Our Staff

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  Pastor

  Rev. Lisa Reynolds

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  Welcome! In Christian scripture we learn that Bethany was the place Jesus always found welcome, hospitality, and rest. Those who encountered Jesus at Bethany were changed: they learned to engage their God-given gifts. Mary and Martha learned it was OK to have different gifts and live out of them fully! Lazarus received new life. In the first century Middle East, Bethany was a place of love and learning. Here and now, Bethany UMC is also a place of love and learning. We embrace our Wesleyan roots of personal and social holiness. Our lives are centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ; we encourage one another as we live lives of personal and communal devotion, service to others and loving as Jesus loves us. We pray that you will find a nurturing home for your spiritual journey with us here at Bethany!

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  Minister of Music

  Jeff Hood

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  Jeff Hood was born and raised in North Carolina. His fondness for music traces back to the age of 8 when he began the study of piano. Especially interested in liturgical music after participating in a Scout Sunday service, Jeff extended his focus to sacred organ and choral music, studying privately throughout his childhood and teenage years. He accepted an organist role at the age of 14, later serving as Assistant Minister of Music, with focus on developing accompaniment and choral directing skills. While attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he served as organist and choir director at churches throughout the area. Additionally, he began teaching piano and organ to students during this time. Ultimately focusing on business in graduate school, Jeff obtained an MBA in Accounting and now owns and operates a business accounting firm in the Durham area. Although classically trained as a church musician, Jeff’s focus is to integrate various musical styles and mediums, enhancing the Worship experience. He sees music as an opportunity to constantly learn, grow, and share with others. His desire is to share this love of music through the choir and congregation of Bethany UMC.

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  Administrative Assistant

  Liz McKennedy

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  Liz McKennedy grew up in Durham and returned in 2011 after fifteen years in the Charlotte area. She recently completed her Master of Fine Arts at Queens University of Charlotte and lives in the Hayti neighborhood with her partner (Pete), their two dogs (Storm and Sailor), and several house spiders (all named Marietta).

  Email: bethanyumc1@gmail.com

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  Handbell Director

  Pat Crispell

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  I was born and raised in rural upstate New York. Music was important to me, from band, chorus, and piano in high school to wind ensemble in college. I was greatly influenced by a high school band director who actually taught music theory to five of us at 7 AM twice a week, before school started , and introduced me to many different types of music. There are also fond memories of accompanying my grandfather in little rural churches all over the Southern Tier of NY as he sang “How Great Thou Art” in a wonderful tenor voice. After graduation from Syracuse University with a BS in Nursing, I lived in Denver, Colorado and Houston, Texas. My husband and I moved to Durham and joined Bethany UMC in 1976. Our three sons grew up at Bethany. In 1979 we were introduced to handbells by a group from Raleigh who came to put on a handbell concert at Bethany. Our first two octaves of handbells were ordered and I was asked to be the director. The Raleigh director became my mentor. I learned about handbells by going to their rehearsals, and attending the National Festival of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers with them in Knoxville, TN that summer, where I could attend classes. After one year we started raising money for our third octave of bells. Now we play 5 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of choir chimes. We participate in an annual Epiphany Ring with other choirs in our area and have participated in the Methodist Handbell Festival at Methodist University in Fayetteville, and AGEHR Festivals in NC. We have played at weddings, at nursing homes and for Christmas caroling. Many of our members started without knowing how to read music. We have all learned together.

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  Financial Secretary

  Cathy Portaro

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  Catherine S. Portaro, Financial Secretary/Treasurer of Bethany UMC since 1989. Retired Accounting Instructor/Program Director from Durham Technical Community College where I received the first Excellence in Teaching Award and taught for 32 years. Active member/volunteer of Triangle Luncheon Civitan Club where I have received the Rookie of the Year Award, the Citizenship Award, and several Special Recognition Awards for work done for the club. Creative Memories Senior Consultant--I love helping people preserve their photos and the stories of their lives in photo albums and storybooks to leave a lasting legacy for their loved ones. Proud Nana of five grandchildren, soon to be seven. Email: portcd@aol.com.