Professional Staff
Minister of the
Parish
Dr.
Paul Hayes, unanimously voted in as the 26th settled pastor of Noank Baptist Church, comes to us
most recently from Suffield, Connecticut, where he served as pastor of
Second Baptist Church for the last ten years. Rev. Hayes has also served
churches in Rochester and Schenectady, New York. Originally from southern
Maine, Rev. Hayes earned his doctorate at Hartford Seminary in the field of
congregational studies. During his interim, Paul worked with the members of
Noank Baptist to develop a strategic plan. He has extensive experience and expertise in human
rights and peacemaking, nationally and internationally. He has and continues
to serve in leadership roles for the American Baptist Churches of the USA,
as well as regionally in Connecticut. Contact:

Director
of Children
& Family Ministries

We welcome Cynthia Robbins, our new Director of Children and Family
Ministries! Cynthia is currently an Instructional Assistant at East Lyme
Middle School, working with sixth graders who have learning disabilities.
She received a BA in History from Lake Superior State University, a Master
of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity from Princeton
Theological Seminary. Cynthia has worked professionally in the church as
both a Director of Christian Education in Cincinnati, Ohio, and an Associate
Pastor in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She resides in E. Lyme with her two children, Josh
and Abbey.
According to her job description, Cynthia will “coordinate, develop, and enhance the Christian education
programming for preschool and elementary age children up through 5th grade. This means Cynthia will be
responsible for the planning and staffing of the Lighthouse and Sunday School programs as well as the creative
development of memory-making events we can all enjoy as families. Nurturing the faith and sense of belonging of
our littlest ones and encouraging a sense of community for our families are central aspects of Cynthia’s position.
We welcome her ideas, fresh energy and we offer her our support!
Some of Cynthia’s favorite activities include hiking, running, yoga, and spending time relaxing with her children.
She wishes she had more time to read, but when she does, she tends towards non-fiction – usually in the area of
spiritual development – but sometimes, a magazine is just fine! She also loves a good cup of Starbucks coffee.
Contact: Cynthia Robbins

Youth
Ministry Coordinator
Kristen
Negaard O'Brien is a people oriented, dynamic professional, who employs a variety of
skills to assist in the design, development and delivery of programs. Youth
Ministries Coordinator is her most recent position. Her challenge is to
build a youth ministry team who will lead, support and nurture the youth of
two churches into a stable, strong future.
Kristen has been a member of Noank Baptist
Church since 1995. Since that time she has served on a variety of boards and
committees. She was called by the congregation to be a part time Youth
Ministries Coordinator in August of 2004. Kristen and her husband reside in a tiny seaside cottage in Noank. Her education includes a
bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL with
resident studies at the University of Oslo, Norway. Qualifications earned
include Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Kristen’s rowing as well as her coaching
since 1976 has earned
several state, regional as well as national honors. Contact: Kristen Negaard O'Brien

Church
Organist, Senior Choir Director & Hand Bell
Director
Reverend
Linda Lozis earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Organ/Church Music at
Stetson University in Florida and her Master of Church Music degree from
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. She holds a certificate
in choral studies from Cambridge University of Cambridge, England. Linda was
ordained to the ministry in 1982 in Fort Dodge, Iowa and served as Associate
Minister and Director of Music at the First Baptist Church there. She also
served as Associate Minister at the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church in
Scarsdale, NY and at Union Baptist Church in Mystic, CT. After an 8-year
stint at Pfizer as an Executive Associate exploring the corporate world, she
is presently teaching Middle School music fulltime at Pine Point School in
Stonington. Contact:

Support Staff
Administrative Assistant
Gloria Marshall is our new Administrative Assistant.
Gloria Marshall is our new Administrative Assistant. She was born in Noank, living
for three years on Wilbur Court. Gloria is a member of the extensive Burbine family
of Noank. Moved to all the way to Old Mystic, then Mystic and went to the Mystic Academy
(which is now a retirement home!). Graduating from Fitch Senior, Gloria soon married.
Gloria supported her boys as Cub Scout Den Mother for four years, and Brownie Leader for six months.
Lived in Maine for 13 years, moving home to Mystic in ’83 and have been here ever since! Today, she
is a proud mother of six and grandmother twelve, and great grandmother of six! Gloria enjoys handwork,
spinning her own yarn, knitting or crocheting works of pleasure, as well as gardening and an avid reader! As longevity
is a long suit in my family history, I may be here for awhile!
Church Sexton
In his own words, Frank Lewis was born and dragged up in Noank, as the son of Lee and Joe Lewis.
Frank joined the Noank Fire Cadets in 1971, the Fire Company in 1974. Presently he is the Captain
of the Noank Fire Police and Steward of the Noank Fire Company. A busy guy, Frank also works for
the Noank Water Company and of course at Noank Baptist Church as the Sexton. Yes, that’s Frank that
you see often as “the NFD tee shirt guy” smiling, waving, and greeting
people coming into Noank during the summer.
Minister Emeritus
Reverend James L. Pratt
served Noank Baptist Church for 37 years, retiring to Chislehurst, England
in December 2000. He led the Church on new outreach ventures, especially
emphasizing the local elderly and individuals in need, and was well known
throughout Southeastern New England for his keen intellect and commitment to
justice. Jim was instrumental in the founding of the Noank Baptist Group
Homes (High Street & Main Street Houses) for adolescent
girls, the Church Street House for a family with AIDS & Mystic River
Congregate/Homes providing senior living facilities.