Our Staff
Jen Stuart | Lead Pastor
What I like most about Bend Church: Bend Church is committed to being a downtown church with all the complexities and joys of downtown life.
Family stats: Two delightful daughters in college, two geriatric dogs, 3 loud cats and one marriage, 26 years and counting!
Education: BA in Theater from the University of Houston. Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Favorite food: I’m for tacos at every meal.
I would love to have met: Madonna… both of them.
If I could live anywhere in the world it would it be: Right here! Or on a beach in Tahiti. One or the other.
Julie Hanney | Director, Children & Family Ministries
What I like most about Bend Church: The joy! People here are joyful about God, serving others, caring for one another and sharing the message of Jesus.
Family Stats: I am married to my husband Derwyn and we have three kids and two adorable “doodle” dogs (a Labradoodle and a Sheepadoodle).
Education: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Oregon, did post-graduate work in music composition and I’m a licensed Kindermusik instructor.
Favorite food: Argh! How does one choose a favorite?
Favorite city I have lived in: I love living in Bend and feel grateful to be here.
I would love to have met: Mozart. He was a musical genius and had a silly sense of humor that I would appreciate.
If I could live anywhere in the world it would be: Either in Bend or Hawaii. How about summers in Bend and winters in Hawaii?
Diane Cole | Contributions Clerk
What I like most about Bend Church: I love the giving spirit of our church. I’ve even been on the receiving end of it.
Family stats: We are a family of four: two grown kids. We were all born in Ohio and still have family there.
Education: I attended 1 year of college and then attended a cosmetology school and earned my license in 1979. I worked in that field for 18 years
Favorite food: I’m a chocolate lover.
Favorite city I have lived in: Sandusky, Ohio, where I was born, will always have a special place in my heart but I love Bend and can’t imagine living anywhere else right now.
I would love to have met: My great-grandparents.
If I could live anywhere in the world it would it be: Though I do love Bend, the older I get, the more I’d love to move someplace where it is warm year round.
Glenda Alford | Organist and Choir Director
What I like most about Bend Church: How the church has evolved and involved itself into the community through the years. Love it!
Family stats: One sister, three children, five grandchildren and three great-grands – all in the West.
Education: Two years in music program at OSU; one year at COCC to receive accounting certificate.
Favorite food: Marionberry Cobbler
Favorite city I have lived in: I’m living in it – Bend, Oregon
I would love to have met: Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
If I could live anywhere in the world it would it be: Cambria, California
Shelley Giaier | Director of Handbells Choir
What I like most about Bend Church: Bend Church takes our shared Christian faith beyond the walls of the church. The congregation is a faith family that embraces all of God’s children. I feel blessed to be a part of this group of Christians.
Family stats: I am married to Ron Giaier, and we have three children. Our two daughters live in Portland. Our older daughter is an art instructor. Our younger daughter is a chiropractor. Our middle child, a son, is a lawyer in Washington D.C.
Education: I have a Masters of Education degree.
Favorite food: SALAD!
Favorite city in which I have lived: Bend, Oregon of course!
I would love to meet: Pope Francis (still alive!)
If I could live anywhere in the world it would be: Right here!
Nicole Berry | Associate Pastor
What I like the most about Bend Church: It is an authentic, open, and kind community of faith. This church asks questions. It strives to be a place where imperfect people can come and seek God through various means.
Family stats: My husband and I have two energetic children, a sweet lab and a sassy old cat.
Education: I earned my BA in Philosophy from Azusa Pacific University and my Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Following seminary I completed a year of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Favorite food: Cheese!
I would love to have met: My Grandfather, The women in scripture who were healed, listened to, and cared about by Jesus. I would love to hear those stories from their perspectives.
Favorite city I have lived in: I have lived in many; Rochester, IL; Broomfield, CO; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Salem, OR; Sunriver, OR; and Sisters, OR. Each of them hold special memories for me.
Erin Buckley-Noonan| Office Administrator
What I like most about Bend Church: All people are welcomed with open arms.
Family stats: I have been married to my wonderful husband, Kurt, for 24 years. We have two boys, Brennan and Dalen. Brennan is currently attending Western Oregon University as an Honor Student and Athlete. Dalen attends Ridgeview High School in Redmond and is also an Academic All Star and talented athlete. We are so blessed! Our family is rounded out by three demanding cats.
Education: Graduated from Kettle Falls High School (NE Washington) and went to the University of Washington for a year only to find my college home in Monmouth, OR at (then) Western Oregon State College. I earned my bachelors degree in Secondary Education: Social Sciences and went on to get my Masters in Deaf Education
Favorite food: Nutella!
Favorite city I have lived in: Hmmm… I adore my home town of Kettle Falls, WA but I think Redmond and Central Oregon is starting to feel a lot like home.
I would love to have met: The band, Big Daddy Weave. Come by the office, I have a letter from them!
If I could live anywhere in the world it would it be: Central Oregon is really growing on me!
Stacey Witte | Director of Homeless Outreach
What I like about Bend Church: How they support their congregation through life’s joys and sorrows.
Tina Ficher | Book Keeper
What I like most about Bend Church: All the amazing work we do in our community and the world to help others!
Family stats: My son Cameron bring great joy to my life. Cameron is attending to U of O and loves being a Duck. I am so proud of the amazing young man he has become! I am very fortunate to live in the same town with my parents and my sister and her family. My niece Ruby makes me smile every day! My family is my greatest blessing!
Education: BS in Organizational Management from the University of Pacific in Stockton, California.
Favorite food: Anything prepared by my Mom!
Favorite city I have lived in: Bend, Oregon
I would love to have met: Maya Angelou. Her books have touched me more than anything I have ever read. She lived an amazing life filled with great joy and great sorrow. With each step of her journey she was able to draw beautiful insights and helped to transform the world.
If I could live anywhere in the world it would it be: San Juan Island in Washington. I would love to be able to see the orcas every day!
Rashelle Maplethorpe | Nursery Lead
What I like most about Bend Church: I love the caring and giving nature of your church! Everyone appears to be accepting and willing to help others.
Family stats: Two cats, Momo and Suzu, and a boyfriend Daniel.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from OSU Cascades.
Favorite food: Curry!
Favorite city I have lived in: Oregon City with my family.
I would love to have met: A dinosaur!
If I could live anywhere in the world it would it be: In a tree house in a dense forest.