Staff
Pastor
The Reverend Joseph Blotz joined us as our Minister of Faith Formation in August 2010. In August 2014 his call was modified to Co-Pastor and in July 2018 he was called as our solo Pastor. Joe grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. He has served congregations and community-based ministries in California, Ohio, and New York. He is an accredited Godly Play teacher (a Montessori-inspired model of religious education) and has an interest in inter-generational worship, education, and service-learning. His ministry outside of the congregation has been with individuals experiencing homelessness, as an outreach worker for an AIDS resource organization, and as a writer for a local human sexuality curriculum. His published works include a feminist commentary on the book of Ruth and liturgical resources with a preferential option for Earth in the Earth Bible series. He is also a movie buff and enjoys playing guitar.
Contact Pastor Joe: joseph.blotz@FirstChurchMansfield.org
Organist
Erik Haeger has been the organist at First Church since 2000, and a covenantal member since 2006.
A graduate of the University of Connecticut, he lives locally with his wife, Rebecca, and their daughter, Julia. Erik started playing piano at a young age. He was a substitute organist at local churches for years before settling at First Church. He teaches piano for beginners and enjoys jazz and the Red Sox.
Home549 Storrs Road
(Junction of Routes 195 & 89)
Mansfield Center, Connecticut
Where Faith Takes Action!
