We are saddened to learn of the death of Norma Kehrberg, former chair of UMMA. Elliot Wright has provided an article recalling her service to Global Ministries.

Norma Kehrberg’s essential role in the United Methodist Missionary Association

Norma served as second chair of UMMA from 2002-2005, succeeding founding chair Howard Heiner (1996-2002, † 2011), and worked effectively to secure for missionaries “a place at the table” in discussing and shaping mission policy alongside directors (tasked with policy-setting by General Conference, Jurisdictions and Annual Conferences), and staff (in whose hands implementation of policy rests). Norma brought her executive skills and extensive contacts as former UMCOR head and former missionary to Nepal as well as extensive engagement in United Methodist Women to bear in helping missionaries move away from somewhat adversarial relationships toward partnership with their sending agency. Both as a former EUB and as a single woman she also had an acute awareness of how dominant structural patterns could disadvantage diverse points of view.


A former global missionary in the Philippines and early fellow collaborator in UMMA writes in response to word of her death: “So sorry to hear of the passing of our good friend Norma Kehrberg at the young age of 81. She was a joy to work with as early leaders of UMMA. She kept us moving in the right direction … as we earned recognition and respect [from Global Ministries]. Together we became partners in mission rather than simply a workers’ union as some feared. She certainly was a well-informed and congenial leader. We will miss you Norma. May God continue to bless you. [signed] Richard L. Schwenk”

A quick comparison of leadership styles between Howard Heiner and Norma Kehrberg helps describe UMMA’s journey. Howard’s wildly arching eyebrows which moved agitatedly in sync with his mood and regular strong expression of conviction regarding the justice of UMMA’s cause elicited corresponding responses on many occasions from those who felt addressed by issues in question. Norma, on the other hand, subtly worked to allow all concerns to have their place while persisting in the efforts to convince siloed executives (perhaps having been one herself) to find a more comfortable route to insight and collaboration with those with “boots-on-the-ground” experience of life in incredibly diverse secular and religious contexts around the world into which occasionally clueless, if sincere, staff would send us. Her progressive convictions were always tempered by concern for all persons involved in the process of enabling and guiding changes in views and structures in response to our calling as Jesus’ disciples in all circumstances. As her successor as chair of UMMA, I was always aware that the foundation Norma laid was (and is) essential to the positive development in the role of missionaries within the official context.

Special thoughts go out to her close friend and collaborator at Harris UMC, Mona Bomgaars.
— Jim Dwyer, webmaster and twice chair of UMMA