Gary Cole
Lead Pastor
Pastor Gary has a strong commitment to Christ and a deep love for people of all ages. He began serving as a pastor in 1981 at the Evangelical Covenant Church of New Rochelle, New York. He has also served Evangelical Covenant churches in Ironwood, Michigan; Beloit, Wisconsin; and Elgin, Illinois. In 2001 he was appointed to serve United Methodist Church of the Pines in Minocqua, Wisconsin. In 2012 he was appointed to serve the Emmanuel Community Church of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of North Park College and Theological Seminary in Chicago. He was ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1985 and is now an ordained elder in full connection in the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Stephanie Homann
Associate Pastor
Pastor Stephanie is passionate about helping others know and love Jesus and become committed followers of Christ. She began serving as a pastor in 1997 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson, WI. She has been a pastor for 16 years and has served numerous congregations throughout Wisconsin. In 2006 she was appointed to serve New Lisbon, Necedah and Camp Douglas United Methodist Churches. In 2012 she was appointed to serve the Emmanuel Community Church of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She is a graduate of Asbury University and University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. In 2001 she was ordained an elder in full connection in the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Stephanie values time spent with her friends and family. She and her husband Todd have a young son, Noah, who is the love of their lives.
Karen Burzinski
Director of Christian Education
Karen has been the Director of Christian Education at Emmanuel Community since 2002. At church she loves the interaction with our many volunteers and with the children. She also enjoys developing hands-on lessons which encourage children to dig in and participate in the Bible stories and lessons. Seeing a child’s face light up when they suddenly “get it” is a rewarding part of each Sunday. Even more rewarding is when new volunteers experience that same “ah ha!” moment with the children.
When not at church, Karen spends her time trying new recipes for her family, attending concerts, reading, and taking in a movie and popcorn whenever possible. Vacation time is always cherished and most often spent lakeside, skiing, and visiting family.
Karen looks forward to finding a way for each and every member of our congregation to help the children in our community grow in their faith.
Jeannie Berrall
Family Ministry Coordinator
My priorities in life are God first, family second, so taking the job of Family Ministries seems a good fit.
I am married with four children, daughter J.J. who has two little boys and a girl, daughter Kelly with two adorable little girls and a baby boy, son Casey with two precious little girls, and my youngest son Tim who is living and working in WY. He has a heart of gold so I’m excited to see what God has in mind for him.
I started working at Emmanuel Community UMC in June of 2008. Before working here at ECUMC, I was at Our Lord’s UMC as the Minister of Programming for 10 years and before that I was at Brown Deer United Methodist Church for 8 years as Education Coordinator. I have found that God has given me the gift of teaching and creativity. Some of the things I have done that I have immensely enjoyed are: taught Disciple l,ll,lll & lV, Jesus in the Gospels, Faith Quest, Companions of Christ, and many smaller Bible studies, taught Confirmation for 15 years, started a Family Night, a preschool, and taught all grade levels for kids.
I have found the more I learn about our awesome God the happier I am and the more I want to learn. I believe that our faith is not taught as much as it is caught, and that God loves a cheerful servant. In the future I plan to take a quilting class, sew, knit (I love anything that takes creativity), and spend a lot of time with my grandkids and continue to be a part of their lives. As well as (of course), be a great Family Ministries Coordinator.
Rosella Jashinsky
Organist, Choir Accompanist
Rosie Jashinsky began working as a church musician while still in high school in Montana. She graduated from Kansas University in 1972 with a degree in music therapy. Over the years she has taught piano, worked in in psychiatric and Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction (AODA) settings and a high school dropout prevention program.
Rosie and her husband, John, moved to Menomonee Falls in 1975 and joined Emmanuel shortly thereafter. At ECUMC, Rosie has taught Sunday School, led Vacation Bible School, directed the Angelus choir for 10 years, and sung with the Chancel Choir. In January 1997, she began to serve as the Chancel Choir accompanist and a year and a half later additionally took the position as organist for our Sunday services. She believes in ECUMC and our mission!
Rosie and John's three children were baptised at Emmanuel and now their grandchildren are being baptized here as well. What a joy to share in their lives at ECUMC. When not involved in church and family activities, Rosie loves to attend theater and musical productions and athletic events,and enjoys performing with the Sunshine Singers and scrapbooking. Rosie feels uniquely blessed to have a job that is also her hobby.
Dawn Buss
Dawn joined Emmanuel Community Church staff in September 2012 as Office Administrator.
Prior to joining the staff at Emmanuel, Dawn worked in the corporate field conducting training and educational events on lean manufacturing practices, computer skills and personal development skills. Her background is in training / education, and hospitality.
In addition to being Office Administrator, Dawn manages a small bed and breakfast out of her home, enjoys trying new recipes, working in her perennial gardens, decorating her home, entertaining family and friends, knitting, and reading.
Dawn is excited to be working a friendly environment and with an organization that provides work-life balance.
Maureen Silveyra
Communication Specialist
Maureen loves people and enjoys using her artistic and writing skills to help ministry happen. Maureen has served in many capacities in ministry in the past--from youth and college-age ministry locally, to missions ministry on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and in disaster relief efforts in Waveland, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. She loves serving God and people and is excited to bring her past experiences into better serving this congregation as Communication Specialist here at Emmanuel Community.