Our Staff
Rev. Joseph Medlin
Pastor
Rev. Joe began his ministry in the role of Chaplain and then Pastor at First Congregational Church of Rockaway Beach, NY where he remained for nearly 10 years, before relocating to Hawaii with his wife and their young son.  
He served 2 churches in Hawaii and then relocated to serve as designated pastor of First Church UCC in Chesterfield VA. 
 In that location, his wife Crystal served as a behavioral clinician at a children's residential psychiatric facility.   
Nicole Babington
Minister for Faith Formation

Nicole Babington has been a Church School teacher for years, and served as the Interim Director of Christian Education for the First Congregational Church of River Edge since March 2017 before assuming the Minister for Faith Formation position in January 2018.

She has been a member of the First Congregational Church of River Edge for over 25 years.


Nicole is the mother of four daughters, ranging from high school to college to adult, all of whom are being raised in the Church School and remain active in the Church.
Nicole has also been an initiator and facilitator of many dynamic activities for young people and families in the congregation and has also served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for all four daughters throughout the years.

She also works part time in the Office of Student Life at Bergen Community College, coordinating and planning events for the 40+ student clubs on campus.


Nicole lives in River Edge with her husband, 4 daughters, a dog and a variety of fish.
Slavina Zhelezova
Music Director

Pianist Slavina Zhelezova has appeared as a recitalist, a soloist with orchestra, and a chamber musician at venues throughout the US, Canada, Bulgaria, Belgium, France, China, Taiwan and Mexico.

Slavina holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts and a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Mannes College of Music.  She has previously served as the Assistant Organist and Assistant Director of Children's Music at the Reformed Church of Bronxville and as the Music Director and Organist at the Community Church of Hoboken.

In addition to performing and serving, Slavina is a passionate educator and has maintained a private piano studio in Manhattan since 2001.  She is also co-founder and Artistic Director of Xalapa International Piano Festival and Academy in Mexico. Slavina and her husband, Chris, are the proud parents of two young children and reside in Washington Heights, NYC.
Anne Marie Cooper
Administrative Assistant

Anne Marie is originally from Croatia, graduated from Berkeley College and comes with 20 plus years of Corporate experience. 


She enjoys spending time with her family, travelling,  bike riding, and the Jersey Shore.
Church Officers


Moderator                                           Russell Van Wetering                  moderator@fccriveredge.org

 


Treasurer                                              Linda Stark                                  office@fccriveredge.org

                   

          
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Closed
Tuesday  Open 9:00 am ~ 4:30 pm
Wednesday Open 9:00 am ~ 4:30 pm
Thursday Open 9:00 am ~ 4:30 pm
Friday Open 9:00 am ~ 4:30 pm

First Congregational Church of River Edge
109 Continental Avenue , River Edge, NJ 07661
Tel: 201.261.1712
 Email: office@fccriveredge.org