Dear friends and colleagues:
I’m excited to share the news that the Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew has been called by the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences as the new director of the Damascus Project.
Stephanie is a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ. She received a bachelor’s degree in religion and Native American Studies from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, from which she also earned Ph.D. She served in parish ministry for 25 years, has served on the adjunct faculties of McCormick Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is an affiliate professor of Christian history at Garrett. She holds certificates in online education and in spiritual guidance training. For the past year, she has served on the Illinois Conference UCC staff as an interim associate conference minister. She is an enrolled tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and co-chairs Garrett’s Indigenous Study Committee.
“I am honored to be called to lead the Damascus Project further into its future and to build on its historic legacies,” Stephanie says. “I look forward to using my skills and experience in pastoral ministry, theological education, spiritual formation, and conference staff ministry toward its growth and flourishing. I am impressed with the health and vitality of the Minnesota and Wisconsin conferences and eager to collaborate with conference staff, clergy, and laity in creative, collaborative, and innovative theological education for our churches and people.”
The Damascus Project, a joint venture of the Minnesota and Wisconsin conferences, was started five years ago to address emerging leadership needs of both conferences and of the wider United Church of Christ. It offers courses in faith foundations, ministry studies and leadership skills for lay members and continuing education to authorized ministers, and may serve as a learning path toward ministerial authorization for individuals seeking to serve local congregations in pastoral roles. It has become known in the United Church of Christ for innovation, collaboration and quality programing.
My Minnesota counterpart, the Rev. Shari Prestemon, and I continue to believe the Damascus Project is a critical tool as we reimagine what it means to equip leaders in this moment of profound change in the church. We are delighted to be in partnership and energized by the idea of expanding the online learning community. Stephanie brings an incredible set of skills and experiences, along with a deep love for the Church and an infectious enthusiasm. She can be reached at: [email protected].
With deep gratitude for the movement of the Holy Spirit in the search process,
