Lauren Eanes
Senior Pastor
Pastor Lauren Eanes was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!) After graduating from Valparaiso University, Lauren served with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Wilmington, DE, then headed off to seminary at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. She served Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, MI and Peace Lutheran Church in Charlottesville, VA before arriving at Muhlenberg in January 2019. Pastor Lauren is married to Nathan, and their blended family includes Keira, Brendan, Donovan, and Ana, as well as their four crazy cats. Email Pastor Lauren at [email protected]
Senior Pastor
Pastor Lauren Eanes was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!) After graduating from Valparaiso University, Lauren served with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Wilmington, DE, then headed off to seminary at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. She served Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, MI and Peace Lutheran Church in Charlottesville, VA before arriving at Muhlenberg in January 2019. Pastor Lauren is married to Nathan, and their blended family includes Keira, Brendan, Donovan, and Ana, as well as their four crazy cats. Email Pastor Lauren at [email protected]
Alex Zuber
Associate Pastor
Pastor Alex Zuber is a proud 2013 graduate of James Madison University. He enrolled at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2014, pioneering a Co-Op M.Div. program. He served the Stony Man Parish (Beth Eden & Grace Lutheran) in Luray for 4 years as Vicar then Pastor, later serving as Interim Pastor at Good Shepherd, Lexington. He was called to Muhlenberg in June 2019. Pastor Alex is married to Renna, and loves being a #GirlDad to Nadia. He enjoys reading, movies, chasing sunsets, and spoiling his dogs (Arya and Finn) and cat (Toothless). He is a self-described “huge nerd” with a deep passion for Marvel, Star Wars, and every sport under the sun. Email Pastor Alex at [email protected]
Associate Pastor
Pastor Alex Zuber is a proud 2013 graduate of James Madison University. He enrolled at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2014, pioneering a Co-Op M.Div. program. He served the Stony Man Parish (Beth Eden & Grace Lutheran) in Luray for 4 years as Vicar then Pastor, later serving as Interim Pastor at Good Shepherd, Lexington. He was called to Muhlenberg in June 2019. Pastor Alex is married to Renna, and loves being a #GirlDad to Nadia. He enjoys reading, movies, chasing sunsets, and spoiling his dogs (Arya and Finn) and cat (Toothless). He is a self-described “huge nerd” with a deep passion for Marvel, Star Wars, and every sport under the sun. Email Pastor Alex at [email protected]
Linda Depoy
Parish Administrator
Linda has been on our staff since 2002. She brings wonderful skill and experience and helps our congregation and staff stay organized and healthy. She can respond to most questions and schedules appointments for the pastors among many other responsibilities. Feel free to contact her at 540-434-3496 or [email protected]
Parish Administrator
Linda has been on our staff since 2002. She brings wonderful skill and experience and helps our congregation and staff stay organized and healthy. She can respond to most questions and schedules appointments for the pastors among many other responsibilities. Feel free to contact her at 540-434-3496 or [email protected]
Matthew O. Thomas
Music Minister
Matt is thrilled to be the newly appointed minister of music at Muhlenberg! He holds a Bachelors of Music in piano performance from Belmont University (Nashville, TN), a double concentration Masters in organ performance and music composition from Hunter College, New York City, and artist diplomas from the Russian Academy of Music (Moscow), where he studied piano and Russian language, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, where he studied Musical Theatre Performance. Matt has an extensive background in church music, having served most recently as Minister of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown, Massachusetts and St. John’s Lutheran in Mamaroneck, New York. In addition to being a gifted pianist, organist, composer and music educator, Matt is a skilled choral conductor, and was the Artistic Director for the Berkshire Concert Choir and served as Dean of the Berkshire Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Matt loves animals and hopes to become a cat dad in the near future. Other interest include good conversation, movies, theatre, museums, exploring the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, the “night sky” app on his phone and copious amounts of iced coffee. Matt can be reached at [email protected].
