From the Editor: Happy 10th, IWS!

Alumni News

Edith Allen, D.W.S. (Epsilon, 2004)

This news is a bit dated, but we want to extend congratulations nonetheless to Edie, who was the recipient of the 2008 Coretta Scott King Music Award for her 39 years of service through music to the community of Kankakee, IL. Edie has served as adjunct music professor at Olivet Nazarene University and Executive Pastor of Worship Arts at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene. Click here to read more.

Phil Burkett, D.W.S. (Nu, 2009)

Dale Dirksen, D.W.S. (Gamma, 2003)

"I have been working at Briercrest Seminary since I graduated from IWS. My teaching focuses on worship and church ministry. I also give leadership to the seminary chapel program. This summer I will return to church ministry, joining the staff of Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where I will serve in an executive role with emphasis on coaching and mentoring staff. I will still teach worship classes at the Seminary on an adjunct basis, and continue to moderate the Canadian Centre for Worship Studies website."

Dolores Dunnett, D.W.S. (Epsilon, 2005)

Dolores underwent major heart surgery on March 25 for the removal of a large blockage in the artery near the aortic valve. Following the 5-hour procedure she was hospitalized for 8 days at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. She will undergo rehabilitation through mid July. Dolores writes, "I am up and about, and beginning to walk normally. We recently took in our first social event, attending the Class of 1949's sixtieth anniversary reunion at Wheaton College. The Lord has been good in seeing that I have had the best of care, especially from Walter, my dear husband of 65 years, who has been so kind and patient and attentive to all my needs. Our church friends have been very caring, and Communion has been brought to me on a weekly basis. Your prayers are an important part of my continuing recovery and I am grateful for them all."

Sue Talley, D.W.S. (Kappa, 2007)

Congratulations to Sue, who was granted full professorship this year at Nyack College in New York City where she is the Director of the Music Program and Head of the Department of Fine Arts. She is also cantor for the English Liturgy at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Manhattan. Sue writes, "I find the studies I took at IWS to be extremely helpful, especially in my sacred music classes. Even in Fine Arts we weave the Christian outlook into the program. So I have reason to be very grateful for the IWS studies. I am using Dr. Webber's books in my "Music and Worship" course with good results."

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Where do I begin? Affirmation of my calling as a Worship Pastor; personal spiritual enrichment beyond what I can describe; an oasis in what is sometimes the desert of ministry; wonderful ego-free fellowship; a rich and challenging learning environment (Kendall Lord, D.W.S., Kappa 2008).

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In many ways IWS is my primary Christian community.  It has been my main source of fellowship, apostolic teaching, prayer and encouragement.  My understanding of worship has been radically altered, enriched and broadened (Jim Hart, D.W.S., Alpha 2002 ).

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Teaching at IWS and meeting with students from all over the globe are highlights for me twice a year. I find the interaction among students enjoyable and the learning that takes place is always more than "one way." We are all learners; all IWS participants bring gifts to the table, some of which we can apply in our own ministry setting. Preaching and leading in public worship make up the core of my calling in the ordained ministry of the Christian Reformed Church. Teaching the Church Year together with Dan Sharp is a challenge and joy that I would not want to miss. IWS is part of my overall ministry, and I thank God for the vision granted to Bob Webber and communicated to so many others, including my colleagues (Jack Van Marion).

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I have so appreciated the diversity of Christian traditions represented in the faculty and students.  The discussions among students during class, during the weeks on campus and online during the rest of the year have enlarged my understanding of worship and the church.  I am very blessed to know so many fine worshippers from so many places (George Searcy, M.W.S. student)

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My training at IWS completely changed my concept of worship.  Previously, my concept of worship focused on various aspects and styles of music.  At IWS, I was awakened to the depth of the Early Church Fathers, the use of Scripture in worship, movement and the arts in worship, various special worship services and the church year. The difficult part was, and is, finding opportunities to educate my congregation on these aspects of worship and implementing new (old!) ways of worship with our current traditions. The second greatest challenge is continuing my own worship renewal (Robin Ziegenfuss, D.W.S., Delta 2004).

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I used to kid with Bob Webber about whether he should pay me to come or whether I should pay him for the privilege of teaching at IWS.  With a twinkle in his eye, he would always say that he was willing to take my salary back. I used to joke with him because teaching at IWS has rarely felt like work. It usually feels much more like a reward, the grandest of teaching opportunities.

Over twenty-five years ago, I became interested in worship history to renew the worship of congregations. I first I thought this would mean applying what I saw in history to the churches I served. But in God’s providence, I have gained opportunities to teach students who can take their insights from worship history across the nation and the world. Of these opportunities, IWS is closest to my own sense of vocation. What a joy it is to teach eager students able to take new insights and apply them immediately, usually in their own ministries but sometimes as professors in other schools. To step into an IWS class, see students ready to learn, and know that the liturgical history I share will rock their worship worlds is a highlight of my year (Lester Ruth).

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