MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT:

Beth Gavaghan Goes the Extra Mile

If one line of classic rock-n-roll music could capture Beth it would be from The Proclaimers’ song I’m Gonna Be, “I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more.” Beth walks at least 500 miles and 500 more annually. Her daily habit of walking three miles (and up to nine on fair-weather days) means she logs more than 1,000 miles a year. On a deeper level, Beth has been walking a spiritual journey, going the extra mile to grow closer to God as she seeks to serve others.

Beth became the communications director at Dutilh on May 2, 2022. It’s a role she’s been preparing for her entire life.

Born in New Kensington and raised in Harmar Township, PA, Beth is one of three children. As a child, Beth remembers playing outside until the streetlights came on, living a simple life with her loving parents. As she began to grow, she fell in love with writing poems and telling stories. That passion led her to enroll in the journalism program at Point Park University. “I have always been curious,” Beth says. “Being a writer allows me to continually be a student, asking questions, and telling stories.”

Beth’s first job out of college was as a reporter for The Herald, a neighborhood newspaper in Sharpsburg, PA. That launched Beth on a journalism career that saw her serve as a writer and editor for a variety of publications from local newspapers to international steel trade journals.

Beth’s career has taken her on quite a journey. She’s learned some valuable lessons along the way. “I’ve discovered that while our destination (heaven) may be the same, everyone is on a different journey. My writer’s passion is found in narrating the story of those journeys.”

Beth’s journey took a momentous turn on her 30th birthday when she went on her first date with her future husband, Patrick. The two were married 16 months later. With the arrival of their first child, Nora, and two years later their son, Danny, Beth experienced a spiritual awakening. The challenge of being a mom drove Beth to pursue her faith in a more intentional way.

“I’ve always been curious about my faith,” said Beth, a Roman Catholic. This season of life motivated her to read the entire Bible twice, sparking a love for God’s Word that continues today. Beth has been active in the interdenominational Bible Study Fellowship since 2007.

As her children grew, Beth sought the opportunity to merge her passion for writing with her faith. She went back to work part-time, using her skills to serve the church. Beth’s first church job was in communications for Trinity Lutheran Church, Wexford. Then, she received the opportunity to work for her home church, serving on the youth ministry staff at St. Ferdinand Parish, Cranberry Township. While in that role, Beth helped St. Ferdinand develop meaningful communications during the early days of the pandemic.

Most recently, Beth served as the communication director at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. When the opportunity to work at Dutilh presented itself, Beth knew it would be a good fit. “I have been an admirer of Dutilh for several years, and follow the church’s social media posts and website,” Beth said.

As Beth begins her work at Dutilh, she is most excited about helping tell the stories of how God is working through the lives of the people of Dutilh and the community. And she is willing to go the extra mile to help tell those stories.

Fun facts about Beth:

·       She has an identical twin sister, Barb.

·       Her family has two dogs, who join her for walks.

·       She loves to sing and tries to play guitar and keyboard.