The Reverend Lynn M. Portz

The Reverend Lynn M. Portz served as Associate Pastor for Parish Life at Shadyside Presbyterian Church from January 2009 through May 2022, when she retired after more than forty years of ordained ministry.

Lynn is a native of Greenville, Pennsylvania. A lifelong Presbyterian, she learned from her parents, teachers, and pastors the joy of knowing Christ, and experienced His abundant grace through the people in her home church. While a student at The College of Wooster, Lynn felt the hand of God pulling her toward ministry. After graduating from college, she married her high school sweetheart, Doug, and they moved to New Jersey, where Lynn began her studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. It was not long before Doug sensed the call of God upon his heart to enter the ministry, so he, too, became a student at Princeton Seminary. They were both ordained at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville in 1983. Doug currently serves as Senior Church Consultant with the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) after having served previously as Senior Associate Minister of Pittsburgh Presbytery.

Lynn’s ministry encompassed two different churches in upstate New York before God brought her and her family back to western Pennsylvania. She also served as pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Her ministry at Shadyside Presbyterian Church included pastoral care and visitation; working with the Parish Life Team to facilitate fellowship events for the congregation; resourcing the Deacons and Care Team; and welcoming new members, as well as worship leadership.

Lynn and Doug have two grown children: Bethany Harbaugh, who is an ordained Presbyterian minister serving in the North Hills, and Ben, a public school teacher and musician. In free moments, Lynn can be found gardening, reading, or playing with her grandchildren. She and Doug enjoy the cultural opportunities Pittsburgh has to offer, in addition cheering on our Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates.