United Theological Seminary | 2016 -17 Annual Report

Where

Dreams

Take Flight

Annual Report

July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

Your Return on Investment I grew up in a family of financial advisors … my dad, my grandfather, two aunts, an uncle and now my brother are currently or were previously professional financial advisors. They taught me the value of investing wisely in good companies led by good leaders. Over time, those investments produce a return (ROI) — or what we as Christians might call fruit.

I also learned not to put my faith too much in the stock market because, as great as the returns might be one year, the next could produce significant losses. What if there were an investment that guaranteed a return? Not just a good return, but 100%, double your money?

We might say that sounds too good to be true, but the Bible promises if we store up treasure in heaven, there is no risk of loss (Matthew 6:20). And when we sow seed in good soil, the return on that investment can be thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold (Matthew 13:8). That's a great return we receive when we invest in God's work!

The pages of this report tell the stories of those who are leaving a legacy through their giving, ministry and encouragement of those called into full-time ministry. Discover how donors Vicki and Rick James are investing in our campus. See how United alumni/ae are sowing seeds in new vineyards as they reach the unchurched through creative church plants. Meet student Rudy Rasmus and learn how his doctoral work is extending his legacy of leadership across generations.

My husband and I invest in United because we have witnessed the fruit of students and alumni/ae in ministry, and we want to see that same kind of fruit from our investment in God's Kingdom. Thank you for your generous support of faithful, fruitful leaders who are making disciples of Jesus Christ. Your investment returns are looking great!

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Callie Picardo Vice President for Development But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

(Matthew 6:20)

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

Production Staff

Every effort has been made to prepare this publication with accuracy according to donor records from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

To report any errors, please contact: Mandy Wood Office of Development United Theological Seminary 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426 937.529.2206 • development@united.edu

Editor: Rachel Hurley Writers: Chad Clark, Kent Millard, Callie Picardo Designer: Tracey Obenour

A Legacy of Encouragement President Kent Millard When I was a junior in high school in South Dakota, Rev. Don Klarup, a neighboring United Methodist pastor, invited me to attend church camp. In the car on the way to the camp, Rev. Klarup asked me a question that changed my life: “Kent, have you ever thought about becoming a minister?”

I was shocked. I had never given one second's thought to being a minister. I had great admiration for Rev. Klarup and his preaching, singing and leadership ability. I was amazed that he thought I might be able to serve effectively as an ordained minister. I told him I had never thought about it, but from that moment on, the thought would not leave my mind.

Rev. Klarup became my mentor. He recommended that I attend Dakota Wesleyan University, his alma mater, for my college education, which I did. While in college, I felt a direct call from God to the ministry, and Rev. Klarup recommended I attend his alma mater, Boston University School of Theology, which I did.

I realize that I am part of the legacy left by the life and ministry of Rev. Klarup.

I have also come to realize that I am building my own legacy. We all are. Conversations in the car, advice about important decisions, support during career changes — those moments and relationships with others impact how we think about ourselves and our choices.

I hope everyone connected to United Theological Seminary might be leaving a legacy of encouragement.

How can you embrace being an “encourager”? Do you know people of any age who have the gifts and grace to serve as a faithful and fruitful pastor or local church leader? If so, would you invite them to consider going into full-time Christian service? Pray with them as they seek to discover what God is calling them to do. If you share their names with us, we will also pray that they will discern God's call on their lives and whether or not attending United might be part of their response to God's call.

St. Paul wrote these words of encouragement to the Christians in Rome: “For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12).

May we always be “encouragers” in the faith to all those around us.

Become an Encourager Do you know someone experiencing a call to ministry?

Encourage them to take the first steps toward seminary.

In Fall 2017, 3 out of 5 new students said they first learned about United from a referral.* You can refer a prospective student online at united.edu/refer or call the Office of Admissions at 800.322.5817. After we receive your referral, we will reach out to the prospective student with information about our degree programs and flexible options for online, on-campus and intensive courses. *Based on responses to the ATS 2017-2018 Entering Student Questionnaire for United Theological Seminary

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

3 Annual Report

I thank God for Rev. Klarup's vision and encouragement to me to enter the ministry and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

www.united.edu

Rev. Klarup was one of the pastors who laid hands on my head when I was ordained, and throughout my ministry I would seek Rev. Klarup's wisdom and guidance when I faced vocational decisions. A few years ago, I made a trip to a retirement home in Illinois where Don and his wife Phyllis were living to thank them for their spiritual guidance and encouragement throughout my life. Don passed away a couple of years after our visit.

Board of Trustees OFFICERS Mr. James S. Tharp Chair

Rev. David S. Bell First Vice-Chair

Rev. Marla Elifritz Brown Second Vice-Chair

BOARD MEMBERS Rev. David S. Bell President/Executive Director, United Methodist Foundation Brighton, MI

Dr. James W. Holsinger, Jr. * Retired, University of Kentucky College of Public Health Lexington, KY

Sister Marita Beumer, CPPS Sisters of the Precious Blood Dayton, OH

Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey * Director, Office of Missional Church Development, West Ohio Conference of The UMC Worthington, OH

Dr. Charles E. Booth Senior Pastor, Olivet Baptist Church Columbus, OH Rev. Marla Elifritz Brown Pastor, Union UMC and Scott Trinity UMC Risingsun, OH Rev. Mollie Gordon Brown Senior Pastor, Westlake UMC Westlake, OH Rev. Robert P. Coleman Interim District Superintendent, Indiana Conference of The UMC Franklin, IN

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Mr. Phillip F. Connolly President, Connolly Construction Co. Marysville, OH Dr. Jeffrey E. Greenway Lead Pastor, Reynoldsburg UMC Reynoldsburg, OH Mrs. Katherine B. Hollingsworth * Innovative InterChange, Inc. Dayton, OH

Dr. Thomas J. Lasley II * CEO, Learn to Earn Dayton, Dayton Foundation and Professor, University of Dayton Centerville, OH Bishop J. Michael Lowry Bishop, Central Texas Conference of The UMC Fort Worth, TX Mr. Steve McCullough Chief Financial Officer, WIKA Instrument LP Lawrenceville, GA

Rev. W. Martin Nicholas Senior Pastor, Sugar Land First UMC Sugar Land, TX Bishop Gregory V. Palmer Bishop, West Ohio Conference of The UMC Worthington, OH Rev. Dr. Jocelyn D. Roper * District Superintendent, West Ohio Conference of The UMC Dayton, OH Rev. Dr. Robert C. Scott Senior Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church Charlotte, NC Rev. Dr. Michael B. Slaughter * Retired Senior Pastor, Ginghamsburg Church Tipp City, OH Rev. Harvey B. Smith * Retired Pastor Centerville, OH

Dr. Jonathan J. H. McReynolds Pastor, Aenon Missionary Baptist Church Rochester, NY

Mr. James S. Tharp Retired from The Shelly Company Cincinnati, OH

Rev. Dr. Eliseo A. Mejia * Senior Pastor, Paris First UMC Paris, KY

Bishop Mark J. Webb Bishop, Upper New York Conference of The UMC Syracuse, NY

Elder Dr. Dong S. Moon Psychiatrist, Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center Dayton, OH

* United welcomed eight new trustees during the past academic year. Thanks to these new trustees and to all of our trustees for their service to United.

Life and Honorary Trustees Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Aldrich Mr. and Mrs. E. Lynn App Bishop George W. Bashore Dr. and Mrs. Charles S. Brown Mr. Charles J. Cappleman Mrs. Ruth A. Daugherty Dr. and Mrs. James K. Davis Mr. James A. Dyer

Rev. H. Stanley Eichenauer Mrs. Mary Kay Feller Mr. William A. Gifford Mr. James R. Heinrich Mrs. Marjorie Knecht Mr. Geoffrey R. Lorenz Mr. William R. Love Mr. and Mrs. William T. Maddock

Mr. John E. Moore Rev. Gary L. Olin Rev. Saranne Nelson-Olin Ms. Karen H. Painter Mrs. Marjorie H. Putman Rev. Christopher S. Roberts Dr. and Mrs. Philip A. Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Roediger

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Smith II Rev. Harold M. Stockman Mrs. Norma K. Stockman Mr. Everett F. Telljohann Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Thie Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Whitney II Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel Mrs. Nancy C. Zimmerman

Corporate/Administrative Officers Kent Millard President Steven Swallow Vice President for Finance and Administration, Board Treasurer

David F. Watson Academic Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Harold A. Hudson Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies, Vice President for Enrollment

Callie Picardo Vice President for Development

Laura Weber Executive Assistant to the President, Board Secretary

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Burn the Mortgage

Working together to become a debt-free seminary “We both feel that we were given everything as a gift from God, and He has charged us with the task of giving back to further his Kingdom. We are hoping that you can catch this vision too. We pray that you will prayerfully consider doing the same with a pledge that works for you.”

— Vicki and Rick James, honorary co-chairs of the Burn the Mortgage Campaign

innovations in education and growing the endowment for the long-term legacy of the school.

As interest expenses go down, more funding is available for scholarships, new

In support of the campaign's goal to become debt free, United's Board of

In 2006, United bought and moved to the former Jewish Community Center on Denlinger Road. The original purchase price and year 1 improvements cost the school $5.5 million. This campus has been significantly more cost-effective to maintain, but in January 2017 a mortgage of $3.9 million still remained.

Trustees voted to sell excess property that is not needed for the education of our students. The Seminary has agreements to sell property totaling over $700,000, all of which will go to pay down the mortgage. Only $2.3 million remains to be raised by our 150th anniversary on October 11, 2021.

We are excited to see what the Lord will do as we intentionally steward every resource in order to better prepare faithful, fruitful leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ!

Moving United Theological Seminary: The Journey Revisited Rev. Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders, President Emeritus During my tenure as president, United Theological Seminary leaders and the Board of Trustees were confronted with a challenging decision: rebuild the DaytonView Campus or relocate.

Facing deteriorating campus buildings, overcoming two serious fires, and then coping with a number of unfortunate incidents that threatened the safety of staff and students, all led to an overwhelming sense of urgency.

