Rev. James Vitale
Pastor
beaverlutheranpastor@gmail.com
Pastor Jim started working at Beaver Lutheran Church in October, 2019. He is a graduate of Houghton College (B.A. in Religion) and Luther Seminary (M.Div). Prior to coming to Beaver Lutheran, Jim served as intern pastor at the American Church in Berlin, Germany (2017-18), youth director at University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis, MN (2014-17), and youth director at Hope Lutheran Church in Arcade, NY (2013-2014). Jim is married to Isabel and they have two young boys. Jim is passionate about preaching, teaching, worship, and helping people find their place in the story of God's unfolding mercy. In his spare time, Jim likes to be with his family, walk (anywhere, preferably in the woods), read (Wendell Berry, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Ursula Le Guin, and Phillip Pullman are among his favorites), listen to music (Andrew Peterson, Avett Brothers, the Head and the Heart, Mumford & Sons, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, in addition to many others), and binge-watch Netflix (Stranger Things, 30 Rock, Scrubs, Frasier, Avatar, Firefly and whatever else you recommend!). His favorite place on earth is Taughannock Falls State Park on the southern tip of Cayuga Lake in New York. Pr. Jim would love to have a chat with you about your life, your faith, your big questions (and your little ones!). Feel free to drop him an email and set up an appointment.
Pastor
beaverlutheranpastor@gmail.com
Pastor Jim started working at Beaver Lutheran Church in October, 2019. He is a graduate of Houghton College (B.A. in Religion) and Luther Seminary (M.Div). Prior to coming to Beaver Lutheran, Jim served as intern pastor at the American Church in Berlin, Germany (2017-18), youth director at University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis, MN (2014-17), and youth director at Hope Lutheran Church in Arcade, NY (2013-2014). Jim is married to Isabel and they have two young boys. Jim is passionate about preaching, teaching, worship, and helping people find their place in the story of God's unfolding mercy. In his spare time, Jim likes to be with his family, walk (anywhere, preferably in the woods), read (Wendell Berry, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Ursula Le Guin, and Phillip Pullman are among his favorites), listen to music (Andrew Peterson, Avett Brothers, the Head and the Heart, Mumford & Sons, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, in addition to many others), and binge-watch Netflix (Stranger Things, 30 Rock, Scrubs, Frasier, Avatar, Firefly and whatever else you recommend!). His favorite place on earth is Taughannock Falls State Park on the southern tip of Cayuga Lake in New York. Pr. Jim would love to have a chat with you about your life, your faith, your big questions (and your little ones!). Feel free to drop him an email and set up an appointment.
Sara Mattern
Church Secretary
secretary.beaverlc@verizon.net
Sara grew up in Belleville, Mifflin County and moved to Snyder County following her marriage in 1994. Prior to the birth of her son in 1997, she had been employed by a weekly newspaper, the “County Observer”. While at the Observer she was the head typesetter and did advertising layout as well as job printing. Following the birth of her son Sara felt the need to find a church home in Snyder County. After some searching, God led her to Beaver where she immediately felt a connection with the church and its people. When the need for a new secretary arose in 2008, she decided it was time to get back to work and feels blessed to be able to share the skills learned at the newspaper with her church family. Sara, her husband and son live on a farm in West Beaver Township, McClure, where they raise a few steers. She also admits to being a “dog addict”, presently having seven (including one grandpup) that include three beagles, three basset hounds and a chocolate lab.
Church Secretary
secretary.beaverlc@verizon.net
Sara grew up in Belleville, Mifflin County and moved to Snyder County following her marriage in 1994. Prior to the birth of her son in 1997, she had been employed by a weekly newspaper, the “County Observer”. While at the Observer she was the head typesetter and did advertising layout as well as job printing. Following the birth of her son Sara felt the need to find a church home in Snyder County. After some searching, God led her to Beaver where she immediately felt a connection with the church and its people. When the need for a new secretary arose in 2008, she decided it was time to get back to work and feels blessed to be able to share the skills learned at the newspaper with her church family. Sara, her husband and son live on a farm in West Beaver Township, McClure, where they raise a few steers. She also admits to being a “dog addict”, presently having seven (including one grandpup) that include three beagles, three basset hounds and a chocolate lab.
Michelle Bixler
Church Musician and Choir Director
michbix@gmail.com
Michelle was raised in Beavertown and began playing piano when she was four years old and picked up the saxophone in fourth grade. She participated in all of the musical groups, both instrumental and vocal during her time in the Midd-West School District. Following high school graduation, she attended Mansfield University and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Therapy. Upon graduation, she worked in various facilities as a Board Certified Music Therapist over the next 20 plus years, living in New Castle PA, Ithaca NY, and then back to Beavertown, finally settling in Troxelville. She then had the opportunity to take organ lessons from Pastor Steve Middernacht and eventually inherited the organist position at her home church, Messiah Lutheran, in Troxelville.
Michelle performs in both civic and professional music groups, including the Penn Central Wind Band and the Generoo Vocal Ensemble. She also teach piano and vocal lessons. In 2016 she received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University. She began her new career at Conewago Snyder, working as a drug and alcohol counselor for 10 months. From there, She moved into working as an outpatient counselor trauma specialist in Yeagertown for UCBH, now CenClear. She loves variety in her life, and she certainly is afforded that in her current position, seeing clients ranging in ages four and older, with a variety of diagnoses including autism, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Michelle adds, “Having the opportunity to make music with you allows for me to acquire more of the much needed balance and creative musical outlet on which I continue to thrive.”
Church Musician and Choir Director
michbix@gmail.com
Michelle was raised in Beavertown and began playing piano when she was four years old and picked up the saxophone in fourth grade. She participated in all of the musical groups, both instrumental and vocal during her time in the Midd-West School District. Following high school graduation, she attended Mansfield University and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Therapy. Upon graduation, she worked in various facilities as a Board Certified Music Therapist over the next 20 plus years, living in New Castle PA, Ithaca NY, and then back to Beavertown, finally settling in Troxelville. She then had the opportunity to take organ lessons from Pastor Steve Middernacht and eventually inherited the organist position at her home church, Messiah Lutheran, in Troxelville.
Michelle performs in both civic and professional music groups, including the Penn Central Wind Band and the Generoo Vocal Ensemble. She also teach piano and vocal lessons. In 2016 she received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University. She began her new career at Conewago Snyder, working as a drug and alcohol counselor for 10 months. From there, She moved into working as an outpatient counselor trauma specialist in Yeagertown for UCBH, now CenClear. She loves variety in her life, and she certainly is afforded that in her current position, seeing clients ranging in ages four and older, with a variety of diagnoses including autism, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Michelle adds, “Having the opportunity to make music with you allows for me to acquire more of the much needed balance and creative musical outlet on which I continue to thrive.”
