Pastor
Brendan Van Gorder
Pastor Brendan prays for God to bring healing, liberation, and unity. He was born in Ireland, grew up near Harrisburg PA, and attended the University of Pennsylvania for his BA in Political Science and Princeton Theological Seminary for his Masters of Divinity.
Pastor Brendan has done ministry through chaplaincy at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia and Bordentown Youth Correctional Facility in New Jersey. He has also served as a pastoral minister at St. Paul's Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, and has gotten a ministry grant and helped run a youth program at Calvary United Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan, where his grandparents live. He enjoys building relationships with people and connecting communities. He plays guitar, saxophone, and loves to dance. He is married to Gina, a Philadelphia high school English teacher, and they have just had a beautiful daughter named Zoramya. He believes Luke 17:21 when it says that the kingdom of God is within us all.
Youth Pastor
Mike Nelson
Mike Nelson was born in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of the University of Valley Forge (undergraduate) where he received his degree in Pastoral Ministry. While in College, Mike felt the Lord telling him he had a calling to shepherd God's people.
Mike graduated from Missio Seminary in 2017 with his Master's degree in Ministry. Mike became an Elder under the Mt. Calvary Holy Family Church inc. in March 2022. Mike has served in various roles while in ministry, Preaching, teaching Bible Study, Youth Leader, visiting, the sick and shut-in, and many other roles. Mike currently travels the country doing motivational speaking in Schools and Colleges. Mike is an author, his book Yes, You Can: 7 Keys to Student Success has been used in schools across the country as a curriculum. Mike lives in Delaware County with his loving wife Adrian, and have been married for 8 years.
Administrative Assistant
Pat Beckett
Pat Beckett has been the Administrative Assistant of NUMC since April of 1993. After graduating Swarthmore H.S., she went to work in the family wholesale jewelry business in Philly's Jeweler's Row as a diamond setter for several years. Pat then worked at Reliance Insurance Company in King of Prussia for 10 years as an insurance rater & c/s/r in the Personal Lines Dept. When the company moved to South Carolina, she was able to stay home and take care of her daughter for a year.
When one door closes, the Lord opens another. Pat was then told about an opening at NUMC . . . and the rest is history. Pat married Dale in 1982, and has one daughter, Stephanie. She loves to bike, garden, read, and vacation in Ocean City, MD.
Church Treasurer
Kurt Schaefer, Sr.
Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for the last 29 years. He also is serving as Treasurer of Little Blessings Christian Preschool for 19 years, and is currently on its Board.
Kurt is married to his wife, Joan, for 50 years, and has three sons, Kurt Jr., Kenneth and Kevin. He is the proud grandfather of three grandsons and one granddaughter. His favorite past-time is raising funds for the Springfield Lions Club, who help serve the blind. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
Financial Secretary
Lynda Stine
Lynda Stine is a graduate of Sharon Hill High School and Peirce Junior College. Immediately upon graduation from high school Lynda worked at The Insurance of Company of North America for four years as a typist. After INA she started working at Friends Select School. She retired from Friends Select in 2011 after working there for 43 years mainly as the Lower/Middle School Secretary.
Lynda was a member of Sharon Hill UMC which merged with Norwood UMC in 2000. Shortly after the merger, she became Financial Secretary. Her hobbies include knitting, needlepoint and photography.
Our school board is made up of Norwood United Methodist Church members. They volunteer their time to help with the preschool; from finances, publicity, policies and guidelines, to fundraisers and other special events. They hold regular meetings and are a valuable resource and support for the preschool staff! Click blue link above to visit LBCP.
Director and Teacher
Maggie McCans
Maggie is the director and teacher at Little Blessings. She has been in the field of education for over twenty years, teaching and substituting in both preschool and grades K-8. She operated a home daycare for over ten years and volunteered several years as a religious educator. Maggie has volunteer experience with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts as well.
Maggie & her husband John are the parents of eight (7 sons & 1 daughter) and grandparents of two, Harper Lynne and Liam Shaun. They all enjoy time at the Delaware seashore.
Co-Teacher
Cheryl Kane
Cheryl has been working with children since she was young. Cheryl is co-teacher for the preschool and is responsible for "Bible Time" and Christian education with the children.
Over the years, she has taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She has also been a leader and teacher with Pioneer Girls and Explorer Girls.
From 2006 to 2012, Cheryl was a teacher for K3-K5 as well as 1st and 2nd grades at Woodlyn Christian School. Cheryl has a son and two daughters; one daughter is also a teacher.
Teacher Aide
Paige Myers
Paige is a school bus driver for the Interboro High School. She enjoys working at the preschool and is always up for adventures and traveling. She often spends a lot of her time at her campground in Ocean City, NJ.