President Elect - pending

Secretary
Mary Knowles

Number of Years at Bethany: 8 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: At Bethany Lutheran Church I served for multiple years on Church Council, including 1 term as Council President. I served on two call committees and was a member on one and a chair on the second. I was hand-picked by two pastors to be part of their Pastor’s Mutual Ministry Committees. I was also a lead person in organizing the church’s annual Women’s retreats.

I was a member of the Schlessman YMCA Advisory Board whose mission was to steer the branch’s activities and fund raise.

At present, I’m the parish business manager at Most Precious Blood Catholic Parish with responsibility for church finances, human resources, and facilities maintenance. Also, during my tenure as MPB business manager, I helped to organize and execute a $10MM capital campaign to fund a major office remodel, upgrade of school systems, and build an entirely new parish hall. During construction on these projects, I served as the liaison between the church and the contractor.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I’ve been married to the world’s best dude for 30 years. For 25 of those years, we’ve lived in Observatory Park. We share our home with two large dogs. I’m a Missouri native, with a passion for the outdoor adventures, making new friends, laughter, and Kansas City Barbeque.

Faith Formation - Jenny Walter

Number of Years at Bethany: 14 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: I currently serve as one of the Faith Formation representatives on Ministry Council. It has been a rewarding 2 years, and I would like to continue working with the Faith Formation Team as they work on developing and growing the programs at Bethany. I have also had the opportunity to serve on the BECC Board, serve on the Pastoral Intern Advisory Group for Intern Russ, Intern Brian, and Intern Stefanie, and participated in MOPS for 6 years.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: My husband, Aaron, and I have 2 sons, and we are thankful to have Bethany as our church home.

Hospitality: Kay Wilms

Number of Years at Bethany: 31 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: I’ve been involved with Bethany over the course of many years. When my children were small, I taught Sunday School for about 10 years and helped with confirmation. I have also been a member of Lois Circle for over 10 years and served in various leadership roles.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: We have been members of Bethany for 30 plus years and our two children were baptized and confirmed at Bethany. I have been retired for about three years and am looking forward to giving back to Bethany and a congregation that has been such an integral part of our family and faith formation over the years. I look forward to serving on the Ministry Council.

Outreach - Ian Morgan

Number of Years at Bethany: 7 months

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share:
Director of the Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror in Literature program. Living/Learning Center 2000 – 2003, University of Vermont
Graduated from the University of Vermont, B.A. Eastern European and Russian History, 1999 – 2003.
Numerous Leadership positions while serving in the United States Navy, 2006 – 2010
Executed quality control and product recovery in Microprocessor industry 2011 - 2015
Currently working in renewables, managing the schedules of 9 technicians

servicing the whole of North America 2015 - Present

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you:
Irredeemable History Nerd, recently Ancient and Pre-Modern History but anything will do.
Role Playing and Board Game enthusiast
Ascendant Level Movie Trivia Contender
Amateur Banjo Player (Clawhammer style)

Worship: Kyra Morgan

Number of Years at Bethany: 1

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: This is my first role like this and my passion for Bethany is my qualification!

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I studied History and Religion in college but I only found my faith during the depths of the pandemic. I've been so blessed to join Bethany and feel a sense of belonging I've always searched for.

Dr. Carol Anne Watson

Number of Years at Bethany: 30 plus years at Bethany

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share:
Present Director Watson Learning and Behavior Center
Present Director of America’s Academy of Coaching, Counseling, and Hypnotherapy
Present Licensed clinical psychologist
Former High School Principal
Former Director of Midway Project for girls and Women
Former Distinguished Educator for Title I Wyoming Dept of Education
Former Senior consultant Colorado Dept of Education
Former Sunday School Supt, Immanuel Lutheran, Greeley, CO
Former Youth Leader, Immanuel Lutheran
Former Youth Choir Director, Immanuel Lutheran
Former Sunday School Teacher, Immanuel Lutheran
Active Choir Member, Bethany
Active Deborah Circle, Bethany
Active Stephen Minister, Bethany

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I believe strongly in my faith. I love interacting with all people in many different groups at Bethany.

Dean Kersten-Gray

Number of Years at Bethany: 5 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: I have not had any other leadership roles. I have had an extensive amount of customer service positions throughout my career. This has allowed me to develop a strong ability to “read” situations and people as they come across my path in life.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I joined Bethany as I became engaged/married with my husband, Matthew Kersten-Gray, 5 years ago. I believe in community, the church, and love. I work for Pinnacol Assurance as a Claims Representative, managing injured workers compensation cases. If you have any questions, please never hesitate to ask me.

Julie Friedemann

Number of Years at Bethany: 50+ years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: I am humbled to be a candidate for the Bethany Foundation. I have been a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for fifty years. I have served regularly for fifteen of those years as an usher for Worship. I am a member of the Outreach Ministry Team and the Social Concerns Ministry Team. I have volunteered at Metro Caring for several years prior to the pandemic. I also participated in Be the Blessing and Living the Blessing at Metro Caring. For the most recent two years (2022 and 2023), I served as a member of the Gala Planning Committees for Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I am a retired high school math teacher after 37 years of teaching in the Jefferson County Schools.  I currently serve as an affiliate faculty member (math and statistics) for Regis University, Jesuit Worldwide Learning, and for two years, I have been an Assessment Administrator for NAEP (the National Assessment of Educational Progress).

I am completing my second four-year term as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). In that role, I have had the opportunity to attend the Council of Institutional Investors Conference, the National Council on Teacher Retirement Annual Trustee Workshops as well as the Institutional Limited Partners Association Virtual Institute on Private Equity for the Trustee.

Michael Neff

Number of Years at Bethany: 22 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: I currently work in healthcare technology as the VP, Client Operations – where I help primarily nonprofit healthcare organizations improve their financial information systems. I have worked in this field for the past 25 years doing both clinical documentation and financial systems. I have my master’s degree in health administration. – and am working on completing a second master’s degree in Nonprofit Management by the end of the year. I have extensive experience with RFPs, contract management, project management, and P&L responsibilities for multi-billion-dollar organizations.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I live in Centennial with my wife Debbie and daughters Eliza & Lilianna

Susan Junge

Number of Years at Bethany: 25 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: Some of the areas I’ve participated in and have enjoyed have been helping with Vacation Bible School, attending, Lenten Retreats, singing with the Chancel Choir, Stephen Ministry, and participating in the Centering Prayer group, and Intern Rita’s support team.

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I retired from a delightful career in elementary education and have enjoyed the continued learning and growth of being in Christian fellowship and community. I delight in my family and six grandchildren and one great grandchild and look to the blessings each day brings.

Garth Englund III

Number of Years at Bethany: 22 years

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: VP of Personnel, Bethany Executive Council 2015-2017

Worship & Celebration Representative, Bethany Ministry Council 2013-2015

Luther Seminary M.Div., 2021

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: Bethany has been my church home for most of my life and was a significant contributor to my ability to hear God’s call to ministry. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to serve the people of God at Bethany as representative at the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly.

Dell Charles

Number of Years at Bethany: 10 Months

Leadership roles, past or current/other qualifications you’d like to share: Director of Finance & Administration

Other information you’d like the congregation to know about you: I worked in finance, private equity, and management consulting, prior to joining Bethany’s staff. I am grateful to have found a home at Bethany Lutheran Church. Since joining, I have been welcomed with open arms and feel honored to be a member of this community. I am deeply grateful for the friendships I have formed, the wisdom I have gained, and the opportunities to contribute to the church's mission.