Bethesda Lutheran Church

The faithful staff at Bethesda

Bethesda is so blessed to have such dedicated individuals as the following servants of Christ's church here on earth. All are residents of Morrison, very active in the community and work very ecumenically with the many other churches in our wonderful town. They are only paid part-time but put in full-time efforts at being helpful and effective ministers in their own areas of expertise.

Deb Stone -

Church Secretary

Deb has worked in the Bethesda office since June of 1999. She and her husband, Bob, are also members at Bethesda, and have been married for 34 years. They have 3 biological children, ages 31, 29, and 26, and one young man who moved in with them as a foster child at the age of 15, and is now 27, and still lives in their home. Deb is a member of the Senior Choir at Bethesda, was a former youth group leader, and has participated on mission trips.

When not trying to keep up with her duties as a housewife & mother, she enjoys listening to music and taking on little projects around the house. She also admits to being a reality TV show junkie and indulges in watching shows like The Voice, Survivor, The Amazing Race, etc.

Kathy Janicek -
Director of Music
& Choir Director

Kathy Anderson Janicek has been the choir director at Bethesda since 1978 and has also served as organist for much of that time. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Augustana College in Rock Island and a Master of Music in Choral Music from the University of Illinois. Kathy taught in several area schools and at Augustana College from 1981-1990. She retired from full time teaching in 2008, with her final 18 years being spent in the Erie school district. She has been involved in church music ever since she can remember.

In 1978 Kathy married Alan Janicek , an electrical engineer employed by GE in Morrison. They met in 1976 when they worked together on a Morrison Music Theater Association production. Not long after they started attending Bethesda, she was recruited to direct the senior choir by organist Diane Rauser and pastor Quentin Fleming. Kathy knew Pastor Fleming from her days at Augustana, where he had been the tour director for the Augustana Choir. It didn’t take much persuasion for her to accept the job!

Connie Swanson-DeSpain- Choir Accompanist

My name is Connie Swanson-DeSpain and I accompany the senior choir here at Bethesda. I am not a member here, but feel very welcome and enjoy being involved with the service on Sunday mornings. I usually play for the choir and leave to go to another church and I have not had the pleasure of meeting most of the people who attend church here.

I really enjoy working with the choir and especially with Kathy Janicek. I have known her for many,many years and first met her when she was my music teacher at Prophetstown High School. (I won't mention the year.) Since then, I have come to value her, not only as a teacher and mentor, but as a friend.

I have accompanied the choir since 1999. It is hard to believe it has been that long. Each year has come and gone with some changes as to who is singing in the choir at any given time. Kathy always selects music that is challenging, yet is very "singable". I think the sound this choir makes is indeed a "Gift to God" and a truly important part of the weekly worship service.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your worship service each week and may God bless you.

Steve Poulter -

Custodian

Steve is new to the Bethesda staff, serving as custodian beginning in November 2019. Steve is "legally blind" and receives assistance from his lovely wife, Louise, who transports him and helps with some of the cleaning tasks around the facility. Steve & Louise also provide cleaning services for others in the community and are long time residents of the Morrison area. They have 4 children and several grandchildren.