Staff
PASTORAL
Reverend Doctor Jay Terbush
Senior Transitional Minister
Rev. Dr. Jay Terbush holds a BA in psychology from the University of Michigan, a master’s of divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a PhD in psychology from Michigan State. He has held interim positions at seven churches in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and most recently served as the Transitional Senior Minister of the Lee, Massachusetts Congregational Church before accepting a call to Immanuel in March, 2023.
Tracy Gormley has been involved with Christian faith formation programs for over 20 years and brings to Immanuel a passion and call for children, youth, and family ministry. She is an advocate for hands on learning, integrating the arts and sciences to engage multiple intelligences and providing opportunities for putting one’s faith into action in the local and global communities. She loves partnering with children, youth, and families in their lifelong faith journeys and believes that providing and fostering intergenerational relationships is the foundation to growth in one’s faith as well as strengthen the sense of community at Immanuel.
Tracy currently serves as a facilitator for the Southern New England Conference’s Community of Practice program, is a team member of the Faith Formation Certification program and assists in leading weekend Confirmation Retreats at Silver Lake. She is the former the registrar for the Connecticut Association of United Church Educators (CAUCE), former Collaborator for the Innovation Lab at the Center for Youth Ministry Training and is active in networking, mentoring, and collaborating with Women in Youth Ministry and other area churches to provide safe and affirming spaces for children and youth of all ages.
Tracy graduated from Post University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and from Briarwood College with a degree in Applied Science/Occupational Therapy. She formerly practiced occupational therapy in several sub-acute rehabilitation units on a per diem basis around her faith formation duties until she acquired added ministerial responsibilities at Immanuel.
Tracy is a lifelong resident of Connecticut and currently resides in Wolcott with her husband David, whom she married in 1994, son Nicholas and two spoiled cats. She enjoys cooking, crafting, reading and spending time outdoors feeling God’s presence.
MUSIC
Amanda Sprague Hanzlik is the Choral Director at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs and President of the Eastern Region of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Now in her 26th year of being a music educator she has conducted choirs of all ages in public, private, community and faith-based settings. In addition, she also served as the Children’s Choir Director, Vocal Coach & Interim Director of Music for Christ Episcopal Church Greenwich (1999-2008). She holds a B.A. in Music/Vocal Performance and K-12 Education from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Amanda lives in Storrs with her husband (Louis), and their two children.
Stephen Scarlato is a pianist and organist based in central Connecticut. He received his bachelor's degree in organ performance from The Hartt School, where he studied under Larry Allen. While at The Hartt School, Stephen received the University of Hartford's Regents Honors Award for academic excellence, won prizes in the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival/USA, and graduated summa cum laude. He can be heard on several commercially available recordings, including the recent albums “Blessing: The Music of Paul Mealor” and “Music of the Spheres” released by the Hartford-based choral group Voce. In addition to a wide variety of freelance work, he currently serves as organist at Immanuel Congregational Church, accompanist for Voce and the Farmington Valley Chorale, and as a collaborative pianist in The Hartt School's vocal studies division.
Bobby Hafner is our Sound Engineer and has been working for the church in this capacity since 1980. Bobby undertook a major sound system upgrade back in 2013 and did so again in 2021.
Bobby is a dedicated person of the church who will go the extra mile to see that every detail on the church's sound system is addressed. We are truly blessed he was baptized and raised at Immanuel Congregational Church.
ADMINISTRATION
Francene is our Administrator. She is skilled in organization, communication, and attention to detail, thanks to her background as a legal assistant. She was born in Jamaica but has called Connecticut home since moving to the US at the age of nine. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family, friends and her dog Enzo, Francene also has a passion for home decor and interior design. She’s also passionate about creating a warm and welcoming environment, both in and out of the office.
Joe makes sure our beloved church is kept clean and in good working order. He knows everything there is to know about every corner of our building, and he’s always happy to help anyone at any time. On many Sundays, he’s the very friendly greeter as people come in.
Marilyn has been a member of Immanuel for nearly a quarter of a century, and has managed the website in many different forms for many of those years. She values good communication and loves making sure that, between posting on the website and on social media, that people know what’s happening in the life of this great church.
Cecile Gilson
Bookkeeper
