Staff Biographies
Tony Sundermeier
Pastor and Head of Staff
Tony’s primary areas of ministry are preaching, leading worship, vision casting, leading the staff, moderating the Session, engaging in pastoral care, and conducting baptisms, weddings, and funerals. “I grew up Roman Catholic, went to an evangelical college; attended a progressive mainline seminary; and did my doctorate at a non-denominational missional seminary,” Tony says. “I am so thankful for the diverse communities that have shaped me to be a more faithful follower of Jesus.” Before coming to First Presbyterian in September 2009, he was Associate Pastor for Preaching and Outreach at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania (2003-2009). Prior to that, he served as Seminary Intern at First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, New Jersey (2002-2003), Ministry Intern at International Church, Bonn, Germany (2001-2002), Seminary Intern at Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton, in New Jersey (2000-2001), and Director of High School Ministry at Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania (1998-2000). Tony received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Philosophy from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania (1997), his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey (2003), and his Doctor of Ministry from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania (2011). He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, writing, golfing, playing basketball and being a huge fan of all Philadelphia sports teams.
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Mike Drake
Associate Pastor for Organizational Leadership
Mike works in conjunction with Tony to supervise the development, evaluation, and direction of the church’sprogram staff, providing direct oversight and administration of the office, pastoral care, property, and financial staff. He also serves as staff liaison to the Communications, Stewardship and Staff Committees, as well as the Board of Trustees, and shares in pastoral care and worship leadership at all levels. Before being called to First Presbyterian in 1994, Mike was Associate Pastor at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst, Illinois (1976-1979), and Associate Pastor at Larchmont Avenue Church in Larchmont, New York (1979-1994). He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (1973), his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (1976), and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Hartford Seminary in Hartford Connecticut (1989). He enjoys photography, computers, technology, pets, jazz concerts, and spending time with his wife, grandchildren, and friends.
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Stephen Emick
Associate Pastor for Spiritual Formation
First called to serve as Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults in 1995, Stephen’s position changed in 2010 to reflect a renewed emphasis on spiritual formation—not just for youth but for all members and friends of First Presbyterian seeking to become more faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Before coming to FPCA, Stephen served as Associate Pastor for Christian Education at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Virginia (1990-1994). An Eagle Scout, he also worked as Exploring Executive with Boy Scouts of America in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1983-1986), Account Executive/Radio Announcer at WWDL/WICK in Scranton (1982-1986), and Youth Minister at Hickory Street Presbyterian Church in Scranton (1981-1986). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts/Radio and Television from Marywood University (1982), his Master of Arts in Christian Education at Presbyterian School of Christian Education (1989), and his Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (1990). Stephen and his wife, Barbara—who were both sixth-generation members of the same Presbyterian church in Scranton—spend much of their time supporting their two teenage daughters’ participation in choirs, theatre, and swim teams. He enjoys reading biographies and non-fiction (fortunately not affected by his color blindness) and researching family history. He’s also returned to a childhood love of model trains, not to mention chocolate-covered gummy bears.
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Moufid H. Khoury
Commissioned Lay Pastor and Director of Arabic Ministry
Moufid serves the extensive Middle Eastern community at FPCA and in Allentown, and leads the church’s Arabic-language worship service each Sunday at 10 A.M. in the chapel. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from American University of Beirut (1971), and his Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies degrees from Moravian Theological Seminary (both 1993). He began serving First Presbyterian as a volunteer in 1994 and joined the staff part-time in 2001. Moufid represents the sixth generation in his family to serve as a Presbyterian pastor worldwide. He previously was owner of several food service businesses, including Swensen’s franchises in the Lehigh Valley mall and Phillipsburg mall, and was chief executive officer and managing partner at Chubb Fire Security in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition to enjoying preaching and having an urge to help people in need, Moufid enjoys various hobbies, writing poetry in Arabic, and babysitting his granddaughter.
