Wayside's 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 11^th grade at McDowell Senior High School and Emma, our youngest, is an 8^th 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 Sundberg, Associate Pastor keith.jpg (93689 bytes)

Wayside members, children, and staff make this church a wonderful place to serve. I love the energy, the creativity, and willingness to share faith in thought and service that young and old offer daily. I'm now in my seventh year as a pastor but can also count the years when I was a youthful member.

My wife, Barb, is an internal accountant and office manager for a local law firm. Our oldest daughter Karen has been married to Andy Potocki for over a year now. They are house hunting when they are not teaching math or science at their respective schools. Our son David is a 2006 graduate of University of New Hampshire and like his older sister is a math teacher. He is employed in the Wilmington School District outside of Boston, Mass. Our youngest, Jill, will graduate from Penn State in August of 2007 and will be a teacher of children with disabilities.

Laura Cramer, Administrative Assistant laura.jpg (119370 bytes)

I am in my 6th year as Administrative Assistant here at Wayside. Wayside has a very warm and family oriented atmosphere. I have three children, Samuel, 15, is in the 10th grade at Fairview High School, Luke, 12, is a 7th grader at Fairview Middle School and Gabrielle, 9, is in the 4th grade at Fairview Elementary School. I enjoy spending time with my children and keeping up with their activities. I also enjoy running, gardening and reading, when time allows.

Nancy Fye, Financial Secretary

I have worked part-time in the office for 37 years - the last 21 as Financial Secretary. My husband, Tom and I have lived in Erie for 40 years. He works at CMI EPTI. We have two daughters. Tracy is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church. We have 11 year-old twin granddaughters, Kyle and Emma, a 3-1/2 year-old grandson, Joey, and a 2 year old grandson Tyler. Our daughter Bobbi Jo is a graduate of Penn State University and works at Gannon University. We are members of Wayside and spend a lot of time here. Tom and I also enjoy bowling, golfing, cross-country skiing, camping and watching football, basketball and baseball. We also travel to Vermont frequently to spoil our grandchildren.

Leslie Weber, Director of Music

I have been at Wayside Presbyterian since November 2001in the capacity of part-time Director of Music. There is so much musical talent at Wayside! I currently direct the Sanctuary Bells and the Chancel Choir, plus organize numerous soloists throughout the church year.

I grew up in Erie and graduated from Mercyhurst Prep (when it was still all girls!). I then attended Northwestern University and majored in organ performance and sacred music. After three years there I returned to Erie and got married. My husband Dave and I have lived here in Erie for most of our married lives. He is currently an Information Technology Director at Snap-Tite, Inc., who recently relocated their offices to a beautiful location off of Robison Road in Summit Township. We have one son, Nick (20), who is currently taking a year off from college to work for AmeriCorps in Jacksonville, Florida.

I have had numerous church jobs in the Erie area over the past 25 years-both part time and full time positions. These previous church jobs included such duties as directing numerous Handbell choirs, Cherub choirs, Youth Choirs, Adult choirs and directing a mid-week Youth Club program with a staff of 20 volunteers. Towards the end of my tenure at my most recent church job, I decided to return to school for Teacher Certification. Once I received that Certification, I immediately started teaching full-time at Walnut Creek Middle School. My duties there include directing chorus class for grades 6, 7, and 8 General Music, Guitar class, Honors Choir and directing the annual musical.

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.