The “junk brick” shattered and scattered over the lot and adjacent cars. It was a pivotal moment for me and for the Board of Trustees. After consulting with an engineering firm, we were advised: “Do not spend another penny on the campus, the buildings, or the infrastructure.” The engineering study revealed so much damage and vulnerability across the campus that leaving was the only option.

On one rather fateful day, portions of the back wall of Bonebrake Hall, our administrative and classroom building, literally crashed into the parking lot.

With the support of the Board of Trustees, we explored fourteen options, including partnerships with other United Methodist schools and universities in

several states. Ultimately, and with the close collaboration and support from the Jewish community, we were able to secure a portion of the Jewish Community Center property in Trotwood.

As the old saying goes, “The rest is history.” I am forever grateful for the countless number of people, known and unknown, who walked alongside and helped make this vision a reality.

Their support continues the legacy that is United Theological Seminary.

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

5 Annual Report

Many are joining Vicki and Rick James in leaving a legacy through the Burn the Mortgage campaign! In January 2017, Vicki and Rick generously provided a $500,000 matching gift, launching the campaign to become a debt-free seminary. Now, more than 100 have joined in, and we have received more than $900,000 in commitments toward our goal. Each dollar goes directly toward paying down our mortgage, reducing interest costs immediately.

www.united.edu

On May 20, 2017, United dedicated its building to the glory of God and named it the Vicki and Rick James Campus in honor of their faith in God and commitment to educating future leaders of the Church.

United Theological Seminary Gratiude List: 16|17 July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 The following list consists of donors who are leaving a legacy, having made a gift to United Theological Seminary between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017. United Theological Seminary is grateful to the following who have given generously to invest in God's work in and through the Seminary.

$300,000+

$5,000–$9,999

Dr. and Mrs. Ivan G. Kurtz, '59†

Mr. Rick L. James and Mrs. Vicki L. James

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur R. Bauer

Steve and Laurel McCullough

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Burton† Wm. Craig and Teneen L Dobbs

Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo, '14 and Mrs. Callie Picardo

Mr. Michael Evans, '17

Rev. and Mrs. Ronald P. Ricard, '58†

Max and Natalie* Fuller

Rev. Katharine Schaefer, '91 and Mr. Richard L. Schaefer†

$100,000–$299,999 Mr. and Mrs. James S. Tharp† Mrs. Nancy C. Zimmerman†

$20,000–$49,999

Ms. Sharon K. Fyte*, '97†

Mr. and Mrs. David G. Daly

Mr. James R. Heinrich and Mrs. Janice E. Heinrich, '00†

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Dyer

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Mrs. Constance Fulmer†

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Lasley†

Mrs. Carol Warner Rev. Brian K. Woodson Sr., '90

$1,000–$2,499

Mrs. Lisa Hunt and Mr. Lynn Hunt

Dr. John R. Knecht*, '45 and Mrs. Marjorie E. Knecht †

Dr. and Mrs. Kent Millard

Mr. and Mrs. Tom McCann

Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Whitney II

Elder Dr. and Mrs. Dong S. Moon

Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel, '52

Dr. Gary L. Olin, '67 and Rev. Saranne Nelson-Olin, '78†

$10,000–$19,999

Dr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Park†

Rev. Marla Elifritz Brown, '86†

David and Doris Ponitz

Rev. Lowell H. Brown, '55†

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bowen

Rev. Dr. Jocelyn Roper, '97, '10

Rev. and Mrs. Herman A. Emmert, '56†

Mr. Kevin Church and Ms. Dorinda M. Church

Dr. Daniel L. Shearer*, '41†

Dan and Phyllis Ennist†

Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67†

Mr. Roger and Dr. Marilyn Evans, '89, '95†

Mrs. Ruth A. Daugherty†

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ward

Allen R. Fasnacht

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gravitt

Rev. Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders, '73†

Rev. and Mrs. Floyd Fought†

Drs. Barbara and James Holsinger Mr. and Mrs. Derek Horton Rev. Sue N. Kibbey

$2,500–$4,999

Mrs. Robert Barnes† James and Phyllis Barnett Sister Marita Beumer CPPS Dr. Sarah D. Brooks Blair

Dr. Robert L. Frey† Rev. Clyde F. Galow Elder Robert Manpyo Han

Rev. and Mrs. William M. Nicholas

Bishop George, '58, '76 and Carolyn Bashore†

Mrs. Betty A. O'Brien†

Rev. Dr. Charles E. Booth, '90

Dr. and Mrs. Harold A. Hudson, '03†

Mrs. Phyllis A. Penrod†

Rev. Robert P. Coleman, '72

Mrs. Janet Kalas

Ms. Myung Soon Roh

Rev. Dr. Oscar Epps

Mr. Joe Kilpatrick

Mr. Dick Summe

Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey E. Greenway

Rev. and Mrs. Larry D. Leister, '72

Rev. and Mrs. G. Scott Jenkins Jr., '95†

Chaplain Bernard H. Lieving Jr., '63†

Rev. Warren Kirk, '06

Rev. Scott E. Lothe, '90

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew D. Knecht †

Bishop Michael and Jolynn Lowry

Mr. and Mrs. Ron

Thie†

Rev. Pauline, '84 and Rev. Thomas Hart†

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. Maloney *deceased

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Rev. and Mrs. Ronald A. Mowry, Mr. James T.

'72†

Neef†

Rev. James F. Bray, '64

Rev. Dr. Arlys Mindt-Fogt, '96, '07

Rev. Daniel L. Busch

Rev. and Mrs. William H. Garrett, '63

Mrs. Lorene Carper

Rev. Dr. L. Pamela Greene, '13

Rev. Frank Ciampa, '63

Ms. Carol Pohly

Rev. Jack Hartman, '70

Ms. Robbie Collins†

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Rae†

Lisa M. Hess and Brian D. Maguire†

Rev. Dr. Maureen A. Collins, '09†

Mr. and Ms. Mark C. Roh

Justus and Ellen Hunter

Dr. Leroy Cothran, '99, '02

Mrs. Inja Roh

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Jones,

Rev. Dr. William D. Schmeling,

'58†

The Kaebnick

'94†

Family†

Rev. and Mrs. Philip D. Edwards, '64 Mr. Byron L. Endsley†

Rev. Dr. Robert C. Scott, '97

Rev. Andrew D. Kinsey

Dr. Laurence L. Falk, '58†

Rev. Dr. Michael B. Slaughter, '90 and Mrs. Carolyn Slaughter

Rev. Shirley Landis, '82† Rev. Dr. William McDonald, '67

Mr. Milton B. Graff and Rev. Kathryn Britt Graff, '99†

Dr. Christine L. McHenry, '98

Rev. G. Edward Grove, '67

Rev. and Mrs. Theodore C. Mefferd, '69†

Linda Haller†

Dr. Jerome P. Stevenson Sr.

Bishop and Mrs. Gregory V. Palmer†

Dr. Trent Hayes and Mrs. Mary Hayes

Dr. and Mrs. Paul E. Stuckey, '56†

Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Karen Payne†

Rev. and Mrs. William M. Thompson, '72†

Rev. Kristina J. Peterson, '74

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Christopher T. Heckaman, '94

Rev. Harvey B. Smith, '58† Rev. and Mrs. Harlan Sorensen,

'99†

Dr. and Mrs. David F. Watson† Rev. Dr. Bridget D. Weatherspoon, '12, '15†

Rev. James L. Phillips, '75 and Mrs. Fayetta Phillips Rev. Rudy Rasmus

Rev. Dr. Newell J. Wert*, '50†

Rev. David W. Schneider, '61†

Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Whitacre

Rev. and Mrs. Richard K. Hoover, '64† Rev. Dr. Julie M. Hostetter, '82 and Rev. Michael L. Hostetter†

Dr. Artie L. Polk, '12

Bishop Mark J. Webb Rev. Neil Westby, '73†

Mrs. Anna Hergert

Rev. Dr. Donald W., '57 and Mrs. Waneta N. Shilling†

Mrs. Judith Humbert Rev. Dr. Myong Sue Lee Jin, '10, '13† Ms. Lois A. Jones, '62†

Dr. G. Martin Young, '94 and Mrs. Muriel Reine-Young

Mrs. Marjorie A. Smith*

Rev. J. Paul Jones†

Rev. Richard C. Storment, '70

Rev. Chigu Kang

$500–$999

Rev. and Mrs. Gregory D. Stover, '77

Mr. L. Douglas Kneisly

The Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Adinolfi, '96 Rev. and Mrs. David S. Bell Dr. and Mrs. John K. Bergland, '55

Reverends August B. and Aimee W. Twigg Mrs. Laura K. Weber Rev. Edwin Wilder Jr.,

Rev. Bon Woong Koo, '74† Mr. Peter K. Lau Bishop Linda Lee, '84, '94

'75†

Rev. Barry L. Lewis, '65

$250–$499

Mrs. Tesia L. Mallory, '12 and Mr. Jimmy Mallory

Mr. and Mrs. George Brooks II

Rev. Jonathan C. Augustine, '13

Rev. Mervyn Matteson, '64 and Rev. Martha D. Matteson, '87

Rev. Mollie G. Brown, '15

Mrs. Wayne Barr†

Dr. Kendall K. McCabe†

Rev. L. Norman Butler, '62

Rev. Paul S. Beal, '69†

Rev. John E. McRoberts, '58

Mr. Jonathan Carlsen

Ronald J., '68 and Mary M. Beistline

Ronald C. Melzer, '84

Dr. James H. Cokley

Gerald E. Bell, '60

Rev. and Mrs. R. Craig Miller, '76

Mr. Phillip Connolly

Dr. Peter J. and Mariuccia Bellini

Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann and Mr. Neal E. Klopping†

Rev. Martin A. Berisford, '63†

Rev. Ryan Mutzenberger, '03 and Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, '03

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Blimline Rev. Emojean M. Brindel, '76

Joseph, '72 and Patricia

Easley†

Rev. Penni L. Farrington, '05†

Rev. and Mrs. Kent G. Biller Jr., '77† Rev. Dwight E. Bowers, '81 and Mrs. Sandy Bowers

