CHURCH STAFF

THE REV. PAUL H. PINGEL

PASTOR

Pastor Paul came to Grace to serve as our Pastor in October 2012. After a first career in product and graphic design, he was ordained in 1993, and has served as a parish pastor in Virginia and South Carolina. He is married to Jill and they have two daughters, both in high school.

“The image of the Church as the Body of Christ (described in I Corinthians 12), with every congregation member making up the Body as a whole is my favorite image of the Church. God’s Spirit gathers us together with all our gifts and talents to be a blessing out in the community and world, and to one another. That’s what Grace is all about.”

NANCY DOWDY

ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY

Grace is pleased to welcome Nancy Dowdy as the new Administrative Secretary of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Nancy has served in the past as the Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Augusta, Administrative Assistant at DuPont, and her service on Waynesboro's City Council. Her diverse background and extensive experience in her field, as well as her strong belief of "giving back," make her an excellent person for the position as Administrative Secretary at Grace. Nancy and her husband of 43 years, Stephen Dowdy, have one daughter, Keri Wilfong. Keri and her husband, Wil, reside in the area and have two children: Jaxon and Nicolaus. Nancy looks forward to meeting the members of Grace as well as those around the Virginia Synod serving the congregation of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Nancy joined the staff on December 4, 2017, to allow an overlap between Janice Collins' conclusion of her 18 years with Grace and giving time for Nancy to settle in and learn "the ins and outs" of the position.

MIKE MYERS

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ORGANIST

Mike became our Organist and Choir Director in October 2000. He holds a music education degree from James Madison University and works as a section manager at State Farm Regional Help Center in Charlottesville. He has served several congregations in his ministry of music and brings a wealth of talent experience and energy to our music programs and worship services. Mike oversees all our music programs and their volunteer directors and he directs our worship choir. In additions he serves as our organist/pianist and occasionally blesses us with his wonderful vocal talents. While Mike does not work in our congregation full time, he would be delighted to respond to your inquiry or better yet, just come to choir practice this week!