Mathews native Julie Nitzsche was commissioned by the United Methodist Church on Sept. 11 as a Provisional Elder. Nitzsche received her Master’s in Divinity from Eastern Mennonite University in 2017, and has been serving as the Associate Pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Charlottesville.

The provisional process is one of the longer processes in the UMC for those who wish to become elders in the church, said Nitzsche. Elders are ordained members of the United Methodist Church who serve as another level of leadership within the UMC clergy system, below the rank of bishop.

Nitzsche said that to be commissioned means that she has gone through the interviews and has written the papers to show church leaders her readiness to pursue her calling.

“Commissioning is the beginning of the next step in ministry towards covenant and commitment,” she said. “It’s another covenant with God.”

Nitzsche pursued her calling through EMU’s seminary program. She said that her time at seminary allowed her to grow personally and spiritually, and allowing her to more deeply explore her relationship with Christ.

She said that the support she’s received from so many has been amazing. Her husband Kurt and children Helen, Olivia and Brandt are her biggest supporters. She also has a large church family spanning multiple churches in different counties, including Bethel United Methodist in Mathews County.

The day-to-day routine of Nitzsche’s position at Aldersgate UMC won’t change, she said. Her commissioning allows her to take the next steps in her lifelong commitment with God. Her provisional period will last about three years, then she will become an elder in the UMC.