President - Liberty Lutheran

Liberty Lutheran Welcomes 

Spring/Summer 2012

GREETINGS FROM THE 

I am delighted to be ending our fiscal year 

and ushering in the summer season with 

the exciting news that Liberty Lutheran’s 

family has gained a new member. 

In June, the Life Care 

Retirement Community, 

the Village at Penn State 

(VPS) in State College, Pa., 

joined the Liberty Family 

of Services, bringing with 

it a dedicated staff and a 

dynamic resident population. 

Several of our Board and staff members 

know first-hand what “Happy Valley” has 

to offer as a center of learning, culture, 

and entertainment, as do the many VPS 

residents who have chosen to retire there. 

This University-based retirement community 

is a unique addition to our portfolio of care, 

offering a culturally active and intellectually 

stimulating lifestyle to seniors who view 

each day as yet another opportunity for 

life-long learning. 

For over a year we have been in conversation 

with VPS, recognizing that there 

are many synergies between our two 

organizations and many opportunities to 

President 

Make a Vital Difference in the lives of 

the residents there. The quality of care 

at VPS is exceptional and it’s hard to 

miss the special bond and deep respect 

between the staff and its residents. 

The seniors who call VPS home, most 

college graduates themselves, are 

motivated, curious, and upbeat. How 

could they be anything but in this 

stimulating environment? 

You can learn more about VPS in this 

issue of At Liberty. Our official celebration, 

“Dancing Under the Stars,” will 

be held July 11th, bringing together 

supporters, residents, staff, and the 

Penn State community. Please join me 

in welcoming VPS to the Liberty 

Lutheran family! 

Luanne B. Fisher, PhD, NHA 

President and CEO 

lfisher@libertylutheran.org

Young at Heart 

Happy Valley is a state of mind. This couldn’t be truer for 

the residents at the Village at Penn State (VPS), who enjoy 

an active and intellectually stimulating lifestyle through the 

campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Liberty’s newest 

family member is tapping into the energy, intergenerational 

programming and enlightenment of the university, and 

staying young at heart. 

With the recent 

purchase of VPS, 

Liberty Lutheran 

is adding to its 

family of services 

a nonprofit, 

university-based 

retirement 

community — the 

only one of its 

kind in Pennsylvania. Since 2003, VPS has been providing 

independent living, personal care and skilled nursing services 

to residents who are living a full and active life at VPS. 

“The Village at Penn State is a natural fit with Liberty,” says 

Luanne Fisher, Liberty’s President and CEO. “Fabulous 

quality, the placing of resident needs first and their 

leadership as a community resource are all hallmarks of our 

commitment to excellence.” 

The only Five-Star rated skilled nursing facility in Centre 

County, VPS offers everything a Continuing Care Retirement 

Community has to offer and more, including its own famous 

Penn State Creamery ice-cream parlor. Amenities include 

spacious private residences with all-inclusive services, 

restaurant-style dining, a wealth of fitness and wellness 

programs, and extensive outdoor recreation areas. For the 

residents, staying young at heart is inspired by their unique 

access to Penn State’s lifelong learning opportunities, as well 

as social, cultural and athletic amenities and programs. 

From its perch on Lion Hill within earshot of Beaver Stadium 

and the roar of Nittany Lions fans, VPS, with the support of 

its residents and staff, is on the verge of new and exciting 

growth that Liberty is proud to be leading. 

www.villageatpennstate.com 

At Liberty • www.libertylutheran.org 

College Sweethearts: 

Hope and Ron Coder 

In their own words, Hope and 

Ron Coder are “Penn Staters 

through and through.” College 

sweethearts, Hope, 79 and Ron, 

83, met at Penn State when she 

was a freshman and he a senior. 

Fifty-nine happily-married years, 

four sons, five grandchildren, 

four great grandchildren, and 

20 homes later, across the U.S. 

and Japan, the Coders are living 

life to the fullest back at Penn 

State at what they affectionately 

call, “The Village.” Sports fans, 

Hope and Ron regularly attend 

Penn State sporting events. Ron, 

a retired Air Force Lieutenant 

Colonel, was a member of the 

U.S. soccer team at the 1956 

Summer Olympics. He played 

for Penn State, when they 

won the 1950 and ‘51 college 

championships. Their four sons, 

all Penn Staters, played for Joe 

Paterno. Hope and Ron live a 

very active and social lifestyle 

and epitomize the youthful spirit 

of The Village. Hope recently 

accompanied the principal flutist 

for the Grand Rapids Symphony 

(the son of a VPS resident) 

on piano, in a performance for 

residents and staff. “One of the 

things we like is the friendliness 

of the community – the 

people who are here and work 

here. We’re just one big happy 

family, which is always nice for 

happy living,” says Ron. What 

do they think of Liberty joining 

the family? “We are all delighted, 

encouraged, and have been very 

eager for Liberty to be here.” 

