Our Staff

The Rev. William Weidenbach
Senior Pastor
[email protected]

440-331-2405

 

Pastor William Weidenbach holds a Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminart, St. Paul, MN. A Masters in Biblical Studies from the Tallahassee Christian College & Training Center (fka Center for Biblical Studies), Tallahassee, FL. Undergraduate degrees from Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL and SUNY Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY.

Pastor William is a second career pastor, with a background in finance and tax accounting. He expresses that it is a privilege to be married to Linda, a retired teacher and current chaplain, who share with him a love of God and service to others.

Pastor William and Linda come to Messiah from serving congregations in Tallahassee FL, St. Paul MN, Arthur ND, Sommonauk IL, Peru IL, and Canton OH. Originally from Rochester NY (Pastor William) and Chicago IL (Linda) they are both glad to call Ohio home.

The Rev. Seth Bridger
Associate Pastor
[email protected]

513-335-2882

 

Pastor Seth Bridger joined Messiah in 2017 after serving as Director of Recruiting & Admissions at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Seth and his wife, Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger, were both ordained in 2006 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. They spent time in Savannah, Georgia, before accepting a co-pastorate in Cincinnati. Pastor Seth and Shelley have two sons, Zachary and Noah.

 

Pastor Seth is passionate about Jesus, kayaking and outdoor pursuits including golf, cycling, and soccer. On his “bucket list” is hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. He enjoys family time, bagels with cream cheese, a good cup of coffee, participating in several yearly fantasy baseball and football leagues, and an occasional walleye fishing trip.

Helen Casselberry
School Principal

Helen Casselberry has served as the role of Messiah Lutheran School's principle since July 2011. Helen takes great joy in student growth, Mrs. Casselberry believes that education is a celebration of God's love for us and the talents He has invested in us. She considers education a unique ministry through which school staff may directly serve students and families while preparing them for service to God and others. She looks forward to strengthening the tradition of academic excellence and culture of Christian love established at Messiah. Helen and her husband Tim have attended Messiah Lutheran since 2007 and became members in 2008. The Casselberry's share an Olmsted Falls home with their daughter, son and their dog.

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Darlene Waugh
Administrative Manager

Executive Director of the Pierstorf College Fund

A lifelong member of Messiah, Darlene has served since 1999 as the business administrator for Messiah Church and School and manager of the Church Office. She has also worked extensively in youth ministry, with a particular focus on summer mission trips and confirmation camp. In recent years she has been serving as the Northeastern Ohio Synod's coordinator for national youth gatherings of the ELCA. Trained as an accountant, Darlene worked for Key Bank and its predecessor institutions before coming to Messiah. 

In 2020 Darlene assumed the Executive Director position for the Pierstorf College Fund, previously held by Marty Uhle for the prior 8 years. The Pierstorf College Fund is a one-of-a-kind pan Lutheran financial aid program that provides interest-free loans to all Lutherans pursuing a higher education who live in the State of Ohio. For more information, visit www.pierstorf.org.

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Pastoral Assistant

Deaconess Ruth is a child of God, a wife, mother, and deaconess. She joined Messiah community with her family in fall 2016.  In 2017 she became a Eucharist Minister and joined the staff as Pastoral Assistant with a focus on caring for the Home Bound in February of 2019. Deaconess Ruth is a member of the Lutheran Diaconal Association.  

Deaconess Ruth has been a Parish Deaconess, a Church musician, Spiritual director, and active volunteer at the North Olmsted Food Pantry and for many years a volunteer in multiple North Olmsted schools. Ruth enjoys baking, walking, and traveling. Ruth and her husband Dale have two young adult children, Signe and Luke.   

Lisa Daley
Bookkeeper

Business Manager of the Pierstorf College Fund
[email protected]

Since 2002, Lisa has worked in the Church office as Bookkeeper for both Church and school. Her love of numbers and spreadsheets assists her in serving as the Business Manager of the Pierstorf College Fund since 2003. She is the mother of four adult daughters, and grandmother of one granddaughter. Her husband, Dave, is a retired pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in Cleveland. 

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Office Assistant, Bulletins
[email protected]

Diane began working in the Church office in the spring of 2023. She creates the weekly worship bulletins for all services. A graduate of Lutheran West, Diane received her Undergraduate Degree from Ohio University and Masters Degree in Business from Baldwin Wallace University. She is working part-time in the Church Office after retiring from a career in purchasing and supply chain management. She enjoys bowling, having lunch with friends, and spending time with her two dogs, Libby and Baylee. 

Communications Manager
[email protected]

Sarah began working in the Church office as Communication Manager in the spring of 2023. She is responsible for communications both weekly and monthly in online and printed formats. As graduate of The Ohio State University, her degree and background in art and design is helpful in her role. Sarah enjoys ceramics and attends markets in the area to sell her work. She also enjoys spending time with her partner, Brandon and snuggling with their cats, Nugget, Trilby and Zoey.

Choir Director and Coordinator of Music Ministry
dzudell@messiahfp.org

Deb started her role at Messiah as "Interim Organist" and in late summer of 2023. Deb's strengths in leading choir and liturgical knowledge have helped her in her role as Choir Director and Coordinator of Music Ministry. Deb grew up as a member of Gethsemane Ev. Lutheran Church in Lakewood, and graduated from Lutheran West in 1972. She attended Valparaiso University, majoring in Church Music. After college, she traveled to multiple countries in Europe and worked in several Churches upon returning to the U.S., Deb took a position with The Cleveland Orchestra as Secretary to Music Director while also becoming the Director of Music at The Lutheran Church of the Covenant in Maple Heights. Deb taught elementary music in Strongsville for 15 years, now retired from teaching, she is enthused and gratified to be able to make church music at Messiah. Deb with her husband, Chuck, have been blessed with two children, Christopher and Maren, in addition to Chuck's two daughters and their families.

Principal Organist
mcherup@messiahfp.org

Michael serves in the role of Principal Organist, and joined Messiah staff in the spring of 2024. Michael is an experienced organist who has played for ELCA congregations for many years. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Born and raised in Delaware, Ohio, Michael got his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Capital University and his Masters of Sacred Music at East Carolina University. He now lives in Cleveland and is happy to be back in Ohio with his family. Outside of Music, Michael enjoys the outdoors, including hiking and cycling.