Presbyterian churches are known for their democratic style of government. The church is led by a board of elders known as the Session.

Teaching and ruling elders are ordained and are responsible for the discipline, nurture, and mission of the local congregation. Teaching elders (pastors) have responsibility for teaching, worship, and performing sacraments.

As Presbyterians, we strive to organzie our churches in such a way that leadership and power is shared by all members.[1]

Session

Class of 2010
Cara Barlis
Dave Lotito
Bob Rhoad
Jack Titmas

Class of 2011
Kim Daly
Cathy Farley
Jeff McLaughlin
Bruce Watt

Class of 2012
Kelly Borkowski
Bob Mitchell
Kathy Ricci
Joe Vito

Deacons

Class of 2010
Art Bokor
Ida Ruch
Peggy Stover
Harlan Sherwood

Class of 2011
Ginny Chech
Ed Demarest
Carolyn Scesney
Liz Varanyak

Class of 2012
Scott Kelly
John Koetting
Cindy Corcodilos
Ann Marie Wiedemann

Meet Our Staff

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Heinzel-Nelson

Senior Pastor - email

Stephen was called to APC as the senior pastor in 1997. Originally from Wilmington, DE, he graduated from Cornell University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Columbia Theological Seminary. He is married to Liz and they have four children Jem, Clay, Terra, and Jordan.

Stephen focuses his gifts in the areas of leadership, hospitality, evangelism, and preaching. His gifts and the needs and personality of APC have been a strong match. “I love this church and this community. Allentown is a great place to serve the Lord and raise a family. There aren’t many places like this left anywhere. My children walk to school, and I walk to work. I am thankful to God every day for my call to Allentown and APC.”

In December of 2007, Stephen, Liz, Terra and Jordan embarked on a year of mission in the small African country of Malawi. While living in Malawi Stephen taught at Zomba Theological College and served as the associate pastor of St. Colomba Presbyterian Church in Blantyre. The Heinzel-Nelson family chronicled their journey on their blog at apcmalawi.blogspot.com.

 

Peter Meerwarth
Director of Music & Worship - email

Peter previously served a congregation of more than 1,000 with his immense talent and enthusiasm. He attended the Crane School of Music and The King’s College, and pursued his advanced degrees in vocal performance and music administration at SUNY Purchase and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He and his wife Jan have two sons, Isaac and Samuel. In Peter’s words, “God’s church is the hope of the world!”

 

Maureen Harshman

Director of Children & Family Ministries - email

Maureen has been a member of APC for 14 years, and joined the creative and inspirational church staff in October 2005 as our Director of Children & Family Ministries. In this role, Maureen coordinates the existing children’s ministry programs as well as researches and develops new programs for our kids and families. In her words, “We are entering an exciting and challenging time which we will meet head on with enthusiasm and creativity. I pray it will prove to be a memorable and rewarding time in our lives and in the life of APC. I ask for your prayers for this ministry, for me, and for our volunteers...and I pray that you will answer the call to join us and share your talent, your ideas, and your time.”

 

Karen Collins

Director of Middle School Ministry - email
Karen Collins is a “Jersey Girl” who loves God and love kids. She grew up in Hamilton NJ, spent summers on LBI and graduated from Steinert High School. She attended St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia where she met her husband Neil. Karen and Neil have been married almost 25 years (wow!) and have two amazing college age daughters. Danielle plays soccer at the College of William and Mary, and Shannon is in the Honors program at Rutgers University.

Karen’s early career began at The Wall Street Journal but her journey lead her out of corporate America and into the world of soccer moms and real estate sales. Karen embraced youth ministry as a volunteer in 1998 and has been committed to APC’s youth ministry mission statement ever since. Inspiring kids into relationships with Jesus Christ is the goal and she is honored to pursue that mission every day as the full time Director of Middle School Youth Ministry.

 

Charlie Lyons Pardue

Director of High School Ministry - email

Charlie loves working with our amazing High School shepherds loving students in the name of Jesus. Charlie grew up on a cattle ranch in New Mexico and came to faith in Christ as a freshman in high school. Since then he has studied theology at college in San Diego and later recieved a masters in Christian Education from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. Charlie loves film and can often be found talking about theology and film with a fresh cup of coffee in hand. His other interests are in how media informs and shapes our faith and using the arts in worship.

 

Jill Kurzeja

Director of Little Tree Preschool - email

Anyone who has witnessed Jill interacting with children can see that she has a truly gifted, patient way of teaching and reaching out to the little ones. In 2005 Jill, who has a Masters degree in education and has been teaching at Little Tree since it opened, accepted the role of Director at the preschool, bring with her the many talents and gifts that have made APC’s Sunday School program such a success. Jill is married to Norm and is mom to sons Andrew, Scott, and Kevin.

 

Joan Lee

Church Secretary - email

Joan has been the secretary at APC since 1986. She knows everybody and everything going on in the life of the church, and she laughs constantly. A native Allentownian, she is a lifelong member of APC. She is the mother of three of her own, and the mother hen of APC.

 

Pat Gagnon

Director of Properties - email

Pat has been a attending APC since 1986 and formally joined in 1992. Shortly after, Pat began working with the youth of our Congregation. He has taught Sunday School since 1993, first the 5th and 6th grades and for the last six years, the 8th grade. Pat has also been a shepherd since the inception of our Youth Ministry at Crossroads.

Upon his retirement from G.M., Pat was called to continue in service as Director of Properties. The Education Expansion took place under his guidance. The demands of the two Manses, two private residences on High St., the Little Tree Preschool, as well as the planning of the Crossroads renovations keep him hopping.
Pat and his wife, Bonnie, have resided in Allentown since 1981. They have for children, ranging from 26 to almost 16. Pat looks forward to God's continuing to bless APC and her many Ministries.