1

CREATING COMMUNITIES. CHANGING LIVES. 

While it has been months since 

Hurricane Irene and Tropical 

Storm Lee took their devastat- 

ing toll on Eastern Pennsylvania, 

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) 

is still helping those who are 

struggling to recover. A generous 

grant of $30,000 from the 

Evangelical Church in America is 

helping LDR, a service of Liberty 

Lutheran, continue their long 

term disaster recovery efforts in 

Eastern Pennsylvania. 

“There are still a lot of people with 

significant unmet needs,” said Julia 

Menzo, Volunteer Engagement and LDR 

Co-Coordinator for Eastern Pennsylvania. 

“They feel like they’ve been forgotten.” 

After the storms hit late last summer, LDR 

began organizing teams of volunteers to 

clean and restore the homes of people like 

Evelyn Snyder, who has lived in her home 

in Upper Black Eddy since 1975, and never 

experienced flooding before. 

“I didn’t know what to do,” Evelyn said. 

“My son and grandson came over to help, 

but we didn’t know where to start; all 

we did was watch the water come in. 

I was devastated.” Evelyn’s fully-furnished 

basement was destroyed. 

“It put me in such a depression,” she said. 

“Almost 75 percent of what I had down there 

I had to throw away. There are a few things 

2 

AFTER THE 


Flood 

Evelyn Snyder stands by the Delaware Canal near her home in Upper Black Eddy. 

that I hope I can save. I can’t replace them 

because they were my mother’s.” 

Evelyn found out about LDR from a 

concerned neighbor. “I never knew an 

organization like that existed,” she said. 

“They were my lifesavers.” 

Volunteers tore up carpet, took down wall 

paneling, and disposed of everything that 

was ruined. “I don’t know what I would have 

done without them,” Evelyn said. “I’ve kept 

in touch with them ever since.” 

The grant will allow LDR to continue to work 

with Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, 

and 10 counties in Northeast Pennsylvania 

to facilitate long term recovery. “People are 

always very surprised, and are so thankful. 

They didn’t know that this kind of help was 

available,” said Julia. “I feel really good about 

the work that we are doing.”


Legacy of Love 

When I was seven years old, my 

mother sat me down to tell me that 

my younger brother and I had been 

adopted. She told me it meant that 

we were special, that we had been 

chosen, and that she and my father 

had longed so deeply for children 

that they had worked many years The McDonoughs at home (left to right) Molly, Walter, Rosemary and Patrick. 

to have them. My mother’s words made me regret only one thing – I felt sorry for my friends 

who weren’t adopted. 

My happy childhood passed and 25 years on, I had a loving husband, a rewarding career, and 

a beautiful home, but like my mother, I couldn’t get pregnant. After three years of unsuccessful 

medical intervention, Walter and I decided to adopt. Adoption, a generation after my 

parents’ experience, was a much more complicated affair, but three-and-a-half years later we 

were blessed with our daughter, Molly. 

Like my parents, we wanted a brother for our daughter, but our adoption agency had few 

infants available. As fate would have it, our mailman introduced us to his sister, who had 

adopted a boy from Bolivia through Lutheran Children and Family Service. As I was drawn 

to Latin American culture and had majored in Spanish, and as my husband’s mother was 

Lutheran, we took this as a sign. Adopting Patrick took a little less time than with Molly, but 

was infinitely more complex. Twelve days in Santiago, Chile, passed like a dream and our six 

month old son was perfect in every way. 

Walter and I don’t think of ourselves as adoptive parents. Although the process to become 

parents is different, once that process is over, being an adoptive parent is like being any other 

type of parent. We all eventually share the same issues and joys as we watch our children 

grow and mature into adults. Molly, 23, has graduated from our alma mater, Franklin and 

Marshall College, become engaged, and is pursuing a career in law. Patrick, 19, graduated 

from Lower Merion High School and has completed his freshman year at Virginia Tech. We 

are so proud of them both. 

Adoption reminds us of how very blessed we are that God led us to form our family in this 

way. Much about adoption has changed over the years, but the sense of being truly loved and 

truly wanted persists from one generation to the next. 

Rosemary C. McDonough 


3

Liberty in ACTION 

The annual Art Show at Artman Lutheran Home supported the Artman Benevolent Care 

Fund, which allows residents who have depleted their assets to continue to receive 

quality compassionate care at Artman. Carol Risko (who has been a committee member 

for 12 years) is on the right and Barbara Ostrander is on left. 

