Brad Kalajainen joined us for his first season as Director of Spiritual Life in June of 2021. Previously, Brad was the founding and lead pastor of Cornerstone UMC in Grand Rapids, MI. Cornerstone began as a church plant in 1990 in the Michigan Conference of the UMC and has experienced continual growth over 29 years as they pursue the mission of “Helping people know Jesus and make him known.” He is a recipient of the distinguished Denman Award for evangelism from the Michigan Conference. Under his leadership, Cornerstone UMC has grown from 25 core attendees in 1990 to more than 2,500 weekly attendees who worship across three campuses.
He has emphasized children and youth ministries, attracting many young families along the way. Brad’s passion is helping churches recover their vision and effectiveness. He has taught extensively on small groups, preaching, staff development, and more. Brad coaches, consults in areas of new church planting and church revitalization, leadership, growth, and related topics. Brad has been married to Colleen for 40 years. They have two grown children, Kaylee and Ben, one son-in-law Mitch, and two grandchildren, Avery Joy & Maddox.
June 2, 2024: Pastor Betsy Marvin
Senior Director of Discipleship
Cornerstone Church, Caledonia, MI
Methodist
Betsy Marvin is a speaker, coach, podcaster, and the Senior Director of Discipleship for Cornerstone Church in Caledonia, MI. With over 30 years of experience, Betsy has a passion to teach God’s Word, empower others to discover their unique identity in Christ, and live into the freedom He brings.
Betsy has always had a love of students and with a BA in Education, she spent 9 years in the middle school classroom before going into ministry. Once at Cornerstone, Betsy spent 23 years in student and family ministry earning her Masters in Ministry along the way. They were years spent on mission trips, retreats, discipling, writing curriculum, speaking, and seeking to wholeheartedly love students. Currently, Betsy oversees the Discipleship Team at Cornerstone which includes all adult ministries such as classes, small groups, support groups, marriage, and care/prayer.
Along with ministry, Betsy enjoys speaking, coaching, and writing. She has served in various places as a guest speaker, retreat leader, workshop leader and more. Betsy is a certified trainer for Homeword Ministries speaking on family and marriage.
A couple years ago, Betsy started a podcast called Moments to Ponder. It can be found on most podcast platforms and is designed to help listeners spend a few moments in God’s Word wherever they are and take away something to ponder.
As a certified youth ministry and life coach, Betsy coaches women, in a cohort setting, with a focus on wholeness in their lives and youth workers on strategy and health within their ministries. Finally, as a writer, Betsy has a Substack entitled Teach.Lead.Love. (A substack is like a subscription newsletter).
Betsy met Bill as a camp counselor in Rockford, MI and they’ve been married for over 36 years. Bill has served in youth ministry off and on over the years, and currently they serve together in the young adult ministry at Cornerstone. They also enjoy mentoring engaged couples as marriage mentors. Bill and Betsy have two adult children who live in the area and a son-in-law joining the family in late March. They are enjoying the world of empty nesting, traveling with their kids, and laughing through game nights!
June 9, 2024: Rev. Dr. Winn Collier
Director
The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination, Holland, MI
Episcopalian
Winn Collier, a pastor for 28 years, was the founding pastor of All Souls in Charlottesville, Virginia. Winn now teaches pastoral theology and directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. An Episcopal priest, Winn holds a PhD. in Religion & Literature from the University of Virginia, where he explored the sacramental vision of Wendell Berry’s fiction.
Winn has written five books (most recently the epistolary novel, Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Smalltown Church and A Burning in My Bones, the biography of Eugene Peterson) and for numerous periodicals, including Christian Century, Christianity Today, and the Washington Post. Winn and his wife, Miska, (a spiritual director and yoga teacher) have two college-age sons and a rollicking dog, Gus, (short for St. Augustine).
June 16, 2024: Rev. Jon Brown
Lead Pastor
Pillar Church, Holland, MI
Reformed Church in America (RCA) / Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC)
Jonathon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, MI. After a long history marked by division (specifically between the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC)), Pillar reestablished itself in 2012 as a dual-affiliated congregation of both denominations. Jon’s heart for reconciliation beats with Pillar’s heart in this way.
Jon loves preaching (recently publishing a book on the matter – “Missional Preaching with a Missionary Congregation: the Word in Worship for the World”) and walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He encourages and invites people to follow Jesus in community on mission.
Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of 4 daughters: Lydia, Tabitha, Miriah, and Ava. He enjoys reading, running, golfing, watching college football, and having fun with his family. He has been the keynote speaker at a number of events including, The Nicaraguan Pastors Conference of the Moravian Church, The Cascades Family Bible Camp, Maranatha Christian Camp, and many events at Hope College. He also occasionally teaches preaching courses at Western Theological Seminary. He completed a Doctoral degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland.
Urging the church forward to participate in the mission of Christ in the world is where Jon finds the deepest joy and greatest sense of purpose.
June 23, 2024: Rev. Amy Triebwasser
Senior Pastor
First United Methodist Church Saline, Saline, MI
Methodist
Reverend Amy Triebwasser is a fourth career pastor who was not raised in a Christian family, but always felt the call of God in her life. She began attending a UMC in high school with her then boyfriend and now husband of 37 years, Eric. Baptized at the age of 19, Amy fell in love with not only Jesus but also the church as a collection of people seeking to love God and others well.
After teaching elementary school for 6 years, she stayed home and served as a church volunteer while her children were young. After relocating 9 times with her husband’s job all over the country, they settled back in Michigan where she worked as the Director of Christian Education at Plymouth First UMC.
Finally acknowledging a call to pastoral ministry, Amy began pastoring and attending the Methodist Theological School in Ohio in 2017. She graduated in December of 2019 with an MDiv while earning the Ronald L Williams Book Prize in Theology and Ethics which is awarded to a student with extraordinary potential in theological and ethical studies and reflection. She also received the David Wilcox Leadership Award which is awarded to a student with characteristics of servant-leadership within the MTSO community and in church ministry that shows promise to become a leader in judicatory Connections.
Rev. Amy is happily serving in her third appointment at First UMC Saline. She is very active in serving Emmaus of Southeast Michigan. Rev. Amy is busy as a mentor to young clergy and engaging in outreach ministries such as Pub Theology and Out of Office Hours in a coffee shop. One of her passions is helping people use their gifts in ministry with those who are struggling such as those experiencing homelessness in downtown Detroit.
MEMORIAL SUNDAY
June 30, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Epworth Heights, Ludington, MI
Methodist
This Sunday is dedicated to those members of the Epworth Family who have passed away during the preceding year.
EPWORTH LEAGUE SUNDAY
July 7, 2024: Rev. C.E. “Smoke” Kanipe Jr.
Senior Minister
Shandon United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC
Methodist
The Rev. C. E. “Smoke” Kanipe grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His father, Clarence Earl Kanipe, Sr. was nicknamed “Smokey,” so family and friends passed the nickname on to Smoke, Jr.
As a child, the two things young Smoke wanted to be when he grew up were the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys or a pastor. Some things are not meant to be, and the football career was short-lived. So pastor it was. He graduated from Duke University and Duke Divinity School. And for the last 38 years he’s been living out his childhood dream of being a pastor.
After graduating from seminary, he served as a minister in the Dome Mission Circuit of the British Methodist Church in Brighton, England, as well as a part-time campus minister at the University of Sussex.
After returning to South Carolina, he has served as a United Methodist pastor in Greenville, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, Mauldin, and Columbia. He has served as the senior pastor of Shandon United Methodist Church in Columbia since 2016.
Some of the highlights of his ministry include starting a new congregation in Simpsonville, SC (Advent UMC) and being selected to participate in the 2004-07 Pastor-Theologian program run by the Center for Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey.
Smoke’s wife, Sue, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She is a nurse practitioner and guardian ad litem. For fun they enjoy travelling, hiking, concerts, and watching sports (including a 2021 trip to Lambeau Field to see the Packers). They have two grown children, Hannah and Nicholas.
This Sunday is dedicated to the people who acted as Founders of Epworth Heights in 1894. Their foresight in establishing this Methodist retreat has provided a Christian community that offers a tranquil atmosphere, warm fellowship, Christian programs and activities for all ages, and regular Church services each Sunday. Here one is surrounded by the beauty God has created for all. It is a place that offers a legacy which has lasted for 129 years and on this Sunday we extend our thanks and gratitude in memory of these Founders of Epworth.
