Rev. Avena has been working as an Interim Ministry Specialist since 2007. In over 30 years of ministry, she has served many churches in Connecticut, most recently as Interim Senior Minister at the Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, Interim Senior Minister at First Church, West Hartford, and as Transitional Associate Minister at Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford. She has dual standing in the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches, USA.