Artman Lutheran Home was voted the 

Philadelphia Inquirer’s Top Workplace for 

mid-sized companies by our employees! 

The West Philadelphia Senior Center 

hosted a Red Hat Society Mother’s Day 

brunch and fashion show. 

Volunteers for Lutheran Disaster Response, The Beth Sholom congregation in Elkins 

a ministry of Lutheran Congregational Park donated a Torah that belonged to 

Services, were recognized by the City of the former Temple Sholom in Northeast 

Philadelphia at a volunteer recognition Philadelphia to Paul’s Run Retirement 

ceremony at the Fairmount Waterworks. Community. 

4 

The Philadelphia Refugee Mental Health Collaborative, lead by 

Lutheran Children and Family Service, hosted a community 

clean-up day in South Philadelphia. 

At Liberty • www.libertylutheran.org

Teeing Off for Seniors 

Bob Maynard (left), the chair of the Golf Outing Committee, holds a check for $55,000 that 

was raised before expenses at this year’s Artman Golf Outing at the North Hills Country 

Club. The annual outing benefits the Artman Benevolent Care Fund, which allows residents 

who have depleted their life-giving resources 

to continue to receive quality, compassionate 

care at Artman. Every year, volunteer committee 

members like Steve Pribis work hard to make 

the golf outing a success. “It just becomes a 

part of you,” Steve said. “I really believe in 

what we’re doing. The benevolent care fund is 

a worthy cause, and I enjoy the camaraderie 

with everyone who is involved.” Golfers enjoyed 

lunch and a round of golf filled with fun contests and prizes, followed by a putting contest, 

reception and dinner. Numerous community members joined the golfers for dinner, and 

participated in a silent auction, raffles, and the awards presentation. 

Liberty Lutheran gratefully acknowledges the organizations who have contributed January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 

Accent Contractors, LLC 

Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church Shelly’s Medication Services 

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Zieglerville 

Aetna Foundation 

Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Allentown 

AmeriHealth Casualty Services Hope Lutheran Church, Tatamy Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod - ELCA St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Archibald 

Anonymous 

Huffs Union Church 

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Allentown St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church- 

Anonymous MissionFish 

Immanuel Lutheran Church 

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Easton 

Springfield 

Artman Lutheran Home 

Jerusalem Lutheran Church 

St. James Lutheran Church, Coopersburg 

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 

Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral 

Homes, PC 

Calvary Lutheran Church 

Catholic Social Services Northeast 

Cedar Lutheran Church 

Christ Lutheran Church, Hellertown 

Christ Lutheran Church, Jim Thorpe 

Defran Systems, Inc. 

Delcrest Medical Services 

Dinkey Memorial Lutheran Church 

ELCA 

EXXONMOBIL Foundation, Inc. 

Jordan Lutheran Church 

Lehigh Mission District Christmas 

Ingathering 

Luther Crest Chapel Fund 

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection 

Lutheran Community at Telford 

MaGerks Pub & Grill Ft. Washington 

Maidencreek Lutheran Church 

Mayors Commission on Literacy 

Mt Zion Lutheran Church 

New Life Lutheran Church 

St. John Lutheran Church, Allentown 

St. John Lutheran Church, Bath 

St. John Lutheran Church, Coplay 

St. John Lutheran Church, Emmaus 

St. John Lutheran Church, Fogelsville 

St. John Lutheran Church, Nazareth 

St. John Lutheran Church, Pen Argyl 

St. John Lutheran Church, Sayre 

St. John Lutheran Church, Slatington 

St. John Lutheran Church, Whitehall 

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Center 

Square 

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

Glenside 

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ardmore 

St. Peter’s Women ELCA 

Thrivent Choice Dollars 

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans 

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans 

Foundation 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

Lansdale 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

Steelton 

Trinity Lutheran Church, Bethlehem 

Faith Lutheran Church 

Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod St. Mark Lutheran Church, Bethlehem Upper Bucks Conference, SEPA 

Financial Business Solutions 

First United Noxen Methodist Church 

George G. Bensing Funeral Home Inc. 

