The Rev. Marty Jo Irvin-Stellabotte

Vacancy Pastor

The Rev. Marty Jo Irvin-Stellabotte is serving as Vacancy Pastor at First Lutheran during this time of transition. She is available for emergencies, hospital visits, weddings, and funerals, as well as individual meetings upon request. She also serves as a liaison with our Church Council.

She serves full-time as Pastor of the Geeseytown-Newry Lutheran Parish and as part-time Assistant to the Bishop for Communications.

She may be reached at pastormartyjo@gmail.com or 814-934-9941.

Barbara A. Crago

Director, TLC Childcare & School

Barbara A. Crago, TLC Director and kindergarten teacher, has been a Children’s advocate and teacher for close to forty years. Barb graduated from Pennsylvania State University in Elementary Education, then taught in the Altoona Area School District. She also owned her own baton school for twenty years.

In 1988, Barb started the TLC Childcare and School at First Lutheran. Under her watchful eye and loving spirit, TLC provides each and every child in its care nurturing support in a safe and happy environment.

Claude Fabinyi

Organist And Choir Accompanist

Claude is an Altoona native and a proud member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he has served as organist since 2014. He studied psychology, sociology, and human resources at Pennsylvania State University, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees. He is currently employed as a Compensation Analyst at Sheetz, Inc.

Claude studied piano with Dr. Christopher Guzman and organ with Dr. Mark Ferraguto. In addition to his responsibilities at First Lutheran, he also serves as the Music Director and Organist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He has held various roles in the State College Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is currently serving as Dean.

Joni Lee Whetstone

Director Of Music

Joni has been a blessing to the important music ministry here at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. She has a BME from Lee College (now University) in Cleveland, TN, and an MA in music from IUP. She has almost thirty years’ experience in public school teaching (vocal music instructor) and in teaching various music courses at Penn State Altoona. She has served as minister of music and choir director for several congregations in Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

Joni’s selfless devotion to Christian music is surpassed only by her beautiful voice.

Alison Peterson

Office/Accounts Manager

Alison is busy in the church office from 10 am-3 pm, Monday through Friday. She handles accounting/bookkeeping duties for the church and TLC Children and School.  She also prepares worship folders and weekly addendums. Other duties include managing various forms of church correspondence, such as emails, letters, phone calls, and addressing visitor and church members’ inquiries.