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Kathy Mammele
Director of Pastoral Care
Kathy coordinates many pastoral care ministries of the congregation. She shares in the rotation with the pastoral staff as they make visits to the hospital each week and helps to resource the Board of Deacons. As part of keeping tabs on the pastoral care needs of the congregation, she shares concerns and prayer needs for the weekly staff meeting and has a weekly meeting with the pastors to discuss those needs and how they can be met. Kathy maintains a list of members and friends in the military, and is the referrals coordinator for Stephen Ministry. She began at FPCA in November 2004, and previously worked with Volunteer Home Care of Berks County and Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County. Kathy loves to read, cook, garden, walk, spend time with family, and watch soccer, baseball, and old movies. God gave her a patriotic heart, she says: “My earthly father instilled thankfulness for the freedom we have, paid by the dear price of the lives of others, and I am never able to listen to the National Anthem without my heart seizing and my tears flowing.”
Gloria S. Snyder
Director of Music Administration, Organist, and Director of Children's Choirs
In addition to directing two children’s choirs, Gloria directs four handbell choirs, accompanies other adult choirs, serves as the primary church organist for traditional worship, is administrator for music ministry, and manages the concert series held at FPCA. She is a third-generation church musician: Her grandfather directed the church orchestra at another church, and her father was her first choir director around age 5. “I learned to accompany by playing for my church and my father who was a baritone soloist as well,” she says. “When my father passed away, he was singing in the Chancel Choir here under my direction—we had come full circle.” Gloria is in her fourth decade as a staff member at FPCA and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music with honors from West Chester University, with additional courses from Muhlenberg College in Allentown and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She has been a music teacher for grades 6-12 in the Whitehall-Coplay and Bethlehem Area School Districts and has been an organist and choir director at various local churches. In addition to all things musical, Gloria loves to read, garden and spend time with family, especially her grandchildren.
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Laura Rabenold
Director of Chancel Choir, Youth Choir, and Cantate Domino
Laura has served on the music staff at the church since 1991, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music degree in music education from West Virginia University. She has worked as a public school music teacher in grades K-12 for the Bethel Park School District in the Pittsburgh area; West Greene School District near Waynesburg, Pennsylvania; Allentown School District; and the Whitehall-Coplay School District. She has also served as choir director at Washington Street United Methodist in Waynesburg, Morrisville Presbyterian Church in Bucks County, and Asbury United Methodist Church in Allentown. Laura loves opera, enjoys reading and spending time with her grandchildren and family, and participates in card and book groups. She’s also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and volunteers with the Allentown Symphony.
Allyssa Miller
Director of High School, College, and Young Adult Ministry
Besides working in youth and young adult ministry at the church, Allyssa is a vocalist in FPCA’s alternative worship band. She began her tenure at FPCA in May 2010 and had previously served as a youth ministry summer intern at the church. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern University (2010), where she majored in Youth Ministry, with a minor in Biblical Studies. Prior to coming to FPCA, she worked for the Salvation Army in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Allyssa has been working in youth ministry since she was 16, and was the volunteer youth worker at her previous home church for the three years before attending college. She enjoys movies (especially those based on comic books), and being creative with photography and jewelry making. She also enjoys the outdoors, especially camping and fishing. “During the summer months, you can usually find me by a body of water, either in it or on it!” she says. “I also like traveling to faraway places—and near ones too!” Closer to home, if you visit her office, she says, “I always have bubblegum.”
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John R. Franke
Theologian in Residence
A significant figure in contemporary Christian thought, John is the author of numerous articles and reviews as well as several books, including Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context (Westminster John Knox Press), The Character of Theology (Baker Academic), and Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth (Abingdon). His next book, Missional Theology: Christianity for the Sake of the World (Baker Academic), is scheduled for publication in 2013. He is General Coordinator for the Gospel and Our Culture Network, a national group, and is particularly interested in engaging postmodern thought and culture from the perspective of missional Christian faith. Coming to First Presbyterian in 2010, John leads classes and seminars on the relationship between the gospel, theology, mission, and culture, and has spoken on these topics throughout the United States and around the world. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Nyack College (1984), Master of Arts from Biblical Seminary (1987), and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford (1997). Previously, he served as professor of theology at Biblical Seminary (1993-2011). He enjoys sports, politics, reading, travel, and hiking.
