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Ben
Shinn was appointed to Walnut Hill in June 2005. He is a third
generation United Methodist minister. Growing up as the son of
an Air Force Chaplain he has lived throughout the United
States and overseas. He attended the University of Maryland
(Munich Campus) his first two years of college and received
his undergraduate degree from SMU and is also a graduate of
Perkins School of Theology at SMU.
Ben
has served churches in varied settings throughout his career.
He started out his ministry as an associate at Lakewood UMC in
East Dallas. He has served Buckingham UMC in suburban North
Garland; Oak Cliff UMC in the inner-city of Dallas; Kavanaugh
UMC, a county seat church in Greenville; Plymouth Park UMC in
the mid-cities; and served as the Assistant to the Bishop with
Bishop William B. Oden.
Ben’s wife Mary is a flutist . They have two married
daughters: Ruth Anne Bloor, who lives in Boston, and Laura
Hamilton, who lives in Austin.
Ben
is an avid golfer and also enjoys working in his yard, reading
and stamp collecting. |
Jo Biggerstaff
Associate Pastor
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Rev. Jo Biggerstaff is Associate Pastor with specific
responsibilities for Ministries with Children and Families at
Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX. She accepted
this appointment in June, 2005. In June, 2005 Jo
officially took the retired relationship with the Annual
Conference. Her work now is part time, as she tries to learn
how to be “semi-retired.”
Jo
holds a BA from Southern Methodist University, with a major in
Music. She is also a graduate of Perkins School of Theology at
SMU, holding the Masters of Religious Education degree. Jo is
certified by The United Methodist Church as a Director of
Christian Education. Rev. Biggerstaff was ordained as a
Deacon in Full Connection in The United Methodist Church in
1997, in the first class after the Order of Deacon was created
by General Conference, 1996. Prior to that time Jo was a
Diaconal Minister, having been consecrated to that office in
1979.
Jo
and her husband, Jim, were married in 1963. Jim is a retired
Civil Engineer. They have lived in the Sparkman neighborhood
for 36 years. Jim and Jo have two grown sons and one daughter
in law, and three grandchildren. Jo’s hobbies and interests
include reading (she loves mystery novels…especially British
murder mysteries), needlework, and piano. She is also
passionate about United Methodist Women and the Mission work
of the United Methodist Church. Jo loves to travel, and will
go most anywhere at the drop of a hat! |
