Keokee Chapel United Methodist Church has welcomed Monroe County resident Mertice M. Shane as the congregation's new pastor.
Shane has served the United Methodist Church on local, regional and international levels as a member and chair of many committees and boards.
He presently serves on the Northeast District Committee on Ministry. He is vice chair of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and is the co-convener of the Core Accountability Team of the Healing the Wounds of Racism program.
In addition, he has chaired many local UMC Administrative Councils as well as those of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Shane is a graduate of the University of Evansville, Evansville, Ind., with a bachelor of arts degree where he majored in health/physical education with a minor in psychology. He received his master of arts degree in education from Tennessee State University. He holds an additional master's degree from Marywood University, Scranton, in counseling with a specialization in addictions counseling.
Shane began his career as a professor at East Stroudsburg State College in 1974, with primary teaching responsibilities in the Athletic Training Education Department and by providing athletic training services for the athletic teams. As the college changed to a university, his teaching assignments broadened to include organization and administration in athletic training as well as psycho-social issues in sports medicine. He was recognized as Professor of the Year in 1997 by the Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity, an honor physical education organization. He was a certified athletic trainer both nationally and in the state.
Shane retired From East Stroudsburg University in January. He is presently therapist and owner of Shane Enterprises Counseling Services.
In addition to his scope of collegiate activities, Mert Shane's vast range of community involvement includes past president of the local chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.; Monroe County Litter Control and Beautification Project board; and the Carbon, Monroe, Pike Counties Drug and Alcohol Commission and Opportunity Associates.
In 2008, Shane and his wife, Gloria, received the Joanne Mayer Volunteer Service Award for their work in the Celebration of the Arts Jazz Festival held annually in the Delaware Water Gap.
Mertice and Gloria Shane have three sons, two daughters-in-law, two grandsons and a granddaughter.