Mr. Keith Pohly and Mrs. Eva-Jo P. Pohly† Rev. Marvin M. Polson*, '54† †

5+ years of consecutive giving

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

www.united.edu

Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Montgomery

Rev. and Mrs. Richard G. Felty, '68†

7 Annual Report

M. Joseph Miller Jr., '67†

Ms. Charlotte Pridgen-Randolph

Rev. Guy W. Camp III, '68

Rev. Clarence Gordon, '80

Rev. Christopher S. Roberts, '04†

John R. Campbell, '63

Rev. Dr. Olivia E. Graham, '88†

Rev. Dr. Harley E. Roston, '94

Mr. Herbert Cassel

Ms. Lannie D. Royster-Willie

Rev. and Mrs. Michael W. Christian,

Dr. Donald L. Russell, '76, '91

Rev. Carolyn J. Christman, '08

Rev. Edward Hardman, '69

Rev. and Mrs. David E. Schar, '66

Ralph Ciampa, '66

Dr. and Mrs. James L. Harring, '55†

Rev. and Mrs. John R. Shafer, '50†

Rev. Dr. Wayne O. Clark, '82, '92

Ms. Pat Hartranft†

Rev. and Mrs. Heth H. Corl, '64

Dr. Louis-Charles R. Harvey†

Mr. and Mrs. James Craig

Rev. Dr. Dale Hatch, '98 and Rev. Kay Hatch, '00

Rev. Charles L. Shaffer,

'73†

Bishop and Mrs. Dan E. Solomon, '73† Mrs. Frances

Sperry†

Rev. Judith A. Cramer, '09

Steven and Cheryl Swallow Rev. and Mrs. Richard L. Thomas, '74 Rev. Howard Vassallo Rev. Ralph E. Watkins, '78

$100–$249

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Mr. Robert Guckien '66†

Rev. Dr. R. Frederick Crider, '67 and Rev. Diane Crider

Don, '82 and Janet Hanna

Rev. C. Archibald Hawkins, '79† Mrs. DeeDee Heffner

Rev. William E. Crowder, '95 and Rev. Stephanie R. Crowder, '94

Rev. Robert E. Hefty, '61

Rev. and Mrs. Daniel R. Culbertson, '83, '84

William E. Hensley, '56

Ms. Caryn M. Dalton, '98, '01†

Rev. Dr. Charlene Hendricks, '00 Rev. and Mrs. Theodore W. Hepner, '65 Rev. Edwin J. Herald, '00

Rev. Tom Adams, '59

Ms. Betty Darst

Rev. Dennis Alexander, '80 and Rev. Gail Alexander, '80

Rev. Dr. Mona Davies, '14

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Rinaldo D. Hernandez

Rev. Dr. Georgia B. Alexander, '10, '15†

Rev. Dr. Elvernice Davis, '05 and Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis, '05

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth H. Hicks, '10

Mrs. Nancy S. Allen

Mrs. Barbara R. Davis

Rev. Andrew Amadu Allie

Rev. A. James Decker, '67

Rev. and Mrs. Steven Bahrt, '99

Mr. Richard M. DeLon and Mrs. Joan DeLon

Rev. Gary A. Batey, '71† Rev. Dr. Warren L. Baughman, '54† Dr. Brian K. Bauknight John and Sharon, '86, '95 Ms. Jane Benner,

Beattie†

'80†

Mr. Howard Bethel and Ms. Caralee Bethel Mrs. Anna S. Bickhart† Chaplain and Mrs. Larry W. Biederman, '77†

Rev. and Mrs. Vernon S. Denney, '66 Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Dipko, '61† Michael*, '90 and Becca Donnally Dr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Dozeman† Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duffy Rev. Dr. and Mr. Eileen Dumire, '05 Rev. James I. Eller, '02 and Rev. Patricia R. Tuttle-Eller, '85

Rev. Earl, '62 and Mrs. Eunice Higgins Dr. and Mrs. Gail E. Hopkins, '10 Dr. Charles W. Howe and Mrs. JoAnne Howe Rev. and Mrs. Lynn Huffman, '76 Mr. Gordon E. Hughes† Mrs. Mary R. James Rev. Paul Jaw SunHee Jeon Rev. Janet K. Johnson, '97 Rev. Daniel W. Johnson Rev. Caroline Kinsler Jonah, '75†

Dr. Rev. Stephen E. Ellis, '98

Rev. and Mrs. Robert A. Jones, '62†

Harold, '63 and Karen Biederman†

Rev. Wesley G. Epler, '70†

Rev. Jay E. Jones, '88

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Billman

Mr. Ron Fayton

Rev. Mary H. Joseph, '91†

Rev. Mary B. Blake, '78†

Rev. Dr. George F. Fisher, '60 '88†

Rev. Suzanne M. Block, '00†

Rev. Jon Theodore Flint,

Dr. and Mrs. Dale V. Bower, '62

Rev. Dr. Lois B. Fortson, '89, '97

Rev. Randell F. Boys, '74

Rev. and Mrs. Frank B. Garlathy, '70

Rev. and Mrs. David I. Bradley, '64†

Rev. Phillip S. Gehm, '57†

Rev. David, '65 and Lillian Brice

Ms. Katherine Geible

Rev. Percy D. Brown, '54

Erin and Dan, '11, '16, Gildner

Rev. Mary A. Bushong, '92

Rev. Richard L. Gongwer, '70

Rev. Dr. Charles, '84 and Della Keyworth† Rev. Tae Kim Rev. Dr. Edith Winters Kimbrough, '96 Myron M. and Doris M. Kottke† Rev. and Mrs. Donald E. Krestar, '79 Rev. and Mrs. Ehrhardt I. Lang, '62† Rev. Dr. William A. Lasher, '91

*deceased

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Rev. Britt J. Leslie, '94, '00 and Rev. Tracey D. Leslie, '93

Rev. Donald R. Repsher, '54 Dr. Carl B. Rife, '66†

Dr. Robert C. Walker, '95 and Rev. Dr. Mary L. Walker, '03†

Charles W. Lightner, '61

Rev. Donald J. Riker, '81

Rev. Owen, '67 and Paula Walter

Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Litteer, '13

Rev. and Mrs. John Marlyn Rimert, '55

Rev. Robert L. Warner, '86

David G. Lounsbury, '85

Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Rippin, '65

Rev. Dr. Dale C. Waters, '65, '91

Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Loveless, '58

Rev. Dr. Ron Roemmich, '91

Dr. P. Mark Watts, '75

Rev. Dr. Sir Walter Lee Mack Jr., '97

Rev. Louis H. Rohrs, '72

Rev. Roger L. Waybright, '70†

Dr. Eugene W. Matthews, '91

Rev. Dean V. Roush, '60 Dr. Joni Sancken and Rev. Steven Schumm

Ms. Diana McHenry Ms. Chanta M. McLymont Rev. Beverly F. Meadows,

Dr. Susan W. N. Ruach

Rev. John A. Schaefer, '81 '85†

Mrs. Anne W. Weaver† Rev. and Mrs. George M. Weaver Jr., '66† Rev. Karen K. Weaver, '81†

Rev. Dr. Eliseo A. Mejia

Margery A. Schleicher, '80 and J. Gordon Schleicher, '87†

Mrs. Mary L. Miller†

Rev. James E. Schroeder, '98

Howard, '63 and Ann Weisz†

Dr. James V. Miller, '45

Rev. and Mrs. Charles E. Selby, '61†

Rev. Dr. Myron K. Williams, '56

Mr. David Miller and Mrs. Carol Ann Miller†

Rev. and Mrs. James N. Shaver Jr., '71

Rev. Dr. Johnny M. Wilson Jr., '09

Diane and Bob Sheffield

Mr. Alphonso Wofford

Mrs. Esther Mindt

Rev. Mark, '95 and Heidi Shover

Peter and Emily Yost

Mr. Richard Mohr

Judith A. Sigmund, M.D., '03

Dr. Lynn Youngblood

Mrs. Thelma J. Monbarren

Dr. and Mrs. Nathan S. Smith, '77†

Donald E. Zechman, '64†

Rev. T. Irene Moore, '86

Rev. Eldon D. Snyder, '52†

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Gene B. Moore Jr., '13

Mrs. Joyce D. Sohl†

$1–$99

Edward Motschiedler, '90 Mr. Arthur R. Murdoch

Rev. and Mrs. Floyd S. Sollenberger Jr., '70†

Dr. and Mrs. Duane A. Anders, '91, '92, '03

Rev. and Mrs. Eldon G. Nolte, '67†

Rev. Mary Lee Sonander, '88

Rev. Dr. Richard M. Bailey, '73, '78

Mrs. James Nuhfer

Rev. Arthur L. Spafford, '51†

Mrs. Blanca Baker, '14 and Mr. James Baker

Rev. Cynthia J. Osborn, '88 and Rev. Richard L. Mitchell†

Virgil D. Springer, '61

Rev. Tom Weeks, '73

Dr. Robert L. Baldridge, '94

Captain Roger W. Pace, '74

Mr. James D. Stahler and Rev. Katherine M. Stahler, '63

Rev. Katia Paredes, '95

Ms. Ruth M. Stambach, '67†

Ms. Vonda Batts

Rev. Thomas S. Stone* '57 and Mrs. Jean M. Stone†

Rev. Donald L. Bean Jr., '93

Rev. and Mrs. William R. Patterson, '75 Rev. Karen D. Pellett, '85

Rev. Patricia L. W. Stone, '05

Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Batt†

Ms. Rita Bell

Ms. Janet Thom†

Mr. Timothy Binkley and Mrs. Michelle Grimm

Dr. Norman E. Thomas†

Mrs. Gwendolyn Bledsoe

Rev. Dr. William L. Raker, '60†

Mr. James J. Tobin and Mrs. Alice A. Tobin

Dr. Janet L. Bohren, '12

Rev. Barry L. Raker, '71

Dr. Jim L. Tom, '70†

Rev. John L. Rauch, '54

Dr. Ed and Rev. Angy Trimmer, '14

Dr. and Mrs. James B. Recob, '53

Mrs. Janice W. Wade

David L., '74 and Diane M. Reed†

Dr. James K. Wagner, '62, '78†

Chaplain and Mrs. Donald W. Brenneman, '78

Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Reichert

Dr. Blake and Gere Wagner†

Rev. Dan Breznau, '00

Rev. Dr. Paul R. Peters, '84 Rev. Larry M. Plymire, '65† Rev. Donald D. Powell, '61

Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist II, '77

Mrs. Holly S. Borchers, '02 Ms. Kathleen Boston* Rev. Dr. Rychie Breidenstein

Rev. and Mrs. Gordon S. Brown, '78 †

5+ years of consecutive giving

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

www.united.edu

Rev. Dr. Myron F. McCoy, '91†

Rev. and Mrs. Mark S. Weatherman, '08

9 Annual Report

Jim, '77 and Billie, '77

Maynard†

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Brown

Fred and Sharon Hill

Dale, '84 and Sylvia Reese

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Burger

Rev. and Mrs. Ronald L. Hines, '70

Ms. Elizabeth Reierson

Drs. Presian and Bradley Burroughs

Rev. Luvisminda V. Reitman, '69

Rev. Leonard S. Buxton

Dr. David C. Hogg, '70 and Mrs. Paulette L. Hogg

Brent and Julie Byerly†

Rev. and Mrs. Eugene R. Hostetter, '62†

Mrs. Jodi Rose

Ms. Marcia Byrd

Ms. Rachel Hurley

Rev. Dr. Vance P. Ross, '15

Rev. Lois K. Cannon, '12

Rev. Curtis N. Hurley, '78

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Leonard G. Rowell, '91

Rev. Patricia Christ, '01

Rev. and Mrs. Howard E. Huston, '92

Rev. and Mrs. Richard M. Royalty

Ms. Alice Christopher

Ms. Cynthia D. Jackson

Mr. and Mrs. John Russo

Mr. Chad Clark, '17

Ms. Dorothy Johnson

Rev. and Mrs. Edward L. Clarke, '69

Rev. Dr. Anna Jones '17

Rev. Keith J. Schmuck, '73 and Rev. Diane D. Schmuck, '75

Ms. Shirley A. Clay, '96

Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Jones, '13

Mr. Mark Condy, '03

Chaplain William J. “Jack” Kouth, '61

Rev. and Mrs. George E. Schreckengost, '55†

Janice Kronour†

George and Rose Schultz

Dr. Carol M. Lange

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sedlacek

Ms. Shirley Crouse

Bruce, '64 and Arlene, '64 Lenich

Rev. Sterlen S. Sheaffer, '53

Dr. and Mrs. William D. Crutcher, '04

Chaplain Gary D. Livesay, '80 and Valerie Vlahakis, '78

Dr. and Mrs. Rodney Shearer, '69

Rev. Dr. Mankekol MahlanguNgcobo, '92

Ms. Yoon Sun Shin and Dr. Seok Jae Jeon

Ms. Hillary Marotta

Rev. Donald R. Smith, '74

Bishop Calvin D. McConnell

Mrs. Carol Irish Smith, '82

Skip and Laura Discher

Mayor Mary McDonald

Rev. Lillian C. Smith

Mr. Douglas A. Dixon

Dr. Jonathan J. McReynolds, '12, '15

Ms. Leslie L. Smith-Wright

Rev. Nonito Dobles

Ms. Esther Megill

Rev. Dennis, '72 and Cindi Snovel†

Rev. Harold J. Dom, '66†

Rev. and Mrs. Ned A. Michael, '76†

Eshakhia Sobukwe

Rev. Marylyn H. Doyle, '86, '91, '97

Senator Patricia L. Miller

Mr. Jarvis L. Spreng

Ms. Ramona Ellison

Mr. David S. Morey Jr., '88

Rev. and Mrs. John F. Springer, '55

Mr. Wesley C. Falk

Rev. James T. Mussman, '61

Dr. Paul E. Stambach, '55†

Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Fisher, '16

Allen C. Myers, '70†

Rev. Robert P. Stokes

Dr. Neal Fisher

Dr. and Mrs. Roy B. Nabors, '96

Howard Don Tallentire, '62†

Rev. Jodie Rae Flessner, '94

Dr. and Mrs. William H. Naumann†

Rev. Brian Thie, '02

Mr. Harold Fox and Mrs. Rose Fox

Rev. and Mrs. William B. Neal III

Rev. Clair R. Troutman, '65

Rev. Roland E. Garvin, '54†

Rev. L. Diann O'Bryant, '98

Rev. and Mrs. James E. Truelove, '83

Mr. Robert L. George

Rev. Wendell M. Oldham Jr., '97

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Tschetter

Mr. Roger A. Godsey-Bell, '01

Mrs. Helen Overmyer

Rev. Dr. Hai Vung, '99, '07

Ms. Donna Golliher

Rev. Dr. JoAnn Patterson, '01

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wagner

Mr. and Mrs. J. Paul Gruver Jr.

Ms. Ginnene Peavie†

Rev. Clair L. Wagner Jr., '61†

Rev. Allen D. Pebley, '79 and Rev. Patricia Pebley, '14

Ms. Courtney Ward

Mrs. Jean S. Peterson

Mr. Paul Weinert

Mr. Quincy Pope

Dr. Carl L. Wiley, '63, '73

Rev. Michael C. Punke, '74 and Rev. Marilyn D. Punke, '74

Rev. Mark L. Williams, '61†

Rev. James D. Corbett*, '66 and Mrs. Shirley D. Corbett†

Ms. Barbara A. Culver Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Cummings Sr., '93 Mrs. Lorna J. Cummings, '92 Dr. Edward Davis, '08 and Dr. Sharon E. Davis

16 17

Mrs. Helen M. Harper Mr. and Mrs. Leon R. Harris Mr. Donald L. Hayashi Rev. Helen M. Hayes, '94 Rev. Madeline Henners *deceased

Ms. Helen I. Riley†

Rev. Dr. James A. Shiflett, '07

Rev. and Mrs. James E. Waugh, '75

Rev. David L. Woodyard, '69

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

$1,000,000+ General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Nashville, TN† $100,000–$999,999

Richfield UMC, Richfield, PA†

Charles E. Booth Preaching Conference, Columbus, OH

The United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA

Community Missionary Baptist Church, DeSoto, TX

Thomas K. Alexander Insurance Agency, Hilliard, OH

The Dayton Foundation, Dayton, OH†

vella inc., Dayton, OH

The Reynoldsburg UMC, Reynoldsburg, OH

$20,000–$99,999 Indiana Annual Conference of The UMC, Inc., Indianapolis, IN Sebaly, Shillito, and Dyer, Dayton, OH $10,000–$19,999 Kwanglim Methodist Church, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul Leipsic UMC, Leipsic,

Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise, ID

The Philadelphia Foundation, Philadelphia, PA

The Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indianapolis, IN

OH†

Magee Christian Education Foundation, Simpsonville, KY† Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, Sugar Land, TX The Columbus Foundation, Columbus, OH† The United Alumni/ae Association, Trotwood, OH

Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Tampa, FL

United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA Wells Fargo Foundation, Princeton, NJ† $1,000–$2,499 Alt Architecture Inc., Beavercreek, OH DRK Construction Services, West Chester, OH

$100–$249 Angry Vending LLC, Dayton, OH B. L. James Ministries, McBee, SC Fallowfield United Methodist Church, Atlantic, PA Schroeder Law Group, Hammonton, NJ United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia, Inc., Charleston, WV† $1–$99

Grace United Methodist Church, Franklin, IN†

AmazonSmile Foundation, Seattle, WA

New Hope Foundation, Muscatine, IA†

Mayer Law LTD, Waynesville, OH

Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, OH

The American Endowment Foundation, Hudson, OH†

St. Paul Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

The Trinity Lutheran Seminary Hamma Library, Columbus, OH†

The Herff Jones, Inc., Indianapolis, IN The Retired Ministers Association, Dublin, OH

$5,000–$9,999 $500–$999

Faithlife, Bellingham, WA

Connolly Construction Co., Marysville, OH

Holistic, Inc., Cincinnati, OH Hyde Park Community UMC, Cincinnati, OH

Coolidge Wall, Dayton, OH

Miami Valley District UMC, Dayton, OH

Heaven Central Methodist Church, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon

The Heinrich Family Foundation, St Marys, OH

St. Marks UMC, Findlay, OH†

The North Naples UMC, Naples, FL The United Student Council, Trotwood, OH

The Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Columbus, OH $250–$499

Wm. Craig and Teneen L Dobbs Charitable Foundation, Carmel, IN

Ginghamsburg UMC, Tipp City, OH Grand Lake United Methodist Church, Celina, OH

†

5+ years of consecutive giving

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

www.united.edu

$2,500–$4,999

11 Annual Report

Churches and Organizations

Honor and Memorial Gifts United Theological Seminary welcomes gifts “in honor of” or “in memory of” loved ones and persons who played significant roles in the lives of people. This offers the donor the opportunity not only to honor or memorialize a loved one, but also to receive a charitable deduction and support the seminary's mission. The following are the gifts so designated and received by United during the period of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. Gifts have been made in memory or in honor of names in bold. The donors for those gifts are listed under each name.

