Leadership & Staff
Rev. Dr. David Kaden, Senior Minister
In addition to being a UCC minister, I love my family, root for the New York Yankees, and appreciate culture in its many forms. My church ministry focuses on one goal – to help people become healing, peaceful, compassionate, justice-oriented, and loving followers of Jesus.
I hold degrees from Messiah College (B.A.), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Harvard University (Th.M.), and the University of Toronto (Ph.D.). I served as FCCI’s Associate Minister from 2005-2009, served churches in Massachusetts, worked as an interim college chaplain at the University of Toronto, and filled the pulpit regularly at the College Street United Church in Toronto. I was a research fellow at the Jackman Humanities Institute in Toronto, and I have taught courses at the University of Toronto, St. Olaf College, the New York School of Ministry, and Cornell University. My publications in the study of religion explore a variety of topics, but my first book focused on law and religion (Matthew, Paul, and the Anthropology of Law [Mohr Siebeck, 2016]). My recent book is Christianity in Blue: How the Bible, History, Philosophy, and Theology Shape Progressive Identity (Fortress Press).
As Senior Minister at FCCI, I work closely with our members and friends to expand our church’s impact in our personal lives, in our Ithaca community, and in our world. We completed a three year capital improvements campaign, concluded a two year discernment process to become a sanctuary church, built solid interfaith partnerships, and launched a five year strategic planning initiative. Our church is growing, vibrant, progressive, and committed to following the example of Christ. I look forward to meeting you soon!
Rev. Susan Fast, Associate Minister of Pastoral Care
I have completed my studies in the New York School of Ministry’s Word and Sacrament (Ordination) Program. Trained as a geologist, I was an Earth Science, Earth History and Environmental Science teacher at SUNY Cortland for over 10 years; and most recently at Ithaca High School, where I taught ninth-grade Earth Science for 10 years. For fun, I enjoy tent-camping in the Adirondacks, traveling in the Western US, photography, baking, writing, sewing and crocheting.
William Cowdery, Music Director & Organist
Lauren and I both came to Ithaca as undergraduates in 1969. Even though we “tried” to leave Ithaca many times, we kept coming back. We both have PhDs from Cornell, hers in English and mine in music. We have both taught at several colleges in the area, including I.C. and Cornell. Currently I work as a full-time supervisor at the Cornell music library. Lauren is a free-lance seamstress and designs theatrical costumes for many local groups such as the Ithaca Shakespeare Company. Our daughter Betsy graduated from Cornell in mathematics and is now in graduate school at Boston University. FCC has been our second home for the past nineteen years, and its members are very much a part of our virtual extended family.
Email: wwc147@gmail.com
Darlynne Overbaugh, Director of Children's & Youth Ministries
I’ve lived in the Tompkins County area since I graduated from Wells College in 2001. Some of my favorite early career memories included being an Arts and Crafts Specialist for the YMCA of Greater Rochester; teaching puppetry, improvisation and playwriting; and handcrafting artisan fair trade chocolates with my own business, Life’s So Sweet Chocolates. Throughout my life I’ve collected comic books, enjoyed science fiction and fantasy and planned events so when two local teens had the idea for a Harry Potter event in Press Bay Alley in 2012, I was eager to help make it happen. Wizarding Weekend was launched and I facilitated it with gusto until its last hurrah in 2019. This experience inspired me to complete a Master’s Degree from Falmouth University and reignited my enthusiasm for fan culture related events. For the last year and a half I’ve been traveling the world delivering Stova event technology solutions for a wide range of small and large scale events. I am very happy to return home to my husband (Bill), daughter (Penelope, 12), Puli dog (Pepper) and three legged cat (Chip) in Trumansburg and excited to get to know everyone in FCCI community! Feel free to reach out to me.
Email:darlynneoverbaugh@fccithaca.org
Mary Ellen Stewart, Financial Manager
My husband, Gary, and I started attending First Congregational Church in 2016. We’d only just become members when the position of Finance Manager opened I enjoy getting to know FCCI members and friends while keeping FCCI finance ducks in a row!
In my leisure time, I enjoy reading, gardening, hiking, and doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles.
Email: maryellenstewart@fccithaca.org
Shawn Galbreath Reposh, Office Coordinator
Growing up I split my time between Western New York and the Adirondacks. After graduating from college I began a long career in human services administration and professional fundraising. I moved to Ithaca in 1981 and raised my three children– Michaela, Jessica and Alex– here. I have also spent time working in Vermont and in Edinburgh, Scotland. I retired in 2018 and have worked occasional part time jobs with small organizations assisting with systems and fundraising. I spend my spare time with my children and grandchildren, my dog Sadie and projects in sewing and the arts.
Email: office@fccithaca.org
Steve Devlen, Sexton, Church Custodian
I’ve lived in the Finger Lakes region for most of my life and have now lived near Spencer NY for the past 19 years. I have 3 spectacular grown children. They each make me so proud! I spend most of my spare time with them and love to hike and kayak near home or along the coast of Maine.
Aside from my human family, I have quite a menagerie of pets as well….2 dogs, 2 cats, a rabbit, and a guinea pig… along with a big aquarium where a cichlid resides.
I’ve had a passion for cleaning and building maintenance,.. (yes you read that right),.. for all my adult life, and being the Sexton here is truly a labor of love.