Pastors and Staff
The Rev. Joel Folkemer, Lead Pastor
Pastor Joel Folkemer serves Union Evangelical Lutheran Church with a special focus of working with the people of Union, community leaders, organizations, and it's neighbors to grow in our faith, reach new people, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Pastor Folkemer is a graduate of Shippensburg University where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Human Communication Studies. A 2011 graduate of The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pastor Folkemer served for three years, prior to his call to Union Lutheran Church, as the pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Pastor Folkemer and his wife, Ashlee, have two young children. Although from Gettysburg, PA, he has many family connections with York. Many of Pastor Folkemer's relatives live in York County, his father grew up in York and his grandfather, the Rev. Gordon Folkemer, served as pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for 40 years.
Email: [email protected]
Pastor Folkemer and his wife, Ashlee, have two young children. Although from Gettysburg, PA, he has many family connections with York. Many of Pastor Folkemer's relatives live in York County, his father grew up in York and his grandfather, the Rev. Gordon Folkemer, served as pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for 40 years.
Email: [email protected]
The Rev. Del Akech Del,
Pastor for Congregational Life, Formation, and Care
Pastor for Congregational Life, Formation, and Care
The Rev. Del Akech Del joined Union’s ministry team as Pastor for Congregational Life, Formation, and Care in December of 2024. Pastor Del will provide pastoral care and spiritual counseling to all congregation members, friends and neighbors. Pastor Del’s passion of visiting and spiritual enrichment will be beneficial to Union family and its friends. Pastor Del is a graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Lancaster Campus, where he received his Associate Degree in Business Administration. A 2015 graduate with a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pastor Del currently serves the Harrisburg Sudanese Worshiping Community for one quarter time and has done so since 2012. Pastor Del also served two parishes, Immanuel in Williamstown, PA, and St. Christopher Lutheran Church in Lykens, PA, from February 2016 until December 2024.
Pastor Del and his wife Sarah were blessed with five children. Naomi is 17, Akech is 13, Deng is 11, Aluel is 7, and Mun is 5. He has no other immediate family living here in America. Pastor Del has a sister with her two adult children in Kakuma Refugees camp, Kenya. Pastor Del is very connected with the South Sudanese Community and members of Tree of Life Lutheran in Harrisburg where the Sudanese community worships. The pastor loves to spend time with church people and the entire community. As one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan, Pastor Del has amazing stories to share about his trek across Africa and his years in the refugee camps. He is very proud and grateful to now be an American citizen and is looking forward to getting to know you all.
Pastor Del and his wife Sarah were blessed with five children. Naomi is 17, Akech is 13, Deng is 11, Aluel is 7, and Mun is 5. He has no other immediate family living here in America. Pastor Del has a sister with her two adult children in Kakuma Refugees camp, Kenya. Pastor Del is very connected with the South Sudanese Community and members of Tree of Life Lutheran in Harrisburg where the Sudanese community worships. The pastor loves to spend time with church people and the entire community. As one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan, Pastor Del has amazing stories to share about his trek across Africa and his years in the refugee camps. He is very proud and grateful to now be an American citizen and is looking forward to getting to know you all.
The Rev. Beth B. Folkemer, Assistant Pastor and Grant Specialist
The Rev. Beth Bergeron Folkemer joined Union’s ministry team as Pastor of Congregational Care in November, 2019, and is excited to be part of Union’s vibrant ministries! Ordained in 1983, Pastor Folkemer has served Lutheran congregations primarily in Adams and York counties. She has served also as Chaplain for Lutheran Social Services Hospice and Home care (now SpiriTrust). Most recently, she was a pastor of Garden of Grace Community of Churches, four congregations located in Hampton, New Chester, and the York Springs area.
Pastor Beth is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (MDiv and STM), and Clinical Pastoral Education at Williamsport Hospital and York Hospital. A native of Jeannette, PA, she and her husband, The Rev. Dr. Stephen Folkemer, lived in Gettysburg until moving to York in January 2018.
She loves to spend time with her family! She and Stephen have three adult children, two grandchildren, and two large dogs. She plays guitar and Appalachian dulcimer and sings Celtic and American folk music, as well as choral music, in bands and choirs. Hobbies include gardening, crafts, and cross stitch.
Email: [email protected]
Pastor Beth is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (MDiv and STM), and Clinical Pastoral Education at Williamsport Hospital and York Hospital. A native of Jeannette, PA, she and her husband, The Rev. Dr. Stephen Folkemer, lived in Gettysburg until moving to York in January 2018.
She loves to spend time with her family! She and Stephen have three adult children, two grandchildren, and two large dogs. She plays guitar and Appalachian dulcimer and sings Celtic and American folk music, as well as choral music, in bands and choirs. Hobbies include gardening, crafts, and cross stitch.
Email: [email protected]
Matthew Wensel, Director of Music Ministries
Matthew Wensel is the Director of Music Ministries at Union Lutheran Church. He is responsible for leading music in worship & coordinating the music ministries of the church. He is also an active member of the children's ministry team which focuses on using music as a tool for mission and outreach.
In addition to his ministry at Union, Matthew is an Elementary School Principal in the West Shore School District. He holds several degrees from Lebanon Valley College: Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music (organ concentration), & Master of Music Education.
Matthew lives in York with his wife Amy & his daughters Sophie & Madeline.
Email: [email protected]
In addition to his ministry at Union, Matthew is an Elementary School Principal in the West Shore School District. He holds several degrees from Lebanon Valley College: Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music (organ concentration), & Master of Music Education.
Matthew lives in York with his wife Amy & his daughters Sophie & Madeline.
Email: [email protected]
Selena Generett, Parish Administrator
Selena is the Parish Administrator at Union Lutheran Church. She manages the building, scheduling, and she provides administrative assistance to the Pastor, congregation ministries, and day-to-day clerical functions. Selena is retired from the School District of the City of York and currently works with the York City Community Development Office as a Community Ecosystem Coordinator.
In her spare time, she loves spending time with family, volunteering, and crafting.
Email: [email protected]
In her spare time, she loves spending time with family, volunteering, and crafting.
Email: [email protected]
Britany Mundis, Parish Administrator
Brittany is an administrator at Union Lutheran Church who assists at both the West and East church campus. She enjoys spending time with her children, crafting, and the outdoors.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Childcare - currently vacant
Jayme Brown, Sexton
Photo by Daniella Heminghaus
Jayme is the weekend sexton at Union. Jayme also volunteers for the Friends and Neighbors Beacon daytime drop in center.
Brett Kauffman, Sexton
Brett is the daytime sexton at Union. Born and raised in York he was baptized here at Union where his family attended. He enjoys art, music, and watching documentaries. In his spare time, he plays in a billiards league.
