Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Meet Our Staff
The staff at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church is dedicated to supporting the ministry and aspirations of our members, friends, and the community. Together, we strive to help one another and live out our faith. We invite you to reach out to us anytime; your connection is important us.
Pastor Jennifer Heavner, M.Div.
Pastor Jenny has served at Star of Bethlehem since November 2015. Originally from Baltimore, MD, she and her husband, Brandon, graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC where they met. She holds two Master’s degrees in Divinity and Sacred Theology. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from La Salle University.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with Brandon, her nephew and niece (Quinn and Cassidy), friends, and family. An animal lover, she has a dog (Neumie), cat (Kitty), and leases a horse (Rapture). In warm weather, you’ll find her (trying!) gardening, birdwatching, swimming, keeping an eye on her mason bees, or at the barn working with Rapture. She also enjoys creative endeavors like ceramics and watercolor. She and Brandon also enjoy traveling to see their families in North Carolina and Maryland, and anywhere there’s a beach, lake, or water!
Andrea Langkamer-Smith, Director of Music, Church Organist
Andrea has served as Director of Music and Organist at Star of Bethlehem (and its predecessor congregations) since 1999. She began working as a substitute organist at numerous Lehigh Valley churches at the age of 16. After receiving Bachelor of
Music and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, she returned home to the Lehigh Valley and settled in Allentown. She and her husband Jason have raised three kids – Hannah, Sorrel and Noah – as well as their dog Milo. Andrea has also had a home-based business with Arbonne, a wellness company, for more than 20 years. She is Vice President of the school board for Grace Montessori School in Allentown.
Most of her spare time is spent hiking and preparing for a 2026 thru hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Heidi Shilanskas, Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship
Heidi Shilanskas is a Seminary student at United Lutheran Seminary, currently working on a Master’s Degree in Ministerial Leadership and ordination as a Minister of Word and Service in the Lutheran Church. She works at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church as Director of Faith For-mation and Discipleship where she preaches, teaches, and shares God’s love. Heidi’s call to serve others comes directly from Jesus’ own commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In her free time, Heidi loves to camp in her 33ft travel trailer with her husband, John and two kids, Wes (13) and Graeme (10). The beach is Heidi’s happy place and where her soul finds rest. Her favorite cup of tea is vanilla chamomile and her coffee order is a large hot latte with just a little caramel drizzle.