Cathedral Church of the Nativity
2013 Vestry Candidates Profiles
(Vote for 5, 3-Year Term)
PAM BAYLISS
Pam has been a member our Nativity family since 1983. Since that time, she has
done church school, choir, bell ringing, communications committee, writer for the
Parish Visitor, Kitchen Event work, Junior Youth Group, Nativity Camp for 10 years,
Vestry, Nominations Committee, Fair Work, Southside Ministries KIDS Program for
13 years [several as overall director], and chaired the Profile Committee during the
search that brought us Dean Pompa. Pam’s family includes her husband Tom, 2 dogs, 2 daughters,
their husbands and 2 grandchildren. She is not currently employed but does a lot of volunteering and
odd jobs. Her parish activities include: Teaching 3rd and 4th Grade Sunday School, ringing the bells,
Past & Present Luncheons, other kitchen work with Sarah Norwine, Vestry, and Yarns of Love. Pam’s
hobbies and activities are: President of the Bethlehem Palette Club, Painting and all Paintingconnected creativity, furniture repairs, knitting, sewing, gardening, writing, card making, etc. etc. ad
infinitum. Some of the gifts Pam feels she has to offer to our ministry of leadership are working to
bring people together, enjoying and treasuring all the ages and stages from elementary on up
through some of the more senior members who come to Past and Present Luncheons and listening,
thinking and solving problems. Pam is excited about doing her part in keeping the Cathedral
meaningful in the life of both its parishioners and its neighborhood. She sees this happening through
the work we do with our youth. Pam also hopes we’ll be able to keep reaching out to support those
around us who need a boost to get on their feet. She feels keeping our buildings sound a big part of
this as well as carefully choosing our programs and maintaining our music. While moving forward
she hopes we will always keep in mind that the wonderful people who are now aging, were once the
active people who moved us to where we are and we will include their needs and thoughts. Pam
feels our greatest challenges for the future of the Cathedral are keeping afloat as our buildings age,
our parishioners’ age and the economy affects the neighborhood around us. She feels we must not
be afraid to change when needed, but neither must we buy into popular, trendy quick fixes.
Discerning between these can be difficult.
BARBARA IANNELLI
Barbara Iannelli lives in Walnutport. She has been a member of the Cathedral since
1970. Barbara has a grown son Gene who is married with a son, Joseph. She is a
retired teacher. Both of Barbara’s parents are living, she has 4 brothers and 1 sister.
Barbara has taught Sunday school for 43 years. She served on the Vestry during the
nineties and is now completing a 3-year term on the Vestry this year. She is also a
member of the choir, altar guild, DOCC Team, The Yarns of Love, The Daughters of
The King, on the camp staff, lector and mentoring the Tuesday Morning Bible study.
She will also graduate from EFM in May. Barbara is also a part of our kitchen/hospitality staff when
needed. Barbara is a positive person, who listens well. She likes to solve problems and is willing to
try new things. She works hard and enjoys serving others. When asked what she is most excited
about as she looks to the future of the Cathedral, she said meeting new people, and serving in new
ways. Barbara believes our biggest challenge is getting the word out that we are here and ready to
serve. She also feels another challenge is blending the old with the new and preserving our
buildings.
JACOB THOMAS
Jacob lives in Bethlehem with his parents, Mary and Tom, and sister Anna. He
works for L’Oreal as a Technical Manager. His family has been attending the
cathedral since 1994. Jacob moved back to Bethlehem in 2009 and have since
taught Rite 13 and served on the Vestry. The gifts and skills he feels he has to
offer this ministry of leadership is his experience managing Operations and
Capital Projects. Jacob is also currently pursuing his MBA at Lehigh. He also
said that the Cathedral has been a pillar of the faith community in Bethlehem and the greater Lehigh
Valley for the last 150 years. He looks forward to doing his part to ensure that it remains a beacon of
faith and service for the next 150 years and beyond. Jacob feels the greatest challenge for the future
of the Cathedral is in attracting new members. He stated that our church will be challenged by all the
other activities that compete for our congregation’s time.
RICHARD SAUSE
Richard is married to Wendy. He is a Professor of Civil Engineering, Lehigh
University. Richard’s parish activities include:
Member of Vestry, Property
Committee, and Vestry Budget Committee. During the recent past he served on the
Capital Campaign Steering Committee. During the past 2 years Richard served as the
project manager for the Cathedral wall restoration capital project (both Phase I and
Phase II). This project included restoration of numerous stained glass windows,
repair/reconstruction of all masonry walls, repairs to interior walls, and selected roof
repairs. The project has eliminated many long-term problems causing deterioration of our Cathedral
building.
His role included overseeing the contractors, managing the project budgets,
communicating with the Vestry and Property Committee about costs and progress, and facilitating
important decisions about the project made by the Vestry. Richard is currently working with the
Property Committee to oversee repair of the Cathedral roof damage caused by hurricane Sandy.
Also during the past 2 years he served on the Vestry Budget Committee. Some of Richard’s hobbies
and activities are ice hockey (playing and coaching), skiing, biking, and other outdoor activities.
PHIL RIZZO
Phil is married to Melinda, who is active in our worship. He son Adam is active
in youth group, music program and an acolyte. Phil is a telecommunications
field engineer. Phil joined the Cathedral 16 years ago. Some of his parish
activities include Vestry, Usher, Property Committee, and Communications
Committee. His gifts and skills he can offer to this ministry of leadership are his
willingness to serve where his talents are in property, communications and
technology. Some of Phil’s hobbies and activities include woodworking, home
and gardening and exercise.
RAYMOND ARCARIO
Raymond and his wife Karyn live in Coopersburg. They have four sons. He works
for the State of New Jersey as a government official. Raymond has attended
Nativity since 1999. He has been involved in the following ministries: Youth Camp
(currently director), Property Committee, Capital Campaign, Sunday School
Mentor, J2A, Rite 13 and YAC, Acolyte Master (currently), Vestry (Jr. Warden one
year, Sr. Warden five years), Diocesan Council (currently). Ray has experience on
Vestry both here at Nativity and in his former parish. He cares deeply about our parish and wants to
continue to serve the Dean and the parishioners. Ray is most excited for our continuing efforts
looking forward and how Nativity continues to be the wonderful presence in Bethlehem. He feels
our greatest challenge for our future is having parishioners look to the church first as their
foundation—with the ever increasing demands for time, church life gets “fit-in” rather than being the
rock upon which our lives are built.
CARL KOLEPP
No photo or profile available at this time.