Pastor Amelia Collins, Rector
Pastor Daniel Collins
Amelia and Daniel Collins met as seminary students studying hospital chaplaincy in 2019. They married in 2020, and welcomed their son Andy the following year. After graduating seminary in 2022, they were ordained as pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They are rostered in the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, and minister to St Thomas in Charles Town, WV, and Trinity in Martinsburg, WV.
Pastor Amelia serves as the rector (lead minister) at St Thomas in Charles Town, with additional duties at Trinity, Martinsburg. A cradle Lutheran of Long Island, New York, God called her to the ministry as she finished her Bachelor of Science in Professional Communications (Visual Arts). While earning her Master of Divinity from United Lutheran Seminary, she discovered a profound love and talent for youth and family ministry, and the use of the arts for Christian education and spiritual growth.
Widely traveled, she celebrates her Polynesian Rapanui heritage (Easter Island) in her painting, singing, and dress. Among her hobbies are cooking, painting, watching anime, playing video games, and having fun with baby Andy. Her favorite part of ministry is connecting with the spirituality of all ages, especially the faith of children as they embark on the exciting journey of life, reminding them of God’s ever-present love.
Pastor Daniel serves as the rector (lead minister) at Trinity in Martinsburg, with additional duties at St Thomas, Charles Town. Raised as a Southern Baptist in the Baltimore suburbs, he converted to Lutheranism while studying Reformation history at Messiah University near Harrisburg, PA. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History (Modern Europe) and Spanish, and went on to earn a Master of Divinity (honors in Biblical Studies) from United Lutheran Seminary.
Fluent in three modern languages and proficient in both main biblical languages, he has lived in three countries and five US states. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending quality time with his family. His favorite part of ministry is exploring God’s Word together with congregants to find God’s love in the midst of our shared joys and struggles.
Eric Bowman, Organist
Eric Bowman is a native of Waynesboro, PA and has been a church organist for over 35 years, serving the last 16 years at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Charles Town, WV. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from James Madison University and a Master of Church Music in Organ Performance and Choral Conducting from Shenandoah University where he was the winner of the 2002 Bach/Handel Competition. He also received the Certificat du Stage from the Centre Internationale de Formation Musicale in Art Song Interpretation and Piano Accompanying in Nice, France where he was the student of Internationally acclaimed pianist Dalton Baldwin.
He has served on the music faculties at Hagerstown Community College and Blue Ridge Community College and Technical School. He has also served as the Assistant Chorusmaster of the Prince George’s Opera and as the Assistant Director/Accompanist for the Hagerstown Choral Arts.
A much sought after recitalist, teacher, and adjudicator, Mr. Bowman has had the honor to perform recitals throughout the country at such prestigious places as the Washington National Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. and Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA. He has been a choral adjudicator for the Music in the Parks Festivals for over 30 years. He has also had the distinct privilege to work with such noted artists as Judy Collins and country music superstar Phil Vassar.
