Lancaster church ordains Elizabeth Nissley

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LANCASTER, Pa.—More than 380 people gathered June 24 at James Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, for the ordination of Elizabeth Nissley, associate pastor at James Street.
Lancaster Mennonite Conference (LMC) does not allow the ordination of women for ministry.

People gather around Elizabeth Nissley during her ordination at James Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pa.

In 1993, Nissley was licensed by LMC to serve in the Mount Joy (Pa.) Mennonite Church. In 2002, she began serving as associate pastor at the James Street congregation.

The ordination credentials for Kathy Keener Shantz, also an associate pastor at James Street, were also transferred from Pacific Southwest Conference to LMC.

“Today is certainly a day for celebration … we are not alone,” said Jane Peifer Hoober, pastor at Blossum Hill Mennonite Church, in her sermon during the service.

LMC will not officially recognize the ordination of Nissley.

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