July 14, 2024: Rev. Alf Halvorson
Senior Pastor
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Presbyterian
Dr. Halvorson joined the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in August 2015. He graduated from Luther College with a BA, then went on to receive his Master of Divinity (1990) and Master of Theology (1991) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (2011). Since his ordination, Alf has served three churches, most recently as Senior Pastor & Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Alf (rhymes with golf) was raised in Minnesota, but spent part of his youth in Nevada, Missouri, where he met his wife, Shari, a community health nurse. They have two children, Matt and Kristen.
July 21, 2024: Rev. Jim Preisig
Former Lead Pastor
Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church, Lee’s Summit, MO
Methodist
Jim Preisig was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, so he is well familiar with the splendid weather of the north country, even though he now lives in the heart of America. Jim graduated from Lawrence University in two and half years, with honors and was named to Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from Yale University with honors, with a Master’s degree in Divinity and a private pilot’s license.
He served three United Methodist Churches in Wisconsin for 19 years prior to being invited to be Lead Pastor at The Summit Church (Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church) where he served for the past 21 years, during which time the church grew to be among the largest in the Mid-West. He retired in June 2023.
Jim is married to the love of his life, MaryAnn Preisig, a doctor of physical therapy. They are proud parents of two adult children, and adoring grandparents of Jackson, their only grandchild. Among a variety of pursuits, Jim is a passionate fly fisherman and upland bird hunter. His faithful companion afield is Gracie, a lovable pointing lab.
LARRY SAKSA MEMORIAL SUNDAY
July 28, 2024: Mike Kinnebrew
Youth Minister
Vineville United Methodist Church, Macon, GA
Methodist
Life didn’t turn out quite like Mike Kinnebrew expected when he accepted a position as the music director at Vineville Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia 18 years ago. Within 6 months he was also overseeing the church’s Youth ministry comprised of about 12 teenagers. Today over 120 students from inside and outside of the church call Vineville Youth their home.
A gifted songwriter and storyteller, Mike found that his passion for connecting with people extended to preaching and teaching the Scriptures. “Whether I’m singing a song I wrote, or teaching the Bible, I exist for God — to do what he has gifted me to do in such a way as to shine a light back on Him for others to see.” In addition to teaching and coordinating Vineville’s vibrant Youth ministry, Mike is also the worship leader for the church’s Modern Worship service. “Having a church home that encourages me to do all the things I’m passionate about, from singing to teaching to discipling, is a dream. I don’t deserve it, but I sure am grateful for it.”
Mike is a graduate of Luther Rice University and lives in the little community of Bolingbroke, GA with his wife Lindsay and two children, Emma (14) and Turner (12).
This Sunday is dedicated to Larry Saksa. He was a leader and an integral part of the Epworth Activities program for over 28 years. As a West Point graduate, Young Life volunteer, a school counselor and coach, he positively impacted countless lives, especially young people at Epworth. Larry lived to the fullest, loved to the fullest, was a leader, a man of character, and a role model to many. Among his most significant contributions to the Epworth family was “Pizza With Larry”, a Sunday evening activity filled with fun, food, and fellowship for youth, during which Larry not only shared the gospel in an unassuming manner, but also demonstrated through his life, love, actions, and words that we are all valued and that each one of us has a place with our heavenly Father. His spirit was gentle, because his strength was in the Lord.
HOOVER RUPERT MEMORIAL SUNDAY
August 4, 2024: Rev. Dr. Adam Webber
Pastor
Open Prairie United Church of Christ, Princeton, IL
United Church of Christ
When the Rev. Dr. Adam Brooks Webber was a boy, he couldn’t wait to grow up so that he could A) move away from small-town Illinois, and B) stop going to church. Consequently, he is now a pastor in a small town in Illinois! Adam is a graduate of Dartmouth College (B.A.), Cornell University (M.S., Ph.D.), and the Earlham School of Religion (M.Div.). In a former career, he was a professor of computer science, with a variety of scientific publications including two textbooks.
He taught at Western Illinois University, the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, and Monmouth College. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2012, and served for five years as the pastor of the Clare Congregational UCC in Clare, Michigan. He returned to Princeton, Illinois in 2017, and has served there ever since as the pastor of the Open Prairie UCC.
Adam’s religious publications include The Inn of God’s Forgiveness, 2014; My Burden Is Light: A Pastor’s Plea for Rationality, Honesty, and Humility, 2023; and several dozen new hymns. As a songwriter and performer, Adam has released two CDs of original music: Smackdown in 2008, and As a Deer Longs in 2012. He is also the author of a trilogy of interfaith fantasy romance novels: The Pastor and the Priestess, Storms Over Corwin, and Wolf at the Door. Many of his hymns, songs, poems, essays, and other writings are available on his site at adambrookswebber.com, where he offers a musical video blog, The Merry Mystic.
