 |
| | | The Staff at Bethlehem Lutheran Church |
| 
Steven Harmon
Pastor | Pastor Harmon is not a native to Tennessee. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in the suburbs south of Chicago and in the Akron area of Ohio. He graduated with a degree in Psychology from Kent State University. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri graduating in 1987. He was ordained on July 12, 1987 at Faith Lutheran in Humboldt, Nebraska and celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ordination this summer. He met Patty while attending Kent State (at a non-denominational Bible study and at Lutheran Campus Ministries). They gave themselves in marriage on September 6, 1980. They have six children (four in college and two still at home). They recently welcomed into their home an energetic puppy – Toby by name – so they really have three children still at home. Pastor Harmon’s hobbies include trying to stay in shape by riding his bike to work and playing softball, tennis, and basketball (mostly in the driveway with the kids). He helps coach baseball at Providence Academy and in the Johnson City Babe Ruth League. He is also a long time Cubs fan – a result of listening to Jack Brickhouse do the play by play and watching Ernie Banks on WGN (when it was just a local independent TV station).
|  |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Susan Burkey
Office Manager/
Wedding Coordinator | Susan is a native of Johnson City and a lifelong member of Bethlehem. Her grandfather, C.B. Propst was a founding father of Bethlehem. She is a 1969 graduate of East Tennessee State University holding a B.S. in Accounting. She retired as Assistant Registrar at ETSU in June 06 with 33 years of service. She has served as church secretary for Bethlehem since 1974 and assumed the full-time position of office manager in July 2006. She also serves as Chairman of the Education Committee, sings in the choir, plays Hand Bells, is active in the children's ministry and serves on the congregational service team for Thrivent. She is active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and currently serves as chairman of the Nominating Committee for the Mid-South District LWML. She was married to her late husband Mike for 36 years and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. She is president of the Johnson City Monday Club Auxiliary, president of GFWC of TN District I, serves on the Friends of the Library Board, and is a member of the ETSU Retirees' Association. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, music, and Savannah, GA! | |
| | |
| | |
| BETTY JEANE SOUTHERLAND
CHURCH TREASURERBIO TO FOLLOW ... | |
| | |
Ray Tipton
Our Organist, Adult Choir, and Adult Handbell Choir Director | Native of Erwin, Tennessee. Graduated from Unicoi County High School and ETSU (B.S. Speech/Broadcast/Music/Bus Management, Master in Art of Teaching, and M.Ed. Reading/Mathematics). Post Grad study UT in Speech. E.E.T. in Computers Capitol in Washington DC. Taught private music lessons for over 30 years, Jonesborough Middle School (4th Grade and Music), Washington College Academy (Math, Speech, Drama), ETSU (Speech and Debate), and retired as Associate Professor of Speech at Walters State Community College August 2008. Organist/Choir Director for over 55 years serving various churches. Almost continuously a Chapel Organist with Air Force, Army, and Navy chapels while serving 10 years as Hospital Corpsman/X-Ray Tech with US Navy. Membership held in American Theatre Organist Society, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, The Organ Historical Society and American Legion. |
|
| |
