The congregation of the Willow Street Church (WSC) welcomed the Rev. Joel B. Hummel as its designated senior pastor on Nov. 13. Joel succeeds pastor Ron Bohannon, who resigned in October after serving 17 years at the church.

Joel was called to serve with Deb Landis, associate pastor at WSC. As designated pastor, Joel will take a leadership role at the church, while a search is conducted for a settled pastor. Joel accompanied by Nicole, his wife, at the welcoming reception.

Joel received a call to ministry in his teenage years. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school and served for eight years and again later after 9/11. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1994, and most recently, he served as the director of pastoral care at a continuing care retirement community in Hanover. Joel has also been a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, a fire company chaplain, a police officer, and a security officer.

Joel earned a doctorate from Lancaster Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law, and a Master of Divinity from Yale University.

WSC is located at 2723 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street. The weekly worship service takes place on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Services can also be accessed online. For further information, visit http://www.wsucc.com or contact the church office at 717-464-3462.