PASTOR: Rev. Dawn Garrett-Larsen
Hello Friends! My name is Dawn Garrett-Larsen, and I am excited and honored to be your new pastor. I grew up in Elyria Ohio, graduated from The College of Wooster and Andover Newton Theological School, served the Federated Church in Marlborough NH for eight years, and am just finishing a nineteen-year pastorate at Nelson Congregational Church in NH.
My husband, Jay, and I have been married since 1992. We have two adult children, Annie and Jesse, and two golden doodles named Gracie and Luna. I love to sing, dance, play games, paddle, hike, read, walk labyrinths, take photographs, and listen to music, especially musical theater! If you are interested in learning more about me you can visit my website at https://dawngarrett-larsen.wixsite.com/mysite. You’ll find some of my photography, audio sermons, and a glimpse into the way I approach ministry on this website.
I flung the net wide when I initiated the search for my next calling, and distributed my profile in many different states. I was looking for a welcoming, mission-oriented, progressive, forward-thinking congregation that is ready to discern God’s call. You are all of those things!
God’s call to serve the First Congregational Church of Canandaigua was absolutely clear to me during the interview process. I was impressed with the wonderful staff, the kind and thoughtful search committee members, and the beautiful building. I loved the shared meals, theological conversations, and time just getting to know members of the search committee.
Since first stepping foot in Canandaigua, this has felt like the right match. I remember during my phone interview saying, “I’ve read through your profile and everything looks too perfect. What aren’t you telling me?”
When I came to visit, I fell in love with the people, the church, and the town. By God’s grace, everything has fallen into place, including the opportunity to buy Debbie Wilbur’s beautiful farm house. It is a clear sign to me that this is the place God has called me to serve.
I am leaving an almost 20-year beloved ministry in NH, and I know how difficult it will be for my current parishioners to say goodbye and to be ready for a new pastor to lead them. I expect that some of the work you will be doing during our first year together will be grieving Tom’s leaving and starting to envision church with Dawn as your pastor.
As we begin our ministry together, I will invite you to reflect on your past and look toward the future. We will be organizing small group gatherings throughout the fall. I want to hear from you what you love about this church, what your hopes and dreams are for the future, and how we will work together to follow God.
I hope to meet each of you during my first few months. If you would be more comfortable getting to know one another individually or as families, I would love to come and visit you in your home, meet you for tea, or visit with you at the church. Please let me know what venue is preferable for you.
I will focus on building relationships, asking questions, listening, and learning about what you value most in this community of faith. Thank you for your patience and support in helping me to come to know all of you.
Please also help me to know what is going on in the lives of the people in the church. If your daughter is having surgery, if there is a new baby in your family, if your spouse lost a job, if you are dealing with illness or recovering from an injury, or if you just need to talk with someone, I would like to be there to support you. I’d rather hear the news that someone was taken to the hospital from three or four people than not hear about it at all.
I will be incredibly grateful for your help in knowing what is going on in the community. Thanks for your assistance! I can’t wait to meet you and to make new connections as I begin my pastorate in September.
My first Sunday with you will be Rally Day, September 8th. I hope that you will come to church that Sunday and celebrate the beginning of our new ministry together. God is doing great things at the First Congregational Church of Canandaigua and I am excited to be a part of ministry here in this place!
Rev. Dawn
OFFICE MANAGER: Alicia Francis
Alicia received a Bachelor of Arts in English from SUNY Fredonia and a Master of Science in Special Education from St. John Fisher College. She is certified to teach Elementary Education, Grades K through 6th, and Special Education, Grades K -12. Alicia was our CE Director from August 2009 until 2013, and is now our full-time Office Manager. She stays busy with her son who is a Junior in Highschool, who plays hockey and baseball, and her daughter, who is a freshman at West Virginia Univ., studying forensic science. Alicia’s email address is: office@canandaiguachurch.org
ORGANIST: Denise Morphy
Denise is an accomplished organist and pianist who holds a Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Nazareth College, and a Certificate in Church Music from The Leadership Program in Church Music of the Episcopal Church. She is also a member of the American Guild of Organists. She enjoys walking, reading, music, and spending time with her two grown children and grandchildren. She also teaches private piano and organ lessons.
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Edith Rice
Edie received a Music Education degree in Choral Conducting from the Eastman School of Music. She has taught vocal, string and general music in the Greece and Penn Yan Central School districts and at Keuka College. Currently, she is the high school choral teacher for Pittsford Mendon High School. She also teaches private voice lessons.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Debbie Lyon
Debbie has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and an Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources Conservation from Finger Lakes Community College. In addition to her civil engineering experience, Debbie has served as a missionary in Guatemala, a school teacher inBelize, and an environmental educator in Vermont and Maine. Debbie has been a member of this church for over ten years, sings in our choir, and serves on the Social Action Committee. She enjoys bike riding, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and sunset viewing. Debbie’s email is: ce@canandaiguachurch.org
