The Rev. Dr. Barry R. Folmar

Pastor

“Being called to be pastor among the people of God at First Lutheran Church is my privilege, my honor and especially my responsibility to proclaim and embody the Gospel of Jesus as I have for thirty-five years in several congregations. I have a sense that we have received inspiration from God’s Holy Spirit to be in a relationship helping one another as disciples of Jesus.” – Pastor Folmar

He is a graduate of Lock Haven University and received his Master of Divinity from The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg; a Doctor of Ministry from The Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia and a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, NE.

Pastor Folmar has served FELC since 2014.

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.

Andrew J. McMullin

Office/Accounts Manager

Andy is busy in the church office from 8am-1pm, Monday through Friday. He handles accounting/bookkeeping duties for the church and TLC Children and School. He helps set the church budget, greets visitors, handles phone calls and is the all-around go-to guy!

Alison Peterson

Staff Member

Alison is busy in the church office from 12pm-3pm, Monday through Friday. She handles accounting/bookeeping duties and 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.