Speaker

Barbara Grace Ripple is a retired United Methodist minister who served from 1998 to 2004 as superintendent of the United Methodist churches of Guam, Saipan and the state of Hawaii. Currently serves as convenor of the Advisory Board of TIAH; also on board of directors of the Counseling and Spiritual Care Center of Hawaii (formerly known as the Samaritan Counseling Center) and the United Methodist District Division and Conference Board of Church and Society. Graduate of Cal State Northridge (1972) and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (1985). Served as pastor to churches in Ohio and founded the first Unted Methodist church in Saipan in 1992. Participated as a peace advocate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in January, 2006, including observation of the Palestinian elections. Husband, James Ripple, is a retired engineer/attorney who worked for the United States Dept. of Commerce in economic development. Resident of Hawaii since 1998.