Rev. Jan Scott, Pastor It is a wonderful time to be called to serve the members of Covenant Church, especially because of their outreach into the community and world, for the deep joy they share in being in communion with each other, and for their willingness to explore the very bright future before them. I am blessed each day.
Pastor Jan has served in four different presbyteries of PCUSA and is an active minister member of the Presbytery of Des Moines. Believing it is important to give back where you live, she serves on civic boards in the Des Moines area. Pastor Jan is a seminary graduate from The University of Dubuque
Theological Seminary and has done Doctor of Ministry work at Luther
Seminary and United Seminary in the Minneapolis area. Her undergraduate
work was at Illinois State University and the University of Vienna,
Austria with her bachelor degree coming from the University of Texas.
Pastor Jan has traveled to Central and Latin America, Middle East and many parts of Europe. Some of her favorite things to do include gardening and reading. Jan is married to Mike Scott and together they have four daughters and two granddaughters.
Renae Woodworth, Director of Christian Education I love to be able to use my teaching and education background, plus my heart for God to provide opportunities of continued spiritual growth through learning and experience the Word of God.
In 2004, Renee and her family moved to Iowa. Those early years were spent embracing the awesome opportunity to be a full-time mom to her girls. In 2008, she volunteered to be the interim Director of Christian Education at Covenant Presbyterian Church and accepted the permanent position a year later.
Renae grew up in a farming community in southern Minnesota where she was quite active with her family in their church programs. She graduated from Glenville-Emmons H.S. in 1993 and in 1997 graduated with a triple degree in Special Education (BD) K-6, Special Education (BD) 7-12, and Elementary Education from Buena Vista University. She spent the next 7-years working for the Monticello and Annandale Ind. School Districts in central Minnesota in special ed. and general ed. program development, academic and student growth, and student case management. Her primary focus was on high school students with mental/emotional health and behavior diagnoses, needs and challenges.
Renee and her husband, Ben live in Urbandale with their three daughters.
Julianne Lawrence, Director of Sacred Music and Organist
Julianne was born in Knoxville, Iowa, and has come full circle, having purchased her grandmother's home in Knoxville.
She grew up in Cherokee, Iowa and was active in 4-H and the local symphony orchestra. Julianne then attended college at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, earning three undergraduate degrees in: Music Performance, Music Education, and Church Music.
She has one son from a previous marriage, Ian Michael Bergeron, who is a student at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is married to Jeffrey Kramer, a psychotherapist for Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Center in downtown Des Moines. She keep busy with her "day" job- working as an Administrative Assistant for the Insurance Division of the State of Iowa. She also teaches piano students on a limited basis, both at the church and in her home. Her hobbies include reading, needlework, and gardening.
Beth Carlson Office Coordinator
"I find myself smiling as I experience the warmth and vibrancy of Covenant
Church. This congregation is bursting with energy and the awesome responsibility of God's call to discipleship."
Beth began serving as part-time office coordinator for Covenant in September 2010. Prior to this, she was manager of events and publicity for Grand View College following several years in college admissions and alumni work at Beloit College, in Beloit, WI, Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH and Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA. Beth holds a bachelor's degree in English and French from Cornell College, and a master's degree in College Student Personnel from Miami University, Oxford, OH.
Beth lives in Clive with her husband, Eric and two children, Greta and Benjamin. Eric is a Lutheran pastor and serves as Assistant to the Bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Jennifer McClintic, Nursery Coordinator
Jennifer has worked as the Nursery Coordinator since 2007. She is married to Mark, and she and her family live in Waukee. She has 2 daughters: Kaitlyn and Makenna. She is a trained CPR and First Aid Instructor. She also is employed by the State of Iowa as a Tax Examiner in the Revenue Department. Jennifer graduated from Urbandale High School and Upper Iowa University.
Gary Van Verth, Custodian
Gary is a native of Des Moines. He attended school at Franklin Junior High and Roosevelt Hig School. He has worked in Food Service, Iowa Wine and Spirits and inthe Janitorial Field. He worked for for an Iowa Health Clinic in WDM and joined the Staff of Covenant Church as Custodian in 2008. Gary also enjoys mowing lawn, working with computers, cooking and thrift shopping.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 1025 - 28th Street West Des Moines, IA 50266-2124 webmaster: email
