Our Staff

Pastor Newell W. Embley, III - pastor@zionleola.org

Sue Orth, Director of Outreach - sueo@zionleola.org

Ashley Wachter, Youth Director - ashleyw@zionleola.org

Paula McQuate, Secretary - paulam@zionleola.org

Cara Regitz, Musician - zion@zionleola.org

Forest Troyer, Janitor - zion@zionleola.org

Pastor Embley has served Zion since 1988 as pastor and was ordained as a pastor 1978. He and his wife Vicki have three grown children and two grandchildren. In reflecting on over 20 years of ministry at Zion, Pastor Embley sees Zion continuing to be a blessing to the community and beyond in living out the congregation’s mission statement: “We gather to grow; we live to serve!” 

Spiritual Bio:
My whole life God has called me to some kind of ministry. I have volunteered on Council, Outreach Committees, taught Sunday School, VBS, Bible Study, Youth and Preteen Ministries and visitation. I know God uses my life experiences to help me minister to people today.
In 1999, I left my job in the hospital for a full time position in ministry at Zion Lutheran Church.  Each day is full of God’s surprises and I trust in His presence and love.

Personal Bio:
I grew up on a dairy farm in Chester County and my parents still live in the farmhouse.
Married since 1977 to Jeffrey Orth.  Have 2 sons, Dan and David, who are both teachers, one in New Orleans and one in Maryland. No pets at this time except a baby ball python that we are ‘snake-sitting’ for Dan – his birthday present 20 years ago!!

Professional Bio:
Worked 25 years for St. Joseph Hospital (now Lancaster Regional) in the Laboratory but mostly in Blood Bank, B.S. Degree in Chemistry and Medical Technology from Elizabethtown College.  In 1999 went to Youth and Family Ministry Certification at Gettysburg Seminary and since December 1999 have been Director of Outreach for Zion Lutheran Church, Leola, PA.

Ashley has been a member of Zion Lutheran since 1994. A graduate of Conestoga Valley, she went on to earn a degree in Youth Ministry from Messiah College. She began working as Zion’s Youth Coordinator in January 2007. Ashley is in charge of three youth groups here at Zion: 1-2-3 Group (grades 1-3), Zion Lions (grades 4-6), and the Christian Youth Revolution (grades 7-12). She is also on staff for Alive Alive, the synod’s middle school fall retreat. Ashley is married to Ben and they have two cats. 

Paula has been the secretary of Zion since November 2008. Paula is married to Keith and has 3 children, Benjamin, LeighAnn, and Matthew. Working at Zion is not just a job to Paula, it is a ministry.

Cara is the musician at Zion as well as a music lesson teacher out of her home. She is the Orchestra, Chorus, and General music teacher at Edward Hand Middle School in the School District of Lancaster. Cara also plays with the New Holland band and the Bainbridge Band as a percussionist. She also plays for weddings, funerals, etc.

Carol has been a member of Zion since 1990.  She has participated in many activities such as Sunday School Teacher,  Instructor for Bible School, Praise Band Singer, Praise Choir, Cantatas, Worship Planning Committee, Assisting Ministry.  She hs also attended Lay-Ministry School at the Gettysburg Theological Seminary.  Retired from the Medical Coder and Patient Advocate she enjoys spending time with friends and family from back home, Bedford County. 

A widow with 3 grown children, and 7 grandchilden, she and her son, Brian, live in the outskirts of Lancaster. Zion has always been like home and the people have always been family, with God as the Head of the Household.