Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!United Theological Seminary • 4501 Denlinger Road • Dayton, Ohio 45426

Renewal in the City...................page 8

Rural Community Renewal.. page 10

News and Notes . . . . . . . . page 4,5

Heck Lectures . . . . . . . . . pages 6,7

Featured Inside

A Magazine for United Alumni/ae

Keeping in TouchFall/Winter 2013 - 2014

RENEW!

Keeping in Touch is published by:United Theological Seminary

4501 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426 Phone: 937.529.2201 Email: utscom@united.edu Website: www.united.edu

Branch Campus: West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WV 26201

Phone: 304.342.9222 Email: jflanagan@united.edu

Executive StaffPresident Wendy J. Deichmann

Vice President for Finance Ronald N. Kuker

Vice President for Academic Affairs David F. Watson

Vice President for Enrollment Harold A. Hudson

Vice President for Development Timothy J. Forbess

Senior Assistant to the President

JoAnn Wagner

Production StaffGraphic Designer Mollie Richardson

Director of Alumni/ae Relations Brice Thomas ’04

United Theological SeminaryLetter from the President

A Christian seminary affiliated with The United Methodist Church, United is a community of learning and faith with representation from many ecumenical traditions.

Deborah’s Daughters: Women’s Ways of Leadership and Ministry was a women’s conference co-hosted by the Harriet L. Miller Women’s Center and the Center of Urban Ministry from Sept. 23-25 at United. The conference, designed for both clergy and laity, focused on the ways that women are and can be in leadership and ministry in every aspect of church life.

2013 Lonnie C. Porter Scholarship Dinner

The Lonnie C. Porter Scholarship Dinner was held Oct. 3. Rev. Dr. Daniel Aleshire was the featured speaker. During the dinner, approximately 190 scholarship recipients were recognized, including approximately 50 named scholarships and 10 Master Scholars. Almost 300 attended the dinner, including many alumni/ae and friends who have supported United's scholarship programs over the years.

Deborah’s Daughters: Women’s Ways of Leadership and Ministry

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Dear Alumni/ae and friends,

Warm New Year’s greetings in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ! Blessed to begin a new year, at United we are once again thinking theologically and practically about the ministry of renewal. This requires us to grapple, practically speaking, with the great, good news that Jesus Christ makes all things new!

The renewal that springs forth whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit leads is not limited or circumscribed by human categories of time and place. Thus, we should look for renewal to take place in the city and in the country, in the suburbs, the forest and the desert, in individuals and communities and even in whole nations, wherever God is leading people to pray and work for renewal.

In the pages that follow, we are pleased to share just a few ways the United community, especially our alumni/ae, are involved in a wide variety of renewal initiatives that impact many persons and regions with the transformational gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you, as always, for your faithful service in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ and for your prayerful support for United’s continuing ministry of theological education. We are grateful for and proud of you!

Gratefully yours in the service of Christ,

Wendy

UPDATES

Class of 1953

Rev. Robert “Bing” Crosby, Seattle, WA, received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Boston University last fall, where he earned his STM degree in 1954. At the ceremony, Crosby honored a great mentor at Boston University School of Theology, Howard Thurman, and sang a spiritual that Thurman featured in his book, The Negro Spiritual Speaks of Life and Death. The Institute Crosby founded in 1969 is now a college, LIOS Graduate College of Saybrook University in Seattle.

Class of 1972

Rev. Larry D. Leister, Lititz, PA, retired effective July 1, 2013. He can be contacted via Facebook or at LDLeister@hotmail.com.

Class of 1975

Rev. Ed Wilder, Austin, TX, a retired United Methodist Elder, has returned to Austin to be close to family. He served as a volunteer at the Pohly Center for Supervision and Leadership Formation for the last six years. In addition, he was a Formation and Integration Group facilitator, church coach for the Miami Valley District and a mentor for students on the ordination track.

Class of 1977

Rev. Kathryn Moody-Arndt, Cleveland, OH, and her husband

Ken retired from pastoral ministry in June. They’re enjoying the freedom to choose where they live and worship and are living in Cleveland, where Kathryn served in the 1990s. They are loving the diversity and range of activities. In March, they will travel with their son, Josh, to Istanbul, Turkey, and parts of Europe.

Class of 1978

Rev. Ralph Watkins, Silver Spring, MD, retired from the federal courts in December 2012. He has become more active in the League of Women Voters (LWV), being elected to the Board of Directors for the Maryland LWV and the Montgomery County (Maryland) LWV. He enjoys singing in the choir at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD. He also volunteers at the National Building Museum in Washington and at the C&O Canal National Historic Park in Great Falls, MD.

Rev. Kevin A. Johnson, Palm Springs, CA, was elected to serve on the Board of Governors of John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Indio, CA. He has been accepted into the Advanced Pastoral Studies Program of San Francisco Theological Seminary to pursue a D.Min.

Class of 1980

Rev. Robert Jarboe, Mentone, IN, is serving his seventh year as spiritual counselor for hospice and is also Director of Music at St. Annes Episcopal Church in Warsaw, IN.

Class of 1982

After 28 years in the United Methodist ministry, Rev. Jeff Vermilya, Kennesaw, GA, was ordained as an Anglican priest and is now serving as rector of Epiphany Anglican Church north of Atlanta. Jeff is married to the former Paula Stark (bookstore employee) and they have one married daughter, Annie, and a son in law, Jonathan.

Class of 1991

Rev. Stephen Johnson, Anderson, CA, is now teaching and mentoring village pastors in North Bengal, India, after spending seven years in Kazakhstan and Far East Russia.

Class of 1992

Rev. Dr. Tim Bias, Cincinnati, OH, was elected as General Secretary for The General Board of Discipleship of The UMC.

Class of 1996

Rev. Dr. R. Mark Beeson, Granger, IN, was named the 2013 Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church by the Foundation for Evangelism. He is the senior pastor of Granger Community Church.

Class of 1999

Rev. Daniel Young, Mansfield, OH, retired on Jan. 27, 2013, having served Grace United Church of Christ of Loyal Oak, Norton, OH, for 11 years. He built a retirement

home with his domestic partner, David Kunkleman, of 18 years. Rev. Young maintains ordination standing with the Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky Association of the United Church of Christ.

Class of 2003 (Honorary)

Dr. Carolyn Bohler, Dayton, OH, recently retired after 39 years of United Methodist ministry (21 years as Emma Sanborn Toussant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at United, 14 years serving three different Southern California churches, one year as Chaplain of Simpson College, IA, and three on the staff of Claremont School of Theology). She and John moved back to Dayton.

Class of 2009

Chaplain Anthony Herrington, Cleveland, OH, is serving as Resident Chaplain of the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center of West Virginia. He is a member of the ACPE Residency program,

and he joins two other United alumni/ae already on staff.

Class of 2012

Rev. Dr. Yowanda J. Bowens, Indianapolis, IN, was appointed an Elder for the National Convocation of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

PASSAGES

Our prayers are with the families of:

Rev. Robert Fulton ’61, who died on January 11, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Patricia Fulton, at 129 Windgate Drive, Wexford, PA, 15090.

Rev. J. Edward Cherryholmes ’58, who died on January 17, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Rev. Eleanor Cozad Cherryholmes, at 9009 Compton St., Denton, TX, 76207.

Rev. Robert Myers Eschbach ’58, who died on January 22, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Patricia, at 4705 Wren Court, Lebanon, OH, 45036.

Rev. A.M. ‘Del’ Gordon Jr. ’56, who died on April 23, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Minerva Gordon, at 107 S. Market St., Martinsburg, PA, 16662.

Mrs. Pamela Ann Fowler Hill, who died on June 1, 2013. She was the spouse of Rev. Dr. Ronald Hill ’93. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Dr. Hill at 196 Cedarwood Drive, Chillicothe, OH, 45601.

Rev. Jack L. Rider ’68, who died on August 24, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Evelyn, at 301 Parkview Road, Manchester, PA, 17345.

Rev. Harold Leon Morrical ’61, who died on September 4, 2013. Condolences can be sent to his wife, Virginia Morrical, 305 W. Methodist Drive, Franklin, IN 46131.

Rev. C. Eugene Price, who died on October 16, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Phyllis Price, 9135 Vallyd Acre Drive, Fort Wayne, IN, 46816

Rev. Carl V. Vorpe ’54, who died on October 20, 2013. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Barbara Vorpe, 3851 Towne Blvd, Apt 214, Franklin, OH, 45005.

NEWS AND NOTESUPDATES - ANNIVERSARIES - BIRTHS - DEATHS

FACULTY NEWS

Dr. Lisa Hess, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, in her capacity as Moderator of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley (OH), has offered her leadership and expertise in

interreligious learning for the Interfaith Consultation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) held at Stony Point Conference Center in New York. She also served on the Wabash leadership team for the Mid-Career Theological Faculty Colloquium, hosted and funded by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning Theology and Religion. She also represented United as an ecumenical delegate for the Inauguration and Installation of Craig Barnes as the seventh President of Princeton Theological Seminary on Oct. 23, 2013, at Princeton University Chapel.

President Wendy Deichmann has been elected to serve a two-year term on the board of the National Association of School and Colleges of The United Methodist

Church (NASCUMC). This organization represents the 119 institutions listed by the University Senate as United Methodist-related schools.

Rev. Vanessa Ward recently joined the United faculty as Lecturer in Biblical Interpretation. Rev. Ward graduated with a M.A.T.S. degree

from United in 1991 and also received a B.A. from The College of Wooster and an M.Phil from Hebrew Union College. She is an ordained pastor in The American Baptist Church and has served as teacher and co-pastor with her husband, Daryl Ward, at Omega Baptist Church since 2004. She is the author of several published articles.

STAFF NEWS

The following people have recently joined United’s staff:

Rev. Terry Heck as Director of the Harriet L. Miller Women’s Center; Henry Folgoso as the new Bi-Lingual Hispanic Instructional Technologist for the Hispanic Christian Academy; Tara Johnson as Special Assistant to the President; Steven Swallow as Budget Director; Kathleen Boston as Admissions Associate; Laura Discher as Coordinator for Course of Study; Mollie Richardson as Graphic Designer; and Dillon Marlatt as Associate Software Developer.

The following people have been promoted:

Monique Tremaine as Associate Director of Admissions; Karen Seiter as Program Manager, Student Recruitment and Doctoral Studies; and Bridget Weatherspoon as Coordinator of Student Recruitment and Admissions.

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Academic Dean Dr. David Watson (left) presents the 2013 Effective Ministry Award to Chaplain Bernard H. Lieving Jr. ’63

On Aug. 11, 2013, Bob Buckhorn, the Mayor of Tampa, FL, proclaimed the day as “The Rev. Bernard H. Lieving Jr. Day” in Tampa as Hyde Park UMC and the community celebrated Chaplain Lieving’s 50 years of ordained ministry. Following worship services, members honored Chaplain Lieving with a farewell reception including memorabilia from his ministry. Chaplain Lieving and his wife Martha were also featured that day in the Tampa Tribune that eloquently told the story of their struggle with Dorothy’s Alzheimer’s disease and Bernie’s retirement to fulfill his new role as full-time caregiver.

Rev. Curtis Hurley (left) ‘78, presents the 2013 Distinguished Alumna Award to Ms. Martha Dalby Mullen, LPCC ‘02

The uproar by some Americans protesting the burial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect, Tamerlain Tsarnaev, seemed to Ms. Martha Dalby Mullen the most bigoted kind of discrimination; to malign and hate someone even after they are dead. Witnessing these protests at the funeral home in Worcester, MA, left Ms. Mullen angry and ashamed; she had to do something. She gathered an interfaith coalition, all of whom valued the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and worked with Tsarnaev’s uncle, local police and the Worcester medical examiner to successfully find a burial plot for his body. The media circus that followed Ms. Mullen for many months inspired her to continue interfaith efforts to build relationships and a mutual appreciation of a shared heritage and faith in the Divine.

The Annual Alumni/ae Banquet and J. Arthur Heck Lectures on October 15-16, 2013 were the best attended reunion events and lectures in the past five years with 145 alumni/ae and guest registrations. Alumni/ae co-hosts were instrumental to inviting classmates from the decade reunions years 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003.

Reunion events included: a Decades Reunion luncheon on October 15 with a presentation on the DaytonView Community and tour of the former First UMC facility; the annual Alumni/ae Banquet with presentation of the Eckels Society and Alumni/ae Awards; and the Heck Lectures on October 16 with Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean.

Dr. Dean provided powerful presentations on the subject, “What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church.” Lectures included; “In Search of a Younger Church: Ministry After the National Study of Youth and Religion” and “Rethinking Theological Education for a Younger Church: How Teenagers and the Makers of Prozac Are Changing Christian Leadership Formation.” A panel discussion followed between Dr. Dean, Dr. Felicia LaBoy and Rev. Rosario Picardo. Rev. Brice Thomas ‘04 (right), Director of Alumni/ae Relations, inducts class of 1973

alumnus Rev. Timothy Heaton into the Eckels Society

The Eckels Society identifies and honors United Theological Seminary graduates of 40 or more years who have given dedicated service to Christ. The Society is named for the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Eckels who earned a diploma and five degrees from United over the years from 1941 to 1989. Rev. Dr. Eckels exemplified dedication to the church, faithful service in ministry, deep pastoral care for all he met, a sincere life-long commitment to continuing education and the best that the United alumni/ae represent. The Society, named in his honor, is our way of recognizing those who, like Rev. Dr. Eckels, honor God, Christ, the Church and United Theological Seminary by their lives.

HECK LECTURES 2014: SAVE THE DATE October 14, 2014: Alumni/ae Reunions (classes of 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004), Annual Awards Banquet and Class of 1974 inducted into the Eckels Society. 2014 Nomination Form for Alumni/ae Awards at www.united.edu, click on Alumni/ae menu, then Alumni/ae Awards link.

October 15, 2014: J. Arthur Heck Lectures featuring Dr. Randy L. Maddox, “A Wesleyan Theology for Holistic Health and Healing.” For more information about Dr. Maddox, visit http://bit.ly/randymaddox.

Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies, Rev. Dr. Harold Hudson, (right) presents the 2013 Outstanding D.Min. Alumna Award to Rev. Dr. Teresa Sires McIlwain ’03

Dr. McIlwain was one of four Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) fellows. Her doctoral focus at United was “Sexuality and Spirituality in the African American Church.” Dr. McIlwain started her own pastoral counseling business in April 2004 — Inner Healing Pastoral Counseling Service. In July 2010, she incorporated her nonprofit, CHOPP Inc., to address issues of sexuality and spirituality in the African American Church and community. In the city of Charlotte, this ministry dispels many of the myths, prejudices and stigmas attached to the disease of HIV/AIDS. The ministry endeavors to minister to the whole person — mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Rev. Dr. Hudson (right) presents the 2013 Outstanding D.Min. Alumnus Award to Rev. Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher ’94 and ‘00

Dr. Swisher is a dynamic speaker, anointed leader and pastor to churches ranging in size from under 100 members to over 6,000 members. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of Centerville UMC and President of the Swisher Evangelistic Association, Inc. Honored as one of the foremost Christian leaders under 40 in America today, he produced, directed and hosted his own television program called Positive Living from 2001-2006, and on syndicated radio from 1998-2008. He is a Founding Member of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, and has opened the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer, serving as a frequent Chaplain for the U.S. Congress and other Legislative bodies. He is the director of Believers Stand United, a 30,000 member Christian political action organization with the purpose to stand up for people who express their faith publicly.

HECK LECTURES AND ALUMNI/AE RECOGNITIONS

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Randy L. Maddox

Renewal in the City: The United DaytonView CommunityJust over one year ago, Dayton’s First United Methodist Church (UMC) and the West Ohio Conference of The UMC gifted to United Theological Seminary the old church building at 1516 Salem Avenue that was built for a congregation of 1500 members. Having dwindled to ten to twenty worshippers each week, the small congregation has no need for the enormous building and its associated properties while United’s rapid growth has left it in need of more room.

The congregation offered the properties to the seminary in order to keep the buildings “in the family” of The UMC, continuing to serve in a broad sense the church’s mission. Moreover, a historic tie exists between First UMC and the seminary. Members of the predecessor United Brethren in Christ congregation, including Bishop Milton Wright (father of Orville, Wilbur and Katharine Wright), instigated the founding of United as the denomination’s first seminary in 1871 when both the church and the denomination’s headquarters were located in downtown Dayton.

“It is a wonderful, fitting outcome for all concerned,” said President Wendy Deichmann. “The congregation and the West Ohio Conference have been released from the burden of caring for all this real estate, while the seminary has received much needed room to grow.”

This development also means that United has returned to the DaytonView community from which it relocated to neighboring Trotwood eight years ago. It represents, officially, a return to the city of Dayton while also remaining in Trotwood.

