United Church of Schellsburg

The Staff of the United Church

We have said a reluctant "Goodbye" to our former Secretary and Church Council President, Joanie Jones, as she and her husband Mike move into another phase of their lives. We wish them the very best and hold them in our prayers for continued health and happiness even as we mourn their departure.

Mrs. Linda Kibler is our new Secretary.

The Reverend Miss Ruth E. Shaver, Pastor and Teacher

The Reverend Miss Shaver joined the staff of the United Church as Pastor and Teacher on June 1, 2006. She brings over 10 years of part-time and full-time ministry experience to her position here in addition to her deeply rooted faith and outstanding seminary education at Boston University School of Theology.

Pastor Ruth's experiences include several years in Christian education, youth ministry, children's music, handbell choir direction and performance, contemporary worship leadership, and ecumenical leadership as an officer and member of the board of directors of a local council of churches. Currently, Pastor Ruth is a Partner in Education for the Penn West Conference, chairs the Juniata Association Leadership Resources Committee, and will be a member of the Penn West Conference Board of Directors beginning in June of 2008.

A native of North Carolina due to her father's military career, Pastor Ruth considers herself a Texan by nature and nurture because she spent many of her formative years in Corpus Christi, where her parents and brother still live. Prior to her move to Schellsburg, she had lived her entire adult life in the Boston area, including 5 years in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where she served as Minister of Christian Education and Family Life at Second Congregational Church, UCC.

In her spare time (when she has spare time), Pastor Ruth enjoys knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint; reading and writing fiction; history, especially Colonial and Civil War in America, the ancient Middle East, and World War II around the world; cooking; and computer "stuff." She has traveled extensively, including visits to the USSR, Communist Poland, the People's Republic of China, Israel, and Scandinavia, and plans to continue traveling as long as she is able. She also channels her 3-year old cat, Apollo, as he writes about his experiences here in Pennsylvania on his website, and his little sister Serina, too, in rebuttal, on another website.

A radio interview with Pastor Ruth about the importance of music, particularly singing, in her life, can be found at Hearing Voices under the title "Song and Memory: Family of God".

To contact Pastor Ruth via e-mail, click here.

Photo by William D. Richards, North Attleborough, MA
Taken at the United Church of Schellsburg UCC, Schellsburg, PA

Linda Kibler, Church Secretary

Linda joined our staff as Secretary in January 2008 after several years as a good friend and supply minister to the congregation. Linda's call to ministry is strong and we hope to nurture and encourage her even as she manages the office - and the pastor - with skill and tact.

Linda and her husband John have two sons, Jake and Jim. Jake is in the United States Navy and Jim is attending the Police Academy in Johnstown. John is on the road living out his dream to be a long distance truck driver after many years as a retail manager.

To contact Linda via e-mail, click here.

No photo available

Alice Felten, Choir Director

Alice Felten and her family began coming to the United Church shortly after the church was formed. She has been involved in the choir ever since and has directed the Chancel Choir as well as various children's and youth choirs through the years.

Alice also sings with other groups in the Bedford area, lending her beautiful soprano voice to choral ensembles and quartets with repertoire ranging from madrigals to barbershop.

An avid bowler, Alice belongs to a team with several other women from the United Church. She also crochets and has been an active member of the Prayer Shawl ministry here at the United Church.

Alice lives in Schellsburg with their son Mike, grandchildren Farrah and Steven, and dog Charlie.

Photo by William D. Richards, North Attleborough, MA
Taken at the United Church of Schellsburg UCC, Schellsburg, PA