In Memory of

Dr. Arthur Core, '44 Rev. and Mrs. Lynn J. Huffman Sr., '76

Ms. Aline Johnson Rev. Daniel W. Johnson

Mrs. Marsha D. Adinolfi The Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Adinolfi, '96

Rev. Linda Cox-Townsend, '80 Rev. Dennis Alexander, '80 and Rev. Gail Alexander, '80

Dr. Emma J. Justes Rev. Dr. Georgia B. Alexander, '10, '15 Anonymous Rev. Carolyn J. Christman, '08 Mr. Kenneth Cochrane Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann and Mr. Neal E. Klopping Dr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Dozeman Mr. Roger and Dr. Marilyn Evans, '89, '95 Rev. Dr. Julie M. Hostetter, '82 and Rev. Michael L. Hostetter Mrs. Tesia L. Mallory, '12 and Mr. Jimmy Mallory Mayer Law LTD Dr. Jonathan J. McReynolds, '12, '15 Ms. Ginnene Peavie Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67 Steven and Cheryl Swallow Ms. Courtney Ward Rev. Edwin Wilder Jr., '75

Rev. James E. Allen, '59 Mrs. Nancy S. Allen Ms. Martha (Marti) Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. DeLon The Reverend Dr. Robert G. Barnes '59 Mrs. Nancy Barnes

16 17

Rev. Dennis J. Cox-Townsend, '79 Rev. Dennis Alexander, '80 and Rev. Gail Alexander, '80 Rev. David C. Davis, '58 Mrs. Barbara R. Davis

Dr. Wayne E. Barr, '46 Mrs. Wayne Barr

Ms. Edna Ebersole Brent and Julie Byerly Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. DeLon

Dr. Irvin and Mrs. Doris Batdorf Rev. and Mrs. Theodore C. Mefferd, '69

Rev. Lybran '52 and Marjorie Endsley Mr. Byron L. Endsley

Dr. Hilbert Berger Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67

Mrs. Jean E. Fasnacht Allen R. Fasnacht

Rev. Ronald L. Bickhart, '70 Mrs. Anna S. Bickhart

Dr. George W. Frey, '37 Dr. Robert L. Frey

Rev. Lester A. Boilesen, '49 Mrs. Helen Overmyer

The Rev. Patricia H. Glover, '89 Rev. Helen M. Hayes, '94

Ms. Kathleen Boston Janice Kronour

Dr. Donald K. Gorrell Chaplain William J. “Jack” Kouth, '61

Rev. Kenneth F., '37 and Dorothy Brice Rev. David, '65 and Lillian Brice

Dr. Merl Harner Dr. and Mrs. James B. Recob, '53

Rev. Fredrick M. Carlsen, '44 Mr. Jonathan Carlsen Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Tschetter

Rev. Forrest V. Hergert, '54 Mrs. Anna Hergert

Rev. Donald J. Ciampa, '59 Rev. Frank Ciampa, '63 Fr. John P. Cobb The Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Adinolfi, '96 Bishop Emerson S. Colaw Mrs. Janet Kalas Dr. Eugene W. Matthews, '91 Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67

Rev. Dean Edward Humbert, '55 Mrs. Judith Humbert Rev. Dr. George, '45 and Mrs. Dorothy Jacobs Jack, '70 and Carolyn Hartman Rev. Joseph E. James Mrs. Mary R. James

Leonard and Marjorie Krestar, parents Rev. and Mrs. Donald E. Krestar, '79 His parents Peter and Jasmine Lau Ms. Jackie Love Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. DeLon Justin A. Melzer Rev. Dr. Ronald C. Melzer, '84 Dr. Harriet Miller Rev. and Mrs. Michael W. Christian, '66 Mrs. Carol Irish Smith, '82 Rev. J. Robert Miller, '59 Mrs. Mary L. Miller Rev. Leon W. Mindt, '68 Mrs. Esther Mindt Rev. Dr. Arlys Mindt-Fogt, '96, '07

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Mr. Albert R. Murdoch Mr. Arthur R. Murdoch

Rev. David C. Trout, '69 Rev. David L. Woodyard, '69

In Honor of

Rev. James Nuhfer, '64 Mrs. Garnet L. Nuhfer

Dr. Ben F. Wade, '60 Mrs. Janice W. Wade

Dr. Peter J. and Mariuccia Bellini Peter and Emily Yost

Rev. Elmer J. O'Brien Mrs. Betty A. O'Brien

Dr. James Wagner Rev. and Mrs. Lynn J. Huffman Sr., '76

Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann Peter and Jasmine Lau

Rev. Kathy J. O'Donnell, '07 Mr. Roger and Dr. Marilyn Evans, '89, '95

Dr. John C. Wagner Sr. Rev. and Mrs. Richard M. Royalty

Dr. Harold A. Hudson, '03 Rev. Dr. Elizabeth H. Hicks, '10

Rev. Dr. Newell John Wert, '50 Rev. Dennis Alexander, '80 and Rev. Gail Alexander, '80 Mr. and Mrs. Karl C. Ayers Ms. Rita Bell Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Brown Rev. Marla Elifritz Brown, '86 Mr. Harold Fox and Mrs. Rose Fox Mr. Donald L. Hayashi Fred and Sharon Hill Dr. Gary L. Olin, '67 and Rev. Saranne Nelson-Olin, '78 Dr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Park Rev. Donald J. Riker, '81 George and Rose Schultz Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67 Rev. Ralph E. Watkins, '78

Dr. Thomas Lasley David and Doris Ponitz

Mrs. Reita D. Powell, wife Rev. Donald D. Powell, '61 Rev. Donald E. Ricard, '65 Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67 Rev. Aaron M. Sheaffer, '58 Mrs. DeeDee Heffner Dr. Daniel L. Shearer, '41 Ms. Patsy A. Hartranft Mrs. Carolyn Smith Rev. Harvey B. Smith Mrs. Jane Ann Capehart Smith Rev. Donald R. Smith, '74 Mrs. Marjorie A. Smith Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67 Mrs. Nancy (wife of Rev. Norman “Pete”) Snook Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman, '67

Dr. Kendall K. McCabe Judith A. Sigmund, M.D., '03 Dr. Kent Millard Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bowen Dr. Susan W. N. Ruach Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Whitacre Miss Lily Picardo Peter and Emily Yost

Rev. Dr. Marian J. Wood, '01 Rev. Dr. JoAnn Patterson, '01

Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo, '14 and Mrs. Callie Picardo Dr. Peter J. and Mariuccia Bellini

Rev. Dr. Carl E. Young, '33 Mrs. Mary L. Miller

Rev. Dr. Gary Reierson Ms. Elizabeth Reierson

Rev. Russell H. Youngblood, '40 Dr. Lynn Youngblood

Ms. Yoon Sun Shin Peter and Emily Yost

Mrs. Joan M. Zeiders Rev. Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders, '73

Ahjicho Sobukwe Eshakhia Sobukwe

Mr. Richard A. Zimmerman Ms. Hillary Marotta Rev. Dr. Michael B. Slaughter, '90 and Mrs. Carolyn Slaughter

Dr. Leonard I. Sweet Mrs. Betty A. O'Brien Rev. Ken, '78 and Debbie Vance, missionaries Rev. and Mrs. Kent G. Biller Jr., '77 Dr. Daryl Ward and Rev. Vanessa O. Ward, '91 Rev. William E. Crowder, '95 and Rev. Stephanie R. Crowder, '94

R. Lael Snovel Rev. Dennis, '72 and Cindi Snovel Jerome and Pauline Stambach, parents Ms. Ruth M. Stambach, '67

Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel, '52 Mr. and Mrs. J. Paul Gruver Jr.

Rev. Thomas S. Stone, '57 Mrs. Jean M. Stone

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

www.united.edu

Dr. Kenneth H. Pohly John and Sharon, '86, '95 Beattie Mrs. DeeDee Heffner

Rev. Paula Young Mayberry Ms. Helen I. Riley

13 Annual Report

Rev. Daniel R. Orris, '71 Dr. Britt J. Leslie and Rev. Tracey D. Leslie

Heritage Society The Heritage Society represents persons who have notified us that they have made a provision for United Theological Seminary in their estate plan or through a deferred gift. High quality theological education is made possible through a strong and growing endowment. These gifts help ensure a strong future for United.

Members

Mr. Walter Gildemeister and Mrs. Gisela Gildemeister

Rev. James I. Melhorn and Lora B. Melhorn

Rev. Robert E. Airhart and Mrs. Judy Buckle Airhart

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Mearle L. Griffith

Dr. and Mrs. Kent Millard Mrs. Mary L. Miller

Mrs. Grace M. Andrews

Rev. Pauline Sue Hart and Rev. Thomas E. Hart

Rev. Beverly Ann Avers

Mr. Kenneth V. Hatt

Drs. James and Thelma Mowrey

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Robert G. Barnes

Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey

Rev. and Mrs. F. Jeffrey E. Mugridge

Mrs. Nancy Barnes

Mr. James R. Heinrich and Mrs. Janice E. Heinrich

Mrs. Rose T. Needy

Mrs. Janine L. Bartram Rev. Lowell D. Bassett Rev. and Mrs. Martin A. Berisford Jr.

16 17

Mrs. Vesta M. Hill Rev. and Mrs. Ronald L. Hines

Rev. Barbara J. Moore

Mr. James T. Neef Mrs. Mary C. Newlin Mrs. Betty A. O'Brien

Mrs. Dorothy K. Bosserman

Rev. Robert S. Hinrichsen and Mrs. Helen W. Hinrichsen

Rev. and Mrs. George B. Brewer

Rev. J. Faust Hissong

Dr. Henry W. Brooks Rev. L. Norman Butler

Mr. James W. Hook and Mrs. Joan Hook

Chaplain and Mrs. Glenn C. Calkins

Bishop and Mrs. Neil L. Irons

Mrs. Eleanor Callihan

Rev. and Mrs. Mark W. Jacobs

Rev. Donna Cartwright

Rev. Kevin A. Johnson

Rev. Bruce C. Pfeiffer and Janet Pfeiffer

Rev. D. Grundy A. Couch

Rev. J. Paul Jones

Mr. John A. Prall and Mrs. Nancy Prall

Rev. William J. Cowfer

Ms. Winifred L. Kaebnick

Mr. Jerry Megong Rabbu

Mrs. Ruth A. Daugherty

Rev. and Mrs. Paul W. Kauffman

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Rae

Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann

Mrs. Mary G. Keck

The Rev. E. Robert Dickerson, III

Rev. and Mrs. Dennis R. Keller

Rev. John L. Rauch and Mrs. Joanne Rauch

Ms. Bernice E. Dvorak

Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Keller Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. David L. Reed

Rev. and Mrs. George S. Easley

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Keyworth

Rev. and Mrs. Ronald P. Ricard

Rev. H. Stanley Eichenauer Sr.

