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David Lord
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Our Pastor
Reverend David Lord, has been in the ministry for 28 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. They have one son, Mitch, who lives 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 Mitchell
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Our Youth and Children's Ministry Director
Maegan 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 a minor in Philosophy. She is currently working to earn a Certificate in Youth and Theology from The Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. 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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Lea Larsen
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Our Preschool Teacher
(Lead Teacher 'Terrific Twos Class')
The Head Teacher for the Terrific Twos class is Lea Larsen. Lea brings a wealth of training and experience to the job. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at the University of Delaware and her Master of Education degree with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the College of New Jersey. She has 20 years of experience teaching first graders and preschoolers of all ages. As a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, she is a regular volunteer for numerous programs: Preschool Board Chair for five years, Vacation Bible School teacher, Kids Korner teacher, Nursery Childcare Helper, and MOPS Mentor Mom. She and her husband, Andy, have a grown daughter and son and one grandson. During the summer Lea and Andy love hosting youngsters from New York City through the Fresh Air Fund Program. In her free time Lea enjoys reading and all kinds of crafty activities.
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Our Preschool Assistant Teacher
('Thrilling Threes Class' & 'Fabulous Fours Class')
Doreen Campbell is the Assistant Teacher for the Thrilling Threes and Fabulous Fours classes. Most recently she was a stay at home mom, who volunteered with PTA, taught Sunday School, Youth Group, and VBS, and managed her children’s soccer teams. Now that her son is in college and her daughter is in high school she wanted to return to her profession and is excited to have the opportunity to do that at the preschool that her children attended! As a Special Education major, Doreen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education at the State University of New York at Geneseo. She taught a self-contained class for learning disabled students in King William County and taught at Cumberland Hospital where she worked with children who had head injuries and learning problems along with medical issues. After moving to this area she taught in Bedford County Schools, in both self-contained and inclusion settings, until her daughter was born. She also worked as a substitute teacher for many years. In her spare time Doreen enjoys hiking and boating with her husband, Tye, as well as reading, jogging (slowly!), and swimming.
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Lori Jagoda
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Our Preschool Assistant Teacher
(Terrific Twos Class)
Lori Jagoda is the Assistant Teacher for the Terrific Twos class. Originally from Michigan, where she graduated from High School, Lori has now lived in Moneta for four years. She and her husband, Dennis, recently celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. They have raised 3 sons and a daughter and now have two granddaughters. In addition to being an experienced mom, for many years while her own children were young, Lori provided childcare in her home. She also has passed the State of Virginia Department of Education Para-professional test for Teaching Assistants. Lori definitely has a creative streak. Over the past 17 years, she has been self-employed, making candles to sell at craft shows. Now that her youngest child is at Staunton River Middle School, and is no longer a “little guy”, she wanted to satisfy her need to relate to youngsters by working in a preschool.
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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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