OUR STAFF
Lori Valentine Martinez, Pastor
Welcome to Bethany UMC. If this is your first time here, a long-time member, or anything in between; I hope and pray that you find Bethany to be a welcoming congregation where you can be welcomed and loved. I would love to connect with you too.
My name is Lori Valentine Martinez, and I am the pastor at Bethany. I am a mother of three and am married to Rev. David Martinez. I grew up in the Raleigh area but have called Virginia home since I graduated from college. I graduated from Appalachian State and have degrees in Education and Spanish. As a Virginia Tech Hokie, I studied for my Masters in Latin American History. Currently, I am in my least year of Seminary at Wesley Theological in DC with a Master of Divinity.
What are you passionate about? I love creating new opportunities for connection and inviting diverse voices into conversation. This develops gifts in all types of people. I am passionate about sharing grace, mercy and Christ’s love.
What is your favorite Bible verse? Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God in all remembrance of you … (but I often read until verse 6) … always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Revised Standard Version)
Favorite movies? Grease, The Last Showman, Indiana Jones, … there are many … but usually anything we share on family movie nights.
Who inspires you? My family (the teens and David) including my parents and cousins; along with others in my faith journey with whom I share my story (Jeremy, Margaret, and Wava, especially).
What was your first job? My first job was cleaning fish tanks at an aquarium store and doing mending/repairs in a costume shop.
What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible, of course)? Three favorites come to mind Until We Meet Again, The Hidden Children, and Tell the Court, I Love My Wife (written by one of my mentors). We have lots of books in our house.
How do you spend your free time? In addition to reading history and science fiction for fun, I garden, travel, do arts and crafts, quilting, hiking or swing on the porch.
Laura Lucas, Office Manager/Treasurer
Laura was born the youngest of 4 girls in Eagle Rock, Va. Her father delivered her at home while her sisters sat on the stairs waiting for her birth. She attended James River High School in Buchanan, VA and moved to Bridgewater shortly after graduating. She was the Visitor Manager at Natural Chimneys her first summer in the Valley. Laura’s continued work experience includes secretarial work, computer work, and school classroom assistant to name a few. She married Gary Lucas from Weyers Cave where they raised their family of two adopted children. Laura has two granddaughters that are the joy of her heart.
Little did Laura know that God would lead her to the position of Office Manager at Bethany UMC. She served as a volunteer in the office while the church looked for a new hiree. She felt God’s calling and applied for the job. Laura is committed to performing her best as Bethany’s Office Manager and Treasurer.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about my family. I want the best for them and to see them happy.
What’s your favorite Bible verse? “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
Favorite movie? The Sound of Music
Who inspires you? My parents: Charles and Lucy Vaughn, my 3 older sisters: Susan, Leslie, and Rebecca. They taught me how to love unconditionally.
What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a math teacher.
What was your first job? I was a very busy baby sister. My first “real” job was the summer between my Junior and Senior years of high school. I worked in housekeeping at Wattstull Inn in Buchanan, VA. This was the time of shag carpet and the carpets in the rooms had to be raked so that there were no footprints seen when a guest opened the door.
How do you spend your free time? I enjoy long walks, sewing, crocheting, making paper/clay beads, and reading. Music is my therapy and you usually hear some playing in the background.
Dale Roller, Praise & Worship Leader
Dale grew up on a dairy farm in Weyers Cave with a brother and a sister. The family moved to Weyers Cave when he was 2 so he has been at Bethany most of his life. He started with piano lessons at age 8 and taught himself to play banjo at age 16.
Dale attended Virginia Tech for 2 years studying agriculture, then transferred and graduated from Longwood College (now University) with a degree in Music and a minor in Business. He played music as his main profession for 14 years and became involved in computers while on the road. He works now as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer at Jenzabar in Harrisonburg VA.
What are you passionate about? Music, my family
What is your favorite Bible verse? “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Favorite movies? Lonesome Dove (I know, TV miniseries), White Christmas, It’s A Wonderful Life
Who inspires you? My parents: Harold and Carolyn Roller, Dr. Bob Blasch – friend and piano professor from Longwood College
What was your childhood ambition? To be a radio disc jockey, a detective or a musician (not all at the same time)
What was your first job? First job: working on my family’s dairy farm, Kendale Jerseys
First jobs away from the farm: mowing grass one summer at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton, then playing banjo at one of the shows at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.
What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible, of course)? Hard question – When I was much younger, my Mema Myers had some books at her house that belonged to my uncles, a series called the Sugar Creek Gang. I read those (a number of times) and got more as gifts between age 7 and 12. These were stories about boys growing up in the country who had adventures and loved Jesus. I recently reread a number of these books as I was reading them with my son when he was younger.
How do you spend your free time? Listening to and playing music, messing with computers, hanging out with my family, reading.
