Salem Presbyterian Church Staff
540.389.3881
chris vogado
PASTOR
Reverend Chris Vogado began October 16, 2022, as our Pastor. Rev. Vogado is a lifelong Presbyterian, born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee. Chris has a BA in Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee and a Masters of Divinity from Colombia Theological Seminary. He has pastored two churches in North Carolina, worked in churches in Tennessee, Georgia and Indiana before coming to Salem. He is married to Rachel Vogado who is also an ordained Presbyterian pastor, has an eclectic taste in music and enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking and backyard astronomy. Chris says the favorite thing about being a Presbyterian - “Grace! It’s all about the grace!”.
Janet Chisom
Associate Pastor
Janet juggles her time at Salem Presbyterian between youth group meetings, youth mini-missions, Sunday School coordination, teaching, RoundTable, visitation, and worship preparation. A graduate of Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA (B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology) and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA (M.Div and MACE), Janet enjoys life in the South (she’s from Connecticut). She’s involved in ecumenically with Vacation Bible School and a clergy group and serves as the co-chair of the CROP Hunger Walk for the Roanoke Valley. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, walking and hiking, playing board games, and spinning on the contra dance floor. Janet is married to Brian, and they enjoy traveling and hiking together.
S. Reed Carter, IV
Director of Music
As Director of Music and organist at Salem Presbyterian Church, Reed directs the Chancel Choir, the Chancel Handbell Choir, the Youth Choir, the Children’s Choir, and the Cherub Choir. In addition to his responsibilities at SPC, Reed is the Artistic Director of the Salem Choral Society and also frequently works as the Music Director for the Roanoke Children’s Theatre. Reed is a native of Salem, and he and his wife Susan, along with their children, Emma, Sawyer, and Sam, are members of SPC.
Emily Nester
Church Administrator
Emily previously served as the Church Administrator from 2013-2015 and was thrilled to be able to rejoin the Church Staff in 2021. She handles all of the church's administrative functions and serves as the bookkeeper. Emily is a Roanoke native and graduated from Virginia Tech with a BA in English. She lives in Roanoke with her husband, Freeman, and their two children, Annie and Thomas. In her very little spare time, she enjoys baking and reading.
Kitty Beehner, BSN, RN, FCN
Parish Nurse
Kitty, who joined Salem Presbyterian Church with her family in 1996, became the church’s first Parish Nurse in 2003. In this position, she focuses on the integration of mind, body and spirit through visitation of members, health education and counseling, support groups and programs, and lots of hugs! A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kitty earned a B.S. in Nursing and has experience in the hospital setting, geriatric care, and pediatrics. She and her husband Dave have two adult children, Tom and wife Janel and Maggie & husband Dan. In her spare time, Kitty enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, listening to music, and watching classic old movies.