Rev. Elisabeth Shelton Hartwell, Pastor (hilandpastor@gmail.com)
Elisabeth’s vocation in life is to love and help others, and since February 2018 she’s been blessed to serve as Hiland’s pastor and head of staff. She’s constantly amazed by the depth of Christ’s love, and the ways in which God’s grace weaves itself through our lives. Her particular loves as a pastor are preaching and pastoral care. She relishes the opportunity to dig deep into God’s living Word and make connections with our everyday lives and experiences, and regards it as a sacred joy to walk with her congregants through thick and thin.
Ordained as a minister of the Word and Sacrament in October 2006, Elisabeth began her ministry at First Presbyterian Church in West Chester, PA, where she served for seven years as Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care. Prior to coming to Hiland, she served for four years as solo pastor and head of staff at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Berwyn, PA. She’s a graduate of Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, where she earned a BA in psychology (and a minor in dance) and she received her MDiv from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Elisabeth engaged in further studies in Clinical Pastoral Education at the West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown, WV, where she completed a chaplain residency. She’s currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (DMin), with a focus in Christian Spirituality, at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Elisabeth’s greatest blessing in life is being mommy to her daughter and son. She loves to exercise, spend time with her family, read, and savor the great outdoors as she enjoys God’s beautiful creation.
Rebekah Little, Director of Christian Formation (hilandbekah@gmail.com)
Bekah is very excited to be here at Hiland! She has been doing youth ministry, either as a volunteer or professionally, since she was in high school all around the Pittsburgh area. In her off time, Bekah likes to watch and participate in theater, read, do crafty things, go to the movies, and be the best Aunt to her 4 nieces and nephews. She also loves to talk about all things Disney!
Michael Busija, Director of Music Ministries
With great joy, we share that we’ve welcomed our new Director of Music Ministries, Mr. Michael Busija. Michael possesses a strong faith and clear gifts for leadership, and the search committee was impressed by his engaging personality and conversational skills.
Dorothy McNaugher, Financial Secretary (dmcnaugher.hiland@gmail.com)
Dorothy was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. She grew up Lutheran and lived on a yellow brick road in Mars, PA. She married Bill (a Hiland member since 1952) at Hiland and has been a Hilander for 38 years. They have 2 daughters, 1 son and 1 grandson. She’s been a Deacon, taught Children’s Sunday School and VBS and has been involved with the Youth Group since 1987. As part of the “helping hands” kitchen crew, you can usually find her in the Fellowship Hall kitchen or the finance office (old maid’s quarters) in the Administration building.