Staff

Rev. Christa Swenson | Senior Pastor

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Christa began serving Mystic Congregational Church in September 2016. Christa is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2010. Prior to joining the staff of MCC, Christa served in Marquand Chapel, the vibrant ecumenical chapel at Yale Divinity School and as the Campus and Young Adult Minister at Broadway Presbyterian Church in New York City.

Within our walls, Christa has a commitment to the faith formation of our youth and adults, preaching the gospel of radical welcome from the pulpit, and walking alongside members as we share in the joys and challenges of this life. In her work and in her life, she has deep commitments to and likes to sing the word justice.    

Before seminary, with undergraduate degrees in Business and Psychology from Muskingum College, Christa worked in corporate merchandising in Columbus, Ohio and New York.

Christa is married to Sarah Cardwell, an Associate Dean at Connecticut College. They live in Waterford with their two children, Porter and Sydney.

Joshua Sharp | Associate Pastor

Joshua Sharp joined us in the summer of 2026 as the Associate Pastor at Mystic Congregational church. Josh is an alumnus ofYale Divinity School and Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Josh grew up in the UCC and comes to us from Burlington Vermont where  he previously worked in human services with an emphasis on youth development. Josh is very passionate about mission and the service of the church to God’s people. At Mystic UCC Josh is focused on on faith formation and helping youth and adults find the ways that God is still speaking in this world.

Josh has his undergrad in Videogame Production from Champlain College.  He enthusiastically watches two films a week and practices Historical Fencing with a focus on German Longsword and Sidesword fencing.

To contact Josh please email him at josh@mysticucc.org