We are dedicated to serving God.Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Delaware-Maryland Synod, St. Peter's Lutheran Church has been rooted in the Ocean City, Maryland community since our founding in 1980. Over the years, we have grown as a congregation while continuing to make room for all who seek a place to belong. We offer a variety of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth, including traditional and contemporary Sunday services, seasonal Bible study, and a wide range of ministries and outreach opportunities.
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Our VisionWe will serve every man, woman and child, welcoming and preparing them to witness Jesus' love.
Our MissionWe are saved by Grace to F.E.E.D. the physically & spiritually hungry in the world.
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St. Peters Staff |
Council Members
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The Reverend Elizabeth Wolinski
Interim Pastor, RN retired, BSN, Masters in Divinity, Certified Spiritual Director
Rejoice in the Lord always.
will say it again: Rejoice! -- Philippians 4:4 |
Pastor Bettye brings a lifelong commitment to ministry, healing, and service to her role at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She grew up attending Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and graduated from Baltimore Lutheran Junior and Senior High School. She earned a nursing degree from Union Memorial School of Nursing and later completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Towson University.
Her ministry began through extensive service in Baltimore-area churches as a Director of Christian Education, Parish Nurse, Council Leader, and Pastoral Assistant. Her work in professional nursing, especially in hospice and parish care, became the foundation for her call to ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She entered candidacy for ordained ministry in 2000 and attended Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, graduating with honors in 2007. She later pursued advanced study in Spiritual Direction with the Sisters of Bon Secours, earning certification upon completion. Pastor Bettye has served congregations across Maryland and Delaware, including Community Lutheran Church in Frankford, DE; Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD; and Grace of God Lutheran Church in Long Neck, DE. She also served as Assistant to the Bishop for the Delaware-Maryland Synod’s Eastern Region and as an interim pastor for multiple congregations during a season of transition following the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experience in nursing, seminary training, and spiritual direction equips her to guide congregations through times of growth, challenge, and change. Above all, she considers her calling shaped by her roles as a wife, mother, nurse, and pastor, all grounded in God’s grace. She is grateful to serve the people of St. Peter’s and considers this ministry a continued joy and blessing |
Keith Hall
Praise Team Leader, Masters in Divinity
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Music, worship, and ministry have been part of Keith’s life since childhood. Born in Chesapeake, Virginia, he began attending church with neighbors and joined the choir in middle school. He continued singing through high school and at Campbell University, where he earned a degree in religion, followed by a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Keith has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, worship leader, and church pastor. A lifelong musician who plays guitar and piano, he has helped develop contemporary services and lead worship teams at several churches on the Eastern Shore. Keith found St. Peter’s while looking for a church where he could once again feel at home. He joined the Praise Band and soon stepped into leadership, a role he has held for more than a decade. He hopes to continue growing the band by expanding its instrumentation and encouraging younger musicians to become involved. St. Peter’s has also become part of the next chapter in Keith’s call to ministry. He has entered the candidacy process toward ordination as a Lutheran pastor, continuing a lifelong journey of faith, worship, and service. When Keith isn't leading our congregation in praise and song, he is helps students at Stephen Decatur High School navigate college applications and financial aid. Outside of church and work, Keith enjoys life with his husband, Phil, and especially treasures time with his grandbabies. |
Elsworth Wheatley
Director of Music Ministry
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Elsworth has devoted his life to music ministry, education, and performance, bringing decades of experience and passion to his role as Director of Music at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Known for his lifelong commitment to sacred music, he enriches our services with his artistry and faithful service.
Raised in Eldorado, Maryland, Elsworth grew up in a musical family. He began formal piano study at age seven and expanded his talents to trumpet, violin, guitar, accordion, and percussion, developing a remarkable versatility as a musician. While in high school, Elsworth began teaching piano and organ lessons, continuing through college and beyond. He earned a degree in Music Education from Salisbury State College (now Salisbury University) and later continued his studies at Shenandoah University, where he earned a degree in Church Music. Elsworth has worked extensively as a pianist, organist, and choir director, performing in churches and community settings throughout the region. Elsworth has faithfully served as organist and choir director at St. Peter’s for decades. His ministry includes directing choirs, handbell ensembles, and fostering meaningful worship through music. |
Amy Morgan
Office Manager
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Amy joined the St. Peter’s team in December 2012, bringing a strong professional background in office administration, bookkeeping, and marketing. She has also served in a variety of church leadership and ministry roles, including Communications Director, Council member, Sunday School Teacher, and Youth & Teen Leader.
