Rev. Len Silvester, Bridging (Interim) Minister
Reverend Leonard Silvester, who goes by “Len” was raised in Massachusetts. He is a lifelong Congregationalist/UCCer. Ordained by the UCC in 1975, his clear ministry passion has been serving local congregations: two in Massachusetts, a new church start in Rhode Island, and he retired after 17 years as senior minister at Church of the Palms UCC in Sun City, AZ. Recently he has been preaching and resourcing an independent progressive Christian community meeting in the Harley Davidson dealership in Scottsdale. Along his life's journey, he has been a counterman at Howard Johnson's, a dorm resident advisor, a stock clerk at Kroger's (parent company to Fry's), a hospital orderly, and, during an intentional sabbatical year after coming to AZ in 1996, a Volvo and Mazda salesperson. He earned his private pilot's license in 1981 (no longer current).
He and his wife of 30 years, Liz Adler, live in Scottsdale with their chihuahua mix, Olive Oyl. (For their time with us, they are renting.) Their daughter, Kelly, and her husband, Steve, are raising their two most perfect grandchildren in San Jose, CA. Their world was wrenched with the loss of their younger daughter, Katie, in 2008. Their passion for travel has taken them to Israel, Jordan, Belgium, Alaska, Sweden, Denmark, Croatia, Mexico and Hawaii; and many times to France, Italy and the U.K. They have also spent sabbatical time in China (teaching English), India, Japan, Thailand, Holland, and Germany.
Reverend Silvester will be acting as a “Bridge Minister” until we call our settled pastor.
Rev. John P. Angiulo, Family and Education Minister
My ordination on October 29, 2017 and my installation into the Family and Education Ministry at this church represent the end of a long personal journey. I have worked for Casas Adobes UCC since 2014 and was honored to serve this faith community as a pastoral intern and the Coordinator of Christian Education. I am a native of Tucson and am pleased to be ministering on the Northwest region of Tucson where I grew up. My wife Patty, a pediatric nurse and graduate student at Grand Canyon University, and I make our home on the east side of Tucson. We have three young-adult children who reside in Arizona; our youngest son attends Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and our eldest son is preparing for graduate school at the University of Arizona. Our daughter lives in Phoenix where she is a media-artist and performer. I am blessed to have family members who are passionate for education and support my call to ministry.
My recent installation here also represents an exciting new beginning. In my role as Family and Education minister, I am committed to expressing a radical welcome for all, especially children. I dedicate myself to helping families interact with one another rather than encouraging activities that separate young people from the rest of the congregation. I am passionate about helping all who enter our doors to participate in community with all those we meet. I strongly believe that we experience the presence of God through our interactions and by learning the practices that promote love and compassion for each other. I welcome you to Casas Adobes Congregational Church, United Church of Christ where I hope to get to know you soon.
