Mary Ann Swenson
Encyclopedia
Mary Ann Swenson is an American bishop
of the United Methodist Church
, elected in 1992.
McDonald) was born 8 June 1947 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
. She was raised and educated in Jackson, Mississippi
, where she was active in Sunday School
, church youth group and choir at the Capitol Street Methodist Church. She married Jeffrey Joe Swenson of Elma, Washington
31 August 1968. Growing up on a dairy farm, Jeff is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound
, Tacoma, Washington
with a B.A. degree in fine arts. He also served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam
. The Swenson family also includes their dog, Bubba.
in Jackson, Mississippi in 1969 with a B.A.
degree
in Religion
. She earned a D.Min. degree from the School of Theology at Claremont
in 1975. Her thesis
was "A Synthesis Between Personal Piety
and the Social Gospel
in the Modern Church."
Church in Tacoma, Washington
and the Elma
U.M. Church, 1969–72, then at the Claremont U.M. Church in Claremont, California
.
The Rev. Mary Ann Swenson was ordained to the ministry of the Pacific Northwest
Annual Conference
of the United Methodist Church by Bishop Wilbur Choy
(Deacon in 1973 and Elder in 1976). Her pastoral appointments included: Associate Pastor, Claremont U.M.C. (1973–74); Pastor
, Orchards U.M.C., Vancouver, Washington
(1974–83); and Senior Pastor of First U.M.C., Wenatchee, Washington
(1989–92). The Rev. Dr. Swenson was also appointed Superintendent
of the Puget Sound
District of the Pacific Northwest Conference (1983–89).
As District Superintendent Dr. Swenson also served as the Dean
of the Bishop's Cabinet
(1988–89). While appointed to Wenatchee, she also served as President
of both the Board of Directors
of the Rape
Crisis and Domestic Violence
Center, and the Board of Directors of the North Central Washington AIDS
Coalition
(1989–92).
(1976–84) and of the Division of Lay Life and Work (1984–92). She also served on the Board of Directors
of the U.M. General Board of Global Ministries, as well as on its Mission Personnel Committee and the National Town and Country Network. Dr. Swenson was elected by the Pacific Northwest Conference as a delegate
to U.M. General and Jurisdictional Conferences. 1980-92.
, where she served until 2000. She was then assigned the Los Angeles
Area, including the California-Pacific Annual Conference and the Korea
n Mission of the Western Jurisdictional Conference. In 2004 Bishop Swenson was re-assigned to the Los Angeles Area and in 2008, that assignment was extended to 2012. Her mailing address is P.O. Box 6006, Pasadena, California
91102-6006.
Bishop Swenson chaired the Committee
to Eliminate Institutional Racism
and the Committee on Personnel and Nominations of the National Division of the U.M. General Board of Global Ministries (1992–2000). She also returned to the General Board of Discipleship, chairing a long range planning
strategy committee and serving as President
(1996–2000). In 2000 she became a member of the General Council on Finance and Administration(GCFA), chairing the Legislative Committee, and assigned to the Personnel Committee and the Executive Committee; Swenson also has served as the President of GCFA. She now serves as President of the church's General Commission on Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concerns (GCCUIC).
, Bishop Swenson enjoys reading, racquetball
and walking. On their 25th wedding anniversary
, the Swensons received a tandem bicycle
. They've become avid cyclists, completing several bike
tours. In 1998 they rode across the U.S.A., from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans, covering 4,059 miles in 58 days.
." She was one of fifteen maverick U.M. Bishops who signed a statement in 1996 protesting the denomination's official
stance
on homosexuality
. In 1999 she was featured in the PBS series "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
." Bishop Swenson describes her foundational values as diversity, team/partnership, and justice
. She continues to pursue her dream of leading the church in becoming a more inclusive
community
, justice seeking, and more perfect in love of God and neighbor.
by her alma mater
, Millsaps College, in 1994. That same year she was named a Distinguished Alumna by the Claremont School of Theology. She is an Honorary Alumna of the Iliff School of Theology
, Denver, Colorado
. She has served on the Boards of Trustees for both Iliff, and the Saint Paul School of Theology
, Kansas City, Missouri
.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, elected in 1992.
