Romeijn-Stout joins Sandpoint United Methodist as new pastor

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The Sandpoint United Methodist congregation has welcomed Jo Dene Romeijn-Stout as their new full-time pastor as of July 1, 2019.

Jo Dene sees her role in ministry as Pastor, Priest and Prophet. She realizes this is a large role, but she says, “With God’s grace, I am walking step by step into these roles for and with the amazing people of God at SUMC.”

As Pastor she will seek to know the members of the congregation and the community, and live in community with them sharing the Love of God through their celebrations, sorrows, struggles, and daily living.

As Priest she will serve the Sacraments and Rites of the Church – Baptism and Communion, Weekly Services of Worship, Confirmation, Weddings, and Funerals. While tending to the growth of the relationship between the Congregation and individual members with God, she will seek to listen for God’s word and direction with them, and set a vision of God’s call for SUMC.

As Prophet she believes her responsibility is to seek and share God’s vision of justice and mercy and together with the congregation work to bring both to the broken places in Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho, the USA, and the world.

Jo Dene is a Washington state native, graduating with her Bachelor degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1979 and receiving her M.Div. in 1983 from Garret-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Her most recent appointment was Sunrise United Methodist Church in Federal Way.

Hiking, kayaking and music are important to her and were a definite incentive to accept this appointment. She has already attended her first Festival at Sandpoint concert, the Spokane symphony performance.

She and her husband, Willem, also a Methodist minister, have three sons who, she says, “have provided us with three lively grand dogs.”

Jo Dene invites you to worship with us at our Sunday morning services which begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by light refreshments in the fellowship hall. Communion is served the first Sunday of every month and all are welcome at the table.