Pete Berntson took up his appointment as Pastor of Church of the Palms United Methodist on July 1, 2011.
A native of Minnesota and North Dakota, Pete has lived in South Carolina since 1992 when he was transferred here with AT&T. With a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of North Dakota, and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Pete is now applying the skills learned in engineering and executive positions, with the gifts and talents God has provided, to be an obedient servant of Christ.
Pete is a Licensed Local Pastor, receiving his license in 2004. He has completed the Basic Course of Study and is currently in the Advanced Course of Study at Emory, which will allow him to pursue ordination in the United Methodist Church. Pete is a trained Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader, a former Hospice Volunteer/ Watchman, and currently serves as a Trustee of Wesley Commons in Greenwood, SC. Pete previously served as Director of Ministries at Covenant UMC in Greer, SC and then as Associate Pastor until 2007. At that time, Pete was appointed as Associate Pastor at Advent UMC in Simpsonville, SC.
Pete's stabilizing force is his wife, Kathy. They have two grown daughters, Kristen living in Rock Hill, SC, and Sara and her husband, Chuck, living in Acworth, GA. Pete's two sisters and his mother still live in Minnesota.
Our Church Secretary: Lee McSavaney
Lee has worked in Church Administration for 10 years; with the past 3 years as Church Secretary at Church of the Palms. Lee loves her work, and sees it as a natural fit for her business experience in finance and administration, and her love for the Lord. To work with the welcoming and supportive congregation of Church of the Palms is also a joy and a blessing.
Lee and her husband of 35 years, Dave, have two children. Son James, is married; he and his wife Amy are in their final year of post graduate studies in Washington,DC. James is working toward a MDIV at Wesley Seminary, and he plans to be ordained this year. Daughter Katie, a graduate of College of Charleston, served as an intern with Baptist Collegiate Ministries in Charleston, but she is now back home with Mum and Dad, saving for an apartment of her own, and loving her new job of teaching pre-school at Cross Schools . Dave is in his second career in Executive Search and leads the Enterprise Software and Emerging Technology group.
Originally from England, and now US citizens, it was Lee's husband Dave’s career that provided the opportunity to venture overseas, with their new son James, from their thatched cottage in Cambridgeshire, to Massachusetts, in 1986; then to Singapore, where Katie was born, to Hong Kong, and back to Massachusetts, for a few years, before their move South to metro-Atlanta in 1995. All this time Lee was fortunate to be able to stay home, raise the children, and enjoy life as an expatriate “Mum”. As the children grew Lee filled her leisure time with tennis, and Bible Study, including several “Disciple” courses, plus a variety of other studies at Roswell UMC, where the family were members. In 2001, Lee became Church Secretary at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and knew immediately that she had found her “niche”. In 2005 Lee and Dave purchased their “beach house escape” in Moss Creek and so enjoyed the simplified lifestyle they decided to downsize and relocate to their new home as soon as possible. In 2007 the “beach house” was renovated and the plan was achieved. What a great decision! Lee and Dave have now become members of Church of the Palms United Methodist and they both very much enjoy life in the Lowcountry. Whether they are simply enjoying the backyard birdlife, playing tennis with great friends, or taking a beach walk together, this is their favorite place in the world.
Our Music Director: Norma Brown
Norma Brown is Music Director here at Church of the Palms. Norma’s career has included nursing and services as the Director of Nursing for two hospitals in Maryland. However she has played piano and organ since she was a teenager in Keyser, West Virginia. She served as organist and choir director for two United Methodist congregations in West Virginia and North Carolina. Norma currently resides in Rose Hill with her husband Max and their two Basset hounds. Norma and Max have two children and 5 grandchildren living in West Virginia and Maryland.
Pete Berntson took up his appointment as Pastor of Church of the Palms United Methodist on July 1, 2011.
Lee has worked in Church Administration for 10 years; with the past 3 years as Church Secretary at Church of the Palms. Lee loves her work, and sees it as a natural fit for her business experience in finance and administration, and her love for the Lord. To work with the welcoming and supportive congregation of Church of the Palms is also a joy and a blessing. 
Norma Brown is Music Director here at Church of the Palms. Norma’s career has included nursing and services as the Director of Nursing for two hospitals in Maryland. However she has played piano and organ since she was a teenager in Keyser, West Virginia. She served as organist and choir director for two United Methodist congregations in West Virginia and North Carolina. Norma currently resides in Rose Hill with her husband Max and their two Basset hounds. Norma and Max have two children and 5 grandchildren living in West Virginia and Maryland.