Following careful research and evaluation by United’s executive staff and board of trustees, the seminary officially accepted the gift of property with its assets and liabilities in November of 2012. In subsequent months the seminary has been completing the legal and financial processes required to transfer to its ownership the church building, four residences, an old medical office building and a daycare center.

The working mission of United’s DaytonView Community, according to President Deichmann, is “to develop a living, learning, serving community and expand United’s urban ministry center for renewal in Dayton, Ohio.”

A team of staff and faculty members is fine-tuning specific recommendations for these properties. These include: planning for residential student housing for dozens of students, relocation of United’s urban ministry center and other program offices to this site and a refurbished gathering space for large events. The vision includes creation of an intentional, residential student community, members of which will be engaged in urban ministry in partnership with churches and ministry agencies located in Dayton.

“The intentional student community is the centerpiece of this project,” President Deichmann commented. What better context for learning ministry than in a community that lives, studies, learns and serves in real ministry together?”

Creation of a DaytonView intentional community coincides with the emergence of a “new monasticism” movement in theological education in North America during the past several years and with United’s strategic efforts to rebuild its residential student population after having left behind its student residences on the Harvard Boulevard campus in 2005-06.

To enhance even further the outcomes of the project, the medical offices, which are beyond repair, will be demolished by the city to provide room for green space, possibly a children’s garden. The daycare center will be transitioned to appropriate ownership, while student apartments will be created in the remaining houses and in a large portion of the church building.

Mr. Max Fuller is working closely with the president as DaytonView Project Assistant. “United’s DaytonView community has the potential for becoming a foundation for rekindling community vitality,” he said.

Dr. Felicia LaBoy, Director of United’s Center for Urban Ministry, believes its relocation from the main campus to this site will enhance United’s opportunities for participation in the renewal of the Dayton community. It will make possible the creation of a Shalom Zone for providing a wide range of opportunities for community residents.

“Shalom Zone looks at what churches can do to facilitate relationship building in the community so they become places of peace and wholeness and restoration and renewal,” she said. “We’re hoping to house a Shalom Zone regional training facility here.”

LaBoy envisions the DaytonView urban ministry center as a meeting place and a clearing house where urban practitioners and community organizers can

find respite. She also hopes to form a Doctor of Ministry focus group for urban church and community renewal based in Shalom Zone methodology.

“It’s not that we think we have all the answers, but Dayton is particularly gifted with folks who are well grounded in terms of

urban ministry,” she said. “We’re hoping the Center will help facilitate discussion, not only among churches but also community people and leaders.”

She also hopes the work in the DaytonView Community will attract others to the program.

“The people in the community who may not have degrees, who may not go to church, who may not have any of that, may just be inspired because we don’t look like some threatening and intimidating place . . . . [Instead this will be a place] where they can engage in ministries where they have a passion,” she said.

Fuller added that the planned $3 million investment has been welcomed by the city of Dayton, the Salem Avenue Business Association, the Salem Avenue Peace Corridor Committee and many other organizations. Currently, a capital campaign is under way to fund the major construction necessary to make this renewal a reality, and Fuller said he is looking forward to major changes in 2014.

“But we are not standing still,” he said. “While awaiting the major construction kickoff, we are renting spaces to students, to staff, to six churches, to a school and to a daycare center. In this way, we are able to financially maintain property management operations, as we continue a significant ministry of renewal in the DaytonView Community.”

What better context for learning ministry than in a community that lives, studies, learns and serves in real ministry together?

“

”

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The Greater Leipsic Multi-Site Parish in rural Leipsic, Ohio, could be considered the future of the rural church -- four smaller United Methodist churches anchored by a larger one.

The multi-site parish includes Leipsic UMC, Gilboa UMC, Oakdale UMC, New Beginnings UMC and New Hope Bethel UMC, with four pastors serving the five churches. Senior Pastor Bill Patterson ’75, along with three associate pastors, Rev. Tom Graves, Rev. Amy Haines and Rev. Ruth Carter-Crist ‘07, rotate worship on Sundays.

“Each pastor has a focus church where they are responsible for administration,” Rev. Patterson said, “and we rotate the preaching on Sunday mornings. Each pastor preaches in their focus church two Sundays and then rotates two Sundays at another church, but we also cover for each other at times when it would be difficult if you didn’t have this kind of setup.”

The pastors meet every Monday morning to plan, talk and pray for each other.

