June - Free Methodist Church

2012 JUNE “STAYINGCONNECTED”Free MethodistChurch-USA ChaplainNewsltr Vol 27, Issue 5FOR Chaplains & all who pray for ChaplainsConnecting/Christ/family/church/peopleneedsEndorsing Agent Rex Carpenter 757-710-2717Page 1 June Thoughts & Chaplain Prayer listsPages 2-3 Featuring New ChaplainsPages 3-4 Remembering Ch Hoyt & Ch AnstedJune is a month that is appropriately dominatedwith thoughts of family: Father’s Day (17 th ), FlagDay (14 th ), some calendars include Children’sDay (10 th ); but June is the major month forweddings: 29 of our chaplains have familieswhich got their start in June! I have alwaysthought that Romans 15:5-6, though notspecifically addressing marriage, makes a fittingmarriage blessing/prayer. What say you? Thepassage goes, “May the God who givesendurance and encouragement give you a spiritof unity among yourselves as you follow Christ,so that with one heart and mouth you mayglorify the God and Father of our Lord JesusChrist.” June is also the month for our annualChaplain Professional Development Conf. June26-29, Tuesday evening through to breakfast onFriday morning. Pray that we 70 attenders atGlen Eyrie, CO (40 chaplains and 30 spouses) soserve and glorify the Father that the family ofour Lord Jesus Christ grows 100 fold!Prayers with Thanksgiving are encouragedfor all chaplains, pastors, and family members.This month we focus on Senior Care Center,Hospital, and Law Enforcement Chaplains.Senior Care Center Chaplains:Wes Dodge (ORE) Warm Beach Sr. Com. WALynn Huffman(TRC)Lilac Plz Ret. Ctr. SpokaneSam Shreffler (GEN) Heritage Group Gerry NYDoug Vogel(WAB)Townhouse Ret Ctr Ft WayneChris Wittenberg(NSC)Royalmanor Sr Care KYHospital Chaplains:Marilyn Bahena (SMI) Childrens Hos (ret April)Ron Baird (TRC) Holy Family Hsp Spokane WABen Belcher (PNW) Harrison Hp Bremerton WAEmitte Belgard (GUL) Ctr Louisiana State HospHarold Bishop (MAM) Deaconess Hosp OK CityPhil Cartrette (GUL) State Hosp Whitfield MSCheri Coleman (SCA) Methodist Hp Arcadia CAKate Dawes (ORE) Cascade Health Eugene ORDon Deighton(OHO) St Vincent Med Ctr ToledoDerin Fowler (NCC) Alexian Bros Med Ctr ILMary Laverne Jackson (SMI) Providence HospHoward Lehman (MAM) Deaconess Hp OK CityLarry Lyons(SMI) Mercy Mem. Hosp Monroe MIWes McIntyre (ORE) Tri-Cities Hospitals WAGilbert Palany (MAM) OK Univ Med Ctr OK CityMel Stevenson(EMI) Sparrow Hosp Lansing MIDwight Sweezy(ACT) Trenton Psychiatric HospLaw Enforcement Chaplains:Vivian Cook (WAB) IN State Police, EvansvilleJohn Harrell (NCC) IA State Police, Des MoinesBurton Kincaid (EMI) MI State Police, Bad AxeJohn Lefler (WAB) IN State Police, EvansvilleDave Nicholson (WAB) Noblesville IN PoliceChuck Roots (SoCAL) Ripon Police Dept, CALee Twombly (NSC) Shively KY Police & FireDeployed Military: Offutt AFB Wing ChaplainVic Toney deployed last month toa site in eastern Africa.Chaplain Toney is traveling toseveral sites encouraging troopsand their spiritual readiness.Other Prayer Requests:John Hoyt Sr. died at almost 90 of throatcancer and pneumonia, pray for his family- Gene Hall (will be 40 on July 15) is enduringmultiple treatments for leukemia- Chuck Roots, fighting prostate cancer at 63- Charles Mallory, preparing to deploy in Sept.with younger Ft Sam Houston troops at age 46

Andrew Douglas Mott is a21 year young member ingood standing with theGloversville NY FMC. Andy isneither clergy nor a memberof the New England Conf.,but he has love for God andpeople, a big heart, and heis eager to serve where ever Christ calls him. In spiteof his autism Andy is a National Honor Societymember, a graduate of Mayfield High School, and an"Eagle Scout" in the BSA. Chaplain Alan Witter wasAndy's pastor for nearly 10 years and mentored Andyin the Bible, FMC beliefs and missions, includingserving in the church as usher, board member,assisting in the food pantry, playing his trumpet forworship, and where ever needed. Pastor Witter alsomentored Andy for service and membership in theMayfield Volunteer Fire Department, first as avolunteer Firefighter and in the past two years astheir chaplain. Ch Andy Mott has won the confidenceand support of the people who know him best:Pastor/Supt. Wil Sharpe, Ch Witter, Mayfield FireDepartment Chief Chris Mraz, and RWC Assoc. VicePresident for Development Dr. Todd Daningburg.Supt Sharpe writes, "I have complete confidence inAndy as a credible and effective witness in ministryand his personal life." Ch Witter mentored/discipledAndy for nearly 10 years and states, "Andy's autismhas given him unique opportunities to witness toothers about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Ibelieve Andy will make an excellent chaplain and willadhere to the principles of our faith and represent theFree Methodist Church with enthusiasm, zeal, andeagerness." Daningburg has known Andy for fiveyears and served as his advisor for a specialcertificate program in fire safety, fire chaplaincy, andfire extinguisher maintenance. Todd writes