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Dr. Josephine Whitely-Fields has come to serve the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeville on July 1, 2009. She recently served as the Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies at United Theological Seminary. Her duties also included teaching courses in spiritual formation and African American Studies. Dr. Whitely-Fields academic degrees include the following: B.A in Biology from Norfolk State University in Virginia; Master of Arts in Religion from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh; Master of Divinity from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio; Master of Arts and PhD in Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition, she has also completed 3 ½ years towards a doctorate in Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.
Pastor Jo is an ordained clergywoman of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. She celebrates 33 years of ministry. Reverend Whitely-Fields has served as pastor of Coraopolis, Emory, Buena Vista, McMasters and New Life United Methodist Churches. She has ministered as pastor of African American, multi-racial, and Caucasian congregations.
Dr. Whitely-Fields has served on the Western PA Conference staff in various capacities. As Church Consultant she provided resources for churches to more effectively evangelize in the community; as Director of Missions she assisted congregations in identifying and addressing community needs with collaborative efforts; and as Founder and Director of the Conference Career Exploration Community Ministries she was instrumental in designing and directing community ministries for at-risk and disadvantaged children, youth and their families.
Dr. Josephine ministers on a national level as adjunct faculty for Upper Room Ministries in the Academy of Spiritual Formation. Also, she has served as adjunct faculty for the West Virginia Masters of Divinity Program of United Theological Seminary. As a formation practitioner she has given lectures at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Church Women United, Catholics in Formation, and at United Methodist District and Conference Training events.
Dr. Whitely-Fields has been given the honor of serving as preacher for the West Michigan Annual Conference and the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. In addition, she has served as lecturer on Spiritual Formation at the Western PA Annual Conference. The Methodist Theological School in Ohio presented Dr. Whitely-Fields the award of the “Distinguished Alumnus in Extension Ministries.” She was also given the honor of the Mayor’s award for “The Most Valuable Contributor in Community Ministry” in Washington, PA.
Pastor Jo is the widow of Rev. Frederick L. Fields with 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 5 of her 9 siblings remain and 2 of them are ordained clergy.
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