“The parish concept helps us eliminate the ‘lone-shepherd’ syndrome of the single charge appointment,” said Rev. Carter-Crist. “The sharing of gifts and resources allows small-membership churches to benefit from elder appointments when they are faced with temporary financial limitations.”

In addition to regular worship, the parish holds an after-school program three nights a week, which includes homework help, games, activities and dinner.

“For some of these kids, this is probably, other than their school lunch, the only other meal that they’re going to get,” Rev. Patterson said. “We know that some of these kids are coming from some pretty difficult backgrounds. It’s a way to offer some concern and love in practical ways.”

The parish is also active in missions. In the past 3 ½ years, they have sent two mission teams to Mexico, four to Henderson Settlement, two to the Democratic Republic

of the Congo and one to Bremerhaven, Germany. In December, a Sunday evening disciple Bible study group went to the Holy Land.

“We’re always looking for mission opportunities,” Rev. Patterson said, adding they are hoping to partner with a church in Cincinnati to send mission teams to Jamaica to work with United Methodist churches there in a partnership.

The parish also sponsors a “love fund” twice a month to raise money for people in their immediate area who need help with utilities. A recent soup and sandwich dinner after the last home football game raised almost $10,000 for three local families with serious medical

issues.

“In our little town of 2,000, 585 people came,” Rev. Patterson said. “The reason that we’ve had such good attendance is the support from all the different churches,” he said. “They know it’s not just something the Leipsic Church is doing for themselves but a community effort and a service to the community. And I think that’s been an amazing thing.”

Other parish opportunities include 5th

Quarter, a post- football game youth activity, as well as Bible studies, Operation Christmas Child and a pre-school program.

“We have a lot going on and it’s important to note the Leipsic Church has significant financial resources, which makes much of it possible,” he said. “We’re trying to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us and try to figure out how to use it in ways that will enhance the kingdom of God in the lives of people.”

The five churches have come together to share gifts, passions and resources and are investing in ministry that is greater than any one person, any one pastor, or any one congregation. By sharing ministry and fellowship, they are living out their vision for being and making disciples of Jesus Christ in their rural communities. For more information, please visit http://www.greaterleipsicparishumc.org/

Rural Churches and Renewal

Pictured from left are: Rev. Ruth Carter-Crist ’07, Rev. Amy Haines, Rev. Tom Graves and Rev. Bill Patterson ’75.

United is putting ministry into context in Trotwood by partnering with the city in a new after school food program.

Trotwood’s Mayor Joyce Cameron contacted President Wendy Deichmann for help with the program, “Combatting Hunger through Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs” (CHAMPS) after the city received a $55,000 grant.

“We reached out to United for help in moving forward with this program in the area of volunteers,” Cameron said. “We immediately realized the importance of having the presence of United where young people will experience the spirit of caring, hope and giving back to the community.”

President Deichmann asked the leadership of the school’s Contextual Ministries program for help and soon first-year M.Div. student Mike Miller was recruiting volunteers for CHAMPS as his ministry placement site.

“Helping hungry children through modeling the

Love of Christ by being present day by day is messy, uncomfortable and frustrating,” said Miller. “I also believe it is in that messy thing we call creation that the seeds of Church renewal must be planted.”

Dan Gildner, co-director of the Contextual Ministries program said the volunteers are involved in everything about the program, from setting up and serving the meal.

“When I was there the other day, Mike was helping kids with homework,” he said. “The goal is not to have a different volunteer every week but to have some consistent people for the kids.”

He noted Miller has solicited volunteers from his local parish, located in Oakwood, OH, as well as volunteers from United.

“I believe the Gospel always has a location to it, it always has a place,” he said. “Jesus came to the Holy Land -- United finds itself within Trotwood. This is the place in which we must learn how to love and be loved by our neighbors.”

United Partners with Trotwood to Combat Hunger

Contextual Ministries: Living Spiritual DisciplinesUnited’s Contextual Ministries program continues to be one of the most celebrated experiences within our Masters curriculum, helping students integrate academics, ministry experience and spiritual formation. This year’s program is emphasizing a spiritual formation track within every course that equips students to live spiritual disciplines throughout their ministry.