thatbesides his gifts, passion, personality, & calling - "hehas a heart for God and for those who serve as firefighters and rescue personnel." Fire Chief Mrazaffirms "Andy has a special kind of openness totelling/teaching others about God. He has unwaveringfaith, respectful to everyone he meets, always readyto lend a helping hand, believes in the power ofprayer and prays for anyone, meets everyone with akind word and a friendly handshake, ... the MayfieldFire Dept. is proud to call him our Chaplain." ChAndy Mott was Certified by the FMC - USA as theChaplain for the Mayfield Volunteer Fire Dept on April19. Congratulations Ch Andy Mott !June 2012 Page 2Christopher T. Wittenberg (NSC) of WilmoreKY is a 2003 graduate ofAsbury Seminary and hasserved several years asPastor of Rest Homes,Conference AppointedVolunteer Staff at theWilmore FMC. Chris completed C.P.E. units atthe VA Medical Center and at St. Joseph'sHospital in Lexington KY; and he became a NSCElder in May of 2010. Chris served a coupledecades in the insurance industry; and he cameto faith in Christ about 10 years ago. He andwife Annette have five children, including a setof teenage triplets. Nicholasville Nursing Homeresidents tell Chris: "You are our Chaplain!"Wilmore FMC Sr. Pastor Daryl Diddle, ChaplainDr. Dean Cook, and Supt. Ron Balzar positivelysupport Chris' being FMC-USA Endorsed asRest Homes/Seniors Care Center Chaplain.I interviewed Chris in October of 2009 and againin October of 2011; he has a heart for ministryand a clear calling to serve in this capacity!Bishop David Kendall made his endorsementofficial on May 16. Congrats Chaplain W! andwelcome to the Chaplain Corps.James Neil Davis (EMI) ofPort Huron MI is seekingministry in both Hospital andHospice Chaplaincy. Neil is44, gratefully married to Kelli,and they have children Wesley,Naomi and Olivia. He is a 1998Biblical Literature(Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude) graduate of WesleyCollege, Florence MS; and a 2004 M. Div. graduate ofWesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson MS. Neil is an Elderin the EMI Conference (July 2011). He previously servedas an EMT in Mishawaka IN (1991-1995), a recruiter forWesley College (1998-2002), Interim Pastor for FaithMethodist Protestant Church, Jackson MS (2002-2003);Associate Pastor for Trinity Missionary Church of Yale MI(2004-2010). Neil subsequently transferred his 2001pastoral credentials from the Missionary Church to EMI in2010 and has served as Associate Pastor at Blue WaterFMC, Port Huron MI for the past two years, assisting Sr.Pastor Richard George. Special ministry areas of trainingand service include Mississippi State Hospital Pastoral

Care Intern, Sonlife Youth Ministries, community outreachtargeting “at-risk” youth, and visiting shut-ins. One of hisreferences states, “Neil is a superior preacher and teacher.He seems most energized when he touches lives and spiritsone on one. I have met few pastors who have so clearlyseemed qualified for the chaplaincy.” He is passionateabout the LORD and taking His love to people in need.FMC-USA endorsed him as Hospital and HospiceChaplain on May 25. Congratulations Ch Davis! Wewill pray for hospital or hospice employment soon.This is ChaplainsHoyt and Anstedjust 11 monthsago at our PDC inRochester NY.John iscongratulatingBud on his beinghonored with theChaplains Medallion. Both men gave several decades offaithful service after retiring from the military chaplaincy.This is John andConnie Hoyt intheir home,Greenacres FL inFebruary. Wehad a fun visitwith them –sharing stories,yogurt andchocolate chip cookies and prayer. John energetically toldstories of his chaplaincy and missions adventures.Little did we know how close he was to his heavenadventure. In May he was diagnosed with inoperableesophageal cancer. He died on June 2. Connie wasfaithfully at his side, as she has been for the last 66 years.Their faith in Christ and the good memories of John’sjourney with the LORD provide the Hoyt family with peaceand thanksgiving to our Savior. Obituary:John Henry Hoyt was born on the farm near St. Louis,MI on August 21, 1921 to Charles and Jennie Hoyt. Hewas one of six children. He attended Greenville College ILfrom 1940-1942 and was drafted into WW2 in August of1942. Released from the army as a Warrant Officer at theend of the war, he married his sweet heart, ConstanceKerns on February 2, 1946. To this union were born fivechildren: John Hoyt Jr. of Greenacres FL, Rebecca Hollandof Spokane WA, Jennie Lee Williams of Merritt Island FL,Connie Hoyt Buterbaugh of Columbus IN, and CharlesHoyt of Thomasville GA. They have also been blessed withtwelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.June 2012 Page 3John completed his studies at Greenville College,graduating in June of 1946. Pastored his first FreeMethodist Church in Belvidere IL for three years whileattending Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago, thumbinghis way to and from school