First Church
of Winsted

Serving Our Community Since 1778
All Are Welcome



The New Ministry Team



On June 28, 2026, the congregation extended a call to team of 4 persons (now called the Ministry Team) to serve as the settled pastor of First Church of Winsted.


The decision to call the Ministry Team instead of a single person was well thought out and intentional. The concept of a team was originally raised to the Church leadership in 2025 and later shared with the congregation at the annual meeting. Benefits and challenges were prayerfully considered. Questions were asked of the Ministry Team to better understand how the Team would function together and how the Church would operate differently with a team of leaders rather than a single pastor.


One of the benefits of calling the Ministry Team is a continuation of having God’s word interpreted by persons with different backgrounds, experiences and theological perspectives as has been the case with the pulpit supply model that has been in place for some time. But unlike pulpit supply, the congregation will now benefit from pastoral leadership working with the congregation to identify and conduct the various ministries of First Church (not just Sunday services), and to be able to focus on things such as strategic long-range planning, stewardship, and leadership training. The Ministry Team brings a variety of gifts and talents that no single person can possibly possess.


The members of the Ministry Team have all been involved in the life of First Church.





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Pastor Kathy Loomis



Kathy earned her Associate’s degree from Northwestern Connecticut Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Vermont, and her Master’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University. She also completed the Certified Lay Ministry Program of the United Methodist Church and has been certified as a Lay Servant. She has provided pulpit supply to 11 different local congregations (including First Church) and volunteers as a chaplain at the Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. Kathy senses a call to ordination in the Christian Ministry.



Pastor Frank Artruc



Frank earned his Associate’s degree from Northwestern Connecticut Community College, and is currently working on a Bachelor’s degree at Central Connecticut State University. He is doing that while working full-time at Pleuger Industries. He has served on the Property Maintenance Board and as Moderator at First Church, has sung in the Church Choir and is a member of Muddy Boots. First Church granted Frank his License to Preach and like Kathy, senses that he is being called to ordination to the Christian Ministry.



Pastor Jean Schlapfer



Jean serves as Co-Chair of the Administrative Council at the Bakersville Church in the Bakersville section of New Hartford. She also serves as Lay Leader at that church. She previously served as the Bookkeeper at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Torrington, and has extensive experience in Christian Education, Women’s Fellowship Groups, and church administration.



Reverend Mike Wu



Mike served as pastor of First Church from 2005 through 2015 and holds ordination in the American Baptist Churches. He has also pastored at the Canton Community Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Plymouth, served as both Legal Counsel and Interim Minister of Business of Finance for the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut, and was chair of that group’s Department of Business and Finance for numerous years. In addition to being a member of the Ministry Team, Mike will continue in his role as a Judge Trial Referee in the State of Connecticut Superior Court. He is currently serving in the Waterbury courthouse.Kathy earned her Associate’s degree from Northwestern Connecticut Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Vermont, and her Master’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University. She also completed the Certified Lay Ministry Program of the United Methodist Church and has been certified as a Lay Servant. She has provided pulpit supply to 11 different local congregations (including First Church) and volunteers as a chaplain at the Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. Kathy senses a call to ordination in the Christian Ministry.





First Church of Winsted



95 N. Main St, Winsted, CT 06098