Music Minister
Matt is thrilled to be the newly appointed minister of music at Muhlenberg! He holds a Bachelors of Music in piano performance from Belmont University (Nashville, TN), a double concentration Masters in organ performance and music composition from Hunter College, New York City, and artist diplomas from the Russian Academy of Music (Moscow), where he studied piano and Russian language, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, where he studied Musical Theatre Performance. Matt has an extensive background in church music, having served most recently as Minister of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown, Massachusetts and St. John’s Lutheran in Mamaroneck, New York. In addition to being a gifted pianist, organist, composer and music educator, Matt is a skilled choral conductor, and was the Artistic Director for the Berkshire Concert Choir and served as Dean of the Berkshire Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Matt loves animals and hopes to become a cat dad in the near future. Other interest include good conversation, movies, theatre, museums, exploring the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, the “night sky” app on his phone and copious amounts of iced coffee. Matt can be reached at [email protected].
Ashley Saunders
Children's Minister
Ashley Saunders brings 20 years experience in early childhood education to the role of Children’s Minister. She grew up in a non-denominational church in the midwest and moved to VA after marrying her husband in 2003. She has three children and three cats. Her family has been attending Muhlenberg Lutheran for the last four years. When she’s not working, Ashley enjoys trying new foods and watching The Great British Baking Show. Email Ashley at [email protected]
Children's Minister
Ashley Saunders brings 20 years experience in early childhood education to the role of Children’s Minister. She grew up in a non-denominational church in the midwest and moved to VA after marrying her husband in 2003. She has three children and three cats. Her family has been attending Muhlenberg Lutheran for the last four years. When she’s not working, Ashley enjoys trying new foods and watching The Great British Baking Show. Email Ashley at [email protected]
Linlin Uta
Music Ministry Accompanist
Linlin has served as our Music Ministry Accompanist for four years, and has brought her incredible musical skill and sunny demeanor to us throughout that time. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance, Pedagogy and Literature at James Madison University, and serves as adjunct faculty at James Madison University as well as the chair of music theory for Harrisonburg Music Teachers Association. Linlin be reached at [email protected]
Music Ministry Accompanist
Linlin has served as our Music Ministry Accompanist for four years, and has brought her incredible musical skill and sunny demeanor to us throughout that time. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance, Pedagogy and Literature at James Madison University, and serves as adjunct faculty at James Madison University as well as the chair of music theory for Harrisonburg Music Teachers Association. Linlin be reached at [email protected]
Christian Perritt
Communication Minister
Christian came to Muhlenberg in 2020 and brings a great deal of communications and brand management experience. Christian can be reached at 540-434-3496 or [email protected]
Communication Minister
Christian came to Muhlenberg in 2020 and brings a great deal of communications and brand management experience. Christian can be reached at 540-434-3496 or [email protected]
Jane Eanes
Finance Manager
Jane has lived in Harrisonburg since 2011 and couldn't imagine a better place to live. She is a church member at Park View Mennonite Church, where she served as Finance Manager since January of 2012. Jane is married to Russ and they have 4 sons, 2 daughters, and 7 lovely grandchildren (5 in Harrisonburg!). When not at work at Muhlenberg, Jane loves to garden, quilt, and take long walks. Additionally, Jane is also a professional birth doula. Email Jane at [email protected]
Finance Manager
Jane has lived in Harrisonburg since 2011 and couldn't imagine a better place to live. She is a church member at Park View Mennonite Church, where she served as Finance Manager since January of 2012. Jane is married to Russ and they have 4 sons, 2 daughters, and 7 lovely grandchildren (5 in Harrisonburg!). When not at work at Muhlenberg, Jane loves to garden, quilt, and take long walks. Additionally, Jane is also a professional birth doula. Email Jane at [email protected]
Brittany Rose
Nursery Coordinator
Brittany is originally from Sallis, Mississippi and currently lives in Harrisonburg, VA. She will be graduating in December 2023 from Bridgewater College with a double major in Non-Licensure Elementary Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Family Life Education.
