Camille Wesneski
Administrative Assistant
Joy Corrado Zublena
- Minister of Music -
Joy Corrado Zublena has been dedicated to her music in every facet of her life since beginning her study at age three. She is a concert pianist, accompanist, organist, and theater organist. She has given concerts throughout the East Coast. She has performed numerous times as a piano soloist for the Torrington Symphony Orchestra and won the concerto competition for piano performance while attending Central Connecticut State University. Joy had also attended the Hartford Conservatory, the Hartt School of Music, and has attended masterclasses with renowned organists and choral directors at Colby College in Maine and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. In addition, she holds the Service Playing and College Degrees from the American Guild of Organists. Joy is sought after as an accompanist for schools, organizations, and individuals. She was also the official accompanist for the Colby Institute of Music in Maine for ten years. Joy has been the musical director for numerous area musical productions. Joy, a former Miss Connecticut, teaches piano, organ, and voice in her home studio.
Church
Michael Butler
- Certified Lay Minister -
Born in February 1965, grew up in a Christian home in Des Moines, Iowa where his family first attended Calvary reformed church. Michael recalls feeling the presence of Christ at an early age and remembers a church camp at the age of 14 where he felt the warming presence of the Holy Spirit and gave his heart to Christ. The church is in his blood with Grandfather Landon Wesley Mendenhall being a United Methodist pastor, and my Grandmother Hazel Mendenhall an Assemblies of God pastor. His father, Paul Butler was instrumental in his daily example of prayer and Bible study.
Michael is married to Lisa Butler since August 1984. They have three children, Landon 25, Kendall 21, Jordan 19. Michael obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical therapy from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Evangel University, Springfield, MO. Michael was an Army Captain and flew UH-1 helicopters for the Connecticut Army National Guard for 5 years. Currently, Michael works as a Physical therapist and is currently in Homecare Physical therapist.
Michael, Lisa, and their kids have been members of First United Methodist Church, Torrington, CT since 2002. Michael believes his time as a lay servant and lay minister was first kindled through his UMARMY camp experiences, working with our youth and seeing the church in active ministry. The transition into church ministry seemed to happen very naturally, despite personal reluctance and trepidation. Michael continues to trust in our beloved heavenly Father, who has given him a love for all God’s children. He describes his own Christian faith as evolving, recognizing that at present “I know only in part”:
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:12-13.
Michael Involvements include:
· Completion of Local Church lay servant on 2014
· Certified as Lay Servant by completing the Preaching course in the UMC on 2015
· Lay Member to the New York Annual conference
· Supporting the congregation through transitions of two pastors.
· Participated in 2 rebuilding Mission Trips to Puerto Rico in 2018 and 2019 (Hurricane Maria)
Jane Walker
Church Secretary
Chuck Birge
Church Custodian
Meet Our Church Staff
First United Methodist
