Rev. Andrew Armstrong has been the Senior Minister of Acton Congregational Church since December 1, 2007. Andy grew up in Johnson City, New York, and received his undergraduate degree from Binghampton University. After graduation, Andy attended the U.S. Army Chaplain Center at Fort Monmouth, N.J., completed his clinical pastoral education at Boston City Hospital, and earned his master’s degree in divinity (MDiv) from Andover Newton Theological School. He has nearly completed requirements for the doctor of ministry degree (DMin) from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Prior to coming to Acton, Andy was a student and interim pastor, and then served as the pastor of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Auburn, N.Y. In 1995, Andy was called to be the Senior Pastor at St. Matthew’s United Church of Christ, Hamburg, New York, where he served until coming to Acton.

In addition to his ministerial duties, Andy has been an adjunct professor of Religious Studies at Canisius College, and he has participated in the Center for Theological Inquiry at Princeton University.

Andy is an avid cyclist—he has bicycled across the country twice—and enjoys painting, chess, athletics, and activities with his family. Andy and his wife, Janice, reside in Acton with their three school-aged daughters, Ana, Sophie, and Natalie.

Holgie Choi has been the Acting Associate Minister for Youth of Acton Congregational Church since October 30, 2007. Holgie was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the states at the age of one. He was reared in Milford, CT, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut (2002) where he was the recipient of a four-year Full Leadership Scholarship and elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

After graduation, Holgie completed his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey in 2005, and in 2006 he completed a Master of Theology in Homiletics from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts.

Before coming to Acton Congregational, Holgie was a youth pastor for five years at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Westchester County in Pelham, NY, where his primary role was to preach and teach the gospel to youth. In addition, Holgie has been a guest speaker for many youth and college retreats, preaching Christ to a post-modern generation.

Holgie enjoys participating in a variety of sports and activities, including Ultimate Frisbee, flag football, dodge ball, fishing, hiking, and working out. One might also find him reading at a local Starbucks.

Rev. Barbara Aiello joined Acton Congregational Church on May 12, 2009 in the role of Visitation Minister. Barbara grew up in Albany, New York and received her undergraduate degree from Manhattanville College. Barbara answered God’s call to ministry after a secular career, graduating from Andover Newton Theological School in 1992 with a master’s degree in divinity (MDiv).

Prior to joining us, Barbara was Chaplain at Silver Bay Association Conference and Retreat Center (Lake George, NY). She served as Pastor of First Parish Church in Berlin, MA from 1993 to 2003 and as Associate and then Acting Pastor at Central Congregational Church of Newburyport from 2004 to 2008.

Barbara serves as a facilitator for a Massachusetts Conference Clergy Community of Practice group, leads trainings for the MAC/UCC, and offers women’s retreats for local congregations. She is a trained volunteer for Partners Hospice.

Barbara lives in Harvard with her husband, Gordon. Their children are married and live locally, with her extended family still in Albany. She enjoys road biking, pond swimming, calm kayaking, snow shoeing, eclectic reading, traveling near and far, connecting with friends and colleagues and keeping Sabbath time, with the help of God.

We have a friendly office staff that will be glad to respond to your inquiries. At least one minister is also normally available during office hours.

Standing (L-R)
Pam Gillispie, Coordinator of Lay
     Ministries
Cynthia Schimpf, Church      Administrator
David Herlihy, Sexton

Seated (L-R)
Billie Kinch, Church Secretary
Darcy Sidwell, Church Secretary
Liz Carley, Organist
Merrill Noble, Coordinator of Children's Christian Education

Not Pictured
Howard Webster, Night Watchman

Our weekday office hours are:
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (school year)
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (summer)
The office is closed on most national holidays.

Phone: (978) 263-2728
Emergency Line: 978-266-1311
Fax: (978) 264-9457
E-mail: info@actonc.org