Do you have a personal or ministry update? Have you written a book, celebrated an anniversary, received an award or celebrated a new appointment? Complete the submission form on this page to share your news with former classmates through the web and in the alumni/ae section of the Seminary’s Annual Report.*
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Rev. Dean Roush has been blessed by two great-grandchildren.
Rev. Donald Zechman and his wife, Faye, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 26 by going on a trip to a favorite location, Williamsburg, VA. They were married at Derry St. United Methodist Church (Harrisburg, PA) by the groom’s father, Dr. Harry W. Zechman, and the District Superintendent, Warren Mentzer. In retirement they live at Moravian Manor in Lititz, PA.
Rev. Paul F. Zieber and his wife, Judy, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 20. In May they attended graduation ceremonies for two grandchildren at Pitt University: one with bachelor’s degrees in finance and business information systems and one with master’s degrees in public health and genetic counseling. They remain active in Mount Zion United Methodist Church (Enola, PA).
Rev. Gottfried Krauss serves his church by preaching in Sunday services. His wife passed away on December 23, 2024. He is grateful for their four children and four grandchildren.
David Thomas became fluent in Spanish while serving for 11 ½ years as a mission co-worker in México with Presbyterian Church (USA) and is now a volunteer interpreter and reader in the Spanish mass at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church (Estes Park, CO). He also tutors both English and Spanish as second languages. He and his wife recently traveled to Monteverde, Costa Rica, as part of a Sister Cities delegation. In 2022, they acquired a second home in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, where they spend about five months each year, and regularly attend mass at Catedral Santiago Apóstol.
Rev. Joseph Easley lives with his wife, Patti, in a large senior development in Walnut Creek, CA, near their sons and grandchildren, where he is active in groups promoting diversity, antiracism, interfaith understanding, and political dialogue. He also assists the pastor and leads a Bible study nearby at Lafayette United Methodist Church. They also attend St. Agnes Catholic Church in the Height Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, where Joe has given reflections in worship.
Rev. Kent Biller is retiring from World Missionary Press after 25 years serving in extension ministry producing God’s Word in scripture booklet form in over 350 languages. Prior to this work, he served 23 years in pastoral ministry in Indiana. He and his wife, Diane, celebrated 52 years of marriage this year.
Rev. Jeffrey Popson retired from the Western Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2019. In 2021 he served three small United Methodist churches and The Bedford Somerset cooperative parish in 2022. He is currently serving as senior pastor of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church (Stahlstown, PA).
Rev. Todd Goddard retired this year after 38 years of parish ministry. He has become a full-time volunteer supporting campus ministries, the disability community, and a large not-for-profit addiction and mental health agency.
Rev. Kenneth McDonald lost his son, Jordan Allen McDonald, who died on July 26, 2024. Jordan was born on October 3, 1996, and was their youngest child and only son. He and his wife, Kim, and their two daughters, Brooke and Bethany, ask for prayers for peace as their hearts are forever broken.
Rev. Jay E. Jones retired from the Susquehanna Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church after 26 years under full-time appointment. Jay is living in a 55+ community in the central PA area.
Rev. Jeffrey L. Barker celebrated on July 23 his 31st year of ordination into the United Church of Christ, Washington/North Idaho Conference, and now serves an American Baptist Church in Seattle, WA. He was the first black pastor ordained in the conference.
Rev. Sandra H. Rogers is working on the book of her life currently titled The Long Journey Home: a Journey toward Healing and Wholeness that will be published by Bookwifery once it is finished.
Rev. Sally Carpenter began working as a library associate this year at the Moorpark City Library in Moorpark, CA.
Rev. Dr. Thom Bower has been called as Pastor and Teacher to the Church of the Three Crosses in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. This progressive congregation is part of both the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ (the church of his adolescence and the church of his ordination). Continuing a legacy of social justice action, there are visions for strengthening, growing and expanding the ways peace, justice and wisdom are manifest.
Rev. Dr. Robert Charles Scott was elected Second Vice President of Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention in Memphis, TN, on August 15, 2024. He is also the Vice President of the Hampton University Ministers Conference for 2024-26.
Rev. Darrell J. Wesley has been appointed as the First African American Pastor of Redlands First United Methodist Church in its 157-year history. He has published Toward a Postmodern Ethic of Radical Freedom (Cascade Books, September 2023).
Rev. Keith Lawrence Collins was ordained an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in March 2024 at the Youngstown District of the North Ohio Annual Conference. He is currently in Charlotte, NC, to be inducted in the American Martial Arts Alliance Hall of Fame / Hall of Honors. He is also being recognized as an International Best-Selling Co-Author of Elite Martial Artists in America book.
Rev. Dr. Curtis E. Williams experienced a powerful testament to God’s saving and healing power. After spending nearly three weeks in ICU, enduring four surgeries in four days, coding twice, and surviving three bacterial infections and blood clots, he was given just a 10 percent chance to live. Pronounced by a physician as moribund, Curtis’ recovery is nothing short of miraculous. Through the power of prayer and the skilled hands of Northside Medical-Gwinnett’s staff, God brought him through to continue His work. Curtis is now completing his autobiography, From Moribund to the Impossibility of Limitation.
Rev. Crystal Walker has just finished a one-year residency program with Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, and has become the Chaplain of the Indiana State Women’s Prison.
