Class of 1993 Memory Book

Class of 1993 Memory Book

Class of 1993 Memory Book

May 10, 2018

Dear Class of 1993, “Blest be the dear uniting love that will not let us part; our bodies may far off remove, we are still one in heart.

“Joined in one spirit to our Head, where he appoints we go, and still in Jesus’ footsteps tread, and do his work below.”

--Charles Wesley This Charles Wesley hymn eloquently speaks of the union of believers in Christ. You share this union as partners in faith and as graduates of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The stories of your journey in ministry and your service to the Church and the

world are inspirational and a powerful witness to the faith. Thank you for sharing these stories, which are part of your reunion booklet. The booklet also includes the names and addresses of your classmates. Your Silver Reunion is a wonderful time to reconnect with

friends who shared with you in the seminary experience.

For those of you who are back on campus, we rejoice that you are here. For those who are unable to join us, for reasons of conflicting schedules or health challenges, we miss you and hold you in our prayers.

We welcome contact from you regularly and often. You represent the seminary’s greatest legacy of “equipping the whole people of God for Christ’s ministry.” You represent our most loyal financial support. You serve as our most accurate source of maintaining

records of our alums and friends, and we appreciate all that you do for us.

It is good to take this moment in time to honor and celebrate the class of 1993.

Congratulations and happy Silver Anniversary!

Sincerely,

Cora Glass, Director of Development phone: 847-866-3988

fax: 847-866-3989

email: cora.glass@garrett.edu

May 10, 2018

Dear Class of 1993: Congratulations on your 25th anniversary of graduation from seminary! What an important milestone!

Persons often choose to remember this anniversary year with a special gift to the seminary. This is a marvelous way of saying thank you for the education you received and enabling the seminary to sustain its position as a center of theological excellence.

I also invite you to consider a planned gift commitment to Garrett-Evangelical during this important anniversary year. Planned gifts such as annuities, bequests, insurance policies,

and trust arrangements are very appropriate ways to remember the seminary. Oftentimes they allow persons to make a more substantial gift than otherwise possible. Many have discovered they can make a planned gift to the seminary and increase their own current

income at the same time, as through a gift annuity. Annuity rates are currently 3.0% to 9.0% depending upon a person’s age, and they are guaranteed for life.

I am available to assist you in your planning or to answer any questions you might have. Please do not hesitate to stop by when you are on campus, or call me at

1.847.866.3970. I hope to visit with you.

Cordially,

David Heetland, CFP Vice President for Development

phone: 847-866-3970

fax: 847-866-3989

email: david.heetland@garrett.edu

Table of Contents Letter from Cora Glass, Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alum Relations Letter from Dave Heetland, VP for Development

Major Events in 1993

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Top Entertainment in 1993

3

Firsts at Garrett-Evangelical

4

Profiles Mary Rohrbeck Bittner

10

Jon Buxton

11

Jean Dee

13

Terry Niles Gladston

15

Henry H. Hall

16

Kevin Hopkins

17

Valerie Schweninger

18

David Sharpe

19

Kathryn Wadsley

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Class of 1993 Directory (Removed for online edition)

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Major Events of 1993 January 20 – Bill Clinton is sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States.

February 26 – World Trade Center bombing: In New York City, a van bomb parked below the North Tower of the World Trade Center explodes, killing 6 and injuring over 1,000.

February 28 – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents raid the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, with a warrant to arrest leader David Koresh on federal firearms violations. Four agents and five Davidians die and a 51-day standoff begins.

March 11 – Janet Reno is confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in the next day,

becoming the first female Attorney General of the United States.

March 13–15 – The Great Blizzard of 1993 strikes the eastern U.S., bringing record snowfall and other severe weather all the way from Cuba to Quebec; it reportedly kills 184.

March 29 – The 65th Academy Awards, hosted by Billy Crystal, are held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, with Unforgiven winning Best Picture.

April 22 – In Washington, D.C., the Holocaust Memorial Museum is dedicated.

