Staff

Rev. Jeff Browning

Pastor

Pastor Browning was born in West Chester, PA and spent much of his life in the Philadelphia area. He eventually found his way to the other coast, attending Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA where he graduated with his BA in history in 1999. The following summer he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and, in the third year of his academic program, served as a Vicar at Faith Lutheran Church in Vista, CA.

Pastor Browning graduated from the Seminary with his Master’s in Divinity in 2003. He first came to Long Island that summer to serve as Resurrection’s Associate Pastor. He worked with all age groups, in all areas of Resurrection’s ministries, for five eventful years. Over that time, he discovered a particular passion for teaching the Bible. In the summer of 2008, Pastor Browning accepted the call to serve as Resurrection’s Lead Pastor.

Justin Vetrano

Vicar

Mr. Nathan Erb

Director of Christian Education (Youth and Children’s Ministries)

Phone: 516-746-4426
Email: n.erb@resgc.org

Nathan Erb was born and raised in Edwardsville, IL. He attended Lutheran schools from Preschool to College. While at Concordia University, in River Forest, IL, (near Chicago) he earned a Bachelors Degree in Theology, with a study emphasis on Youth Ministry; and was Commissioned into the Ministry as a Director of Christian Education.

He and his wife Elisabeth were married and were sent by God out of the Midwest to Gainesville, FL where he completed a one year internship at Abiding Savior Lutheran.

In 2002 Nathan and Elisabeth ventured north to New York, where he served as the Youth Minister for Trinity Lutheran in Hicksville for two years. Elisabeth began serving Resurrection at that time as their Music Assistant. Nathan then served the Lord as an Interim Minister at Trinity in New Hyde Park for one year until in 2005, he received the Call from Resurrection to be their DCE (Youth and Children Ministry).

Mr. Edward J. Dettling Jr.

Director of Music

Mr. Ed Dettling was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Bellerose, NY. He attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in Church Music. While at Seward, Mr. Dettling was privileged to sing in the A Cappella Choir under the direction of Paul Rosel and study organ with Charles Ore. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

Mr. Dettling began the study of the organ while in high school at his home congregation, Grace Lutheran Church, Queens Village, NY, under the direction of Nathan Eickmann. Upon graduation from college, he served congregations in Janesville, MN and Glendale, NY as teacher, organist and choir director. Before coming to the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, he served several Lutheran congregations in Queens and Nassau Counties as part-time organist and choir director.

Mr. Dettling currently serves as Director of Graduate Admissions at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University. He is blessed to be married to his wife, Marie, and the father of his two children, Stephen and Lisa.

Mrs. Elisabeth Erb

Assistant Director of Music

Elisabeth Erb was born in Orlando, Florida and was raised in Illinois. She graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, IL with a Degree in Music.

Elisabeth began working at Resurrection in 2002 as the Assistant Director of Music. She currently leads the Saturday Worship Band, Cherub Choir, Joyful Praise Choir, and New Song. She also teaches piano lessons through the Resurrection Music Institute.

Mrs. Linda Wardley

Minister of Christian Care

Linda Wardley was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Bellerose, NY. She grew up attending Grace Lutheran Church in Queens Village, NY, and graduated from its day school. She then went on to Martin Luther High School in Maspeth, NY. Her nursing education took place at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, New York, NY.

After graduation, Linda worked at St. Luke's Hospital in various capacities for five years. At that time, she married Lloyd Wardley and moved from New York City to Franklin Square. Their four children soon arrived—Douglas, Heather, Daniel, and Allison. While the children were growing up, Linda worked part time as a nurse at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. She also began working at Resurrection Lutheran Preschool as music teacher—a position which she has now held for 20 years. Her most recent nursing position has been working in a local dermatology practice.

Several years ago, Linda read an article describing the work of a parish nurse. She became interested in this type of nursing which addresses not just the physical, but also the spiritual being. Through Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, Linda completed a distance learning course in parish nursing. She was installed as Resurrection's parish nurse in November, 2007.

Ms. Ginny DeMille

Minister of Christian Outreach

Ginny DeMille was born and raised in Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. and M.S. in English Education. After teaching high school English and Spanish for several years, a move to Pittsburgh brought about a career move to public relations, where she eventually became Director of Public Relations for a major advertising agency.

In 1984, Ginny moved to Long Island, opened her own PR company, worked as an editor, and subsequently became a business partner in The Olive Branch Christian bookstore. She currently serves as managing editor and contributing writer for a regional magazine.

Her son, Ryan, lives in Sunnyside, Queens.

