STAFF
JOANNA DUNN
Pastor
Joanna was raised in San Francisco, California active in her parochial schools and Donaldina Cameron House. She is a graduate of University of the Pacific in Stockton majoring in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training.
After college, Joanna worked in several therapy clinics until she could no longer deny her call to ordained ministry. She attended Union Seminary in Richmond and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education earning her MDiv and Master of Arts in Christian Education respectively. She has served Grosse Pointe Memorial Church (Grosse Pointe Farms, MI), First Presbyterian Church in Boise, and University Presbyterian Church (Rochester Hills, MI before being called to Bethany Presbyterian Church, Portland. Joanna has also served the larger church in presbytery and synod leadership. She joined Bethany Presbyterian Church on April 15, 2021.
Joanna credits her education and life experiences in the Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian traditions, as well as her cultural heritage and practices with her openness that draws people of all ages and stages of faith into community and conversations about faith and life. She is committed to meeting people where they are without judgement, building relationships with God, one another, and the world. Joanna loves bringing people together. She has taught and led Cub and Boy Scouts seeking to earn their religious emblems, as well as numerous children, youth, and adult faith formation classes in her ministry.
She has always had a commitment of mission and service, spending time leading mission trips (locally, regionally, and abroad), volunteering in the local community, and following where the Spirit leads. Her passion is to serve with the people in a community not simply to do something for a community.
In her down time, Joanna enjoys running, and other sports like basketball and volleyball. She enjoys the outdoors and being with people especially her family. She loves listening to music and watching movies.
SUSAN CHAN
Organist
To get in touch with Susan, please contact the church office.
Susan has served as church organist and pianist in Hong Kong, where she was born and raised, and in various parts of the US before joining Bethany.
She believes in the important role that music plays in church worship and in one’s life, and loves to share music with the congregation and other audiences. Besides enjoying traditional hymns and other music from the traditional western repertoire, she is also interested in exploring music from various cultures, including transcriptions of such works for the organ and piano.
Susan holds a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University and also serves as Professor of Music and Piano Area Coordinator at Portland State University. In addition she actively performs as piano soloist and chamber musician, teaches masterclasses, and presents in conferences internationally.
The New York Concert Review described Susan as “a thoughtful musician and a sensitive player.” She has given recitals at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, on the Pianists of the World Series at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, UK, and on the Seattle International Piano Festival Recital Series. She received a “Special Citation for Championing Piano Music by Asian Composers” in the American Prize Competition, and was awarded an Oregon Arts Commission Artist Fellowship. Her critically acclaimed CD discography includes Echoes of China: Contemporary Piano Music released by Naxos. Susan is a Si-Yo Artist™. Feel free to visit her homepage at susanchanpiano.com.
Susan enjoys the outdoors, travelling and reading.
KAIVON ASGHARIAN
Kaivon was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. When he was younger, a hip injury crushed his goal of a soccer college scholarship and Olympics. Without soccer he had no hope for the future. His mother's faith and love held space to make healing possible. Through this experience, he grew stronger in his own faith and was inspired to help others through their own crises.
Kaivon received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Oregon. He worked as a mental health counselor for individuals with schizophrenia and those that are homeless.
After accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior, Kaivon was called to serve the church. He worked at Aloha United Methodist Church as an Office Manager for 4 years before coming to Bethany Presbyterian Church in March, 2020. Kaivon is blessed to be apart of the BPC family.
Kaivon loves spending time with his family and enjoys weekends with his 2 nieces and nephew. He also likes binging science fiction shows and playing video games.
