Stiles, Susan D. Bennett
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BY: D. Olsen
Conference Press Room
Adrian College
Adrian, Michigan
June 9, 1978
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE:
The Rev. Susan Bennett Stiles was elected to Elder· s Orders, and received
r
as a Full Member of the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist
I
Church , on Wednesday afternoon, June 7, as the 137th consecutive annual
(/
session of the Conference began in Dawson Auditorium on the campus of Adrian
College, Adrian, Michigan .
On Friday evening, Tune 9, she was ordained an Elder in the United
Methodist Church by Bishop Edsel A. Ammons, Resident Bishop of the Michigan
Area of the United Methodist Church.
Daughter of Mr . and Mrs. Daniel Bennett of Gladwin . Michigan , formerly
of Fenton , The Rev. Stiles was graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School
in Saginaw , Mtchigan
She received a B. A degree from Michigan State
University at East Lansing, Mtchigan and a M. Div. degree from Garrett
Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illlnois, in 1977. She received Phi Beta Kappa
honors from Michigan State University in 1977.
Recommended for a Llcense to Preach by the Charge Conference of First
United Methodist Church of Saginaw, in 1974, Rev. Stiles was elected to Deacon's
Orders by the Detroit Annual Conference in Tune, 1975 and was received as a
Perscnal tnformaticn Sheet
-
1.
Date
TCXlay 1 s
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Present pcsiticn
4.
Present o::nferenre ~latimship Jt @:9¢:lM.,. > ?m lo cc ;:;H <TV\ e..r
(Elder, Deaoc:n, Associate, Prabatimer, &I} PI!&Uet.-', Sb.xlent, etc.)
(Minister, Ass~, Stl.dant, etc.)
If theM is to be a change in this relatiCilShip at this Cmferenoo
sessim, indicate:
dlan~ tor
l.L U C0\1\. V\. :t&-H0 V\..
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If you are to be ordained at this ccntbrenCE sessim, indicate the
ordinatioo to be reooived:
ful;l~, ~acxn, El&!r)
5.
Ya.Ir
parents' Nane
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8.
Ya.Ir Hate TOtal - State
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----------------------_ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ ___ Date _ _ _ __
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PerS<nal In formatim Sheet
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Educaticn
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Hcnars or Hcnoray ISJrees<?'-':•
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9.
-------- Colference-------
Associate ~
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If transferred into Detroit Ccnference:
£rem the
Ccnferenoe
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-- - - - - - - - - - - - Ccnferenoe,
Member of Ccnference Board/hJency
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Cow.""' ' :6 •1M §Y\...Stq~s ep....cL :ed-e
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~siliilities or activities in cxnmunity affairs, where you live 'M.-e IN\~ ~
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13.
'i · IS
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ccnference - - - - - - -
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12.
Church.
If a Ccnference Memeber, give date you were received:
As Prooaticnary Member
11.
'
. Where _ _ _ _ _ __
S~w \'\]\ by Charge ccnference of
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AS
10.
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Date ~ \'t11
Marital Status:
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If ya1 have children, nanes, please : (ages, if they are at ham) :
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14.
Please list churches you have served:
Ccnferenre
Church
2.
3.
4.
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6.
7.
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9.
10.
15.
-·-- - - -· · - ··· -- · ---~--
Please list any item; you think may be of interest to the publicr such as
previous occupatim, hd::bies, travel, publicaticns, etc.
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YOUR NAME
A "News Release" will be prepared fran the infonnatim you have provided, .:I
sent to the newspapers, rcrlio and televisicn statioos you indicate be lOti.
If you wish, JICm' picture will be sent to the newspapers you designate. PlEASE
be sure that the ex>rrect narre and cdkess is U9ed. Directroies are Cll file
in ~ Press Roan.
.AOORESS
NEWSPAPER OR STATim
SE!'ID
PICI'URE
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Mich. Olristim Mvoc.
Historical Society
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---, --File
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Negative Iden~ficatim NO.
3/76
Total:
-----------------------
1
Perscnal tnformaticn Sheet
T
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Date
S uSes
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Present o:nferenre ~laticnship i y= a \) ech 0 lA -e..y($&=, 1• az.1, .Associate, Prabaticner, Lay Pastor, Stu:Jent, etc.)
