Church Staff

Program Staff

Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.
Richard Gillard, The Servant Song

Russell J. Atkinson, pastor

With centuries of Christian expression to choose from when planning worship, the real challenge is to find those few beautiful pieces to fashion together for the morning service. Faith must be expressed! Why not with a hammer and saw? After all, Jesus was a carpenter. Russell Atkinson has lead short-term mission experiences in Pennsylvania, Central Appalachia, and in the West Indies. Worship and work are truly important. Still, when the community gathers round the table, blessings flow.

"I grew up in the church. I love the church. I am perfectly at home in a sanctuary of long wooden pews, tall organ pipes, and stained-glass windows. Through short-term mission projects I have seen many other expressions and cultures of faith - I am in love with many of them too. What has kept me within the life of the church has been meaningful music and hands-on mission opportunities."

"I want to offer kind and effective pastoring to the families of Swarthmore United Methodist Church and the community surrounding. I want to work with this congregation to discover and implement an effective disciple-making community that constantly challenges our members to grow emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and in grateful service to God."

Before being appointed to Swarthmore, Russell Atkinson served the following appointments - Grandview:Lancaster, 1989-1994; Saint Paul's:Hazleton, 1994-1998; Otterbein:Lancaster, 1998-2003.

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Mary Marissen, director of music

The Swarthmore United Methodist Church has a long and rich history of fine music making and I am so gratified to be actively engaged now in its planning, preparation and rendering in worship. I grew up in a Calvinist tradition in the Midwest-an area known for fine choirs and singing, and was surrounded by sacred music since I can remember. My college and graduate degrees are in music and I have been making music in churches all my life, as a pianist, cellist, singer, and now as an organist and choir director. Being the Director of Music at is, for me, a perfect union of my professional training and where my heart is as a follower of Jesus. Whether it is leading the Chancel Choir in an anthem,

accompanying our contemporary music group New Song, or conducting the Handbell Choir, I love finding ways, in various musical styles and formats, to give voice to congregational expression of glory to God through music and innovative worship.

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David Page, youth ministries

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Support Staff

Charlie Thomas, office administrator

Charlie Thomas has been our administrator since January 2009. Charlie brings to the job both professional office experience, having worked as an accounting manager for a patent law firm for almost 30 years, and Church experience as an active member of the United Methodist Church. Charlie was a Christ Servant Minister in Leading, Caring and Speaking ministries and also the Lay Leader at Ridley Park United Methodist Church. He experienced a call to further ministry and has completed the Licensing School for Local Pastors. He is currently appointed part-time as the Pastor of Eddystone United Methodist Church in addition to working as our administrator. Charlie is married and his wife Linda is a Christ Servant Minister in Caring Ministries and active in the church. Charlie loves children (of all ages), animals, and serving the Lord through pastoral ministry.

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Skender Elbasani, leading sexton

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Rob Schmidt, renovation/repair worker

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Deborah Pedante, cradle and toddler care

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Rachel McConnell, cradel and toddler care assistant

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