Our Pastors & Staff
Rev. Daniel Smail
Pastor Daniel Patrick Smail is a graduate of Thiel College, and received his Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA. He was ordained in 2001. Before accepting a call to serve at Bethlehem in 2010, he was the pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethel Park for nine years. Pastor Smail’s wife, the Reverend Kari Smail, currently serves as Senior Pastor at St. John’s of Highland Lutheran Church. They have one daughter.
Rev. Ellen Lundie
Pastor Ellen Lundie is a graduate of Wittenberg University and received her Master of Divinity at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA. She was ordained in 2016. Before accepting the call to serve at Bethlehem in 2019, she was the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in New Castle for three years. Pastor Ellen is originally from North Huntingdon, PA.
Laura Henri
MUSIC DIRECTOR & ORGANIST
Laura Henri graduated from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Music degree in K-12 Music Education. She received her Master of Music degree from Duquesne University in piano performance and pedagogy. She served as the Director of Music at St. Joseph Parish in O'Hara Township for several years and has taught private piano lessons in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. She and her husband, Philip, have 4 young children.
Marianne Reed
CHURCH SECRETARY
Marianne is a graduate of Divine Providence Academy and has spent all her working years in an office setting. She joined the BELC staff in July 2010 as Church Secretary. She is responsible for the day-to-day office work of the church building, including publication of bulletins and newsletters, managing all mailings, and maintaining the church records. She also schedules activities and keeps the church calendar. Marianne is married to Alan who is an active member of BELC. They reside in Etna.
Steve Balawejder
SEXTON
Steve joined the BELC staff in 2018 as our Part-Time Church Sexton. He works full time for an inline hockey rink and is a volunteer for Bethlehem's New Start Ministry. He and his wife Julie reside in West View.