The United Methodist Church of Gales Ferry

 

 

Joy has been a member of UMCGF since 1984, serving as Assistant Music Director. In 1989, her position changed to Director of Music and in 1999, she became Director of Worship Arts.

 

Joy is passionate about helping members find a way to express their faith through the arts. With a variety of programs, she strives to help everyone find a niche in the Worship Arts at UMCGF. Joy is active in The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, having served in many leadership capacities on the local, jurisdictional and national levels. She has served as a clinician at jurisdictional and national events, served on the National Convocation Worship Design Team for 2011, served on the National Council 2011- 2015, and currently serves on the editorial board of WorshipArts magazine.

 

Joy is also active at Ledyard High School where she directs “Premier”, an auditioned women’s a cappella ensemble. Joy also serves as the Assistant Drama Coach at Ledyard High School where she assists with a major musical each year. Joy and Marcia (Miller) co –direct UM Players, a theatre group within the church. The last production was “Tuesdays With Morrie” in the fall of 2017. Joy has history in local community theatre on stage and as Music Director. In the Spring of 2018, she is Music Director for Colchester Community Theatre’s production of Mary Poppins.

 

Joy teaches piano and voice in her private studio. Joy graduated from The College of Charleston, South Carolina, with a degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Joy is married to Mark Lamb and they have one daughter, Angela Joy. They are very active in the arts ministries of UMCGF, as well.

 

Joanne joined the Gales Ferry United Methodist Church in 1981 soon after moving to CT.  At previous churches she volunteered as a youth leader, children’s choir director, and Sunday school superintendent.  In Gales Ferry she quickly became involved with the UM Players and the choir.  She was asked to work with the children’s music in the Sunday school, a program she continues to lead today.  Joanne holds a BS in Elementary Education and is a CT certified Head Teacher in Early Childhood Education.  For 20 years she taught the United Methodist Child Care Center 4/5-year-old class.  She jointed the staff at GFUMC in May 2009 as the Director of Children’s Ministries.  Joanne has been part of the Jubilation Dancers liturgical dance choir since their inception.  She is an originating member of the Hand bell Choir.  She is also active with the UM Quilters and the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Joanne is married to David Moorehead, a social worker and Director Emeritus of the Waterford Country School.  They have three children, David, Kimbie Sprague married to Justin, and Katie; and five grandchildren, Ainslee, Brady, Colby Annie, and Molly.

Jake Troy​ is an active pianist, organist and choral conductor based in Connecticut. He has accompanied numerous choral and instrumental ensembles, soloists, festivals, workshops, musicals, performed in chamber music settings throughout the area, and is on staff as Choral Accompanist for both Old Saybrook Public Schools and Connecticut College. In the church music setting, Jake is currently Organist and Choral Accompanist at The United Methodist Church of Gales Ferry, playing for religious services and accompanying multiple choirs under the direction of Joy Lamb, and also serves as Rehearsal Accompanist for the St. Luke Luthern Church Choir. Previously, Jake served as Organist and Director of Music at The First Congregational “Road” Church in Stonington, Connecticut where he directed the choral ensemble and played services for over six years. He holds membership with the American Choral Directors Association and the American Guild of Organists and was invited to participate with CONCORA during their 2014 Summer Festival as both a baritone and pianist. Most recently, Jake was invited to conduct the 2017 and 2019 New London County AGO Children’s Choir Festivals and was the collaborative pianist for the inaugural Connecticut All-State High School Treble Choir in Spring of 2018.

A seasoned collaborative artist, Jake began ​accompanying choirs at an early age while studying piano under Royden Wilkinson and has played a number of weddings, funerals and other religious ceremonies across the area. In addition to his piano and organ work, Jake has taught music, coached piano and voice, and directed numerous choirs at various levels.

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Jake holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University where he studied piano under Dr. Linda Laurent, choral music and conducting under Dr. Pamela Perry, and music education under Dr. N Carlotta Parr. During his tenure at CCSU, Jake was a member of the highly acclaimed CCSU University Singers and performed with the group as a baritone during a concert tour of Spain in 2011.

 

 

 

 

Marcia became the Office Manager in September of 2011, prior to that she worked in banking for 9 years as a Senior Teller at The Savings Institute in Groton.  Marcia has an AA degree in Accounting from Palomar College in San Marcos, California.Marcia is the director of The Jubilation Dancers at our church.  This group dances in church as often as possible, and is a major part of the annual Christmas concert.  They have danced at the General & Annual Conferences of the UMC and at other area churches.  The Jubilation Dancers were established in 1991 and are made up of members of our church and other churches in the area.Marcia is very active in the church Worship Arts programs.  She sings with the Chancel Choir and Contemporary Ensemble, rings with the handbell ensemble, and is part of the drama ministry.  She is Co-Director with Joy Lamb of the UM Players.  Marcia has been a Lay Leader and has served on the Fellowship and Worship teams and is currently the Financial Secretary for the church.