Our Mission
Our mission is to invite, welcome, nurture, disciple, equip, empower, and inspire all persons
to live and to serve in the way of Jesus.
Our Impact
We are a strong and purposeful congregation, nurturing faith through worship experiences with thoughtful messages and inspiring music, in an atmosphere of mutual care. Our fellowship, study, and service ministries strengthen us individually and collectively, promoting growth in faith and its outward expressions of love to our neighbors near and far. We have played key roles in launching and supporting collaborative community projects including The Caring Cupboard, Interfaith Manor, Londonderry Village, PACC Counseling Center, and the Phoenix Youth Center.
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Our Nature
We welcome diverse perspectives. We are theologically curious. We like to think deeply. We affirm questions and doubts as integral to faith and hope. We trust that each person has something of value to contribute to our understanding and practice of faith. We strive to put our faith into action in ways that bless others.
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Our Roots
The Church of the Brethren was formed over 300 years ago in Europe as part of a movement that emphasized adult baptism, the importance of community, simplicity, non-violence, and a scripture-grounded faith that captured the heart and found expression in service to others. Our congregation was formed over 125 years ago as a mission point of the Spring Creek congregation in Hershey. Our denominational tag line is “Continuing the work of Jesus. Simply. Peacefully. Together.”
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CLICK HERE for the Church of the Brethren's denominational website.
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Pastoral & Program staff
Dennis Lohr
Lead Pastor
Dennis supports our congregation’s mission by providing spiritual and administrative leadership through envisioning, planning, preaching, and mentoring.
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Dennis grew up in Rockingham Co., VA, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley and is married, the father of four grown sons, and grandfather of a granddaughter.
He has a degree in Philosophy and Religion from Bridgewater College, and an Master of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary.
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“Be ready to explain the hope that you have to anyone who asks, but do it with gentleness and reverence.” I Peter 3:16b
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Bethany Hoffer
Associate Pastor
Bethany supports our congregation’s mission through our youth, young adult, outreach, hospitality, and preaching ministries.
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Bethany is originally from Gettysburg, OH and is married with three children.
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She has a degree in Religion from Manchester University and her Master of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary.
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“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” Corrie ten Boom
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Missy Thompson
Director of Children Ministries
Missy supports our congregation’s mission through our ministries for and with children.
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Missy is originally from Richfield, PA and is married with a young adult son.
She has a degree in Social Work from Millersville University and an Elementary Education certification from Wilson College.
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“A ship in harbor is safe— but that is not what ships are built for. ” John Shedd
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Mary Eller
Pastor of Congregational Care
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Mary supports our congregation’s mission through our caring and worship ministries, facilitating a congregational culture of caregiving.
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Mary grew up in the ELCA Lutheran
congregation in Union Deposit, PA.
She began attending the Annville COB in1993, was received into membership via baptism in 1997. She is married to Enten Eller and have two adult children and four grandchildren.
Mary is a graduate of HACC, attended Palmer College of Chiropractic, Elizabethtown College and graduated from Bethany Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God". Micah 6:8
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Gail Wagner
Office Administrator
Gail supports our congregation’s mission through effective communication, support of staff and lay leadership, and management of the church office.
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Gail grew up in Elysburg, PA and is married, the mother of two grown children, and grandmother to 6 grandchildren.
She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a degree in Marketing & Management.
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“Out of every adversity comes a seed of equal or greater benefit.” Napoleon Hill
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Rachel Witkovsky
Worship Coordinator
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Rachel supports our congregation’s mission through our worship ministries, facilitating worship experiences that are intergenerational and engaging.
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Rachel grew up in Huntingdon, PA. She lives in York, PA with her cat, Charlie.
She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a degree in Theatre Performance and a minor in Creative Writing. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Theopoetics and Writing at Bethany Theological Seminary.
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“Faith is believing that one of two things will happen…that there will be something solid for you to stand on–or that you will be taught to fly.” Leigh Standle