Pastor:
A local man, Pastor Mitman grew up in Pipersville and attended Pennridge schools. A graduate of Muhlenberg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Pastor Mitman has served as St. Matthew's pastor since 1980.
He is married to the former Linda Wimmer of Perkasie and is the father of Eric and Jennifer, both of whom have their own families. Pastor and Linda enjoy time with their five grandchildren any chance they get.
Pastor Mitman is convener of the Pennridge Cluster Professionals and serves on the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Community at Telford. Previously he served on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod's Candidacy Committee, which shepherds candidates for rostered leadership in the church.
When not planning programming or worship or visiting the hospitalized, our pastor enjoys tennis, travel, and photography. He has a particular fondness for Yellowstone National Park, having traveled there in the winter to photograph wildlife.
Director of Music and Youth:
Susan Lear serves as Director of Music and Youth for St. Matthew's congregation. Susan oversees all music ministries which include serving as parish organist, directing the adult, children, and youth choirs and coordinating a summer music program called JaMM (Jesus and Musical Me) Camp. Susan also coordinates all activities with youth including LYF (Lutheran Youth Fellowship) and confirmation ministry. Susan assists in creating the worship services for St. Matthew's congregation.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, organ major and voice minor, from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Susan has taught elementary music in the Central Bucks School District and has also taught piano, organ, and voice lessons. Susan served as organist and choir director for several other Lutheran congregations before coming to St. Matthew's and supplied in many churches throughout the Bucks and Montgomery County areas.
Susan has served St. Matthew's congregation in part time music ministry since 1982; full time in music and youth ministry since 1996. Susan is a lifelong member of St. Matthew's. Susan and husband Scott have three children and eight grandchildren.
Contact Director of Music & Youth
Administrative Assistant:
Holly M. Thorrington, Administrative Assistant, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lansdale School of Business with an Associate of Business Degree majoring in Computer Applications Management. She has been working at St. Matthew's as the Administrative Assistant since September 2003 and is a lifelong member of the congregation.
Contact Administrative Asst.
Ministry Assistant:
Linda English Nice joined the staff of St. Matthew's in 2006 after a career as a teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District and a musician in the Lehigh Valley and Southeast Pennsylvania region. When the opportunity to join the staff of St. Matthew's presented itself, she followed God's lead and became Ministry Assistant. As a part-timer, Linda has worked in a number of capacities at the church. Most recently she assists Pastor Mitman in visiting the homebound and hospitalized members of the congregation, a responsibility she feels privileged to perform. Linda enjoys art, music, photography and gardening and lives with her husband, Bob.
Sexton:
Mary Fowler has been a member of St. Matthew's for over 20 years. She and her family reside in Bedminster Township.
Congregation Council:
Council President: Kelly VanValkenburgh
Council Secretary: Cindy Detweiler
Financial Secretary: Carolyn Eckert
Treasurer: Cathy Hall-Currey
Activities: Tim Swanson
Christian Education: Becki Weider
Church Building: Mark Oristaglio
Evangelism: Denise Smith
Finance: Paul Gruver
Property & Grounds: Scott Lear
Social Ministry: Stephen Buckner
Stewardship: Tom Hebel
Worship & Music: Marilynne Bagosy