Janet ResslerJanet began her journey of faith at First Presbyterian Church at the age of 8. As a teenager, she was confirmed at FPC and as a young adult, ordained as a Deacon. Janet worked for many years as a volunteer in the children’s ministry program. For many years, she was a Sunday school teacher and member of the Children’s Ministry Leadership Team. Sometimes it surprises her to think that her professional work as a Christian Educator was almost by chance. How can it be that something so wonderful would come to her seemingly without planning? Janet enjoys the words of Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood fame who was known to say, “We start traveling down one street, and we find ourselves interested in something we never expected on a side street; and as we explore it, the side street becomes the main road for us.” Janet’s work in ministry at FPC has become the main road for her.
With B.S. and M.Ed. degrees in Elementary Education/Special Education from Millersville University, Janet began a career as an educator teaching Elementary School in the Manheim Central School District. After 8 years of teaching, Janet and her husband, Jeff, were blessed by the birth of twins. She became a stay-at-home mother to raise her three children: Julia, Joseph, and Jocelyn (now all teenagers). In May of 2001, when the twins were ready for Kindergarten, professional work with the church became available. Now, as the Director of Family Ministry, Janet enjoys the oversight of ministry to children (birth – sixth grade) and their parents. She works collaboratively with Directors of Youth and Worship Ministries, Pastors, Leadership Teams, Sunday school leaders, the Nursery Coordinator, and serves as the Staff Liaison to the Open Arms Daycare Center.
Janet feels as though she and her family are truly blessed to be part of a church that cares so deeply for children and their families. She says, “This truly is a caring community of faith always striving for ways to play a vital role in the lives of children, adults, our city, and our world. This church is a church where families feel welcome, safe, and nurtured in their search for a connection with God and a community of faith.” Janet lives with her husband, Jeff, and their three children in Strasburg. She enjoys reading, music, and keeping up with her Australian Shepherd dog, Kipper.
You can reach Janet at janet@fpclanc.org
Dale Marx
With a degree in Art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Dale Marx looks at ministry from a creative perspective.
Dale has served as an Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at the First Presbyterian Church of York and most recently as the Minister for Youth at Highland Presbyterian Church where he served for ten years. His passion for ministry has always been focused on youth.
Besides ministry, Dale has had the opportunity to develop his artistic nature by creating and selling his own art, painting murals and developing Web sites. Dale grew up in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and he and his wife, Tracey, have made Lancaster their home. They have two small children, Gabriel and Laurel, and Dale has an older son, Christopher, who lives and works in York. Some of Dale’s other interests include construction, backpacking and mountain biking.
For Dale, Youth Ministry is about creating room for the Holy Spirit. It is about relationship. It is about action. Through relationship we experience the heart of faith and through action we experience the power of faith. Dale believes that when we create positive God-memories for our youth, we give our young people a great gift, a heartfelt understanding that living life as a Christian makes a difference.
You can reach Dale at dale@fpclanc.org
