Deaconess Deborah Matern Graf has served with the people of Trinity since June, 1999. Called to the ministry areas of Learning Ministries, Youth, Mission and Service, Worship leadership, and ‘other duties as assigned,’ Deborah truly finds deep joy in the day-to-day life of congregational ministry. She grew up playing in the streets of Queens Village, New York, and continues to love living and working in the city of Reading. After earning her B.A in Theology from Valparaiso University, she was consecrated as deaconess in 1990 by the Lutheran Diaconal Association and rostered as an ELCA deacon in 1994. In 2013 she concluded her studies at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania earning a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies with a Certification in Formative Spirituality. (Try saying that 10x fast!)
Deaconess Deborah has served in congregations in Gotha, Germany and Sheboygan, Wisconsin and is fluent in German, Midwestern English, and New York City dialects. For two years, she also served as a part-time Associate of the Bishop in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. She currently serves as the Co-convenor of the NEPA Synod Racial Justice Team and on the We Love annual synod day lifting up and educating about LGBTQIA+ ministry.
Deborah enjoys spending time with her family and fun friends, playing recorder with her husband, Peter, video chatting with her young adult children, traveling to new places, watching and frequently quoting movies, and dancing to alternative ’80’s music when no one is watching.
