Staff/Volunteers

Rector

The Rev. Judith Malionek

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“I am blessed and delighted to be called as rector of this vibrant parish.  It is rare to find such a combination of beautiful liturgy, love of children, community activism, prayer, conviviality, international mission, and Bible study all in one church.  I believe that Saint John’s is an uncommon treasure, on the threshold of even greater things.”

 

Mother Judith began serving as the rector of St. John’s on November 1, 2019. Prior to accepting the call to St. John’s, Mother Judith served as Curate at St. Paul’s in Albany. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her Masters in Divinity at Trinity School for Ministry, where she received the seminary’s award for excellence in liturgy. Before entering the seminary, she worked in social services, Christian education, and served as a church organist and music director.  She is married to the Rev. Tom Malionek, who is the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kinderhook; they have two grown children.  

 

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Deacon

The Rev. Paul M. Carney

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Deacon Paul and his wife Marilyn have two adult children, Sarah E. McClane and Paul A. Carney. Deacon Paul is a 36 year veteran of the Troy Police Department and serves as Department and Union Chaplain. He also serves on the Commission On Ministry, Clergy Disiplinary Board and the Deacons' Advisory Board for the Episcopal Diocese of Albany.

 

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Parish Secretary

Jennifer Firth

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Jennifer is a long-time member of St. John's. We are grateful for her service as we search for a new secretary.

 

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Children’s Christian Education Director

Gaby Gastelum

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Gaby has taught science at all grade levels for twenty-four years and has most recently served as Vice President of Education at the miSci Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady. Additionally, she has observed, assisted, and taught in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programs in Mexico and the United States since 2006, when she enrolled her own children in this program in Puebla, Mexico. A native speaker of Spanish and fluent in English, she brings a wealth of experience in teaching and a love of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to our church. She and her husband, Luis Luna-Reyes, have two daughters. Gaby’s hobbies include dancing salsa with Luis, listening to music, and sometimes knitting. They also have a puppy, Tofu




Director of Music

Ted Phillips

 

 

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Choir Master

Tiffany Dzembo

Tiffany Dzembo is thrilled to be part of the staff at St. Johns. She has 15 years of experience as a music teacher and administrator in public schools. As a music teacher, Tiffany taught general and choral music and has experience working with PreK through college-aged students. A trained soprano, she has performed locally with a variety of groups and has also been the guest conductor at local All-County festivals. She has a Bachelor of Music from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Master of Music Education from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. She has a Certificate of Advance Study in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose. Tiffany first joined the choir at St. John’s in 2001 and has served in various roles at the Church since then including being a member of the Haiti Committee, the Education Committee, and the Vestry. She and her husband have two daughters and two dogs. Her hobbies include volunteering, playing musical instruments, and reading.




Chimer

Andrew Mace

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At the ripe old age of four years, Andy Mace first came with his family to St. John's in 1957. He's been a member of the Choir since 1961, a chimer since about 1965, and a member of various committees since. Father of Sarah and Ian, Andy is a librarian by profession as well as a bit of an historian and Triumph car collector as hobbies.

 

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Webmaster

Don Lansing

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I was born and raised in Troy and grew up just down the street from St. John's.  I was in the choir, an acolyte, attended Sunday School through high school, and a Boy Scout at St. John's.  We were married here forty years ago.  I'm a retired System Programmer.  Volunteering as your Webmaster.  If you see an issue with the Web Page please contact me via e-mail.