Meet Our Staff
Pastor
Rev. James D. Robison, Jr.
Reverend James D. Robison, Jr. is a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary and was ordained on October 31, 1998 at his home church, Trinity United Church of Christ, Watsontown, PA. Prior to entering the ministry, Pastor James taught history for eight years at Warrior Run High School, his alma mater.
Pastor James has been serving of Good Shepherd since October 1, 1998 and was installed on January 24, 1999 as the third pastor of the congregation. During his time at Good Shepherd, the congregation paid off the original mortgage on the sanctuary, built a Christian Education Wing and Fellowship Hall, black topped the parking area surrounding the church, and celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary as a congregation. In addition to his regular duties of preaching, celebrating the sacraments, teaching confirmation and visiting the sick, Pastor James finds time to convene the other pastors of the United Church of Christ in the Blue Mountain Area Mission Council as well as preside as president of Guardianship Support Agency, Inc. - a not-for-profit organization serving Lehigh Counties court system and the aging population.
Pastor James lives in Allentown with Rubric, his yellow lab which he trained to be a therapy dog and Thedra, his black lab mix which he brought back from a mission trip in Mississippi following the Katrina Disaster.
Organist
Marion Straub
Marion has the distinction of being the newest member of the staff accepting the position as Good Shepherd's organist in 2000. Marion and her husband Kenneth shared their wedding vows on July 24, 1950 in a Methodist Church in Maryland and were married for ? years until his death in 2008?. They had four daughters and one son: Marion Bonser, Nancianne Metz, Mary Cancel?, Sally Getz and Kenneth Straub, Jr. Marion is a grandmother eight times over and has two great grandchildren.
Marion helps organize the Adult Sunday School Class which meets in our Sanctuary and plays for the children's choir and newly organized bell choir in addition to directing our Senior Choir. Marion's spiritual home is Blakeslee Methodist Church and holds her church membership at Evangelical Church where she had served as organist prior to coming to Good Shepherd. Marion has been playing organ since she was five years old and has served over 75 years.
Church Secretary
Debbie Silfies
Debbie was a member of St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Allentown before joining Good Shepherd United Church of Christ. She became secretary in 1992 under Reverend Willard Rabert and has continued in that capacity through the present ministry. In 2010, Debbie became Bookkeeper for the Church and has worked for two treasurers to date.
Debbie is very active in the life of the Church from participating on Christian Education to assisting with Confirmation Class to taking care of the Pastor's two labs when he's away to helping out with holiday decorating to running the Church Office.
Debbie is married to Barry [who happens to be our Church Sexton]. They are the parents of two grown children: David, still at home; and Emily who is engaged to be married on March ?, 2012 in Miami, Florida to David ?. Until those grandchildren come along, Debbie's pride and joy is her miniature dachshund, Gretchen.
Sexton
Barry Silfies
Barry was a member of Christ United Church of Christ in Bath before transferring his membership to Good Shepherd United Church of Christ on May 3, 1987. He became sexton in 1990 and has served in that capacity under two pastors, eight Sunday School Superintendents, fifteen Youth Advisers, and seven Vacation Bible School Directors.
Barry was elected deacon to Consistory holding that position from 1989 to 1992 and from 1996 until November 2001 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy as an elder and continued to serve in that capacity until 2010. As a member of the Consistory, Barry has served as Vice President (2002-2005) and as President (2006-2010). In addition to these leadership positions,
Barry has served in many areas of Church life, but most prominently as a key component to the property committee. You can see Barry grilling hot dogs or serving food or singing in the choir, or checking out the mechanical room or making a call to have the recyclables picked up.
Barry and his wife Debbie [who happens to be our Church Secretary] live in Slatington and are the parents of two grown children: David and Emily. In addition to his immediate family being members of Good Shepherd, his mother, Arlene Hennings, brother, Dennis Silfies, and sister, Lynne Silfies are also members.
