of Music Performance degree from The University of Connecticut and her Master of Music Performance degree from Ithaca College in New York. She was music director at Salem Covenant Church in Washington, CT for 28 years. There she conducted and accompanied a choir of 20-24 members as well as lead the music for services. She was the accompanist for The St. Cecelia Chorus in New York City under the direction of David Randolph. She performed with that group at Carnegie Hall for five years in a total of seven performances including major choral works of Bach, Haydn and Orff. Susan toured throughout the United States with the Norman Luboff Choir and the Robert deCormier Singers.
She works at Western Connecticut State University doing vocal coaching, been the accompanist for the opera program. She is the accompanist for The Naugatuck Community Choir and The Newtown Choral Society and Ridgefield Chorale. She has accompanied the Connecticut Choral Society and many choral-intensive weekends at Mohonk Mountain, New York and Saugerties, New York. She also works with vocal and instrumental soloists in the Connecticut and New York area in preparation and performance of recitals. Any spare time is spent on her favorite hobby: making dollhouse furniture and accessories, including miniature Adirondack chairs for the tops of wedding cakes. Her work is available at: www.susanaklein.etsy.com
Email: musicdirector@salemcovenantchurch.com
Deborah Griesbach, Office Administrator
Deborah Griesbach is mom and stepmom to a blended family of five ranging in age from 19 to 35: Gustavo, Maya, Hannah, Ben and Sara. She and her husband David, who is a retired cabinetmaker, are also blessed to have three grandchildren, including toddler twins.
In theory, David is retired and Deborah is semi-retired. In practice, they both manage to stay busy. Among other things, the grandchildren enjoy weekly sleepovers with Pop Pop and Mormor.
As Deborah’s mother is Swedish, Deborah grew up speaking Swedish and English equally well. Unfortunately, she lost her Swedish fluency after starting school, when as a stubborn six year old she refused to speak Swedish.
Deborah came to faith and to Christ as an adult, during a difficult passage in her life. She is grateful to have found Salem Covenant Church during that period and glad during this time to step into the role of Interim Office Administrator.
Email: office@salemcovenantchurch.com
Stephanie Shaw, Nursery Care Provider
Stephanie Shaw, from New Milford, CT, is a graduate from Western Connecticut State University, studied Business Management, with hopes to become an event planner. Stephanie specializes with working with young children. For nearly seven years she has been babysitting for local families. Four years ago, she became a part-time preschool teacher at a local daycare center. She is excited to work at Salem as the Nursery Care Provider. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys Tang Soo Do (in which she holds a 2nd degree Black Belt), yoga, the movies and spending time with her family.
Housekeeping
This year Shepaug Valley Partnership Career Program is partnering with Salem for its fourth year.