PNW Commissioning and Ordination

Last week Kim and I attended the Pacific Northwest annual conference in Tacoma. The partnership between Alaska and PNW has grown and strengthened since we were linked a few years ago. We share a bishop, treasurer, benefits officer, and foundation. Our Professional Ministries Unit functions as a district committee on ministry and certifies candidates for ministry to the PNW Board of Ministry.

Two new pastors coming to Alaska were commissioned and ordained last Saturday. Jenny Smith was commissioned as a provisional elder and has two years of supervision before her ordination. Here is a photo of her commissioning. Note the proud papa standing in the back.

Jenny and Aaron and beagle, Zoe, are driving through Canada on their way to Anchorage where Jenny will be associate pastor with Jon Disburg at East and Anchor Park.

Cindy Roberts is moving from rural Idaho to Douglas and is quite excited about joining the Alaska family. Cindy was ordained an elder. You can't see her in this video clip with all the bishops surrounding her but you can hear the audio.

Here is a photo of our Alaska team at PNW. It was an impromptu picture that unfortunately did not include Leila Disburg who was also at the conference.

We now have nine PNW members serving in Alaska: Tom Telfer, Jo Ann Schaadt, Deb Lindsay Hudgins, Robert and Tori Hicks, David and Julie Elmore, Jenny Smith, and Cindy Roberts which represents a third of our clergy. This is a testament to the strong relationship we enjoy with PNW.

Joining Jenny and Cindy will be Phil Campbell going to Northern Light in Juneau, Paul Caseman going to Seward and Moose Pass, and Dan Lush going to Willow. And let's not forget Peter Perry going to St. John. I hope you'll take a moment to send them a welcoming note. Email addresses are available at www.alaskaumc.org

This is an exciting time as we ponder what it means to have a vision cast before us: 20/20 Vision: Leading to God's New Horizons.

Grace and peace,
Dave