Sarah Alexander
Director of Motown Mission Experience.
"I have a passion for young people exploring how their God given gifts and talents align with their call in this world. Currently, I am serving as the director of Motown Mission Experience in Detroit, MI. I am new to this role, but am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to serve God and the city of Detroit. My missional appointment is Livonia: Newburg UMC. "
Susan Amick
I am currently serving as Chaplain with older adults in an independent senior living community with historical Methodist ties, in Atlanta, Georgia. My role includes assisting new residents as they transition into the community, providing support as they explore meaning and purpose in this stage of life, journeying with individuals as they experience growth, change, loss, and grief, guiding the overall spiritual life of the community for both residents and staff members, as together, we honor the full life cycle.
Martha Beals
I am the voluntary chaplain at the new Mary Free Bed YMCA in Grand Rapids. The facility opened on December 7, 2015. It is the only facility of its kind - certified Universal Design - in the world. I am working in Membership Services and have just been brought on as the facility's volunteer chaplain. Our ministry will be focused on three areas: prayer, worship, and spiritual listening. I have felt the strong calling to develop and advocate for this ministry, and am excited to be serving the Mary Free Bed community as their chaplain.
Grace Ann Beebe
Independent consultant and Deacon at Trenton: Faith UMC
Consultant to churches who wish to become more accessible or establish ministries for children/youth/adults who have special needs. My goal is to help show that God’s love is for all by making our buildings accessible and our lessons understandable.
Pamela Buchholz
Retired, but available for retreats, consulting, pulpit fill.
I believe that in boldly living the questions, we grow in faith and self-understanding. With 30 years of Christian Ed experience, my passion today is engaging people in theological reflection and helping them discover their own spiritual journey. I continue my involvement with the DAC by serving on the staff of Licensing School and as Registrar for Specialized Ministries for the BOM.
Dan Colthorp
Director of Children & Youth Ministries at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church
I oversee all the children and youth ministries at the church. This includes Sunday School classes, Confirmation classes, Children's Worship, Children's Midweek program, VBS, Middle School youth group, High School Youth Group, and our Teen Life Together Small Group Bible Studies. I also plan and organize many outreach events, service projects, fundraisers, spiritual retreats, and mission trips. I love helping children and teens connect with God, learn his Word, and grow in their faith. I also enjoy helping youth discover their spiritual gifts and giving them opportunities to use those gifts and talents in the church and the community.
Murphy Ehlers
I am serving at Clawson UMC in Christian education and worship as the Children's Worship Leader and Coordinator. I preach a Children's sermon every week in the sanctuary and then lead children's worship for children of all ages in a children's worship center. I am also teaching an adult Lenten study on the Three Simple Rules for Wesleyan Living and a Lenten study on Methodism 101. I also serve on the Conference Protection Team and the Transitional Team for both West Michigan and the Detroit Conference as we create a new policy to prevent abuse and protect children, youth, and vulnerable persons for the new Michigan Conference.
Ann Emerson
My ministry at Lake Huron Retreat Center focuses on providing a place of rest and respite for all groups. Whether it is a church event, a craft group or a non-for-profit – all who come experience the love of Christ through hospitality provided by all members of the staff. We connect all guests to the needs of our community by our Food for God’s People Project – which supports a local food bank in Sanilac County. We also support Cass Community with regular gifts of paper products donated by guests.
Sherry Foster
I currently work on the worship design team at Milford UMC and assist in most of our worship services. I am involved in mentoring and supporting in-church and outside small groups of all types that meet at our building, such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Michigan Abolitionist Project, and more. In our community, I am part of the Martin Luther King Day Celebration committee and connect our church with our annual March on Main Street and programs to promote social justice awareness. I am also developing a travel and retreat ministry, and along with that, I serve as a member of the new Michigan Area United Methodist Camping board (MAUMC).
Carl Thomas Gladstone
Regional staff with Young People's Minsitries (GBOD)
It is my honor to work on ministry projects that support the visions young people and creative artists have for the church and for innovation in Christian discipleship. Currently I am helping my missional appointment congregation, Metropolitan UMC, connect with the Motor City Wesley campus ministry in the heart of Detroit.
