A processional, led by Emerging Leaders, kicked off the Celebration of Ministry Service on Thursday night. Dressed in robes and stoles, ordinands marched in to “1,000 Tongues” and “The Churches One Foundation.”
Bishop Julius C. Trimble led the service. Four children were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and welcomed as new brothers and sisters in Christ.
David Johns, Conference Lay Leader, and Rev. Russ Abel, Chair of Board of Ordained Ministry, presented 9 persons to be commissioned into ministry in Christ’s Holy Church:
Annettra Jones
Teresa Branham Poole
Julia Pritchett
Kelly Sellers
Susan Shambaugh
Keith A. Turner
Hannah Wehmeyer
Tiffany Williams
Donald Zlaty
Rev. Dr. Brian White, Chair of Order of Elders, presented 13 persons to be ordained into the Order of Elder:
Ronald Bell
Ronald Branson
Jeremiah Gibbs
Evan Guse
Thomas Harzula, Jr.
Isaac Hopper
Kathryn Muhlbaier
Seth Neckers
Lance Newton
Jason Rice
Nikki Brown Rice
Michelle White
Allison Yankey
Rev. Julie Macy, Chair of Order of Deacons, presented 3 persons to be ordained into the Order of Deacon:
Ashlea Barnett
Melissa Fisher
Angelo Mante
Psalm 100 was read by Emerging Leader Anna Klepper, and John 9:1-7 was read by Emerging Leader Sullivan Curtis. The Conference Choir sang, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”
In his sermon, “Go, Wash in the Pool of Siloam,” Bishop Trimble encouraged those being commissioned and ordained that they would “do well to take the example of Leslie Bledsoe to wake up every morning and say, ‘What is my assignment today?’ She doesn’t tell God about the size of her mountain. She speaks to her mountain about the size of her God.”
An invitation to Offering and Christian Ministry was offered as the Conference sang the hymn, “Here I am, Lord.” Several came forward, answering God’s call.
During the recessional, those ordained dipped cups into the baptismal font and carried out water that was placed there earlier in the day by retirees.