Rev. Patrick Collins, who began his service as Associate Pastor for Children, Youth and Families at the First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich in September, will be officially installed during regular worship at the church on Sunday, April 30, at 10 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba of the UCC Connecticut Conference will officiate at the installation, and will join the congregation in celebration.
In his ministry at First Church, Collins has emphasized his commitment to a “relational approach,” which he feels is central to the ministry of Jesus and the Christian faith. “We can encounter God within the people we encounter in our daily lives,” said Collins. “My mission at First Church is to build relationships and encounter God with, and through, the wonderful children, youth and families who join us. Through our shared experiences and relationships, we can share in the struggles and joys of life, leading us to a deeper faith experience.”
Collins is a 2003 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he majored in psychology and played football. He also holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri and a Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology, and has ten years of experience serving as Youth Minister in two Congregational churches in Nebraska. He and his wife Kate, a physical therapist, have three sons ages 6, 3 and 1.
“Patrick has brought many gifts to our church,” said Pam Speer, Chair of the Associate Pastor Search Committee at First Church. “He is dynamic in a gentle, calm way and is a wonderful listener. The Senior Pastor of his prior church remarked that Patrick would be her first choice of anyone to pray with her, and for her, whenever the need might arise. He has shown in the past eight months that he has the energy and passion to serve both our church and our larger community. We are overjoyed to be celebrating his installation on Sunday.”
