First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Welcomes New Minister

A Press Release from The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

The members of The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, announce the call of the Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit as their new Senior Minister following a “candidating” service yesterday in which he delivered the sermon. This vote followed the United Church of Christ procedure in which the members cast a vote of affirmation on their senior ministers. 

 “This is indeed a historic moment for our church,” Bruce Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, said. “Steve will be the 19th senior minister in the church’s 348-year history. He will follow Rev. David Good, who retired in 2012 after serving as Senior Minister for 37 years. We are convinced that Steve has the skills, vision, and collaborative spirit to lead the church for many years and we enthusiastically welcome him and his family to our church.”  

In response to his appointment, Rev. Jungkeit said, “I first became aware of the First Congregational Church through a mutual friend. After meeting with the search committee and learning about the church’s ongoing work in the world, I was more than a little intrigued. Indeed, it was the church’s engagement with the world in ways both local and global that attracted me the most. In a world desperately in need of a little good news, and in which church communities struggle to find their voices, this church beckons with its unwavering commitment to sharing the good news of the gospel in some of the most vulnerable places in the world. I look forward to helping foster that work.”  

The church’s 12-member Search Committee, chaired by Donald Gonci, selected Rev. Jungkeit from an outstanding pool of 103 applicants.  Candidates were recruited from the United Church of Christ website, ads in non-denominational publications, and member and friend referrals. While the pool clustered in New England, other candidates came from as far away as New South Wales. 

“We were particularly attracted to Steve because of his superb preaching talents, his strong belief in religious involvement in the social issues, his friendliness and engaging spirit, and his wonderful family,” Mr. Gonci said. 

“The Search Committee was immediately taken by Steve’s ability to connect with all generations, including students and young children,” Mr. Gonci added. “The church looks forward to the next chapter in our long history and the continuing inspiration that will come from the pulpit.”    

In addition to Steve, the Jungkeit family includes his wife Rachel, and children August (age 1), Elsa (3), and Sabina (6). The Jungkeits will move into the parsonage across Lyme Street from the church. Both Steve and Rachel are long distance hikers and runners. Rachel is an accomplished pianist and teaches piano.   

Steve served most recently as guest minister at the First Presbyterian Church in New Haven while that church’s co-pastors, Rev. Maria LaSala and Rev. Bill Goettler, were on sabbatical. Steve and Rachel Jungkeit both graduated from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, he in 1996 and she in 1995. He subsequently went to Yale Divinity School, from which he graduated with an M.Div. in 2001.  He later received an M.A. in 2005 in religious studies, an M.Phil. in 2007 (religious studies), and a Ph.D. in 2010 (systematic theology) from Yale University. 

Last October his book, Spaces of Modern Theology, was published by Palgrave Macmillan. His ministerial experience includes a summer ministry at the United Church of Newport (VT), a resident in ministry at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (PA), and a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at Bridgeport Hospital. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in 2010.  He will seek entry into the UCC by acquiring a “dual-standing” designation.  

Steve is currently a lecturer in religious ethics at the Harvard Divinity School. He also served as a teaching fellow for several years during his studies at the Yale Divinity School. One of his references described him as “empathetic, clear-headed, perceptive, patient, trustworthy, consistent, and an excellent listener.”