Hi! My name is Pastor Carrie Bland and I have recently been appointed here to Willapa UMC. My family and I moved from Renton, WA. where I was an associate pastor. I am pursuing Ordination as an Elder in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of the UMC. While working towards that I am a Licensed Local Pastor. I recently attended my District Committee on Ordained Ministry interviews and was recommended for Provisional Interviews February 2021. If you're not current on the ordination process, please ask me and I'll give you more details.
I hold an M.Div. from Seattle Pacific Seminary, a BA in Sociology from Central Washington University, and an ATA in Business Administration from South Puget Sound Community College. I have 20+ years of experience working with children & teens from the local church to camping ministries, to child daycares.
My passions include racial and social justice, and I believe with all my heart that living my life according to God's will, can lead us to a better way of life. I also believe that all are loved, are of sacred worth, and there's always room for you at the table.
My husband Paul is a Challenge Course Facilitator Trainer and Inspector. You will have to ask him to explain what that means. My short version is that he teaches facilitators how to lead groups through a challenge course which can be for fun, or as many groups use them, to help them work better together as a team.
Our dog's name is Darby. We adopted him 2 years ago and have been blessed ever since. He is super friendly, a bit timid with people, but LOVES OTHER ANIMALS. He believes he owns this town, that your home is his home, and will happily welcome you to our place. He loves being loved on and absolutely loves squeaky tennis balls.
We are thrilled to be here in the Willapa/Raymond area. If you see a woman walking with a small brown fluffy dog with a rainbow leash, that's me! Darby and I love to walk around town. Stop us for a moment to say hello!
As chair I lead the monthly meetings of the Administration Council. Together as a team, working closely with the Pastor, we address the needs of the congregation and the community. We continuously seek out new opportunities to be in ministry where we are able to bring hope and light to the community.
If you have suggestions, questions, or would like to find a way for you to offer your talents to the church, please contact me and I'll bring your request to the council.
