Augustus Lutheran Church

An Historic Church for Today’s People

Copyright 2024. Augustus Lutheran Church. All rights reserved.

web@augustustrappe.org

Augustus’ Staff

The Reverend G. Warren Weleck
Senior Pastor
Pastor Weleck was called to Augustus in 2010. He leads the overall mission of the parish and supervises the staff. He focuses his ministry on preaching, worship, and administration, and shares teaching and pastoral care duties with other staff members. Pastor Weleck has had a diverse academic experience. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Stevens Institute of Technology, a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and a Master of Science degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the Fox School of Business of Temple University.
 
The Reverend Thomas T. Kochenderfer
Associate and Visitation Pastor
Pastor Kochenderfer (often called Pastor K) retired from fulltime parish ministry a number of years ago and has responsibility for regularly visiting the sick and shut-in members of the parish. His ministry of Pastoral Care is much appreciated by our members. Pastor Kochenderfer is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
 

Sonya Sowards

Director of Christian Education

Sonya has worked in Christian Education for many years, both as a volunteer and as paid staff in churches in Virginia and Florida.  She was also an adjunct religion instructor at a Florida university.  Sonya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from St. Leo University and a Masters of Arts in Christian Education from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.  Sonya and her husband, The Rev. Mike Sowards, moved to Pennsylvania when he was called as Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Collegeville/Evansburg. They have a daughter who followed them to Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters, and a son in Florida who hasn't (yet) been persuaded to move his wife and children north.


Bruce W. Tonkin
Interim Director of Music/ Organist

Bruce returns to Augustus where he began his church music ministry many years ago. He received his Bachelor’s from Mansfield University and his Master’s in Music Education and Piano Performance from West Chester University. Bruce continued post graduate studies at West Chester University and Westminster Choir College. Bruce retired from the Norristown School District where he served as a Music Educator. He lives in Gilbertsville with his wife and is close with his adult daughter and her family. We are so blessed to have Bruce with us again.

Karen McClain
Parish Administrator

Karen keeps the administration of Augustus on task. She is the first person most people encounter at Augustus during the work week. Karen also maintains our Facebook page. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Ithaca College.