Althea Albright, of Reading, is now Pastor Althea Albright of Friedens Lutheran Church, Stony Run.

Albright says she was called to be a pastor since she was in the eighth grade.

She received a Bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University and then attended Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary.

While at the seminary, she studied social work and worked in that field for six years. She enjoyed working with children while specializing in the area of foster care and adoptions

She worked at the Greater Berks Food Bank and was program coordinator for a food pantry and soup kitchens, and worked with food school programs.

Along the way she switched her area of study to earn a Master of Divinity degree. She received her degree in May 2016.

Friedens was her first call by a congregation. Albright was interviewed and preached on and off until she was invited as full-time pastor beginning on Feb. 1.

Albright wants to add a lot of energy to Friedens’ program and looks forward to getting to know everyone in the community.

Friedens is part of the Kutztown Ministerium where she wants to meet the colleagues who make up the Ministerium membership.

“I hope to work with local organizations. One of my passions is the food ministries,” she said.

She enjoys gardening and arts and crafts. One of her connections is working with Friends Inc.

During her school years, Albright enjoyed math and science and at first she wanted to major in those specialties.

Her parents are Diane and Kelvin Seidel. Her present family includes two cats, a dog and 16 guinea hens. She lives in the Oley Valley.

The thing that attracted her about Friedens is its active kids’ ministry.

The church has scheduled its Easter programs to which all are invited: Maundy Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m, worship and Holy Communion; Good Friday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., worship; Easter Sunday, April 1, 9 a.m. worship and Holy Communion, followed by an Easter egg hunt.