Rector

The Rev. Tim Schenck (pronounced skenk) joined Bethesda as rector in 2022, following 14 years as rector of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, MA. He previously served parishes in New York and Maryland.

Originally from Baltimore, Tim graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA, in 1991, where he was also enrolled in Army ROTC. Trained as a tank platoon leader and paratrooper, Tim served in the Army Reserve while working as a political campaign manager for candidates on the federal, state, and local levels.

He received a Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, in 2000, and was ordained in the Diocese of Maryland.

Tim is well known throughout the Episcopal Church as the creator of the wildly popular online devotion Lent Madness (think 32 saints in an NCAA-style bracket).

He is the author of five books full of humor and faith including, most recently, Holy Grounds: The Surprising Connection Between Coffee and Faith – From Dancing Goats to Satan’s Drink (Fortress Press). His forthcoming book, Devotions for People Who Don’t Do Devotions, will be published by Forward Movement in 2023. Active on social media, where you can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @FatherTim, he has long used digital spaces to keep communities connected and thriving.

Tim and his wife, Bryna Rogers, a native of Westchester County, NY, have two sons in their early 20’s, Benedict and Zachary. Bryna serves as Director of Development & Community Relations at Bay State Community Services, a social service agency. Tim and Bryna live in Bethesda’s rectory with their two rescue dogs, Cooper and Daisy Duke.

Phone: (561) 655-4555 | Email: frtim@bbts.org

Associate Rector

The Rev. Susan R. Beebe grew up in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Asbury University, and later graduated from Yale Divinity School, summa cum laude.

Susan was a longstanding Board Member of the Diocesan School for Christian Studies, where she also taught Church History. She has served as Diocesan Examining Chaplain for Church History and chaired the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains. She currently serves as the Diocesan Chaplain to the Order of the Daughters of the King. She has led retreats and quiet days or served on retreat teams at parishes throughout the diocese, and has enjoyed preaching for several summers at St. Andrew’s Dune Church in Southampton, New York.

Susan is author of the book Meditations for Church Staff (Morehouse) and her writing has appeared in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Yale’s Reflections magazine. She is married to The Rev. Jeffrey S. Beebe, and is mom to their sons Jeffrey Jr. and Jack.

Phone: (561) 655-4555 x105 | Email: beebe@bbts.org

Assisting Priest

A lifelong Episcopalian, the Rev. Jeffrey Beebe was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, and earned his BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Jeff worked as a floor trader at a Chicago Commodity Futures Exchange, and later in the field of leveraged buyouts. During this period Jeff had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit and returned to the church. He attended Yale University Divinity School and earned his MDiv degree. Jeff and his wife Susan planted an Episcopal Church in Parkland, Florida, under the authority of Bishop Leo Frade of the Diocese of Southeast Florida. After this, Jeff took several years leave of public ministry and built and managed private financial and real property assets. He still actively manages his corporate investments and donates his professional ministry time to Bethesda.

Assisting Priest

Canon Rankin serves as Associate Priest and primary clergy contact for new member ministries, pastoral care, and related sacramental functions. Following ordination in 1993, Elizabeth served in both parish and diocesan ministries, as Vicar of St. Francis Church, Dunellen, N.J. and Canon for Ministry Development & Deployment in the Diocese of New Jersey. She is also the Founder and Chair of Good Shepherd Sustainable Learning Foundation, a nonprofit cross-cultural ministry that built and supports Good Shepherd Academy in Cameroon, West Africa. In addition, she has served as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of General Theological Seminary, as adjunct GTS faculty, and CREDO spirituality faculty member.

Elizabeth is a prolific writer and editor, authoring seven books and many articles, mostly on spirituality and Christian growth. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.S.), the University of South Carolina (M.A.T. in English), and The General Theological Seminary (M.Div.). She is blessed to be the mother of two grown children, Charlotte and Mike; and the grandmother of Lily and William.

Elizabeth has served at Bethesda since 2017.

Phone: (561) 655-4555 x104 | Email: rankin@bbts.org

Deacon for Port Ministry

Deacon Clay is a native Floridian, born in Sarasota. Moving to West Palm Beach in high school, he has been a member of Bethesda since 1978. Clay is a graduate of Palm Beach Junior College and majored in History at the University of Florida. He has taught Social Studies in the Palm Beach County School district for 27 years, and is still a full time high school teacher. During the 80’s he was a SCUBA Instructor and USCG Licensed Captain at the Norine Rouse Scuba Club. After returning to teaching, he worked at Abernethy Scuba Adventures running dive boats in the summer. Clay was called to serve in the ordained ministry to serve the commercial seafarers who visit the Port of Palm Beach and Port Everglades. He is a volunteer Chaplain at Seafarers House in Fort Lauderdale and at the port of Palm Beach. Here at Bethesda, Deacon Clay oversees the Eucharistic Visitors Ministry and assists in hospital and home visitation. Clay and his wife, Jackie, have two children in high school, Wade and Savannah. He enjoys travelling with his family and of course boating and diving. Clay has served as Deacon at Bethesda since 2007.

Phone: (561) 655-4555 x130 | Email: waddell@bbts.org

Deacon for Spiritual Direction & Pastoral Care

As a Spiritual Director, Cecie listens with wisdom and grace for the movement of God’s Spirit in those she companions. Her practice is open to all who desire to journey to that deeper place with guidance. In every religious tradition across the ages, people have sought companions for the Spiritual journey. They turn to someone who will journey with them to a deeper place, listening to the movement of God’s Spirit within. In Spiritual Direction, the Director and the Directee seek God who forms their heart and their lives. Meeting monthly helps the directee develop inner peace, grace, a greater understanding of life purpose and discernment in decision-making. Cecie was educated at Cazenovia and Williams Colleges, Oxford University, Luther Seminary and Barry University. She and her husband, Rod, are parents of four and grandparents of nine. She enjoys reading, gardening, hiking in Colorado, and travel in her free time. She brings a variety of Pastoral and Outreach experiences as a Deacon to Bethesda. Contact Deacon Cecie, if you are interested in Spiritual Direction. Cecie has been a member at Bethesda since 1979 and on staff since 2004.

Phone: (561) 655-4555 x116 | Email: titcomb@bbts.org