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Pastor-Reverend Dr. James Bernhardt
James began his work as pastor of Northminster in July 1999. He moved to Hickory following pastorates
in Clinton, Illinois and Claremont, Minnesota. A native of Lenoir, NC James is a graduate of UNC-Wilmington and Union Theological
Seminary in Virginia. He is married with two children: Sam and Mary. His wife, Anita, is a minister of the United Church
of Christ.
James would tell you that preaching and leading worship are the things he enjoys most in his work. He also
enjoys teaching and especially the group dynamics of a class. The things he likes best about Northminster are the love members
have for one another and the emphasis on mission outreach.
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Director of Christian Education- Chandler Guess
Chandler Guess began serving Northminster as our Director of Christian Education in
September 2006. Chandler is originally from Summerville, SC. She is a recent graduate of Presbyterian College and holds both
a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion/Christian Education and History. She has a passion for mission, outreach, and travel.
Chandler studied in Vietnam in the spring of 2005 and has planned, implemented, and participated in mission trips to Haiti
with members of Northminster. We are extremely excited about the gifts Chandler has brought to our youth and to our church
family.
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Nathan Crabtree
Music Directors-The Crabtrees
Nathan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University with a degree in Music Education in 1993.
In August 2000 he completed the Master of Music Education degree with emphasis in choral conducting, graduating Summa Cum
Laude. Shari graduated from ASU in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. They are both Kindermusik certified.
The Crabtrees have three children: Clare, Tess, and Samantha.
The Crabtrees church music experience spans from significant
involvement as children and youth to leadership roles in other local and regional churches. While Nathan works primarily with
the Adult choir and planning of music ministry, the couple shares the responsibility for Children's choirs. Shari also serves
as an accompanist and music secretary. In addition to serving NPC, Nathan teaches music at Catawba Elementary School. Shari
runs Crabtree Creative Studios which includes Kindermusik, and teaches music at Jacobs Fork Middle School.
Secretary - Janice Simmons
After a rewarding career as a media coordinator for thirty years, Janice decided it was time for
her to retire from South Newton Elementary School and start afresh. Not wanting to stay at home while her husband continued
to work, she checked out the ads in the local newspaper and found the perfect job as Northminster's secretary.
Her home church is Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Her husband, Bob, teaches in the business
department at Lenoir-Rhyne College. They have one daughter who is completing a master's degree in accounting.
Financial Secretary Aimee Davis
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Shari Edmisten Crabtree
Organist-Ruth Sperring
Ruth has helped lead worship from the organ since 1982. Her training comes from a lifetime of
piano and organ lessons culminating in organ and vocal study at Campbell College. She studied organ with Susan Horton. While
at Campbell she was also a member of the Touring Choir and Chamber Choir. In addition to playing the organ at Northminster,
Ruth sings in the choir and plays in the Handbell choir which she started. She has been a resident of Hickory since 1976,
has two adult children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 cats.
Pianist-Joan Readling
Joan graduated from Meredith College with a degree in piano performance. She has taught piano lessons for many
years and is a member of the Hickory Music Club, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, The Friends of Music Advisory Board, and
The NC Federation of Music Clubs. Joan has 2 children, 5 grandsons, and a dog named Mack.
N.C.D.C. Co-Director Cheri Locke
Cheri is a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College and a certified teacher in North Carolina. Currently, Cheri
is earning her Master’s Degree at Lenoir-Rhyne in Birth - Kindergarten Education. Cheri is a former Mother’s Morning
Out director and Director of Christian Education. Cheri is married and the mother of one daughter.
N.C.D.C. Co-Director Debbie Duncan
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