Associate Pastor Nominating Committee
Important Information
Meet the APNC
Katherine Beeler
Katherine is a lifelong Presbyterian who grew up attending First Presbyterian Church of Clarksville, TN, and later First Presbyterian Church of Statesboro, GA. Her faith continued to grow during her college years as an active member and intern at UKirk UTK, where she served on two Pastor Nominating Committees. Katherine joined Westminster Presbyterian church in 2017, and she and her wife, Jaclyn, were joyfully married here in 2018. Together, they are raising three wonderful children – Sariah, McKenzie and Bentley – who love being a part of the WPC family. Katherine and Jaclyn are deeply grateful for the love and support their children receive from this community. After eight years of teaching in Knox County schools, Katherine transitioned to a new role in 2022, as a Clinnical Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at the University of Tennessee. She is looking forward to serving on the APNC as our community of faith grows in new and meaningful ways.
Ruth Bendy
Ruth Bendy has been part of Westminster Presbyterian church since birth, 25 years! Ruth Ann was very active in the youth group and participated in Montreat, Ghost Ranch, OBY, ASP, and more! She also grew up participating in every choir offerred at Westminster including Rainbow choir, Choristers, and Chancel choir. Her love of music led her to get her Bachelor’s Degress in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is in her fourth year teaching chorus at Farragut Middle School. She is very excited to be a part of the Associate Pastor nominating committee, as this is the first committee she has served on!
Mary Boyd
Mary Boyd is a lifelong Presbyterian who joined Westminster in 2012. She was a staff member responsible for adult educational programming until her retirement in 2022. She is a Commissioned Lay Pastor and provides pulpit support in congregations around the Presbytery of East Tennessee. Since joining Westminster, she has been involved in the Chancel choir, children’s programs, and worship leadership. She currently serves on the session, and is on the Christian Formation Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys travel and hanging out with her granddaughters.
Reed Carringer
Reed grew up in Fountain City before attending Maryville College, where he met his wife, Rachael. He has a degree in Religious Studies and lives in Strawberry Plains with Rachael, Brooklyn (6) and Stevie (4). After about a year of attending Westminster, he joined WPC in 2024 and has helped with music in Brooklyn and Stevie’s Sunday school class. He enjoys playing and listening to music, podcasts, hiking, fishing and the roller coaster life that comes with being a Tennessee Volunteer fan. Primarily a stay-at-home dad, he also owns and operates a pizza trailer.
James Gilbert (Youth Representative)
James is a sophmore at Webb School and has attended Westminster since 2015. He was confirmed in 2024. He plays tennis, is currently working towards his Eagle Scout rank, and enjoys acting in Webb and Westminster stage productions. He regularly participates in youth group activities, like Operation Backyard and working in the FISH pantry.
Steve Hoadley
Steve and his wife Donna, spent many years in the military, in many places and many churches. Steve was a cardiologist and Donna was a nurse, now retired. Steve and Donna have children and grandchildren in Knoxville. They have been members of Westminster for over 20 years. Steve served on the PNC for Eade Anderson. He has previously served on the Session and several ministry groups. He has loved singing in the choir and Westminster plays. They have been on a number of Mission trips. Westminster is thriving and evolving. Our new Associate Pastor will, by the grace of God, facilitate that thriving through evolution. Steve is excited to be a part of it. He treasures Westminster as a home where he can be himself and walk with the Spirit and fellowship of other Christians.
Melanie Lewis (APNC Co-Chair)
Melanie grew up in Tullahoma, Tennessee, with her parents and three siblings. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Nuclear Engineering degree and has worked at Jacobs for 13 years, currently serving as Global Growth and Strategy Learning Director. Melanie and her husband, Daniel, met while attending UT and were married at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Farragut in 2013. They have two children – Adelina (5th grader) and Owen (1st grader)- who keeps them busy and laughing! Melanie has been a member at Westminster since 2018 and has enjoyed an active role in the life of the congregation, including serving on Session, Fellowship Ministry Team, Stewardship Committee, the Intergenerational Task Force, Human Resources Minstry Team and Youth Advisory council. She also enjoys opportunities to engage with our children and youth programs, including serving as Sunday School teacher and Shepherd, Confirmation Mentor, youth retreat small group leader, and providing extra eyes, ears, hands and heart to support our growing members during the evening youth group, trips and service projects.
Casey Page (APNC Co-Chair)
Casey is a native of Missouri and moved to Tennessee in 1990 to practice endocrinology. He has been a physician here for 34+ years and retired in Janaury of 2025. He loves music and sings in the choir and is a substitute in the handbell choir. He loves traveling, playing pickleball, cooking, learning languages and reading. Given his love for animals, he also recently became a zoo volunteer. Casey and his partner, Ken Hughes, joined the church in 2018.
Elizabeth Salsbery
Elizabeth is thankful for the opportunity to serve on the APNC. Her family moved to Knoxville in 1974 from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has called Westminster home for 51 years. She and her husband, John have been blessed to rear four children. Owen (23), Ian,(21), Sarah(16), and Grace(15). Along with being a full time mom, she has worked at UT Medical Center as a PRN infusion nurse. Westminster has been an enormous part of her life. She could write a small book on how WPC has made her the person she is today. She has been a member of the Flower Guild, the Education and Fellowship committees. She served on the Ruthie Carey Pavillon project. There have been many changes during her years at WPC. She looks forward to being a part of the next chapter.