My name is Anita Cleaver Dinwiddie and I answered the call to ministry in December, 2000, after struggling for many years with whether my call to serve God was as a lay person or as clergy. My husband, Bruce, and I have been very active lay persons in the United Methodist Church and through the years of our marriage have served on numerous Cursillo and Kairos Prison ministry teams. We participated in and facilitated Disciple Bible Studies and Companions in Christ Studies at Munholland United Methodist Church where we worshiped. Each successive experience seemed to reinforce for me that God was calling me to something deeper. I began the Candidacy process in January, 2001, and this process helped me to discern the decision to serve in ministry as a part-time local pastor. I completed the License to Preach course in April, 2002, and enrolled in the two-year Spiritual Direction Training through the Academy for Spiritual Leadership in January, 2003. My appointment to St. Mark’s came in June, 2005. I worked full time for more than 21 years with Junior Achievement until my position was eliminated December 31, 2009 due to economic factors. Although this was an unexpected event in my life, I am blessed to now be serving in ministry in an increased capacity from ¼ time part-time, to ¾ time part time.
Married in December 1987, Bruce and I are a blended family of six children and eight grandchildren. During the worship service on Sunday, December 7th, 2008, we renewed our vows before the wonderful St. Mark’s congregation with our former pastor of eleven years, Rev. Nick Evans officiating. I had the special privilege of officiating at the wedding for my son, Wade and his wife, Brea’s as a part of worship at St. Mark’s on March 1, 2009; and confirming my granddaughter, Haley, on Mother’s Day Sunday, 2009.
Bruce and I are passionate about serving God and all God’s people at St. Mark’s. We pray that if you are looking for a place of sanctuary where you can experience God’s unconditional love, you will join us for worship on Sundays. God bless you!
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