with a group of friendly truckdrivers who declared that young preacher a pretty goodguy. Graduating from seminary in 1949, he pastored a FMchurch plant in Pontiac IL from summer of ’49 to ’51. Wascalled back into military service and transferred to the AirForce Chaplaincy. Served on active duty as an A.F.Chaplain from February ’51 to February -58 serving atLackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, Lowry AFB inDenver and three years in Oslo Norway at Allied “ForcesNorthern Europe and was released from active duty atShepherd AFB, Wichita Falls TX in February ’58 butremained in the Air Force Reserves ‘til military retirementat age 60, in 1981. John resumed pastoring in 1958in Florida, serving Churches in Lake Worth, Greenacres,West Palm Beach, and Kissimmee. New churches werebuilt at both West Palm Beach and Kissimmee during hispastorate there. After being retired, he and Connie went toAsunción, Paraguay and were part of the faculty at ACA(Asunción Christian Academy) for five years, returning toretirement in the states in 1997. John went to be withthe Lord on June 2, 2012 at the age of 90.Chaplain Colleagues: The Web Site for messages ofcondolence and support for the family of Chaplain JohnHoyt, Sr., retired Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) may beaccessed at Tillman Funeral Home West Palm Beach.John in his active AF days. Connie receiving theU S Flag Connie watching Flag folding ceremonyHonors and Taps rendered by USAF Honor Guard“Farewell faithful friend and honored Christ-server!”

June 2012 Page 4Obituary: Harry Burton Ansted, Ch (Col) USAF Ret (Bud)Bud went peacefully to his heavenly home on May 21from his apartment in Air Force Village West. He wassurrounded by his wife of 67 years, Lois, and his daughters.He leaves behind his son, Ronald (Angela) and daughtersJudith Gibson, Karen Coffman (Derrill) and Kathryn Long(Gary), four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.This is the chapel at Air Force Village West where theAnsteds and Myron and Ruby Henry worship andfellowship. Bud was chairman of the Chaplain Boardwhich raised the funds, developed the plans, and built thisfine chapel. Louise and I, along with Chaplain ChuckRoots and Isaura, attended Chaplain Ansted’s MemorialService. Bud had a part in every stained glass window andin all aspects of chapel construction and worship services.“Dear Friends - Rex and Louise. Thank you so very muchfor coming to Bud's service. It meant a lot to me and toRon, too. Will you please express to all the chaplains mythanks for the many cards and kind thoughts sent. I amdoing very well. I am experiencing the joy of the Lord thatis with me even through the sorrow. I love you so verymuch. LoisYou can send condolences to Bud's emailaddress anstedbud@yahoo.comor to: 17050 Arnold Drive F309 Riverside,CA 92518.This is the arrangement of flowers we sent to the servicefor Bud in CA, followed by the service for John in FL.Sent in behalf of all of our Free Methodist Chaplains.Bud was particularlypleased with this feature ofthe chapel which is usedfor bride and groompictures before and afterthe many weddingsconducted here. And sowe come full circle: thinking again about all the brides andgrooms in June – even as we anticipate the cosmic andeternal union and fellowship among Christians (as the brideof Christ) with the Bridegroom, our Savior!Bud was born in Jackson MIon Janurary 19, 1925. Hisfather, Harry , was abusinessman, educator andArmy Chaplain. He was thefirst president of SeoulNational University. Bud hadone sister, Eva Gilmartin,who preceded him in death.Bud graduated from SeattlePacific College and AsburyTheological Seminary in Wilmore KY. He pastored FreeMethodist Churches in Sumner and Spokane WA. In hisnearly 23 years as chaplain in the Air Force he wasstationed at Mather, Hill, Gunter, Griffiss, and Andrews AirForce Base, plus radar sites in Japan, Alaska & the Pacific.At the request of his church, Bud retired from the Air Forceto be the administator of Warm Beach Senior Community,where a new health care center was soon to be opened. Hetook advantage of the available land by adding a 40 spacemobile home park to the existing apartment and health carecomplex. He and Lois expanded the one day tour schedule,already in place, to trips of up to 3 weeks, with up to 50people participating.They retired from this challenging work to tour the countryin their motor home. Soontiring of this, Bud and Loisanswered the call of theirchurch to serve in Burundiin central Africa to givesupport to missionariesserving there. They laterwent to Zaire in this samecapacity and then toMalawi. Bud’s final fieldof service was as Endorsing Agent for all chaplains of theFree Methodist Church . In “retirement” he served aschairman of the AFVW Protestant Chapel Board ofDirectors and enjoyed leading the singing and preachingoccasionally.Lois and Bud at our PDC Retreat at RWC “banquet night”“Farewell faithful friend & honored Christ-server!”