Meet the Bethlehem Farm, Inc. Governing Board!
Vern Bedel, Art Teacher at Elwood High School, Muncie, IN
I was born in Greensburg, Indiana. My parents are both of Germanic heritage and from farm families. We lived on a small farm outside Greensburg, and had a menagerie of animals to care for. I gained my appreciation for animals during that time. My dad also had lots of “How to Draw Animals “ books. Most of my first paintings were of dogs, birds, deer etc. My wife Mary and I have two adopted sons who now in their twenties. I am currently an art teacher at Elwood high school and this is my tenth year there. I have spent some of my most enjoyable learning adventures travelling. I have gone from Tennessee to Japan, to Korea and most recently to Madeline Island, Wisconsin in search of the latest information that I will share with my students. I have worked with Ball State, Ohio State and Indiana University to help me become the person/teacher that I am today. Who I am is also a result of those early years roaming the woods with my brother, seeing the country in a semi truck and standing on the back of a hay wagon. Each of my experiences gives me a unique perspective.
Katherine Feise (Treasurer), Internal Auditor at Wachovia/Wells Fargo St. Louis
My relationship to the farm is forever imprinted into my mind as fate, as I came to an adult week in 2007 by suggestion of a friend who found it on www.cnvs.org but did not actually know any of the caretakers or anyone who had ever gone there. God was calling me to a new home that changed my life that week and continues to change my life to this day. I was so impacted my experience at the farm that in 2008, I took an unpaid leave of absence from my corporate job so that I may spend three months as an autumn servant at Bethlehem Farm. Currently, much of my time is still spent in the corporate world and in the midst of consumerist society which is demanding things to happen at the speed of light and people to appear to be successful at all costs. It is not always easy to explain to friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances the experiences at the farm which have deeply internalized and changed me. However, somehow I seem to share my farm experience at least once per week by telling a new story or sharing with a new person. I am very proud to be the newest Bethlehem Farm board member as of July 2009.
Gary Howieson, English Teacher at Walsh Jesuit High School, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Allison Leigh, Campus Minister, University of Dayton, OH
I first came to know Bethlehem Farm through friends who were caretakers there a couple of years ago. Through several visits over the course of a couple of years, I came to feel at home there and connected to the people who are committed to making it work from the board, to the caretakers, to the groups that come through. It is a blessing to be able to serve on the board and I look forward to the coming years of doing what I can to promote the Farm’s mission. I live in Dayton, OH where I am a campus minister at the University of Dayton for retreats and faith communities. I love working with college students and the unique opportunities that being on a retreat provides for growth in love and faith. In my free time, I love spending time outside running in all weather, and riding my bike. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family doing just about anything: cooking/eating delicious food, watching movies, road trips, and anything where there can be good conversation and laughter.
Katie Noonan (Chair), Law Firm Associate at Ballard, Spahr, Andrews, & Ingersoll in Baltimore
I live in Potomac, Maryland with my husband, Brian, my son, Will, and our dog, Widener. I enjoy running, reading (board books are a favorite these days), and visiting with friends. I am a real estate attorney specializing in common interest communities, and learning each day that there are many ways to be connected to the land. I look forward to spending time at Bethlehem Farm because of the fresh air, strong friends, and good food. My connection to Bethlehem Farm stems from my college friendships at Loyola University Chicago.
Tom Ruggaber, Retired Lucent Software Engineer
Hi, my name is Tom Ruggaber, AKA Rugs. I was first involved with Nazareth Farm and eventually was asked to be on their board. While attending a college week at Nazareth Farm in January of 2004, I was privileged to be there when the Spirit directed several of us to establish a new mission in West Virginia which became Bethlehem Farm. I was elected the first chair of the Bethlehem Farm board and was the liaison between the boards for several years. In my other world, I have a beautiful wife, Pat, four children, all married, and 8 grandchildren with one more due February 2010. I am retired from Lucent technologies and now keep busy as a volunteer youth minister in our parish in Wheaton , IL., my involvement with Bethlehem Farm, and of course loving and supporting my family. In November of 2009, Pat and I were on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was an amazing trip that everyone should be able to experience. The Scriptures become so much more alive after witnessing where it all happened.This picture was taken on the Sea of Galilee. Obviously we were loving it.