Each week, online Formation students collaborate to create a worship experience based on the spiritual disciplines. Integration students must create and practice a four-to-eight hour retreat of silence and solitude. All students create a Rule of Life that names healthy practices of spiritual vitality for their time in Seminary, and for the first time, each

Ministry Group (on campus or online) has at least one United staff prayer partner praying regularly for them.

“Each of these groups is led by a trained facilitator,” said Dan Gildner, co-Director of Contextual Ministries. “We have 15 online groups and six on-campus groups with a very diverse group of facilitators, including a hospice chaplain, a bi-vocational church planter, an executive pastor, an ordained deacon and numerous clergy.”

Each student in the program has a ministry placement. One student works with African refugees in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, another is serving a church in Alaska, working with the addicted and many are serving in area churches.

Students meet with faculty and facilitators in ministry groups, a crucial component of United’s Contextual Ministries program.

Ohio Rural Churches Share Resources

Mike Miller

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Rev. Wilson Shearer ‘54, Shares a United Memory

MY LASTING MEMORY (After 60 years it still makes me laugh.)

By Rev. Wilson Shearer ’54

On the second day of the Seminary Chorus’ Concert Tour in 1953, our bus left the site of our first stop in Charleston, WV, and we came upon Hawk’s Nest State Park, which has a scenic overlook above a deep river valley. The driver stopped

so we could stretch our legs and see the view. When it was time to return to the bus I spied a second trail back to the parking lot and without speaking to anyone I began walking a circuitous route up the hill through the forest.

When I got back to the parking lot I was shocked to see just the back end of the bus disappearing down the road around a curve. They assumed everyone was onboard so they left — without me! After 30 minutes of waiting, I decided that apparently the bus was not coming back because no one missed me.

Quite a few cars passed me by before a kind couple stopped to ask what I was doing there alone, and could they help. I hopped in and they took me to the next village, where I called the police. They heard my sad plight and didn’t hesitate when I asked them to

call or radio ahead on Route 60 to have an officer stop the bus and tell them they were missing one chorus member. By this time, the bus was far down Route 60 in a town called “Rainelle.” With great chagrin, Walter Schutz, the faculty advisor and chorus manager, admitted to the police that Wilson Shearer was not on board.

I was told they couldn’t turn around, and would wait for me in Rainelle, but they had to be at Staunton, VA, in time for a special radio broadcast late that afternoon. If I couldn’t catch them I’d have to hitch hike all the way to Staunton, since there were no commercial buses going that direction.

I couldn’t catch them. When I finally arrived at the church, the chorus had just finished eating supper and was getting up from the tables. At my entrance there was a lot of yelling and clapping by the chorus and the church folk who had been told of the incident. I had a red face due to the exposure to chilly winds and the embarrassment of the situation. I was also very hungry.

During the rest of the tour, Harlan Snow, the director, introduced me as “The Hawk’s Nest Kid.” He continued to do this at all eight remaining concerts. Whenever we boarded the bus, chorus members shouted, “Where’s The Hawk’s Nest Kid? Don’t leave without Wilson!”

COMING EVENTSFor more information on all events contact United: 937.529.2201 www.united.edu

MARCH 24 - 28, 2014

Gathering Week

APRIL 8 - 9, 2014

Vision to Victory

Vision to Victory is an annual celebration honoring the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. around the time of his martyrdom.

MAY 8 - 9, 2014

Light The Fire! 2014- The Fullness of Christ

A Church for All People will equip clergy and laity to be faithful in ministry with people with disabilities. Featured speakers include Marva J. Dawn, William “Bill” Gaventa, Barbara J. Newman, Jeremy Schipper and Mike Slaughter. Light the Fire! 2014 will be at Ginghamsburg Church, 6759 S. County Road 25A, Tipp City, OH.

MAY 23, 2014

Commencement

OCTOBER, 14 - 15, 2014

2014 Alumni/ae Reunions, Awards Banquet and J. Arthur Heck Lectures

United Moving Forward with Residential Housing for Dayton Students

Committed to enhancing and growing opportunities for residential seminary students, United has acquired and outfitted three homes for student use on Salem Avenue in Dayton. These homes are part of the DaytonView properties gifted to United by First United UMC and the West Ohio Conference (see story on page 8).

United is offering reasonable rental rates for homes with spacious and serviceable dwelling features. Each property is within a 10-minute drive of the campus and directly accessible on the Dayton Regional Transit Authority bus line. These rentals will help students to keep housing costs very low while preparing for God’s calling in their lives.

