Staff

 

Rev. James Haas, Senior Pastor

I have a hard time believing that I’ve been here at Wayside for nearly ten years; the time has flown by.  It amazes me that everything remains so fresh and new and challenging, but that I think is a tribute to the spirit of this great place and the openness to God’s leading that is so evident throughout this congregation.  It is an exciting place to be.

My wife Karen teaches in the Erie School District and is very involved in lots of activities here at the church.  We just sent our oldest daughter off for her first year of college.  Katie is a freshman at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.  Hannah, our middle child, is now in the 11th grade at McDowell Senior High School and Emma, our youngest, is an 8th grader and in her final year at Westlake Middle School.  Over the years Wayside has become very much of a church family for all of us.
Rev. Keith D. Sundberg Associate Pastor
 
When I arrived at Wayside eight years ago, our youngest daughter was still in high school, now all three of our children are out of college and our oldest is married. Katherine Elizabeth Potocki (Katie we call her), our first grandchild, arrived on February 26, 2008. I am training myself how to be called “Granddad.” (It is hard when you are so young!) Every year there seems to be new things to learn about myself, the church, and the people I love. Life never seems to stand still.
 
That is one of the reasons I am glad to be here at the church. Our community is an engaging group of adults, teenagers, and children seeking to learn and grow in their faith as the world around them changes. It is a very exciting place to serve and to nurture all the families of the congregation including my own. 
 
My wife Barb is the internal accountant and office manager for Connor, Riley, Friedman, and Weichler Law Firm. She is an avid golfer and regularly beats me. Karen and Andy are enjoying being parents. Andy teaches science at Corry High School and Karen has found ways to stay home by writing textbooks and tutoring. David is a high school math teacher in Boston. His side line is coaching football and the ninth grade girl’s basketball team in Wilmington, Mass. Jill is a graduate of Penn State and worked this past year as a TSS for the Achievement Center. Her aspiration is to return to school and secure her teacher’s certificate. She will be an assistant women’s basketball coach at Northwest High School this year.
 
As for Katie, she spends her day being cute. If you are wondering “how cute” simply ask to see my pictures or I can email them to you. Albums are on the table in my office next to the candy. Stop by any time. Peace be to you and all those you love.
 
.Dawn Weborg, Director of Music
I am in my 4th year as Music Director here at Wayside.  My husband Bill and I, have lived in Erie for 34 years.  I have one son Lars who is gradudated from Bucknell University and is working in Chicago.  I recently completed my 34th year of teaching at  Fairview Middle School  where I taught music, chorus, drama  and directed the Fairview Talent Show, as well as the musicals in grades 5 through 8.   At Fairview Middle School, I was Team Leader of the Specials Team, I served on the S.T.A.R (student assistance) team as well as the K.A.T.I.E. team and the Leadership Team.  Currently I am teaching K-8 music at Luther Memorial Learning Center part time.  I graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia with graduate work at Fredonia University and Edinboro University, where I received my Masters Degree in Education.  I was the Director of Music at Immanuel Lutheran Church prior to joining Wayside.  I have been active in the Erie Playhouse, the Junior League of Erie, Westminster Housing Association and AAUW.  I am also a current member of Delta Kappa Gamma and PMEA.