Ph.D. in Christian Ethics, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 1981.

M.Phil. in Christian Ethics, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 1977.

M.Div. in Systematic Theology, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 1974.

B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV, 1971.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Minister, UMC in MN: Newport (July 2000-present); Hillcrest, Bloomington (1993-June 2000); Central Park, St. Paul 1984-1993; Clarissa-Eagle Bend-Clotho 1981-84. Ordained Elder, 1983, Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church; Ordained Deacon, 1973, West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. - 36 Years in Ministry since ordination in 1973.

Wrote seven romantic novels/screenplays in two years about religious, ethical and relationship issues (all are represented by Writers Literary Agency - epublished but still available for print publishing):

Serve as accountant for Cradle of Wings Productions, 2006 to present.

Created Wedding Ministers, 2004, to match couples with wedding ministers around the USA.

Created whatagreatchurch.org, 2003, to assist churches with the creating and maintaining of a web site for a very low price.

Created SaintSavers Web Designing Services, 2003.

Created SaintSavers Wedding Officiating, Photography, Videography, Sound Support and Web Services, 2003.

Served as a Photographer, Videographer, Sound Technician, 1970-Present (During College, Seminary, for Weddings and in Local Churches).

Assisted in maintenance of the Web Site of the Minnesota Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1994-July 2004. To see the current version, click here.

Winner of 2 Merit Awards for Excellence from United Methodist Association of Communicators Annual Meeting in Mesa, Arizona, October 15, 1997; and one of 2 Certificates of Recognition for Web pages at UMAC in 1999 in Cleveland, Ohio. View Front Page Context for this article.

Minneapolis Star Tribune article hilighting Gary's Pastor's Pointers web pages

Conducted Workshops: Revelation Revolution: Churches on the Internet - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Fall, 1997 and Winter 1998.

Conducted Workshops: Revelation Revolution: Churches on the Internet - MN UMC Annual Conference Sessions, 1995-99.

Wrote "There's A Way of Gentle Caring," - a choral piece for Worship, Fall 1995. CLICK HERE to view a Flash presentation of my family slides and Pam (wife) and I singing "There's A Way of Gentle Caring." Resize the window that opens so that it is about 5 inches wide and 3 inches high to get the best focus. On slow connections it may play roughly the first time through and then improve if you let it play through a second time.

Published "SaintSaver" (A Macintosh Software Program for Church Administration, Accounting and Recordkeeping), Fall, 1994 - still in use by Macs today.

Wrote "Spirits Rising," a choral introit for Morning Worship, and three other Arrangements and Lyrics for Worship 1993.

Logged 2000+ hours providing PC/Mac Hardware/Software Technical Support.

Taught "Christian Ethics in Urban Ministry," Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Winter, 1992.

Published FATHERS' LIBERATION ETHICS, University Press of America, Lanham, MD, January, 1992. Click on this text to check it out and for ordering information.

Served as Chair of Urban Ministries Section, Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, Minnesota Annual Conference, 1989-1993; Board member, 1984-1993; Secretary, 1991-1993.

Served as Chair of the Board, Disability Awareness Ministries, Inc., 1991-1993.

Taught "Ethics and Social Justice Issues," United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Fall, 1990.

Served on Task Force for Ministry Development, La Puerta Abierta UMC, St. Paul, MN, 1989-91.

Served on Board, Department of Indian Work, St. Paul Area Council of Churches, 1988-1993.

Served as Chair of Downtown Resident Needs Committee, St. Paul Downtown Community Development Council, 1988-91.

Served as Director of Economic and Social Justice, Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church, Minnesota Annual Conference, 1986-1993.

Served on Board, St. Paul Area Council of Churches, 1986-91.

Served as Convenor, Downtown St. Paul Clergy Association, 1987-1990.

Contracted to teach "Contemporary Theology," Hamline University, Fall, 1986.

Taught "Modes of Ministry," United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Winter, 1985.

Taught "Religious Social Ethics," St. John's University School of Theology, Winter, 1985.

Produced a Cable TV series on worship resources, Channel 34, Cable Access, St. Paul, MN, 1985-86.

Served on the Board, Conference Council on Youth Ministry, United Methodist Church, Minnesota Annual Conference, 1982-84.

Served on the District Council on Ministry as Youth Ministry Coordinator, Northwest District, United Methodist Church, Minnesota Annual Conference, 1982-84.

Interned at and Lectured on Medical Ethics, Concern for Dying, New York City, 1980-81.

Served as Graduate Assistant for "The Church in the Urban Context," Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 1977-79.

Taught courses in Adult Education, The Riverside Church, New York City, 1972-80.

Produced a multi-media presentation "I Love New York: Ministry in the City," Tri-State Media Ministry, Performed in the Citicorp Center at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, New York City, 1979.

Organized community action programs, Child and Family Justice Project, National Council of Churches, New York City, 1978-79.

Preached a sermon series for WRVR-FM, New York City, 1978.

Portrayed role of John Witherspoon on WNEW-TV, New York City, 1976.

Served as Assistant Director of Media Services, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 1972-79.

Provided research and technical work for an award-winning (CINE Golden Eagle) documentary on Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 1975.

Student-taught "Religious Ethics and Social Issues," The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY, 1973-74.

Counseled with and taught Harlem youth in a religious education program, The Riverside Church, New York City, 1972-75.

Assisted in visits and programming for prisons, hospitals, mental health facilities and other public clients - Hospital Audiences, Inc., New York City, 1972-74.

