REV. LIZA BUTLER ARULAMPALAM
co-lead pastor
Liza has been part of Riverfront since day one, filling in with everything from youth group to dressing up as Doodle the Dog! After attending Emory University and Yale Divinity School, she was ordained in the American Baptist Church and worked in urban education in New Haven for three years prior to coming on staff at Riverfront. Liza lives in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford with her husband Arunan (handsome worship leader) and together they are busy with one crazy dog and four young children through birth and adoption. Liza also serves as the Student Services Coordinator at Hartford Seminary.
Rev. BEN DUBOW
co-lead pastor
Ben has been a member of Riverfront Family Church since 2010 and joined the staff in 2016 as co-lead pastor. When not at RFC, Ben is the General Manager & Executive Chef at Bistro on Main, a social enterprise owned and operated by the Manchester Area Conference of Churches, as part of a culinary jobs training program. Prior to becoming a full time chef, Ben was in full-time ordained ministry for 12 years, working as a youth pastor, campus pastor, associate pastor, interim pastor, church planter and lead pastor. A graduate of UCONN (BA-Philosophy) and Connecticut Culinary Institute, Ben also studied towards an M.Div at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, before taking leave to plant a church in Storrs, CT. Ordained for ministry by the Next Leader Association, Ben is passionate about mentoring younger leaders, developing leadership gifts and helping people use their leadership skills in a variety of settings including business, community and non-profit sectors. Ben is single and lives in Hartford.
JEN MOYER
co-lead pastor
Jen came to Riverfront in 2011 after working for years in education, most recently as a special education teacher for kids with severe behavioral needs. At Riverfront, she continues to work with kids of all abilities, helping them to see that God wants to use each of them to change the world around them. While not at work, she lives in Hartford with her wife, and four energetic kids, who keep her busy with sports, impromptu dance parties, and lots of Lego building.
ELLEN CANNON
executive director
Ellen arrived in December of 2014 and was very excited to join our staff after managing the office of small oil company in Colchester for a many years. Her daughter Eileen, a Hartt student, has worked with our church for the past 4 years and Ellen was thrilled to join her working at Riverfront Family Church. She lives in Marlborough with her husband Rick, and two other daughters Corinne and Mary Kate. In her freetime Ellen enjoys running, following the Red Sox and UCONN Women's Basketball.
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Karen vital
youth pastor
Karen is excited to join the Riverfront family. Although her college background is in elementary and early childhood education, she was called to youth ministry in 2007, and has had 7 years of previous experience as a youth minister in Milford, CT. Karen is passionate about serving others and leading youth; helping them navigate their world with an understanding of God’s love, faithfulness, and grace. She has attended many Youth Ministry Institute sessions at Yale Divinity School, and is always looking for ways to better reach and inspire youth. Karen lives in West Haven, CT with her 4 children (both birth and adopted), a dog, and 2 cats.
nasheen duffus & amara goffe
lead teachers
Nasheen and Amara supervise our nursery and PreK/K program Noah's ark. Both work in professional childcare settings outside of church.
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AMY CAPOZZIELLO & ARUNAN ARULAMPALAM
worship leaders
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Our Church is led by a small group of spiritual leaders who meet regularly to seek to shape our personal lives to be like Jesus and to learn how to disciple others in our church. Our goal is to create a big, happy extended family with a spiritual center.