Parish Ministry Consultants

The Role of a PMC

Bethesda's Parish Ministry Consultants (PMCs) help people with disabilities living in the community become active members in the church. They do this in a variety of ways:

• First, the PMC meets with the person who has a disability to make a spiritual life assessment.
• Next, the PMC works to match the individual with a congregation. The PMC looks not only at routine worship, but also seeks ways for the individual to become part of the congregation’s life through opportunities such as ushering or helping with church dinners.
• Finally, the PMC helps the congregation with disability awareness in order to provide a smooth transition when the person with developmental disabilities joins their congregation.
• The PMC also provides as much follow-up help as needed.

In addition to working with churches, PMCs also reach out to schools and families of people with disabilities. They try to create networks among each of these groups, and between each group, help in educational and informational efforts.

The Results

The true measure of the PMC program is the Christian fellowship and faith in God that result for people with disabilites as well as the members of the congregation who welcome them. Congregations’ faith and fellowship are strengthened when they welcome a person with developmental disabilities into parish life.

Read how Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, Ind. has included people who have developmental disabilities into their congregation in Not Only Invited, But Involved.

Contact Information

PMCs are available to serve you in the following locations. If you don't see a PMC listed for your area, please contact Bethesda's Religious Life staff at 1.800.369.4636.

Central California		Southern California
Pamela Martens 290 Shaw Avenue Suite B2 Clovis, CA 93612 559.246.4080 Pamela.Martens@mailblc.org		Rev. Steve Leinhos 26489 Rancho Parkway South Lake Forest, CA 92630 949.600.6122 Steve.Leinhos@mailblc.org
Rev. Getabicha Dirassse 3521 Bridger Drive Redding, CA 96002 530.222.1945 Getabicha.Dirasse@mailblc.org
Colorado		Florida/Georgia
DCE, Susan Hart 5630 S Curtice St Littleton, CO 80120 303.304.9657 Susan.Hart@mailblc.org		Dcs. Lois Diebel 7207 Monetary Dr Orlando, FL 32809 877.457.5556, ext. 222 Lois.Diebel@mailblc.org
Illinois
Diane Mueller c/o Bethel Lutheran Church 38 North Grant Westmont, IL 60559 630.271.9871 Diane.Mueller@mailblc.org		Rev. Philip Gruenbaum 13550 S. Route 30, Suite 200 Plainfield, IL 60544 815.230.2111, ext. 17 Phil.Gruenbaum@mailblc.org
Indiana
Dcs. Judith Anderson 6660 North Clinton St Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260.452.2283 Judith.Anderson@mailblc.org
Kansas
David Sukolics 14150 W 113th St Shawnee Mission, KS 66215 913.906.5024 David.Sukolics@mailblc.org
Michigan/Ohio/New Jersey		Minnesota
Kathy Morris 2744 Roundtree Dr Troy, MI 48083-2328 248.680.1679 Kathleen.Morris@mailblc.org		Dcs. Jeanne Dicke c/o Concordia University 275 N. Syndicate St St. Paul, MN 55104 651.603.6279 Jeanne.Dicke@mailblc.org
New York
Sandra Rice 6680 Main St Williamsville, NY 14221 716.631.9212, ext. 112 Sandra.Rice@mailblc.org
Oregon
Interim Rev. Steve Leinhos 26489 Rancho Parkway South Lake Forest, CA 92630 949.600.6122 Steve.Leinhos@mailblc.org		Michael DeDominick, DCE 1805 NE Junior St Portland, OR 97211 503.348.7471 Michael.DeDomonick@mailblc.org
Texas
Rev. David Cecil 18937 K-Z Rd PO Box 729 Cypress, TX 77433-0729 800.220.0423, ext. 4031 David.Cecil@mailblc.org
Wisconsin
Rev. Dennis Kneer 700 Hoffmann Dr Watertown, WI 53094 800.369.4636, ext. 3565 Dennis.Kneer@mailblc.org		Rev. Michael Schempf 700 Hoffmann Dr Watertown, WI 53094 800.369.4636,ext. 3271 Michael.Schempf@mailblc.org
Dcs. Norma Neuhart 700 Hoffmann Dr Watertown, WI 53094 800.878.8024,ext.3452 Norma.Neuhart@mailblc.org		Charles Schleef 700 Hoffmann Dr Watertown, WI 53094 800.878.8024,ext.3462 Charles.Schleef@mailblc.org
Rev. Charles E. Werth Vice President of Religious Life and Church Relations 600 Hoffmann Dr Watertown, WI 53094 800.369.4636,ext.4408 Chuck.Werth@mailblc.org