Pastor Wendy Farber
Greenfield Charge UCC — Mt. Hope UCC, Greenfield UCC & Grace UCC
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I grew up in the East Freedom/Claysburg area and have deep roots in this community. My family has lived here for generations, and the churches and people of this area have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.
A Journey Into Ministry My journey into ministry was not something I planned. In fact, if you had told the younger version of me that I would one day be preaching every Sunday, I probably would have laughed. I have always been more comfortable behind a computer than standing in front of a congregation! I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Penn State University in 1997, and for many years I was quite happy working with computers, data, and technology. But God has a way of nudging us in directions we never expected. I came to Grace UCC as a teenager, where I was baptized and confirmed and eventually became increasingly involved in the life of the church. I taught Sunday School, helped with Vacation Bible School, served as a Bible Study leader, participated in Consistory, served as treasurer for the women's group and youth group, helped with worship, and took on various behind-the-scenes jobs, including web and administrative work. Over the years, I found myself saying yes to one more thing, and then another. One of the biggest turning points came when I was asked to share my faith story. That experience caused me to think more deeply about where God might be leading me. I didn't have a grand plan for becoming a pastor. Instead, the path seemed to unfold one step at a time. |
Pastor Wendy Farber
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Then, in August 2019, everything changed.
Pastor Bob Penner, who had been serving the three churches of the Greenfield Charge UCC, passed away unexpectedly on August 1. He had been experiencing some unexpected health problems, and I had actually led worship the Sunday before his passing. August 4 was the first Sunday without him.
With the Conference Minister's permission, I continued filling in, Sunday after Sunday. What began as helping the church through a difficult time eventually became something much bigger. Within a month of Pastor Bob's passing, I began attending the Penn West Academy for Ministry in Greensburg, where I studied from September 2019 through May 2023 and received my Certificate of Successful Completion.
Pastor Bob deserves a special place in this story. He did not begin my journey into ministry—that was Pastor Mary Hendricks—but he certainly helped move it forward. He encouraged me to read Scripture, then to take on other parts of worship, and eventually to lead entire services when he was unable to do so. He was deeply loved by the people he served, and I am grateful for the ways he encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone.
I was ordained on March 2, 2025, at Grace UCC, with the support and encouragement of pastors throughout the Juniata Association, especially Pastor Mary Hendricks. On June 1, 2025, I was installed as pastor of the Greenfield Charge UCC, serving Mt. Hope, Greenfield, and Grace UCC.
Called to Serve
Today, I don't pretend to have all the answers. I believe ministry is something we continue to learn and grow into together. My hope is that when people come through the doors of our churches, they experience a genuine sense of welcome and know that I am there not to serve myself, but to serve God and God's people.
I believe faith gives us room to ask questions, to listen to one another, to laugh together, and sometimes even to admit that we don't have everything figured out. When I preach, I try to connect Scripture with real life—to consider what the biblical text meant in its context and what it might be saying to us today. Most of all, I hope we can remember Jesus' call to love one another.
One of my favorite Bible verses is also one of the shortest: “Jesus wept.” — John 11:35
I love this verse because it reminds me of the compassion of Jesus. He knew what was going to happen, yet he still wept with those who were hurting. To me, it is a beautiful reminder that faith does not mean we never hurt, cry, question, or struggle. It means that God meets us in those moments.
Beyond the Pulpit
I enjoy kayaking, reading, and listening to Audible books. My husband, Jeffrey, and I have been married since 1998, and we have two adult children who have been working in Pittsburgh. Our family also includes three cats: Windy, Jamie, and Smoky, who each have very different personalities and make sure there is never a dull moment at home.
I am grateful for the unexpected path that brought me here. I don't know exactly where God will lead next, but I am thankful to walk that path with the people of Mt. Hope, Greenfield, and Grace.
Pastor Bob Penner, who had been serving the three churches of the Greenfield Charge UCC, passed away unexpectedly on August 1. He had been experiencing some unexpected health problems, and I had actually led worship the Sunday before his passing. August 4 was the first Sunday without him.
With the Conference Minister's permission, I continued filling in, Sunday after Sunday. What began as helping the church through a difficult time eventually became something much bigger. Within a month of Pastor Bob's passing, I began attending the Penn West Academy for Ministry in Greensburg, where I studied from September 2019 through May 2023 and received my Certificate of Successful Completion.
Pastor Bob deserves a special place in this story. He did not begin my journey into ministry—that was Pastor Mary Hendricks—but he certainly helped move it forward. He encouraged me to read Scripture, then to take on other parts of worship, and eventually to lead entire services when he was unable to do so. He was deeply loved by the people he served, and I am grateful for the ways he encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone.
I was ordained on March 2, 2025, at Grace UCC, with the support and encouragement of pastors throughout the Juniata Association, especially Pastor Mary Hendricks. On June 1, 2025, I was installed as pastor of the Greenfield Charge UCC, serving Mt. Hope, Greenfield, and Grace UCC.
Called to Serve
Today, I don't pretend to have all the answers. I believe ministry is something we continue to learn and grow into together. My hope is that when people come through the doors of our churches, they experience a genuine sense of welcome and know that I am there not to serve myself, but to serve God and God's people.
I believe faith gives us room to ask questions, to listen to one another, to laugh together, and sometimes even to admit that we don't have everything figured out. When I preach, I try to connect Scripture with real life—to consider what the biblical text meant in its context and what it might be saying to us today. Most of all, I hope we can remember Jesus' call to love one another.
One of my favorite Bible verses is also one of the shortest: “Jesus wept.” — John 11:35
I love this verse because it reminds me of the compassion of Jesus. He knew what was going to happen, yet he still wept with those who were hurting. To me, it is a beautiful reminder that faith does not mean we never hurt, cry, question, or struggle. It means that God meets us in those moments.
Beyond the Pulpit
I enjoy kayaking, reading, and listening to Audible books. My husband, Jeffrey, and I have been married since 1998, and we have two adult children who have been working in Pittsburgh. Our family also includes three cats: Windy, Jamie, and Smoky, who each have very different personalities and make sure there is never a dull moment at home.
I am grateful for the unexpected path that brought me here. I don't know exactly where God will lead next, but I am thankful to walk that path with the people of Mt. Hope, Greenfield, and Grace.