Cora Glass
I am called to ministries that address hunger - physical and spiritual. I hope to serve in ministry settings that allow me to provide daily bread for all people while also helping others learn about Jesus Christ, the bread of life.
I'm living into my call through my appointment at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as the Assistant Director of
Annual Giving and Alum Relations. In this role, I help meet the basic needs of our students, faculty and staff by raising funds for the day to day running of the school; secondly, I help to provide people access to seminary education that challenges and feeds one's spiritual soul.
I am also interested in Retreat Ministries! Check out my work and any upcoming retreats at Recreateretreat.com
Suzanne K. Goodwin
Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism at Orchard UMC, Farmington Hills.
Iam currently transitioning into my new role as the Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism. In this new role, I will be seeking ways for people to become more deeply connected and involved, growing in faith and discerning their own call and path to discipleship.
Annelissa Gray-Lion
Consultant on Spiritual Guidance and Faith Formation. At the Ann Arbor District and Chelsea First UMC.
What excites and gratifies me is helping individuals experience the Holy in our lives, the sacred that surrounds us, or as Paul said, " that in which (we) live and move and have (our) being." Once the Spirit is kindled within, moving on into vital, living discipleship quickly follows. Working on: Designing and facilitating Spiritual Formation retreats, providing Spiritual Direction for clergy and laity, and resourcing individuals on a variety of spiritual practices.
Mary Hagley
Minister of Children and Youth at Dixboro UMC.
I am a Deacon who encourages and equips children, youth, and the “young at heart” to embrace God’s love deeply while empowering all to love God and serve others as Jesus taught us. I have three goals as an ordained deacon: 1) To empower and equip young disciples to love God and serve others, 2) to help the congregation understand that young disciples are the church now, and 3) to reach outside the church walls to share God’s love in meaningful, fun, and exciting ways.
Mandy Hall
Director of Christian Formation (Children and Youth) at Plymouth Congregational Church UCC, Fort Collins, CO.
My greatest joy in ministry is walking alongside a young person as they wrestle with and grow deeper in their faith. Helping a young person develop a faith language and embrace their identity as a beloved child of God is why I do what I do. I also feel called to equipping others to do youth ministry well. I enjoy training volunteers and working with other children and youth leaders to brainstorm and dream of the new frontiers in Christian formation. I also enjoy planing retreats and summer camps for teens.
Loretta M. Job
Director of Senior Adult Ministries at Brighton First UMC
I work primarily with the older adults in the congregation helping them to stay connected with the church, involved in ministry and up to date on what is happening in the church. I believe it is important that our older members not be dismissed as useless, or forgotten by the church. I do home visits, hospital visits, and visit any other place the members may be found. I also work with pre-planning of funerals, end of life decisions and breavement. I find some of the most sacred times in people's lives occur as they face eternity and review how God has been at work I their lives.
James (Jim) Kraus
Minister of Music and Leadership Development at St. Joseph First UMC.
As a Minister of Music I guide the music program at my church as well as offer and participate in musical opportunities throughout the community. I am blessed to have a supportive congregation that appreciates music as a vehicle to offer our talents to God and each other and to encourage and uplift those who offer their gifts. I am blessed to work with musicians and artists at all levels through education, worship, and even performance - all for the glory of God. As a minister of leadership development I work to improve some of the programs in the church and to develop others in leadership.
Greg Lawton
Director of the Wesley Fellowship at Grand Valley State University.
Connecting the church to the campus of GVSU by developing faithful student leaders through campus and mission activities, engaging in interfaith dialogue and sustainable agriculture practices, leading interactive worship gatherings and offering random acts of blessing on campus and in the community. I also serve as the West Michigan Chair of the Order of Deacons and Dean of Big Kids Camp.
