A native of Bethlehem, PA, Connie has been a member of Nativity for 10 years. She is involved with the Youth Ministry, Healing and Wholeness Ministry, and the Vestry. This year, she has organized a youth service trip to Navajoland. Connie serves as the Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs for Onsite Neonatal Partners and is currently completing her Masters of Public Health degree from GW University. She is married to Ken and is the proud mother of Tyler, Mitchell, Nathan, and Gavin.
I am a retired Social worker. I was a case manager for 33 years at The South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center on the South Side of Bethlehem. I came to the Cathedral in January of 1988 and officially joined in April of that year. I am married to Victor and we have two girls, Amanda and Belinda both of whom are married and have given us five wonderful grandchildren. We became very active right away, the girls joined the youth group, camp, choir, diocesan programs, became acolytes, crucifers, chalice bearers. We did ushering and greeting as a family for many years until the girls went off to college. In the past I have served on vestry, search committees, camp, greater, usher. For over ten years I was responsible for ordering the weekly Sunday flowers and sending reminder post cards to parishioners who were placing flowers on the altar, also during that time I was the Sunday morning hospitality person, every Sunday I would bring pastries, bagels and juice for parishioners to enjoy at forum and between services. I am currently in the choir, co-chair for the Monday morning flowers group, member of Altar Guild and Wedding Belles group and the search committee for our next Dean and Rector.
Joe has been a member of Nativity since 2013. Joe has been involved in a number of ministries over the past nine years, including: singing with the choir, mentoring youth, volunteering with the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter, serving on the vestry, and several others. Joe is an English teacher at Freedom High School in the Bethlehem Area School District, and he lives with his wife, Michelle, in Allentown's West End.
Heather and her husband, Keith have raised their family in Center Valley. They are active members of Nativity since 2014. Heather serves on Vestry and has been teaching Sunday School for the past 6 years. Additionally, she has been a confirmation mentor , served on nominating committee and has volunteered with various youth activities throughout the years. She is a certified recreational therapist and dedicated her career to working with seniors, specializing in behavioral therapy. Heather is a consultant in this field, has been a Montessori training facilitator in long term care and currently works as a Wellness and Life Enrichment Coordinator in a retirement community.
My parents brought my brother, sister and me to Nativity in 1969, coming from St. George’s church in Hellertown. My brother and I joined the Men and Boys choir and I served as a member for over 15 years. I also served as an Acolyte and Camp Counselor. I met my future wife during this time, and we were married at the church in 1987. We left for 8 years and lived in Richmond, VA and returned to the area in 1996. I have served on Vestry for 12 years and served 3 years as Junior Warden. I have served on and chaired the Nominating Committee. I served 6 years on the Board of the 3rd Millennium Fund. I served on our previous Search Committee. I have served on the staff and been Director of Nativity Youth Camp for over 15 years. I serve as Judge of Elections for our Annual Meeting. I am currently the Head Usher, serve as a Lector, and now Co-Chair of the current Search Committee. I have been employed for 32 years by Honeywell and my current position is Product Manager in the Specialty Additives business.
Kit has been a member of Nativity since 1985 when she and her husband moved to the valley. Over the years she has been involved in a number of leadership roles including Junior Warden for the Vestry, Third Mellinium Fund, Hospitality, Nominating Committee, Altar Guild, Floral Guild, and several others. During her time at her farm there were many events held there for the parish. She has been an active member in the communityand Diocese, having started the first Diocesan committee to address the AIDS issue in the early '90s. Our Cathedral was host to the first Diocesan AIDS Coalition Service to honor those who had or who had died of AIDS. After her husband's death she developed a B&B on the farm and soon after, an alpaca business of breeding, training, showing and selling the animals. This, coupled with her long time involvement in the Girl Scouts, served her well until her retirement in 2015 when she sold the farm and moved to a smaller house. She is the proud mother of 4 and grandmother of 3 children.
Leonardo "Lee" Velez lives in Zionsville, PA. Lee's family has been active members of Nativity since 2012. Lee is in lay leadership with the Hispanic Outreach and attends the Spanish Liturgy every Sunday at 12:30pm. He has also participated in the Music Ministry, Nativity Youth Camp, English Class assistant instructor, and the homeless shelter ministry. Lee also has recently joined the Vestry. Lee works at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., as an International Trade Compliance Manager and is a Licensed Customs Broker. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Innovation and Creativity from Drexel University. Lee is married to Tiffani and has four children; Mike, Isaac, Eliana, and Nicholas.
Hi I’m Cameron Arcario, I am 26 years old. I graduated from Southern Lehigh High School. I currently live in Slatington, PA with my partner Joe. My family and I have been a members of the Cathedral since 2000. I am currently employed at Via of The Lehigh Valley supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I went through Sunday school classes at the church. I have also been an acolyte and crucifer. I attended Nativity Youth Camp as a camper, counselor, and staff. In my free time I like to travel, watch tv and be with friends and family.
Annalisa has been a member of Nativity since 2009. She served as Clerk of the Vestry for the last 6 years. She is involved with the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter, LGBTQ Spirituality Group, Nativity Youth Camp and serves as Lector and Chalice Bearer. Annalisa is a Corporate Trainer with Cenlar FSB, a mortgage company based in Ewing, NJ. She lives in Bethlehem, PA with her wife, Marilyn, and their son, Mark.
I have been a life-long Episcopalian, growing up in New Hampshire at Church of the Good Shepherd. I joined Nativity Cathedral in 1994 and have raised three daughters within this community who have participated in Sunday School, camp, acolyting, and choir. I have been involved with the youth programs since 2013 and guided several pilgrimages and retreats. Nativity Camp is one of my favorites weeks of the year. I currently serve on the vestry, finance committee, technology committee, search committee, a member of the handbell choir, and usher. I am on the board of the Third Millenium Fund and Treasurer for the newly established Fountain Hill Community Grocery Partnership. Professionally, I am the Marketing Technology Manager for Populytics and Valley Preferred.
I began attending Nativity with my wife in 2015 after moving to Bethlehem from South Jersey where I resided for 64 years. I’ve been a part of the Episcopal faith since marriage 45 years ago. Volunteering at Nativity’s Shelter at the Inn began my mission work here. Before COVID, I served at Sunday services as a Chalice Bearer. I continue to support our Refugee Ministry by tutoring and helping with the daily challenges of the Syrian family that Nativity sponsored in 2016. Most recently, I serve on the Property Committee to help maintain our physical property; serve on the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter (BES) Board, and provide construction support to the Fountain Hill Community Grocery Partnership (FHCGP). I served in the military, worked for engineering firms, and retired as a Senior Estimator/Manager from DOW Chemical Company.