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Easton 

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 

Southampton 

PA Department of Community & 

Economic Development 

Penn Virginia 

The Pew Charitable Trusts-CYF 

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Bangor 

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 

Philadelphia 

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bethlehem 

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Allentown 

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dallas 

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oley 

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Auburn 

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Bethlehem 

W.W. Smith Charitable Trust 

Weisenberg Lutheran Church 

Ziegels Lutheran Church 

Zion Lutheran Church, Minersville 

Zion Lutheran Church, Northampton 

Zion Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg 

Grace Lutheran Church, Allentown Promised Land Protestant Church St. Peter Lutheran Church, Allentown Zion Stone Church 

Grace Lutheran Church, Topton Redeemer Lutheran Church 

St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Allentown Zion United Lutheran Church 

Guerro & Ruggiero Funeral Home Rosemont Lutheran Church 

St. James Lutheran Church-Gettysburg Zions Lutheran Church 

Heidelberg Lutheran Church 

Schantz Funeral Home, PC 

St. John Lutheran Church, Sinking Spring 

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Schmidt Funeral Home, PC 

St. Josephs Lutheran Church, Allentown 


5


Liberty Lutheran gratefully acknowledges the individuals who have contributed January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 

Mr. Donald Adams 

Ms. Morgan E. Anderson 

Anonymous - Johnson & Johnson 

Anonymous - United Way, Merck 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Arehart 

Ms. Julie Ashcraft 

Mr. Walter F. Auch 

Ms. Eileen A. Ballerino 

Mrs. Pamela C. Barnes 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barnes Sr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Owen M. Bastian 

Mr. and Mrs. Jon A. Baughman 

Ms. Betty Bebian 

Ms. Anna Below 

Mr. Thomas D. Bennett, Jr. 

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Berberich 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Berge 

Ms. Karen Bergey 

Mr. and Mrs. David W. Berkel 

Mr. Glenn K. Bernhardt 

Ms. Adriene L. Bey-Brown 

Ms. Edina Bilalovic 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Blacker 

Ms. Nina Bonderow 

Ms. Abby Boos 

Ms. Georgeanne Bowers 

Mr. Glen D. Boyle 

Mrs. Yvette and Mr. Earle Bradford 

Ms. Naomi Branigan 

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Braun 

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brenneman 

Ms. Suzanne G. Britsch 

Ms. Veronica Britto 

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. John M. Brndjar 

Mr. Elmer J. Brown, Jr. 

Mrs. Carol and Mr. Michael Brown 

Ms. Lisa Brown 

Mr. and Mrs. David P. Brown 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Bruner 

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Burke 

Ms. Sharon L. Caffrey, Esq. 

Mr. Walter Camenisch, Jr. 

Mr. James W. Cantz 

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard W. Carpenter 

Ms. Alaina Carson 

Mr. and Ms. Jeffrey T. Chappelle 

Mr. Michael Chatary 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Cloues 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Cool 

The Rev. Dr. Janet Corpus and 

The Reverend John Hoffmeyer 

Mr. Johnny F. Corrado 

Ms. Brittany Crable 

The Reverend and Mrs. Richard E. Crusius 

Mrs. Dora & Mr. Robert Cueto 

Ms. Linda M. Curto 

Ms. Diane C. Czar 

Ms. Amy Daniel 

Mr. and Mrs. David B. Daurelle 

Mr. and Mrs. W. Laurence Davis 

Mr. Wayne E. and Ms. Paula Davis-West 

The Reverend and Mrs. John J. Deisinger 

Mr. Robert J. DeLisi 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul V. DeLomba 

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent W. Dent 

Mr. Thomas Derry 

Ms. Laura Detweiler 

Ms. Janice M. Diehl 

Ms. Lisa Diewald 

Ms. Janelle Dillaway 

Mr. Scott A. Donner 

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Dooner 

Mr. Luke Dorey 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Doty 

Ms. Tori M. Druckenmiller 

Ms. Margaret E. Dunlap 

Mr. Ronald P. Durr 

Ms. Anna M. Edelman 

The Reverend Christian Eichorn 

Ms. Carolyn Ellis 

Ms. Elizabeth Elmore and 

Mr. Michael Bienville Grimes 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Elsenbaumer 

Dr. and Mrs. Paul F. Engstrom 

6 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Erb 

The Reverend Debra K. Ernst 

Estate of Leanor Rife 

Ms. Susan M. Ewing 

Mrs. Annetta Fehnel 

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Fisher 

Dr. Luanne B. Fisher and 

Mr. Barrett B. Fisher 

The Reverend and Mrs. Fred S. Foerster 

Mr. Ronald C. Fogel 

Ms. Dianne Fox 

Mr. and Mrs. James B. Francis 

Mr. and Mrs. Ross T. Frantz 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Freed 

Ms. Joyce C. Fulford 

The Reverend and Mrs. Frederic Geehr 

Ms. Janet Gemsheim 

Ms. Heather S. Giampapa 

The Reverend Dr. and 

Mrs. Hartland H. Gifford 

Mr. Howard C. Gilpin, Jr. 

