Erin Dunigan Ordained to a New Position

See a Video of Her First Benediction

On October 18, 2009 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Erin Dunigan was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament as a "Designated Tentmaking Evangelist of category 301." If you are wondering exactly what that means, join the club!

Designated: Simply means that this position is created for no less than two but no more than four years, allowing both Erin and the partnership of churches from the Los Ranchos Presbytery (at the present time FPC Downey, FPC Santa Ana, Placentia, St. Andrews, St. Mark  and Village) to try out a new way of doing ministry outside of the four walls of the church building, with the intent to bring that learning back within the 'four walls.'

Tentmaking: This position will supply Erin with health insurance and a monthly expense stipend, but her primary income will still come from her 'tentmaking' activities such as photography, writing, website development and other communications within the church and in the larger world. For more text and photos on Erin.

Evangelist: In today's world, companies such as Apple Computers have created positions such as "Mac Evangelists" or "Technology Evangelists" meaning someone who is an enthusiast, supporter, and who desires to share the 'good news' with others. Often within religious contexts the word 'evangelist' can conjure up visions of street corner preachers yelling into a megaphone or other more negative images. However, in today’s increasingly flattening world, much of which is due to technology, can an 'evangelist' not use mediums such as photography, twitter, facebook, blogs, etc. to communicate the 'good news' of how God is already at work in the wider world?

In this newly created role Erin will split her time between the communities of La Mision (Baja California), Los Ranchos, and the wider world. We within the Los Ranchos Presbytery are looking forward to learning from her carving out of a new path.

To learn more about becoming a partner church, contact Bob Parker. If individuals or churches wish to financially contribute to this partnership checks can be made payable to Los Ranchos Presbytery with “Bridging Borders Partnership” in the memo line.