On June 20 during the New England Annual Conference, Pastor Gwyneth was ordained as an Elder in Full Connection by Bishop Peter Weaver at Gordon College. To view all photos go to Gwyneth's album on flickr. 
Several Peoples people drove down for the ordination service, including Barbara Nelson, Betty Lane, Betty and Wes Splettstoesser, as well as Merrill Kaiser and Earle Harvey who attended all of Annual Conference.
Jamie read Gwyneth's bio as she was brought out for
her ordination, and Gwyneth's ordination sponsors were Rev. Meg Queior and Earle Harvey. In addition to the Bishop, Meg, Earle and district superintendents Mike and Jan Davis laid hands on Gwyneth as she was ordained. The Bishop then placed the stole over Gwyneth's shoulders as the sign of an ordained elder, which is the first time pastors wear a stole.
Jamie read Gwyneth's bio as she was brought out for
her ordination, and Gwyneth's ordination sponsors were Rev. Meg Queior and Earle Harvey. In addition to the Bishop, Meg, Earle and district superintendents Mike and Jan Davis laid hands on Gwyneth as she was ordained. The Bishop then placed the stole over Gwyneth's shoulders as the sign of an ordained elder, which is the first time pastors wear a stole. What is the Ordination Process? This is the first time Peoples has received pastors who are not already ordained elders, and has been a wonderful opportunity for this church to better understand the process of ordination in Methodism.
In many churches, a pastor is ordained into a local church upon graduating seminary. However, in the United Methodist Church, the process is much longer and "methodical!"Upon graduating seminary four years ago with a Masters in Divinity, and passing the first set of exams, 
Gwyneth was at that time commissioned as a "probationary elder." This meant she was given all of the responsibilities and ministries of an elder within and outside of the local church, including administering the sacraments, but has not had vote within the United Methodist clergy. This time of probation serves as an opportunity for the Church to evaluate the ministry of an elder before bringing someone into full connection. For a full time pastor, the minimum probationary requirement is 3 years. 
Gwyneth's petition was granted to go before the Board of Ordained Ministry for final exams after 4 years of part time ministry since Gwyneth and Jamie share one full time appointment. At the same time, Jamie has remained a local pastor, which means he has all of the responsibilities and ministries of an elder except only in his own local church, nor does he have vote in the clergy session and is not guaranteed an appointment as are ordained elders.
Gwyneth was at that time commissioned as a "probationary elder." This meant she was given all of the responsibilities and ministries of an elder within and outside of the local church, including administering the sacraments, but has not had vote within the United Methodist clergy. This time of probation serves as an opportunity for the Church to evaluate the ministry of an elder before bringing someone into full connection. For a full time pastor, the minimum probationary requirement is 3 years. 
Gwyneth's petition was granted to go before the Board of Ordained Ministry for final exams after 4 years of part time ministry since Gwyneth and Jamie share one full time appointment. At the same time, Jamie has remained a local pastor, which means he has all of the responsibilities and ministries of an elder except only in his own local church, nor does he have vote in the clergy session and is not guaranteed an appointment as are ordained elders.After passing these exams Fall 2009, there were additional requirements for Gwyneth, including an ordinands retreat, one-on-one meeting with the Bishop, affirmative vote by the clergy session at Annual Conference (and this year's ordinands all played musical instruments so they led a closing hymn together - Gwyneth on bassoon!), answering the Wesleyan Historic Questions before the entire Annual Conference ... and finally the service of ordination.
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