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Congratulations to Minnesota’s newest Deaconess

Among 26 women and men who were consecrated at General Conference on May 29, 2024 was Shirley Durr. She joins the growing list of Deaconesses (Mary C Gehrke, Kim Devon Harris, Leslie J Hobson, Cindy Saufferer, Nicole Weydt, Carolyn Diehl Winslow, and Amanda Zbacnik) and Home Missioners (Jak Henderson and Louis Porter II) in Minnesota. 
     After this newsletter goes to press, Shirley will be commissioned at Annual Conference to serve as the Justice and Service Advocate at Epworth UMC. In that mission setting she is already promoting Monthly Mission opportunities while creating and implementing active and passive social and educational programs with emphasis on diversity, service, and justice. She also serves as an active member of Minnesota Annual Conference’s Church and Society as well as Epworth’s representative to Minnesota Reconciling Congregations. 

     Shirley continues her life-long commitment of  connecting with community agencies, organizations, and individuals engaging with issues of climate, racial, gender, and social justice. She encourages Epworth members to also bring their faith into the mission field beyond the church walls.

      Read more here.

Are you discerning a call to this lay ministry? The Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner invites you to attend a virtual discernment event for more info. Or contact a Minnesota Deaconess or Home Missioner. They’re in the latest MN UWFaith Directory.

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