Dr. and Mrs. John R. Knecht

Mrs. Elva Gay Rieth

Dr. Stephen E. Ellis

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Knecht

Dr. Carl B. Rife

Rev. and Mrs. Herman A. Emmert

Mrs. Kathryn Koenig

Mrs. Jeanne B. Ringley

Dr. Laurence Falk

Mrs. Jeanne B. Kurtz

Rev. Dr. Donald L. Russell

Rev. Timothy J. Forbess

Rev. and Mrs. Wilbur F. Lantz

Rev. Dr. Lois B. Fortson

Mr. William R. Love Jr.

Mr. Richard L. Schaefer and Rev. Katharine Schaefer

Rev. and Mrs. Floyd Fought

Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Lynch

Rev. and Mrs. David E. Schar

Mrs. Constance Fulmer

Rev. Paula Y. Mayberry

Mrs. Sarah H. Scheufler

Rev. and Mrs. Paul A. Fulp

Rev. David L. McRoberts

Rev. Dr. J. Gordon Schleicher

Ms. Sharon K. Fyte

Rev. Beverly F. Meadows

Rev. Margery A. Schleicher

Rev. Dr. Michael J. O'Donnell Dr. Gary L. Olin and Rev. Saranne Nelson-Olin Mrs. Martha C. Page Rev. Allen D. Pebley and Rev. Patricia A. Pebley

Rev. and Mrs. Fred A. Schmidt Jr.

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Rev. David W. Schneider

Dr. and Mrs. Paul E. Stuckey

Rev. James T. Wenrich

Mrs. Alice Schultz

Mr. Allen Thomas

Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Whitney II

Rev. and Mrs. John R. Shafer

Major and Mrs. Mark E. Thompson

Rev. Leslie Castle Womack

Rev. Max L. Smith

Rev. John K. Wortinger

Rev. Harvey B. Smith

Rev. Carl D. Tribett and Mrs. Dona L. Tribett

Rev. Eldon D. Snyder

Chaplain Margaret L. Turner

Rev. Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders Jr.

Mrs. Frances Sperry

Dr. Valdrie N. Walker

Rev. and Mrs. Paul F. Zieber

Mr. Keith Spiker

Ms. Betty J. Walker

Mrs. Nancy C. Zimmerman

Mrs. Irma W. Springman

Rev. Dr. Philip T. Wanck

Rev. Harriette G. Zoller

Rev. and Mrs. Harold M. Stockman

Mrs. Carol Warner

www.united.edu

Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel

Income 2016–2017

Other 5.3%

Total Income: $7.865 million Gifts and Grants 21.8%

Tuition and Fees 58.9% ($4.636 M) Endowment 0.5% ($0.043 M) Ministerial Education Fund 13.4% ($1.057 M)

Ministerial Education Fund 13.4%

Tuition and Fees 58.9%

Endowment 0.5%

Gifts and Grants 21.8% ($1.714 M) Other 5.3% ($0.415 M)

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

Annual Report

15

Pioneering New Legacies United is equipping church planters to extend the legacy of the Church through innovative ministry. On Sunday, September 17, 2017, United alumni/ae from the class of 2014 started two new churches in the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

16 17

Joe and Allyssa Graves Central City Church Joe and Allyssa Graves met and fell in love while earning their Master of Divinity degrees at United Theological Seminary. Since graduating in 2014, they've been on a God-sized adventure, launching a new faith community called Central City Church in Columbus, OH.

“If we can see people's lives transformed through this ministry, we will be filled with joy,” Joe and Allyssa explained. “Whether it's a young professional who learns the joy of generosity or a drug addict who finds healing and recovery, we pray with all humility that God would use this strange new community to make a real difference in people's lives.”

Central City Church is “a neighborhood church with a citywide impact.” Through the church plant, Joe and Allyssa are cultivating a community that values meaningful relationships with one another, with God and with the surrounding community.

United helped prepare them for their call through the focus on theological formation and the power of the Holy Spirit. They learned how to read and interpret scripture from a place of grace and authority. Rev. Dr. Mike Slaughter's class on the missional church and Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey's class on leading change honed their skills for working with and leading people. When they graduated, they were ready.

As a couple, their call to serve the lost grew until they could no longer put it off. They wanted to start something new, where people far from God could learn about the amazing life available to them through relationship with Jesus.

Joe sums it up, saying, “We hope our legacy will be one of effective, life-changing discipleship. That's what we love about church planting — it's all about reaching and discipling new people.”

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Unchurched? Dechurched?

Disinterested? Disengaged? You are welcome at Mosaic Church at The Greene in Beavercreek, OH. Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo '14 and coplanter Rev. Wayne Botkin have a passion for reaching those who aren't already connected with a church and/or don't know the love of Jesus Christ.

“New churches have proven to be one of the most effective ways to be evangelistic,” Rosario explained.

“Buildings, programs and institutions will fade away, but a legacy is left through lives that have been impacted and changed.”

That's what keeps Rosario going in his calling to plant new faith communities.

Rosario continues to draw on the practical education he experienced in the Doctor of Ministry program at United. As a student, he wrestled

with how to do ministry in today's changing world. He gained a deeper understanding of the landscape of Christianity in North America and also learned to think critically about his own faith and approach to ministry.

It's not easy, but Rosario isn't content with playing it safe or doing ministry as usual. He wants to leave a legacy of taking risks for Jesus in all he does.

As a number of churches are predicted to close in the coming years, Rosario sees church planting as vitally important for the legacy of faith — so much so that he's started equipping other church planters (see below).

“I want people to be excited about their faith and know they can make an impact in this world,” he shares. “I want people to know that they have the Holy Spirit available to them to pursue their God-dreams, and it's not just reserved for a few people but all who call upon the name of Jesus.”

Church planter or not, that is a legacy we all should strive to leave.

www.united.edu

Rosario Picardo Mosaic Church

“God is raising up women and men to start new initiatives, think outside of the box and be pioneers in a Next Christendom.” — Rosario Picardo '14 Are you one of those men and women?

United is equipping future church planters through a Certificate in Church Planting, available to laity and clergy for continuing education; a concentration in Church Planting that can be added to a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Christian Ministries; and our “ROOTED: Church Planting and Revitalization in our Diverse World” Doctor of Ministry focus group.

Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo teaches certificate and masters-level courses

in Church Planting and co-leads the “ROOTED” doctoral focus group, with fellow pioneers Rev. Dr. Vance Ross '15 of Discipleship Ministries and Rev. Rudy Rasmus (see page 23). Learn from their experiences launching and revitalizing churches across the nation.

Start your degree or certificate at United today by contacting admissions@united.edu or 800.322.5817.

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

Keeping in Touch

17

NEWS AND NOTES UPDATES • ANNIVERSARIES • BIRTHS • DEATHS UPDATES

Class of 1952

Eldon and Virginia Snyder, Buffalo, NY, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Aug. 31, 2017.

Class of 1953

Robert (Bing) Crosby, Seattle, WA, received a Distinguished Alumni award from Boston University School of Theology. The International Organization Development Network also recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement award.

Paul W. Kauffman, Marysville, PA, recently celebrated 70 years in ministry.

Class of 1959

Ivan G. Kurtz, Penney Farms, FL, was elected the head of the chaplain program at Penney Retirement Community.

16 17

Class of 1963

Bernard Lieving Jr., Tampa, FL, retired after 57 years of ministry.

Galen Black '71, '90, Wayne, PA, welcomed his first great-grandchild on March 21, 2017. He is currently involved in Wayne United Methodist Church.

David Thomas, Estes Park, CO, retired from Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2012.

He now teaches Spanish and English in Estes Park, CO, and volunteers at Crossroads Ministry. He also serves as a US representative for Experiencia Spanish Language immersion schools in Mexico.

Class of 1976

Jack Hartman, West Lafayette, IN, currently works part-time on the Indiana Conference Church Development Staff, focusing on church revitalization for existing churches.

Class of 1978

Marilyn J. Gebert, Columbia City, IN, currently serves Cromwell United Methodist Church. She works in jail ministry and reaches many women who are drug addicts.

Class of 1986

Richard G. Felty, Carlisle, PA, celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Joy on June 17, 2017. He currently serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Susquehanna Conference.

Todd R. Goddard, Ontario, NY, presented to the 2017 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability this past June in Los Angeles, CA. The presentation, called “The Beloved Community,” was a narrative of congregational transformation and inclusion.

Class of 1970

Class of 1987

Class of 1968

Ronald L. Hines, Claremont, CA, retired after serving congregations in the Pacific Northwest Conference and the Philippines and teaching at Union Theological Seminary near Manila.

Daniel Houghton, Eagle Point, OR, celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife Fay on Nov. 5, 2017. He served Upper Rogue United Methodist Church until May 2017 and is now retired.

David Clarence Hogg, Columbus, OH, celebrated his 50th Wedding Anniversary with his wife Paulette on April 29, 2017.

He also celebrated his 50th class reunion at Otterbein University on Sept.15, 2017.

Class of 1990

Class of 1971

Gary A. Batey, St. Petersburg, FL, celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife on Aug. 20, 2016.

John T. Schlicher, Beavercreek, OH, was caught in the midst of the mass shooting at the Fort Lauderdale Airport on Jan. 1, 2017, with his wife Michelle and motherin-law Jane. Miraculously, the three of them survived with only minor injuries.

John has been able to minister to others who survived gunshot wounds and lost loved ones.

Class of 1992

Edward McNulty, Bellbrook, OH, accepted a part-time pastorate at the Blue Ball Presbyterian Church in July 2017.

Class of 1995

Robert Walker, Dayton, OH, was elected President for the Dayton School Board in 2017.

Class of 1997

Ervin D. Seamster Jr., Terrell, TX, was named President of Southwestern Christian College in January 2017.

Class of 2003

Norman A. Tate, Reston, VA, will be retiring soon.

Class of 2005

Charles C. Eagle, Brookville, OH, began serving Community United Methodist Church, Brookville, OH on June 25, 2017.

