Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Steven Savides
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Steven Savides is a compelling preacher and teacher deeply committed to peace and social justice, faith formation across the lifespan, pastoral care and counseling, crafting life-giving worship, and building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable congregations. He brings talents for storytelling, peacebuilding, and spiritual discernment to his ministry.
Steven comes to us with a broad range of experiences as a pastor, theologian, educator, and former journalist. He has served UCC congregations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Ohio in senior, sole, and interim pastorates and has served the wider church on Committees on Ministry and Association councils and commissions.
As an educator, Steven taught in the Mass Communication and Sociology and Anthropology departments at Principia College in Elsah, IL, and as instructor of record in the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.
Steven earned a PhD in Peace Studies and Theology from the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame in 2022. He graduated with a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School in 2008 and a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 2006. He was ordained in 2006.
Born and raised in South Africa, he has spent 29 years in the United States. The first four were dedicated to undergraduate studies, while the past 25 have been the adventure of a lifetime with his wife, Rev. Nanette Pitt.
Liang-Fang Chang
Director of Music Ministries
liang-fang@saugatuckchurch.org
Liang-Fang joined Saugatuck Congregational Church in September of 2021, bringing her impressive musical sensitivity to enhance worship on our beautiful Steinway piano and world-class Klais organ.
She earned her Bachelor of Music with highest honors from the Fu-Jen University in Taiwan and her Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa, where she was awarded the University of Iowa Performance Fellowship and won the UI Concerto Competition performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto.
In addition to being a renowned solo pianist, Liang-Fang has extensive experience as a chamber musician. She has performed in recitals and collaborative concerts throughout the U.S., and, as pianist for the Taipei Success Children’s Choir, has performed in major cities around the world. Currently, Liang-Fang is a private studio teacher and an adjunct faculty member at both Western Connecticut State University and Naugatuck Valley Community College.
Jill Madison
Communications & Office Manager
Jill Madison joined Saugatuck Church as our Office and Communications Manager in October 2023. She is an experienced communications professional who has previously served in marketing and communications roles in higher education institutions across the country, including the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) in Santa Barbara, CA, and The New School in New York, NY.
Jill holds an MFA in creative writing from The New School and a BA in English and professional editing from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Sarah Bussinger
Director of Christian Education and Faith Formation
Sarah joined our staff in December 2024, bringing valuable experience from her career as an elementary and middle school educator, both in public and private educational settings.
Sarah holds a joint Bachelor's degree in elementary and special education, as well as a Master's degree in reading, both obtained from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Her life experiences span various locations around the globe, including Pakistan, the Middle East, and London. While she identifies as a Philly girl at heart, she has also resided in California, New York, and currently, Connecticut.
In addition to her career as an educator, she has previously managed client relations at an emergency and specialist veterinary hospital and organized and launched her own successful pet services business.
Sandy Young
Bookkeeper
Sandy joined our staff in the spring of 2017. She has an extensive background in financial management having 30 years of diversified bookkeeping experience in the private sector and not-for-profit organizations. She is the co-owner of a fitness studio in Westport, and currently serves as treasurer of the Westport Animal Shelter Advocates (WASA.)