Rev. Thomas J. Keener is the son of The Rev.
John D. and Esther (Klopp) Keener. He is one of
six children.
Thomas graduated from Mahanoy Joint High
School at Dalmatia, Northumberland County, PA.
His undergraduate degree was earned at
Susquehanna College in Selinsgrove, PA, followed
by Lutheran Ministry preparation at Mount Airy
Seminary in Philadelphia, graduating in 1964.
Pastor Keener is married to the former
Barbara Taylor of Philadelphia.
(1964-1968) Prior to coming to the North Berks Parish,
Pastor Keener served
St. John-Mt. Zion Parish
in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County.
(1968-1973) On Saturday, June 1, 1968, Pastor Keener became the vice pastor of
the North Berks Lutheran Parish. Pastor Keener’s appointment as vice pastor was
made by The Rev. Samuel Kidd, President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod of
the Lutheran Church in America. The appointment was approved by the joint council
of the area parish. Pastor Keener’s first ministerial responsibility was conducting
Confirmation services for catechisms at both parish churches on Sunday, June 2, 1968.
(1973-1981) In 1973 Pastor Keener received a call from St. Paul, White Haven, serving
until 1981.. Pastor Keener served several years on the Evangelical Outreach Committee
of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, beginning while at White Haven.
(1981-2004) In 1981, Pastor Keener was called to Zion, Northampton. While at Zion,
Pastor Keener served three years on the council of the Northern Lehigh Valley Mission
District, and several years as clergy liaison and a board member of the Northampton
Area Food Bank. Pastor Keener officially retired in February 2003, but continued to serve
Zion half-time under contract through June 2004. While in Northampton, his wife Barbara
learned American Sign Language and worked several years doing deaf ministry for
Lutheran congregational Services (formerly Lutheran Services of the Lehigh Valley).
Since retiring, she continues to do deaf ministry as a volunteer, helping to lead worship
services with a deaf congregation and ministering in other ways.
(2004-Present) After retiring, Pastor and Mrs. Keener joined Messiah, Bethlehem,
where he maintains the congregation’s WEB site. After many years of living in
parsonages, the Keeners bought a home and are putting quite a bit of time and
effort into updating the property. Pastor Keener also continues occasional supply
preaching.
(2009)