REVEREND DR. MARIANNE UNGER
(Pastor)
Rev. Dr. Marianne Unger was ordained in 2001 after receiving her Master of Divinity Degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. She served churches in Tremont, Pottsville, Philadelphia, Pottstown, and Sumneytown. She brings experience in spiritual formation as a certified Spiritual Director, church growth through evangelism and outreach, and Christian education and youth ministry from a background of more than 15 years of working with young adults helping them connect their faith and bringing them to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. She was the honored speaker at the President’s Benefactor Luncheon at Seminary because of her preaching skills.
Prior to being called to ministry, Rev. Unger was a successful entrepreneur as President of Unger Computer Graphics, creating presentations for corporate advertising and training on the cutting edge of technology. She was a distinguished speaker for the Berks County Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by Berks Woman’s Network as outstanding Business Person of the Year.
She recently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Faith Theological Seminary with a concentration in counseling and evangelism. Her dissertation was on The Integration of Technology and The Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28:19,20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (RSV)
Her accomplishments also include serving as the Pennsylvania Director for The International Order of Saint Luke and Chaplain for local gatherings. She has had the opportunity to be the guest speaker on several occasions for the Good Shepherd Chapter in New Jersey.
Rev. Unger has been married for thirteen years to Rev. Dr. John Lepera who received a Doctor of Theology degree from Faith Theological Seminary where he is currently a professor. He especially enjoys teaching apologetics, ethics, Biblical books, leadership, Biblical interpretation, urban church ministry, and science and the Bible. God has used him as a rocket scientist at TRW, having received a Master’s degree in Physics from Ball State University with a minor in structural geology. He currently also teaches for Lancaster Bible College and at the Center for Urban Theological Studies.
Marianne and John met at the Continental Ballroom in Claymont, Delaware. They have competed in USA Dancesport where they were national finalists and regional champions in nine dances. Marianne also loves to ski and served the Flying Dutchmen Ski Club in Reading as an apprentice ski instructor. She has skied in almost every state that has snow, as well as Austria, Switzerland, Chile, and Canada. She loves working with clay and was a juried potter with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. John and Marianne live in Lansdowne with their Norwegian Elkhound, Xana, who they love to take for long walks.
Those who have met her have sensed an incredible spirit of connection and commitment, along with passionate love and desire to be doing God’s work. Rev. Unger enjoys “making ministry relevant and having fun together”. In serving Jesus Christ, her hope is to be “an ambassador” that reflects “His light, love, peace, and grace.”
Nancy Kohler
(Church Secretary)
Nancy Kohler is our Church Secretary and is ready to help in many capacities. She was born and raised in Hatfield and is very proud of her family. She serves on Heidelberg’s Christian Education Committee and teaches the children’s Sunday School classes, serves on the Membership Committee, and is ready and willing to be a part of the many outreach ministries we are involved in. Nancy loves to decorate, and uses her skills to chair the Decorating Committee, coordinating the team to decorate the church for Christmas and other seasons throughout the year. Nancy enjoys crocheting and uses her skills to make prayer shawls as part of Heidelberg’s ministry. She also helps with Hospitality, setting up for fellowship luncheons and coffee hours after worship. Her partner, Randy Reiff, is very active at Heidelberg, serving as a Deacon, on the Membership Committee, and helping out in various capacities. Nancy’s Grandchildren, Haven and Braydon help with Samaritan’s Purse, The Living Nativity, The Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade, Mother’s Day, and attend Sunday School and Kidz Church. Nancy is a joy to work with and helps the Pastor on many occasions. Her smile is contagious and her outlook on life is positive and encouraging. She radiates the love of Jesus and is dedicated to serving God.
Jane Watson
(Organist)
Jane Watson is a graduate of Temple University, where she studied piano. She lives in Springfield with her husband, son, twin girls, two cats, and a dog. She loves running and going on hikes with her family.
The Consistory
The dedicated men and women of our Consistory (church council or governing body) consist of six Deacons and three Elders, all elected to three-year terms. Each year, the terms of two Deacons and an Elder expire, and elections are held at our annual meeting in January to fill those expired positions.