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On this page: Pastors
Diaconal Minister
Church Council
Church Points of Contact
Calvary's History
Pastors Anke and Eric Deibler
The Pastors Eric and Anke Deibler began their ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church on September 1st.
Pastor Eric was born and raised in Selinsgrove, PA, along with three sisters. He received his liberal arts degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, with a minor in theater arts. In 1998 he entered Gettysburg Seminary to begin his studies for the ministry. During his seminary years, he had the opportunity to participate in and exchange program Gettysburg Seminary maintains with the University of Munich; he studied in Munich for two years before coming back to complete is Master of Divinity.
Pastor Anke was born and raised in Germany, first in Eckernfoerde, then in Kiel, both cities being in the very north of the nation, on the Baltic Sea coast. After graduation from highschool, Pastor Anke studies theology at the universities of Kiel, Heidelberg, and Munich. A scholarship from Gettysburg Seminary allowed her to study there for a year, which the completed with a Master of Arts in Religion. Afterwards, she returned to Germany to complete her Master of Divinity.
The pastors met in Seminary and got married in 1991. Since the need for pastors was greater in the United States, they decided to make this their country of residence. They were ordained together in January 1994 in Pastor Eric’s little home church in Snydertown, PA.
Their first call was to a rural parish with four churches in Loganton, PA. They served there for 9 years, enjoying the country side and welcoming three daughters into their lives, Hannah, Julia, and Nora.
In 2003 they followed a call to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Williamsport, PA. They served that growing, vibrant congregation for 8 ½ years, until being called to serve Calvary Lutheran Church in July 2011.
The Pastors Deibler have always served together as a couple. They have discovered that they work well together as a team and have similar goals for their ministry. Together allows them both to play to their strength and to divide the aspects of parish work according to their passions.
The Pastors Deibler are excited about the call to Calvary Lutheran Church. They are impressed with the vision and dedication of the leadership of the congregation. A strong youth ministry makes this a happy and lively congregation. Two very different services offer worship experiences to a variety of people each Sunday. A midweek gathering called “We4dnesdays at Calvary” offers a meal and education opportunities for all ages. A strong fellowship ministry connects the people of the congregation and helps them grow into the one body of Christ.
The Pastors Deibler look forward to an exciting time at Calvary Lutheran Church. The strength and faith and dedication of its members will help it welcome more and more people into the body of Christ, so that more and more people can join the ministry of the congregation: Bringing Christ to God’s children.
Audrey Forbes (Diaconal Minister)
In over 20 years of ministry, Audrey has served as Director of Education and Support Ministries at First Lutheran in Ellicott City and as Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Trinity Lutheran College in Issaquah, WA. Audrey loves teaching children, youth and adults. She introduced Stephen Ministry to our parish and always has an open door and a listening ear available for conversations.
Church Council:
A distinguishing feature of Lutheran churches is that the church
council, not the pastor, has final determination on all aspects of
running the church, except of course, the theology. The council sets
and administers the budget, and determines the overall goals and
direction of the church.
This responsibility is borne by nine elected church members. The
congregation may nominate for election any adult, confirmed church
member, and has the power to accept or reject nominees. Council
members are elected to three year terms and may serve a second term
if reelected.
The 2011 council is:
Front Row: Pr. Eric Deibler, Debbie Hammert (Secretary), Georgia Ziehm, Audrey Forbes, Ann Roberson (Vice President)
Back Row: Pr. Anke Deibler, Eric Wendler, Rich Luquette, Ron Thompson, Brian Baldwin, Rick Reese, Greg Shrider (President)
Calvary’s History:
Calvary’s roots run strong and deep, dating back to 1889, when
Reverend M. E. McLinn began preaching in a lumber shed on Newport
Hill (now known as Flag Marsh Road, overlooking the B&O railroad
tracks). A congregation was formed in 1890, with 17 charter members.
The original facility caught on fire in 1904, and a new structure
was built on Woodbine Road for $2,400. Over the years, the church
membership continued to expand and new additions were built to meet
the demands of a growing congregation.
In 1980, the congregation voted unanimously to build a new church.
In 1981, property was purchased on Old Frederick Road. By 1984, the
new church building was completed.
Through the years, Calvary has been ministered to by 17 pastors and
numerous supply pastors. The founding pastor, Reverend McLinn,
served the congregation two different times—and his grandson, Pastor
Donald Clare, also answered the call to serve.
More than one hundred years have gone by with so many changes, but
some things remain the same: our love for Christ and our love for
each other. We invite you to be part of our family. Come grow in
Christ with us.