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David Lord
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Our Pastor
Reverend David Lord, has been in the ministry for 25 years, serving churches in the districts of Farmville, Charlottesville, Richmond, Harrisonburg, and, most recently, Staunton, Virginia, where he pastored at St. Paul’s United Methodist.
He and his wife, Cheryl, both grew up in Tifton, Georgia. Mrs. Lord is a speech/language pathologist who has worked in local hospitals. Their son, Mitch, is at VCU in Richmond.
| ”I consider some of my gifts to be preaching, mission work, teaching, and general pastoral ministry. I feel privileged to be at Bethlehem during an exciting time in the church’s history.” |
| Reverend David Lord |
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Pastor Lord's E-mail address is:
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Robert Downey
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Our Music Director and Organist
Robert Downey began studying piano with his grandmother when he was four years old. Beginning organ studies at the age of fifteen, Downey went on to study music at Roanoke College where he pursued a Fine Arts major in music. At the age of eighteen, he directed his first Easter cantata.
From choir director at West End Presbyterian in Roanoke (1975-1992), he moved to Fort Lewis Baptist and then to Bethlehem, where he has been organist since 1999 and choir director since 2003
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Lillie McAllister
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Our Pianist
A graduate of Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Lillie McAllister began piano lessons at age six. She has been active in the music program at Bethlehem since 1998. McAllister especially enjoys working with Robert Downey, and is gratified by the positive feedback from the congregation when she and Downey play together. McAllister has played for Lakeside Singers and is a member of the Bedford Community Orchestra.
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Maegan Layne Mitchell
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Our Youth and Children's Ministry Director
Maegan Layne Mitchell has been involved in youth ministry since she was 13 years old. She was the youth group president at her local church, a two time youth delegate to Virginia Annual Conference, and a member of Lynchburg District Youth Council throughout high school. After high school she began studying religion at Ferrum College. While attending Ferrum, she worked as Youth Director at Huntington Court UMC in Roanoke before coming to Bethlehem as Youth and Children’s Ministry Director.
Maegan graduated from Ferrum College with a major in Religion with an emphasis in Christian Ministry and a minor in Philosophy. She is married to Brandon Mitchell, an officer with the Ferrum College Police Department.
Ms. Mitchell's E-mail address is:
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Terry Saul
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Our Preschool Director
(Lead Teacher 'Thrilling Threes Class' & 'Fabulous Fours Class')
Terry Saul began her employment with us as an assistant teacher from 1996 to 1999 and then in 1999 became our director. Previous to that she worked in the Bedford County Schools through a private Lynchburg company assisting and guiding special needs children and their families at school and home. Terry is a former Children's Ministries coordinator, implementing programs such as Kid's Korner and MOPS (see separate link.). Other gratifying experiences include educational home day care, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, elementary school volunteer, preschool volunteer and substitute teacher. Terry attended Virginia Western Community College. Her studies of interest include psychology, business administration, children's activities, Bible studies for children, early childhood education and practical parenting. Terry and her husband Mike enjoy antiquing and short weekend car trips exploring local communities. Terry has 3 children all of whom grew up in Bethlehem United Methodist Church and attended this preschool program.
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Karen Smith
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Our Preschool Teacher
(Lead Teacher 'Terrific Twos Class')
Karen Smith is a National Validator with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), has passed the State of Virginia's Preschool Teachers Examination and is a certified teacher in several east coast states. Karen holds a bachelors degree in early childhood education from Monmouth University and has over 25 years of teaching experience including 6 years as director in a widely sought after preschool program in Easton, CT. Karen and her husband Gil have 2 daughters and 1 grandson. They are very involved in the creating and building of local area businesses and currently own and run a well known and loved local restaurant
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Our Preschool Assistant Teacher
('Thrilling Threes Class' & 'Fabulous Fours Class')
Laurie Bocckinfuso is a former Bethlehem preschool mom and assistant teacher from 1999 to 2001 before leaving us due to a high risk pregnancy. We are pleased to have her back with us in our 3's and 4's classes. Laurie's background includes being a home day care provider, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leadership, elementary school volunteer and a bus driver for Franklin County Schools. Originally from Wisconsin, her course studies include psychiatry and nursing. Laurie and her husband Jimmy also run a family operated carpet cleaning business. Laurie has 4 children, 3 of which attended our preschool program.
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Connie Weaver
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Our Preschool Assistant Teacher
(Terrific Twos Class)
Connie Weaver is an active member of her home church serving with the nursery, VBS and children's church programs. She enjoys the education and caring of young children and the opportunity to be with them in a Christian setting. Connie attended college in Maryland and has been in Virginia since 2007. Connie and her husband Jeffrey's family include a son in his early twenties, a preschool aged son and two foster children of preschool age.
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Ruth Boyd
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Our Nursery Care Leader
Ruth is the mother of one son, Evan (16). She grew up in Erie, PA and has lived in Bedford for eight years. She has a BA in Business Communications from Penn State. She works in the Finance Dept. of Griffin Pipe Products in Lynchburg. Ruth enjoys working with children, camping, hiking, fishing, loves to cook, sew and read. She also volunteers at the Bedford Animal Shelter.
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Lynette Braun
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Our Church Secretary
Lynette Braun comes to us from the Harrisburg, PA area, where she had 35 years of executive and office management experience. She retired from her full-time job in April 2008 after 31 years, and she and her husband, Ray, moved to Moneta (with their pampered kitty Maggie Mae) to spend their retirement years on the lake. Lynette was born and raised in Mocksville, North Carolina and feels she is getting back to her southern roots by moving to Virginia. Lynette is very excited to be part of the BUMC team. Ms. Braun's E-Mail address is: BUMCMoneta@gmail.com
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