Seven to be ordained at June 10 service

Deacon in Full Connection

Lydia Laurel Pellikan
Lydia was born in Big Spring and grew up in Archer City. She holds the Bachelor of Science degree from Midwestern University, Wichita Falls, where she was a Hardin Scholar, graduating Summa Cum Laude as the Outstanding Graduating Student in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She holds the Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology, SMU, where she received the Harold M. Kaufman Memorial Award in the Field of Social Ethics. She most recently served at the Pastoral Counseling and Education Center, Dallas. She is married to Rev. Donald Robert Pellikan, a clergy member of the NTC. The Pellikans have three children, Caleb, Sarah and Hannah.

Elders in Full Connection

Brian Graham Bosworth
Brian is a native of Grand Forks, ND, and holds the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from Texas A&M University, College Station, and the Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. He presently serves as pastor of Westview UMC, Greenville. Brian and his wife, Melissa Leigh, are parents of two teenagers, Megan and Corey.

Leroy (Lee) Elder
Lee was born in Belzoni, MS, and holds the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Jackson State University; the Master of Management and Public Administration from Webster University; and the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO. He received the Whalon H. Blackman Award for Superior Academic Work at Saint Paul. Lee served for four years of active duty and 20 years in the US Army Reserve. Lee had a secular career as a buyer in the commercial aircraft industry and city governments. He serves Daybreak UMC, Humble, in the Texas Conference.

Beatriz Estela Pacheco
Beatriz was born in El Salvador and holds a bachelor’s degree from Latin American Biblical Seminary, San Jose, Costa Rica, and the Master of Theology degree from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. She is presently a pastor at Pleasant Mound/Urban Park UMC, Dallas. Beatriz was a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) intern at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, and a CPE resident at Methodist Health System. She and her husband, Armando, are parents of two young adult sons, David and Fernando.

Elizabeth Kay Turner Talbert
Elizabeth was born in Wichita Falls and holds the Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Southwestern University, Georgetown; the Master of Arts in School Counseling from the University of Houston, Clear Lake; and the Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Elizabeth grew up in North Texas Conference parsonages as the daughter of Virginia and Rev. Merwin Turner, NTC Retired. She taught elementary school in Austin and Texas City and has served on the Wichita Falls ISD Board of Trustees. Elizabeth now serves as an associate pastor at Floral Heights UMC, Wichita Falls. She and husband, Tom, are the parents of three
young adult children, Tom Scott III, Matthew Alan, and Catharine Elizabeth.

Mary Christine "Christy" Thomas
Christy was born in Fort Wayne, IN, and holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Rice University, Houston; the Master of Theology/Christian Education, Magna Cum Laude, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas; and the Doctor of Ministry degree, Perkins School of Theology, SMU. She has been Director of External Studies and an instructor in Christian Education and Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary and Assistant Dean for External Studies at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Christy presently serves as pastor of Krum UMC, Krum, and is married to NTC clergy member Rev. James Keith Cupples. She and Keith enjoy their blended family of five adult children, Elizabeth, Jonathan, David, James and Daniel, and three grandchildren.

Ann Carol Girlinghouse Willet
Ann was born in Alexandria, LA, and holds the Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University, Waco, and the Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University, College Station. In her secular career, Ann worked in finance and taught college-level business courses. She earned her Master of Divinity degree, with honors, from Perkins School of Theology, SMU, where she received the Perkins Preaching Award. She presently serves as an associate minister at First UMC, Richardson. Ann and husband, Loren, are the parents of three teenage daughters, Margaret Ann, Emily, and Caroline.