Bill Pfohl was appointed senior pastor at Jesse Lee Memorial in 2000 after serving churches in Trumbull, Ct. and Mt. Kisco, NY. He recently shared his five year vision for the church’s ministry highlighting the Methodist priority of practical holiness. “The goal is to connect people inside and outside the traditional church with the deep love of God so that we all become conduits of goodness wherever we are.” Bill’s favorite acronym is GROWING SELF which stands for God Recreating Our Worlds In New Glory: Secure, Empowered, Leading, Followers. Bill received a BS in psychology from Trinity College, a Masters of Divinity from Yale University, and Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. The primary focus of both his formal and informal studies has been the pursuit of understanding and encouraging people on the path to genuine human authenticity. His doctoral paper entitled “Joy Soup for the Chicken Soul” provided him with an opportunity to express the wonder of God’s creation in women and men and the journey toward physical, emotional, spiritual wholeness. He believes that the life of faith is not a theoretical enterprise, but a practical celebration in which we choose to receive God’s infusion of capacities to both love and hope in faith. Bill is an avid outdoorsman enjoying hiking, backpacking and canoeing especially in backcountry environments. He gardens, celebrates Pittsburgh sports teams, and is excited about advancing his culinary skills. The greatest manifestation of God’s grace in his life has been the journey of parenting his four children.

Sarah is the Director of Music Ministries at Jesse Lee Church. She loves helping people find ways and places to sing and play instruments. Sarah directs a variety of singing and instrumental ensembles, as well as the youth choir (Joyful Noise). COVID-19 has changed the face of music-making world-wide, but Sarah is confident that artistic resilience and innovation can occur in the face of most any challenge. Sarah holds a Masters degree in conducting from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom and a Masters in Religion and Music from Yale Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music. Sarah is a Kentucky native and misses the rolling hills of her home state but loves the Long Island Sound and apple orchards of Connecticut.

This position currently is open. Questions? Ask Deb Ahle at dbahle@aol.com

Trevor has a B.A. in Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill, and more than a decade of experience in digital audio and video production and editing. He says: “Multimedia internet and video technology is powerful – even mesmerizing – but only in service to the power and glory of God.”

Ginny Konopka has served as Jesse Lee Church’s Treasurer since 2005 and has been a Jesse Lee parishioner since 2001. She is a New Jersey native, a Bucknell graduate and was a CPA with Price Waterhouse. She left that post to work for Crum and Forster before she and her husband Mark started their family. When sons David and Ryan (both adults now living and working as engineers in CT) came along, Ginny worked with small clients and did a lot of volunteer work with schools, churches and not-for-profits.
Ginny enjoys helping the staff manage operational tasks so they can do the work they are passionate about. She balances the books and keeps the business-end of Jesse Lee running smoothly. She is currently an active part of the prayer ministry, Stephen Ministry and Thursday Bible Study. Over the years she has enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and volunteering to make Vacation Bible School and Thank God It’s Good Friday events happen. She has also traveled to Trinidad, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and closer to home to help the youth with mission trips.
When Ginny isn’t busy balancing the Jesse Lee Budget and giving the staff the operational (and spiritual) support they need to succeed, she enjoys reading books, playing handbells, singing in the Impulse Choir, playing Pickleball, taking long walks and spending time with her husband and family.

Jessica is very excited to continue on her journey of faith as our office manager. She earned her B.S. in Music Education at WCSU, and continues to be an active performing musician. Jessica is a lifelong member of the Bethel United Methodist Church, where she serves as the music director. Her hobbies are many and varied, including gardening, cooking, canning and preserving, bird watching, crochet, power-lifting, and spending time with her beautiful niece, Francesca. Jessica lives in Bethel with her partner, David, and two fat, spoiled guinea pigs.

Kerry is the Technology Administrator. She also works at a nearby elementary school, directly with the children and in the main office doing administrative work. Kerry grew up in Mohegan Lake and Yorktown, NY, and now is inspired and supported by her 11-year-old dog and two children in their twenties. Email Kerry at kerry@jesseleechurch.com.