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Anneke Bertsch

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Anneke Bertsch has been a member of the Episcopal Church since 1967. In that time she has served on vestries, on the altar guild, taught Sunday school and led Bible studies. She is presently actively involved with Outreach and Mission work, serves on the vestry and as a lay eucharistic minister and visitor at St. John's church in Melbourne.

She has previously served on the Diocesan Board as president of the South East deanery, and also served on the Standing Committee.  She is currently a member of the Congregational Development Commission, the Commission on Ministry, the Committee on Constitution and Canons and the Christian Formation Commission. She was elected a lay deputy to the General Conventions of 2003, 2006, 2009.

She completed the 4-year Sewanee Theological Education by Extension course and the 2-year ICS course on Spiritual Direction, which were both helpful in her growth in faith.
Born in Indonesia of Dutch parents, she was raised, confirmed and married in the Dutch Reformed Church.  Educated in Holland and England, she became a high school teacher of English, worked as a librarian and in management.  She taught 5 years as an adjunct professor at the Florida Institute of Technology. She enjoyed a wonderful marriage to the late Willem Bertsch, violinist, teacher and conductor, and has three sons living in three different countries and six grandchildren. Other loves are classical music and painting.

Her exceptional experiences as a young child in a Japanese concentration camp have made her acutely aware of the freedom and privileges she enjoys in this country and deeply thankful for the many blessings received, even in adversity, and the way God has led her all through her life and work. 

Her love for the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church has made her eager to continue working towards the assurance that the bonds between them will remain intact, hoping that TEC will refrain from further actions that would lead to separation from the Communion and more disaffiliation.  Her motivation is the sure knowledge that the Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord and King, that we have a gospel message to share in the world.

Faith and reliance on God, participation in three decisive General Conventions, serving on Diocesan Board and Standing Committee once before and actively involved in diocesan commission work and parish life have given her a valuable experience and understanding, which would be helpful as a member of the Standing Committee. It would be a privilege and trust for her to serve as a lay member on the diocesan Standing Committee.