Nursery Coordinator
Brittany is originally from Sallis, Mississippi and currently lives in Harrisonburg, VA. She will be graduating in December 2023 from Bridgewater College with a double major in Non-Licensure Elementary Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Family Life Education.
Jeff Williams
Sexton
Jeff is a retired Marine. Since his Marine Corps retirement, he has accepted challenges in a variety of fields to include High School Teacher, Retirement Advisor, Insurance Sales, and Logistics Management. Jeff relocated to the Shenandoah Valley in 2013. Here he has found several joys as an active Real Estate Agent, Sexton for Muhlenberg, and traveling with his wife Elizabeth. Email Jeff at [email protected]
Sexton
Jeff is a retired Marine. Since his Marine Corps retirement, he has accepted challenges in a variety of fields to include High School Teacher, Retirement Advisor, Insurance Sales, and Logistics Management. Jeff relocated to the Shenandoah Valley in 2013. Here he has found several joys as an active Real Estate Agent, Sexton for Muhlenberg, and traveling with his wife Elizabeth. Email Jeff at [email protected]
Jim Doyle
Evening Sexton
Jim was born and raised in Holliston Massachusetts, where he started working in the poultry industry on a local farm at the “ripe old age” of 13. After graduating from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, he started migrating south, working in the poultry industry. He moved to Virginia in 2000 and currently works during the day for Pilgrim’s Pride as a Flock Supervisor. It was in 2000 that Jim started attending Muhlenberg and, in the fall of 2015, started working as the Evening Sexton. In his spare time, Jim enjoys time at home with his cat, Shadow, spending time with his son, Shane, and his family (daughter-in law Abbe, granddaughters Lilly and Raelynn), and traveling. “More importantly,” Jim says, “I enjoy routing for the Boston Sports teams and JMU football.”
Evening Sexton
Jim was born and raised in Holliston Massachusetts, where he started working in the poultry industry on a local farm at the “ripe old age” of 13. After graduating from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, he started migrating south, working in the poultry industry. He moved to Virginia in 2000 and currently works during the day for Pilgrim’s Pride as a Flock Supervisor. It was in 2000 that Jim started attending Muhlenberg and, in the fall of 2015, started working as the Evening Sexton. In his spare time, Jim enjoys time at home with his cat, Shadow, spending time with his son, Shane, and his family (daughter-in law Abbe, granddaughters Lilly and Raelynn), and traveling. “More importantly,” Jim says, “I enjoy routing for the Boston Sports teams and JMU football.”
Bo Pedersen
Evening Sexton
Bo has lived in Harrisonburg since 2010, when he joined Rosetta Stone Labs. He is originally from Varde, Denmark, and was baptized in the 800-year-old St Jacobi Church (Lutheran, like most churches in Denmark). His wife is an Operating Room nurse at RMH. His son, who attended pre-k at Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center, is growing too fast and is now starting at Skyline Middle School. Bo is a bit of a geek and likes to tinker with computers, electronics, beer brewing, or do fun science experiments with his boy. Occasionally you can find him playing jazzy tunes with his band Motorsofa at one of the local breweries.
Evening Sexton
Bo has lived in Harrisonburg since 2010, when he joined Rosetta Stone Labs. He is originally from Varde, Denmark, and was baptized in the 800-year-old St Jacobi Church (Lutheran, like most churches in Denmark). His wife is an Operating Room nurse at RMH. His son, who attended pre-k at Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center, is growing too fast and is now starting at Skyline Middle School. Bo is a bit of a geek and likes to tinker with computers, electronics, beer brewing, or do fun science experiments with his boy. Occasionally you can find him playing jazzy tunes with his band Motorsofa at one of the local breweries.
Kath Wissinger
Handbell Director
Handbell Director