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L1 <(~.:S9
If them is to be a dlange in this relaticnship at this Cmferenre
sessicn , indicate:
dlange tor _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
If you are to be ordained at this ccn4u:enm sessim, indicate tn3
ardinaticn to be :reoeived:
RSij!¢ka§Edf, reacxn, Elder)
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Ya.z: parents' Narre
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other College-- - - - - - - - - - - - Nhere - - - - - - - J)!gree Granted_ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ nate._ _ __
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Post Graduate
~
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Persmal Informat.i.m Sheet
2
fX.'C File f
Educaticn
(ocntinued)
Hmars or Hmoray Degrees _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Date ________
~~---------------~--------- · \~ere ____________
a.
_ju.-v-.~ O V"
Date Pecamended for Liomoe to Pn!ach _JvJ..L\I
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9.
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'AS
~
Associate
As Prooaticnary Member
As r-snber in full
10.
,q l '-4 : by Charge ccnferenoe of
-------- Colferenoe------fo - 4 - l
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Ccnference :]) e_+v-o t }
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ccnferenre - - - - - - - -
If transferred into Detroit Ccnferenre,; as - - - - - - - - - Meml:;er,
~------------- Ccnferenre, en - - - - - - ·
11. Member of Colference Boardft,gency C() 11\4 \J\A \ s S I OY\ Q\6 S'{a....~ ~
frcrn the
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12.
Respcnsibilities or activities in CC1'!1'Titllity affairs, where you live _ _
13.
Marital Status: c- Single._ _ _ Harried_~
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If married, ..,.d = s=ll at iiCt narre
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Please list churches you have served:
14.
Ccnferenre
Church
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previous occupaticn, hd:t>ies, travel, 1?\]blicatioos, etc.
_MeJ..M.beJr o{
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If you are retiring this year, please list plans and retirnnent address:
j
1.6.
€;aw If e::tf - f '-~ ~ ~ ~(u._(
.. ..
Date
YOUR NAME
A "Ne'-h'S Release" will be prepared fran the infonnaticn you have provided, !fti
sent to the newspapers, radio and televisicn statioos you indicate belcw.
If you wish, !kJUr picture will be sent to the newspapers you designate. PlEASE
be sure that the oorrect name and trlh'ess is med. Directroies are m file
in the Press Roan.
.AOORESS
NE.WSPAPER OR STATICN
SEND
PICTURE
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Papers
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Pictures:
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- - - - 2 1/2 "
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seni-matte
------·, M:A----~,
Olristicm Mvoc.
Historical Society
other
!>legative Idenltificaticn NO.
3/76
-----, File------;
Ieleases:
X
Total:
------
3 1/2" glossy
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-------------------
•
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
DETROIT CONFERENCE HEADQUARTERS
2111 WOODWARD AVENUE
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48201
pRESS DELEASE
COMMISSION ON PUBLIC RELATIONS
Phone 313/961 -8340
Conference Press Room
Adrian College
Adrian , Michigan
Phone (313) 263-0180
By :
Do.u g Olsen
June 6 , 1975
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , PLEASE:
The Rev. Ms . Susan D. Bennett was elected to Deacon's Orders , and received
as a Probationary member of The Detroit Annual Confe rence .of The United Methodist
on Wednesday afternoon, June 4th, as the 134th consecutive annual session began in
Dawson Auditorium on the campus of Adrian College, Adrian , Michigan.
on Wednesday evening , she was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church
by Bishop Dwight E. Loder, Resident Bishop of The Michigan Area of The united
Methodist Church.
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bennett of Novi, Michigan .
The Rev. Ms . Bennett
was graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School in Saginaw, Michigan.
She received B.A. degree from Michigan State Univers ity in E . Lansing, Michigan
in 1973; and is presently enrolled as a stude nt at Garrett-Evangical Theologi cal
seminary in Evanston , Illinois.
Recommended for a License
Church, Saginaw , Michigan.
to Preach by the Charge Conference of First Methodist
The Rev. Ms . Bennett is pursuing the course of study r e-
quired for full membership in the Detroit Annual Conference .
Sh e has worked in churches in Evanston, Illinois.
4
THE COMMISSION ON COMMUNICATIONS
The Detroit Annual Conference -- The United Methodist Church
CPR File #
This date JVAz. ~ 1 \ql~-
Personal Information Sheet - # 1
1.
Name~S::::r:::.V\l. S:.: :.Cl.:.: . l.:~-i'!~~·
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tt
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2.
Present position.~~s
~+~~
~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ia(inister, Associate, Student, etc.)
3.
