Senior Youth Director

Kelly Leather Antonson

(203)966-2651, x824 | leather@godsacre.org

A native of New Jersey, Kelly graduated from St. John Vianney High School in 2007. It was in high school that Kelly’s passion for service and volunteerism really began to flourish. She was active in her church community and as a volunteer for Michael’s Feat, a non-profit that supports seriously ill infants.

Kelly then chose to attend Sacred Heart University in Fairfield largely due to the welcoming faith community and strong emphasis on community service. She graduated in 2011 with her bachelors in Political Science and Religious Studies. While a student at SHU she led a number of service programs, served as Student Body President and also found the Congregational Church of New Canaan.

After she graduated from Sacred Heart, Kelly was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Albania to pilot a program using e-readers in the Albanian schools. Since returning home in 2012 Kelly has worked in fundraising, first for Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County and most recently for Inspirica Inc. in Stamford.

Kelly has been involved at The Congregational Church as a Church School Teacher and Youth Group Advisor for three years. She looks forward embracing her new role as Youth Director and encouraging the youth of the church to learn a bit more about themselves and others through giving back.

She loves helping youth discover the world through their faith and looks forward to a wonderful year at the Congregational Church. In her spare time Kelly enjoys going home to the Jersey Shore to spend time with family and friends, crafting, and cooking!

Youth Director

Erik Burns

(203) 966-2651, x834 | burns@godsacre.org

Erik is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Political Science and Music Technology. During his four years at UVM he was an active member and co-chair of the DREAM Program; a mentoring organization that pairs college students with children living in affordable housing. His favorite part about the program is that it created a space for UVM and Burlington’s community to act as one.

Erik’s passion for service began and flourished in the halls of our church. He is an alumni of MSYG, YG and Quest, a graduate of NCHS (’15) and has been a member of the church since his confirmation in 2011.

Erik is excited to work with Kelly Leather Antonson (Senior Youth Director) and continue our youth group’s ministry of service and justice. He hopes to build a strengthened community through fellowship, music, and an exploration of faith.

When he isn’t with us at church, Erik is an avid musician who loves to ski, hike, and spend time with friends and family.

Youth Program Coordinator

Claire Carbonier

(203) 966-2651, x839 | claire@godsacre.org

Claire Carbonier has been a member of the Congregational Church of New Canaan for over 35 years and now joins the staff as our Youth Program Coordinator. Claire grew up in New Canaan, graduating from New Canaan High School and then attending Bucknell University, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology and Spanish. She then received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Fairfield University. She spent most of her professional career in Human Resources.

Claire and her husband, Roger, joined the church together in 2005. For most of the last 16 years, she has enjoyed being a full time stay at home mom to her two children, Ashley and Jackson and volunteering in many different ways within their school communities. She is excited to now be a part of the Youth Group team at The Congregational Church and support all of its programming. While she’s not at the church, she is also a Two’s teacher at a pre-school in Wilton, where her family resides.

In her spare time, Claire most loves to spend time with her husband of 22 years, two children and dog Ryder. She enjoys fitness, running, being outdoors, watching her children play sports, and spending as much time as she can with her 2 year old niece Harper.