Our Pastor, Reverend Fred Parish
Beginning
in 1974, Reverend Parish has served the Bethel community for nearly 30
years. Never one to stray far from home, he has lived his entire life
in Northern Virginia. He was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in
Alexandria, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason,
and his Masters in Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary. Prior to
being called to the the ministry, Pastor Fred worked as a bank officer.
Bethel's Reverend Parish has become a well known and beloved figure in the Northern Virginia community. He is very active in many civic and religious causes including:
* Child Protection Partnership
* Didlake, Inc.
* Didlake Foundation
* Project Mend-A-House
* Eastern Prince William Ministerial Association
* Potomac Hospital Volunteer Chaplain
* Celebrate Children
Pastor Parish and his wife have two children and two grandchildren. When his busy schedule permits he will take a moment to relax with a good mystery novel, which may be where his excellent story telling skills are honed.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers , neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
This passage reminds Reverend Parish that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, a love that he shares with the Bethel United Methodist Church and the Northern Virginia Community every day.