Adam is also a dedicated student of a traditional martial art, Karatedo Doshinkan, where he holds a title degree (Renshi) and a 6th degree black belt. Adam and his wife, Kelly Autrey-Webber, were high school sweethearts in Princeton; they have been married for 39 years. Kelly’s late parents, Harold (Hal) Autrey and Margaret Autrey, were formerly the owners of Edgehill cottage, and Kelly and Adam, in their younger days, spent many happy summer vacations at Epworth. Their daughter Fern is currently serving in the US Coast Guard, stationed on Cape Cod; their son Fox is at Columbia College in Chicago, studying theater and film and specializing in stage combat.
This Sunday is dedicated to Hoover Rupert. Dr. Rupert first preached at Epworth in 1953 and preached well over one hundred sermons here during his life. He was the Senior Pastor in Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He retired from the active ministry in 1983 and was Epworth Chaplain for 14 years. He authored 20 books (three written at Epworth) and over 2,000 magazine articles. He earned a B.A. Degree from Baker University and a M.A. and MDiv. From Boston University. In addition, he was awarded four honorary degrees. He lived in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he passed away on October 4, 2012. He was married to Hazel for 63 years and is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Wright and Susan Newbry.
August 11, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Epworth Heights, Ludington, MI
Methodist
August 18, 2024: Revs. Aaron and Judith Fulp-Eickstaedt
Senior Pastor
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, McLean, VA
Pastor
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA
Presbyterian
Rev. Judith and Rev. Aaron Fulp-Eickstaedt met at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. Both Presbyterian (P.C.U.S.A.) pastors, they were married in 1990 and ordained in 1992. Since that time, they have served churches in upstate New York (West Glens Falls and Warrensburg), North Carolina (where they were co-pastors at a church in Statesville), and northern Virginia. For the past 19 years, Aaron has been the Senior Pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA and Judith has been Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA. Both congregations are known for their community involvement, local and global mission, and emphasis on education.
Rev. Aaron spent his elementary school years in a suburb of Chicago (where he became a life-long Cubs fan), then moved to the Houston area. He received a B.A. in Psychology from Austin College in Sherman, TX before he went on to seminary. Rev. Judith grew up in Statesville, NC. She received a B.A. in Music from Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, NC. She worked for four years as a director of youth, music, and Christian education before going on to her theological education.
Both Aaron and Judith love to read. They enjoy word games and play the NYT Wordle, Spelling Bee, Crossword, and Connections daily. In the summer of 2015, Aaron and Judith (together with their daughters Rebecca and Martie), walked the 800 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago. Aaron’s blog on the experience, This Pilgrim Way, reached a readership of over 2,000 people. That pilgrimage, and one to the Holy Land in January of 2006, had a profound and lasting impact on Aaron and Judith, as did a sabbatical journey they took across the U.S. last summer which took them to a host of national parks. In addition to their two grown daughters, Aaron and Judith have three cats.
August 25, 2024: Rev. David Milroy
Lead Pastor
New Albany Presbyterian Church, New Albany, OH
Presbyterian
Pastor David has been married to his wife Lia for 27 years, and they have four children and a brand new daughter-in-law – Hunter (married to Grace in July), Isabella, Katherine and Annie. He has been the lead pastor of New Albany Presbyterian Church for 20 years, since he graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary. He owns a dog named Calvin, a couple cats, and is hopeful that these will be the very last pets he is conned into paying for.
David enjoys reading Reformed theology, classic novels, hobbit novels, Dostoyevsky novels, and elevenwarriors.com. He also enjoys bourbon and cycling (but not at the same time). He is exceedingly glad that Jesus is King over all things, which gives ample reason for joy in the manner GK Chesterton described: “Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial. Melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul. Pessimism is at best an emotional half-holiday; joy is the uproarious labour by which all things live.”
September 1, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Ludington, MI
Methodist
Sponsored in part by the Bishop Emerson and Jane Colaw Lectures and by your generous contributions to the Worship program.