Present add r es s~_7:::..3~_~l..l....l...:
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4 . . Present Con f ercnc e Re 1at i ons hi p---ii-.S=-+-=7d.~€J~~-::-:-:-;:;-:::-:-;----;::;~.--~~-r---
(Elder, Deacon, Associate, Probationer, Lay Pastor, Student, etc.
If there is to be a change in this relationship at this conference session
indicate :
I\
change to J;l &8c@:::lYV~ ?ro b4-1l. . . ~w
If you are to be ordained at this conference session, indicate the ordination
to be recei ved :
(Lay Pastor, Deacon, Elder)
Name.~~~~~~~~;~~~\~-~~·t-~~~~~
~b~~~-~
~-~
~~~~t~~~------~
(If 1i vi ng) Thei r address 231 \ 0
C. LL\ '( I.M.LJ...M...Ic_ \ ~.rc..._i l
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6. Your Home Town -State F e-u..~) fv\\ · / ..Sa..@stiA(&J...L) 1 K..\
1
7. Date recommended for License to Preach J Ld'f l31S by Charge Conference of
5.
Your Parents'
8.
If a Confer ence Member, give date you were received:
As Associate Member
~ As Pro bat i dna ry Member _la_..:_ _B_As Member in Full
9.
Conference:_~~~~---~-
] 5
Conf erence~_:
__..rr>,.JCJ./2/~:*<~o~\~
\----~-Conference~-----------
If transf~rred into Detroit Conference, as ~----------_;Member,
from the ----:----------~Conference, on
(USE BACK OF SHEETS IF MORE SPACE IS NEEDED )
5
THE COMMISSION ON COMMUNICATIONS
The Detroit Annual Conference - - The United Methodist Church
CPR File #
Personal Information Sheet - #2
l 0.
Education : · Graduated from ~u..%\QS.
Where 1oca ted So...~ ~
V\..Cu..U
High School
\ q u9
Date ~Uv\A e._ i2 1 1'1 ':l.'
y\;(l
S"+u_t-~ Lt . Where 2 · L ~~ ~ ~ ) \~ i
Co 11-ege l!\.\_1 c }..A_tg>...AA.,.
Degree granted ~.
fv\Q.t.Av:t\..L.u..K
A.
0A.
~N\_%ll~k./:Sou.v-li\4\IPJiW\, ...)
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Other Co 11 ege._·_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _......:Where._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Degree granted._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____:Da te._..:....,__ _ __
Seminary G-o..~\".e.:tt Degree granted
Z: \JCLIA~~ llc..s.J. Where· 'Zu~ s. ~ 1 :r \ .
ju~+-
.
~ (>k te&
s-e ~d..
~ -e..CLv-
Date_ _ _ _ __
Post Graduate._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _...,...-~Where_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____,,.....Degree granted
Date- - - - - - -
;;:>
Honors or Ho~orar: Degrees 'fkl.
From '{\\ ~~iJC;..;U-
S-\-Ct.."t-e..
Where
~.
!c 4AAc;. \
V\::J
11.
Member of Conference Board/ Agency_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
12.
Responsibilities or activities in community affairs, where you live._ __
SlUM..~ \1\CLV=:) \)..)ow...~' s
.5e.MA..~CLv~
13 .
C.<:u.>.. C...LLS. ) cv lQ V\, V\ \. \ \ ~
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~ vu..-, tr-e ~ ~
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Marital Status :
Single
X
Married____:_ _ W1dow(er) _ _ __
If married, wife's maiden name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Her home town - state
-------------------------------
Her parents' name._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
If you have children~ names, please; (ages, if they are at home):
~
I
S
6
THEDCOMMISSI ON ON COMMUNICATIONS
The Detroit Annual Conference - - The United Methodist Church
CPR File #
Personal Information Sheet - #3
14.
Please list churches you have served:
Town
Churc h
Conference
5.
~(MAl(. -ttY\ ~ 'D
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j
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~\.J.AA.~ \qls- J~ ,~ 1 c.o
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8.
a .s.soc1c.....t e
' "'-\\'-h•-\e.Y-
9.
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15.
Please list any items you think may be of interest to the public; such as
previous occupation, hobbies, travel, publications, etc .
=-±tQ (,) (L(..~JL
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If you are retiring this year, please list plans and retirement Add _ _ _ _ __
The
News
RELIGION
\
/
The Rev. Susan Bennett Stiles, 54, of Kochville Township will celebrate her first anniversary
Sunday as pastor at Kochville United Methodist Church, 6030 Bay in Kochville Township.