Pam Mathieu
In my retirement, I dabble in a lot of things such as teaching an Adult Sunday School class, working with our Missions and Outreach Committee, heading up our CROP Walk participation, arranging a couple Dine to Donate fundraisers each year for our Lincoln Community Schools, helping with youth at Logos on Wednesday evenings (Lincoln Community UMC), and working in other areas as needed.
April McGlothin-Eller
I am currently serving at Garrett-Evangelical as the Director of Development. I love hearing from our alumni about their ministries and encouraging gifts from alumni and donors for scholarships. I am also serving as the staff advisor to the Seminarians for Justice group on campus. I find my passion awakens when working for justice and inclusion. I am the incoming Chair of the Order of Deacons and Diaconal Ministers for the Detroit Annual Conference.
Vince McGlothin-Eller
Director of Academic Studies and Registrar at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Missional appointment at United Church of Rogers Park.
My areas of focus are Spiritual formation, worship planning and leadership, graceful administration, creative problem solving.
Catherine (Cathee) Miles
Director of Evangelism and Discipleship (GROW and GO Director) at Christ Church Fraser: A United Methodist Community
I love teaching and equipping others in discipleship through participation in faith sharing classes, the spiritual disciplines of prayer and bible study, mission and community outreach opportunities, and small group leadership. I also love leading retreats and specialize in spiritual formation teaching and equipping. Actively involved in our Fall Upward Football program as mentor and sharing devotions at halftime.
Rev. Christy Miller-Black
Minister of Christian Education at Flint Court Street UMC and the Crossroads District Coordinator of Discipleship and Youth
In my ministry I work diligently to provide accessible educational materials for all ages and cognitive abilities. My goal is always to bring the good news of God's love to all and inspire and equip our people to go and make disciples as they touch the world around them in service and through their witness of faith. I am also passionate about worship leading and in that role my desire is to provide theologically examined, culturally relevant, and musically diverse praise music in our services to draw people into a dynamic worship experience.
Paul Perez
Director of Mission and Justice Engagement and Leadership Recruitment at the Detroit Conference of the UMC
As a conference staff person my work focuses on connecting and equipping United Methodists and their congregations in Michigan to engage in ministries of mission, justice and leadership formation in local communities and around the world. I am blessed to accompany our Conference Mission Intern Program, the Global Mission Fellows/US-2 serving in Michigan, leaders engaged in long term disaster recovery in Detroit and Flint, and many of our UM-related non-profits in their tremendous witness to God's love and concern for the well-being of all people.
Sue Pethoud
Church and Community Relations Liaision - Cass Community Social Services. Missional Appointment - Cass Community UMC.
In my ministry setting at Cass Community Social Services, I not only interact with clients as a living presence of Christ in their world, but I lead thousands of volunteers each year in service. Our Worship in the Warehouse mid-week worship opportunity gives me the most visibility with our clients. I strive to be a connection for clients to the Church and a model of Christ's love in their world. I also work diligently in developing relationships between churches, community organizations and individuals that volunteer at Cass. Each year, the agency hosts approximately seven thousand volunteers.
Kathy Pittenger
Pastor of Lifelong Faith Formation at Waterford: Central UMC.
The majority of my time is spent on children and family ministries and the Faith Growth Pathway (Discipleship pathway). The parts of ministry that make me excited are gathering resources for people to use to deepen their own faith and providing safe spaces and times for conversation. Learning about "new ways" to invite people to deepen their own faith growth. I have formed a relationship with a local elementary school and I love volunteering with the kids, helping them read and watching them grow, and also partnering with the school with different activities and events.
Andrew Schleicher
Project Coordinator, United Methodist Communications.
I am excited to help promote the church and its programs by serving the Marketing and Advertising teams for the general church. You may occasionally see articles of mine at UMC.org and in the MyCom e-newsletter, where we provide information and tips for local church leaders and members. I live out my call in service to this important ministry of communication.
Thomas L. Snyder
Director of Missions & Evangelism, and Home Group Discipleship at Dexter UMC.