April 23 - The World Health Organization declares tuberculosis a global emergency.

The President and the First Lady during the inauguration parade.

Carey Lohrenz , one of the first women to fly a combat fighter aircraft .

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April 28 – An executive order requires the United States Air Force to allow women to fly war planes.

June 26–28 – Typhoon Koryn causes massive damage to the Philippines, China and Macau.

July 19 - U.S. President Bill Clinton announces his 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy regarding gays in the

American military.

Aug 28 - Sep 5 - The second World Parliament of Religions is held in Chicago.

September 13 - Oslo I Accord: PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin shake

hands in Washington, D.C., after signing a peace accord.

November 17–22 – The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) passes the legislative houses in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

December 15—Schindler's List, directed by Steven Spielberg is released in theatres.

December 20—The first corrected images from the Hubble Telescope are taken.

Chicago welcomes the Dalai Lama to the World Parliament of Religions.

Hubble Telescope images before and after the STS-61 mission in December 1993.

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Top Entertainment Jurassic Park

Top Movies Jurassic Park Mrs. Doubtfire The Fugitive The Firm Sleepless in Seattle Top Books

(New York Times Fiction Best Sellers in 1993)

Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King Dragon Tears by Dean Koontz The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller The Client by John Grisham Without Remorse by Tom Clancy Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend by Robert James Waller Top Songs “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston “Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by UB40 “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson “Freak Me” by Silk “Weak” by SWV “If I Ever Fall in Love” by Shai “Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey “Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-n-Effect

“Informer” by Snow

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Whitney Houston

(Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1993)

Firsts at Garrett-Evangelical Eliza Clark Garrett

1853, Founding Benefactor Eliza Garrett, the wife of Chicago mayor, Augustus Garrett, became convinced of the need for better training for Methodist preachers. In her will, made out in early December 1853, she left a considerable inheritance for the founding of a biblical institute. A meeting was held in Chicago on December 26, 1853, at which a group of Methodist leaders invited John Dempster to organize the institute. Eliza Garrett’s will and this meeting are the basis for the date of 1853 as the founding of GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary (then named Garrett Biblical Institute).

John Dempster

1853, First President of Garrett Biblical Institute Dempster was the first president of Garrett Biblical Institute and the driving force behind bringing Eliza Garrett’s vision of a Methodist training school to fruition.

Dempster, the son of a Scottish immigrant, was a great champion for theological education within Methodism. While many in the denomination were skeptical of the necessity for theological education, he made it clear that theological education could only aid ministers. He served as president from 1853 until 1859.

Lucy Rider Meyer

1855, Chicago Training School Founder Lucy Rider Meyer along with her husband, Josiah S. Meyer, founded the Chicago Training School for city, home, and foreign missions. Lucy Rider Meyer served as principal and faculty member, training more than 5,000 workers before her retirement in 1917. She is credited with being the originator and sustainer of the deaconess movement in Methodism. Due in large part to her work, the office of the deaconess was recognized by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888.

Bishop J.J. Esher

1877, Union Biblical Institute Founder, eventually Evangelical Theological Seminary The 1871 General Conference of the Evangelical Association adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a biblical institute, and on March 13, 1873, the State of Illinois granted a charter for the Union Biblical Institute in Naperville. The institute was organized as an adjunct to the college in Naperville and held its first classes in 1876. In August 1877, it was formally opened by Bishop J. J. Esher. The name of the Institute was eventually changed to Evangelical Theological Seminary.

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Isabella Thoburn

1888, Head of First Deaconess Home Isabella Thoburn, a methods and church history faculty member at the Chicago Training School (CTS), became the head of the first deaconess home in the United States. She worked with nine CTS graduates as they served the people of Chicago. These nine became the first Methodist deaconesses.

