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United Church of Christ

Penn Northeast Conference

Address 183 South Broad Street, Nazareth, PA, 18064   Phone  (610) 759.0893

Our Staff

Rev. Dr. David H. DeRemer, Senior Pastor

Pastor Dave was called as the Senior Pastor of St. John's in September 1995. Born and raised in Allentown, he was active as a teenager in local, region, and national United Church of Christ groups.

Dave graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Ursinus College, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew Theological School.

He is passionate about preaching and teaching and about creating new opportunities for people to use their gifts in service to Christ's Church.

Dave serves as an Adjunct Professor at Moravian and Princeton Theological Seminaries teaching United Church of Christ History Polity and Theology, Speech, and Preaching. He is also the Assistant Director of Supervised Ministry at Moravian Seminary, working with students to find field education experience in local churches.

Dave and his wife, Kathy, live in Lower Saucon Township. They have two grown children.

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Rev. Curtis G. Kemmerer, Pastor of Congregational Care Ministries

Pastor Curt is a graduate of the Lancaster Theological Seminary and has served seven churches of the United Church of Christ as either installed or interim pastor. Curt, as our Pastor of Congregational Care Ministries, has also brought with him 20 years experience as a licensed individual, marriage and family therapist and seasoned pastoral counselor. He is a Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and a Diplomat in the American Psychotherapy Association.

Curt maintains Eagle's Wings Counseling Center, a ministry of St. John's U.C.C., which offers counseling service to all persons with no consideration of one's race, religious affiliation or finances. Curt helps people give voice to their hurts and hopes as the path to a full and vital life.

Personally, Curt has been married to his wife, Sandy, for more than 25 years and they have two daughters, Lisa and Laura.

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Susan L. Frickert, Director of Music and Organist

Director of Music and Organist at St. John's United Church of Christ since fall of 1999. Susan leads an innovative and constantly evolving music ministry that includes an average of three adult choirs and three choirs for children and youth, plus modular "One-shot" choir opportunities for easy entry into the church's choral program. She also manages our annual concert series and coordinates our active handbell program. Susan is the Founder and Director of St. John's Sacred Voices, a fifty voice ecumenical coral group whose summer rehearsals of masterworks culminate in performance with instrumental accompaniment each September since 2002.

A church organist since the age of fourteen, Susan has served Lutheran and U.C.C. congregations in and around the Lehigh Valley for over forty years. She received her undergraduate education at Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg Colleges, majoring in music performance, with graduate studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. She continued post collegiate private organ study with Ludwig Lenel for over twenty summers, performing a formal organ recital at the conclusion of each study term.

Susan has performed as guest organ recitalist in the Noon-Ten Concert Series at St. John's Lutheran, Allentown, in the Heritage Day recitals at St. John's Luteran, Easton, and in the L.V.A.G.O. Bach Marathons held at Enger Memorial Chapel. She performed in the Historic Bethlehem's "Music in the Old Chapel" December organ recitals for five years. An active member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists since the age of fourteen, she has the distinction of being one of the youngest Deans on the chapter's record, having served three consecutive terms. Her musical versatility enriches St. John's worship with music of all styles and time periods and she has a passion for working with singers of all ages.

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BrendaLee Howell, Parish Health Nurse

BrendaLee Howell truly believes that her inspiration to be a nurse started when she was 3 years old. Having a lot of exposure to hospitals, BrendaLee was very comfortable in that environment. She was also eager to care for people in need whenever the opportunity arose. She graduated from The Allentown Hospital School of Nursing and went to work at Easton Hospital on an adult medical/surgical floor. A year later she went back to Allentown Hospital. BrendaLee quickly found what she thought was her niche in pediatrics and went to work for a very large pediatric practice in Allentown. She taught well baby classes and educated new moms about baby care. Later I went back to The Allentown Hospital which became Lehigh Valley Hospital and focused on mother-baby care and worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

After taking time off to be with her growing family, BrendaLee felt a void that she wanted to fill. She went back to the hospital in the NICU and was perfectly happy until the day her husband read the job description of St. John's Parish Nurse. BrendaLee's response was, "That does sound just like me, what is that?" From the day that she interviewed with the search team BrendaLee was impressed that this would be a position that she could share her God given talent of caring, her nursing skills and her love of the Savior with people and not be limited by the politics of the hospital. It didn't take long for her to feel completely at home and loved here at St. John's. Not only did BrendaLee know that this was where God wanted her to serve Him, but every one was extremely kind and welcoming. BrendaLee immediately became a part of another church family!

