15 commissioned candidates for ordination

"Throughout Christian history, the church has commissioned people for leadership and service..."

With that introductory phrase of explanation, NTC commissioned 15 candidates for ordination as a first item of business June 4 at the Plano Centre. Marjorie Bishir was commissioned on track to become a deacon, the other 14 on track toward becoming elders.

For their scriptural admonishment, candidates heard Rev. Bart Smith read from Paul's instructions to Timothy to "hold to the standards of holy teaching that I have taught you."

As witness to their qualifications, Bishop Alfred L. Norris read from prepared materials that "The Church has discerned that they [candidates] are persons of sound learning and of Christian character, possessing the necessary gifts and signs of God’s grace for this ministry."

As their benediction and instruction, Bishop Norris pronounced five words in slow, measured form: "Come ...Wait ...Go ...Witness ...Transform."

Newly commissioned ministers include from left: standing: Derek Shawn Jacobs, Michael Ruffer Langdon, John Allan Johnson, Lyle Charles Benson, Walter Ray Butts, James Christopher Dowd, Rebecca Ann Whittington Grogan, Elizabeth Kellner Besterfeldt, and Marjorie Thompson Bishir. Sitting: Jackie Lynn Wickware, Nancy Morrison DeStefano, Dana Grissett Norton, Bishop Alfred L. Norris, Ardith Marie Mitchell, "Gloria" Young-Eun Kim Fowler, and Denise Patricia Peckham.