“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.
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.
Deacon
The Rev. Amy Lewis
Deacon Amy was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate in January 2021. She lives in Troy with her husband, Glenn, and their dog, Sparkle. Deacon Amy is an IT Specialist for NYS in support of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Office of Children and Family Services, and Local Districts of Social Services across NY state. At heart, she is a contemplative with a lively curiosity and desire to serve, and she is thrilled and humbled to be assigned to St. John's.
Currently on leave.
Spiritual Director in Residence
Rev. Henry Frueh
Jennifer Firth comes to us after a career in financial administration. Trained as an auditor, she holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, and served as Director of Research Finance at RPI. Formed in faith at the Stony Brook School on Long Island, Jennifer is a diocesan leader. She has served as diocesan President of the Daughters of the King and was easily elected to represent the Metropolitan Deanery in the Profile and Search Committee for the new bishop. Here at the parish, she has served on the Vestry and participated in many of Saint John’s ministries. She has one son, Seth, whose family is also active in the parish. She is an Anglophile and world traveler, and especially likes to haunt the sites where her favorite British TV shows were filmed in the UK. Here in the states, she coordinates a pilgrimage to the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania each year. We are so fortunate to have Jennifer with us on staff!
Gaby holds a Ph.D. in nutritional science, and taught science at all grade levels for twenty-four years. She 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.
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.
Property Monitor
Janai Coles
