Rev. Dr. Bruce Robbins
Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church
Minneapolis, Minnesota
bruce.robbins@umglobalstructure.org
Rev. Dr. Bruce Robbins is the Senior Minister at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, a Reconciling Congregation. Previously, he was the General Secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns of the UMC. There he attempted to develop dialogues hoping for full inclusion of LGBT persons. He also worked with the World Council of Churches and in 2003 he authored A World Parish?: Hopes and Challenges of the UMC in a Global Setting.
Elizabeth Okayama
New Hope United Methodist Church
Chicago, Illinois
elizabeth.okayama@umglobalstructure.org
Elizabeth Okayama served as Associate General Secretary for Episcopal Services of the General Council on Finance and Administration from 1988 to 2005. While on staff, she also served as the Human Resources Director from 1996 through 2005 when she retired. Her first career was in elementary education. Prior to working for the general church, she was the Coordinator of the Ecumenical Women’s Center in Chicago for seven years. While at E.W.C, Liz worked on revisions and reprints of E.W.C. publications including Because We Are One People, an inclusive language hymnal. Liz also worked with Shalom Education in preparation of the publication of the adult curriculum on anti-racism, Creating a New Community published by the United Methodist Publishing House, and was on the writing team of the children’s curriculum, Building a New Community published by Cokesbury.
Liz is the mother of three children and grandmother of four. A member of New Hope UMC in Chicago, Liz has served in various capacities of leadership in her local church, including teaching Church School. She is currently Lay Leader/Lay Member, chairs the Church Council, and serves as Music Director. Her involvements beyond the local church include membership on the Northern Illinois Conference Committee on Episcopacy, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and chair of the District Building and Location Committee. She also serves as a board member of the Reconciling Ministries Network.
