Table of Contents

- From the President
- Profile of a Fruitful Ministry
- Grad News and Notes
- Upcoming Events
- About eCalling for Graduates
- About Wesley

From the President

Dear friend,

This morning, the news of the world is grim. The Washington Post is reporting on the fighting in Israel and Lebanon, the tsunami in Java and the missile crisis in North Korea. So, I want to give you some good news from Washington about how your seminary prepares people to serve in this world.

I am inspired by the story below about one of our students who has turned four sleepy congregations into one vibrant, mission-centered church. Don Walters is in the Course of Study, a program for men and women who serve small, usually rural churches. Hundreds of these students come for a minimum of five summers to become certified. They make less than minimum wage and receive little recognition in their ministries. Yet, the energy these men and women bring to our campus is contagious. Their singing is enthusiastic, echoing throughout the chapel and down the halls. Their classroom discussions are intense and they write their favorite Bible passages in chalk on the sidewalk in front of our fountain.

Meanwhile, 22 pastors from across Asia are studying Spiritual Leadership for the Global Church. They are in the inaugural session of our Asian Doctor of Ministry Track being held in Seoul, Korea. In their first session, our students are discovering ways to lead thriving congregations as passionate and committed Christians while living in harmony and community with people of other faiths. Sathi Clark, professor of Theology, Culture and Mission, and Craig Hill, professor of New Testament, are team-teaching these courses with faculty from our sister seminary in Korea.

And then, yesterday, Amy Upton, one of our Master of Divinity students, came up to me to tell me how much she was enjoying her intensive course in Biblical Hebrew!

The news from Wesley is good: students who are excited about taking six weeks of Hebrew in the summer; students who give up their vacations to be in the Course of Study and sleep in dorms that have no air conditioning on a day when it will reach 100 degrees; and faculty who volunteer to go to Korea to teach all day, every day. Each of these is answering a call to ministry to proclaim the Gospel with grace in the world of the 21st century.

Sincerely,
David McAllister-Wilson

Profile of Fruitful Ministry

Course of Study Graduate Unites Four Congregations and Builds More than Community

Don Walters is wrapping up his fifth and final year of the Course of Study program at Wesley Theological Seminary. A licensed local pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in East Waterford, Penn., he is completing the education required by the United Methodist denomination.

"Years ago, my pastor told me that I showed gifts for ministry," says Don. His pastor's remarks moved him to become a lay speaker in his region in the mid-90s and take more leadership roles in the church. In 1999, he left his sales and management job of 15 years to work full-time in the ministry. His first formal assignment in the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference was to lead four small congregations. Seven years later, Don has facilitated the unification of these separate - and mostly shrinking - congregations into one vital, growing church body.

In this unification, the congregations underwent radical change - giving up their individual names and buildings and connecting as a group. The unified group chose the new name of Faith United Methodist Church to represent the congregation they have become. In the process of becoming one church, members strengthened their faith and realigned their priorities. Now members are determined to be fruitful assets to the Body of Christ. "All congregations should be an asset to the community and their denominations," says Don.

The unification of the four separate churches has brought about surprising benefits. A spiritual growth is apparent in members' attitudes and actions. "Before the merger, the churches weren't as good at forgiving," says Don. "Now the members see themselves as disciples of Christ and work to reflect Christ's love. These people no longer think of themselves as 'volunteers' doing charity. Instead, they realize as disciples they're called to be mission-minded." The congregation demonstrates this discipleship in part by giving steadily and generously to United Methodist mission funds and supporting local and global charities. Members donate to the neighborhood food pantry and an international orphanage. The church is also partnering with a local Presbyterian congregation to coordinate an emergency fund for poor families.

With the merger successfully completed, Don continues to guide his congregation through more changes. These changes have led to happier church-goers and a growing sense of welcome for newcomers. "I interviewed people in the community who don't attend church and asked them why they don't come," he says. "People said they were intimidated by how it seemed like everyone in the church knew all the words to the prayers and creeds by heart. As visitors, they felt out of place." Don's response was to offer informal worship services on Saturday nights. These services are held in a Sunday-school classroom and don't include the formalities of a printed bulletin or organ music. Also, he keeps the message short - usually about 10 minutes - and very simple and ensures the atmosphere is relaxed, yet reverent. The fruits of his labor are people attending church weekly who had never come to church before.

