Our Staff
Rev. Ashley Werkheiser
Settled Pastor
Pastor Ashley Werkheiser first discovered her calling to ministry when she was only a teenager, listening to the words of a beloved hymn: I will go, Lord, if You lead me/I will hold Your people in my heart. Pursuing this call, she earned her Bachelors in Religion from Bryn Athyn College (located outside of Philadelphia) in 2013 and her Masters of Divinity from Andover-Newton Theological School (then located in the Boston area) in 2016. She is also a member of the Jonathon Edwards Honors Society and the 2016 recipient of the Roger Hazleton Award for Creativity in Worship, Theology, and the Arts. Some of her ministry passions include crafting fresh and relatable worship, leading book and movie discussion groups, and just getting to help people explore their faith. She lives in Bethlehem with her pet betta fish, Tenzing, and never wears plain white socks- those are boring.
Office Hours:
By Appointment
Email: cuccpastor@yahoo.com
Office Hours:
By Appointment
Email: cuccpastor@yahoo.com
Suzanne Makary
Director of Music
Suzanne has served Christ UCC since Fall 2001. As a teen in a local Lutheran church, the organist encouraged her to begin to explore the organ in addition to piano, which she had been playing since age 8. Pursuing a career in Music Therapy at Marywood College, Suzanne had the opportunity to minor in organ and study with Mark Laubach, who also has Lehigh Valley roots. Following her degree, she began serving as music director at Christ Lutheran in Freemansburg and Zion Stone UCC prior to finding a spiritual and musical home at Christ UCC. Along with music director, Suzanne is a music therapist and the Supervisor of Partial Hospitalization services at St. Luke’s Hospital. Most importantly, she is a wife, and mother of two teens who provide her with joy, particularly when they play viola and allow her to accompany them.
Jim Ruth
Sexton
Our building could not function without the dedicated care Jim puts into ensuring it is ready for worship each week, as well as events as needed.