The Congregational Church of Manhasset, UCC
1845 Northern Blvd, Manhasset, NY 11030
Associate Minister
Rev. Lori Burgess (516) 784 - 6942
Minister
Rev. Jimmy Only (516) 526 - 8391
Our Staff
Jimmy's been with us since 1994. He started out as our Associate Minister, and so endeared himself to the members that he was hired as our Minister in 2001. One of the many reasons Jimmy enjoys serving as our minister is his long term connection with our members. He's now marrying the kids who started out in his youth group, and baptizing the babies of the couples he married years ago. Around here, Jimmy is known for his sense of humor and his love for people. He's also famous for his 12 - minute sermons, but don't hold him to that.
Jimmy grew up in Memphis, TN. He holds degrees from Mississippi State University (B.A.), Southern Seminary (M.Div.) and Boston University (S.T.M.). He's worked as a youth minister, a campus minister, a director of Appalachian Outreach, and with Bread for the World in Washington D.C. Given all those years in TN and KY, he still has a bit of his Southern accent and a taste for barbeque, but he now loves the open - minded atmosphere of living in the Northeast, and considers New York his home.
Jimmy married his wife, Colleen, in 1990. They met in a seminary world religions class, which he still tries to convince her is highly romantic. Colleen and Jimmy have a son, Matthew, who shares their DNA, and a daughter, Alina, whom they adopted from Ukraine when she was 3. In his free time, Jimmy likes playing the drums, attending U2 concerts, and rooting for the Red Sox. His favorite vacation spot is Block Island, where he and his family meet up with long time friends for a week every summer. His favorite local spot is his den couch, where you can often find him reclining with a good book, engrossed in the subject or headed for a nap, depending upon the demands of the day.
Lori began her journey with the Congregational Church of
Manhasset in the summer of 2007. Lori was born and raised
in the small town of Cornelia, Georgia. She and her husband
Jacob, moved to New York in 2006.
Lori received her Associate Degree from Truett McConnell College, in Cleveland, Georgia. She received her (BA) degree from Union University in Jackson,Tennessee. Lori completed her Master of Divinity in 2004 at Mercer University's, McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lori has worked in various aspects of Christian ministry,
including the non-profit sector as well as local church ministry.
Lori's favorite activity involves spending time with her husband Jacob, their son Aaron, daughter Charlotte and their yellow lab puppy, Max.
As Executive Director, Donna manages the business of the church including finance, risk management, facilities management and human resource compliance.
Donna received her BA and MBA from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. She grew up a few houses away from The Congregational Church of Manhasset and raised her family in town. Donna's family joined the church in 1993 and she assumed her current position in 1995.
Dr. Robert C. Jordan
Music Director
robertjordan1975@gmail.com
Robert is originally from Tell City, IN where he participated in every musical activity that he could find including piano, organ, trumpet, church choir, school concert choirs and bands, the marching band, and high school and community musicals. He began playing for church services when he was 13 years old and has been a church musician almost every year since. Robert completed a Bachelors in Music Education at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University and a Masters in Organ Performance at Western Michigan University. Prior to moving to New York in 2019, Robert taught middle and high school band and choir in Michigan for 21 years.
Robert completed his doctoral study in music and music education at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2022 where he was a doctoral fellow, course instructor, student teaching supervisor, assistant initial certification coordinator, course assistant, and applied music instructor in organ and voice. He is now an Assistant Professor and the Coordinator of Music Education at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY.
Luis Abrego
Facilities Manager
Luis Abrego is the Deputy Facilities Manager for The Congregational Church of Manhasset. Luis has been on staff for more than twenty five years and has become part of the fabric of the church community. Luis schedules the building staff and is a great repository of building knowledge.
Ivan Barrera
Facilities Staff
Ivan Barrera is a twenty year employee of the church and provides care for the building. Ivan greets all with a smile and a good idea. The church is blessed to have a dedicated and caring building staff member.