Eastor celebrates
many milestones
DENISE FORO-MITCHELL
THE SAGINAW NEWS
"I've always felt that all Christians are called
into ministry; however, some of us are called
into the ordained ministry. All of us should try to
The Detroit Annual Conference of the United share the love of Christ and reach out to others,
Methodist Church is celebrating a milestone Susan Stiles said.
t:hat'~ m~lcina a world of difference in the Rev.
"The thing that was most im ortant to me was
Pastor cele6rates
many milestones
DENISE FORO-MITCHELL
"I've always felt that all Christians are called
into ministry; however, some of us are called
into the ordained ministry. All of us should try to
The Detroit Annual Conference of the United share the love of Christ and reach out to others,
Methodist Church is celebrating a milestone Susan Stiles said.
that's making a world of difference in the Rev.
"The thing that was most important to me was
Susan Bennett Stiles' life.
that we all give ow· lives to something or someFifty years ago, district leaders granted full one. I knew I wanted to devote my life to serving
clergy rights to women, enabling their ordina- God," she explained.
tion as pastors in the United Methodist Church.
Preparing to shepherd a flock took time.
"I'm the third woman pastor (at Kochville
"It definitely was a step-by-step process. I let
United Methodist Church) in the last 10 years," God guide me. I rationalized that if this is what
the 180-member congregation's
I'm supposed to do, it's going to
senior pastor said proudly. "It's
happen, and it will be verified
spiritually uplifting to have that "Part of what I bring to through others. And prayer
type of support for our call."
was always a part of that
Appointed a year ago Sun- my ministry is the
process."
day, Stiles, 54, succeeded the sense of being a
Along the way, Stiles, who
Rev. Michael Quayle as leader
grew up at First United
of the congregation at 6030 Bay survivor and how God Methodist Church, 4790 Gratiot
in Kochville Township.
in Saginaw Township, said she
"Today, we have a dozen or really can get you
faced plenty of challenges that
so women who are bishops, and
easily could have shaken her
more and more are being through if you trust
faith.
appointed as senior pastors,"
"My husband and I were
said Stiles, a 1969 graduate of and believe."
married almost 20 years before
he died of brain cancer in
the former Douglas MacArthur THE REV. SUSAN BENNETT
High School in Saginaw Town- STILES
1997," she said. "At the time, I
was preparing for ordination as
ship.
pastor, Kochville U11ited
an e lde r, I was raising a
"Of the 500 full-time pastors Methodist Church
leading congregations (in the
teenage daughter - who was
Detroit Conference), close to 100 are women. going through her own growing pains - and if
With my appointment at Kochville, in a way, I'm that wasn't enough, I was diagnosed with breast
coming home," said Stiles, who has served the cancer.
United Methodist church for close to 20 years.
"So part of what I bring to my ministry is the
She follows the Rev. Lisa L. Cook, who served sense of being a survivor and how God really
the Kochville congregation from 2000 to 2004, can get you through if you trust and believe,"
and the Rev. Lisa Mcllvenna, who served there said Stiles said.
During that time the pastor took an extended
from 1995 to 1999.
She earned a bachelor's degree in 1973 from medical leave from her post to mentally and ·
Michigan State University and a master's of physically heal from her ordeal and emotionally
divinity degree in 1977 from Northwestern Uni- uplift and strengthen her daughter.
The pastor, a nine-year cancer survivor, also
versity's Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.
knows faith and perseverance will help her
The aspiring journalist shifted gears after tak- guide a congregation in the midst of a communiing a religion course.
ty in transition. She said she is amazed ho~ the
"There were so many wonderful and interest- suburbs have grown since she left.
ing things going on· at that time in religion. It
"Kochville is boo.ming with residential and
made me re-evaluate my own faith and what it commercial growth," she said. "We're in the
perfect location on the corner of Bay and
meant.
"I knew then that God was calling me to the Kochville."
ministry. The more I thought about it, the more I
She said she's anticipating "rediscovering my
realized I couldn't get away from it. One day, I roots while helping others build theirs."
decided to do what I thought God was calling me
"I'm looking forward to some real exciting
to do."
ministry in Kochville. Next year, we'll celebrate
In 1975, Stiles was ordained a deacon. That the .150th annive rsary of the church and
year, she met her future husband. Three years enhance our ministerial offerings."·:·
later, she was ordained an elder and married the
Rev. David Stiles. The couple had one daughter, Denise Ford-Mitchell is a staffwriter for The
Saginaw News. You may reach her at 776-9668.
Mary, now 22.
TliE SAGINAW NEWS