Class of 2007

David I. Fox, Dayton, OH, was appointed by the County Commission to the Justice Committee for the Montgomery County Jail and by the City Commission to the Citizens' Appeal Board.

Class of 2008

Mick Dawes, Loysburg, PA, celebrated the births of two new grandsons: Sylvan, born Oct. 31, 2016, and Jeremy, born March 22, 2017.

Bonnie J. Miller, White Plains, NY, celebrated her 25th anniversary as pastor at Chatterton Hill Church in White Plains, NY.

Class of 2010

Oscar L. Varnadoe III, Chicago, IL, received the Arise Chicago Prophetic Justice Award. He is currently Senior Pastor at Wide Awake United Church of Christ in Benton Harbor, MI.

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Class of 2012

Hugh Kerry Wesley, Vallejo, CA, was appointed pastor of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Jose, CA on Sept. 29, 2017.

Tesia Mallory, Dayton, OH, recently transitioned into the role of Communications Associate at United and welcomed a new baby boy, Leland James Mallory, in July 2017.

Class of 2013

Jennifer L. Goggins, Paducah, KY, recently took a new call and is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Paducah, KY.

Penny Stacy, Cincinnati, OH, became a board certified chaplain in July 2017 and the Vice President of Chaplains Association of Ohio. She was also chosen

by Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide as a Woman in Excellence for 2017.

Class of 2014

Mona Davies, Murrieta, CA, and her husband received an award for their invaluable service to Riverside County youth from the County of Riverside Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission.

Janet Norden, Albuquerque, NM, was ordained on June 2, 2017, as Elder in The United Methodist Church. She was also

reappointed to University Heights UMC in Albquerque, NM. William N. Ramsdale, McLean, IL, is serving a three-point charge in the Sangamon River District in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

Class of 2015

Timothy Jackson, Collierville, TN, started a new ministry called Hope Fellowship Church in Memphis, TN.

Class of 2017

Devin E. West, Jeffersonville, IN, celebrated five years of Pastor and People with the First Trinity Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, IN on Nov. 12, 2017.

Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Candler Jr. '13, received the Distinguished Alumnus award. He is Founding Pastor of Family Life Ministry AME Church in Hagerstown, MD in the Capital District

PASSAGES Our Prayers are with the families of: Sue Angerman '81, who died Jan. 30, 2017. She was a resident of Ann Arbor, MI. Bryce Armstrong '55, who died Jan. 13, 2017. He was a resident of Austin, TX. Robert Barnard '70, who died Aug. 7, 2017. He was a resident of Liberty, IN. Robert Barnes '59, who died Nov. 12, 2016. He was a resident of Kingfield, ME. Doris Batdorf, who died Jan. 23, 2017.

She was the wife of former faculty member Irvin Batdorf and a resident of Palmyra, PA. Kathleen Boston, Admissions Associate for United, who died June 25, 2017. She was a resident of New Lebanon, OH.

of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also President/Founder of Argus Eagle, LLC, a company that assists DoD and contractor facilities in matters pertaining to National Security regulatory compliance.

Methodist denomination. He also served as chaplain for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, the Cincinnati Police Department and the Greater Cincinnati Native American Community.

Rev. Harold Stockman '67, received the Effective Ministry Award.

Ordained in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, he went on to serve congregations in the West Ohio Conference of the new United

Rev. Wade Giffin '91, received the Effective Ministry Award. He became pastor at Trinity United Methodist in July of 2016 after serving seven years as Director of the Office Ministry for the West Ohio Conference of The UMC.

Grace Clay '03, who died Oct. 15, 2017.

She was a resident of Farmington Hills, MI.

Arthur Geyh '76, who died Dec. 24, 2016.

He was a resident of Tiffin, OH.

Edgar Conrad '68, who died April 15, 2017. He was a resident of Corinda, Queensland, Australia.

Elizabeth Glick-Rieman '74, who died May 13, 2017. She was a resident of Richmond, CA.

James Corbett '66, who died April 7, 2017. He was a resident of Mount Gretna, PA.

Kenneth Hatt, friend of United, who died Aug 24, 2017. He was a resident of Hershey, PA.

Michael Donnally '90, who died Aug. 17, 2017. He was a resident of Columbus, OH.

Jack Hemskey '59, who died Dec. 11, 2016. He was a resident of Fishersville, VA.

Clinton Dorsey '70, who died Aug. 26, 2017. He was a resident of Troy, OH. Gerald Dotson '74, who died Feb. 21, 2017. He was a resident of Summersville, WV. Sharon Fyte '97, who died June 29, 2017.

She was a resident of Poplar Bluff, MO.

Howard Hershberger '59, who died Jan. 14, 2017. He was a resident of Saint Marys, OH. L. Robert Holbrook '50, who died Jan. 14, 2017. He was a resident of Fremont, NE. Earl Jefferson '96, who died June 10, 2017. He was a resident of Philadelphia, PA.

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

19 Keeping in Touch

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cole Wilson '12, received the Outstanding Doctor of Ministry Alumna award. She currently serves as Director of Congregational Excellence and Strategic Partnerships for the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The UMC.

www.united.edu

2017 Alumni/ae Award Winners

PASSAGES (cont.)

Kathy O’Donnell '07, who died March 18, 2017. She was a resident of Piqua, OH.

Joan Kahn-Schneider '81, who died June 18, 2017. He was a resident of Cincinnati, OH.

Marvin Polson '54, who died June 25, 2017. He was a resident of Perkins, OK.

Harold Landwehr '76, who died Dec. 27, 2016. He was a resident of Marion, IL.

William Quick, friend of United, who died Sept. 19, 2017. He was a resident of Durham, NC.

Felton Edwin, friend of United, who died Feb. 27, 2017. He was a resident of New York, NY. W. Robert Myers '56, who died March 23, 2017. He was a resident of Southwest Harbor, ME. Susan Ellen Nowicki '83, who died Jan. 9, 2017. She was a resident of Buffalo, NY.

Donald Ramsey '82, who died Jan. 29, 2017. He was a resident of Montpelier, OH. Donald Ricard '65, who died April 17, 2017. He was a resident of Saint Marys, OH. Cleo Schmenk '83, who died June 15, 2017. He was a resident of Melbourne, FL.

Eileen J Schmid, who died Sept. 11, 2016.

She was the wife of William L. Schmid '65 and a resident of York, PA. Karen Shepler '83, who died March 10, 2017. She was a resident of Waterville, OH. Richard Shields '68, who died Nov. 3, 2016. He was a resident of Hollidaysburg, PA. Marjorie Smith, friend of United, who died April 14, 2017. She was a resident of Springboro, OH. Roy Wigal '60, who died June 6, 2017. He was a resident of Lebanon, OH.

20

Dr. Emma J. Justes Aug. 31, 1941–Jan. 31, 2017 Dr. Emma J. Justes died on Jan. 31, 2017.

She had served as Distinguished Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling in the Emma Toussant Chair in Pastoral Theology at United since 2007. Dr. Justes was a popular teacher, beloved and respected by students and colleagues.

Keeping in Touch

www.united.edu

REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF UNITED LEADERS

Over the course of her career, she led by example, from becoming the first woman ordained in the American Baptist Church USA and the first female PhD candidate in pastoral theology at Princeton Theological Seminary to playing a key role in the founding of the clinical pastoral education movement.

She was the author of Please Don't Tell: What to Do with the Secrets People Share (Abingdon 2013) and Hearing Beyond the Words: How to Become a Listening Pastor (Abingdon 2006).

Dr. Justes loved to travel, especially in South Africa, where she had the opportunity to teach. Her most treasured role was being mother to her two sons, Kito and James (Micah).

Rev. Dr. Newell Wert Oct. 10, 1926– May 25, 2017 Rev. Dr. Newell Wert passed away on May 25, 2017. Rev. Dr. Wert was United's longest-serving academic dean. At the time of his retirement in 1992, he had been in service to the Church for more than 30 years through his work at United, with 29 of those years as Dean of the Faculty. His commitment to United went back to his time as a student of Evangelical School of Theology, a precursor of United Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1950 with a Master of Divinity and was honored as United's 1992 Distinguished Alumnus.

Rev. Dr. Wert was preceded in death by his wife Donna, former Administrative Assistant to the Dean and Registrar for the Seminary, and his son Newell J. Wert Jr. He is survived by his daughter Susan Wert (James Mossman), step-children Kevin (Jill) Hitt, Michael (Jennifer) Olin-Hitt and Lisa (Don) Hartman and grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. John R. Knecht Oct. 30, 1920–Aug. 9, 2017 Rev. Dr. John R. Knecht, President Emeritus of United Theological Seminary, passed away on Aug. 9, 2017. Dr. Knecht served as President of United from 1965 to 1985, overseeing the development of the Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program and the establishment of the Center for Evangelical United Brethren Heritage, among other ground-breaking initiatives in theological education.

Prior to his tenure at United, Dr. Knecht served as a pastor in Indiana and as Executive Secretary of the Board of Evangelism of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. He held a Master of Arts from Yale University and a Master of Divinity from Bonebrake Theological Seminary, a precursor to United Theological Seminary.

Dr. Knecht is survived by wife Marjorie and their children Catherine, Mark, Luke and Matthew.

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Sarah Blair, Assistant Professor of Church History, presented to the United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio's annual meeting in April 2017.

Presian Burroughs, Assistant Professor of New Testament, is the editor of Practicing with Paul (Cascade Books, forthcoming), a book in honor of her doctoral advisor, Dr. Susan Eastman. This fall, she presented in the Pauline Theology Section at the 2017 annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. She contributed a commentary on Romans in The Wesley One-Volume Commentary on the Bible (Abingdon, forthcoming).

Wendy Deichmann, Professor of History and Theology, wrote the article “Theological Reforms Adopted within the Methodist Episcopal Church from Its Beginnings to the Present,” for Circuit Rider (Aug/Sept/Oct 2017).

