Staff
Pastor John has been pastor of Bethesda Church since March 2004.
For 21 years, he practiced dentistry in Baltimore, Maryland. Sensing God's call to a different direction, John "tested the waters" at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, then entered Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 2002.
Pastor John enjoys music, sports, especially baseball, football and golf, and canoeing with his wife, Sharon (a second-career student in radiography).
The Markels live in Plainsboro, New Jersey, with daughters Heather (a first-year nursing student) and Molly (a senior in high school), and small brown dog, Missy (unofficial church mascot).
(L to R) Heather, Molly, and Sharon
Missy Carlita Maria Markel
Jeanne Scott - Minister of Music
Jeanne is the musical heart and soul of Bethesda. She plays the organ and piano at the 11:00 worship, and directs the Sanctuary Choir. Her choir is both her ministry and love.
Jeanne lives in NE Philadelphia with her husband, John. She teaches piano and voice, and loves the Jersey Shore.
Linda Scott Steele - Choir Director
Linda, the daughter of our music minister, Jeanne Scott, is an accomplished musician, herself, who pops up at Bethesda each year around Christmas and Easter to help the choir get the cantatas in good shape..
The choir really responds to Linda's direction, which allows her mom to concentrate on the music at the piano and organ.
Linda also happens to be handy with a hammer and nail. Along with husband, Glenn, and daughter, Elizabeth, she is currently involved with the reconstruction in New Orleans, helping folks affected by hurricane Katrina.
Special note: The Christmas Cantata this year will be on Sunday, December 16, at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Be sure to come early for a good seat!
Gary leads the music at the 9:30 service, singing and playing piano and keyboard. He also coordinates the music and computer graphics and visuals at that service.
Gary is a school vocal and instrumental music teacher in Bristol, Pa., a Phillies and Eagles fan, and he enjoys computers, coaching his kids' sports teams, and being a dad. He's married to Mary Anne, a nurse.
Gary and Mary Anne have three children, Christina, Michael, and Jennifer.
Margie isn't just the church secretary, she's more like an assistant pastor, greeting visitors to the church on weekdays, coordinating events and activites, co-editing the monthly newsletter, and providing a ready "ear" for folks when the pastor is out of the office.
If you ever need an answer, just call Margie!
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Margie was captain of her high school basketball team. Along with her husband, Bill, she loves the Phillies, Eagles, and March Madness.
Ken pops up all over the place here at Bethesda. An elder, he was recently moderator of the board of deacons. He plays piano for the adult Sunday school and at the 11:00 worship, heads the Vacation Bible School staff, sings tenor in the choir, is the substitute chef for the Men's Prayer Breakfast, is part of the flea market team, and... is Sunday school superintendent.
A member of Bethesda for 11 years with his wife, Linda (clerk of Bethesda's session), Ken has been part of the Philadelphia Sunday School Superintendent's Association for 25 years.
Ken's hobbies include singing, cooking, and traveling. Ken and Linda are also members of Oscars Borg, an international Swedish organization.
Jean Feraco - Adult Sunday School
Jean and her family have been part of Bethesda Church from its beginning on Red Lion Road. A creative former teacher and committed follower of Jesus, Jean nourishes and encourages the Sunday school and the adult classes, in particular.
She sings a mean alto in the choir, is active on the session, in the women's circle and Mariners groups, Vacation Bible School, and has held almost every job with every organization in the church at one time or another!
Bill Bishop - Sexton
Bill is the one who readies and sets up Fellowship Hall for the 9:30 Sunday morning worship service and gets things ready for Fellowship Hour between services. He's also generally into keeping the place looking sharp for Sunday morning.
Bill likes auto racing (he had his own dragster a while back), working on cars, and helping people!
Harry Yocum - Custodian
Harry's been part of our church family for over 20 years. He comes regularly during the week—and whenever else he's needed—to maintain our campus and set up for different functions in the building.
Harry really enjoys his place at the Jersey shore, as well as boating and antique cars. He also likes attending performances of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
More often than not, you can see Harry working around the building with his headset on, listening to talk radio.
