Welcome to the United Methodist Union
The United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit is the missionary organization of the Detroit Renaissance District of the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Through program support, capacity building, and developing new models of ministry, the Union works to strengthen and revitalize our congregations and mission agencies to serve their communities.
United Methodist Union Executive Director, Rev. Dr. William A. Ritter
Following the death of our former Director, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Christler, in November 2008, Rev. Dr. William A. Ritter has directed our activities, capably and creatively. In October of 2010, he orchestrated a return to the City of Detroit and our beautifully refurbished offices at Metropolitan UMC.
Rev. Dr. William A. Ritter, or Bill as we know him, has been our colleague in ministry for more than 45 years. His pastoral record includes Dearborn: First, Livonia: Newburg, Farmington Hills: Nardin Park and Birmingham: First. He has served in an interim capacity at Livonia: Newburg, Fenton, Northville and Shelby Township: New Hope. A Detroit native, Bill was raised on the northwest side of the city and was a member of Westlawn United Methodist Church. His educational path traveled through Mackenzie High School (1958), Albion College (B.A., 1962) and Yale Divinity School (M.Div., 1965). Albion College awarded him an honorary D.D. in 1981.
Bill is known around the country as an extraordinary preacher and pastor. He has served and continues to serve the larger church in a variety of ways; a Trustee at Albion College, a visiting professor at Albion College, Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina and the Ecumenical Theological Seminary here in the city. He was the Mentor in Residence (2006 – 2009), a program created and sponsored by the United Methodist Union, designed to strengthen and equip pastors. He is also a published author. His most recent book is entitled, Take the Dimness of My Soul Away: Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide. But most important he is husband to Kris, a father to Julie, and a grandfather to Jacob and Georgia Grace.
The Reports of the Executive Director
Reports of the Executive Director are available in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print the forms. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from Adobe.
- Report of the Executive Director, December 7, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, September 28, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, July 27, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director Addendum, June 22, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, June 22, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, May 25, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, April 27, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, March 23, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, January 26, 2011
- Report of the Executive Director, December 8, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, November 3, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, September 22, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, July 28, 2010
- For Your Information, July 6, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, June 23, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director Addendum, May 26, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, May 11, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, April 28, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, March 24, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, February 24, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, January 27, 2010
- Report of the Executive Director, December 10, 2009
- Report of the Executive Director, October 21, 2009