Georgia E. Harkness

1939, First Female Garrett Biblical Institute Faculty Member; First Female Theology Professor in an American Seminary Georgia Harkness was appointed Professor of Applied Theology at Garrett Biblical Institute, where she taught until 1950. In so doing, she became the first full-time female professor of theological studies in an American Protestant seminary. She was also the first female member of the American Theological Society, which she joined in 1937. It is because of Georgia Harkness that graduates wear red shoes at Garrett-Evangelical’s commencement ceremonies and events. Harkness was inspired by her great-grandmother Abigail who, as a woman of her own mind, was known for wearing a red coat despite her community’s disapproval of such flashy attire.

Grant S. Shockley

1959, First Black Garrett Biblical Institute Faculty Member Grant Shockley was Professor of Religious Education at Garrett Biblical Institute from 1959 to 1966. His lifelong work centered around the contributions that the Black religious experience could bring to religious education. He was clear that his work was not about Black Christian education as distinct from any other kind of Christian education, but about how the religious experience of Black persons could influence all of Christian education. His scholarship and teaching has had a significant impact upon the field of religious education.

Edsel A. Ammons

1968, First Black Faculty Member to Become a Bishop Bishop Ammons graduated from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1956 and later returned to the school to teach in the area of church and urban society from 1968 until 1976. During this time, he was instrumental in the formation of The Center for the Church and the Black Experience. In 1976, Ammons left the seminary to preside over the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences, and later the West Ohio Conference as bishop. In his retirement, Ammons served as bishop-in-residence at Garrett-Evangelical.

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Carl H. Marbury

1977, First Black Academic Dean Carl H. Marbury joined the faculty of Garrett as associate professor of New Testament interpretation in 1972. In 1977, he became a full professor and the first Black academic dean. He served in this capacity until 1982 when he retired from the position. During his time as dean, he oversaw the institution of a new curriculum, further developed Garrett-Evangelical’s commitment to peace and justice, and provided a guiding vision for the future of the seminary. After leaving Garrett-Evangelical, he became president of Alabama A&M University.

Rosemary Radford Ruether

1977, First Female Professor to Hold an Endowed Chair Rosemary Radford Ruether became the first woman to hold an endowed chair when she joined the faculty as the Georgia Harkness Professor of Applied Theology. As a Roman Catholic feminist theologian, Ruether has challenged the Church to seek justice in matters of sexism throughout her career, and has served as a groundbreaking scholar and activist in Christian feminist theology.

Marjorie Matthews

1984, First Female Bishop-in-Residence Marjorie Matthews was elected to the episcopacy in The United Methodist Church by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of 1980. This was the first time a woman had been elected bishop in any mainline Christian tradition. After serving the Wisconsin area for four years, she retired and Garrett-Evangelical was honored to welcome her as the school’s first female bishop-in-residence.

During her time at Garrett-Evangelical she also served as visiting professor of Old Testament.

Rosemary Skinner Keller

1993, First Female Academic Dean Rosemary Skinner Keller taught in the area of religion and American culture at Garrett-Evangelical beginning in 1977. In 1993, she was appointed the seminary’s first female academic dean, a position she held until she left the school in 1996. She was also a member of the first class of deacons to be ordained in the Northern Illinois Conference. Her scholarly work included a three -volume encyclopedia Women and Religion in North America and In Our Own Voices: Four Centuries of American Women’s Religious Writing , both edited with Rosemary Radford Ruether. Garrett-Evangelical honored Keller in 2006 with an honorary doctorate of divinity.

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Osvaldo D. Vena

1995, First Latino Faculty Member Osvaldo Vena joined the faculty of Garrett-Evangelical in 1995 as the first Latino professor. He teaches in the area of New Testament interpretation and urges his students to open their minds to new interpretations, possibilities, and their hearts to those who hold those interpretations. When he is not teaching at the seminary, he directs the Still a Dream Band, whose mission is to raise awareness for children living in poverty in Palestine, Israel, and Argentina by setting their poems to music.

Yeo Khiok-Khng (K.K.)