Another recent change came after Don babysat his four-year-old grandson. "I'm amazed at how technology-savvy young people are today. They can run electronics and computers before kindergarten," he says. With this awareness, he did something that some of his church members considered a radical move. He began using PowerPoint in the Sunday morning worship service. Using an electronic slide show allowed him to display the words to the scripture reading, hymns, creeds and Lord's Prayer on the wall. Months later, Don is excited about the response he has gotten from his congregation. The older and the younger generations love the new technology. Seniors no longer struggle to read the small hymnal type and young mothers aren't worried about holding onto a child with one hand and a bulletin in the other. Of the few who didn't embrace the change, Don listened carefully and respectfully to their concerns, which helped greatly with the transition.

"Something as simple as PowerPoint can be revolutionary in a small church," says Don. "But our centering every Sunday service on worshiping God is more powerful than any technology. People are changed and healed by the love of God." It's this focus on being a part of God's work in the world that ensures Don's ministry will continue to bear fruits for generations to come.

Grad News and Notes

For and About Wesley Alums

Please send information you'd like to share with other Wesley alumni to Ann Keeler, director of alumni relations, at Graduates@wesleyseminary.edu. 

Wesley Alumnae at the 2006 International United Methodist Clergywomen's Consultation
Wesley will sponsor a lunch at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago on August 15 for graduates attending the clergywomen's consultation. Dr. Youtha Hardman Cromwell will present "For Clergy Women: Life Ain't Been No Crystal Stair." Ann Keeler, director of alumni relations, will also share about Wesley's future. For more information, contact Ann Keeler at Graduates@wesleyseminary.edu.

Recent Deaths

Rev. Dr. Paul Erb Myers, M.Div. '44, died at Hershey Medical Center on June 1, 2006 surrounded by his wife and children.

Rev. Lynn Pedigo, M.Div. '02, died June 20 after a long illness.

 

Celebrations

John Gebhart, '63, and his wife Eva celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends on June 17, 2006. John retired in 2000 at age 70, with forty years in ordained ministry, having received Deacon's Orders in the Florida Annual Conference in 1960. 

Eva retired then, also, with forty years in public education. Both are thoroughly enjoying retirement with church and community activity and travel.

 Previously Reported in eCalling for Graduates June 2006 Issue

Celebrations

David Canada, D.Min. '96 reports that his book Spiritual Leadership in the Small Membership Church was published by Abingdon Press in October 2005.  It is the second in a series aimed at pastors of small-membership churches.  Linda Dolby, M.Div. '80 and Cleve Shields, M.Div. '80 celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary recently. They were married in Oxnam Chapel on May 6, 1978. Dr. Shields, who has been on the faculty of the University of Rochester, will be joining the faculty of the Marriage and Family Therapy Training Program, Department of Child and Family Studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana this summer. He will be teaching and doing research in the Ph.D. program, the same program from which he received his Ph.D. nearly 20 years ago. He will also have a private practice in Lafayette. As of July 1, Rev. Dolby will be the pastor of the Mulberry United Methodist Church in Mulberry, Indiana. For the past 19 years, she has served in the WNY Conference of The United Methodist Church, most recently for five years as pastor of Wesley UMC in Rochester, New York. Both Cleve and Linda were ordained as elders in the North Indiana Conference in 1981.

David Fetterman, M.Div. '79 has been serving since mid-January of this year at the University of Pittsburgh as community outreach coordinator for the Center for Healthy Aging.

Kathleen Kind, M.Div. '01, preached at the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference during the Celebration of Ministry service in which they honored retirees, conference award recipients and extension ministers and celebrated 50 years of full clergy rights for women. In order to commemorate and celebrate full clergy rights an elder woman elder and younger woman elder (Kathy!) were asked to preach.

