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The executive director of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches since August 1999, Gary L. Harke is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Yale University Divinity School . In addition to his work at the Council, he serves on the Moravian-Episcopal Dialogue and the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Formerly a staff associate for the Moravian Church–Northern Province, he provided staff services to the communion’s governing board, coordinated planning activities, carried responsibility for social justice work, and coordinated relationships with the National Council of Churches. He also served as a Director of Educational Ministries, working with congregations to enhance their Christian education programs. Prior to his work for the Moravian Church–Northern Province, he worked for the Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church as a fraternal worker in Nicaragua (working in parish ministry and theological education) and as a parish pastor in Easton , Pennsylvania.

Rev. Sandra L. Strauss
Director of Public Advocacy

The Reverend Sandra L. Strauss joined the staff of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches as its Director of Public Advocacy in April 2004. The Director of Public Advocacy is a member of the Council’s executive staff with responsibilities to inform, educate, and empower people of faith on significant public issues and to coordinate and articulate public policy positions that reflect the Council’s constituent church bodies’ commitment to peace, justice, equality and compassion for all people.

Sandy received her Master of Divinity degree in May 2003 from Lancaster Theological Seminary and was ordained into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on January 25, 2004. She also holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy Studies from the Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs, Duke University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Music from the Lindenwood Colleges (St. Charles, MO).

Immediately prior to this position, she served for several months as the Interim Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of York (PA). Prior to beginning her theological education, Sandy worked for nearly 16 years in the field of solid waste and recycling, including positions as an environmental analyst for R. W. Beck, Inc. (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania), executive director of the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, and solid waste planner and recycling coordinator for Allegheny County (PA).

Janet A. Gulick
Director of Finance and Facilities

Since 1992, Jan Gulick has served as Director of Finance and Facilities for the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. In that role, she tends the Council’s financial and business functions, manages the Pennsylvania United Church Center (a 40,000 SF office building in Lower Paxton Township), and supervises the Council’s clerical and maintenance staff.

Previous experience includes employment with The Farmers Bank and Trust Company as a loan officer and branch manager, as office manager for Lantz Manufacturing Company, and in the accounting department of Priority Systems, Inc.

Volunteer work and memberships include former member of the Business Woman’s Associations of both Lower Paxton Township and York County; serving as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia Society of Central PA; and local involvement with ladies auxiliaries and youth groups. Jan currently is a certified USA Junior Olympic Bowling Instructor coach of the youth in the Young American Bowling Alliance, serves on the Board of Directors of the Harrisburg District Bowling Association, and is a member of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association.