Mr. Richard N. Gitlen 

Ms. Elaine J. Goffredo 

Ms. Michele Goodrich 

Mrs. Mary Gorman and Mr. Anthony Resch 

Ms. Annette Green 

The Reverend Norman Greene 

Ms. Lastenia Grieser 

Ms. Rose E. Griffith 

Dr. Beryl & Dr. Donald Gutekunst 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Gutekunst 

Ms. Dona F. Haltiwanger 

Ms. Roseanna M. Harrell 

Mr. Cody Hatfield 

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Heaney 

Mr. and Mrs. John O. Heck 

The Reverend David A. Heckler 

Mrs. Annamae T. Heger 

The Reverend and Mrs. James L. 

Henderschedt 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Herman 

Mr. Peter Hess 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Hetzel 

Ms. Michelle Hicks 

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Higgins 

Ms. Nelda Hildebrand 

Mr. Craig Hinton 

Mr. John Hoban 

Mrs. Billie R. Hoch 

Mr. Gerald Hoffius 

Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Holler 

Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Holmes, Sr. 

The Reverend and Mrs. Fred Hopke 

The Reverend and Mrs. William M. Horn 

Mr. Richard W. Hoy, Esq. 

Mr. Michael Humphrey 

Ms. Jerilyn J. Iacono 

Mrs. Tammy Jabarin 

Mr. Joseph Jacovino 

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick T. Jaffin 

Mrs. Donna & Mr. Roy Johnson 

Mr. Ralph Johnson 

Ms. Renee Johnson 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Kenneth Jones 

Mr. Harold Juram 

Ms. Tiffany Kalnas 

Mrs. Teresa and Mr. Michael Kane 

Mr. John B. Kearney 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Keddie, Jr. 

Mrs. Catharine K. Keim 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Keim 

Dr. and Mrs. Ward W. King, D.D.S. 

Mrs. Katherine & Dr. Dean Kinsey 

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kline 

Mr. Robert L. Klotz 

Mr. and Mrs. George E. Koch 

Mr. Alfred Koger 

Mrs. Deborah L. Kramer 

The Reverend and Mrs. 

Norman C. Krapf 

Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. Kreidler 

Mr. Scott Kulp 

Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Kuntz 

Ms. Lynn Kutch 


Mr. Robert F. Lakata 

Ms. Barbara Lallemand 

The Reverend Dr. and The Reverend Dr. 

Elizabeth C. Langensiepen 

Ms. Bonnie L. Lauer 

Ms. Marion S. Lavery 

Mr. & Mrs. William Leiendecker 

Ms. Lateesha Leland 

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Leverenz 

Ms. Susan C. Lewis 

Ms. Sara A. Lima 

Ms. Mary Beth Linde 

Ms. Marion Lober 

Ms. Rebecca Lobus 

Ms. Stephanie A. Loeb 

Ms. Janet L. Lorenzon 

Ms. Erika Lostaunau 

Mr. Shaun Lucas 

Ms. Nikki Mace 

Ms. Janice Manwiller 

Mrs. Reita Marone 

Ms. Mariakulty Mathews 

Ms. Sandra Maziarz 

Ms. Ellen McArdle Erhart 

Mr. and Mrs. Neil N. McCardle 

Ms. Terah A. McKnight 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Meier 

Mr. Edwin Melvin 

Ms. Julia E. Menzo 

Dr. and Mrs. Larry N. Merkle 

Ms. Jennifer M. Metz 

Mrs. Mary J. Micco 

Mrs. Susan H. Miller 

Ms. Jennifer S. Miller 

Mr. and Mrs. Rhynier B. Minnich 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Monnat 

Mr. Steven H. Morris 

Mr. David Motz 

Mr. James Mumman 

Mr. Beate Mumper 

Ms. Jeanne M. Murray 

Mrs. Joan and Mr. Kevin Myers 

Ms. Marianne H. Napravnik 

Mr. Daniel Neff 

Ms. Shirley Neiderhiser 

Ms. Ashley Nelson 

Mr. Dale E. Newhart 

Mrs. Dana and Mr. Mark O’Donnell 

Ms. Chinemelu A. Oguekwe 

Ms. Celia Oleary 

The Reverend and 

Mrs. Curtis L. Olson 

The Reverend Royal L. Olson and 

The Reverend Grace C. Olson 

Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Ostermann 

Ms. Jennifer Packard 

Mrs. Janet and Mr. Steven Panning 

Ms. Jane Paxson 

Mrs. Martha M. and Mr. Ray Pearson 

The Reverend and Mrs. Peter A. Pettit 

Mr. Richard P. Pfluger 

The Reverend Dr. and 

Mrs. Leon A. Phillips 

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Pitzenberger 

Ms. Kathryn Pollock 

Mrs. Loretta G. Pondelek 

Mr. and Mrs. David H. Pope 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pullen 