Lu Lan, M.T.S. '02 received the 2006 D.C. Community Service Award on May 25 from Mayor Anthony Williams. The award recognizes the recipient's pioneering spirit, commitment to the community, and exceptional leadership and community service. 

Chuck Leger, M.Div. '03 and Beth Richards Leger, M.Div. '03 were ordained as elders in full connection in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church on May 27, 2006.

Rev. Lyle M. Miller, Sr., Course of Study '92 is retired from the Troy Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He's interested in discussing the process other Course of Study graduates have undergone to become ordained Associate Members and Deacons. Fellow Course of Study graduates can contact Lyle at lmiller@logical.net. 

 

Job Announcements

Wesley Seminary does not actively seek job announcements, but when they are sent to us, we forward information applicable to our graduates.

The Wesley Housing Development Corporation (WHDC) is seeking a Center Director for their Lincolnia Community Resource Center. WHDC is a non-profit, grassroots organization located in Alexandria, Va. Its mission is to develop, own, operate and maintain affordable housing and sustain quality communities for low-and moderate-income persons in Northern Virginia. The organization owns and manages multi-family apartment complexes throughout Northern Virginia. In addition, WHDC currently offers supportive services through five Community Resource Centers (CRCs) that serve residents and the surrounding community. The CRCs provide quality, culturally sensitive educational opportunities, social services, and access to community resources to encourage greater economic and social self-sufficiency and full community participation. The CRCs offer programs for all age groups including elementary after-school programs, summer camps, teen programs, and adult education classes and workshops.

The Center Director coordinates the day-to-day operation of the Lincolnia Community Resource Center in Alexandria, Virginia to include a variety of programs to serve the community, including after school homework help and enrichment activities, teen programs, summer camp, and adult education programs. The Center Director plans, coordinates, supervises, schedules, and administers the Lincolnia CRC programs and staff, especially the Computer Learning Center. The Center Director develops partnerships, resources and programs for adults, children and teens. Weekend, holiday and evening hours are to be included in the working hours when necessary because of programs, classes, special events or meetings. The work hours are 40 per week and must be flexible according to activity. The Center Director must have CPR, AED and First Aid certification and be capable of driving a 15-passenger van and have a good driving record. Also the Center Director must show proof of negative TB testing. The selected applicant must successfully complete a criminal background check.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Run the After School Program including homework help for 25 elementary aged youth.
2) Maintain good discipline. Implement behavior management program and modify as necessary.
3) Maintain contact with local schools to support educational development of youth.
4) Plan, schedule, attend and supervise field trips.
5) Plan and coordinate adult education programs including, but not limited to, ESOL classes, computer classes, financial

Capitol Hill Group Ministry is seeking an independent, community-minded individual to serve as Community Resource Coordinator. This job requires excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and ability to work with people of all backgrounds. Experience with volunteer coordination a plus. For info on this non-profit, please see our website www.chgm.net. Interested? Please send resume to the Rev. Emily Guthrie, executive director of Capitol Hill Group Ministry, at guthrie@chgm.net or 421 Seward Square, SE, Washington, DC 20003.

Upcoming Events

The Reconstituted Cross, An Art Exhibition Running now through July 28, 2006
The Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion and the Dadian Gallery present an art exhibit of sculptural meditations on the connections between physical matter and Christian faith by Ted Prescott in the gallery on Wesley's campus. For more information, call (202) 885-8630.

The Fruitful Congregation, September 23, 2006
Wesley's Lewis Center for Church Leadership presents a daylong program The Fruitful Congregation on Saturday, September 23, 2006. This day of learning will inspire, empower, inform and equip participating lay and clergy leaders from churches throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The program offers practical, actionable strategies, workshops, resources and connections. The event will be held on the Wesley campus 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The registration fee is $55 per person or $45 per person when four or more register together from the same church. Lunch is included. For more information, visit www.churchleadership.com or call (202) 885-8757.