Introduction to the Staff at Trinity Lutheran Church
Karen Ward
PASTOR
[email protected]
Office- (717) 463-3428
"My favorite part about ministry is serving the congregation and community through all of life's ups and downs. It's a joy to see people of all ages build their relationship with Jesus, dig into the Bible and serve their neighbors in love."
She is a native of Pennsylvania. She grew up in Pottsville and attended Trinity Lutheran Church there. She first discerned a call to be a leader in the church in high school but wasn't sure if she wanted to be a pastor until she entered seminary. She majored in Religion and Women's Studies at Susquehanna University and went to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. During that time she considered becoming a youth director, missionary or deacon. She participated in service learning trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Liberia and the Philippines and did service work in New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. In the summer between university and seminary, she worked as an intern for the ELCA World Hunger in Chicago, IL.
On June 4th, 2015, she was ordained and began to serve a small rural congregation in Blair County, PA. After 5 years in ministry there she began a new call as an interim pastor at another small rural congregation in Bedford County, PA, for a year and a half. She was called by God and the people of Trinity Lutheran Church in McAlisterville on January 16th , 2022 and began serving as pastor a month later.
She and her beloved, Greg, were married on January 11th, 2020. They own a dog named Marley and a cat named Jude. She is an only child to Mike Ward and Pamela Leib and loves being a step-sister to all 4 of Greg's brother and sisters. She is a first-generation American on her father's side. Mike hails from Hertfordshire, England. She enjoys singing, crafting and reading. She likes walking, hiking and going geocaching with Greg. She likes to travel both across the country and across the world.
She is passionate about hunger ministry and serving our neighbors both near and far. As a Child of God, she continues to learn and grow in her faith and seeks out God's justice and peace for all people. Her favorite Bible passage is from the book of Romans:
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
PASTOR
[email protected]
Office- (717) 463-3428
"My favorite part about ministry is serving the congregation and community through all of life's ups and downs. It's a joy to see people of all ages build their relationship with Jesus, dig into the Bible and serve their neighbors in love."
She is a native of Pennsylvania. She grew up in Pottsville and attended Trinity Lutheran Church there. She first discerned a call to be a leader in the church in high school but wasn't sure if she wanted to be a pastor until she entered seminary. She majored in Religion and Women's Studies at Susquehanna University and went to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. During that time she considered becoming a youth director, missionary or deacon. She participated in service learning trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Liberia and the Philippines and did service work in New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. In the summer between university and seminary, she worked as an intern for the ELCA World Hunger in Chicago, IL.
On June 4th, 2015, she was ordained and began to serve a small rural congregation in Blair County, PA. After 5 years in ministry there she began a new call as an interim pastor at another small rural congregation in Bedford County, PA, for a year and a half. She was called by God and the people of Trinity Lutheran Church in McAlisterville on January 16th , 2022 and began serving as pastor a month later.
She and her beloved, Greg, were married on January 11th, 2020. They own a dog named Marley and a cat named Jude. She is an only child to Mike Ward and Pamela Leib and loves being a step-sister to all 4 of Greg's brother and sisters. She is a first-generation American on her father's side. Mike hails from Hertfordshire, England. She enjoys singing, crafting and reading. She likes walking, hiking and going geocaching with Greg. She likes to travel both across the country and across the world.
She is passionate about hunger ministry and serving our neighbors both near and far. As a Child of God, she continues to learn and grow in her faith and seeks out God's justice and peace for all people. Her favorite Bible passage is from the book of Romans:
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
Betty Lou Naylor
Parish Secretary
[email protected]
Office- (717) 463-3428
Betty Lou was baptized at Trinity Lutheran in 1949. In 1973, she joined the McAlisterville UMC and rejoined Trinity in 2018. She has been the parish secretary for Trinity since August 1993. She says, “A lot has changed since then. I am very grateful for my job, and the friendships and happenings that have come through this church office over so many years. It is a fun place to work.” She is very grateful for the pastors she has worked under and the Sonbeam Early Learning Center.
Parish Secretary
[email protected]
Office- (717) 463-3428
Betty Lou was baptized at Trinity Lutheran in 1949. In 1973, she joined the McAlisterville UMC and rejoined Trinity in 2018. She has been the parish secretary for Trinity since August 1993. She says, “A lot has changed since then. I am very grateful for my job, and the friendships and happenings that have come through this church office over so many years. It is a fun place to work.” She is very grateful for the pastors she has worked under and the Sonbeam Early Learning Center.
Other Support Staff
Doris Watts
Organist
Organist
Jean Barnard
Music Director
Music Director
Derek Shelley
Technology Coordinator
Email- [email protected]
Derek has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 2014 and is honored to serve as the Technology Team Director. He is passionate about using technology to support worship, strengthen communication, and help connect people with the life and ministry of the church.
Derek enjoys serving wherever there is a need and believes every member has unique gifts that can be used to further God's mission. Whether helping behind the scenes with technology or volunteering in other areas of church life, he is always willing to lend a hand.
Outside of church, Derek loves spending time with his wife, Hannah, and their dog, Bandit. He also enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and making memories with family and friends.
Derek is grateful to be part of the Trinity family and looks forward to continuing to serve alongside others as the church shares Christ's love with the community.
Technology Coordinator
Email- [email protected]
Derek has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 2014 and is honored to serve as the Technology Team Director. He is passionate about using technology to support worship, strengthen communication, and help connect people with the life and ministry of the church.
Derek enjoys serving wherever there is a need and believes every member has unique gifts that can be used to further God's mission. Whether helping behind the scenes with technology or volunteering in other areas of church life, he is always willing to lend a hand.
Outside of church, Derek loves spending time with his wife, Hannah, and their dog, Bandit. He also enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and making memories with family and friends.
Derek is grateful to be part of the Trinity family and looks forward to continuing to serve alongside others as the church shares Christ's love with the community.
Officers & Congregation Council
Officers:
President: Ted wilson- Email- [email protected]
Secretary: Christa Mummah
Treasurer: Cheryl Wilson
Asst. Treasurer: Betty Ryan
Other Members:
Sandy Kinny
Derek Shelley
Kirk Freed
Sonya Nace
Angela Monteleone
Trudy Watts
Michael Dreese
President: Ted wilson- Email- [email protected]
Secretary: Christa Mummah
Treasurer: Cheryl Wilson
Asst. Treasurer: Betty Ryan
Other Members:
Sandy Kinny
Derek Shelley
Kirk Freed
Sonya Nace
Angela Monteleone
Trudy Watts
Michael Dreese
Other Committees and Teams
Faith Formation
Committee Chair- Hannah Shelley
Committee Chair- Hannah Shelley
Property
Worship Team
Ann Lock, Ruth Nace, Hannah Shelley, Derek Shelley
Ann Lock, Ruth Nace, Hannah Shelley, Derek Shelley
Willing Workers
Committee Chair-
Committee Chair-
Stowerdship