Awarded the Religious Leadership Award, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1971.

Wrote feature articles for Pharos Newspaper, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1970-71.

Hosted a religion and social ethics commentary program, news reporter, DJ, Engineer, Sports Reporter, WVWC-FM, Buckhannon, WV, 1969-71.

Interned in a suburban church, Glendale, West Virginia, 1970.

Served as President, Religious Life Council, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1970.

Earned a Radiotelephone Third Class License, Broadcast Endorsement, Federal Communications Commission, 1969.

Served as Member of Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1970.

Became a Wesleyan Medalist, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1971.

Awarded distinction of Who's Who In American Colleges and Universities, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1970.

Served as Sports Editor and Columnist, Buckhannon-Republican Delta, Buckhannon, WV, 1967.

Played on the Golf Team (Co-Captain, '71), West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1969-71. Finished 6th individually and on the All-Conference Team and second among teams in WVIAC Conference Golf Championship, Pipestem, WV, 1971.

Played on the Golf Team (Co-Captain, '67), Triadelphia High School, 1965-67.

Acted the Male Lead, Senior Class Play, "Curly" in Green Grow the Lilacs - a version of OKLAHOMA, Triadelphia High School, 1967. See photo at right.

Here I am at 17 (at the right) as Junior Class President, Triadelphia High School, 1966.

Served as Member of National Honor Society, Triadelphia High School, 1966, 1967.

Served as President of the Forum (Debate Club), Triadelphia High School, 1966.

Served as Member of Thespians, Triadelphia High School, 1966-67.

Served as Member of Quill and Scroll, International Honorary of Journalists, Triadelphia High School, 1966-67.

Played on school teams for Football, Basketball and Track, Triadelphia High School, 1964-65.

Played on school basketball teams in grades sixth through ninth, 1959-1964.

Worked at Oglebay Park, Wheeling, WV, 1962-70 in several different jobs including golf driving range and par-three jeep driver, ski shop cashier, lift operator, customer relations representative and pool life guard.

Worked at Wheeling Stamping, Wheeling, WV, 1968-70 on the assembly line creating plastic bottles and caps.

Confirmed, Christ United Methodist Church, Wheeling, WV, 1965 and member of youth group.

Baptized, West Bridgeport Methodist Church, Bridgeport, Ohio, 1949 - where my family, my grandparents, aunt and uncle were very active members.

Here I am at right, not long after my baptism picture: "I'm gonna clean up this town!"

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Parenting and family life

Golf fun:

Scored a Hole-in-One at Logger's Trail, Stillwater, MN, on September 7, 2008 with a 7-iron on the 160-yard par three, third hole.

Shot even par - 71 (3 birdies and 3 bogies) - on the Bobcat Trail Golf Course on vacation in 2007.

Scored a Hole-in-One at the Arizona Golf Resort, Mesa, Arizona, and a round of 72 on October 25, 1997.

Won the Church Boys' Weekend Retreat Golf Tournament ten out of 12 years between 1996 and 2008.

Won (with a 4-man team from Hillcrest UMC) in the scramble golf tournament to benefit Operation Classroom with scores of 14, 8 and 10 under par in July of 1997, 1998, and 1999. Won same tournament in 2000, representing Newport UMC with 3 other guys from Mankato: Belgrade UMC, beating the Hillcrest boys by a stroke at 13 under par. Won the tournament again in 2001 with three players from Newport UMC - fifth consecutive year.

Set the course record with a score of 2 under par on the Gold Course at Double Eagle Golf Course, Eagle Bend, MN, Spring, 1984 and won the Individual and Team trophy with an undefeated season as the number one player on the team and won the Annual Club Scramble Tournament.

Won the WV UMC Golf Tournament, clergy division, 1971.

Enjoy playing golf, basketball (an average of 2 times a week), tennis, skiing (click here for my photo at Park City, Utah - 'The Canyons'), biking, running, fishing and sailing. Click on these links for pictures and more than you wanted to know about it.

Professional photography, videography, editing and graphic design. (Click Here to see a sample of my Wedding Photography - login as user=sample and password=look).

To view my idea of graphic art CLICK HERE. I confess that I design golf courses in my head and sketch them constantly, especially during long meetings.

Enjoying the flowers growing in my yard and photographing them. See more of my flowers. And then there are hundreds more, like those on my church photo album in the slide show at the top - CLICK HERE

Writing Computer Software, Designing Web pages and surfing the Web for religious resources for use in ministry and to help others in ministry

Singing, Playing Piano, Keyboard and Organ and Writing Music

Home Phone: (651) 756-8611 - Cell Phone (651) 329-7829

My place of employment is:

Newport United Methodist Church
1596 11th Ave. (at Glen Road)
Newport, MN 55055-1649
(651) 459-2747

"There's A Way of Gentle Caring"

by Gary Ritner

There's a way of gentle caring
and of giving thanks to God
for all God has done we can love and live as one,
all sisters and brothers are we.

With these loving words do we
become what God made us,
beautiful child of the Son.

We can have a heart that's loving
not rejecting any neighbor;
seeing good in everyone;
building up not tearing down
giving life so all may live.

With too much critique we whither,
but loving light makes us,
ripened fruit of the Vine.

If you have Flash, you might like to click here to view a Flash presentation of family slides and Pam and I singing "There's A Way of Gentle Caring"

Send E-Mail to me at gary@garyritner.org