About US

Rev. Nicole Grant Yonkman spent her growing up years in small towns in Maine, where her extended family has called home for many generations. She is a graduate of Colgate University, with degrees in Religion and Women’s Studies, and the University of Chicago Divinity School, with a Master of Divinity. She also did extensive coursework toward a PhD. in Biblical Studies. Nicole met her husband, Todd Yonkman, at the University of Chicago and they married in 1996, sharing a life of ministry. Nicole has served churches in the Chicago area, Dayton, OH, Providence, RI, and Windsor, CT for over 25 years.  Rev. Dr. Todd Yonkman currently serves as the senior minister at First Church of Christ in Saybrook.

The common theme for all of the ministry settings for Nicole has been church renewal, and re-imagining the next step for the organization as the church grows and changes. All of the churches Pastor Nicole has served have experienced significant numerical and spiritual growth.  Nicole thrives on getting involved in the wider community.  She has been the first woman minister on a church staff 4 times.  While is Windsor, she became a community leader and was the recipient of the Bridge Builders Award and the Phenomenal Woman Award, and a special proclamation from the Windsor Town Council and mayor for her years of service to the town. Pastor Nicole also serves as a proud board member at the nonprofit Hands on Hartford.   She is excited to get involved in Clinton and meet town leaders.

Nicole and Todd are the proud parents of 2 young adult daughters; Fiona is a software engineer in Los Angeles, and Olivia is a teacher in Boston. Nicole is a very active person, enjoying various fitness activities like hiking, biking, and gardening. In the past 3 years, she hiked the 250-mile section of the Maine Appalachian Trail, the 80 mile Skye Trail in Scotland, and spent several weeks traveling by campervan in New Zealand.