Birth and Family
Mary Ann Swenson (néeNEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
McDonald) was born 8 June 1947 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
. She was raised and educated in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, where she was active in Sunday School
Sunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
, church youth group and choir at the Capitol Street Methodist Church. She married Jeffrey Joe Swenson of Elma, Washington
Elma, Washington
Elma is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,107 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Elma is located at ....
31 August 1968. Growing up on a dairy farm, Jeff is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound
University of Puget Sound
The University of Puget Sound is a private liberal arts college located in the North End of Tacoma, Washington, in the United States...
, Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
with a B.A. degree in fine arts. He also served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. The Swenson family also includes their dog, Bubba.
Education
Mary Ann graduated from Millsaps CollegeMillsaps College
Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...
in Jackson, Mississippi in 1969 with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in Religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. She earned a D.Min. degree from the School of Theology at Claremont
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont School of Theology is a graduate school located in Claremont, California, offering Master of Art, Masters of Divinity, Doctorate of Ministry and Ph.D...
in 1975. Her thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
was "A Synthesis Between Personal Piety
Piety
In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue that can mean religious devotion, spirituality, or a combination of both. A common element in most conceptions of piety is humility.- Etymology :...
and the Social Gospel
Social Gospel
The Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the early 20th century United States and Canada...
in the Modern Church."
Ordained Ministry
Mary Ann Swenson served as the Youth Director for the St. Luke and Capitol Street United Methodist Churches in Jackson, Mississippi, 1966-69. She was the Director of Youth Ministry at the Mason U.M.United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
Church in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
and the Elma
Elma, Washington
Elma is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,107 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Elma is located at ....
U.M. Church, 1969–72, then at the Claremont U.M. Church in Claremont, California
Claremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
.
The Rev. Mary Ann Swenson was ordained to the ministry of the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church." Annual conferences are composed primarily of the clergy members and a lay member or members from each charge . Each conference is a geographical division...
of the United Methodist Church by Bishop Wilbur Choy
Wilbur Wong Yan Choy
Wilbur Wong Yan Choy is a retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church, elected in 1972. He is the first Asian American elected a U.M. Bishop.-Birth and Family:...
(Deacon in 1973 and Elder in 1976). Her pastoral appointments included: Associate Pastor, Claremont U.M.C. (1973–74); Pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, Orchards U.M.C., Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
(1974–83); and Senior Pastor of First U.M.C., Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
(1989–92). The Rev. Dr. Swenson was also appointed Superintendent
District Superintendent (United Methodist Church)
A District Superintendent, often abbreviated D.S., in the United Methodist Church is a clergyperson who serves in a supervisory position over a geographic District of churches providing spiritual and administrative leadership to those churches and their pastors...
of the Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
District of the Pacific Northwest Conference (1983–89).
As District Superintendent Dr. Swenson also served as the Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of the Bishop's Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
(1988–89). While appointed to Wenatchee, she also served as President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of both the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the Rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
Crisis and Domestic Violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
Center, and the Board of Directors of the North Central Washington AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
Coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
(1989–92).
Denominational Service
For the greater U.M. Church, Dr. Swenson served as a Director of the U.M. General Board of DiscipleshipGeneral Board of Discipleship
The General Board of Discipleship is one of 13 international agencies, boards and commissions of The United Methodist Church. It was established by the 1972 United Methodist General Conference...
(1976–84) and of the Division of Lay Life and Work (1984–92). She also served on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the U.M. General Board of Global Ministries, as well as on its Mission Personnel Committee and the National Town and Country Network. Dr. Swenson was elected by the Pacific Northwest Conference as a delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
to U.M. General and Jurisdictional Conferences. 1980-92.
Episcopal Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Swenson was elected to the Episcopacy of the United Methodist Church by the 1992 Western Jurisdictional Conference. She was assigned the Denver Episcopal AreaEpiscopal Area
An Episcopal Area in the United Methodist Church is a basic unit of this denomination. It is a region presided over by a resident bishop that is similar to a diocese in other Christian denominations. Each annual conference in the UMC is within a single episcopal area; some episcopal areas...