BrendaLee is truly blessed to have married her best friend 26 years ago. She and her husband have two sons that they love and laugh with on a daily basis. And, if that isn't enough they have a Bernese Mountain dog that keeps all of them on their toes.

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Marjorie Baltz, Youth Ministry Coordinator

Marjorie is a part, time staff person responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of the three youth groups as well as our Summer Crew activities for Senior High and Young Adults. Marge teaches 7th and 8th grade church school, is a confirmation mentor, and serves or has served on various committees within the church. She has had the privelege and opportunity to be a part of planning committees for Regional and National Youth events at the conference and regional levels. She has also led workshops at Regional and National Youth events, as well as at annual conference gatherings. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's of Science in Education and completion of the Lay Ministry workshops. She is owner/operator of Marjorie's Family Day Care, lives in Easton, PA. and has three sons: Matthew, 25; Joshua, 22; and Jonathon, 19.

Marge's passion for youth enables her to offer a variety of opportunities and experiences to encourage young people to be active and responsible participants in the life, mission, and work of this faith community and the greater church. She feels truly blesssed to work with a group of adult volunteers who encourage, educate, transport, fundraise, cook, give up vacations for mission trips and other events and donate their Sunday mronings and evenings all in a effort to create an environment for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts and minds of our youth. Thanks be to God!

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Jacqueline Mohrman, Family Life Ministries Coordinator

Jackie took over as Nursery Coordinator in September 2007. Each Sunday Jackie is present to care for children while their parents attend worship. When the idea of a Family Life Ministry Coordinator took shape, Jackie seemed to be the natural choice to fill the position. She had already built relationships with many of the families that would be participating in Family Life events. Jackie found that her background in office in administration and catering played a major role in helping her organize and plan events.

A Fall Festival, Birthday Party for Jesus and Eater Egg Hunt are just a few fun events that young children from toddlers up to third grade have attended with their families because of Jackie's ingenuity. Activities vary at each event, but may include games, crafts, or a meal. The hope is that families will strengthen their faith by gathering in fellowship with others in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Jackie's next phase of planning may include educational lectures and retreats.

Jackie says her home in Upper Nazareth can be spotted easily, since there is always something flying around it: balls, rockets, planes & helicopters of the remote control type. Her husband, Greg, of over 17 years and young sons, Aidan and Phillip, keep her on her toes with all of their hobbies and activities.

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Janet L. Quinn, Director of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation

Janet was called to serve St. John’s in July of 2011.  Her job (and passion!) is to equip people to better share the Good News with others, as well as, to encourage individuals to develop and strengthen their personal faith relationship.  Janet’s ministry here at St. John’s focuses on two distinct areas:  to work with our existing adult small groups and help develop additional small groups, as well as to reach out to those who are between the ages of 25 to 45 and are not currently involved in the life of St. John’s.

Janet’s job here is part-time which allows her the continued opportunity to serve at another UCC church, where her responsibilities include Christian Education from birth through adult.  She has been employed there since 2004. 

Janet is involved in a number of activities through the Penn Northeast Conference including Winter Youth Retreat Planning, Annual Meeting Planning and Youth & Adult Empowerment Team.  She has been involved since 1999 with a local school-aged child care center in Allentown, Cityspace, which opened its doors in 1989 as a mission of two local UCC churches.  After leaving her 10 year adventure as Board President, Janet is currently serving as Treasurer.

Janet has 2 beautiful children, Paul and Grace, who are in elementary school and keep her busy.  Between the jobs, the activities and the children, Janet uses music, listening to it and singing it, as a source of comfort and strength.          

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Cassandra Barnett, Handbell Director

Cassandra leads our Hope Ringers, our Good News Ringers, our Fellowship Ringers and our Joy Ringers. She also works with your musicians to prepare for worship service.

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L. Rick Hilborn, Handbell Director

Rick graduated from West Chester University in 1984 with a BS in Music Education and then received a Master's Degree in Percussion Performance in 1990 and a Master's Degree in Music Theory in 1999, both from West Chester University. Rick has been an active member of St. John's Music Program since 1986 and he became a Handbell Choir Director of the St. John's Ringers in 1991.

Rick currently teaches all facets of the high school band at Whitehall High School and the 4th grade elementary band at Steckel Elementary School in Whitehall, PA. In the fall of 2009, will be teaching the 4th and 5th grade bands at Zephyr Elementary School in Whitehall, PA.

Rick is married to Carol Hilborn, and they have two daughters—Lauren, a student a Temple University, and Ariane, a student at Nazareth Area High School. Rick and his family live in Nazareth with their two shelties, Oreo and Daisy. Rick also enjoys all types of outdoor activities.

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