Pastor Amend

Joseph H. Amend III - Biographical Sketch

I was born on March 22, 1949 in Altoona, PA. In 1963, my family moved to suburban Philadelphia, PA. My two younger sisters and I spent our summers on our Grandmother’s farm just east of Stanley.

I attended Virginia Tech, graduated in 1971 with a degree in Civil Engineering. I was also a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the Virginia Tech Regimental Band (Highty Tighties). I was Commissioned in US Air Force and served 30 years on active duty as a Civil Engineering Officer. After retiring from the Air Force in 2005, I worked 8 years for a defense contractor.

While in the Air Force, I became a Believer on January 26, 1980 in Kwang Ju, Republic of SouthKorea. Since joining the United Methodist Church in 1984, I have been active in the UMC in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Georgi and Virginia. During that time, I have been the local Church Lay Leader twice and have served as Chairs of the Administrative Board, Council of Ministries and Staff-Parish Relations Committees. At McGaheysville UMC, I was the Minister of Discipleship and Small Group Ministries.

I am also active in Harrisonburg District having served as a Lay Speaker and Co-District Lay Leader. I am currently the District Director of Lay Servant Ministries and a Certified Lay Minister.

On August 4, 2019, I presented the sermon “Y’all Means All” to both Fields and Christ UMCs. My wife was my younger sister’s college roommate at (then Radford College). We reconnected in 2010 and we were married in January 2012. After being geographically separated from my bride for 8 months, I moved back moved back to Virginia in August of 2012

I am married to the former Katherine Parker Bliss. She is a graduate of Radford College and a retired Family and Consumer Sciences teacher from the Harrisonburg City Public School System. I have a son and daughter. My son and family, 2 boys and a girl, live in Yellow Springs, OH. I also have a daughter who lives in Dayton, OH. Kathy also has a son and daughter. Her son and family, 1 son, live in Lancaster, PA. Her daughter and 1 son live in Harrisonburg. We have a total of five grandchildren (4 boys and 1 girl).

I am also active in the Shenandoah Valley Emmaus Community.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Shenandoah Charge and the congregations of Christ and Fields UMCs.