Tom Dozeman, Professor of Old Testament, published The Pentateuch (Fortress Press, 2017). He was guest editor for Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel, vol. 6, “Joshua 24 in Recent Scholarship.” He has recently published several essays and commentaries on Old Testament scriptures and presented three conference papers in the last year. He is Associate Editor for Catholic Biblical Quarterly and serves on the editorial board for “Ancient Israel and Its Literature Monograph Series,” a publication of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Lisa Hess, Professor of Practical Theology and Contextual Ministries, was a panelist for the annual conference for the Association for Theopoetics Research and Exploration held March 2017 in Cincinnati, OH. She was the creator of the 2017 Conscious Feminine Leadership Academy, an initiative with Women Writing for (a) Change in Cincinnati, OH.

Scott Kisker, Professor of the History of Christianity, recently published The Band Meeting (Seedbed, 2017), co-written with Kevin Watson. In September, he led a plenary at New Room Conference in Franklin, TN. Last spring, he presented a paper for the Colloquy on Sexuality and Church Unity held in Atlanta, GA. He served as 2016-17 president of the Wesleyan Theological Society.

Anthony Le Donne, Associate Professor of New Testament, published Sacred Dissonance (Hendrickson, 2017), co-authored with Larry Behrendt. He contributed a chapter to The Urban World and the First Christians (Eerdmans, 2017). Dr. Le Donne serves as Executive Editor of Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus.

Luther Oconer, Assistant Professor of United Methodist Studies, is the author of Spirit-Filled Protestantism (Wipf and Stock, 2017). He presented a paper in October 2017 at the Wesleyan Political Theology Conference held in Washington, DC. In November 2016, he preached to more than 10,000 people at the quadrennial REVIVE conference of the Philippines Central Conference of The United Methodist Church. He taught United Methodist Doctrine at Wesley Theological College in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Andrew S. Park, Professor of Theology and Ethics, was United's 2017 J. Arthur Heck Lecturer, speaking on “Broken Spirits, Holistic Healing, and the Holy Spirit.” In March 2017, he was lecturer for the Sang Hyun Lee Lecture at Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Park also contributed the article “Sin, Han, and Eucharist” to A Wesleyan Theology of the Eucharist: The Presence of God for Christian Life and Ministry (General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, 2016).

Joni Sancken, Associate Professor of Homiletics, received tenure in May 2017. She contributed the chapter “When Our Words Fail Us: Preaching Gospel to Trauma Survivors” to the book Theologies of the Gospel in Context (Cascade, 2017), and recently completed Level 1 training in Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience at Eastern Mennonite University. She has a contribution forthcoming in the 2019 Abingdon Preaching Annual.

David Watson, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of New Testament, is author of Scripture and the Life of God (Seedbed, 2017). He has recently published or will soon publish several essays, including an overview of LukeActs for The Bible and Disability: A Commentary (Baylor University Press, 2017) and a commentary on Matthew for the Wesley One-Volume Bible Commentary (Abingdon, forthcoming).

21

United Welcomes New Coordinator of Alumni/ae Relations United is pleased to welcome Rev. Chad Clark ‘17 as Coordinator of Alumni/ae Relations. Rev. Clark joined United’s community of alumni/ae in May 2017, after five years of rigorous work completing a Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies. Weeks after graduating, he was married in the new Zimmerman Chapel. In addition to his work with the alumni/ ae community, Rev. Clark also supports future leaders of the Church through United’s Office of Admissions and in the academic department.

Chad and Kalynn Clark (above) were the first couple to be married in the new Zimmerman Chapel (Courtesy of Melinda Benbrahim Photography)

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

www.united.edu

Peter Bellini, Associate Professor of Evangelization in the Heisel Chair, received tenure in May 2017 and once again led United's annual Holy Spirit Seminar in December.

Justus Hunter, Assistant Professor of Church History, was elected to the editorial board of the Wesleyan Theological Journal and appointed as Book Review Editor.

Keeping in Touch

FACULTY NEWS

www.united.edu

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS Presian Burroughs, Assistant Professor of New Testament Practicing with Paul: Reflections on Paul and the Practices of Ministry in Honor of Susan G. Eastman Practically-oriented, this book provides inspiration for current and future Christian ministers as they attempt to incarnate the ways of Christ along with Paul. (Cascade Books, forthcoming)

Anthony Le Donne, Associate Professor of New Testament Sacred Dissonance: The Blessing of Difference in Jewish- Christian Dialogue Co-authors Anthony Le Donne and Larry Behrendt show that communities of faith can open space for others, even without breaking down the differences between them.

(Hendrickson, December 2017)

Thomas B. Dozeman, Professor of Old Testament The Pentateuch: Introducing the Torah This textbook introduces students to the contents of the Torah and orients them to the key interpretive questions and methods shaping contemporary scholarship. (Fortress Press, March 2017)

Scott Kisker, Professor of the History of Christianity The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community Scott Kisker and Kevin Watson look to early Methodism’s small group practice, the “band meeting,” as a model for contemporary discipleship. (Seedbed, September 2017)

Luther Oconer, Assistant Professor of United Methodist Studies Spirit-Filled Protestantism: Holiness-Pentecostal Revivals and the Making of Filipino Methodist Identity This long-awaited volume on the history of Methodism in the Philippines explores why Pentecostal impulses continue to shape Filipino Methodist identity in the twenty-first century.

(Wipf and Stock, October 2017)

David Watson, Associate Professor of New Testament Scripture and the Life of God: Why the Bible Matters Today More Than Ever In Scripture and the Life of God, David Watson considers how our inspired texts can help us enter into a deeper relationship with God. (Seedbed, September 2017)

Keeping in Touch

22

ALUMNI/AE PUBLICATIONS Amelia Boomershine '91, '15

Thomas L Francis '10

Bob Braley '86,

Laura Henry Harris '13

Mona Davies '14

Mike Slaughter '90

Amelia Boomershine, Dayton, OH, published A Breath of Fresh Air: Biblical Storytelling with Prisoners (Cascade Books, April 2017).

Bob Braley, Avilla, IN, published The Dangerous Dragon of Blerph (Ice Castle Press, March 2017).

Mona Davies, Murrieta, CA, published Children's Liberation from Incarceration (Xulon Press, 2017).

Thomas L Francis, Union City, GA, published Grief Hit the Loon Family: Explaining Death and Dying to Children (Tfran Press, October 2017).

Laura Henry Harris, Columbia, KY, published Who Is the Bride? (Xulon Press, April 2017).

Mike Slaughter, Tipp City, OH, wrote The Passionate Church: Ignite Your Church and Change the World (Abingdon Press, May 2016), Down to Earth: The Hopes and Fears of All the Years Are Met in Thee Tonight (Abingdon Press, September 2016) and Made For A Miracle (Abingdon Press, December 2017).

Spirit Led, Renewing the Church!

Leave Something Behind: Rudy Rasmus

For the past 25 years, Rudy has served as pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church, a 9,000-member congregation in inner-city Houston. Now, he is using his doctoral work to focus on reaching black millennials, who are largely missing from the Church. It's a generation that doesn't care about institutional survival, he says, so they don't care if a local church goes out of business. It's a generation that desires relevance and authenticity, but isn't connecting with wisdom from previous generations.

“If you don't leave something behind, you don't have a legacy,” Rudy explains. “The challenge we are facing

Rudy was brought to faith by the generosity of God's love, the abundance that God made available. He views legacy as an acknowledgment and extension of that overwhelming abundance.

Rudy's wife Juanita always says, “We have everything we need.” It has become their household mantra.

From that perspective, abundance becomes apparent, and it becomes easier to be generous with time, talent and financial resources.

Rudy saw his Aunt Mae Mae living life from a mindset of abundance.

She regularly proclaimed, “A person who doesn't know what enough is will never have it.” His aunt's whole life was generous. She never made a lot of

Second, legacy requires being bilingual. According to Rudy, you've got to be able to speak not only the language of your own generation but also the language of the generations you feel called to reach. Before you start worrying about learning the latest trending terms among young people, Rudy says there is a better place to begin. It starts with names. People whose names we remember are the people we care about. To create a connection with people, know who they are and what they care about.

Rudy calls it “living and leading from the middle of the room.” Rather than always leading from the pulpit at the front of the room, he spends a lot of his time mingling with the people he wants to reach and daring to be seen as a peer. He shows people they matter by caring about them as individuals. It keeps him relevant, which in turn keeps their church relevant.

So who is God calling you to reach?

What legacy do you have to share?

Stop worrying about keeping the lights on and start sharing the abundance of God with one person at a time.

Happenings at United

For more information visit www.united.edu/united-events or call 937.529.2201 Holy Spirit Seminar: Holy Fire — Holiness and the Holy Spirit On Dec. 1, United hosted its 6th annual Holy Spirit Seminar, featuring Guillermo Leon Mighty and Adria Nunez Ortiz from Havana, Cuba. With more than 250, this was the largest gathering to date! The Holy Spirit Seminar is held annually on the first Friday of December.

2017 Advent Commencement United recognized 43 graduates on Dec. 15. Bishop Julius Trimble of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church delivered the commencement address and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree for his exceptional leadership, compassion for all people and powerful witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Friends of United Spring Bus Tour April 25-28, 2018 Journey with United for a time of fellowship and spiritual renewal as we travel to beautiful central Pennsylvania.

Learn more: www.united.edu/bus-tour Merging Streams: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The United Methodist Church July 9-12, 2018 Save the date!

Learn more: www.united.edu/50th-anniversary-umc

And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2

www.united.edu

Rev. Rudy Rasmus is leaving a legacy of faith to the next generation and using United's Doctor of Ministry program to help him.

Two things in particular seem to have caused this breakdown in leaving a legacy. First, Rudy says, we have become myopic — not out of selfishness, but out of a sense of scarcity. We think all we have is all we are ever going to have and all we are going to get. When we are operating out of scarcity, we don't consider our legacy because we are worried about simply getting by.

money, but she always had enough, so she always gave to others.

Legacy starts with expanding our perspective from scarcity to abundance.

23 Keeping in Touch

is that previous generations have not left something behind for the next generation to embody that as a practice.”

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The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Wishing you God's light in every part of your life this Christmas!

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