I grew up in the Houston area, married my high school sweetheart, David, and after college we settled in the suburbs of Houston. I recently retired from serving on staff at a church but continue to serve as a volunteer at First Methodist Conroe near our home in Willis, TX. I now have a “ministry of availability” to teach at my church, to spend time with my family, and to speak/preach on upon invitation to other churches and events.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIECE AND EDUCATION
Formal Education: B.S. in Home Economics – The University of Texas at Austin in 1976; M.A. in Education with a minor in mathematics – The University of Texas at Austin in 1978; M.Div. – Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in 2002.
Pastoral Ministry: 1998 to the present. Churches served: Associate Pastor at Klein UMC in Spring, Pastor at Durkee UMC/Rose Garden UMC in Houston, Pastor at St. Paul UMC in Spring, Associate Pastor at First Methodist Houston, Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Conroe, Pastor at Highlands UMC in Highlands, TX, and Associate Pastor at Spring Woods UMC in Houston.
Service Record to the UM District and UM Conference: South District Leadership Team and representative to the Conference Leadership Team 2012-2014; Executive Leadership Team for the South District 2014; District Committee on Ordained Ministry; mentor for 4 candidates for ordained ministry.
My appointment as Pastor to St. Paul UMC in Spring was unique in our Texas Annual Conference. I was the first Anglo appointed to an all-black church. The story of this remarkable three year journey is told in chapter 5 of my book Encountering the God of Surprises. It is a story that needs to be told and heard, especially during this time of racial tension and separation in our country.
My professional training includes Transformation Prayer Ministry from Serenity Retreat for Healing and Spiritual Renewal in Houston. I have also trained a team myself to offer this form of healing prayer. For more information visit http://www.serenityretreat.com. Stories of healing of all types (physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.) are told in chapter 6 of my book Encountering the God of Surprises.
FAMILY
My husband David and I have two grown children, Ryan and Bethany. Bethany and Sean live in our neighborhood and we love being able to see them and our three grandchildren on a regular basis! Ryan works and lives nearby as well which is an added blessing.
HOBBIES
Everything that I can do in nature fills my need for beauty. Hiking while traveling and discovering God’s surprises in nature everywhere we go, fills my need for both beauty and adventure. I enjoy white water rafting – the Pacuare River in Costa Rica is my favorite so far. I love to record the beauty I see in nature through photography. I enjoy spending time with loved ones, recording family memories through scrapbooking, puzzles, music and worship.
