Unity of Palmyra Staff

We are so grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm of our staff!

Lisa Bechtel, Office Manager
I am honored to be serving the Unity of Palmyra community as its Office Manager.  In Unity of Palmyra, I have found a warm and caring group of people who are actively working to bring love and light to each other and the world.
My journey to this position began long ago when I first decided become a religion major, and then attended divinity school for a year.  I wended my way through careers as an attorney and as a licensed professional counselor and play therapist before ending up serving this church.  As Office Manager,  I have found the perfect ease-into-retirement position that brings together my detail-oriented organizational skills, my interpersonal skills, and my long-held desire to serve a spiritual community.
When I am not at the church, I spend my time with my wife and our two dogs doing all things outdoors.  I particularly love kayaking and spending time at the beach.

Janie Womack, Music Director
Born into a musical family in small-town Texas, singer/songwriter Janie Womack is a self-taught guitarist, but her first love is singing. She’s participated in a wide variety of musical projects over the years, including musical comedy, choral and ensemble work, and many different acoustic projects.  Her style is acoustic, and her delivery is straight & true.  In 2012, she released her first full-length CD of original music, “Songs in the Key of J.”  Janie donates her time and talent to fund-raising efforts for non-profit agencies, including the American Cancer Society.  After many musical adventures, Janie has settled into a duo with percussionist and vocalist Jody Echterling, who’s an amazingly talented, self-taught musician in her own right. They both feel they were born to perform together!  Janie and Jody perform at various venues around the Central PA area.  Their repertoire includes “music of many colors” including originals, blues, country, ballads, folk, Americana, and even old standards. 
 
“Music is a powerful element – it touches people at such a deep level.  It never ceases to amaze me how intensely gratifying it is to experience the energy exchange between performer and audience, and it’s true no matter what side of the footlights you’re on.  It’s my heart and soul.”

Lynnette Peterschmidt, Youth Director
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wanted to be a teacher, a ballerina and a teenager. Lynnette Peterschmidt is happy to report that she achieved two of her three goals in Life! (She never could master those five dance positions.) Lynnette grew up in Lebanon, PA. (Teenager? Check!), and got her B. S. in Elementary Education from Penn State. (Teacher? Check!) She’s taught 15 years, most of which were in the Cornwall Lebanon School District, where she currently teaches fourth grade. Lynnette also earned her Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist. After living in Seattle, WA for several years, Lynnette and her husband, Luke, returned to the Central PA area with their two young daughters in order to be closer to family. The Village has been invaluable in helping to form the characters of her children, but Lynnette always struggled finding a church home similar to the progressive one they left in Seattle. After a lot of church “shopping” over several years, Lynnette finally found Unity – the perfect fit. She is honored to be trusted with the position of Youth Director, and strives to facilitate the beautifully unique spiritual journeys of the children and youth of our church family. She lives in Lebanon with Luke, Rose (now 19,) and Kara (now 17,) and Toby the loveably naughty Bichon-Poodle (8).