Prior to moving to Connecticut to serve as the new pastor at Niantic Community Church, the Rev. Stephanie Haskins’ only experience in the state had been a few short visits while attending Andover Newton Theological School. With the help of NCC historian Liz Kuchta, she found out she’s more connected than she thought.

Haskins, who was installed as pastor in November, is related to Joseph Loomis, one of the founders of the town of Windsor in northern Connecticut. She’s also a distant relative to Kuchta, which Kuchta figured out between a tour of the Old Stone Church cemetery in East Lyme and family records compiled by Haskins’ uncle.

Haskins comes to Connecticut from Iowa, where she served as pastor at churches in Des Moines and Maquoketa.

“I think NCC is pretty unique. Their heritage is a willingness to think outside of the box,” Haskin said in a release. “I was drawn, I like to say called, to NCC by a number of factors – the terrific search committee, the diverse congregation, their commitment to social justice, their community, both local and global, and who doesn’t want to live near the beach?”

Niantic Community Church is at 170 Pennsylvania Ave. For more information, visit nianticcommunitychurch.org.

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