Ms. Tyler served as Deputy Executive Director of the New York StateCouncil of Churches from 2023 until December8, 2025, when she became Acting ExecutiveDirector. She also serves as ProjectManager for the Interfaith Affordable HousingCollaborative. In these roles, Tyler has helped expandstatewide outreach, strengthen partnerships with congregations and communityorganizations, and advance the Council’s work around affordable housing andcommunity development.

Ms. Tyler brings deep experience in community organizing, housing andtenants’ rights advocacy, public administration, nonprofit management, andcommunity outreach and engagement. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees inPolitical Science and History from Marist College, a Master of Arts degree inAfricana Studies from SUNY Albany, and a Master of Public Administration fromRockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. Her education reflects astrong foundation in history, public policy, government, civic engagement, andthe study of race, justice, and social movements.

Tyler previously served as Associate Executive Director of CommunityOutreach and Program Development for the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County andas Director of Research and Operational Programming for the Ulster CountyAttorney’s Office. Tyler is also a 2016 Women in Government and Civil SocietyFellow, a 2017 graduate of the Women’s Campaign School at Yale, and a 2018graduate of the New Leaders Council Fellowship.

Jim is the first point of contact for Protestant and Orthodox persons who wish to apply to become a chaplain for a NYS agency (usually DOCCS, but also OMH and DCFS). Jim explains the requirements and the process and offers suggestions for those who do not currently meet the standards. He monitors the submission of forms online and passes candidates who have met the requirements to a Certification Committee made up of current and retired chaplains. Jim then notifies the relevant state agency of certified candidates and monitors their progress through the state agency interview process. Jim is also the lead staff person in organizing the annual Chaplains Conference, working with the officers of the NYS Chaplains Association.

Heather Smith is an active United Methodist laywoman. Serving as the Peace with Justice Coordinator for the Upper NY Conference of The United Methodist Church since 2014, she has had several opportunities to train in advocacy work with the General Board of Church and Society in Washington, DC. As a member of the Upper NY Conference Social Holiness Team she has helped the Council secure grants and increased funding from that Conference. Heather joined the Executive Committee of the NYSCOC in 2023, before becoming staff.

Always a justice-seeker, Heather is passionate about full inclusion and protection of the LGBTQIA+ community, protections for immigrants and refugees, sensible gun laws, and child abuse prevention. Heather has helped with the planning of the Bethlehem Pride Festival, at FUMC Delmar she serves on the Hope More, Fear Less Task Force to End Gun Violence, the Reconciling Ministries Team, and supports many other actions with her prayers and presence.

Heather is the wife, daughter, and mother to clergy; she has spent her life navigating the politics of the church. She was born and raised in northern NY and has lived in the Capital Region since 1997. She and her husband have three adult children and are currently living in Delmar, NY.

Ginger Rento has been doing the bookkeeping for New York State Council of Churches since 2017 and has over 25 years of experience. Ginger’s client base includes several non-profits and ecumenical agencies.

Gary Van Kennen serves as President of the NYSCOC Executive Committee and is a member of Emmanuel Congregational United Church of Christ in Massena, New York. He is active in a number of local and international organizations, including New York State Kairos Prison Ministry and the Poor People's Campaign.  Gary also serves with several groups that work on religious freedom and human rights issues.

Rev. E. Alan Dailey serves as Vice President of the NYSCOC Executive Committee and represents the New York Conference United Church of Christ on this committee. Alan currently serves as an Intentional Interim Pastor, most recently at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Greece, NY. His interests include diversity and racial justice work and workshop facilitation. He also serves on the Board and as Treasurer of the Greater Rochester Council of Churches Faith in Action Network, and as the Ecumenical/Interfaith Coordinator for the Genesee Valley Association of the UCC. In these roles Alan has been instrumental in their anti-racism and diversity initiatives. He is an alumnus of Michigan State University and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. He lives in Rochester, with his wife Sue. They have five adult children and nine grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. William Wilkinson is a Presbyterian Church pastor serving as an at-large member on the NYSCOC Executive Committee. He is Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Medina, NY. William’s passion for ecumenical ministry envisioned by the perspectives of the social gospel and liberation theology has led him to involvement with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship as well as the Greater Rochester Community of Churches/Faith in Action Network, the Rochester Area Communities Transforming Society, and the United Christian Leadership Ministries of Western New York.