2024 Visiting Ministers
May 26, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Ludington, MI
Methodist
Brad Kalajainen joined us for his first season as Director of Spiritual Life in June of 2021. Previously, Brad was the founding and lead pastor of Cornerstone UMC in Grand Rapids, MI. Cornerstone began as a church plant in 1990 in the Michigan Conference of the UMC and has experienced continual growth over 29 years as they pursue the mission of “Helping people know Jesus and make him known.” He is a recipient of the distinguished Denman Award for evangelism from the Michigan Conference. Under his leadership, Cornerstone UMC has grown from 25 core attendees in 1990 to more than 2,500 weekly attendees who worship across three campuses.
He has emphasized children and youth ministries, attracting many young families along the way. Brad’s passion is helping churches recover their vision and effectiveness. He has taught extensively on small groups, preaching, staff development, and more. Brad coaches, consults in areas of new church planting and church revitalization, leadership, growth, and related topics. Brad has been married to Colleen for 40 years. They have two grown children, Kaylee and Ben, one son-in-law Mitch, and two grandchildren, Avery Joy & Maddox.
June 2, 2024: Pastor Betsy Marvin
Senior Director of Discipleship
Cornerstone Church, Caledonia, MI
Methodist
Betsy Marvin is a speaker, coach, podcaster, and the Senior Director of Discipleship for Cornerstone Church in Caledonia, MI. With over 30 years of experience, Betsy has a passion to teach God’s Word, empower others to discover their unique identity in Christ, and live into the freedom He brings.
Betsy has always had a love of students and with a BA in Education, she spent 9 years in the middle school classroom before going into ministry. Once at Cornerstone, Betsy spent 23 years in student and family ministry earning her Masters in Ministry along the way. They were years spent on mission trips, retreats, discipling, writing curriculum, speaking, and seeking to wholeheartedly love students. Currently, Betsy oversees the Discipleship Team at Cornerstone which includes all adult ministries such as classes, small groups, support groups, marriage, and care/prayer.
Along with ministry, Betsy enjoys speaking, coaching, and writing. She has served in various places as a guest speaker, retreat leader, workshop leader and more. Betsy is a certified trainer for Homeword Ministries speaking on family and marriage.
A couple years ago, Betsy started a podcast called Moments to Ponder. It can be found on most podcast platforms and is designed to help listeners spend a few moments in God’s Word wherever they are and take away something to ponder.
As a certified youth ministry and life coach, Betsy coaches women, in a cohort setting, with a focus on wholeness in their lives and youth workers on strategy and health within their ministries. Finally, as a writer, Betsy has a Substack entitled Teach.Lead.Love. (A substack is like a subscription newsletter).
Betsy met Bill as a camp counselor in Rockford, MI and they’ve been married for over 36 years. Bill has served in youth ministry off and on over the years, and currently they serve together in the young adult ministry at Cornerstone. They also enjoy mentoring engaged couples as marriage mentors. Bill and Betsy have two adult children who live in the area and a son-in-law joining the family in late March. They are enjoying the world of empty nesting, traveling with their kids, and laughing through game nights!
June 9, 2024: Rev. Dr. Winn Collier
Director
The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination, Holland, MI
Episcopalian
Winn Collier, a pastor for 28 years, was the founding pastor of All Souls in Charlottesville, Virginia. Winn now teaches pastoral theology and directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. An Episcopal priest, Winn holds a PhD. in Religion & Literature from the University of Virginia, where he explored the sacramental vision of Wendell Berry’s fiction.
Winn has written five books (most recently the epistolary novel, Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Smalltown Church and A Burning in My Bones, the biography of Eugene Peterson) and for numerous periodicals, including Christian Century, Christianity Today, and the Washington Post. Winn and his wife, Miska, (a spiritual director and yoga teacher) have two college-age sons and a rollicking dog, Gus, (short for St. Augustine).
June 16, 2024: Rev. Jon Brown
Lead Pastor
Pillar Church, Holland, MI
Reformed Church in America (RCA) / Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC)
Jonathon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, MI. After a long history marked by division (specifically between the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC)), Pillar reestablished itself in 2012 as a dual-affiliated congregation of both denominations. Jon’s heart for reconciliation beats with Pillar’s heart in this way.
Jon loves preaching (recently publishing a book on the matter – “Missional Preaching with a Missionary Congregation: the Word in Worship for the World”) and walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He encourages and invites people to follow Jesus in community on mission.
Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of 4 daughters: Lydia, Tabitha, Miriah, and Ava. He enjoys reading, running, golfing, watching college football, and having fun with his family. He has been the keynote speaker at a number of events including, The Nicaraguan Pastors Conference of the Moravian Church, The Cascades Family Bible Camp, Maranatha Christian Camp, and many events at Hope College. He also occasionally teaches preaching courses at Western Theological Seminary. He completed a Doctoral degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland.
Urging the church forward to participate in the mission of Christ in the world is where Jon finds the deepest joy and greatest sense of purpose.
June 23, 2024: Rev. Amy Triebwasser
Senior Pastor
First United Methodist Church Saline, Saline, MI
Methodist
Reverend Amy Triebwasser is a fourth career pastor who was not raised in a Christian family, but always felt the call of God in her life. She began attending a UMC in high school with her then boyfriend and now husband of 37 years, Eric. Baptized at the age of 19, Amy fell in love with not only Jesus but also the church as a collection of people seeking to love God and others well.
After teaching elementary school for 6 years, she stayed home and served as a church volunteer while her children were young. After relocating 9 times with her husband’s job all over the country, they settled back in Michigan where she worked as the Director of Christian Education at Plymouth First UMC.
Finally acknowledging a call to pastoral ministry, Amy began pastoring and attending the Methodist Theological School in Ohio in 2017. She graduated in December of 2019 with an MDiv while earning the Ronald L Williams Book Prize in Theology and Ethics which is awarded to a student with extraordinary potential in theological and ethical studies and reflection. She also received the David Wilcox Leadership Award which is awarded to a student with characteristics of servant-leadership within the MTSO community and in church ministry that shows promise to become a leader in judicatory Connections.
Rev. Amy is happily serving in her third appointment at First UMC Saline. She is very active in serving Emmaus of Southeast Michigan. Rev. Amy is busy as a mentor to young clergy and engaging in outreach ministries such as Pub Theology and Out of Office Hours in a coffee shop. One of her passions is helping people use their gifts in ministry with those who are struggling such as those experiencing homelessness in downtown Detroit.
MEMORIAL SUNDAY
June 30, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Epworth Heights, Ludington, MI
Methodist
This Sunday is dedicated to those members of the Epworth Family who have passed away during the preceding year.
EPWORTH LEAGUE SUNDAY
July 7, 2024: Rev. C.E. “Smoke” Kanipe Jr.
Senior Minister
Shandon United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC
Methodist
The Rev. C. E. “Smoke” Kanipe grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His father, Clarence Earl Kanipe, Sr. was nicknamed “Smokey,” so family and friends passed the nickname on to Smoke, Jr.
As a child, the two things young Smoke wanted to be when he grew up were the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys or a pastor. Some things are not meant to be, and the football career was short-lived. So pastor it was. He graduated from Duke University and Duke Divinity School. And for the last 38 years he’s been living out his childhood dream of being a pastor.
After graduating from seminary, he served as a minister in the Dome Mission Circuit of the British Methodist Church in Brighton, England, as well as a part-time campus minister at the University of Sussex.
After returning to South Carolina, he has served as a United Methodist pastor in Greenville, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, Mauldin, and Columbia. He has served as the senior pastor of Shandon United Methodist Church in Columbia since 2016.
Some of the highlights of his ministry include starting a new congregation in Simpsonville, SC (Advent UMC) and being selected to participate in the 2004-07 Pastor-Theologian program run by the Center for Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey.
Smoke’s wife, Sue, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She is a nurse practitioner and guardian ad litem. For fun they enjoy travelling, hiking, concerts, and watching sports (including a 2021 trip to Lambeau Field to see the Packers). They have two grown children, Hannah and Nicholas.
This Sunday is dedicated to the people who acted as Founders of Epworth Heights in 1894. Their foresight in establishing this Methodist retreat has provided a Christian community that offers a tranquil atmosphere, warm fellowship, Christian programs and activities for all ages, and regular Church services each Sunday. Here one is surrounded by the beauty God has created for all. It is a place that offers a legacy which has lasted for 129 years and on this Sunday we extend our thanks and gratitude in memory of these Founders of Epworth.
