A brief BIO for each of our church staff members is featured below. If you are new to our church, feel free to e-mail any of our staff members to introduce yourself, or just to ask a question. Also, click 'Bethel Leadership' above for photos and names of our church officers and Church Council representatives.
New bios will be coming soon for ...
Pastor Dave Young
Pastor Heidi David-Young
Anna Havron
Communications Director
Anna Havron is a compulsive writer, reader and doodler. "I was once told that the ideal job is the one where you get to indulge your vices; that is, where you do the things you do, when you're supposed to be doing something else," she says. "I'm delighted to be able to work with words and images here."
Anna and her family came to Bethel because a friend told her it was the sort of place where people could use their gifts. "And we stayed because we saw that this church is an exciting place, with real vision."
Before retiring from her previous career as a researcher in the healthcare field, Anna wrote grant applications and articles for medical journals. She has also enjoyed writing various how-to articles for trade journals, especially when the editors let her use colorful analogies. On the doodling front, her odd looking cartoons of animals and household objects have amused readers of a cookbook and a poetry journal, respectively.
Anna's other interests are coffee and chocolate, especially combined.
Aaron Shows
Director of Music Ministries
Aaron Shows, Bethel’s Director of Music Ministries, says, “There's just a certain kind of connection you make with other people that only music can bring about.” Aaron, who directs Bethel’s music ensemble and serves as organist and pianist, ought to know. He also plays guitar, French horn, mandolin, drums, trumpet, and he sings, as well. Aaron grew up in a home where music was always a “big deal.”
“Since I could sit up straight, my Dad would sit with me and play simple tunes on the piano, and I would mimic him. I love playing the piano. If a day goes by and I don't play, it feels like the day is incomplete.”
Aaron attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before transferring to Shenandoah University where he is majoring in Sacred Music. Eventually he plans to pursue education in film scoring or perhaps music composition.
In the meantime, Aaron is appreciative of the warm welcome he has received from Bethel. “The Bethel congregation is so good about adapting to change. This is such an admirable quality to have in a church family, and the welcoming atmosphere that you all provided helped me greatly in my transition process from Pittsburgh to Winchester.”
What advice does Aaron have for aspiring musicians and composers? “I know God has given me these gifts, and I believe that I was put on this Earth to use them for the good of others. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for God. Trusting in God to lead you in doing what you love is key to finding fulfillment, joy, and meaning in life.”
He adds,” Practicing helps as well.”
Tricia Dietz
Director of Finance
A few months ago Tricia Dietz decided to make a job change, and began praying about what to do next. Then she saw the ad for a bookkeeper at Bethel. “It was really weird timing. It probably was a God wink – it gave me that push to do something different. I had faith that something would happen, and it’s all worked out very well.”
Perhaps it was another God wink that inspired Tricia to pursue a highly portable career in the first place. Tricia, an Ohio native, studied business accounting at Mount Union in Alliance, OH and passed the C.P.A. exam. At Ernst & Young in Canton, OH, she worked in public accounting for non-profits, consulting for various firms. Then she married Joe Dietz, who works for the State Department, and they moved to Virginia. Sort of. While Joe was stationed in Austria, the entire Dietz family, including their two sons (Matthew and Michael) and their dog (Lizzie), moved to Austria with him. However, when Joe was next stationed in Greece, Tricia and the children remained in Virginia. Joe has since returned stateside and brought home a souvenir: Callie the cat. Callie is a native of Greece and has her own passport, which makes her a fitting addition to this well-travelled family.
The Bethel community has proven to be a good fit for the Dietz family. “We came to Bethel and said, ‘This is the right place.’” Tricia says that her small group at Bethel was essential while Joe was overseas. “They were just so caring and always checking on us. We had the support of everyone.”
Terri Hollingsworth
Parish Administrator
Terri Hollingsworth partly credits Bethel’s Disciple Bible Study’s emphasis on using one’s spiritual gifts for inspiring her to apply for the parish administrator’s position. “I fell into the categories of administration, helping and serving.”
Initially, Terri had planned to volunteer temporarily until a permanent staff member could be found. “But the more I prayed about it, it came to me that I should just apply. It was a feeling that this was where I needed to be, and how I needed to serve, and that the timing was right.”
Terri also brings solid experience when it comes to administration. She majored in business education at Indiana University in Indiana, Pennsylvania, earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Delaware State College, and taught high school business courses, emphasizing administrative and office skills, for several years.
Terri and her family first visited Bethel after she got involved with the Godly Play curriculum for young children. They stayed because, as Terri puts it, “Bethel is just a very authentic community that is willing to try new things and to support ideas. I feel that it is very spirit-led in all areas.”
Terri enjoys the opportunities that her new role as parish administrator provides. “The coordinating with a church of this size, keeping everything running smoothly, means that you're always learning new things. I think the most enjoyable part for me is just the interaction with everyone in the office and the calls that come through the office. It’s an opportunity to get to know everyone a little better.”
Patty White
Sexton
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Office: 540.662.3245 |
Patty White came to this area from Grafton, West Virginia, about eight years ago. “My son was here, and I thought this was a good place to start my own cleaning business.” Now both of her sons are living in the area, and she has a granddaughter as well.
The choice also worked out for Patty's career: her business is thriving. "I like it," she says of working for herself. "I've got a lot of flexibility, but you've got to stay responsible to people, and you can't miss. There are some people I've had four or five years, and I haven't missed."
Unsurprisingly, with that work ethic, Patty has plenty of loyal clients, one of whom suggested she apply to Bethel. “She asked if I would be interested in it, and I said, oh my Lord, yes. I've met some really cool people there. When I'm out there, I have a very good feeling.”
Mollie Farris
Nursery Supervisor during Worship Services
Mollie Farris, who supervises Bethel’s nursery during Sunday morning worship services, has in some ways come full circle: she began her nearly twenty years of experience in providing childcare by volunteering at her own church’s nursery when she was eight years old.
She enjoyed it so much that she teamed up with her sister during the summer to provide childcare. By the time Mollie was a senior at Loudoun County High School, she worked as a full-time nanny while attending high school part-time – and still graduated on time with her classmates. Currently, she works during the week as a nanny while also taking classes at Lord Fairfax Community College on early childhood education. Mollie says that what she enjoys most about children is their innocence. “And there’s nothing like a child’s hug on a bad day.”
Mollie was born in Leesburg, Virginia. Her husband, Justin Farris, is also from Loudoun County: in fact, his family goes back seven generations in Loudoun. They do not have children. “Yet,” adds Mollie. In the meantime, she says she enjoys working at Bethel: “It’s been wonderful, I love it. I like that I feel very much included in the church community. I’m actually a pretty shy person, and it’s a nice way to meet people.”
What is this seasoned professional nanny’s advice to new parents? “Trust yourself. A lot of parents doubt their ability to take care of their kids – with trial and error, you’ll find what works.”
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