OFFICERS
"Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son." Acts 20:28
JANIS K. BLOCKER
Clerk of Session
JANIS BLOCKER is a resident of Round O where she was born. A summa cum laude graduate of the Baptist College at Charleston (now CSU), she also earned a master’s degree in English from The Citadel. As an AP English teacher for years, she worked as a reader for the national AP exams and was a grader for the National Board of Teacher Certification. A retired English teacher, she continues to teach one semester each year, just completing her 44th year in the classroom.
She joined the Corinth Presbyterian Church when she was 13 years old and transferred to Bethel when she was 16. A former deacon, she was ordained an elder in 1974. A former Sunday School teacher, she has chaired numerous committees, teaches bible studies, and has been a choir member since the 1970s. She has served as clerk of Session continuously since 2001. A graduate of the SC Lay School of Theology, she has served as registrar of the school since 2000. In February she began her 34th year as recording clerk of Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, She also serves as recording secretary to the Commission on Ministry of Presbytery and is the trainer for clerks of Session. She served as moderator of Presbytery twice and was commissioner to the PCUS General Assembly in 1978 and to the PC(USA) General Assembly in 1996.
She and her husband David, an ordained elder, were married in Bethel 63 years ago. They have three adult children, six grandchildren, and two great-grands.
SESSION COUNCIL
Class of 2025
ELIZABETH (LIBBY) STEADMAN
ELIZABETH (Libby) STEADMAN, an ordained elder, is a lifelong Presbyterian, baptized as an infant in Center Point Presbyterian Church, Moore, South Carolina. She attended Bethel part-time until her retirement and full-time residency in the county in 2012. An ordained elder, she enjoys serving, particularly on the Congregational Care Committee and for “Hands of Christ.” She chaired the Congregational Care Committee when she served on Session previously.
She earned undergraduate degrees in Nursing at Clemson and MUSC; a master’s degree, University of Alabama; a post-master degree as Nurse Practitioner, USC; and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College. She retired after 33 years of service at MUSC and after 30 years as Colonel in the U.S. Army.
In the community, she serves on the board of directors for Coastal Community Foundation; as past board member, Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society; and in the Col. Joseph Glover DAR chapter. She is a member of the Daughters of American Colonists and Colonial Dames of the XVI Century. She volunteers at Dock St. Theater, Historic Charleston Foundation, the Charleston Historical Society, the Piccolo Festival. She also continues volunteer work as a nurse practitioner at the medical clinic in Beaufort. She and Cappy, a parti poodle rescue boy, enjoy life on the river in the lowcountry.
SESSION COUNCIL
Class of 2026
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CALVIN BAILEY
CALVIN BAILEY, a native of Union, South Carolina, is a graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Forest Management. He is a regional forester with the SC Forestry Commission.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Calvin has been a member of Bethel for 35 years. An ordained elder, he has served several rotations on Session. A former Sunday School teacher, he has served on Property, Stewardship/Finance, Personnel, and Endowment Fund committees. He currently co-chairs the Finance Committee.
Calvin and Mary Kaye, also an ordained elder, have three adult children Trey, Stewart, and Jim. They are proud grandparents Holland, the first girl in the family, and are expecting their second grandchild in January.
SESSION COUNCIL
Class of 2027
MARTHA JOHNSON
MARTHA JOHNSON grew up in Greenville and was baptized in a Baptist church. She later joined the Presbyterian denomination and became a member of Bethel in 1986. A graduate of Clemson University, she also earned a M.Ed. degree from The Citadel.
An ordained elder, Martha has served as Presbyterian Women past president, Joy Circle chair, Vacation Bile School teacher, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. She has served on the Congregational Care, Fellowship, and Discipleship committees. Currently, she is the “Hands of Christ” coordinator. At the presbytery level, she serves on the Nurture Ministry Team.
Professionally, Martha retired from the education profession after 34 years, 17 as a middle-school science teacher and 17 as a middle-school guidance counselor.
In the community, she is a volunteer for FoCCAS and “In His Name” mission. She is president of Zeta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She serves as a Trust board member of CEC and is a “First Steps” board member.
She and her late husband Randall, also an ordained elder, were married for 40 years before his death in 2017. She enjoys the company of her feline child Millie.