Reverend David W. Simpson, Senior Pastor
A second-career minister, Pastor David started out in Agriculture before entering the pastorate in 1988. He has served as Bethany’s Senior Pastor since 2005, after having served on the Bishop’s staff and pastoring three other churches in Maryland. He is passionate about preaching, teaching and resource ministries. He also loves music and golf and is married to Sylvia Smoak Simpson.
Reverend Martin Brooks, Associate Pastor
Born in Chicago and raised there and in upstate New York, Martin worked heavily in the arenas of social justice, human services, and youth ministry for several years before moving to Washington, D.C., to attend graduate school. A 2007 Master of Divinity graduate from Wesley Theological Seminary, Martin is an ordained Elder in the Upper New York Conference and has served on staff at Bethany since July 1, 2010. Martin especially enjoys rock music, Harry Potter novels, Star Trek, and ultimate frisbee and racquetball.
Reverend Cathryn T. Vitek, Associate Pastor and Worship Design
Pastor Cathy is a licensed local pastor serving Bethany as the Associate Pastor of Worship Design. Cathy and her family joined Bethany in 1992. In response to her passion for worship ministry, Cathy earned a Masters of Worship Studies in June 2008; she has since embraced a call to pastoral ministry and is enrolled in the Course of Study program at Wesley Seminary.

Carrie Larsen, Youth Pastor

Carrie hails from Southern California and has been doing Youth Ministry since 1995. She is a recent addition to our Bethany Staff and is excited and blessed to be apart of an amazing team. Carrie is a passionate youth leader, Christ follower, sunset watcher, music fanatic, Jet set traveler, concert goer,jazz lover, story teller, beachcomber, and speaks the language of thumb.

 
Tim Ferrell, Director of Group Life and Membership
Tim’s passion is to mobilize, equip, and serve the church of Jesus, equipping followers of Jesus for a lifetime of ministry among those distanced from Him. Tim also serves with The Navigators Church Discipleship Ministry. Tim and his wife, Amy, have been active at Bethany since 2003. They have been blessed with six children, ages 13-33, one son-in-law, and one grandson.
Lisa Thompson, Director of Children and Family Ministries
Lisa Thompson holds her Masters in Religious Education from St. Mary's Seminary and University. She has been involved in church work since she can remember. She is also a music teacher for the Howard County School System, teaches private music lessons, and has three children of her own. She sang in Bethany's choir as a teen and is very excited to be here.
Lois Witte, Director of Congregational Care
Lois assists the pastors in caring for the members by visiting in area hospitals and homes and offering her listening ears and prayers. She has served as a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader for Bethany. Lois served in many areas of the church before joining our staff. She  has been a member of Bethany for 15 years, and is also a member of the Chancel Choir, loves to do needlework and travel.
Holly Lauderdale, Church Administrator
Holly has found the perfect use for her journalism and public relations experience in her work at Bethany, and loves working with this Spirit-filled church. She manages the church office, works with Bethany communications, assists the pastors and schedules the more than 2,000 events that happen here each year. Holly has been on Bethany's staff since 2001. She is married, mother of two wonderful children, and servant to two cats.
Jean Carnavos, Assistant Administrator for Finance
Jean is the “numbers” person here at the church on the operations side and deals with expenses and financial statements. When she is not doing church work, she is usually doing tax returns and accounting. Jean welcomes any comments on how we can improve our administrative tasks to ease our members' experience with our church.

Stacey Mongold, Secretary

Stacey has been attending Bethany since 2000. She served as Bethany’s Director of Christian Education from 2006 - 2007, and has served as Secretary since 2008. In her “spare time,” Stacey also leads the Creative Worship and Design Team. She is married to Gregg and has two beautiful daughters.

Susan Ricker, Director of Music

In addition to being Director of Music, Susan also directs Bethany’s handbell choirs and has been our organist for the past 33 years. She recently retired from teaching music in Baltimore County schools.  When not at Bethany, Susan keeps busy by accompanying various individuals or groups throughout the area as well as tutoring through the Baltimore County Schools' Home & Hospital program. She lives with her husband, Keith, and VERY spoiled basset hounds, Molly & Katie.
 

Chris Hettenbach, Chancel Choir Director

Chris directs our adult Chancel Choir, which sings at our 11 a.m. Sunday service and presents special events each year.  Past performances include Handel’s Messiah, Rutter’s Magnificat, Vivaldi‘s Gloria and Amahl and the Night Visitors. Chris is also Director of Choral Activities and Music Department Chairman at Mount Hebron High School, where he directs more than 100 singers and 9 performing groups. A favorite project of his is the Ellicott City Chorale, a group from both Bethany and Mt. Hebron that travels to and perform in European venues. Chris is very excited to be a part of such a vibrant music community. Chris is married to Leslie Hettenbach, Bethany's Youth Choir director.
Leslie Hettenbach, Youth Choir Director
Leslie has been a member of Bethany since she was three and her parents are still active members of the church. Leslie’s passion for music first started at Bethany as a member of the Carol and Youth choirs. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from the U. of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and a Master’s degree from the Boston Conservatory. Leslie is married to Chris, Bethany’s Chancel Choir director, and has two children, Shelby and Kit.
Amy Reiss, Carol Choir Director
Amy was born, baptized, and raised in the Methodist Church. In her hometown of Sparr, Florida, she was confirmed at the Sparr United Methodist Church and began playing piano for church at age 13. After moving to Maryland, she joined Bethany UMC in 1999 and soon after began accompanying choirs and joined the Praise Ministry Team. In 2007, she became the director of Bethany’s Carol Choir.
Jennifer George, Cherub Choir Director
Jennifer works for the government like many Bethany folks, but her true joy is directing the Cherub Choir. She is married to Kevin who is the "real" musician in the family and has two children, David and Rachel,who also like to "make a joyful noise to the Lord."
Linda Roberts, Facilities Manager