The First United Methodist Church is currently seeking a part-time Handbell Choir Director.
More information can be found in the job posting below.
Lauren Lehmann
SUNDAY SCHOOL COORDINATOR
Lauren is a wife and mother. Her husband, Bob Lehmann, is also a member of our church, and they have two children- Gracie and Emma.
Lauren is a business owner by day, and mom by night. She owns a hair salon, and truly enjoys her profession. She went to college to be an elementary school teacher- and life just took her down a different path.
She has a lot of education and experience working with children, and was a volunteer Sunday School teacher when she was in her twenties. Some may say, working with children is her calling.
Robert Thomsen
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Robert joined the FUMC Sanctuary Choir in 2019, as a way to bring music into his life again and became Director in 2021.
Robert has always loved music and performing arts, from early days helping turn the pages of his grandmother’s music as she played the piano beside him. In the years that followed, he took on dance, piano, and voice lessons, and was a part of musical and theater productions throughout school and into his early twenties.
Robert went onto a career in cosmetology, building a client base in the capital region. He found working in hair and beauty fulfilling artistically, but he couldn’t keep away from the spotlight for long. He carved a path as a platform educator on conference stages, teaching for the Goldwell product company, traveling the region and educating fellow hairstylists with the latest cutting and styling techniques.
He returned to music in 2019 when he was asked by a longtime friend and fellow performer to ‘come out of retirement’ and appear in a cabaret performance at the Wood Theater in Glens Falls, NY.
Robert enjoys working with an incredible group of musicians and looks forward to continuing to provide new and exciting music to enrich our church’s ministry.
Jacqueline Krahforst
ORGANIST
Jacqueline Krahforst is the organist and accompanist at FUMC.
Jacqueline was called to the music ministry as a teen and graduated with a degree in music from Nyack College in Nyack, New York. As a result, she has spent her life serving NJ and NY with her musical abilities.
She has three grown children and three grandchildren who have inherited some of her musical interests. When not working, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her family and with nature, especially walking in and around the woods. In her quiet time, she enjoys curling up with a good book and dancing in the privacy of her home. Music provides her with a pathway through which she can share her intense love for the Lord.
Gail Welkley
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Gail has been the Administrative Assistant at FUMC since November 2009. She is a graduate of Averill Park High School where she received awards in art and music and studied at the College of St. Rose and Hudson Valley Community College. Gail has been employed as a grocery store clerk and has worked as a secretary for several New York State agencies.
Gail left the workforce for several years to be home with her son Ethan while he was very young. Gail, her husband Andy, their son Ethan, and their dog Cheddar (yes, like the cheese) live in North Greenbush, NY.
Steven Green
CUSTODIAN
Steven Green is the church custodian. He is also a Department Supervisor at The Home Depot and has previously performed maintenance and custodial work for Catholic Charities and Kinderhook Reformed Church.
Steven lives in Latham and has three grown children, Steven Jr and Ashley who are twins and Amanda. His hobbies include bowling and fishing.
Rhoda Demanya
PEER MINISTER
CORNERSTONE PROTESTANT CAMPUS MINISTRY
THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
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