2002, First Asian Professor to Hold an Endowed Chair K.K. Yeo began teaching at Garrett-Evangelical in 1996 and became the first Asian professor to hold an endowed chair in 2001, when he was named the Harry R. Kendall Professor of New Testament. As a Chinese Christian born and raised in Borneo, Malaysia, he brings a unique perspective to biblical scholarship. He sees his vocation as one of bridging the gap between cultures, between the academy and the church, and between faith and reason. He believes this “cross-cultural biblical interpretation� will help us all to know we are blessed and loved by God.

Henry J. Young

2002, First Black Professor to Hold an Endowed Chair Henry Young began teaching at Garrett-Evangelical in the area of theology and ethics in 1980. In 2002, he was installed as the first Neal F. and Ila A. Fisher Professor of Theology, a position he held until his retirement in 2004. With this appointment, he became the first Black professor to hold an endowed chair. In addition to teaching at Garrett-Evangelical, Young also served as a Lieutenant Colonel Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve.

G. Sujin Pak

2002, First Female Asian Faculty Member Sujin Pak joined the faculty of Garrett-Evangelical in 2002 as the first female Asian professor. She taught church history specializing in the Reformation era, biblical interpretation, the role of women in the church, and Christian-Jewish relations until leaving in 2007. She is currently Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity.

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Nancy E. Bedford

2003, First Latina to Hold an Endowed Chair A citizen of Argentina and the United States, Nancy Bedford has held the Georgia Harkness Professor of Applied Theology Endowed Chair since 2003, making her the first Latina professor to hold an endowed chair at GarrettEvangelical. As a teacher, Bedford tries to help her students become aware of the stake they have in the questions raised by theology and the responsibility they have to develop their own theology. “There is a sense in which every Christian is a theologian, and so I hope to help my students become the best theologians that they can be in the context of their particular calling.”

Gennifer Benjamin Brooks

2008, First Female Black Professor to Hold an Endowed Chair Gennifer Brooks has held the Ernest and Bernice Styberg Chair as Associate Professor of Preaching since 2008, making her the first female Black professor to hold an endowed chair at Garrett-Evangelical. In the classroom she seeks to instill in students both the awesome responsibility and the glorious opportunity of preaching good news. She is also the Director of the Styberg Preaching Institute which provides educational opportunities and training in homiletics to the wider seminary community.

Luis R. Rivera

2014, First Latino Academic Dean On January 1, 2014, Luis R. Rivera began his tenure as the first Latino Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean in Garrett-Evangelical’s history. After teaching at Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico and most recently at McCormick Theological Seminary, where he also served as Academic Dean, Rivera brings his thorough and diverse experience of teaching, administration, and institutional leadership to Garrett-Evangelical.

Lallene J. Rector

2014, First Layperson and Woman to Serve as President of GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary Lallene J. Rector began her work as president at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois on January 1, 2014. Rector has been an esteemed faculty member since 1986 as Associate Professor of Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Psychotherapy, and most recently held the role of Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean (2006-2013).

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Mary Rohrbeck Bittner (1938 – 2007) Family: Children: Mark, Ruth, Charles; grand-children: Christopher, Giebel, Cole, Quinn and Graham.

After graduation: Mary was a member of several organizations including the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, the American Guild of Organists, the North American and International Hymn Societies, PEO chapter MA, Delta Zeta Sorority and the Penn State Alumni Association. She was named member of the year 1998 by the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, and was past president of her PEO chapter. One of her biggest accomplishments was the publication of a book of original hymns titled Water from the Rock for which she composed both the music and lyrics.

Mary was employed at Naperville Public Library in the Audio-Visual Dept. for many years. She taught piano and clarinet lessons for more than 45 years. She served as a church organist for First United Methodist Church, Lombard, Illinois, and at Knox Presbyterian Church, Naperville, Illinois for 17 years, retiring in May 2006. Most recently, she was organist for St. Luke's Presbyterian Church in Downers Grove, Illinois. She also played at weddings and funerals in the Naperville area.

