Pastors and Staff
The Rev. Joel Folkemer, 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: pastorfolkemer@gmail.com
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: pastorfolkemer@gmail.com
The Rev. Jonah Davis, Pastor for Children, Youth, & Fellowship and
LGBTQIA+ Ministries
Pastor Jonah is a 2021 graduate of United Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. He is a transgender man and part of the LGBTQIA+ community. He enjoys Eco-Theology, as well as LGBTQIA+ and Youth Ministries. Innovation and creativity fuel Pastor Jonah’s approach to ministry. He believes we are called to be the Body of Christ together, in order to be beacons of God’s love in the world.
Pastor Jonah has lived in four states and three countries, but now resides in Lancaster, PA. He is currently engaged to Stephanie and will be a bonus parent to two young children. Marty, the brown tabby cat, enjoys helping him prepare sermons and explore ministry endeavors on a regular basis.
Email: jonahsdavis@outlook.com
LGBTQIA+ Ministries
Pastor Jonah is a 2021 graduate of United Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. He is a transgender man and part of the LGBTQIA+ community. He enjoys Eco-Theology, as well as LGBTQIA+ and Youth Ministries. Innovation and creativity fuel Pastor Jonah’s approach to ministry. He believes we are called to be the Body of Christ together, in order to be beacons of God’s love in the world.
Pastor Jonah has lived in four states and three countries, but now resides in Lancaster, PA. He is currently engaged to Stephanie and will be a bonus parent to two young children. Marty, the brown tabby cat, enjoys helping him prepare sermons and explore ministry endeavors on a regular basis.
Email: jonahsdavis@outlook.com
The Rev. Beth B. Folkemer, Pastor for Congregational Care
The Rev. Beth Bergeron Folkemer joined Union’s ministry team as Pastor of Congregational Care in November, 2019. She 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: beth.folkemer@gmail.com
The Rev. Beth Bergeron Folkemer joined Union’s ministry team as Pastor of Congregational Care in November, 2019. She 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: beth.folkemer@gmail.com
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 and coordinating the music ministries of the church. He is also an active member of the children's ministry team. His ministry focus is using music as a tool for mission and outreach.
In addition to his ministry at Union, Matthew is a music teacher in the Conewago Valley School District in New Oxford, PA. He holds several degrees from Lebanon Valley College: Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music (organ concentration), and Master of Music Education.
Matthew lives in York with his wife Amy and his daughters Sophie and Madeline.
Email: matthewwensel@gmail.com
In addition to his ministry at Union, Matthew is a music teacher in the Conewago Valley School District in New Oxford, PA. He holds several degrees from Lebanon Valley College: Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music (organ concentration), and Master of Music Education.
Matthew lives in York with his wife Amy and his daughters Sophie and Madeline.
Email: matthewwensel@gmail.com
Selena Generett, Parish Administrator
Selena is the Parish Administrator at Union Lutheran Church. She manages the building and schedule. She also 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: unionlutheran@outlook.com
Selena is the Parish Administrator at Union Lutheran Church. She manages the building and schedule. She also 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: unionlutheran@outlook.com
Childcare - currently vacant
Sonny Banks, Sexton
Sonny was born and raised in York city. He attended high school there as well. He finished higher learning to go into business where he has found success. Sonny saw how the community was missing key support areas, and so he created The Movement to fill-in gaps for the community. Today it is a nonprofit and it empowers our community.
Brett Kauffman, Sexton