Jana Strom (Secretary), DPT Student Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions
I first heard of BF during my service at Nazareth Farm from 2001-2003 when the organization was nameless and only an idea. After Nazareth Farm, I moved onto teaching outdoor education and working with differently abled individuals in Indiana, then stroke patients and older adults at a hospital in Michigan, and finally coordinating the Semester of Service program and teaching at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. In spring 2006, I attended a BF group week as a site leader — lending an extra pair of hands during a time when there was a limited number of full-time caretakers. I felt right at home and a short time later I was invited to join the organization as a Board Member. I am currently the Secretary of the Board and I have since moved on from Dayton, Ohio to Boston, MA where I am attending graduate school at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. I love being outdoors, working hard (physically and mentally), listening, watching movies, silence, photography, and friends and family who care for me despite my quirks.
Julie Tracy (Vice-Chair), Campus Minister at UNH
After attending Boston College, I joined the Nazareth Farm staff for one and a half years as Volunteer Coordinator, then as Interim-Director. With the gift of land that became BF, I moved from Nazareth to Bethlehem for half a year of service and establishing what is now Bethlehem Farm. Since leaving five years ago, I have been a Chaplain at the University of New Hampshire and a proud member of the board. These days, I am a Chaplain and a part-time graduate student getting my Master of Social Work and Master of Science in Outdoor Education degrees. In NH, you can find me most days walking in the woods or kayaking with students, studying outside, or drinking too much coffee at the local shop. At the Farm, my favorite time of day is just as the sun rises in the mountains, the time when the fog rises and the air is chilled. I find wonder and joy in that small moment.
Frederick Pratt, Pastoral Counselor and Theology Teacher
My hometown is Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. I love Bethlehem Farm because it contributes to fostering a renewal of the central but often neglected practice of Christian hospitality.
Scott McNelis, Hotel Manager
I am originally from Fishers, Indiana, but have lived in Cleveland, Ohio since 2008. I have been blessed to have been connected to Bethlehem Farm since before it was actually formed, when it was just an idea planted by other college students and Nazareth Farm staffers. Collen Buck-Fitts and I kept in contact and were able to coordinate a group week from Indiana University in the first winter of the Farm’s existence. After the first summer at the farm as a “Summer Servant”, college weeks, and adult weeks, I was blessed to bring my (former) youth ministry program from Noblesville, Indiana to the Farm. I have truly been fortunate to see the Farm from almost every angle. My wonderful wife Kera (currently a doctor in pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, OH) has been along for the ride with me the whole way since the beginning. We actually began dating shortly before that first group week, and the Farm has played a major role in our life together. As such, I have great memories of the Farm’s beginnings, as well as high hopes for it’s future. I am truly honored and humbled to be joining this great organization in a more formal association, and look forward to working hard to ensure that this great establishment can continue to work miracles in the lives of so many.”
Jake Teitgen, Youth Minister in Noblesville, IN
I first came to Bethlehem Farm as a summer servant after my freshman year of college in 2005. After a few weeks of feigning knowledge of Farm chores (“Where would you think you would find work gloves?”), spelunking, and living the gospel in an authentic way, I was hooked. I’ve been traveling back to Clayton Rd – often with lots of friends – ever since. My favorite Farm activities include scything the hill, winning scavenger hunts, happening upon an oddly-placed St. Joseph statue, praying, and striking fear into the hearts of would-be late night cow tippers. Currently, I reside on the north side of Indianapolis and coordinate a junior high youth ministry, lead a young adult ministry, and direct communications at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. I’ve got a knack for playing games, rowing boats, and telling stories. I married Alicen in 2009; I really like her and appreciate all that she does to put up with (and join in on) my shenanigans.
Joan Schouten
Adam Fischer
Are you interested in joining this great team? We are always looking for passionate & qualified members to join the Bethlehem Farm Board. Call or email Eric Fitts, Director, for more information. 304-445-7143. ericfitts@gmail.com