In addition, Amy is an active worship participant, serving as an occasional vocalist for St. Peter's services. Her experience and heart for ministry support both the daily operations and the life of the church community. |
Dave Marzola
Counsel President
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
— 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) |
With a strong background in leadership and community engagement, Dave brings a practical, collaborative approach to guide St. Peter’s into its future. Throughout his career in law enforcement and transportation security, he held positions of increasing responsibility, including Captain with the Maryland Transit Administration Police Force and senior leadership roles with the Transportation Security Administration. His experience leading teams, managing complex operations, and building consensus has prepared him well to help St. Peter’s move forward.
Since joining St. Peter’s in 2024, Dave has embraced the church’s welcoming spirit and its commitment to serving the broader community. He believes St. Peter’s has an exciting future ahead—one built on strong faith, meaningful fellowship, compassionate outreach, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities to share God’s love. Since assuming the role of Council President in June 2025, Dave has exercised commitment to working alongside the pastor, council, congregation, and community to strengthen St. Peter’s today while building a vibrant and sustainable church for generations to come. Dave and his wife, Alyce, have been married for 37 years and have two children and four grandchildren. In addition to church fellowship, he and Alyce enjoy boating, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with their family. |
Mary Lou Tietz
Counsel Vice President
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.
— Matthew 7:12 (NIV) |
For Mary Lou Tietz, St. Peter’s is much more than a church—it is a community she has loved, served, and helped build for nearly five decades. A member since the mid-1970s, Mary Lou has been active at St. Peter’s from day one, giving her time, energy, leadership, and heart to the life of the congregation. Over the years, she has served in several leadership roles, always looking for ways to contribute and help St. Peter’s thrive.
That spirit of faith in action is at the heart of who Mary Lou is. She was raised Lutheran, attended a Lutheran college, married a Lutheran, and has carried her faith throughout every chapter of her life. Her professional career was spent primarily in social services, including serving as an executive director—experiences that developed her ability to lead, listen, bring people together, and turn compassion into meaningful action. Mary Lou’s desire to share, serve, and give back is also what draws her so deeply to St. Peter’s. She sees the church not simply as a place to worship, but as a place where faith comes alive through relationships, generosity, and care for others. That calling aligns beautifully with St. Peter’s vision of being a welcoming, growing, and serving community—sharing God’s love and making a difference in the lives of others. Today, Mary Lou serves as Vice President of the St. Peter’s Church Council and as the Ministries Lead for Community Service. In both roles, she brings the same qualities that have defined her years at St. Peter’s: a strong faith, a servant’s heart, proven leadership, and a genuine desire to see others flourish. |
Susanne Howard
Counsel Secretary
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Suzanne Howard found her church home at St. Peter’s shortly after moving to Fenwick Island in 2019. From her very first worship service, she felt welcomed and knew God had led her to a place where she belonged.
Suzanne quickly became involved in the life of the church, serving with several ministries and completing two terms on the Church Council. She later accepted Pastor Harry Biles’ invitation to lead the Senior Adult Ministry (SAM), continuing its focus on faith, fellowship, and connection. As a former travel agent serving the Oak Crest Retirement Community in Baltimore, Suzanne knows that the best experiences are about more than the destination—they’re about the friendships, laughter, and memories created along the way. Today, she brings that same spirit to SAM, creating opportunities for seniors from St. Peter’s and the community to connect, explore, and enjoy life together. At the heart of Suzanne’s leadership is a simple belief: everyone is welcome. We are all God’s children, and there is a place for you here. |
Members at Large
Vonnie Brown
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Ken Corbett
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Lee Creamer
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Marcie Ermer
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Steve Kiser
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Jeanette Latzo
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Tina Palmer
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Theresa Phyle
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Charlene (Char) Vanvick
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