Mr. Hue H. Quach 

Ms. Patricia A. Radolovich 

Mr. and Mrs. C. Royce Rasmussen 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Rauch, Jr 

Ms. Helen Rayon 

Ms. Karen Read 

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin W. Reimert 

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald R. Reitnauer 

Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Reitz 

Ms. Susan R. Reph 

Mr. Christopher Ridenhour 

Mr. and Mrs. David Rights 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rilling 

Ms. Roseann Ritchie 

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Dennis S. Ritter 

Miss Bethann E. Ritter 

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Roberts 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Roessler, Jr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Romweber, Jr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Roth 

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Rozolis 

Ms. Abby Ruder 

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick G. Rummel 

Mr. Frederick Ryalls 

Ms. Faith Sadler 

Mrs. Sandra G. Samkavitz 

Mr. Frank Sammarino, Jr 

Ms. Sally Saveri 

Mr. Roland D. Schaaf 

Ms. Wendy Schlessinger 

Mr. C. Glenn Schueler 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Schuler 

Dr. and Mrs. Kevin C. Scott 

Ms. Irene Segletes 

Ms. Katie Sell 

The Reverend and Mrs. Carl D. Shankweiler 

Mr. Brian L. Shelly 

Ms. Marie Shook 

Ms. Diane B. Shortt 

Mr. and Mrs. George A. Shumberger 

Mrs. Virginia Sinn 

Ms. Linda Sivilich 

Mr. Christopher Smith 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Smith 

Mrs. Amina Snell 

Ms. Susan A. Sowinski 

Mrs. Sally and Mr. Donn Spear 

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Stainsby 

Mrs. J. Patricia Stanley-Lackman 

and Dr. Thomas Lackman 

Mr. Dennis L. Steffy 

Mr. Thomas A. Stephenson 

Mr. and Mrs. David W. Stettler 

Mr. Mark R. Stielow 

Mr. Timothy Stiles 

Ms. Mary A. Stilo 

Ms. Carmel Stone 

Mr. Harold Strawbridge 

Ms. Emma Taylor 

Mr. Roy M. Tietjen 

The Reverend and Mrs. John W. Tomlinson 

The Reverend Stanley Trout 

Trust of Albert G. Bauer - SEPA 

Trust of Joanna B. F. Schlechter 

Trust of Marguerite Baur 

Mrs. Marion B. Tuck 

Ms. Nancy Twomey 

Mr. David W. Varrelman 

Mr. Marshell C. Vicks 

Ms. Laurie Walter 

Ms. Gail Webb 

The Rev. and Mrs. Stephen J. Weisser 

Mrs. Leslie A. Weisser 

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph G. Wellington 

Mr. Siegfried Wendt 

Mr. and Mrs. William R. Wentz 

Mr. Wayne E. West and Ms. Paula 

Davis-West 

Mr. Bill Wheeler 

Ms. Linda A. Wiedmann 

The Reverend and Mrs. William W. 

Wightman 

Ms. Allyson L. Wilcox 

Mr. Stanley A. Wilhelmson 

Mrs. Karen and Mr. Martino Williams 

Mrs. Sally Williams-Sammond 

Mrs. Maria and Mr. Bob Windhaus 

Mrs. Katrina K. and Mr. David A. Wise 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Witte 

Ms. Barbara E. Woods 

Ms. Elizabeth Young 

Mr. Philip J. Zdanowicz 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Zeltner 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Zieger 

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Ziegler 

Mr. Matthew S. Zierold 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Zimmerman, Jr 

Mr. Joel Zimmerman 

Ms. Teta B. Zoegar

Liberty Lutheran gratefully acknowledges the Memorial and Tribute Gifts received January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 

Artman Lutheran Home 

In Memory of 

Aunt Grace Kane 

From 

Artman Lutheran Home Employees 

June C. Black 

From 

Mrs. Jane B. Umstead 

Frederick and Margaret Koch 

From 

Mr. and Mrs. George E. Koch 

Robert P. Leiby 

From 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard C. Paul, Jr. 

Evelyn Magaziner 

From 

Mr. and Mrs. Morton Sklaroff 

Bonnie Magdziak 

From 

Anton B. Urban Funeral Home 

Belmed Ambulance, Inc. 

Dice Medical Equipment, Inc. 

