Candidates for position of Elder

 Clara GilesI am Clara Giles.  I’ve been married to my husband, David, for 40 years.  I am currently involved in the women’s Bible Study and co-teach the Open Forum SS class.  We joined former Pleasant Hill in 1994, where I served two terms as an elder.  Since the merger, I have also served as a deacon. I am proud and humbled to be nominated to serve Steel Creek Presbyterian at Pleasant Hill.Henry T. HallelandWith retirement in 2018 my wife Suzy and I decided to join our son and his family in Charlotte. We moved here from San Diego in July and into our new home in November 2018. Our daughter and her family joined us two years later. We now have our two children’s families and their four grandchildren all in Charlotte.We have been members of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church since 2022.My church membership and service experience over the last 40 years has included Church Treasurer, Finance Committee member, Stewardship Committee member and Property Committee member.Professional experience; Senior Vice President Private Banker, Loan Portfolio Manager, Relationship Manager, Loan Officer, and Credit Administration. I have served as an Adjunct Professor teaching Graduate and Undergraduate Finance courses at the University of Phoenix where I also served as Finance Department Head.”God will never lead you where his strength cannot keep you”.Respectfully,Henry T. HallelandWilliam Ted HarkeyHi there, my full name is William Ted Harkey, commonly known as Ted, just as my mother wanted. I am a Charlotte native, moving to the Steele Creek area over sixty years ago. As a child, I grew up in Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church when Dr. Zane Moore was the pastor. I attended Steele Creek schools and graduated from Olympic High School.  After high school, I went on to graduate from UNC Chapel Hill.After college, I was fortunate enough to get a job at “the phone company” and retired from AT&T some forty years later. Shortly after college, I met my future wife, Sarah, at a gym in Charlotte. She was a Clemson graduate from Fort Mill and our first date was a UNC – Clemson football game. My team lost but I won. We have been married for over 41 years and have three adult children, two boys and a girl.As young, married adults we built a house off Youngblood Road and joined Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church where Bob Jack was the pastor. At Pleasant Hill, we raised our family in the church, and I served as a youth and adult Sunday School teacher and was an elder for several years.The house I grew up in and the house we built as newlyweds have long since been replaced by newer buildings.  Fortunately, I have memories of truly wonderful Christian people as a youth, a young adult, a parent, and now a senior citizen all in the Steele Creek community.  We have been blessed beyond measure and I am humbled and honored to be asked to serve as an elder again, this time at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Hill.Ragan HastonRagan was born and raised in Charlotte. She is a graduate of Harding University High School and UNC Chapel Hill. After graduation she married Trent, and got a job in cost accounting with Maersk Sealand, where she worked for 4 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She and Trent joined Steele Creek Presbyterian Church in 2007, and they have enjoyed raising their 5 children in the church. Over the years she has served as a Children’s Sunday School teacher, Youth leader, member of the Christian Growth committee, Not-So-Youth-Group leader, and considers it an honor to prepare our Communion bread after being passed the baton from Nancy Fowler and Marjorie Smith. She previously served on Session for 5 years prior to the merger. She is looking forward to being back in the role and wishes to seek God’s will for this church and its people she loves. Jared McCall – not availableCheryl SimerlyI get to honestly share that I am a native Charlottean and have lived in the Steele Creek area for the past forty-two years. I joined Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at the old campus in 1992 after visiting several churches in the area and found my church home.  I have served as a Sunday School teacher, chaired Fellowship & Rec., member of the Tithing Committee, along with several other committees, served as deacon and have previously been a member of the Session for two previous terms.I started my own business in October of 2001 as a manufacture’s rep of architectural products in both North and South Carolina. We have had the opportunity to be a part of numerous projects that have grown our city and state.Ozzie and I have been married for thirty-eight years and we have one daughter, Lexie, who is currently serving in the US Army in South Korea. In my spare time I enjoy being with family and friends, outdoors, reading and traveling.Ellen ThomasEllen has been a lifelong member of the church and community.  She is humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve. She has previously served as elder, and has participated in several committees including Worship, Technology, Administration & Personnel, Finance & Stewardship, Outreach and Fellowship. Today, she enjoys assisting with the AV booth, playing handbells, and assisting with Scottish Heritage and Love Feast. She is the Public Safety I&T Manager for Police, Fire, and Emergency Management for the City of Charlotte.  She graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s Degree, and Pfeiffer University with a MBA/MHA.  She is married to Jonathan Thomas, and they have 2 cats who help them balance their hectic, unpredictable life.Al WingetI was born and raised at Pleasant Hill Church. I am glad to be married to Susan Winget, 47 years so far…We live on the farm outside of Clover where Mother Virginia Winget was born. We share the farm with our 2 sons and their families… Among us, we have 5 grandchildren 2 potbellied pigs, 4 cows, and 3 horses.  Plenty of entertainment…We also have a daughter, Erin Hoyer who is helping her husband, Jacob, plant a Lutheran Church in DeLand, FL and have 2 more grandchildren in DeLand.  Jacob helped our church with a visioning process that developed into our long-range plan.Church is an important part of our lives.Being part of this fellowship helps me tilt toward the Light as I work on my Daily Practice, Weekly Community and Monthly Service.

