Pastor Thomas Lang, Senior Pastor
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The Reverend Thomas M. Lang is a native of Bucks County, PA, having grown up in Churchville and graduating from the Council Rock High School in Newtown. Initially pursuing a career in music, he attended The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, transferring as a sophomore to Gettysburg College where he graduated with an A.B. in Sociology.
Having firmly discerned the “call” to ordained ministry while at Gettysburg College, Pastor Lang went on to graduate from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He was ordained in 1980 by the Virginia Synod of the Lutheran Church in America on behalf of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and began serving as Assistant Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, WV.
In 1983, he, along with his newly ordained wife, accepted a call to be Co-Pastor of the Manor Lutheran Parish, a three-church charge in Frederick County, MD. From multiple church rural ministry, the Langs went on to begin their service as Co-Pastors of the Lutheran Campus Center at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1987. During their nine year stay in Indiana, PA, they gave birth to two daughters, Mary and Kristina.
In 1996, the Langs moved back “east” to be closer to family. At that time, Pastor Tom accepted a call to be Pastor of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Sellersville (Upper Bucks), PA, while Pastor Sue Lang continued to advance her skills in writing, and later in Interim Ministry and Congregational Consulting.
“PT” as he likes to be referred to, is a storyteller, musician, and gardener. He specializes in the art of Biblical Storytelling which is a dramatic re-telling of the stories of the Bible from the heart. In 1997, he was selected to be one of seventy Biblical Storytellers presenting at the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.
Pastor Lang’s community involvements have included Habitat for Humanity and the Pennridge Area Healthy Communities* Healthy Youth Initiative which is a partnership among youth, parents, local schools and the community in promoting forty assets for positive youth development.
Bruce W. Tonkin, Associate In Ministry, Music Director
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Bruce is originally from Carbondale, Pa. He graduated from Mansfield University, received his Masters in Music Education from West Chester University, and has earned 60 post-graduate credits in school and church music. Bruce was an elementary vocal teacher in the Norristown School District from 1973 to 1982. Since then, he is the choral director of the six choirs for the Norristown Area High School. Previously, Bruce has served as church musician at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, St. James Lutheran Church in Pottstown, and Minister of Music at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Schwenksville since 1982. He is also a rostered Associate in Ministry with the SEPA Synod of the ELCA. Bruce brings years of experience, extensive knowledge of liturgical church music, and a passion for working with adults and children of all ages. His interests include reading Mitchener novels, skiing, attending the Metropolitan Opera and relaxing by the pool during the summer spending time with his family.
Bruce’s wife, Marcia, is an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired for the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit since 1975, where she currently provides support services for visually impaired students in Methacton and Spring Ford School districts. Marcia, nee Stubanus, graduated from Boyertown Area High School in 1971. She is a graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Carol Detweiler, Associate In Ministry, Director of Christian Education
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Carol Detweiler, A.I.M., grew up in the North Penn area and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. She attended Temple University and received a bachelor of arts degree in Communications, Radio, Television and Film. She attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia where she received a Master of Arts in Religion degree (Christian Education major).
Carol brings 18 years of experience in Christian Education, serving St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Telford; Lutheran Church of God's Love, Newtown; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale. She has been active on various synod committees including the Synod Youth Committee Vacation Bible School Resource Team, Communications Committee, Peace Committee, and the Professional Leadership Support Committee.
Carol’s interests include writing, history, music, reading, and drama. She serves as an interpreter at the historic Peter Wentz Farmstead. She is committed to peace and justice issues and has a keen interest in family issues.
Carol began her ministry at New Hanover on March 17, 1997.