Leadership & Staff

Pastors of great strength and wisdom have blessed us. They have been leaders who knew when to push us, when to pull us, and when to step out of the way. God has sent us the shepherds we needed, even if we didn’t know it at the time.

Michael Streib


Pastor

A native of southwestern Germany, Michael Streib earned his equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Protestant Theology at Heidelberg University in 2019. He moved to the United States in 2019 and earned a Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School and a Diploma in Congregational Ministry at the Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School in 2022.  Michael's ministry has focused on LGBTQ+ outreach and pastoral care, social justice work, as well as traditional ministry. 

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Rev. Dr. Jill McCrory BUCC

Valerie A. Higgs


Director of Music

A native of South Jersey, Valerie A. Higgs began studying classically at 5 years old. In 1978, she placed second at the Wurlitzer Piano Competition in Philadelphia and was later awarded the NJ Governor’s Excellence in Arts Education Award in 1986. Since she was 15, Valerie has been a pianist (and sometime organist) for various churches in South Jersey, Chicago, and the Washington, DC; most notably: Haddonfield United Methodist Church in New Jersey, under the direction of John Wilson, and Chicago’s Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of Mattie Robertson. Valerie was the music director for the Church in Bethesda from 2013-2015, and has been the music director for the Bethesda United Church of Christ since February 2022.

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Office Manager

Colleen Thompson

Custodian

Doris Rios

We seek to put our faith into action. We examine issues facing our world, debate them openly, and take them seriously.

10:30 AM Service

Worship

Join us for worship at Bethesda UCC every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

9:00 Am rehearsal

Choir

The choir is an integral part of worship and welcomes all.

Christian education

Sunday School

You can find classes for pre-K and elementary school.

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