Janice Lowden, Ordained Clergy
About me
I am Pastor and Head of Staff for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Landsiville, Pennsylvania.
About my company
Our mission is to be an inclusive and welcoming Lutheran church home that educates and emboldens children, youth and adults of all ages to serve God and spread His word in our local communities; guided by the Holy Spirit, nurtured by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, firm in our desire for congregational in-reach and community outreach, and strengthened by our fellowship with each other, we strive as a church family to achieve spiritual growth and maturity.
I chose this career path because
I started my career as a Special Education Teacher and wanted to extend my resources into the parish. My love for people, affinity of children, young adults and Elders and strong belief in justice led me to the pastoral path. It has been my calling and passion. I bring many gifts to the congregation and my approachable attitude helps make Zion a very welcoming place.
I prepared for this career by
My preparation has been a combination of formal education and life experience. I obtained a Master of Arts (M.A.), Adulthood and Aging & Healthcare Administration from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a Master of Divinity ( M. Div.), Parish Ministry from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from James Madison University. Prior to coming to Zion, my husband and I served as the ELCA Regional Representatives in Tanzania, East Africa.
The biggest challenge I've overcome
The process for women to move among congregations is longer than that of men and being heard by others can be a challenge at times.
My greatest strength(s)
I have a strong belief in the justice system and a wealth of experiences and resources to help others and strengthen the parish.
My greatest accomplishment to date
My greates accomplishment is the honor of serving as Pastor of the faith community of Zion Lutheran Church.
My personal/professional goals
My personal goal is to see the old school thought processes put to rest and to create better opportunities for community outreach.
What/Who has inspired me the most
I am inspired by the peoples' lives I touch on a daily basis and the changes I am afforded to see in the faith lives of members of the congregation through my ministry in Jesus' name.
I most want to be known/remembered for
I want to be remembered as a pastor who cared for all, showed love to all, and created a sense of unity.
I participate in the following organizations/memberships
National Association of Professional Women
I have received the following Honors/Awards/Scholarships
VIP Woman of the Year Circle for 2015-2016
I support the missions of these charities/volunteer my time
Among others, I support Habitat for Humanity, the Evangelical Lutheran Church World Hunger Appeal, and walk in the Crop Walk yearly.
I enjoy the following hobbies/interests
I enjoy exercising at the gym, reading, singing, traveling and spending time with my family and Shetland Sheepdog, Gus.