Students and alumni celebrate ministry milestones

Methodist Theological School in Ohio recognizes and congratulates its alumni and students who are being ordained and commissioned this year. 

If you're an MTSO alum or student who should be included but isn't, please complete the brief form on our ordination and commissioning page.

Detroit

The following have been commissioned as elder:

• Robert Blanchard of Petersburg UMC.
• Christopher Butson, serving London and Azalia UMCs.

East Ohio

Stanley Wertz has been commissioned as deacon.

The following have been ordained as elder:

• Elizabeth Ortiz, serving Ashley UMC.
• Paul Turner, serving Cardington First UMC.
• Heidi Welch, serving Medina UMC.

The following have been commissioned as elder:

• Kyle Gould, serving Oak Chapel UMC in Wooster.
• Luigi Perez Perez.
• Amy Shipley, serving Bennet’s Corners Community UMC.

Holston

Caleb Pitkin has been ordained as elder, serving Signal Mountain UMC.

West Michigan

Sean Kidd has been commissioned as elder, serving Martin and Shelbyville UMCs.

West Ohio

Kate Smith has been ordained as deacon, serving as pastor of youth and young adult ministries at Hyde Park Community UMC in Cincinnati.

The following have been commissioned as elder:

• Ekaterina Brodbeck, serving as associate pastor at Powell UMC.
• E. Neil Gaiser.
• Phyllis Plear.
• Anthony Thomas.
• Alex Wiles.

West Virginia

Karen Tate has been ordained as elder, serving as pastor of Westover UMC in Morgantown.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Lorenzo Thomas has been ordained, serving at Northwest Christian Church in Upper Arlington.

United Church of Christ, Ohio Conference

Terry Williams has been authorized as ordained minister, serving as senior pastor of Orchard Hill UCC in Chillicothe.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in counseling, theological studies and practical theology, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

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CONTACT: 

Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322