STAFF

**Pastor Rev. Dr. Jason E. Royle**
Jason was born in Illinois, about an hour east of St. Louis. He grew up playing baseball and basketball and enjoyed spending weekends in the city and going to games at Bush Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. He has served congregations near Charlotte, NC and Memphis, TN and comes to us after many years of ministry near Hershey and Lancaster, PA.
A nephrology social worker before his call to full-time ministry, Jason received his Doctorate in Ministry from Sewanee: University of the South School of Theology and his Master's from Johnson University.
When asked what he likes about the ministry, Jason said, "I enjoy seeing people grow in faith and grace; welcoming people with open arms; and also the fact that my life of ministry has led to many wonderful friendships and relationships over the years."
Jason is the author of several books found on Amazon, including, Judas: Hero Misunderstood and The Beheading of John. Writing, for him, is a way to express the ongoing story of theology and its influence on our lives. With every book or article, he hopes readers get a sense of the complexity of human nature and the necessity of knowing faith thrives on divine mystery.
On a more personal note, several times a year or so Jason attempts to hit a golf ball straight; you may find him on occasion at a jazz, blues or rock concert; he also enjoys outings to places like museums, festivals, and scenic attractions.
"One of the most powerful tools humans have," Royle said, "is the power of imagination. This is certainly true of the church. If we imagine a different tomorrow, then let's begin taking steps to make that image a reality today!"

**Music Director**
Teresa Vicario, a native of Columbus, Ohio, has been a Stamford resident for 38 years. While pursuing her operatic career, which has spanned Europe and the United States, she continued to teach piano and voice privately, as well as being a soprano soloist and music director in several area churches.
Miss Vicario also taught ice skating for many years in the area rinks, and has performed in and around New York City in stage, television and film.

**Bookkeeper**
Jane Desy Gebhardt is pleased to join Union Memorial Church as its bookkeeper. Jane has worked in bookkeeping and accounting in several different industries, including professional theatre, pastry manufacturing, and a hedge fund. She returns to work after a stay-at-home mom sabbatical. Jane was born and raised in Stamford, and now lives in Norwalk with her husband, Jim and daughter, Annabelle.

**Admisistrative Assistant & Sunday School Coordinator**
Heather, a proud native of Stamford, CT, shares deep roots with Union Memorial Church, having been born and raised in the same vibrant city. Graduating from J.M Wright Technical School in Stamford, Heather brings a strong sense of community and dedication to her role as the Administrative Assistant at Union Memorial Church.
With a background in the motor vehicle industry specializing in finance and insurance, including executive assistant, as well as serving as an office manager.
Heather brings organizational skills and dedication to her role as Administrative Assistant at Union Memorial Church.
Outside of work, Heather finds joy in reading, writing and fitness as well as cherished memories of playing softball and attending Yankee games with her father. Additionally, Heather has experience as a caretaker, reflecting her compassionate nature and dedication to helping others.
Heather is eager to utilize her skills and passion for community engagement to support the church’s mission of outreach and fellowship.
As the Union Memorial Church Sunday School Coordinator she teaches class 'and' oversees the weekly Sunday School program, develops and maintains Sunday School policies, recruits volunteers, ensures that the resources needed to lead a lesson are available, and keeps the pastor informed about Sunday School plans and programs.

**Media Coordinator**
Joe Gatto has an eclectic background. He graduated from Farmingdale State College with a degree in horticulture. After working in the field for four years Joe had a stint on Wall Street. Next it was onto computer prgorammer school. Imediately after graduation he became a programming teacher. Eventually he moved into the postion of junior programmer for BOCES. While working at Stamford Hospital as a Database Administrator Joe ran a part-time business , from 1989 unitl 1992,called J. Gatto Photography, dedicated to weddings and portraits. In 1991, he was the second place finisher for photograper of the year as a member of the Connecticut Professionsal Photographers Association. Joes’s 20+ year IT career ended with one of rhe largest banks in the world, United Bank of Switerland as the lead Database Administrator. After exiting the field, Joe worked as a part-time poker dealer for Foxwoods Resorts and returned to information technology as a part-time Customer Service Representative for EzPass. These part-time jobs allowed Joe to work on an invention for reef aquariums. In 2003, JoesJuice, LLc was founded with the product, called JoesJuice, designed to control Aiptasia anemones in these aquraiums. In 2008, the company licensed the product to a another business D. Van Houten Import/Export of The Netherlands which still sells the product worldwide.

Groups

**Choir**
The choir offers prayer through song each Sunday, which special performances throughout the year for celebrations including Maundy Thursday, Easter and Christmas Eve. We also have a youth choir and a bell choir. Our Director of Music encourages you to join as all levels of talent are incorporated into each of the three ensembles.

**Salvation Army Volunteers**
Our church relies on the time and compassion of our congregation members.

Committees

The staff is dedicated to the work of the church. But it is not only the staff that keeps our church going. With the help of other many in the congregation, Union Memorial Church has remained a prominent part of the Glenbrook neighborhood for over 100 years.

Church Council

The council acts as the central clearing-house for the various formalized centers of the church activity gathering information from the various committees within the church.

Meets: 1st Sunday of every month after Fellowship

Board of Trustees

This committee has sole care, maintenance and custody of all property of the church both real and personal and is in full charge of financial affairs.

Meets: 4th Sunday at every at various times

Diaconate

This group attends to all matters of membership. They plan, oversee and evaluate the hours of worship plus the preparation of communion.

Meets: 3rd Sunday of the month after Fellowship

Board of Christian Education

This board has charge over all religious education in the church, including the Board of Christian Education Church School, youth groups and adult education.

Meets: Various dates and times

Board of Missions

The board has general charge of the missionary and benevolent activities of the church. Allocating funds to various projects is in the sphere of its’ responsibility

Meets: 2nd Sunday of every month after Fellowship

Women’s Guild

The purpose of the guild is to encourage the women of the church in the fellowship of worship, education, service and giving.

Meets: Various dates and times

Scholarship Committee

The committee awards scholarships each year from the Monton/Kuck Scholarship Fund to our church members or their dependents enrolled for coursework at an accredited college or university.

Meets: 5th Sunday in the month that it occurs after Fellowship