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Reverend Doctor James L. Mills left the church mid November 2022 to move out of state to be closer to his family.  Karen Braeutigam, MSW, Licensed Minister started immediately as the Bridge Pastor at our church.  Karen was already a member of the Fair Haven Congregational church and continues to also serve as a Deacon in the church.  Before becoming the Bridge Pastor she was an associate pastor of the church, working under Rev. Mills.  Karen is a retired social worker, having worked in the mental health field most of her life.  She was always called to work with the marginalized and to be part of a team.  Karen also served as a hospice social worker and bereavement coordinator for 8 years.  She has lived in Vermont for the past 16 years.  
    As the Bridge Pastor she will serve until the church calls the next settled pastor to the position.  She has been working with the other churches in Fair Haven to continue the ecumenical focus of the church.  She is committed to working with the whole community to build the local community connections that are so important for one’s growth as individuals and to build a thriving community.  Karen is interested in fjurther developing the connections between the churches and the agencies that serve the people in town. She sees Fair Haven Congregational Church as a church that is not bound by its building but open to the community and to ALL.

Contact me!
​ karenbraeutigum@fhucc.org