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Werth to Join Staff at Bethesda

090623/01

Watertown, Wis. (June 23, 2009) -- Rev. Charles Werth has been named Vice President of Religious Life and Church Relations for Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services. In this position, Werth will be responsible for strengthening relationships with Lutheran churches, assisting with the development of outreach materials and directing the work of Bethesda’s Parish Ministry Consultants (PMCs) throughout the country.

Werth has served Immanuel Lutheran Church in Madison since 2007 and is native to the Watertown area. He was born and raised in Lebanon and graduated from Northwestern Prep School and College in Watertown. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and did graduate study in German history at the University of Oregon.

"It is with sincerely felt humility and a profound sense of God’s guiding hand that I look forward to becoming a partner in ministry on behalf of the people served and the people who support the ministry of Bethesda," says Werth.

After serving congregations in Chester, Virginia and Fairfield, California, Werth accepted a call to serve as director of church relations at Valparaiso University in 1991. In 1997, Werth returned to Wisconsin and established Werth Interests, a member of the Schmeling Consulting Group, and worked in the development of human, financial, and technical resources for schools of faith. In 2001, he left the consulting firm and accepted a call to his home church, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lebanon, where he remained for five years. Charles and his wife, Ruth, still reside Lebanon.

"We are extremely blessed to have Chuck at Bethesda," says John E. Bauer, president and CEO of Bethesda. "His in-depth knowledge and experience will be a definite asset to the Bethesda team."

Now in its second century of service, Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the country and around the world. Bethesda offers many different types of services for individuals and their families, including a variety of residential settings, supported-living programs and outreach services.

For more information on Bethesda’s services and support programs, call the public relations office at 800.369.4636, ext. 3817, or e-mail: pr@mailblc.org.