Mrs. Kathleen Balbier (Life Choice) 

Ms. Beverly Freed-Lawrence 

Ms. Sharon M. Gallagher 

Ms. Joan Kings 

Mr. and Mrs. James M. Rothe 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Simpson 

Phyllis M. Mastroeni 

From 

Bassman, Laserow & Co., PC 

Ms. Joyce Benedict 

Mrs. Anita Halpern 

Mr. John L. Hoffecker 

Mr. and Mrs. John J. Maloney 

Mr. and Mrs. John J. O’Donnell 

Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe B. Teaford 

Ms. Susan Vilotti 

Ms. Lisa Westermann 

Marie T. Megronigle 

From 

Mrs. MaryBeth Dougherty and 

Mr. Joseph M. Dougherty 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Maguire 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Vernacchio 

Ms. Amy Winheld 

Vivian M. O’Connell 

From 

Anonymous 

Edna Reardon 

From 

Ms. Lois E. Eisenhard 

Aaron Ryesky 

From 

Mr. Kenneth H. Ryesky 

Mr. Ross Schriftman 

Mr. and Mrs. Philip B. Seeherman 

Laura Welsh 

From 

Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home 

The Becoming Center 

In Memory of 

John J. Sinn 

From 

North Penn S Gaugers 

Mrs. Nancy B. Astler 

Ms. Judith Baker 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Bell 

Mrs. Genevieve Braun 

Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Doll 

Mrs. Barbara & Mr. Marvin Epstein 

Ms. Janice Fischer 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard N. Hall 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Haubenstein 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Katzianer 

Mr. and Mrs. James J. Kittredge 

Mrs. Mary & Mr. Alex Larkin 

Ms. Nancy K. Merckel 

Mrs. Florence R. Mihalchick 

Ms. Lois A. Miller 

Ms. Laura O’Day 

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Ohlson 

Ms. Linda Pressman 

Mr. and Mrs. Rodman M. 

Rosenberger, Esq. 

Ms. Gail H. Ruderman 

Ms. Louise D. Russell 

Mr. and Mrs. Norman A. Satterthwaite 

Mr. and Mrs. Steven G. Schlerf 

Ms. Agnes B. Schlerf 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Shelly 

Mrs. Virginia Sinn 

Ms. Debra Slater 

Mr. and Mrs. D. Garrett Spear 

Ms. Marjorie W. Stowe 

Mrs. Clara Thompson 

Mr. and Mrs. C. Robert Wentz, Jr. 

Mr. Jack Wilkinson 

Ms. Margaret A. Williams 

Ms. Wendy S. Yambor 

Mr. Jeffrey W. Yambor 

Mr. and Mrs. William G. Young 

Lutheran Children and 

Family Service 

In Memory of 

Albert T. Dudley 

From 

Mrs. Florence S. Dudley 

Karl A. Schneider 

From 

Ms. Phyllis Fater 

Mr. and Mrs. William P. Galgon 

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hoffman 

Mr. Roger Margulies 

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Schwartz 

In Honor of 

Karen & John Lafferty 

50th anniversary 

From 

Ms. Cathy R. Breish 

Regan McGinley 

From 

Mr. John M. Difeo 

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. McGinley 

Mrs. Jayne & Mr. Edward McGinley 

Mr. Robert & Mrs. Mary Mullin 

McNamara 

Christa Elise Allen 

From 

Ms. Annette Sample 

Lutheran Congregational 

Services 

In Honor of 

Linda Maule designated 

for Camp Noah 

From 

St Andrew Lutheran Church 


In Memory of 

Bonnie Magdziak 

Phyllis Mastroeni 

Joe Reardon 

From 

Dr. Luanne B. Fisher 

In Honor of 

Karen and John Lafferty 

Nick Pournader 

Betty Schimmele 105 birthday 

Mona Mack 

Rosemary Bauersmith 

From 

Dr. Luanne B. Fisher 

Paul’s Run 

In Memory of 

Elinor Menin 

From 

Ms. Kathy M. Axelrod 

Violet & Harry Mitchell 

From 

The Family of Violet & Harry Mitchell 

Have you remembered 


in your Will? 

Please call 

215-643-6335, ext. 244 

to receive a free booklet, 

“Questions and Answers 

About Wills.” 

Donations are now possible through PayPal. 

Visit www.libertylutheran.org and look for 

this button on the “giving” page: 


7


BREAKING THE 

Language Barrier 

Students of all ages and ethnicities sat around 

two large tables, reading in pairs or groups, 

and working diligently on worksheets. 

Everyone in the room came from different 

countries and backgrounds, but they were all 

there for the same reason, to learn English. 

For many of the students, this was their first 

classroom experience. 

