STAFF INFORMATION
The Reverend Virginia L. Scott was called by our congregation to be our new senior minister in June, 2006. Ginnie has a Master of Divinity degree (1979) and a Master of Theology degree (1984) from Princeton Theological Seminary, with a concentration in New Testament Studies. She has served on the Overlook Hospital Chaplaincy Board and been president of the Millburn Short Hills Clergy Association and secretary of the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Fellowship of Congregational Christian Churches. An outstanding preacher, the congregation is always thrilled as well when she offers a children’s sermon to our numerous children and those who are young in spirit on Sunday morning.
The Reverend Kent D. Estler, our Founding Minister, has a Master of Divinity degree from Drew University Theological School (1969). He was instrumental in the formation of Pilgrim Congregational Church, helping us to obtain standing in the National Association of Christian Congregational Churches and gathering new members for our congregation. Rev. Estler is co-chairman of our Every Member Canvass and is a vital part of our worship service every Sunday. His heartfelt prayers and warm welcome to all who are assembled during worship is a thing of beauty and eagerly anticipated by all.
The Reverend Dr. Kenyon J. Wildrick, our Minister Emeritus, served as Senior Minister of Pilgrim Church for 13 years. He has a Master of Divinity degree (1958) and a Master of Theology degree (1963) from Princeton Theological Seminary and an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Trinity College, in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Wildrick has served as a Trustee for the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, NJ, charged with charting the theology of the world for the next 100 years, and as a Trustee for the Presbyterian Homes of New Jersey. Upon his retirement in 2006, the congregation unanimously voted him to be our Minister Emeritus. He now serves his church as a cherished Trustee.
Mr. Tom Paster has been the Music Director of Pilgrim Congregational Church, for the past eleven years, where he directs the chancel choir and also leads a children’s choir. His approach is to bring music from a wide variety of sources to enhance the worship service and music program in the church.
A talented musician and singer, Tom serves as Music Director at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, NJ. Prior to that appointment, he was the music director at Columbia High School in Maplewood/South Orange. He also worked with the New Jersey All State Chorus program for many years and has taught choral music at William Paterson College.
In 2009, Mr. Paster was honored for his outstanding work at the “Symposium on Music in Schools” hosted by the Yale School of Music.
Mr. Nicholas Tino was welcomed to Pilgrim Congregational Church as our Organist in August of 2011. He comes to us with over 40 years of experience as a church organist. He has played in numerous churches and synagogues in our area and is a truly accomplished musician. Anyone who has worshipped in our sanctuary since his arrival and has heard Nicholas play, has had the opportunity to realize that fact first hand. Mr. Tino has a Masters in Sacred Music degree from Union Theological Seminary, as well as a diploma in organ performance from the Guilmont Organ School in New York. We are honored to have him on our staff.