July 14, 2024: Rev. Alf Halvorson
Senior Pastor
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Presbyterian
Dr. Halvorson joined the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in August 2015. He graduated from Luther College with a BA, then went on to receive his Master of Divinity (1990) and Master of Theology (1991) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (2011). Since his ordination, Alf has served three churches, most recently as Senior Pastor & Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Alf (rhymes with golf) was raised in Minnesota, but spent part of his youth in Nevada, Missouri, where he met his wife, Shari, a community health nurse. They have two children, Matt and Kristen.
July 21, 2024: Rev. Jim Preisig
Former Lead Pastor
Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church, Lee’s Summit, MO
Methodist
Jim Preisig was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, so he is well familiar with the splendid weather of the north country, even though he now lives in the heart of America. Jim graduated from Lawrence University in two and half years, with honors and was named to Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from Yale University with honors, with a Master’s degree in Divinity and a private pilot’s license.
He served three United Methodist Churches in Wisconsin for 19 years prior to being invited to be Lead Pastor at The Summit Church (Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church) where he served for the past 21 years, during which time the church grew to be among the largest in the Mid-West. He retired in June 2023.
Jim is married to the love of his life, MaryAnn Preisig, a doctor of physical therapy. They are proud parents of two adult children, and adoring grandparents of Jackson, their only grandchild. Among a variety of pursuits, Jim is a passionate fly fisherman and upland bird hunter. His faithful companion afield is Gracie, a lovable pointing lab.
LARRY SAKSA MEMORIAL SUNDAY
July 28, 2024: Mike Kinnebrew
Youth Minister
Vineville United Methodist Church, Macon, GA
Methodist
Life didn’t turn out quite like Mike Kinnebrew expected when he accepted a position as the music director at Vineville Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia 18 years ago. Within 6 months he was also overseeing the church’s Youth ministry comprised of about 12 teenagers. Today over 120 students from inside and outside of the church call Vineville Youth their home.
A gifted songwriter and storyteller, Mike found that his passion for connecting with people extended to preaching and teaching the Scriptures. “Whether I’m singing a song I wrote, or teaching the Bible, I exist for God — to do what he has gifted me to do in such a way as to shine a light back on Him for others to see.” In addition to teaching and coordinating Vineville’s vibrant Youth ministry, Mike is also the worship leader for the church’s Modern Worship service. “Having a church home that encourages me to do all the things I’m passionate about, from singing to teaching to discipling, is a dream. I don’t deserve it, but I sure am grateful for it.”
Mike is a graduate of Luther Rice University and lives in the little community of Bolingbroke, GA with his wife Lindsay and two children, Emma (14) and Turner (12).
This Sunday is dedicated to Larry Saksa. He was a leader and an integral part of the Epworth Activities
program for over 28 years. As a West Point graduate, Young Life volunteer, a school counselor and coach, he positively impacted countless lives, especially young people at Epworth. Larry lived to the fullest, loved to the fullest, was a leader, a man of character, and a role model to many. Among his most significant contributions to the Epworth family was “Pizza With Larry”, a Sunday evening activity filled with fun, food, and fellowship for youth, during which Larry not only shared the gospel in an unassuming manner, but also demonstrated through his life, love, actions, and words that we are all valued and that each one of us has a place with our heavenly Father. His spirit was gentle, because his strength was in the Lord.
HOOVER RUPERT MEMORIAL SUNDAY
August 4, 2024: Rev. Dr. Adam Webber
Pastor
Open Prairie United Church of Christ, Princeton, IL
United Church of Christ
When the Rev. Dr. Adam Brooks Webber was a boy, he couldn’t wait to grow up so that he could A) move away from small-town Illinois, and B) stop going to church. Consequently, he is now a pastor in a small town in Illinois! Adam is a graduate of Dartmouth College (B.A.), Cornell University (M.S., Ph.D.), and the Earlham School of Religion (M.Div.). In a former career, he was a professor of computer science, with a variety of scientific publications including two textbooks.
He taught at Western Illinois University, the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, and Monmouth College. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2012, and served for five years as the pastor of the Clare Congregational UCC in Clare, Michigan. He returned to Princeton, Illinois in 2017, and has served there ever since as the pastor of the Open Prairie UCC.
Adam’s religious publications include The Inn of God’s Forgiveness, 2014; My Burden Is Light: A Pastor’s Plea for Rationality, Honesty, and Humility, 2023; and several dozen new hymns. As a songwriter and performer, Adam has released two CDs of original music: Smackdown in 2008, and As a Deer Longs in 2012. He is also the author of a trilogy of interfaith fantasy romance novels: The Pastor and the Priestess, Storms Over Corwin, and Wolf at the Door. Many of his hymns, songs, poems, essays, and other writings are available on his site at adambrookswebber.com, where he offers a musical video blog, The Merry Mystic.
