Greetings friends of the class of '62!  I cannot believe that 50 years have passed so-o-o quickly! These years have taken me many places and I have been richly blessed.  

 

Following high school I attended Kansas Wesleyan University and was graduated in 1966 with a BA in Religion/Philosophy and minor in English.  I sang in the concert choir, edited the 1964 yearbook, and was the chaplain for my dormitory, leading a memorial service the evening of the death of President Kennedy.  I also led a civil rights march made up of college and community members supported by the college Methodist Student Movement. 



I went on to attend 

Garrett Theological Seminary for a year, and then to the University of Oklahoma where I earned a M.Ed, in Student Personnel and Guidance. 

 In 1969 I began my life in New England when I entered Boston University School of Theology and with credits from Garrett I was graduated in 1972 with a Master of Theology.  I was encouraged to seek ordination by the senior pastor of the church where I had supervised field education.  I subsequently felt a personal "call" to seek ordination and was ordained a Deacon in 1971 and Elder in 1973 in what was then the New Hampshire Conference of the United Methodist Church.  I was born-anew in Christ in 1977 and I 'love to tell the story of Jesus and his Love', and the transformation that occurred in my life and ministry.



In the years that followed I served 10 churches in 7 appointments in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I served one of my 2-point charges twice.  My longest pastorate was 9 years with a 3-point charge in the North Country of New Hampshire. 

I met my husband-to-be when I was the pastor of Harbor UMC in Scituate, MA. John and I were married in August of 2000, and so we will celebrate our 12th Anniversary when we see you! I am very blessed to have 2 wonderful step-sons and daughters-in-law; 3 step-grandchildren and 1 step great-grand son! 

I retired from the active minstry in 2005. 



My mother lived with us for a total of 2 years and in the last few days of her life she had hospice care and was assisted by a wonderful team.  I was very inspired by her aide and later attended the Red Cross program for training, was graduated in January 2007, was licensed and served clients in home health care through 2008. In January 2009 I was approached by the agency's Hospice director about becoming a chaplain for the department. It is a "call" I  pursued with gratitude for 3-1/2 years and I retired at the end of June.  



John and I began a new ministry together 5 years ago when I was asked to do a special program for the church we attend.  The first-person interpretation is called "Her Heart Can See," and is a portrayal of Fannie Crosby, the beloved 19th and early 20th century poet, teacher, hymn writer, and humanitarian who was blind from six-weeks of age. Several of her hymns are sung during the program.  I portray "Miss Fanny" as herself and John is the narrator.

Many of you will recognize her hymns: "Blessed Assurance," "Near the Cross," "To God Be the Glory," and "Rescue the Perishing," to mention only a few of the 8,000+ hymns she has to her credit.  We have traveled throughout New England and have also presented at the Bowery Mission in New York City and the 2011 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire. We are in the process of developing our calendar for 2012 which will include a portrayal at Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church in Wheat Ridge on August 19! (Also our anniversary!)  

 

John and I certainly look forward to being with you and we thank the committee for all their efforts wonderful efforts in planning the reunion!  I was very touched to read the bios. I remember many of you very fondly and will pray for those who are ill or unable to attend and for the families of our classmates who have died.  May God's peace be with you. 



Just a note: The "now" picture is a "formal" one of me as "Miss Fanny."