In 1996, the current Pastor, Kenneth R. Elkin, arrived to lead St. Mark’s into the 21st century.
Pastor Elkin served
three parishes prior to his arrival at St. Mark’s. He interned at
Memorial Church, Harrisburg and stayed to become Associate
Pastor/Parish Musician there during the years 1975-1982. He led two
congregations to form Christ United Church in Catawissa and served
as Pastor from 1982-96.
Rev. Elkin was born in Punxsutawney PA in 1949 and grew up in a
farming community nearby. His interests in ordained ministry were
shaped by his uncle, Rev. George H. Gerberding, and several pastors
who served his home congregation, especially Rev. Bishop Paull
Spring. He graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1967 and
from Thiel College, Greenville PA in 1971 with BA in Music.
Wittenberg University granted him the degree Master of Sacred Music
in 1973, and he received the Master of Divinity from Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1977.
His
interest in the music of the church was fostered first by his
grandmother Aleda Nichol, and then by teachers such as Mary Zeitler,
Dr. Charles Anders, Ms. Margaret Kommel, and Dr. Frederick Jackisch.
As one might expect given his musical background, Pastor Elkin has
greatly enhanced the effective use of music during the worship
services. He is also a talented composer and plays several
instruments.
Pastor Elkin has encouraged the formation of volunteer committees,
which have increased their membership and scope of duties, involving
more of the congregation in planning and implementing church
programs and services. The
Stephen Ministry was inaugurated as a means of training
interested congregation members to minister to those in spiritual
need. Pastor Elkin has also developed the adult catecheumenate
program, The Way.
During
Pastor Elkin's pastorate, St. Mark’s worship space has been updated
to make it more accessible to all parishioners. An improved
sound system, along with hearing aids for those with impaired
hearing and large print bulletins are among the changes of recent
years. Also, both the sanctuary and the chapel have been adapted to
accommodate different approaches to worship, by the installation of
movable furnishings.
Pastor Elkin is a member of the
Society of the Holy
Trinity, a nationwide ministerium of Lutheran Ministers, the
purpose of which is to support Lutheran pastors in being faithful to
their ordination vows in a time of doctrinal confusion and moral
uncertainty. At the 2005 retreat, he served as cantor and
chief musician for all the services.
Pastor Elkin's spouse of many years is Donna Zierdt Elkin, Synod
Cantor of the Upper Susquehanna Synod and elementary music teacher
in the Jersey Shore Area School District. They have 3
children: Katy, a musician in Barcelona, Spain;
Sean, network administrator for Citizens and Northern Bank in
Wellsboro, and David, in graduate studies in horn performance at Duquesne
University, Pittsburgh.