I have neglected to make a few important announcements in this space.
First, for the past two years I have been serving as a Licensed Local Pastor at a church in Pennsylvania. This has changed my status with the UMC from "Certified Candidate" to "Licensed Local Pastor (Seminary Completed)." Although I have just left parish ministry (on which more below), I have been glad to have been a part of a local church in this capacity.
I finished the PhD this past April, and graduated May 13th. My dissertation, "Mapping Suffering: Pain, Illness, and Happiness in the Christian Tradition," is currently available on ProQuest.
I have also accepted a position as Instructor of Religion at Huntingdon College, in Montgomery, Alabama. I will begin this fall.
My bishop has approved this as an Extension Ministry, so my status with the UMC will remain the same: Licensed Local Pastor (Seminary Completed) appointed to Extension Ministry.
This is an exciting new chapter in my life! Stay tuned . . .