Edward Saimai, who is from West Africa, 

struggled in America at first. “It was hard 

for me to meet people. It was hard to buy 

food and it was difficult to get a job because 

I didn’t know English,” he said. Edward has 

only been taking Lutheran Children and 

Family Service’s (LCFS) English as a Second 

Language (ESL) class for two weeks, but is 

already able to speak simple sentences and is 

learning to read. 

Thanks to a recent $30,000 grant from the 

Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, LCFS 

has been able to expand its ESL program 

for refugees and newcomers to three new 

locations, and provide additional resources 

and training for volunteers. 

Former science teacher and publisher, 

Janet Schroeder, has been a volunteer ESL 

8 


Elisabeth Ursell, Adult 

Education Coordinator 

for LCFS, speaks 

with student Edward 

Saimai (middle). 

teacher with LCFS since 2005 and has 

taught students from more than 60 different 

countries. “I love language, and I felt that I 

could volunteer and contribute my skills,” 

she said. “Teaching is rewarding, and with 

ESL you’re providing a way for people to 

enter a whole new culture and find jobs.” 

For Salma Nabi, who moved to America 

seeking peace away from her war-torn 

Afghanistan, her little knowledge of the 

English language made adjusting to her 

new life very challenging. “It was so difficult 

because I couldn’t talk to people,” she said. 

Salma has been taking ESL classes for three 

months and is now fairly fluent in English. 

“It has helped me so much,” she said. 

“I hope that one day I know good English 

and I can get a good job and help my family. 

That is my wish.” 

Janet Schroeder (right), volunteer ESL instructor, works with one of her students.

A Profile 

in Excellence 

When you meet Alex Minko, Nurse Manager 

at Paul’s Run Retirement Community, 

you notice his engaging smile and focused 

attention. It’s not until you talk to him that 

you learn about his American journey that 

began ten years ago when he came here on 

holiday from Belarus. “I loved it in America, 

and when I met the love of my life, I knew 

this would be my new home,” he says. 

After working a few years at a variety of jobs, 

a friend suggested Alex consider working 

in a nursing home. No stranger to healthcare, 

since his mother is a pediatrician and his 

father is a family doctor, he took his 

friend up on the suggestion and has 

never looked back. 

A job in a nursing home led to acquiring a 

nursing assistant certificate, and 

then enrolling in 

pre-requisite courses in nursing at his local 

community college. Soon he was looking 

for better job opportunities and a 

chance to complete his Licensed 

Practical Nurse Degree, which he 

did, while working full time, at 

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology. In 

2008, he found himself as a LPN for a local 

nursing home and happily working many 

weekend shifts as a “pool” nurse at Artman. 

When a LPN position opened at Paul’s Run a 

year later, Alex applied and got the job. 

He continued to work full time while 

pursuing a RN degree on the weekends 

at Delaware County Community College, 

graduating in 2011. 

Alex isn’t finished learning. This past year 

he was promoted to Nurse Manager and 

received his certification in Wound Care 

and is planning to pursue a Bachelor of 

Nursing degree. “Paul’s Run has given me an 

opportunity to further my education and my 

supervisors have been supportive and 

flexible with my schedule when necessary. 

Tuition reimbursement is important, but 

what’s most important to me is that at 

Liberty there is a real commitment to all of 

the employees and learning.” 

Alex’s American journey has been one 

of growth, both in terms of personal 

development and the growth of his 

family that began with the love of his 

life, whom he married, and today, 

includes Liberty. 


9

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Visit our website: www.libertylutheran.org 

Grant Helps Seniors in Need 

W.W. Smith Charitable Trust, a family foundation, awarded the West 

Philadelphia Senior Community Center and the Olney Senior Center 

$53,000 for food and shelter vouchers for low income seniors. Basic 

needs, including food, shelter and clothing, is one of the three areas of 

giving that the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust focuses on. 

“The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust looks for organizations to fund that 

work within communities to help those less fortunate and that have a 

solid base of operation; LCFS shows such a commitment to helping 

needy seniors,” said Michelle Montgomery, foundation administrator. 

“We’ve been able to help seniors pay critical bills, stay in their homes, 

as well as help seniors buy food when the grocery bill is higher than the 

check that’s coming in,” said Pat Stanley, program manager of senior 

centers for LCFS. 

Two Grants Help Refugees Adjust to New Life 

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northeast Philadelphia was 

awarded two grants to support their “welcome home” refugee resettlement 

program, in partnership with LCFS: A grant for $36,000 over three 

years from the ELCA Deaconess Community, and a “burst” grant for 

$5,000 from Wheat Ridge Ministries. Prince of Peace sponsors refugee 

families and provides temporary housing for them in an old parsonage 

next to the church.

President - Liberty Lutheran

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