Frederick Jackson serves as Treasurer of the NYSCOC Executive Committee. He is a member of the Finance Committee and the Social Justice Commission. Fred serves his local Episcopal church making use of his financial experience and has experience in Lay Church Management and Legislative advocacy. The “Who is my Neighbor?” program of the NYSCOC is of special interest to him in both the Capital Region and Manhattan.

The Rev. Tanya Spencer is a pastor in the Buffalo area and serves as the Corporate Secretary of the Executive Committee of the NYS Council of Churches. She has a passion for Christ and helping people.

Rev. Patricia A. Bufford is a Spirit-led pastor, visionary transformational leader, and strategic community advocate based in Buffalo, NY. In 2019, she was appointed Pastor of Centennial AME Zion Church, a Local Landmark Historic Designation located on the East Side of Buffalo.

Under Pastor Bufford’s leadership, the church has entered a season of restoration, renewal, and community impact anchored in preserving legacy and securing sacred spaces, empowering the next generation, and advancing faith-based innovation through making credible christian disciples. Matt 28:19

Rev. Bufford brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning ministry, corrections, and community engagement. She has served as an Associate Minister at St. Francis AME Zion Church in Mount Kisco, NY, and People’s AME Zion Church in Syracuse, NY.

Rev. Bufford attended Buffalo State University and she holds a Master of Professional Studies degree in Christian Ministry from Alliance Theological Seminary, New York, NY. She is currently pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through Anam Cara - CPEI as she works toward Chaplaincy Certification.

Rev. Bufford is the Founder and Director of Generation-NEX, Inc., a faith based not-for-profit mentoring initiative focused on supporting at-risk youth. Known for her prophetic voice and transformative leadership, she is committed to leading by faith and not by sight. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

Her ministry is marked by a deep commitment to meeting individuals where they are emotionally and spiritually while honoring each person’s dignity, story, and sacred worth. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for healing, reflection, and spiritual growth. Reverend Bufford is a Member of New York State Council of Churches - Social Justice Chair, she is also a board member of other community faith based organizations working toward the betterment of humankind.

Her ongoing CPE training continues to strengthen her ability to provide patient-centered, trauma-informed, and spiritually integrated care across diverse settings.

Dr. Jason Churchill serves as Senior Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry in Ithaca, New York, and as a chaplain serving the Cornell University and Ithaca College communities. He is the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer for the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is active in ecumenical, interfaith, and public-policy work throughout New York State. An ordained ELCA pastor and licensed Episcopal priest, his ministry is particularly shaped by campus ministry, progressive Christianity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith engagement, and the church’s public witness for justice and peace.

Dr. Churchill earned his Doctor of Ministry from United Lutheran Seminary, where his doctoral work brought feminist, womanist, and queer theology into conversation with The Thunder, Perfect Mind, an early Christian text outside the biblical canon. His research explores how marginalized and often-silenced theological voices can challenge systems of power and help communities imagine more liberative ways of understanding God, identity, and belonging. This work also informs his engagement with the rise of Christian nationalism and the ways religious language and identity can be used to legitimize exclusion and political power. He serves on the Upstate New York Synod’s Public Policy Working Group, where he has helped lead the synod’s work addressing Christian nationalism and strengthening the church’s public witness for democracy, human dignity, and the common good.

A queer gay man, Dr. Churchill is deeply committed to creating religious communities in which people are welcomed in the fullness of who they are and where faith leads toward justice, reconciliation, and the flourishing of neighbor and creation. He lives in Cortland with his husband, Craig, and their lively household of animals. Outside of ministry and scholarship, he enjoys gardening, cooking, music, theatre, and the natural and artistic life of the Finger Lakes.

Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving as Assistant to the Bishop for the Upper New York Conference. Prior to his position as a judicatory staff member, Bill served as senior pastor of three congregations in the Finger Lakes region of New York. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, a Master of Divinity from The Theological School of Drew University, and a graduate certificate in non-profit management from the University of Connecticut.

Rev. Dr. Gideon Jebamani is an Episcopal priest serving as an at-large member of the NYSCOC Executive Committee. He is a Protestant Chaplain serving at Green Haven Correctional Facility. His role as an executive committee member includes his work in prison ministry, a vital aspect of the work of NYSCOC, coordinating and perpetuating ecumenical relationships locally and globally especially with India, and advocating for everyone’s human dignity and human rights beyond boundaries, especially the marginalized Dalit untouchable across the Globe.

Rev. Fr. Abidhananthar John (Abi John) is an Episcopal priest, theologian, educator, and advocate for social justice who has been ordained since 2004. He began his ordained ministry in the Church of South India, Diocese of Madras, serving nearly 78 parishes across eight pastorates in rural and urban settings and working extensively with Dalit and Adivasi Christian communities. His ministry has consistently brought together faith, theological education, social justice, and grassroots community empowerment. After coming to the United States, he served several congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and, in 2021, was called to the Church of the Ascension in Rochester, New York, where he now serves as Rector. His leadership emphasizes multicultural ministry, refugee engagement, youth and lay formation, ecumenical and interfaith relationships, and global mission partnerships. Among his significant initiatives is the Summer School of Love, a multicultural residential youth program supported through partnership with Trinity Church Wall Street, which invites young people from diverse cultural and transnational backgrounds to engage in faith conversations and imagine the Beloved Community. His ministry is grounded in the conviction that the Church is called to participate actively in building a society shaped by love, justice, peace, reconciliation, and care for creation.

Fr. Abi holds B.A., M.A., and M.Phil. degrees in Political Science from Madras Christian College and a Bachelor of Divinity from Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute in Chennai. He earned a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Union Theological Seminary in New York, where his studies were significantly influenced by the late Dr. James H. Cone and Black Liberation Theology. His academic interests bring Dalit theology into conversation with the thought and movements associated with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, alongside research on Dalit Christian rights, politics, religion, and liberation. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies part-time at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School while continuing his parish and wider church leadership. Drawing upon his experiences in India and the United States, Fr. Abi remains committed to equipping lay and ordained leaders, empowering marginalized communities, nurturing young people, and strengthening global, ecumenical, and interfaith partnerships. His vocation reflects a vision of Christian ministry in which diverse cultures, identities, and communities come together to imagine and embody God’s Beloved Community.

Minister Chibueze Okorie is an ordained, Commissioned Lay Pastor in the NYC Presbytery and represents them on our Executive Committee. He joined the Church of Gethsemane in 1991 in response to its Outreach Ministry and volunteered with them for several years.  He experienced a call to Church leadership and attended the New York Theological Seminary and also completed two Clinical Pastoral Education Programs there. He was hired as the Minister of Evangelism and Director of Project Connect, the Church’s prison and re-entry program. He has received many citations and awards for his work in the field of Criminal Justice.  Chibueze is also a resource to clergy and lay, throughout the NYC Presbytery who seek his help for people who are incarcerated and their families. He is also a member of the Committee on Preparation for Lay Ministry and a Presbytery delegate for the United Nations Committee for Social Development.

The Rev. John Paarlberg is a retired pastor in the Reformed Church in America (RCA), having most recently served as the senior minister of the First Church in Albany. Prior to that he was the RCA Minister for Social Witness and Worship.

He is a member of the Social Justice Commission of the NY State Council of Churches, serving as chair of the Environmental Justice working group. Rev. Paarlberg is also very involved with the issue of peace in Palestine and Israel.

The Rev. Grover T. Reddie is an Episcopal priest, an at-large member of our Executive Committee, and a Protestant Chaplain with the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision at Coxsackie Correctional Facility.

