Welcome to our series that spotlights NC Conference pastors serving in extension ministries. Read about other extension ministers as these stories are published weekly.
Rev. Carolyn Burrus
Rev. Carolyn Burrus grew up in Western North Carolina attending a small rural church near Pilot Mountain—a three-point charge. Her parents are still members and leaders in this congregation. Rev. Burrus is a second-career clergy who came out of Parkwood United Methodist Church in Durham. She was Commissioned as a Provisional Elder in 2002 and Ordained an Elder in 2005.
Rev. Burrus completed a year of CPE specializing in End of Life Care through Duke’s Institute for Care at the End of Life. She has been appointed to Hospice Chaplaincy in various Hospice Agencies since 2003 and was endorsed by the United Methodist Endorsing Agency (UMEA) in 2004.
AuthoraCare Collective Hospice Services
Rev. Burrus currently serves in ministry with AuthoraCare Collective Hospice Services, which was previously Hospice of Alamance-Caswell prior to 2020. She serves in multiple settings including the Hospice Home in Burlington, NC, and the Long Term Care facilities throughout the Burlington service area. She has been appointed to this agency since 2008.
A Ministry of Disciple Making
Rev. Burrus says, “My sense is that if people see how peaceful death and dying can be for people of faith and it can be framed in biblical/faith language (not spiritualized), it helps them learn that death is not to be feared. They share this experience with others and it becomes an amazing witness for ALL of faithful living and Christian discipleship, along with underscoring God’s love for all of God’s children.”