Staff

Designated Pastor - Rev. Equilla L. Curry - Pastor Equilla formally became the Designated Pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ beginning on June 1, 2025. Equilla has been with us since December 1 and the Advent season. During that time she has made such a positive difference in our church. At the time of the announcement of her acceptance of the position of Designated Pastor, Pastor Equilla shared this letter...

Grace and peace to you.

I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as your designated pastor. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for the warm welcome you have extended throughout this journey. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to walk alongside you in ministry and to continue building upon the rich foundation of faith that makes St. John’s a vibrant and beloved community. I look forward with great anticipation to the work we will do together: cultivating spaces where faith meets action, nurturing deeper spiritual connections, and embracing our call to be a beacon of hope and healing in our Red Lion community and beyond. My heart is filled with gratitude for the spirit of openness and collaboration that I have already witnessed among you, and I am excited to see how God will lead us as we move forward together.

I am committed to being a bridge builder and a community connector, fostering unity and understanding both within our congregation and beyond our doors. I believe that together, we can create a ministry that reflects God’s inclusive love, empowering each of us to serve with compassion and purpose.

As we embark on this new season of ministry, I hold onto the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Let us continue to build on this spirit of connection and unity, as we seek to live out God’s call with joy, courage, and faithfulness.

A full biography will be forthcoming.

Director of Music & Technology - Lee M. Shaull - Lee joined the staff of  St. John's in January 2001, and as of January 2025, has celebrated serving this faith community for 24 years.  He is a graduate of Red Lion Area Senior High School and received his post-secondary education at Lebanon Valley College, where he studied organ with Professor Suzanne Riehl.  Also a member of St. John’s UCC, Lee leads all aspects of the music program at St. John's while playing organ and piano during the weekly and special worship services. He also manages and leads the technology needs for the congregation’s online presence and worship experiences.

Director of Children’s Ministries & Preschool Director - Liza Bacon - Liza has been a member of St. John's since 2004. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Messiah University and serves as both the Director of Children’s Ministries and the Preschool Director at St. John’s UCC. In her dual roles, she is passionate about walking alongside children and families—helping little ones take their first steps in learning and faith, and guiding older children as they continue to grow in their relationship with God. As Preschool Director, Liza especially enjoys fostering a loving, supportive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually, while also building meaningful connections with their families.

Beyond her ministry at St. John’s, Liza remains deeply involved in her community. She serves as PTO Treasurer at her son’s elementary school and volunteers with Sweet Grace Ministries as a Hospital Liaison and Support Group Facilitator, where she compassionately supports parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Through each of these roles, Liza feels grateful for the opportunity to serve, encourage, and walk alongside families in many different seasons of life.

Pre-School Assistant - Trinda Gulley - Trinda has served in the role of Pre-school Assistant since 2021, and joined St. John's as a member in 2023. Trinda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Penn State University and did graduate work in Elementary Education at Millersville University. She worked as a special education teacher and instructional support teacher for Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 and Red Lion Area School District for over 20 years. Her experience, knowledge, and passion for nurturing young minds are an invaluable contribution to our preschool program. 

Administrative Assistant & Treasurer - Wendy Tompkins - Wendy has been a dedicated member of St. John's since 2004. She joined the staff as Church Administrative Assistant in 2010 and took on the additional role of Treasurer in 2013. Wendy’s favorite part of her work is connecting with people—whether it’s members of the congregation, preschool families, or visitors from the wider community. She values the relationships built over the years and is passionate about making everyone feel welcomed and supported.

Custodian - Mary Barshinger -  Mary has been a valued member of St. John’s since 1988, bringing decades of dedication and service to the church community. In 2014, she stepped into the role of Custodian, where she takes great pride in maintaining a clean, welcoming, and well-cared-for space for all who enter. Prior to that, Mary served for nine years as a Preschool Assistant, nurturing and supporting the youngest members of our church family. Her quiet commitment and behind-the-scenes work are a vital part of what keeps St. John’s running smoothly each day.

Consistory President - James Dow

Pastor Emeritus - Rev. David D. Tietje - Born and raised in New York State's Southern Tier, David Tietje experienced his first jaunt outside of our nation during the 1976 Bicentennial.  At that time, David was exploring his sense of "God's call" to ministry and mission in his life by spending the summer with a missionary in Colombia, SA.  Since that time David has had three additional international and cross-cultural mission experiences in Haiti, Belgium and Kenya which have served to remind him of God's deep love for all people of the world.  

A graduate of a small "central" school in rural Steuben County (there were 42 in his graduating class!!!); David has always felt comfortable ministering to communities both large and small.  Influenced by his family's strong Christian convictions, following high school, David enrolled in a Christian liberal arts college and then went straight to seminary graduating with his Masters of Divinity in 1985.

Ordained in Lancaster, PA in 1987, David's Christian heritage has deeply shaped him in positive and wonderful ways; yet at times, that same heritage deeply scarred David as he went through separation then divorced, and eventually sought to find his way back into church ministry following a time of healing after his divorce.  This experience of "brokenness" on life journey has caused David to warmly embrace all who come to the church for comfort, strength or faith. Throughout the past 28 years, David has found great joy in his role of father, always including his children in his journey of ministry and discovery.

One of the greatest blessings for David has been to find a home in the United Church of Christ, where he has been authorized as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament for over 20 years.  First called as Associate Minister of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Bristol, Connecticut, David also served as pastor of Heidelberg United Church of Christ in Germansville, PA.  The rich history and diversity of the UCC has served as a wonderful catalyst for his personal spiritual growth.

On November 24, 2024, Pastor David led us in one final Worship Service as he entered Retirement. It was a bittersweet celebration of his Ministry among us. During this time of celebration, the title of Pastor Emeritus was bestowed upon him, our beloved pastor and friend.