Rev. Charles Y. Ryu was born in Seoul, Korea as a fourth generation Methodist and immigrated to the United States during his high school days, Pastor Charles received his calling to ordained ministry rather early in his childhood. His spiritual journey progressed from a more traditional and pietistic background to a more ecumenical, inter-faith, progressive,activistic, scientific, and contemplative/mystical form of Christian walk.

Pastor Charles has served in many different settings: Korean congregations, primarily European white congregations, multi-cultural/multi-ethnic congregations, campus ministry, camping ministry, children, youth and young adult ministries, institutional ministries, and peace with justice advocacy ministries. He currently serves as the pastor of Morningside UMC, First SpanishUMC and the teaching pastor for the Greater Harlem Cooperative Parish. 

Rev. Ryu appreciates the diverse people committed to Christian identity and Social Holiness with whom we engage as the Council. His hope for the future of the NYSCOC is that we are able to foster a more organic connection with the member denominations and their local churches. He is serving the Council on the Social Justice Commission as well as leading the committee to review our Constitution and By Laws.

He is a classical pianist with concert credits in four continents, and has been a lead actor in short and feature length films depicting authentic Korean-American immigrant lives.

Rev. Charles (Chuck) S. Smith was ordained in 1990 and has served churches in Connecticut, Long Island, and five churches in St. Lawrance County, NY. For 21 years Father Chuck was a chaplain in four NYS prisons. Currently he is the Board President for Grace House, a transitional housing ministry for women in recovery. He is the Ecumenical Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. He serves on the Executive Board of the NYS Council of Churches, chairing the Commission on Chaplaincy; which recruits and certifies clergy to be Chaplains for the NYS Department of Corrections.

Father Chuck has recently made several mission trips to India, drilling wells for tribal churches and doing ministry with the Church of South India.

Jillian Smith is one of two representatives to NYSCOC Executive Committee from New York Yearly Meeting. She grew up Quaker at Saratoga Friends Monthly Meeting and spent a chapter of her life living and worshipping at Brooklyn Monthly Meeting while she currently is attending Old Chatham Monthly Meeting. She finds walking in forests or swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds a vital source of spiritual comfort. Her ever-ongoing spiritual growth took place at Quaker conference centers such as Powell House and Pendle Hill as well as among friends in the Friends World Committee for Consultation. She’s inspired by the Center for the Study of White American Culture and its efforts to decenter whiteness and build antiracist multiracial community. She completed her Roots of Justice antiracism analysis training program with members of NYYM in 2022. She was changed by her experience with Alternatives to Violence Project AVP. Jillian regards her Quaker spiritual journey as a great adventure and is glad to include her role with NYSCOC as part of that adventure.

Rev. Dr. Erwin Lee Trollinger, Jr. is a licensed and ordained through the Union Temple Inspirational Baptist Church and the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Association, Queens, New York. He attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Social Work and Theology. He earned his Master’s Degree in Sacred Theology at the Christ Theological Seminary. In 2011 Rev. Dr. Trollinger became the Sixth Pastor of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of White Plains and serves as the Sr. Pastor.

In 2012 Rev. Dr. Trollinger became the President of the Ministers’ Fellowship Council of White Plains and Vicinity. Currently, he serves as the Chaplin at Epic Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. In 2018 Rev. Dr. Trollinger was appointed by the Board of Directors to become the International President and Patron for the Agape Christian Ministers College, Kumasi, Ghana. In 2022 Rev. Dr. Trollinger received two honorary Doctorate Degrees from the Anointed by God Ministries Alliance and Seminary. He received a Doctor of Theology Degree and a Doctor of Divinity Degree. In 2022 Rev. Dr. Trollinger was consecrated to the Bishopry to preside over the Agape Christian Ministers College, Kumasi, Ghana.

Rev. Trollinger previously served as Chaplain at the Westchester County -Norwood Jackson Correctional Facility, Sing-Sing Correctional Facility, and Rikers Island Correctional Facility. Rev. Dr. Trollinger has shared the gospel in foreign lands such as the Republic of Jamaica, West Indies, the City of London, England, Kampala Uganda, West Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, Republic of Ghana and Republic of Liberia, West Africa.

Several other member bios will be coming in 2026!