STAFF
Gloria Dei Staff and Council
A Letter from Interim Pastor Lynn Fonfara
I am excited to be partnering in ministry with you all at Gloria Dei! I have discovered I love interim ministry, and I am blessed to be your pastor. I introduce myself with a few observations.
I am married to Mike, a retired Presbyterian (PCUSA) pastor, and we’ve been happily married for 21 years. We have 5 adult children in various parts of the country, 12 grandchildren in even more parts of the country, and as of this year, we have 2 great-grandchildren. We also have 2 cats – or I should say – we are the staff for two 11-year-old cats.
I am a life-professed member of the Order of Lutheran Franciscans (OLF). That means I follow Jesus by following the simple ways of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi. Beyond caring for creation, they were both passionate about making sure all people have enough of what they need. You will occasionally hear stories about them and how they lived out Jesus’ message of compassion and justice.
I am your pastor, not the congregation president. While I will advise the council, I will not write the agenda or make major decisions, because that is the responsibility of the council and congregation.
I ask a lot of questions, especially at first. I want to know, “How do we do ‘X’ here?” I also ask “what if …” questions. “What if we did ‘X’?” What do you think?” How would people respond? Questions are a method of gathering information, and of exploring options that could grow faith and participation in the congregation’s activities.
I love to eat, and I love to get to know congregation members. So, every Sunday, I’ll ask the question, “Who is going to lunch with me today or tomorrow?” By enjoying lunch with a few people at a time, I get to know who you are, how you fit in the community that is Gloria Dei, and you get to know me as well. We accomplish so much more when we know and trust each other.
I look forward to getting to know you all, loving God and our neighbors together, as we travel together through this time of transition for Gloria Dei.
Evelyn Rollins, Office Manager
Evelyn was born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in Long Island, NY. She attended the State University of Old Westbury and graduated from Briarcliffe College.
In 2017, she moved to Tampa, FL. seeking a quieter and more peaceful neighborhood in 2022, Evelyn and her significant other, Shannon, found their perfect home in Leesburg where they now reside.
In July 2024, Evelyn joined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church as the Office Manager. Her responsibilities include collecting and formatting information to create, copy, and distribute the Sunday bulletins, the monthly Glorion, and other publications as needed.
Evelyn also ensures the smooth running of the church office through various administrative duties.
Leonard Cremisio, Music Director
Leonard Cremisio is an experienced church musician with over five decades of dedication to music ministry. His career spans multiple states and denominations, showcasing his versatility and commitment to sacred music.
Mr. Cremisio's journey in church music began in New York, where he served as the organist at St. Henry's for 20 years. He then moved to New Jersey, taking on the role of organist and bell choir director at Good Shepherd for another two decades. Following his retirement, he relocated to Pennsylvania and continued his ministry as the Choir Director and Organist for the First Presbyterian Church of Honesdale for three years.
In 2015, Leonard moved to Clermont, Florida, where he continued to share his musical talents. For five years, he played daily mass at Blessed Sacrament until changes in the music program led to a reduction in weekday services. Currently, he serves as a fill-in musician at St. Faustina and provides musical accompaniment for mass once a month.
Throughout his career, Leonard has demonstrated adaptability and a willingness to serve in various capacities. He has experience with both traditional and contemporary worship styles and has worked with choirs, bell choirs, and as a solo organist. His extensive background includes a brief stint at a local church where he filled in during a transitional period before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tina Janson, Sexton
Tina Janosa was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of Little League Baseball. When she was 13 years old, she and her younger brother moved to Wind Gap, PA, known as the Gateway to the Poconos, with her mom and stepfather, Carmen and Clair Bittenbender. She attended school there and after graduation began working in manufacturing. She eventually married and bought a home that was a total renovation project. They completely remodeled the home in a year and a half and sold it so they could fulfill their dream of living in the Florida sunshine. Their goal was to set up a business of their own, which was a “total home service”. Eventually, they split the business and he set out to operate a lawn and landscape service and she pursued the cleaning business, which she has done since March of 1989. They picked the Leesburg area because her mom and stepfather had moved here about 6 months prior to their move. Carmen and Clair were members of Gloria Dei soon after their arrival to Leesburg.
Tina’s business has covered about every aspect of cleaning from residential, professional offices, new construction and model homes to move-in and move-out homes for two local realtors. She started here at Gloria Dei in May of 2002 when there was a great need for a dependable service and she could make time in her schedule. The cleaning responsibilities are fairly routine. They include keeping the sanctuary dust-free, vacuuming pews and floors and keeping things neat and tidy. Restrooms are cleaned and stocked, along with the kitchen. Floors are mopped and all carpets are vacuumed. Trash cans are emptied, tables and chairs are cleaned and particular attention paid to the general appearance of the upstairs. All the rooms downstairs are cleaned one a week, along with these other areas. She also rolls out the trash cans twice a week for pick-up. When cleaning supplies, towels, toilet paper and soap are needed she takes inventory and delivers a list to the supply company for delivery.
Tina is also a single mom to her son Aaron, who many of you know since he has grown up before your eyes. He has enjoyed playing clarinet for a few special services and looks forward to doing so again. She feels very blessed to have Aaron in her life and is certainly a proud mom. Aaron has just begun his second year at the University of Florida in Gainesville to work toward a teaching career in music.
