About Us
Our Faith
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a denomination of approximately 4 million members. We believe in the Triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We recite the Apostle’s Creed. We read scripture to hear that we are part of God’s story. We receive Holy Communion and receive God’s grace. We serve others to be God’s hands in this world.
Our Staff
We use Supply ministers here at Bethlehem Lutheran Church who preside over worship, preach, and serve Communion. The Council members are responsible for the running of the church.
The Reverend Ned McMillen
Supply Minister
Pastor Ned McMillen is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He is Pastor Emeritus of St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church in Canton, Ohio, where he served for 31 years. He and his wife Pam moved to Bethel, CT in 2000 to be with family. He served as interim pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church for five years and is now one of our Supply pastors.
The Reverend, Dr. Jim Wisecup
Supply Minister
Pastor Jim was ordained in 1973 and has worked in urban, suburban and rural parishes in education, social ministry, stewardship, and planning, as well as social service agencies, hospitals, and pastoral counseling centers in different denominations. His primary ministry has been as a Pastoral Counselor. Most notably he is an Advanced Clinician, Couples Workshop Presenter, and Consultant/Supervisor for the Imago Relationship Institute.
The Imago Institute uses a form of relationship and couples therapy that focuses on transforming conflict into healing and growth through relational connection. In addition, he is affiliated with or works with the American Association of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, the Amen Clinic, and Theta Brain Wave Healing NYC.
Lyudmila German
Music Director
Lyudmila is a composer, organist, and piano accompanist. She earned a BA in music from Brooklyn College, NY (1996), and MM and DMA degrees in composition from the Manhattan School of Music (2003). Lyudmila is a recipient of the Miriam Gideon Scholarship from Brooklyn College (1995), Meet the Composer Grant (1995), Ivar Mikhaschoff Grant for New Music (2000), Cantate Chamber Singers Award (2004), and Robert Helps Prize (2009).
Our Lay Leaders
Our congregation is guided by the Congregational Council and various committees. If you wish to contact any of our lay leaders, please use the church email address: bethlehemlutheran1908@gmail.com
Council Members
President: Ellen Grunsell
Vice President: Frank Cangialosi
Treasurer: Karin Russo
Finance Sec.: Nancy Beck
Secretary: Mark Hasskarl
Members: Jeff Kapec, Heloisa Hasskarl
Committee Chairs or Contact
Property: Frank Cangialosi
Soc. Concerns: Ellen Grunsell
Worship & Music: Nancy Beck
Mutual Ministry: Judy Cangialosi
Altar Guild: Becky Pirron
Our Church Building
In addition to serving the congregation, we would love to have our building used by the community. The sanctuary is available for weddings and funerals, and the community room and basement are available for appropriate activities for short or long-term use, all for a use/rental fee. The community room on the 1st floor is a sunny room with a small kitchenette containing a sink and small refrigerator. The basement has a full kitchen. Please use the email address: bethlehemlutheran1908@gmail.com for all inquiries.
The building itself was constructed in 1908 and contains stained glass windows of the Tiffany window era. A beloved story is that the church was constructed first, and the basement excavated at a later date. While digging a large boulder was found and exposed, work stopped, and worship started in the sanctuary. During worship a loud sound was heard as the boulder rolled from its position. It was removed during construction, but the story is a lovely reminder that our congregation is built on the rock of Christ, our chief cornerstone.
A complete history of the church can be found on the Redding History website at: http://www.historyofredding.net/HRbethlehem.htm