Leadership
Pastor Rebekah (Becky) Thomas
Pastor Becky began her pastorate with First United Church of Christ in January of this year. She shares a half-time position between First Church and Lower Saucon UCC Hellertown. Sharing these churches has been a blessing for both churches.
Pastor Becky graduated from Moravian College and spent a few years in accounting before attending Moravian Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity. Her concentration in seminary was formative spirituality. She has a passion for learning and teaching different ways to pray. After graduation, Pastor Becky served in New Tripoli for four years and then shared a half-time position at Emmanuel UCC in Allentown and Lower Saucon UCC for four years.
Pastor Becky is no stranger to Hellertown as she grew up in the area and graduated from Saucon Valley High School. Her introduction to the United Church began with First United Church and has come full circle as she returns to serve us. She brings a unique blend of experience and spiritual leadership and actively participates in HAM (Hellertown Area Ministerium).
Marji Hughes – Minister of Christian Education
I became a Christian Educator and Youth leader in 1982 after graduating from Wells College with a BA in Religion. As a career CE director I am somewhat of an anomaly – most use Christian Education as a stepping stone for parish ministry, but that has never been my desire. I am nationally accredited by the UCC as a church educator, am certified as a Christian Education director and youth leader through the Connecticut Conference UCC, and earned a Master’s Certificate in Ministry in Daily Life from Hartford Seminary.
My husband, Douglas and I moved from Connecticut to Moorestown, PA in 2014 and have 2 married children and a granddaughter who also live in Pennsylvania. Other than sharing my faith journey with children, youth and adults, I love being with my large extended family, singing, playing cards, the outdoors, and sitting around a campfire.
Patricia O’Connell – Minister of Music
Pat O'Connell is the current organist/choir director at First UCC. She has been in the Lehigh Valley since 1984. Pat taught piano at Community Music School and at Lehigh University. She has accompanied musical theater, voice, and instrumentalists in the area for over 40 years. She was the chapel organist at DeSales University for 9 years and continues to work there as an accompanist for the theater department. Pat also plays keyboard in local orchestra pits for musicals. She has two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons. Pat's education includes a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from West Chester University and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan.
Phyllis (Blitz) Scherer – Administrative Assistant
Phyllis was confirmed and married at First UCC. She has been a member of the choir since the age of nine. She is a graduate of Hellertown Lower-Saucon High School and East Stroudsburg University. She taught school for five years in the Saucon Valley District, prior to the birth of her two children. Her next job was in the office at Silver Creek Country Club (now Steel Club) for over 26 years. Her job included maintaining the membership accounts and numerous book-keeping
tasks. . She retired in 2016, but decided to come back to the workforce on a part-time basis in 2017, when First UCC’s Administrative Assistant retired. Phyllis and her husband, Bob, have six grandchildren who have kept them very busy. She enjoys knitting and crocheting, having made numerous prayer shawls and chemo hats (both mission projects for First UCC).
Sherwood (Woody) Stauffer – Sexton
Born, Baptized, Confirmed and married at 1st UCC, Woody worked at the Bethlehem Steel for 30 years, and drove School Bus for 14 after his retirement. He has been the sexton since 2002.
Woody married his high school sweetheart and queen of the prom, Kay (Fulmer) and they were together for over 60 years. 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren make for a lively family life. Woody is part of the Tuesday Men's Group and the Dart League here at 1st UCC and runs Coffee and Conversation each Sunday morning before worship. Fly fishing and walking his grand-dog Ralph-Pierre round out his time.