“Ministry is all about social justice,” said Katie Peterson, deaconess, church and community worker, Out in Faith, Williston, North Dakota. “It could be issues related to immigration, poverty, clean water, shelter, I am passionate about serving the church in social justice ministry.”

John Jessup Peterson was consecrated as a home missioner on Monday, May 16 at opening worship in Portland, Oregon at the 2016 General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

John is the brother of Katie Peterson, deaconess, church and community worker for Out in Faith in Williston—Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, Williston, North Dakota. John and Katie are the first siblings who are in ministry as members the diaconal community of The United Methodist Church. Photo: John Jessup Peterson after receiving his consecration on Monday, May 16, 2016, at General Conference in Portland. Photo by David Stucke, Dakotas Conference UMC Communications.

“My sister has been trying to convince me of my call for the past twelve years,” said John.

Katie reaches out to those that have come to work in the Bakken oil fields in Williston, North Dakota.  Katie works collaboratively with Faith United Methodist Church in Williston to provide a weekly meal and worship service, basic clothing, small household items and assistance with finding jobs, housing and other needed services.

John serves as a desktop consultant at Candler Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.  His work is part of his ministry. “Some of the most pressing, personal human crises today are related to technology.”

John spends time helping staff and faculty use technology to train those at Candler who will be in ministry. The technology is a tool to provide others access.  “It is all about serving others with the talents God has given you,” said John. 

John was the only home missioner consecrated as a home missioner at opening worship on Monday before the full General Conference body.  Kim Harris, Minnesota Conference is one of 26 women consecrated as deaconesses.
  
“These faithful servants act as agents of God’s invitation to those who may not know that they are indeed welcome at God’s party,” Deaconess Clara Ester told those in worship.
 
Just before the consecration, the 27 affirmed that they had been led by the Spirit of God to engage in lifelong work of love, justice, and service—and they vowed to be diligent in prayer, in the reading of the Holy Scriptures, in mutual relationship with the communities they serve, and in all other means of grace available to them.
 
Each candidate kneeled on a bench while a stole was placed around her/his neck. “I consecrate you to a lifetime of Christ-like service under the authority of the Church,” Germany Bishop Rosemarie Wenner told Peterson, who is now officially a home missioner. Photo: John Jessup Peterson receiving his consecration from Germany Bishop Rosemarie Wenner. Photo by David Stucke, Dakotas Conference UMC Communications.

Deaconesses and home missioners are approved through a process established by United Methodist Women, consecrated and commissioned by a bishop at settings approved by the board of directors of United Methodist Women. They shall have a continuing relationship to The United Methodist Church through United Methodist Women.

Katie and John have a long lineage with the United Methodist Church.  Their father, Rev. Lowell Peterson, is a retired elder of the West Ohio Conference.  Their mother, who is deceased, served as a director of christian education.  They have uncles and other relatives who also serve as clergy in the church. Katie and John’s faith heritage is based in the Swedish Methodist Church.

Serving in diaconal ministry together connects them not only as siblings but to an entire world of ministry who seek to serve others in with individual unique gifts.  “The support of the diaconal community and the United Methodist Women is phenomenal,” said Katie. 

Photo: The Peterson Family enjoying a moment of celebration after the consecration of John Jessup Peterson at General Conference 2016. Photo by David Stucke, Dakotas Conference UMC Communications.