The Rev Harry G. Royer was born in Lewisburg, PA, and baptized at First Reformed Church, Sunbury, PA. A graduate of the Pottstown public schools, Franklin and Marshall College and Lancaster Theological Seminary, he was confirmed and ordained at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, Pottstown, PA. After being ordained on June 27, 1965, he served as pastor of St. John Reformed UCC, Freeland, PA from July 4, 1965 until December 31, 1968. He became pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Reading, January, 1969 and served there for 21 years (1969-1990). In 1990 he became pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, East Petersburg, PA and served there for 21 years (1990-2011). He retired January 1, 2011 and became designated supply pastor of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Lancaster, which he served for 4 1/2 years. During that time he led the process which resulted in St. Luke’s, Lancaster, and Trinity, East Petersburg, uniting as one congregation at Trinity’s location. On September 27, 2015 the united congregation named him “Pastor Emeritus.” He has served as a delegate to two General Synods, on the Board of Directors of Penn Central Conference, chair of the Theological Commission and as member of various Boards and Commissions of Penn Northeast and Pennsylvania Southeast Conferences. He has taught more than 15 years at Lancaster Theological Seminary in the Ministerial Studies (Formation) Program. A graduate of Oasis Ministries two year training program for Spiritual Directors, he has been president of its Board and has been one of the founders of the Order of Corpus Christi and the Mercersburg Society. He continues to serve as a Spiritual Director and is active in the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society. Pastor Royer enjoys reading, good food, theatre, trips to NYC, visits with new and old friends, and, for more than 40 years, vacations on the east end of Long Island.

Rev. Dana Schlegel is a native of Berks County and graduated from Albright College and Lancaster Theological Seminary. He has served several pastorates in PA Southeast and Penn Central Conferences and taught on the faculty of Lancaster Seminary where he also directed the Arts In Ministry Program. Dana also served on the staff of Penn Central Conference as the Conference Coordinator of Program Ministries and most recently was a Chaplain for Hospice of Lancaster County for 15 years. Dana joined the staff at First Reformed in February 2014 as Associate Pastor for Elderly and Home Bound. This staff position is funded by the Diffenbach Trust. His responsibility is to provide pastoral care for home bound members of First Reformed and to assess educational needs in the congregation related to aging, such as spiritual issues, personal care needs, housing needs, health care issues, legal issues.

Our new Administrative Assistant, Vicki von Schaaf, was born in Washington, DC and spent her childhood traveling the world, having lived in such diverse places as Newfoundland (Canada), Hawaii, Japan and Georgia. She returned to Lancaster in her late teens when her dad retired from the Air Force. Both her parents were graduates of McCaskey High School. In 2001 Vicki moved to Saratoga Springs, New York where she met her husband Albie. She worked as a certified Activity and Event Director at a Nursing Home and Dementia facility run by the Carmelite Sisters. In 2013 Vicki and her husband returned to the Lancaster area to be near her family and her father who was seriously ill. She then worked part-time for a Lutheran Church in the Columbia area for two years, until August 2018. Her 5 grandchildren also keep her busy and are a lot of fun! Vicki’s husband, Albie, is the Contemporary Music Director at Lancaster Church of the Brethren. Their life is filled with music and art, as Vicki is also a self-taught artist. Most weekends find them actively involved in some sort of creative endeavor. Vicki is looking forward to working at First Reformed Church and getting to know each and every one of you!

Mr. Larry Hershey, Organist/Choirmaster, has been Organist and Choirmaster at First Reformed Church since 1989. His position is part-time, and he directs The Choir of sixteen members. He is a 1988 music honors graduate from Millersville University. Larry is also an active local piano and organ recitalist and has performed often with The Lancaster Summer Arts Concert Series and The Lancaster Chapter of The American Guild of Organists.

We welcome Juan to First Reformed Church of Lancaster. Juan was previously employed as Assistant Manager of the Family Dollar Store in Columbia. Prior to that he co-owned a commercial cleaning business with over 70 accounts and 40 employees covering an area from Philadelphia to South Carolina. He was also the Maintenance Superintendent at the King of Prussia Mall and the Bensalem Mall. Juan is engaged to Eileen Figueroa and has three grown children. His sister and brother-in-law are ministers at a Spanish Church in Reading. Juan is looking forward to the challenge of working at First Reformed Church and with the Congregation.

Ms. Micki Roth, Nursery Attendant, has a beautiful 4 year old daughter and 8 year old step daughter. During the week, she is a full time nanny. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside at the pool, hiking, and spending time with her children. Her favorite color is green and loves everything and anything cows. She is a huge Pittsburgh Steeler’s fan, as well. She invites you to stop by, and say hello!