ASUMC Leadership

Our church leaders and team members deeply care about our congregation and surrounding community. Learn more about each ASUMC team member and find their contact info below.

ASUMC Pastor

Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner

Pastor Hannah is a proudly and publicly Queer clergywoman in the United Methodist Church. Having graduated from Duke Divinity with a Masters of Divinity in 2008, she was ordained an Elder in 2012 in her home state of Pennsylvania.

A fierce advocate for justice, Pastor Hannah has served in various ministry capacities across the country: from protesting outside of the jail where Sandra Bland spent hours in custody, to working with migrants at the Arizona/Mexico border, to striving for LGBTQ+ justice in the UMC with the Queer Delegate Caucus, and to many, many more moments of brave and faithful advocacy.

Contact Pastor Hannah: hannah@archstreetumc.org

The ASUMC Ministry Team

Meet our Arch Street United Methodist Church team members.

Building Manager

Frank Jones

I enjoy being part of a team that cares for people like Arch Street and when I am not in the building making sure everything is in order I might be on a basketball court someplace around town.

Music Director

Samantha Herrman

Samantha graduated from Temple University with her B.A. in music education in 2015. After teaching music in Philadelphia charter schools for 4 years, she switched careers and now works for Penn Medicine as a Change Management Consultant. She recently earned her masters from St. Joe’s in Org Development and Leadership. Despite her career change, she keeps her love of music alive by teaching in-home music lessons to beginner piano students, and of course, her work as Music Director for ASUMC.

Samantha’s love of music is life long, and she had been singing in her home church, a United Methodist congregation in Media, PA, since she was a little girl. Samantha started her career with ASUMC as an Alto Section Leader in 2013 and has grown into her new position as Music Director over the last 10 years. While planning all music for services and leading the choir is now a part of her job, her favorite thing to do is still sing during services to help people worship through music. A good gospel song is her favorite way to move the congregation.

ASUMC Team Member

Cathy Simpson

I have been a member at Arch Street for about 20 years and was appointed Lay Leader about 10 years ago. I also serve as one of the Worship Leaders. My spare time is spent attending theater, music and dance concerts and dining at unique and interesting restaurants.

Accompanist

James Dell’Orefice

An accomplished jazz pianist in the Philadelphia area, James has worked with such luminaries as Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, Curtis Fuller, Slide Hampton, Alan Dawson, Sonny Troy, Sammy Kaye, Ray Eberle, Frankie Lester, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Lorna Luft, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Petula Clark. For many years, Jim toured with Connie Stevens as her pianist and assistant conductor. He has recorded with Bobby Rydel, Al Alberts, and many other prominent local Philadelphia musicians. His musical journey has taken him to Las Vegas, Broadway, and Atlantic City through venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Wilmington Opera House, The Philadelphia Academy of Music, and the Keswick Theatre. Among the highlights of his career are command performances for Luciano Pavarotti and President Bill Clinton.

James is an avid composer of jazz and religious music and a teacher of jazz piano and accordion. James received his B.M. in Piano Performance from The University of the Arts and his M.M. in Composition from Combs College of Music.

Director of Congregational and Community Development

Tess Feiler

Tess came to Arch Street from Lancaster County, where she had the privilege of organizing her community alongside incredible leaders in efforts such as: successfully calling for the release of peaceful protestors held on million-dollar-bail, county-wide voter registration and education, LGBTQ+, Racial, and Disability equity trainings for Lancaster businesses and organizations, POWER Interfaith campaigns around fair funding and affordable housing, and spearheading the launch of an LGBTQIA+ affirming Methodist-inspired church in York County.

They look forward to graduating in December from Widener University with two Masters Degrees: one in Social Work and another in Education/Human Sexuality Studies. In her free time, Tess enjoys listening to music, watching movies, time with their community, and good food!

Join Our Next Event

Join the next ASUMC worship or volunteer by checking out our events page!

Worship and Fellowship

Join us for worship online and in-person, Sundays at 11am. All are welcome.

Get plugged in with ASUMC

Check out our ministries, bible studies, and small group offerings.

Volunteer with us at The Center

Volunteer with our partner organization, The Center Philadelphia, and support our local community.