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Jon Buxton Family: Spouse, Dr. Barbara Buxton; children,

superintendent of the Wilkes-Barre and the

Leah, Josiah, and Jesse.

Scranton Wilkes-Barre Districts. I am currently

My favorite memories from seminary are

serving as a local pastor at Tunkhannock UMC

plentiful. I remember the noisy party at the

in the Susquehanna Annual Conference.

seminary apartments our first week, meaningful

What in your ministry or vocation is

times of worship and communion and intimate

bringing you hope for the future? Where did

prayers in the chapel, and numerous walks and

you see God at work? It has been so

a wonderful sail on Lake Michigan after our

refreshing to see the laity in the church getting

graduation. I do remember one evening in New

excited to be involved in planning new worship

Testament class on Halloween night where we

experiences and embracing opportunities for

decided to come to class dressed up as

prayer. I see hope as so many laypersons in our

Dr. Jewett.

little community give of themselves in so many ways, volunteering for mission trips to Haiti,

My favorite professors were: Linda and

regularly serving in our local soup kitchen, and

Dwight Vogel. They were both so influential

volunteering on our “Church Has Left the

helping me to hear, respond to and develop in

Building Days of Service� all to share the love of

my call to ministry. Linda was a sensitive and

Jesus Christ.

gifted leader of our Introduction to Ministry

What are your interests and hobbies? In the

class guiding us all during this critical step of our journeys. We are so grateful to her for the caring and compassion she shared with us

during the loss of our first child to miscarriage.

It was a blessing and privilege to work closely with Dwight during several summers at GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary as an

administrative assistant with the Course of Study School as well as in the choir.

After graduation: I have been blessed to

serve five local churches in the Wyoming Annual Conference as well as district 11

summer, I enjoy running, sailing, kayaking, camping. During the winter months, I enjoy teaching and skiing.

What is a dream, interest, or hobby you hope to achieve? I would like to hike the Way of St. James in Spain.

Write or share (with citation) a prayer our 2018 graduates might use in their life and/or ministry: Mud Bits of earth and water that we discard Think a nuisance Dried particles of clay that cling to our feet As we move from place to place Dirt inadvertently collected evidence of where we have been.

Ode To Mud

But mud can’t so easily be discarded And forgotten Nor should it be.

For centuries Patterning Divine actions, Humans have molded, spun and shaped Mud Into valuable tools, A bowl, A lamp A vessel for water and wine.

Civilization could not have been possible Without Earthenware utensils That have been crudely, carefully, beautifully Formed.

Clay and water, Crafted, dried and heated into Magnificent creations pleasing To the touch and to the eye.

Useful and priceless Blessings for everyday life.

For this simple substance of earth The stuff that supports our feet And grounds our everyday world Is a . . . a mysterious part of . . .us.

Mud has healing qualities, too.

Cooling the sting of a bee or a burn And once when mixed with spittle Was the healing salve for a blind man. . .

It is a gift so precious that God chose to use it as The Stuff from which Adam would be formed Ever so gently. . .

Carefully. . .

Molded and shaped into a figure The receptor of Divine breath.

Something made from nothing and called. . .

Good.

Precious and not to be discarded.

See.

At times we feel compelled to get rid of mud Wipe it off and Leave. . .

It. . . .

Behind.

Like a bad memory.

Mud This humble stuff upon which we tread And berate for soiling clothes.

Earth and water so readily taken for granted, Is indeed The stuff of miraculous transformation Inspired To become . . . a holy gift.

Mud . . . a Miracle.

