Pastor Karen Fitz La Barge
Karen served as Solo Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Allegan from 2010 until 2016. Prior to that, she was the Minister of Lifelong Learning at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, the Interim Youth Director at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, the Executive Director of WITNESS, a Non Profit at Hope College, and the substitute Chaplain and Worship Leader at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Karen has worked for the American Red Cross and is on the Board of Directors for Machine Guard & Cover Co of Holland, Michigan, a family-owned Plastic Thermoforming business. She has a long list of other training and service to the Presbytery, particularly at Camp Greenwood. Karen also often serves as Chaplain at Camp Greenwood and is on the Camp Greenwood Board as President.
Karen grew up on a family farm where she learned to love horses, including a pinto pony, a half Arab / half quarter horse chestnut named Taffy Boy and, more recently, a black Percheron draft horse named Justamir Dan Sir. Her Dad taught her to fish when she was 8. (She had to put her own worm on and take off her own fish. ) She enjoys board games, best selling novels, growing 125 varieties of roses, collecting Brighton jewelry, poetry, photography, and milk chocolate caramels.
Karen, her husband Bill, and grown up child, Vox reside in Grandville. Her foster daughter Shantel lives in Grand Rapids with her children David and Isabella.
Pastor Karen's Formal Education:
McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago Illinois - Masters of Divinity, 2002,
Western Theological Seminary - Holland Michigan,
Hope College, Holland Michigan - Bachelors of Arts, 1992 (Double Major: Psychology and Philosophy)
Karen served as Solo Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Allegan from 2010 until 2016. Prior to that, she was the Minister of Lifelong Learning at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, the Interim Youth Director at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, the Executive Director of WITNESS, a Non Profit at Hope College, and the substitute Chaplain and Worship Leader at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Karen has worked for the American Red Cross and is on the Board of Directors for Machine Guard & Cover Co of Holland, Michigan, a family-owned Plastic Thermoforming business. She has a long list of other training and service to the Presbytery, particularly at Camp Greenwood. Karen also often serves as Chaplain at Camp Greenwood and is on the Camp Greenwood Board as President.
Karen grew up on a family farm where she learned to love horses, including a pinto pony, a half Arab / half quarter horse chestnut named Taffy Boy and, more recently, a black Percheron draft horse named Justamir Dan Sir. Her Dad taught her to fish when she was 8. (She had to put her own worm on and take off her own fish. ) She enjoys board games, best selling novels, growing 125 varieties of roses, collecting Brighton jewelry, poetry, photography, and milk chocolate caramels.
Karen, her husband Bill, and grown up child, Vox reside in Grandville. Her foster daughter Shantel lives in Grand Rapids with her children David and Isabella.
Pastor Karen's Formal Education:
McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago Illinois - Masters of Divinity, 2002,
Western Theological Seminary - Holland Michigan,
Hope College, Holland Michigan - Bachelors of Arts, 1992 (Double Major: Psychology and Philosophy)
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Brian Beecher - Music DirectorBrian Beecher is the Director of the Library & Learning Commons at Grand Rapids Community College. He has been a librarian for 19 years and has been a Library Director, Associate Dean, and Dean of Libraries since 2004. Brian earned his Master’s degree in Library Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Music-Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1998, 1996). Although Brian is classically trained in opera and art song, he has sung in Italian, French, German, Latin, Spanish and English. He enjoys singing and directing many contemporary and traditional genres of music. |
Brian has been directing choirs since 1998 and has been singing professionally since 1990. He has performed dozens of solo programs and has sung in various musical groups including The Wisconsin Singers, Kids from Wisconsin, Madison Savoyards, Rock River Gospel Quartet, Children’s Theater of Madison, and many others. Brian’s most recent position was at Rock Prairie United Presbyterian Church in Janesville, WI where he served as Director of Music for 14 years.
Brian is most proud of his opportunity to work with accomplished composer, Pepper Choplin, in writing an anthem in celebration of his tenure at Rock Prairie. The song is a top-selling popular choral anthem entitled: Reasons to Thank You.
Brian also enjoys designing and directing programs and concerts. One of his favorite concerts is a patriotic concert at Rock Prairie Prebyterian Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LVHel8BF8. In this video, Brian is directing the concert from memory and sings Bring Him Home from the musical, Les Miserables.
Brian’s library work includes managing and directing all library operations, services, budgets, and staff. He has been a featured conference speaker on various topics including budgeting, leadership, innovation, statistics, assessment, and designing and building libraries. Brian has led libraries in designing and building (and remodeling) five libraries. He is most proud of his work on the design of Elgin Community College Library and the University of Wisconsin-Rock County Library.
Brian moved to Grand Rapids with his wife and three children in November of 2016. Brian’s hobbies include singing, magic, science fiction movies and TV, outside activities, camping, computer and console gaming and design, and musical events.
Brian is most proud of his opportunity to work with accomplished composer, Pepper Choplin, in writing an anthem in celebration of his tenure at Rock Prairie. The song is a top-selling popular choral anthem entitled: Reasons to Thank You.
Brian also enjoys designing and directing programs and concerts. One of his favorite concerts is a patriotic concert at Rock Prairie Prebyterian Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LVHel8BF8. In this video, Brian is directing the concert from memory and sings Bring Him Home from the musical, Les Miserables.
Brian’s library work includes managing and directing all library operations, services, budgets, and staff. He has been a featured conference speaker on various topics including budgeting, leadership, innovation, statistics, assessment, and designing and building libraries. Brian has led libraries in designing and building (and remodeling) five libraries. He is most proud of his work on the design of Elgin Community College Library and the University of Wisconsin-Rock County Library.
Brian moved to Grand Rapids with his wife and three children in November of 2016. Brian’s hobbies include singing, magic, science fiction movies and TV, outside activities, camping, computer and console gaming and design, and musical events.
Our Choir
Our Choir us made up of dedicated individuals who come together once a week for practice.
Their beautiful voices bring a joyful noise to our services during the winter months.
The choir meets at the church at 9:30 am on Sundays. Everyone is welcome to join.
Their beautiful voices bring a joyful noise to our services during the winter months.
The choir meets at the church at 9:30 am on Sundays. Everyone is welcome to join.