Mrs. Christine Turner

Director of the Lutheran Preschool

Christine Turner was born and raised in Queens, New York. She graduated from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York with a B.S. and M.S. in Elementary Education (Concentration in Early Childhood). She has taught both elementary and Nursery and Pre-K classes since 1987. Chris presently serves as the Director to the Preschool here at Resurrection. During this time she completed 21 credits from C.W. Post College towards and advanced degree in administration and supervision. Christine is a member of Lutheran Schools Association, Directors Group and the Nassau County Early Childhood Association.

Christine is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Williston Park with her husband, Charles. She has a son Craig and his wife, Elizabeth, who reside in Farmingdale. She also has a daughter Cara.

Currently Christine is Vice-President of the Herricks Board of Education which she has served on for 16 years. She has been active and served on numerous educational committees in the State, County and District. She was recognized by the Herricks P.T.A. with both the Jenkins and Distinguished Service Award.

Mrs. Janice Waters

Director of Mommy and Me

Janice Waters was born and raised on Long Island and is a graduate of Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville. Janice is a member of Resurrection and has served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Sunday School Superintendent. She was a teacher at the Lutheran Preschool until deciding to study Early Childhood Education at the Sate University of Farmingdale. Janice became part of the Mommy and Me program in 1993 and has been serving as Director of the Program and lead teacher since 1995. Janice also teaches Mommy and Me and a Three-year old class as a nearby Christian Preschool.

Janice lives in Carle Place with her loving husband. She has two grown children, her son lives in Georgia and her daughter and son-in-law live in Amityville.

Mrs. Joan Altman

Office Manager

Joan Altman was born and raised on Long Island. She considers The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection her home away from home as she was baptized, confirmed and married there. In addition, she graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

After raising her two children, Mrs. Altman decided to return to the work field beginning as an assistant in our Mommy and Me program. Eight fulfilling years later, she serves in our church office, full time, as Office Manager.

Mrs. Altman is blessed to be married to her husband, Michael, and a mother of two delightful girls, Paula and Sandra.

Mrs. Marion Legler

Office Assistant

Marion Legler was born and raised in Rego Park, Queens, New York. She was married in 1956 to her husband Tom who was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Middle Village. Marion currently resides in New Hyde Park.

It was in her elder years that Marion completed the two years of education and two years of internship in the deaconate program and in 1997 was set apart as a Deacon in the Metropolitan Synod of the ELCA. In 2003 she was installed as deacon in The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Garden City, Atlantic District Missouri Synod.

She had served as Administrative Assistant at Nassau Lutheran School for 10 years, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for three years and as Executive Assistant and Sr. Program Assistant for Literacy Nassau, formally known as Literacy Volunteers of America, for five years.

Marion is truly blessed with four daughters and 11 grandchildren, 9 of them are members of Resurrection, Garden City.

Mr. Pat Sabella

Facilities Coordinator

Pat Sabella was born in the East New York section of Brooklyn. He graduated Sewanhaka High School and went on to earn his BS degree in Business Marketing from New York Institute of Technology. Pat served as a Sergeant in the United States Army during Vietnam and recently retired from the Nassau County Sheriffs Office where he served as a Sheriff’s Investigator for 25 years.

Rev. William J. Meyer

Pastor Emeritus

Pastor Meyer was born in New York City and raised in Yonkers, NY. After graduating from Concordia Junior College (Bronxville, NY), he completed undergraduate studies at Concordia Senior College (Ft. Wayne, IN) and then received his theological training at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, MO).

Upon graduating from the seminary in 1963, Pastor Meyer accepted a Call to serve as Mission Developer in Columbia, SC for the Southeastern District (LCMS). This ministry resulted in the establishment of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit where he served as its first pastor. In 1970, he accepted a Call to Emanuel Lutheran Church in Patchogue, NY where he served until 1981. In the spring of that year, he accepted the Call to the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Garden City, NY where he served until his retirement in 2002.

Throughout his ministry he provided service beyond the congregation as Circuit Counselor, Chair of the Atlantic District Board of Directors, District Vice-President, Chair of Spiritual Life for Wartburg Lutheran Services (Brooklyn) and as a member of Synod’s “Reconcilers” team.

In 1962 he married Marie L. Otten and their marriage has been blessed with four children (Kathryn, Sharon, Tara and Michael), two son-in-laws (Jon and Tim), a daughter-in-law (Kathryn), and six grandchildren.

Upon retiring in 2002, the Meyer’s moved to Bethel, CT. Pastor enjoys hiking and tennis and assists Marie in the care of her flower gardens.