ALL ARE WELCOME
with open arms
We Are the Church
We don’t just go to church. We are the church. We are the children of God called together by the Holy Spirit for the support and encouragement we need to continue our journeys of faith in the light of God’s everlasting love. Commitment, trust, openness, and sacrifice are the standards that guide our life together. Our long-term relationships are formed across age, socio-economic, and political boundaries. We care for one another as equally loved and worthy children of a generous and forgiving God.
We were raised Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian, Episcopalian, Congregational, and without any religious affiliation. As Congregational Christians, we covenant to walk together as equal partners acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Head of our church. We believe the Holy Spirit works and speaks through each one of us, and so we discern God’s will through prayer and by listening to each other in committee and congregational meetings. We believe in liberty of conscience and freedom in scriptural interpretation. Decisions about the direction and governance of our church are made by us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We call ministers and elect officers to serve and lead the church, but the work of being the church belongs to the congregation.
We don’t just go to church. We are the church.
Meet our Minister:
Rev Dr. Daniel Schlorff
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The Reverend Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff is a native Hoosier who moved to Connecticut in his 20s to serve a church as Minister for Children, Youth, and Families. A graduate of Meadville/Lombard at the University of Chicago Divinity School, he continued his studies at Hartford Seminary, receiving a second master's degree in Religious Studies. After that, he completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education and worked for nine years as a Hospice Chaplain. Pastor Daniel later attained the Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley, CA) and now, in addition to his role as Senior Minister at Third Church, also works part-time as Chaplain for Connecticut Valley Hospital (Middletown, CT). Before coming to Third Church, Pastor Daniel planted (founded) and, for six years, pastored Faith Tapestry Community Church (New Haven, CT). He enjoys facilitating Bible studies and spirituality groups as much as preparing and delivering sermons. Additionally, Pastor Daniel finds spiritual enlivenment through participating in the performance of music. He currently performs with the professional choral groups, Voce: New England’s Chamber Choir and CONCORA: Connecticut Choral Artists, and he occasionally plays double bass for the American Chamber Orchestra. Besides basking in the companionship of his inappropriately friendly dogs, Browser and Lily, Pastor Daniel also gratefully shares the beautiful Third Church parsonage with a handful of moody houseplants. He has enjoyed the support he has received from the congregation members, friends, and leadership in his first year as Senior Minister and looks forward to building more strength upon strength.