Our Staff
Pastor Adam Arends
St. Timothy is excited to welcome Pastor Adam Arends and his family to our church, child care, and Grand Island community! Pastor Adam comes to us with a deep commitment to love the people of God as they are created, and a strong desire to gather the church around the common mission of building community by caring for and loving neighbors. We look forward to a fruitful partnership in the coming years as we work to make God's love known!
Pastor Adam can be reached at pastor@sttimothygrandisland.com.
Athena Torain
Director, Child Care Center
Hello, everyone! My name is Athena Torain. I am the Director of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Child Care Center. My husband and I live in Lockport and have 3 children. I have worked with children for 18 years now. I studied Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education with a concentration in Math and a minor in English at SUNY Fredonia and received my Bachelor’s degree. Throughout my career in childcare centers I have been a teacher, Assistant Director, and Director. I find my position as a Director most rewarding by facilitating growth for children, families, staff, and our community as a whole.
Tracy Marrs
Assistant Director, Child Care Center
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. We like traveling, trying new restaurants, and exploring local events. Feel free to share with me your family’s favorites.
Please reach out to me at director@sttimothygrandisland.com or 716-773-9249 with any
questions or to set up a tour!
Hi everyone! My name is Tracy Marrs and I am currently the Assistant Director of St. Timothy Lutheran Child Care Center. I have been at St. Timothy’s for six years now and I have loved every day! I started my career at St. Timothy’s as a teacher assistant and was quickly promoted to Lead Teacher of the One-Year-Old room. There is where I really found my passion for young children and their education. Being the Assistant Director now allows me to share my dedication and passion with every child throughout our entire building. What a blessing to do what you love!
Outside of St. Timothy’s, you will often see me around the community spending time with friends and family, especially my niece, Harper. My boyfriend, Kyle, and I are puppy parents to a Shiloh Shepherd named Odin. Finally, I am a huge Buffalo sports fan! Every Sunday you can catch me at the stadium cheering on the Buffalo Bills!
Please free to stop on into the child care main office to say hi! I hope to see you join our St. Timothy family!
Kim Yaeger
Communications Director
Kim has been a member of St. Timothy's for most of her life and is glad to have this opportunity to further serve the church and support the Child Care Center's children and staff. On her time off, she can be found taking care of houseplants, reading, cooking, and spending time in nature.
Kim can be reached at communications@sttimothygrandisland. com.
Guhan Peng
Organist and Choir Director
A pianist of Guangzhou, China, Guhan Peng has performed recitals at The Gordon K. And Harriet Greenfield Hall, The Solomon Mikowsky Recital Hall, Hilda, and Douglas Goodwin Recital Halls, and Leigh Symington Griswold Hall. Mr. Peng has won competitions including the Liszt-memorial Hongkong-international piano competition (2014) and the Shanghai Spring international music festival and competition. Moreover, he is deeply committed to chamber music. Guhan gave chamber recitals in the Aspen Music Festival and School, featuring works by Poulenc and Goossens. As the assistant conductor of Maryland Lyric Opera and teaching assistant at Eastman School of Music, Mr. Peng had coached operas by Verdi, Cavalli, and American Composer Missy Mazolli.
As a recipient of a merit scholarship, Guhan earned his Bachelor’s degree at Manhattan School of Music in 2019, In the same year, he enrolled in the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and gained his Master’s degree in 2021. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree of Musical Arts at Eastman School of Music, studying with Marina Lomazov.
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