Thoughts from DS Olivia

Today is Juneteenth. It was on this day in 1865 that the last group of slaves in our nation finally experienced emancipation. This was more than two years after President Lincoln had written the Emancipation Proclamation. Historians and scholars have described this day as our nation's second independence day. (Check out the Smithsonian website for more information about this important day in our history.)

As Christians, we should celebrate, remember, and reflect on a day like today. Why? Because we serve a liberating, emancipating, and bond-breaking God!

In Luke 4, Jesus went into the Synagogue, the scroll was handed to Him, He unrolled it and read these words: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” We follow a Savior who is about freedom from oppression and slavery! We are saved by a God who declares Good News! We are filled with the Spirit who makes us one!

Today I am grateful for the freedom that our brothers and sisters who were slaves received. Today I am remembering that our work is not done on this matter! We know that there are many slaves around our world and those being trafficked in our neighborhoods. There are also ongoing issues of racism and oppression that should cause all of us to be troubled and to do something about it. Today I am reflecting on what it means for me, and for you, and for all of our churches to live in the way Jesus declared He came to live. Happy Juneteenth! May we allow the grace of God to enable us to be emancipators as we don't just speak, but live, the Good News of Jesus Christ that is for all people.

Pastor Olivia

New District Leaders

We are excited to announce our new district leaders—Interim District NMI President, Kim Sadowski; District NDI President, Pastor AJ Fry; District NYI President, Pastor Chelsea Fry; and District Secretary, Pastor Janae Meyer.

We are thankful for the faithful leadership of Sally Mellinger, Pastor Elizabeth Criscuolo, Pastor Noelle Eichenberger, and Pastor Ken Blish.



2024 District Assembly Election Results

District Advisory Board (Three Year Term): Keith Hardy (Ministerial) and Marilyn Dominick (Lay Member)

District Board of Ministry (Four Year Term): Nate Patnode, Mark Hanson, and Amanda Cash

Properties Board (Three Year Term): Jay Geistdorfer (Ministerial) and Austin Meyer (Lay Member)

Brooktondale Camp Board (Three Year Term): Chelsie Maynard (Ministerial), Ben Logsdon (Lay Member), Abigail Riggal (Lay Member), and Ryan Calhoun (Lay Member)

District NMI Vice President (Two Year Term): Kim Sadowski; District NMI Secretary (Two Year Term): Meg Johnson; District NMI Advisor (Two Year Term): Ken Blish; District NMI Work and Witness (One Year Term): Eric Verbovszky; District NMI At Large (Two Year Term): Abreanna Mattice and Deb Dunn

District NDI President (One Year Term): AJ Fry; District NDI Board (Three Year Term): Juan Ruiz (Ministerial) and Kent McCroskey (Lay Member); District NDI Board (Two Year Term): Polly Carman (Ministerial)

District NYI President (One Year Term): Chelsea Fry; District NYI Vice President (One Year Term): Tiffany Belokur; District NYI Young Adult (One Year Term): Chelsie Maynard, Kaleb Stanton, and Grace Stiles; District NYI Sr. High (One Year Term): Sam Dunlop and Jewel Belokur; District NYI Jr. High (One Year Term): Jorum Belokur and Adelyn McCulla

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