About 45 people attended an orientation to ministry event sponsored by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry on January 4, 2014 at St. Paul's UMC in Allison Park. Representing all 10 districts, they came to find out more about ordained, licensed and set-apart ministry within the United Methodist Church.
Speakers included Rev. Jeffrey Sterling and Rev. Amy Wagner, co-chairs of the Board; Faith Geer, Administrative Director of St. Paul's; Louise Patterson, CLM and Chair of the Conference Connectional Network; Rev. Barry Ritenour, Chair of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members; Rev. Debbie Hills, Director of All God's Children Ministries; and Rev. Stephanie Gottschalk, Coordinator of Missions.
The event is a Disciplinary requirement for all candidates, but also provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the broad variety of ministry opportunities offered within the denomination.
The Orientation will be held twice a year, in January and June. The next one will be June 4 at Grove City prior to the start of Annual Conference.
Registration for that event will be available soon.