"One of my greatest joys is seeing people awaken to the power and truth of reading God’s word and having it come alive in their heart and mind. I see peoples’ lives transformed and brokenness restored. These things are happening in our home groups, bible studies, and small groups. I also love to go on mission trips where we focus on building relationships as we come alongside those we serve. I experience the joy of the Lord when I see others joining in to help and serve."
Jinny Song
Children's Education Pastor at Korean UMC in Troy, MI.
I've been serving in the Korean UMC for the past 18 years in Children and Family ministries. I have the wonderful privilege of being a bridge between the first and second generation Korean Americans. Praising, worshipping, dancing, laughing, and having fun with kids all in praise of Jesus is my thing!! I advocate for those who are weak and without a voice.
Laura Speiran
Minister of Congregational Care at Clarkston UMC.
My specialization is congregational care. I visit people in their homes, in hospitals and in facilities, and train volunteers to do the same; I lead a prayer ministry, teach new member classes, as well as additional education for adults; I lead worship each Sunday and also in the community once a month. My passion is connecting hurting people with the love of Jesus Christ. I also have a passion for clergy excellence and for encouraging candidates through the ordination process. I am privileged to serve on the Board of Ordained Ministry, as well as on the Design Team for the new Michigan Conference.
Johncie (Palmer) Turner
Retired, attending Calvary United Methodist Church, Jackson, MI.
I felt called by God to help persons find faith in Jesus Christ and to equip themselves and learn what his/her spiritual gifts are and to use his/her spiritual gifts in service for Jesus Christ. As a Diaconal Minister and a Deacon in Full Connection, I saw myself as a help mate with the pastor, staff, church members and connecting with children, youth, and adults in ministry in the church, education, missions, evangelism, and outreach.
June 1991 - Commissioned Diaconal Minister, East Ohio Conference
May 1997 - Ordained Deacon in Full Connection Detroit Conference
Aug 2008 - Retired
Alicea Lynn Williams
Minister to Children and Youth at First United Methodist Church of Mount Clemens
Coordinating ministries for and with children and youth in the county seat of Macomb county, Mount Clemens, working to expand the ministry at First United Methodist Church.
Caleb Williams
Minister of Worship & Arts at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church
Intersecting passions for worship, music, and justice. Energized by many styles of music, from conducting classical masterworks to singing jazz to playing West African hand drums. Engaging the community through concerts, partnerships, and non-profits. Connectional ministries include young adult camping, Truth and Reconciliation process, and annual conference worship planning.
Christina Wright
Staff Chaplain at University of Michigan Health Systems
I recently finished a PhD in social psychology and as of August 2015, I am happy to have returned home to Michigan to serve as a staff chaplain at the University of Michigan Health Systems. I love working in a setting where spirituality, medicine, humanities, ethics, and social sciences all intersect and appreciate the variety of types of diversity found in this setting. I do a lot of ICU care, end of life care, and peri-natal loss care and am grateful to walk alongside patients and families as they make meaning in such situations. Along with providing care to patients, families, and staff during some of their most difficult times, I am working on research on spirituality and health (currently with spiritual assessments) and am involved in various diversity initiatives in the health system. I also enjoy teaching and writing and have done so around sexuality, race, gender, and their intersections. I previously taught psychology at the University of West Georgia including courses on spirituality and sexuality, psychology and culture, and human development.
Christine Wyatt
Deacon at Large! Retired at Clarkston UMC.
I continue to lead adult study groups, enjoy the Chancel choir, and advocate on social justice, peace and hospitality issues. I serve on Crossroads District COM, and Clarkston UMC Hospitality committee. Having fun seeing the world through the eyes of 4 and 2 year old grandsons!
Teresa (Tina) Zimmerman
Chaplain for the Assisted Living and Memory Care communities at the Chelsea Retirement Community.
I also serve at Manchester United Methodist Church. At both appointments, I preach, I build relationships through pastoral care, and I facilitate/ teach groups with an emphasis on sharing our personal stories as we search for ourselves within our shared Christian Story. This shared Christian narrative is continuing to unfold as God works through our lives and our communities.