Meet the Staff
The Reverend Pastor Joe Medlin
revjmedlin@aol.com
Music Director
szhelezova@fccriveredge.org
Dr. Slavina Zhelezova is a classical pianist known for the fire and command of her performances and her ability to connect with audiences. Praised for "making the impossible possible and fascinating", she has performed on four continents, including at the Cervantino Festival (Mexico), with the Shumen Philharmonic (Bulgaria), and at Concerto's del Este (Uruguay). Her album, Midnight Conversations", (Centaur Records), recorded with pianist Citlali Guevara, was described as "brilliant performance that's lots of rollicking fun" (American Record Guide). Fueled by the energetic of meaningful connection, Slavina's work focuses on helping people experience a sense of belonging and community.
The pandemic deepened Slavina's calling to serve her community through music. While serving as an organist at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, she uplifted the congregation during this dark period by performing live every Sunday from the start of the NYC lockdown and producing a series of virtual recitals. This experience reinforced her passion for using music as a means of comfort , activism and connection.
As the Director of Music at the First Congregational Church of River Edge, Slavina directs the Chancel, Cantata, Carol, and Nowell Choirs, as well as the Pilgrim Ringers. She also serves as the church's organist and pianist, and plays a key role in church leadership. In this capacity, she curates music that reflects the UCC's commitment to social justice while fostering spiritual connection and community bonding. Previously, she served at the Community Church of Hoboken and as Associate Organist and Director of Children's Music at the Reformed Church in Bronxville.
Propelled by a need for authentic connection in the post-pandemic world, Slavina founded River Crossing Concerts in 2022, a series committed to bringing communities together through music and expanding the worlds of listeners by uplifting underrepresented voices. Supported by the FCCRE leadership and volunteers, the series has delivered concert events and a summer festival, presenting top local and international artists.
Born into the family of educators in Bulgaria, Zhelezova crossed the ocean at 18 to pursue her musical education, earning a Doctorate and Master's degrees from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor's from the Mannes School of Music. A dedicated educator, she has led piano programs in numerous NUC public schools and currently serves on the faculties of the University of Mount Saint Vincent and Concordia Conservatory. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons, cherishing the balance between music, community and family life.
Slavina Zhelezova
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.
Nicole Babington
Minister for Faith Formation
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.
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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. In Hawaii, Pastor Joe served two churches and then relocated to serve as designated pastor of First Church UCC in Chesterfield, VA. During that time, Crystal, his wife, offered her expertise interspersing psychodynamic psychotherapy and applied behavior analysis (ABA). She continues to offer these insights to youth and adult population to foster and promote community integration options for persons of all abilities.
In July, 2023, Joe and Crystal and their two young sons moved to River Edge, where he now serves in his current role as pastor of FCC River Edge.