Adam is also a dedicated student of a traditional martial art, Karatedo Doshinkan, where he holds a title degree (Renshi) and a 6th degree black belt. Adam and his wife, Kelly Autrey-Webber, were high school sweethearts in Princeton; they have been married for 39 years. Kelly’s late parents, Harold (Hal) Autrey and Margaret Autrey, were formerly the owners of Edgehill cottage, and Kelly and Adam, in their younger days, spent many happy summer vacations at Epworth. Their daughter Fern is currently serving in the US Coast Guard, stationed on Cape Cod; their son Fox is at Columbia College in Chicago, studying theater and film and specializing in stage combat.
This Sunday is dedicated to Hoover Rupert. Dr. Rupert first preached at Epworth in 1953 and preached well over one hundred sermons here during his life. He was the Senior Pastor in Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He retired from the active ministry in 1983 and was Epworth Chaplain for 14 years. He authored 20 books (three written at Epworth) and over 2,000 magazine articles. He earned a B.A. Degree from Baker University and a M.A. and MDiv. From Boston University. In addition, he was awarded four honorary degrees. He lived in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he passed away on October 4, 2012. He was married to Hazel for 63 years and is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Wright and Susan Newbry.
August 11, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Epworth Heights, Ludington, MI
Methodist
August 18, 2024: Revs. Aaron and Judith Fulp-Eickstaedt
Senior Pastor
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, McLean, VA
Pastor
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA
Presbyterian
Rev. Judith and Rev. Aaron Fulp-Eickstaedt met at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. Both Presbyterian (P.C.U.S.A.) pastors, they were married in 1990 and ordained in 1992. Since that time, they have served churches in upstate New York (West Glens Falls and Warrensburg), North Carolina (where they were co-pastors at a church in Statesville), and northern Virginia. For the past 19 years, Aaron has been the Senior Pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA and Judith has been Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA. Both congregations are known for their community involvement, local and global mission, and emphasis on education.
Rev. Aaron spent his elementary school years in a suburb of Chicago (where he became a life-long Cubs fan), then moved to the Houston area. He received a B.A. in Psychology from Austin College in Sherman, TX before he went on to seminary. Rev. Judith grew up in Statesville, NC. She received a B.A. in Music from Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, NC. She worked for four years as a director of youth, music, and Christian education before going on to her theological education.
Both Aaron and Judith love to read. They enjoy word games and play the NYT Wordle, Spelling Bee, Crossword, and Connections daily. In the summer of 2015, Aaron and Judith (together with their daughters Rebecca and Martie), walked the 800 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago. Aaron’s blog on the experience, This Pilgrim Way, reached a readership of over 2,000 people. That pilgrimage, and one to the Holy Land in January of 2006, had a profound and lasting impact on Aaron and Judith, as did a sabbatical journey they took across the U.S. last summer which took them to a host of national parks. In addition to their two grown daughters, Aaron and Judith have three cats.
August 25, 2024: Rev. David Milroy
Lead Pastor
New Albany Presbyterian Church, New Albany, OH
Presbyterian
Pastor David has been married to his wife Lia for 27 years, and they have four children and a brand new daughter-in-law – Hunter (married to Grace in July), Isabella, Katherine and Annie. He has been the lead pastor of New Albany Presbyterian Church for 20 years, since he graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary. He owns a dog named Calvin, a couple cats, and is hopeful that these will be the very last pets he is conned into paying for.
David enjoys reading Reformed theology, classic novels, hobbit novels, Dostoyevsky novels, and elevenwarriors.com. He also enjoys bourbon and cycling (but not at the same time). He is exceedingly glad that Jesus is King over all things, which gives ample reason for joy in the manner GK Chesterton described: “Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial. Melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul. Pessimism is at best an emotional half-holiday; joy is the uproarious labour by which all things live.”
September 1, 2024: Rev. Brad Kalajainen
Director of Spiritual Life
Epworth Church Association, Ludington, MI
Methodist
Sponsored in part by the Bishop Emerson and Jane Colaw Lectures and by your generous contributions to the Worship program.