The 2026 Service for the Ordering of Ministry began with a prelude called “Total Praise” offered by Mr. Paul Saik, the Annual Conference Choir, and several instrumentalists. This was followed by a hymn, “Lift High the Cross,” where clergy from around the Annual Conference processed into the worship space. 

Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton called the congregation to worship with a responsive reading followed by a remembrance of baptism and recognition of common ministry.

Next, John Hall, NC Annual Conference Lay Leader, presented the candidates for certified lay ministers and deaconesses.

Rev. Dr. Sangwoo Kim, chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, presented the candidates for licensed pastoral ministry, those persons to be commissioned for ministry, and those persons to be ordained as elders.

Next, Bishop Shelton introduced the visiting bishops on the stage. They were retired United Methodist Bishop Paul Leeland, Bishop W. Darin Moore, 99th bishop of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.

At the time of offering, Rev. William Gattis shared the opportunity to give to the Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Regional  Conferences outside the United States. He thanked the 16 district coordinators for the Miracle Sunday initiative and all they did to rally churches to participate in this shared giving. He invited the congregation to give generously so that United Methodist pastors around the world can receive quality theological training. During the offering, the choir and musicians performed a beautiful anthem, “To Be Your Song.”

Rev. Dr. Alma Tinoco Ruiz then offered a prayer for illumination in Spanish and then English.

The Right Rev. Michael Curry shared a scripture lesson from Exodus and segued into his sermon for the day with a prayer. He told those candidates for ministry to make the love of God real, not just talk, and to set those captives free.  

Returning to the scripture lesson, Curry quipped that “I am sure you know the story of Moses, or at least of Charlton Heston.” He then shared parts of the story of Moses from his salvation from death at birth by Shiphrah and Purah to him being raised by the daughter of the pharaoh to his encounter with the burning bush while working for his wife’s father, Jethro. There God told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. Bishop Curry took off his shoes to demonstrate.

Then Bishop Curry reminded the candidates for ministry that, “When you do the work of God, it is God working through you. You do not have the power to do the work you have been given. If you think it is your own, you are going to make a fool of yourself. There is power in God’s purpose for your life.”

He went on to tell a story from early in his ministry. On the first winter in a new parsonage, he found that every field mouse in a mile’s radius had decided to become Episcopalian. In an attempt to control the infestation, he and his family adopted a cat, Muffin, who had been picked on by the cat and dog from her previous home. 

Within days of moving in, Muffin became a champion mouser. When Muffin was being mistreated, she could not be who she was created to be. Bishop Curry said, “the Lord did not put anyone on this earth to be mistreated. When Muffin was cared for and loved, she became Super Cat. What God did for Muffin, God will do for you. God bless you.” 

Rev. Dr. Ruiz returned to the podium and invited the congregation to affirm their faith with the Apostles’ Creed.

Bishop Shelton reminded the candidates for ministry that they are called to serve rather than being served and then examined them and their beliefs.

The candidates for Certified Lay Ministers came to the front of the stage. John Hall and Deborah Horton outlined the ministry of these candidates. Bishop Shelton then certified the candidates. 

Next, the candidates for deaconess came forward. Deaconess Brenda Brown came to the stage to share the charge of deaconesses and home missioners. Bishop Shelton invited the deaconesses to affirm the declarations of their diaconate. The Bishop then laid hands on the candidates and commissioned them for ministry.

Rev. Vickie Woolard came to the stage to share a description of the ministry of the local pastor. Bishop Shelton then announced that these pastors are authorized to serve as licensed local pastors.

The pastors for provisional membership in the Annual Conference came to the front of the stage and were examined by Bishop Shelton. Bishop Shelton then extended her hand and prayed for those being commissioned. Each candidate ascended the stage to be prayed over and commissioned for service to the church.

Rev. Jaye White came to the podium to share a description of the ministry of deacons. Deacons serve as a bridge between the church and the world. Though no deacons were ordained at this service, White did invite all deacons to stand.

Rev. Regina Henderson Moore shared a description of the ministry of elders. They are called to serve the church by ordering the church, performing sacraments, preaching the word, and serving the world. After a prayer, Bishop Shelton laid hands on the candidates and ordained them for their work in the church and the world. 

The congregation prayed for those servants who have been raised up for service and joined their voices to end worship with the hymn, “Christ For the World We Sing.” Bishop Shelton dismissed the congregation to go and love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in Christ’s ministry to the world.

Certified Lay Ministers 

Jane Elizabeth Albright
Shamira Denise Alford
James Scott Bernstein
Ervin Graham, Jr.
Catherine Stevenson Harris
Phyllis Jean Hedrick
David Michael Hester
John David Jenkins, Jr.
Wilbur George Kessinger, Jr.
Donna Clayton Lloyd
Kelly Marie Moravek
Kimberly Rice Smith
William Earl Wortham

Commissioned as a Deaconess 

Alicia Hinson Burns 
Melissa Collins Harrell 

License for Pastoral Ministry 

Jonathan Ross Bolick
Thomas Reid Covington
Carrie Lyn Dickinson
James Ervin Gaster, Jr.
Tanner Lee Hendricks
Montonya Dashawn Marshall
Dustin Scott Satterfield
Heath Bryant West
Stacey Maurice Williams

Commissioning as Deacon 

Madeline Lee Chandler
Patricia Carolina Dupree
Lindsey Marie Jennings

Commissioning as Elder 

Yohan Alvarez
Beth Alayne Roper 
Olinda Edith Salazar Veliz
Andrew Watkins

Ordination as Elder 

Cole Gunther Breit
Robert Tyler Daniels
Amanda Gail Hedden
Joseph Dawson Lane
Heather Marie Locklear
Sarah Jane Majors
Austin Anthony Meadows
Howard Keith Porter
Hansol Sim

Article written by Mary Frances McClure
Photo by Chris Daniel, Becca Detterman, Jennifer Dail