For Jesse; By Jon J. Buxton - March 2017

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Jean Dee Family: Spouse, Rev. Warren Dee; children,

pastored in Melrose Park, a Chicago suburb. I

David, Steven, and Jeff.

was able to use my Spanish speaking ability to

My favorite memory from seminary occurred

provide intercultural ministry to foster

during one of my very first classes when I was

relationships within the diverse congregation.

asked to preach on the spur of the moment

What in your ministry or vocation is

about a very obscure Bible passage.

bringing you hope for the future? Where did

My favorite professor was: I have a fond

you see God at work? There is hope in

memory of Dr. Bob Tuttle from whom I took an

Evangelism class. It’s no wonder I came to mix him up with John Wesley as his John Wesley, His Life and Theology was written in the first person. One of Tuttle’s latest books written in

2006 and on Amazon is The Story of Evangelism: A History of the Witness

following Wesley’s Quadrilateral: to base theology on reason, experience, scripture, and tradition. We must hold fast to the strength of God’s love that we find in the Bible, the blessing of God’s love that we find in our personal experiences, the truth of God’s love that we find in reason, and the foundation of

to the Gospel.

God’s love that we find in tradition. The future

After graduation: I served mainly as a pastor

bearings without this guidance.

in the local church. In Wisconsin, Warren and I co-pastored at two churches. I believe my best placement, although difficult, was when I

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is arriving so fast that we could lose our

What are your interests and hobbies? Since

retirement, I have published a genealogy entitled “Creating God” in which I express my theological leanings in the ‘80s. I believe that we are God’s creation but we also have a hand

in creating God through our many interpretations. We must take care with our self -fulfilling prophecies. Are we prophesying a God of peace, love, and compassion as

revealed by Jesus rather than a God of violence?

What is a dream, interest, or hobby you

hope to achieve? I am beginning a book, possibly titled Jesus in Cuba. I worked in a Presbyterian mission school in Cuba in the ‘50s before Castro. I have seen how the Christian

faith has survived strongly throughout the years of atheistic communism in Russia and in Cuba.

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Terry Niles Gladstone (1949 – 2011) Family: Spouse, Rev. David Gladstone; children, Carl and Mary.

After graduation: She was a dedicated employee of the Detroit Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church where she helped to start programs like Mission Interns which gave young people the opportunity to have service oriented summer jobs and seek guidance on how to choose a career that is service driven. She most recently worked as creative programming

director of Lake Louise United Methodist Camp and had the opportunity to live out the end of her life on Thumb Lake, in Boyne Falls, MI. Her family is an integral part of the Lake Louise Christian Community history and she too has helped make Lake Louise into the thriving camp and community that it is today.

On June 29, 2011, Garrett-Evangelical established a scholarship in Terry and David’s name.

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Henry H. Hall

(1938 – 2012)

Family: Spouse, Marty; children, Kevin and Lara.

After graduation: From his early work as a salesman at Western Publishing, to his ordination as an elder of The United Methodist Church, he served as a source of great inspiration to all those he met. On June 30, 2002, he was given a gift of new life through the gift of a new heart. Although recently faced with numerous health challenges he continued to be active in clown ministry, the

First United Methodist Church in West Allis, and his fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Picture of students with Professor Linda Vogel

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Kevin Hopkins Family: Children: Jordan, Marshal, Kedzie, Navya, Selci, and Divya.

My favorite memory from seminary occurred January 1993 – Archaeological Dig in Israel My favorite professor was: Dr. Peter Nash. He was the Old Testament professor who led our archeological dig in Isreal.

After graduation: I served as an Air National Guard chaplain, Lt. Col. I then began serving as a university minister at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.

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Valerie Schweninger My favorite memory from seminary occurred

What are your interests and hobbies?

January, 1993-- Dr. Robert Tuttle took several

Reading, plants (indoor gardening), singing,

of us to Brazil for a cross--cultural evangelism

playing the piano, and genealogy.

study. We met up with Rev. Rick Bonfim,

A dream, interest, or hobby you hope to

evangelist for the North Georgia Conference-

UMC, and several pastors and lay people from the South. We experienced the people, the churches, and the power of God at work.

