History of the Pastors
of the
United Church of Christ of Robesonia
The Rev. Dr. Benjamin D. Motz
Founding Pastor
August 25, 2013 - November 13, 2022 - November 30, 2024
On Sunday, August 25, 2013, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin David Motz (Pastor Ben) preached his first sermon at St. Paul’s UCC, following which the congregation called him to be their three-quarter time Pastor & Teacher.
On Sunday, November 13, 2022 the congregations of St. Paul’s UCC and Zion UCC voted to merge and to call him to be a three-quarter-time Pastor & Teacher and the Lead Pastor of Vision and Administration for the merged United Church of Christ of Robesonia.
Pastor Ben resigned to the Consistory on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 and to the congregation at the end of worship on Sunday, August 18, 2024 to be effective November 30, 2024, with his final “Service of Release” held on Sunday, November 24, 2024. For the words of his resignation, click on this Letter of Resignation link.
The Rev. Mary Etta Mest
Founding Pastor
Minister of Music
August 19, 2018 - November 13, 2022 - September 1, 2024 - Present
The Rev. Mary Etta Mest (Pastor Mary Etta or Rev. M.) was called by the congregation of Zion UCC in Womelsdorf as their half-time Pastor on Sunday, August 19, 2018.
On Sunday, November 13, 2022 the congregations of Zion UCC and St. Paul’s UCC voted to merge and to call her to be a half-time Pastor & Teacher and the Lead Pastor of Connections for the merged United Church of Christ of Robesonia.
Following the retirement of Rev. Masenheimer in August 2024, Rev. Mest also became the second Minister of Music of the United Church of Christ of Robesonia on September 1, 2024.
The Rev. Robert Masenheimer
Minister of Music - Organist & Choir Director
February 24, 2019 - November 13, 2022 - August 25, 2024
The Rev. Robert Masenheimer (Pastor Bob) began serving as the Minister of Music for St. Paul’s UCC in February 2019. In this role he served as the organist, pianist, chancel choir director, children’s choir director, and Sunday school pianist. He became the first Minister of Music of the merged United Church of Christ of Robesonia and continued in this role for the newly merged United Church of Christ of Robesonia until his retirement on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Pastor Bob was instrumental in the process of merging St. Paul’s and Zion UCC, especially when it came to bringing the choirs together, helping to form a shared worship experience, and with his gifts of pastoral guidance.