Adam Tavolaro
Director of Alternative Worship
Excitement surrounding alternative worship at First Presbyterian is a reflection of Adam’s work as worship leader since coming on board in July 2011. (Click here for more on Adam and alternative worship at FPCA.) “I’m privileged to work with the worship band and productions team,” he says. “Between them and the staff at FPCA, I work with some of the coolest people ever!” Adam has Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Valparaiso University (1999), where he majored in Music and Chemistry, and minored in Theology. He went on to earn a Master of Music degree, majoring in Choral Conducting, from Westminster Choir College (2001). Adam also has a Master of Science from Drexel University (2005), focusing on Emergency and Public Safety Services Administration, and when not serving the church, works as a field paramedic in New Jersey, occasionally teaching Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. He started playing piano at age 3—but didn’t sing until high school or play guitar until college—and has served as an organist, choir director, and worship leader in churches in New Jersey, Indiana and Pennsylvania. At one point, he conducted the church choir that his mother sang alto in—“a treasured experience,” he says. Beyond enjoying just about anything to do with music, Adam likes electronics (he’s a Mac guy), doing carpentry, working on cars, and spending time with his wife, Laurie, and their two children, Abigail and Joshua.
Christopher Cocca
Director of Mission
Chris directs First Presbyterian’s robust volunteer mission program, which is led by an outstanding, passionate team intent on making a difference locally, nationally, and around the world. “We invite anyone reading this to be part of this emerging story,” says Chris, who began at FPCA in July 2011. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Ursinus College (2002, departmental honors, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), and went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree at Yale Divinity School (2005) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from The New School (2011). Prior to coming to FPCA, Chris worked and served in youth ministry, arts and media ministry, outreach, and finance. He currently also serves as the Outreach Director of the Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley-Berks and writes for various venues, including The Huffington Post. Besides writing and blogging, Chris’ interests include music, art, social media, the outdoors, baseball, social justice, urban renewal, and community-building. Among his experiences: “I’ve had my picture taken with two Speakers of the U.S. House and once gave James Carville directions to the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.”
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Noha Khoury
Director of Middle School and Tween Ministry
In her role serving children and youth in grades 4-8, Noha’s duties include leadership in Youth Club, an afterschool ministry for 1st-5th graders; First Friday for Tweens, a ministry group for 4th and 5th graders; and Middle School Fellowship on Sunday evenings for 6th-8th graders. Noha grew up at First Presbyterian and has long been a familiar face in youth ministry, but took her current role in May 2010, after having served as a summer youth ministry intern in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2008, and Interim Director of Youth Ministry in [year?] She also has served as the Young Adult Intern for Racial Ethnic Young Women Together and National Network of Presbyterian College Women for the General Assembly Missions Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville, Kentucky. Noha graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. She previously worked as a Child Care Counselor at KidsPeace in the Paul Revere Diagnostic House on the Orefield Campus. She likes to read, shop, and host gatherings, along with baking and playing Words with Friends—“although I am not very good at it!” she says. In her off time, Noha enjoys spending time with family and catching up with college friends, often traveling to various parts of Virginia including her alma mater. If you want to know more about her school, ask about her squirrel collection.
Lindsay Harren-Lewis
Director of Family and Younger Children’s Ministry
Working primarily with birth-3rd graders and their families, Lindsay also lends her voice and perspective to the regular preaching rotation as an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College, in Rhode Island (2003), and her Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago (2007). While in seminary, she worked as an intern at Lake View Presbyterian Church in Chicago. When the position became full-time, she took a year off her studies to do “a little of everything,” she says—“from working with children, to young adults, to a senior citizens group to worship planning and leadership, and everything in between.” She served as a chaplain at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York (2007-2009), concentrating in Labor and Delivery, At-Risk Obstetrics, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She joined the staff at FPCA in 2010, and enjoys quilting, knitting, and the outdoors.
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Diana Wampole
Property Manager
“My job is just like it sounds,” Diana says. “I maintain the church in the best way to facilitate worship.” A longtime member before taking her position in 2001, Diana joined FPCA in 1967, is an ordained Deacon and has served with the Flower Guild, Usher Guild, and choir. Diana received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kutztown University (1973), and enjoys needlework, gardening, cooking, jigsaw puzzles, maintaining her home and spending time with her granddaughter. “This is an exciting time in the life of our church,” Diana says, “and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
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