Our Staff
Rev. Joseph Medlin
Pastor
Rev. Joe began his ministry in the role of Chaplain and then Pastor at First Congregational Church of Rockaway Beach, NY where he remained for nearly 10 years, before relocating to Hawaii with his wife and their young son.  
He served 2 churches in Hawaii and then relocated to serve as designated pastor of First Church UCC in Chesterfield VA. 
 In that location, his wife Crystal served as a behavioral clinician at a children's residential psychiatric facility.  
Joe and Crystal and their two young sons moved to River Edge in July 2023.
Nicole Babington
Minister for Faith Formation

Nicole Babington has been a Church School teacher for years, and served as the Interim Director of Christian Education for the First Congregational Church of River Edge since March 2017 before assuming the Minister for Faith Formation position in January 2018.

She has been a member of the First Congregational Church of River Edge for over 25 years.


Nicole is the mother of four daughters, ranging from high school to college to adult, all of whom are being raised in the Church School and remain active in the Church.
Nicole has also been an initiator and facilitator of many dynamic activities for young people and families in the congregation and has also served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for all four daughters throughout the years.

She also works in the Office of Student Life at Bergen Community College, coordinating and planning events for the 40+ student clubs on campus.


Nicole lives in River Edge with her husband, 4 daughters, a dog and a variety of fish.
Slavina Zhelezova
Music Director

Pianist Slavina Zhelezova has appeared as a recitalist, a soloist with orchestra, and a chamber musician at venues throughout the US, Canada, Bulgaria, Belgium, France, China, Taiwan and Mexico.

Slavina holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts and a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Mannes College of Music.  She has previously served as the Assistant Organist and Assistant Director of Children's Music at the Reformed Church of Bronxville and as the Music Director and Organist at the Community Church of Hoboken.

In addition to performing and serving, Slavina is a passionate educator and has maintained a private piano studio in Manhattan since 2001.  She is also co-founder and Artistic Director of Xalapa International Piano Festival and Academy in Mexico. Slavina and her husband, Chris, are the proud parents of two young children and reside in Washington Heights, NYC.
Keri Lampey
Office Manager

Prior to coming on board at FCC, Keri spent many years as an educator in the Paramus and Oradell Public School Systems. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She is a member of Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Keri is the mother of two sons, one in college and one finishing high school.


In her spare time Keri enjoys reading, cooking, traveling (especially to St. John USVI), and spending time with her husband William, her sons Derek and Ryan, and her bird, Ernie.
Church Officers


Moderator                                           Russell Van Wetering                  

 


Treasurer                                              Linda Stark                                 

                   

          
OFFICE HOURS

Beginning March 18, 2024
Monday - Friday  8:45 am~ 2:45 pm


First Congregational Church of River Edge
109 Continental Avenue , River Edge, NJ 07661
Tel: 201.261.1712
 Email: office@fccriveredge.org