, where she served until 2000. She was then assigned the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Area, including the California-Pacific Annual Conference and the Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n Mission of the Western Jurisdictional Conference. In 2004 Bishop Swenson was re-assigned to the Los Angeles Area and in 2008, that assignment was extended to 2012. Her mailing address is P.O. Box 6006, Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
91102-6006.
Bishop Swenson chaired the Committee
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
to Eliminate Institutional Racism
Institutional racism
Institutional racism describes any kind of system of inequality based on race. It can occur in institutions such as public government bodies, private business corporations , and universities . The term was coined by Black Power activist Stokely Carmichael in the late 1960s...
and the Committee on Personnel and Nominations of the National Division of the U.M. General Board of Global Ministries (1992–2000). She also returned to the General Board of Discipleship, chairing a long range planning
Long range planning
Formalized long-range business planning, in particular that taught as a discipline in business schools or just reported in business books, has a history that goes back to the mid 20th century.-History:...
strategy committee and serving as President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
(1996–2000). In 2000 she became a member of the General Council on Finance and Administration(GCFA), chairing the Legislative Committee, and assigned to the Personnel Committee and the Executive Committee; Swenson also has served as the President of GCFA. She now serves as President of the church's General Commission on Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concerns (GCCUIC).
Leisure Pursuits
For recreationRecreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
, Bishop Swenson enjoys reading, racquetball
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
and walking. On their 25th wedding anniversary
Wedding anniversary
-Official recognition:In the Commonwealth realms, one can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries, and any wedding anniversary after that...
, the Swensons received a tandem bicycle
Tandem bicycle
The tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle designed to be ridden by more than one person. The term tandem refers to the seating arrangement , not the number of riders. A bike with two riders side-by-side is called a sociable.-History:Patents related to tandem bicycles date from the late 19th...
. They've become avid cyclists, completing several bike
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
tours. In 1998 they rode across the U.S.A., from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans, covering 4,059 miles in 58 days.
Self Description
In her official biography, Bishop Swenson considers herself "an outspoken leader on issues of inclusiveness and violenceViolence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
." She was one of fifteen maverick U.M. Bishops who signed a statement in 1996 protesting the denomination's official
Official
An official is someone who holds an office in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority .A government official or functionary is an official who is involved in public...
stance
Stance
Stance is a morpheme meaning stand, used in several ways:* to take a position in an argument, a stand on a given issue;* refers to a particular standing postureThere are also a wide variety of stances adopted in martial arts and sports:* boxing stances...
on homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. In 1999 she was featured in the PBS series "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly is an American weekly television news-magazine program which airs on PBS-History and content:Premièring in 1997, it is the only television program devoted entirely to the news of religion and spirituality, along with major ethical issues...
." Bishop Swenson describes her foundational values as diversity, team/partnership, and justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
. She continues to pursue her dream of leading the church in becoming a more inclusive
Inclusive
Inclusive may refer to:* Inclusion * inclusive disjunction, A or B or both* inclusive fitness, in evolutionary theory, how many kin are supported including non-descendants* inclusive interval includes its endpoints...
community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
, justice seeking, and more perfect in love of God and neighbor.
Honors
Bishop Swenson was awarded the degree Doctor of DivinityDoctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
by her alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Millsaps College, in 1994. That same year she was named a Distinguished Alumna by the Claremont School of Theology. She is an Honorary Alumna of the Iliff School of Theology
Iliff School of Theology
Iliff School of Theology is a graduate theological school adjoining the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.An average of 300-350 students attend the school each year in the following degree programs:* Master of Divinity...
, Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. She has served on the Boards of Trustees for both Iliff, and the Saint Paul School of Theology
Saint Paul School of Theology
Saint Paul School of Theology is a school of higher learning in Kansas City, Missouri and is one of 13 seminaries of the United Methodist Church. In addition to the downtown Kansas City campus, Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University began offering courses in September 2008...
, Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.