About Kate
Kate was born in New Milford, Connecticut on December 27, 1979. She graduated from Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham, Connecticut in 1998. In May 2002, Kate received her BA from Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, and then, a year later, she received her MA in elementary education, also from Clark.
After beginning her role as part-time Director of Christian Education at First Church in Glastonbury in June 2003, Kate went back to school and received her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 2009. Kate was ordained by the United Church of Christ in January 2009 and currently holds her standing with the Hartford East Association in the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ.
During Kate’s 18 years at First Church, she has enjoyed working in a variety of program areas with dedicated colleagues and faithful church members. Kate’s passion for creating a welcoming, justice- seeking, hope-filled and compassionate community where love is shared is at the heart of her ministry.
Kate enjoys working with people of all ages and loves how First Church is filled with big-hearted, forward-thinking and faithful people. Church has always been an important part of Kate’s life, and she is happy to have shared so many important life milestones with the First Church congregation.
Kate is the daughter of Sue and Bob VanDerzee, wife to Rob Glidden and mother to Andrew and Lucas. Kate has three siblings, eleven nieces and nephews, and she loves spending time with her family and good friends. When not working, Kate can be found in her garden, playing wiffle ball with her family, reading, walking, hiking or searching for beach glass.
Involvements + Committees
Member of the Steering Committee for the Southern New England Conference Committee on Ministry, 2021–present
Participant in various state-wide mental health panels and programs, 2020–present
Glastonbury Links Together, 2020–present
Andover Newton Fellow, 2018–present
Active member of the Cromwell Public Schools PTO, 2017–present
“Starting with Scripture” Devotional writer for the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, 2014–present
Member of the Church and Ministry Committee of the Hartford East Association, 2011–2013 and 2018–present
The Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ’s Pastoral Excellence Program participant, 2009–2010
Andover Newton Theological School’s Jonathan Edwards Award recipient, 2009
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