Rev. Al Kennon authored and published The Jesus Model of Leadership, Volume One, a leadership book that utilizes Jesus’ 1st century discipleship as a model for 21st century Kingdom leadership.
Dr. Pierre Omeler has been elected as a General Vice President of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Prior to this role, he served as president of the denomination’s Atlantic Union Conference (2021-2024), secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference (2016-2021), and vice president of the Atlantic Union Conference (2011-2016). He also held the position of Director of Haitian Ministries (2008-2011) and Senior Pastor (1991-2008) in the Northeastern Conference.
Rev. Diana McHenry has served as a bivocational church and non-profit leader for over 18 years. She has served across denominations, including the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church USA and the United Church of Christ. Additionally, Diana served in spiritual care at the Hospice of Cincinnati, as a running buddy with Girls on the Run, and in development with a local food pantry. She has been an advocate for people of color and LGBTIA+ persons and has worked with individuals, including clergy, struggling with mental illness, helping them find care and support. In recent years, Diana has retired / is on sabbatical from church leadership and enjoys spending time with her family, focusing on wellness. She is periodically called upon to assist in starting new ministries and helping with experiential worship, outreach and mission.
Rev. Dr. Douglas Fox is the Presiding Elder for New Church Starts in the Mid-Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. He and his wife, Jana, are helping to start McKinney GMC (McKinney, TX). Jana was a lay delegate to the GMC Convening Conference in Costa Rica, and Doug was part of the prayer team.
Rev. Dr. Matthew Scott was ordained an elder in the Global Methodist Church on August 9, 2024.
Rev. Rentonia Moore traveled to Georgetown, Guyana, where she preached for a women’s conference. She also teaches classes at the Guyana Bible College which, she says, “is a rewarding experience because she is truly sharing the gospel with other parts of the world.” She will be traveling to South Africa in April to preach during Passover.
Rev. Patricia Friel authored BE HOLY: A Command not a Suggestion.
Rev. Karen Moore was ordained an itinerant deacon by the New Jersey Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on April 6, 2024. She serves Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Lawnside as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Outreach.
Rev. David Seitz has been named the Assistant to the Pastor and leads the contemporary service called The Gathering at his church.
Rev. Dr. Eshakhia Sobukwe is giving back to her community by actively participating in community events and, along with her sisters, knitting scarves and caps, crocheting stuffed animals and sewing decorative scarves and colorful wraps for fall and winter.
Rev. Dr. Susan Agbenoto is happy to announce the publication of two books: Restore Me! But Privately, Please (Westbow Press, May 2024); and New Wine (Christian Faith Publishing, August 2024). Restore Me identifies the fatigue and brokenness that leaders go through and offers steps to climb out of the fog to receive inner healing and strength. New Wine looks at the process of becoming a conduit of revival, being refreshed and renewed in the process!
Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley was appointed as the Director for Call and Candidacy for the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Rev. Jeffrey L. Barker ’90 celebrated on July 23 his 31st year of ordination into the United Church of Christ, Washington/North Idaho, Conference.
Rev. Kent Biller ’77 and his wife, Diane, celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.
Rev. Donald Zechman ’64 and his wife, Faye, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 26.
Rev. Paul F. Zieber ’65 and his wife, Judy, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 20.
Rev. Kent Biller ’77 Osceola, IN
Rev. Todd Goddard ’86 Rush NY
Rev. Jay E. Jones ’88 Tyrone, PA
Rev. William Ramsdale ’14 Rock Island, IL
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 alumnus 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.
Grace Clay ’03, who died Oct. 15, 2017. She was a resident of Farmington Hills, MI.
Edgar Conrad ’68, who died April 15, 2017. He was a resident of Corinda, QLD.
James Corbett ’66, who died April 7, 2017. He was a resident of Mount Gretna, PA.
Michael Donnally ’90, who died Aug. 17, 2017. He was a resident of Columbus, OH.
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.
Arthur Geyh ’76, who died Dec. 24, 2016. He was a resident of Tiffin, OH.
Elizabeth Glick-Rieman ’74, who died May 13, 2017. She was a resident of Richmond, CA.
Kenneth Hatt, friend of United, who died Aug 24, 2017. He was a resident of Hershey, PA.
Jack Hemskey ’59, who died Dec. 11, 2016. He was a resident of Fishersville, VA.
Howard Hershberger ’59, who died Jan. 14, 2017. He was a resident of Saint Marys, OH.
Earl Jefferson ’96, who died June 10, 2017. He was a resident of Philadelphia, PA.
Joan Kahn-Schneider ’81, who died June 18, 2017. He was a resident of Cincinnati, OH.
John Knecht ’45, who died Aug. 9, 2017. He was a resident of North Manchester, IN.
Harold Landwehr ’76, who died Dec. 27, 2016. He was a resident of Marion, IL.
Felton Edwin, friend of United, who died Feb. 27, 2017. He was a resident of New York, NY.
Susan Ellen Nowicki ’83, who died Jan. 9, 2017. She was a resident of Buffalo, NY.
Kathy O’Donnell ’07, who died March 18, 2017. She was a resident of Piqua, OH.
Marvin Polson ’54, who died June 25, 2017. He was a resident of Perkins, OK.
William Quick, friend of United, who died Sept. 19, 2017. He was a resident of Durham, NC.
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.
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.
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. United will share service arrangements when they become available.
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