Candidates for position of Deacon

 Allison BeachMy name is Allison Beach and I have been a member of the church for 38 years. I started out with Pleasant Hill in 1985 after moving here from Maryland. I have been a “Steele Creek’er” most of my life. I have two children, Renee, and Tyler, that I raised in the same church that I grew up in. I recently became a grandmother to a sweet boy, Angelo! In my time as a member, I have helped with the children’s group, attended a number of Bible studies, have been on the nominating committee, volunteered with the young adults with several ministries (one being West Blvd Ministry), helped with Fall festivals, and at one time, sang in the choir. I feel very blessed to be a part of a church that continues to help me grow in my faith and walk with the Lord. Kelly BurkhartKelly and her family joined SCPCPH in February 2023. Kelly was born and raised a Presbyterian in Lexington, NC – BBQ capital of the world! She graduated from Appalachian State in 2010 with a bachelor’s in public relations. Kelly and her husband of 12 years, Brandon, have 3 beautiful children, Jackson, Lucy, and Harrison, as well as a cat named Biscuit. A lifelong singer, Kelly is a member of the choir and the Praise Team. She’s also a member of the Missions Ministry Team. In her free time, Kelly can be found online shopping, planning her next trip, watching movies with the family, or cheering on her Mountaineers!Tom BurnsI grew up in Hopewell, Virginia, and graduated Hopewell HS. I attended Louisburg College and later N. C. State University and graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1972.After graduating from NCSU, I married Barbara who I had met when we attended Louisburg College.  We moved to Tega Cay, SC in 1978, and I went to work for Clariant Corporation.  I worked 29 years in textile marketing and was Technical Director upon retiring in 2007.Barbara and I have one son, Patrick, who is a dentist in Charlotte.  Patrick is married and has two sons, James and Nolan. Our grandchildren are a great delight to both of us. We enjoy traveling, having now been to all fifty states, and I enjoy playing golf.Barbara and I have been attending Pleasant Hill – Steele Creek for more than 20 years.  My faith grew tremendously attending Bible studies led by Bob Jack.  I was part of the Mission Committee at Pleasant Hill for many years and headed up Room In The Inn for Pleasant Hill for eight years. I have served as a volunteer for several mission trips including Door of Hope in S. Africa, Alaska, Poland and most recently Hawaii.I have enjoyed serving as deacon the past two years and look forward to continuing to serve as a deacon for the next two years.Bill FergusonI am 76 years old, and I live in the Lake Wylie area with my wife Judy Watkins.  I grew up on a small farm outside of Greenville, S.C.  I left home and joined the Army in 1966 at the age of 19.  I served 7.5 years in the Army attaining the rank of Captain and flying helicopters in Vietnam.  I left the Army in 1973 and finished my education at the University of Tampa in Florida.  I moved to Charlotte in 1974 and began a 40-year career in electrical wire & cable sales.  I met Judy in 1990, and we were married after a short 10-year courtship.  We joined Pleasant Hill in 2008, and both of us have served as elders.  I also served as a deacon during the merger with Steele Creek.Rachel HolzhauerI would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be considered for a deacon position within Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Hill. I have been a deacon for the last two years. I currently serve as the vice-chair as well as the Secretary of the current deacon class. Since being a deacon, I have revised the deacon duties and implemented several small changes. In addition to serving as a deacon, I volunteer as a Sunday school teacher and help with J-walkers as able. My children and I have been in regular attendance with the church for over seven years despite not actually joining as full members until 2020. It has been a pleasure getting to know members of the church, and I look forward to my ability to further serve others. After prayer and consideration, I believe I have the ability to add value to the church and its members as a returning deacon. Jennifer IrimiesMy name is Jennifer Irimies, and I am married to my amazing husband, Bogdan Irimies.  We have 2 daughters.  Evalyn 8, and Leighton 5.  In the summer of 2014, we attended several churches in the area trying to find a new church home when we moved from Charlotte to Lake Wylie.  The members of this church made us feel very welcome, and we quickly became members of Pleasant Hill and have enjoyed being a part of this church family.  I would love to welcome members and guests as we were welcomed.  I look forward to serving our church. Allison MoodyI’m Allison Moody. I was born and raised in the former Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. I’ve participated in many church activities such as vacation Bible school, Sunday school, mission trips as a youth, and more recently, mission trips to South Africa. I am currently in school to be a Radiation Therapist and will eventually work in Oncology. I am recently engaged to Daniel Pickens. Traveling, sports, being an aunt to Kinsley, and taking naps are a few of the things I enjoy. As a deacon, I look forward to the opportunity to serve.Karsen Moody PenningtonMy name is Karsen, and I have been a part of this church family since I was born. I have watched as my parents had roles in the church, and I am blessed that the day has finally come for me to follow in their footsteps as we continue to grow the church. I am married to my best friend, Carson Pennington, and we have a beautiful daughter, Kinsley Grace. Carson and I will be married 6 years in May, and Kinsley will be 2 in February.  I’ve grown up in the church and have enjoyed participating and helping alongside Sunday School, Vacation Bible school, Youth Group, Praise Team, and other activities that the church has sponsored over the years. In my free time I enjoy anything Disney, going to the park and playing with Kinsley and spending time with friends and family. I am looking forward to being a deacon to be able to serve the church and to be able to grow in my relationship with God and the church family.Karen RawlsI’ve been married to my husband Dennis for 37 years. We have two children, Dennis IV and Taylor, a daughter-in-law, Carolyn, a precious 17-month-old grandson, Denny, and a baby girl due in February. We’ve been members of this wonderful church for 36 years and have been so happy with the merger. I served as an elder at Pleasant Hill, have been a deacon at SCPHC and would be honored to serve another term. I’m currently on the Congregational Care Ministry Team, the Intercessory Prayer Team, I help cook meals for the lunch bunch and the Palisades High School teams and participate in several Bible studies. Crystal Siniarski – Not available