Dear Friends,
I am very excited to introduce Erica Rushing to you all! Erica has been hired as our new Publications Director and Communications Director for The Fellowship.
Erica Rushing has served in various roles within the United Methodist Church for over twenty years. Each role has given her a new understanding and appreciation for the many ways in which our traditions in music and art, our connectional system, and our shared faith in Christ make it possible to engage in worship that is broad enough to be shared across a global denomination, and personal enough for individual worshippers to experience God in their own contexts.
As a staff member of her local church, Erica served as the Ministry and Communications Coordinator, Bell Choir Director, and Chancel Choir Accompanist. Erica serves her conference as a member of the Council on Finance and Administration, Connectional Leadership Table, and Sessions Worship Team; and has also served our broader connection as a speaker at the 2019 Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Lay Leadership Academy, a page at General Conference, a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader in Puerto Rico, and as a certified UMVIM Emergency Response Team member.
Beyond her roles within the United Methodist Church, Erica works for Asante Health System, is a piano teacher and served as the accompanist for the Presque Isle Chorale in Erie, PA, and many other local productions. She is a Rotary International member, and is certified as a Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) facilitator.
Erica recently moved to Oregon and the first thing that made her new town feel like home was the United Methodist Church. Although the space was different and the faces new, the music, liturgy, and artistry that she found in worship was familiar, comforting, and inspiring. She is excited to help equip our members with resources and support so that, through The Fellowship, others may experience that same sense of belonging in the worship and presence of God - wherever they may be.
Your Fellowship Board is excited to work together with Erica as we journey forward in our mission to assist worship leaders in creating meaningful worship experiences.
Nancy Farrington, President