My favorite professor was: Dr. James

Ashbrook. I took his Introduction to Pastoral Care class my first semester. Had it not been for Dr. Ashbrook and his help, I do not believe I would have stayed in seminary. A question he

achieve is to go to Germany to visit the place

on the island of Fehrmarn where my maternal grandmother was born and then to meet relatives I have there in Itzehoe and beyond.

Write or share (with citation) a prayer our 2018 graduates might use in their life and/ or ministry: Before a wedding pronouncement:

asked me when I was late yet again with a

"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will

paper because I had to read so much to get on

be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no

board---"What background do you come

cold for each of you will be warmth to the

from?" I told him, music. He replied with, "Well

other. Now there is no loneliness. Now you are

good thing you have not been an astronaut!"

two persons but there is only one life before

After graduation: I did mission work in Brazil, was part-time local pastor, and now, as needed with the elderly.

What in your ministry or vocation is

you. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your life together.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth and in heaven.�

bringing you hope for the future? Where did

From CLOUD NINE

you see God at work? A real openness of

-- Luanne Rice

many persons to listen to testimonies and to ask questions about faith and Jesus.

N. Y.: Bantam Books, 1999

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David Sharpe Family: I am currently married to Margaret Ann

What are your interests and hobbies?

Thompson Sharpe. We each have children from

I led the Wisconsin UMCOR team for years

a previous marriage. My daughters are Robin, Tina and Teri. Margaret’s daughters are Susan and Lynnae. Altogether we have five

grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

before retirement. I’m interested in and now I’m slightly trained in disaster assistance I joined the American Red Cross as a volunteer in

May of 2002. Since then, I’ve responded to

My favorite memories from seminary

every kind of disaster known in the United

includes the amazing professors, working in

States and have reached management levels in

the kitchen, and library maintenance. Dr.

Mass Care. Margaret and I love to travel and

Saunders was my advisor and probably taught

we’ve been on every continent including a trip

me more about the New Testament than I had

to Bolivia and also a trip to India in 2012.

ever known. I held a job in the kitchen

An interest I still hope to achieve in

scrubbing the pots and pans. In the library, I

sanded and varnished all the window woodwork in the stacks.

My favorite professor was Dr. Saunders.

After graduation, I joined the West Wisconsin Conference and served as a local church pastor until retirement in 2000.

What in your ministry or vocation brought

you hope for the future?

We have the youngest pastor in my retirement congregation here in Stoughton, WI that we have ever had. I see in her and many of the younger clergy, an energy and the desire for outreach as well as the desire to be more creative than I have seen in a long time. There are more growing needs in our community and opportunities for spiritual renewal.

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retirement is to continue toward spiritual growth through the local church and spiritual direction. I would also like to still be able to swim a mile on my 80th birthday.

Write or share (with citation) a prayer our 2018 graduates might use in their life and/ or ministry: Gracious God of love and grace, continue to pour your blessings upon the Church and all people everywhere. Inspire us all to a new level of faithfulness. Work through us to remain actively responsible for the political climate in our country. Bring to all our world leaders a new drive and quest for cooperation and peace. AMEN.

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Kathryn Wadsley Family: Parents; two sisters, three brothers and

their spouses; 10 nieces and nephews and their spouses; and my 18 great nieces and nephews.

We kept in contact for several years.

My favorite professor was: Linda Vogel. I met Linda in the Christian Educators Fellowship

My favorite memory from seminary was a

Chapter in 1980 when I began serving as a

two week intensive study tour, "Education for

director of Christian education in Iowa. When

Faith: Christianity As a Minority Religion in a

the John Wesley's England tour was cancelled,

Secular Society" held January 2-13, 1991 in

Linda made it possible for me to get credit

Japan. The Christian Education Seminar held in

from Westmar College when I was able to join

Kyoto studied the cultures of Japan, Korea and

another England tour group and do the John

the United States of America. Twleve from the

Wesley tour on my own. Her continued

US were from Emory led by Chuck Foster and G

nurturing, teaching and modeling Christian

-ETS led by Jack Seymour and Linda Vogel.

