Meet Our Ministry Team
We’d love for you to get to know the dedicated people who lead our church and support us in ministry. They are passionate about serving residents of the local community, surrounding areas and beyond for the glory of God. They welcome hearing from you, should you want to learn more about the specific area of ministry they lead.
Matthew Querns
Pastor
Greetings and thank you for taking the time to get to know us as a church and our ministry team more formally. In the 38 years I have lived, my story has been about moving, meeting new people, and seeing the vastness of God’s creation. As a child, my father was in the military, so we traveled the country from Boston, to Orlando, to Albuquerque, to Dayton, as a young adult, I traveled the world from Iceland to China and back, and now as I pastor, I have come to rest in a new town, a new setting, and a new church family. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us here as a family of faith in Yorktown as we share God unending love with those we meets.
Who is Pastor Matthew?
I am an outgoing explorer who loves people and truly believes we serve a God of love. I enjoy hiking, camping, and road trips- just call me Jack Kerouac- the open road is my happy place. I have visited 49 out of 50 states and 12 countries; I have many more to go. There is nothing like watching as the land go from mountains and hills, to plains and prairie, to the Rockies and then the sea. The best part: at each location, I met unique people on similar journeys, asking questions, and trying to figure out this thing called life. I have been welcomed into many stories, and I am loving the new ones that I am learning as I have settled in Yorktown.
Here in Yorktown, the story continues, and I look forward to meeting more new people and hearing what they bring to the table. Whether it was my school years in Ohio, college at Hanover College in Indiana, or getting my M.Div. at Princeton, I have come to learn that life twists and lives change; yet, God never does. God is our constant source of affirmation and grace that binds us by one love. Want to know more, just ask! Until then: Go Cubs, I love chocolate, Once Upon a Time is my favorite show, blue is my favorite color, and I keep my Christmas decoration up for at least four months – come have some cocoa. That is commitment and passion, and this is me!
Karen Longwell
Director of Music Ministry
With 40 years in the performing arts and 13 years working in liturgical music, she is excited to take the helm of YUMC’s music endeavors. Karen’s Bachelor’s degree in theater and music has prepared her to meet the challenges of this diverse worshipping community at YUMC.
She has performed on Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Radio City, and concert halls across this country, in operas, Broadway shows, and concerts; always gaining insight into what captures a listener’s heart and mind. Clearly good quality music is paramount, but also a relevant message. After a lifetime of piano-playing Karen learned the organ, studying with Lana Kollath, and now is the Secretary for the American Guild of Organists (Westchester).
Karen’s teaching background has prepared her to address the formative needs of children: She has taught voice and piano ever since she substituted for her own voice teacher; her 8 years working in summer camps taught Karen how to write plays based on the children’s suggestions. She spent 8 years as Music Director of St. Columbanus and doubled their music program while also embracing Gregorian chant in Latin. During her tenure with Panas High School, she worked with the drama club doing almost 20 Broadway-style shows. Karen shares, “music is a transformative experience for isolated or marginalized teens, giving them self-expression at a time when they need it most.”
With 8 months of exciting music under Karen’s belt here, according to her, “I’m ready to shape the future of this spirited group called YUMC!” We are thrilled to have Karen lead the music ministry at YUMC.
Nathalie “Nan” Ernst
Director, YUMC Prayer Ministry
Nan has been trained and is dedicated to praying with those in need of healing in the physical, emotional, and spiritual areas of their lives for over 15 years. Her passion is to serve the Lord through everything she does. Nan leads YUMC Prayer & Healing Ministry offering:
- Two dedicated monthly services. If you are interested in participating in the monthly Healing & Prayer Service or the Soaking Prayer ministry, please contact us.
- Individual personal prayer appointments can be setup by Nan with trained members of YUMC Prayer Team. Click here to leave a prayer appointment request for our Prayer Ministry team.
For individuals seeking training and equipping, a School of Healing Prayer program is offered annually. Contact Us, if you would like more information about this program.