• Phone: 717-367-1208 • Fax: 717-367-7025
Meet the Staff
CAROL A. BENDER, SENIOR PASTOR
Pastor Bender is a native of Lancaster County. She is a graduate of Conestoga Valley High School, Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and has a Master of Arts in Religion degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Pastor Bender was a math teacher for the Elizabethtown School District until she decided to serve as a Licensed Minister for Christ Church U.C.C. in 1989. She became the Associate Pastor in 1996 and was ordained in May of 2002. The church elected Carol to be its Senior Pastor in May, 2004. Rev. Bender resides in Elizabethtown with her husband, Jere. They are the parents of two sons.
FREDERICK YOUNG, ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Pastor Young is a 1987 graduate of Hanover High School and a 1988 graduate of Consolidated School of Business where he earned an associate’s degree in Computer Office Management. In his first career at York College of PA, Fred held several administrative positions. During this period he also received another associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree, majoring in Behavioral Health. In September 1999, Fred entered Lancaster Theological Seminary. While a seminarian, he served as Chaplain Resident for the Behavioral Health and Oncology Service Lines at York Hospital, Well Span Health. As part of a cross-cultural requirement for LTS, he had the opportunity to travel to Cuba. Fred also served as a youth mentor for the Summer Global Exchange of the “Youth Leadership Now” program that involved a trip to Taize, France and Geneva, Switzerland. Pastor Young graduated from LTS in May 2004 with a Master of Divinity degree and was called to be the Associate Pastor of Christ Church UCC in January 2005. Fred and his wife Kara live in York County with their daughter Emily.
JOHN LEMKE, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Mr. John Lemke assumed the role of “Director of Music” at Christ Church UCC in May of 2008. Mr. Lemke comes to Christ Church with over thirty years of experience as a music educator in both public and private schools. His teaching experience includes all levels of instrumental and vocal instruction. For over ten years John served as Director of Visual & Performing Arts for Milton Hershey School. In addition to serving Christ Church, John also teaches trombone and euphonium at Millersville University and brass at the Palmyra High School and in his home studio. John performs for and acts as music contractor for The Hershey Theatre.
As a professional musician, John brings a wealth of experience having performed with over one hundred big name stars including Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, B. J. Thomas, Bob Hope, Bobby Vinton, Dolly Parton, Barbara Eden, Susan Anton, Helen O’Connel, Margaret Whiting and Rosemary Clooney. John has also performed with many popular singing groups including The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ink Spots, The Letterman and Manhattan Transfer. For several years John served as the staff trombonist at the American Music Theater located in Lancaster. His freelance performing also includes appearances with The Harrisburg Symphony, The Lancaster Pops, The Altoona Symphony, many of the area's Big Bands and other music ensembles. John earned his B.S. in Music Education at Lebanon Valley College, his M.M. in Orchestral Performing from Penn State University, and a supervisory certificate from Millersville University.
RUTHANN RESSLER, CARILLON (HANDBELL) CHOIR DIRECTOR
Ruthann is a graduate of Bayertown Area High School and West Chester State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. In her hometown church, then at Christ Church, Ruthann was a member of he Bell Choirs, and has attended Bell workshops in Allentown. Ruthann is a therapeutic recreation assistant at Lebanon Valley Brethren Home where she also directs the L.V.B.H. Chimers. She is principal second violinist in the Hershey Symphony Orchestra. Ruthann and her family-- husband, Brian, and children Jonathan, Michael and Emily -have been members at Christ Church for many years Ruthann and her family reside near Palmyra.
JEN HINTON, YOUTH AND CREDO CHOIR DIRECTOR
Jen is a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School and Elizabethtown College witha Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy. She received her board certification in 2004. She is a Music Therapist at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown where she has the opportunity to direct two tone chie choirs, facilitate an intergenerational group, and lead therapeutic music groups, with physical, social, cognitive,emotional, social, and spiritual goals. Jen currently lives in East Petersburg with her husband, Doug. She and Doug were drawn to this church because of the warmth the congregation exuded the minute they entered. They enjoyed being a part of the 2006 Mission Trip to Gulfport, Mississippi and two church retreats at Hartman Center. Jen looks forward to her role in fostering the spiritual, social, and musical growth of the members in Christ's Church youth choirs.
RAY EDMISON, ORGANIST
Ray began his musical training at the age of five. As a son of a Baptist minister, Ray used to sneak into churches to play the organ until he began taking lessons in unior High School. While in 11th grade, he was hired as Chapel Organist at Lackland Air Force Base playing for usually two, but sometimes as many as five different denominations each Sunday. Since that time Ray has served as organist for several churches in four states. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and has earned the Service Playing Certificatein 1985. He has a B.A. in Art History from the University of Colorado and since then has obtained additional schooling in Church Music at Lebanon Valley College. Ray loves to travel and has had the privilege to play many different types of instruments around the world. He is very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the worship services at Christ Church where he can explore the variety of sounds and styles that make organ music so exciting.