Education encouraged me to pursue a Master

Then we met with the Peace Educators of Japan

of Christian Education in Ministry Option

in Hiroshima and the Study Society of Christian

Degree at G-ETS. In 1993, I finished my degree

Education in Japan in Tokyo. Junko, one of the

full time and Linda was one of my professors.

Japanese preschool teachers from the seminar attended G-ETS in 1993. I took her home with me during spring break and she observed the preschool where I served. Later that summer we attended the UM Children's Focus in Nashville.

Photo from the class, “Learning and Gender:Toward Religious Vocation� (winter quarter 1993)

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From her continued modeling and teaching I

What in your ministry or vocation is

learned ways to be inclusive, promote justice

bringing you hope for the future? Where did

and be open to where God is leading us on

you see God at work? I see God at work in our

our journey.

world culture and in our churches, who are

After graduation: I served Cedar Fall First

UMC and Ankeny First UMC in Iowa as the director of Christian education while I was pursuing my degree. After graduation I was consecrated a Diaconal Minister, certified as a

minster of Christian education and moved to South Carolina serving as the director of program at First UMC in Easley, South Carolina.

In 1997, God called me to serve as the director

of Christian education at Faith UMC in Rockville, Maryland where we grew the church

meeting the needs of the people where they

are through worship, community gardens, food distribution, free clothing, financial assistance and free medical clinics. Weekday youth groups that include a free meal and after school

children's groups meet family needs while the youth and children grow in faith and discipleship including mission projects.

Vacation Bible Camp in June and ESL Camp in

August for children who speak their native language at home.

and Sunday School average attendance went

I see hope through outreach in hosting Girl

from 109-158. In 1989, I was ordained as a

Scouts, Boy Scouts and the school free meals

Deacon in Full Connection. In 2003, God sent

summer program.

me to serve as the minister of Christian education at Hudson UMC in Hudson, Ohio.

During this time I was elected to serve a four year term on the Board on Director of the Christian Educators Fellowship. In 2011, God called me to serve as the director of Christian

I see hope for the future when the youth group decided to change the purpose of their annual

spaghetti supper which usually supports their activities to a community fundraiser for a teen, who was paralyzed in a traffic accident.

education at St. Matthew's UMC in

What are your interests and hobbies? After

Bowie, Maryland.

graduating with a music major, I taught music for eight years before I felt called to be a Christian educator. I used my music skills in Christian education writing and directing

Christmas programs, etc. I retired July 1, 2016 and am once again giving piano lessons.

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I sing in a small group at church. I have written

devotional calendars for churches and schools

three sung benedictions and I write poetry. I

to download and use. I will continue posting

enjoy sewing, knitting, crochet and other

them seasonally.

needle work. I enjoy gardening and promote stewardship of the earth. After being in Japan I

included peace education guidelines for teachers. I am once again working on genealogy.

What is a dream, interest, or hobby you hope to achieve? When I was serving my first church, I created Advent and Lenten Calendars for families to use as a devotional and learning tool. When other Christian educator friends wanted them, I worked with a local publisher to publish these calendars based on the common lectionary scriptures for years A, B and C. They

I felt God calling me to retire and move home so that I may see my parents and family more than twice a year and assist with my parents in their final years. I remain open to God leading me for what comes next.

Write or share (with citation) a prayer our 2018 graduates might use in their life and/ or ministry: O God, thank you for this day and the gift of creation. Help us be stewards of the

earth. Thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus who came to show us how you want us to live and died on the cross that we might have eternal life. Forgive my sins and help me be

sold as printed copies or a master copy. Four

your hands and feet on earth today. Thank you

years ago I began converting the calendars to

for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me listen to

digital documents and translating them in

your guidance and lead me in what you want

Spanish. They are now available prior to each

me to do today. May what I do point the way to

season at www.cefumc.org as free coloring

you so others might know your love and be your disciples. Amen

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Published May 2018 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

www.Garrett.edu