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The Rev. Dr. Willis to Lead Altoona District of the United Methodist Church

The Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis was installed Sunday, Oct. 25, as the Altoona district superintendent of the Susquehanna Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The service was livestreamed.

Rev. Dr. Willis graduated from Williamsburg High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in music education. She received a Master of Divinity degree from the Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tenn., and Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

Rev. Dr. Willis began her ministry in the United Methodist Church serving Mines/Royer Churches from 1998 to 2001. Willis served Manor Hill Charge from 2001 to 2008 as a local pastor. She pastored the West Side Church, Clearfield, for 12 years. In 2011, she was ordained an elder in the Central Pennsylvania Conference. She is also a member of the Altoona District Committee on Ordained Ministry.

Joleen's non-anxious presence and kind demeanor, as well as her sense of humor puts others at ease and is evidenced in the ways she builds relationships. She has served as a mentor to ministry candidates, clergy, and CLMs (Certified Lay Ministers). In addition to the many gifts that she brings to ministry in the local church and to the wider church, Joleen is also a very talented musician and served as the director of the Chi Rho Singers (the Conference Pastors Choir). She can be heard playing the piano and flute as well as singing.

Joleen is married to her husband, Randy, who is an elder in full connection in the Susquehanna Conference. They have two children, Ethan and Sarah. Joleen is the daughter of Shirley Kurtz-Flaugh and the late William Ray Kurtz, and her stepfather Paul Flaugh.

Joleen wished to thank all who participated in the service, including musicians, Gary Wilsoncroft, live on keyboard; and Chi Rho Singers and Open Timbre for their recorded music.

 

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