Our Pastor: Pastor Pete
Pete Berntson was appointed as Pastor of Church of the Palms United Methodist on July 1, 2011.
A native of Minnesota and North Dakota, Pete has lived in South Carolina since 1992, when he was transferred here with AT&T.
With a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of North Dakota and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Pete is now applying the skills learned in engineering and executive positions, with the gifts and talents God has provided, to be an obedient servant of Christ. He is fond of calling himself the Sheepdog to the Lord Shepherd.
Pete was licensed as a local pastor in 2004. He completed the Basic Course of Study and the Advanced Course of Study at Candler School of Theology and Duke Divinity School. He was commissioned as a Provisional Elder in June of 2021.
Pete is a trained Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader, a former Hospice Volunteer/ Watchman, and has served as a Trustee of Wesley Commons in Greenwood, SC. Pete previously served as Director of Ministries at Covenant UMC in Greer, SC, and then as Associate Pastor until 2007. At that time, Pete was appointed as Associate Pastor at Advent UMC in Simpsonville, SC.
Pete’s stabilizing force is his wife, Kathy. They have two grown daughters, Kristen living in Rock Hill, SC, and Sara and her husband, Chuck, living in Acworth, GA. Sara and Chuck have two sons, McCutchen and Pierce. Pete’s two sisters and his mother still live in Minnesota.
Our Director of Music and Worship Arts: Anna Marie Kuether
Anna Marie Kuether is the Director of Music and Worship Arts. Anna Marie earned a Bachelor of Music, Music Education (Piano Concentration) from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC in May of 1985. She assumed her position full-time in September 2020.
She earned her Master of Music, Music Education in December of 2005 from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Anna Marie has taught choral music at Wilkes County Public Schools and Polk County Public Schools, Columbia, NC. She was also the Minister of Music at Mountain Hill Community Church, located in the Cliffs at Glassy.
Most recently, she taught choral music at H.E. McCracken Middle School in Bluffton.
Our Church Secretary: Sandy Biggs
Sandy Biggs is our part-time Church Secretary. Sandy received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Roanoke College in Salem, VA. Sandy has worked in church offices for the past 10 years.
Sandy moved to Hilton Head in July 2014 when she and her husband, Robert relocated to the area from Virginia with his employer.
Sandy and Robert have two children and a granddaughter living in Virginia.
Our Music Leader: Lauren McLeod
Lauren McLeod is our Music Leader and a classically trained vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter with ten years of experience in leading congregations in worship.
Our Bookkeeper: Carol Ann Van Hoewyk
Carol Ann Van Howwyk serves as part-time Bookkeeper, handling the numerous transactions associated with accounts payable, payroll, and the processing of reimbursements.