Rev. Jeanette Cooper Hicks grew up in a Roman Catholic family, where faith and spirituality played a central role in her life. Her first call was to teach elementary and then college students.  A dedicated lifelong learner, she pursued studies in Education and English at Vassar College, later obtaining an M.S. in Reading Education from Western Connecticut State.  God had plans, which led her to seminary at Union Theological Seminary and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Her passion for spiritual guidance led her to become a certified Spiritual Director through Boston University Theological Seminary. Pastor Jeanette has served in various churches across the country, including Saint Matthews UMC in Louisville, Trinity UMC in NC, East Parish Church in MA, and The United Churches of Durham in CT.  She became our 27th settled pastor at Westbrook Congregational Church in the fall of 2022. She is the proud Chaplain of the Westbrook Fire Department and Moderator of the Middlesex Association Executive Committee on Ministry. Rev. Hicks and her husband, Al, have four lively children and a cuddle-demanding dog. You can often find her at a coffee shop, connecting with new people. Feel free to email Pastor Jeanette to arrange a chat (the first cup of coffee is on her).

Becky Stambaugh comes to Westbrook Congregational Church with over 25 years of professional experience working with children and youth in public schools and in ministry. She has served as a children’s minister, youth minister, and confirmation teacher from Hollywood, CA, to Guilford and Westport, CT. Over the years, Becky has been invited by the Southern New England Conference to teach workshops, assist other churches needing Christian Education support, lead confirmation retreats, and facilitate a Community of Practice for CE and Faith Formation colleagues. She founded Creative CE Solutions, a ministry that works with local churches to help inspire, create, and renew. She leads our Westbrook children in Sunday School and faith formation and leads the Shoreline Youth Group, which serves Essex, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook Congregational Churches. 

Karen has been our Church Office Administrator since 2014.  She is the backbone of our day-to-day operations. Karen wears many hats at Westbrook Congregational Church including scheduling events, managing church membership, and as Pastor Jeanette’s lifeline. Karen has been a member of our congregation for many years.  She and her family are Westbrook residents and very active in our local community. Contact Karen for questions about our services and events, or to rent our Fellowship Hall. Our Church office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 am-1:00 pm.

Jacklyn A. Belmonte, has performed professionally throughout Connecticut and New York. Her experience spans genres from church music to musical theatre, light opera, choral, and orchestral.  She has extensive Church choir experience, and her last position in CT was with Holy Advent Episcopal Church in Clinton, CT.  A Connecticut native, Jackie attended Hartt School of Music, where she designed the first musical theatre curriculum in conjunction with the University of Hartford Drama Department. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College.

Jackie has led numerous choirs and choruses on the CT Shoreline at active adult facilities. She has also conducted numerous pit orchestras and musical theatre casts for Regional, Summer Stock, Dinner, and Community Theatre. Jackie is on the faculty at Community Music School in Essex, where she teaches piano and voice and serves on their Board of Directors. In addition, she maintains a private voice and piano studio. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the American Guild of Organists, and the American Federation of Musicians.  She enjoys entertaining, home improvement projects, and spending time with family and friends.

Jan has been our fabulous volunteer church treasurer for 16 years! She is a handbell ringer and a member of our choir. She is a constant cheerleader for our town and church, serving faithfully on a Shoreline Soup Kitchen meal site team.  Jan generously gives her time in many aspects of our community life, always with a warm smile. 

David is a longtime resident of Westbrook and our handbell choir director.  He has been a member of Westbrook Congregational Church since 1999. You can often find David at the beach or out riding on his much loved Vespa. Our handbell choir rehearses on Fridays. There is no experience necessary, only a willingness to learn this  wonderful way of praising God. Contact David for more information about our handbell choir.