DaytonView Facilities Manager Max Fuller has provided excellent supervision in refurbishing and furnishing the properties for use. The homes may be rented by student families or shared by students. For more information, please visit United’s website at www.united.edu.

12 | Keeping in Touch: Fall/Winter ’13 -’14 www.united.edu | 13

1101 Salem Avenue (Two Apartments)

Faculty PublicationsDr. Jason Vickers Associate Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies

Dr. Vickers edited The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey (Abingdon Press) with Kenneth J. Collins. He also published The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism (Cambridge Companions to Religion) with Cambridge University Press.

To submit a publication, please visit www.united.edu and click on Alumni/ae menu, then select “News and Notes” from the left, fill out the form and submit to United.

Alumni/ae PublicationsRev. Shauna Hyde ’10 Rev. Shauna Hyde, Charleston, WV, published 50 Shades of Grace by Energion Publications.

Rev. John Windell ’83 Rev. John Windell, Stendal, IN, published 40 Days of Lent: from Ashes to Hope by Forward Movement

Rev. Dr. Eric L. Leake ’04 Rev. Dr. Eric L. Leake, Flossmoor, IL, published Praying on Purpose: Intentional Growth through Prayer by Xulon Press.

Rev. Robert “Bing” Crosby ’53 Rev. Robert P. Crosby, Seattle, WA, published A Month in Medieval Volpaia, Tuscany: Diary of a “Temporary Citizen” and Cultural Change in Organizations, both by Vivo! Publishing Co.

Rev. Richard Gist ’69 Rev. Richard Gist, Princeton, MN, published two books: With a Yes and a Yippee and Ayshus on the Inside, both by FriesenPress

Advent Commencement 2013Commencement speaker Heidi Baker (left) of Iris Global poses with President Deichmann and new United D.Min. graduate, Rolland Baker ‘13, at the December 20, 2013, commencement service.

Phase V Luncheon

Pictured at right are those Doctor of

Ministry students who attended the

Phase V luncheon during the August

Intensive.

DaytonView Volunteers

Community volunteers have been working hard refurbishing houses that will become student residences in United’s DaytonView Community. (Read stories on pages 8 and 13.)

On January 5, 2014, United lost a friend and alumnus, Dr. J. Ritter Werner ’96, who died from complications due to chronic leukemia. Ritter was former chapel organist at United and lecturer in sacred music. The funeral service was held on January 13 at Christ Episcopal Church in Xenia. Ritter leaves behind his wife, Bonnie, three daughters, one son and five grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to Ritter’s wife, Bonnie Werner at 1203 Old Orchard Ave, Dayton, OH, 45405. Ritter blessed us, and we are thankful for his presence among us.

14 | Keeping in Touch: Fall/Winter ’13 -’14

J. Ritter Werner

Keep In Touch with UnitedTo submit any of the forms below, please do one of the following: Visit www.united.edu and click on Alumni/ae menu, then select “Update Contact Information,” fill out the form and submit it to United. Or mail to: United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426.

1. Update Your Contact InformationPlease fill out the whole form if any of the information below has changed

Your Name: Grad Year:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: ( ) Office Phone: ( )

E-mail:

2. Entry for News and Notes SectionProvide alumni/ae news to be included in the News and Notes Section of KIT.

4501 Denlinger Rd. Dayton, OH 45426

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Dayton, OH

Permit No. 579

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Alumni/ae Association Executive Committee

2013 – 14

PamelaJune (PJ) Anderson ’96 drpjanderson@aol.com

Sharon Beattie ’86 and ’95 sharonum@columbus.rr.com

Leroy Cothran ’99 and ’02 lcothran@sbcglobal.net

Dan Gildner ‘11 dgildner@united.edu

Charles Holmes ’83 and ’96 holmes381@aol.com

Aaron Saari ’12 aaronsaari@yahoo.com

Tesia Mallory ’12 tsheffield@united.edu

Harold Stockman ’67, Treasurer hstockman@woh.rr.com

Pat Stone ’05 pats@one.net

Terri Tyson ’06 terri.tyson@territyson.com

Valdrie Walker ’12 nunother.69@gmail.com

Alicia Myers, Faculty Liaison amyers@united.edu

Brice Thomas ’04, Executive Secretary bthomas@united.edu

www.united.edu