Ministry and Ministers 

Rev. Harold Peters was appointed to First United Methodist Church in 1979 and Rev. Larry Myers served as his associate for two years.  Esther Peters, the wife of Rev. Peters, wrote the script for the first Hanging o’the Greens service held in Advent, 1982.  In 1984, Rev. Peters and Rev. Merwin Kurtz exchanged appointments, with Rev. Kurtz coming to Independence and Rev. Peters moving to First United Methodist Church in Junction City.

A year later, Rev. Kurtz asked Dana Aitken to direct the Chancel Choir.  He also encouraged members of the congregation to read and discussed Bishop Richard Wilke’s book, And Are We Yet Alive, which led, in 1987, to a church study directed by consultant Michael Gardner.  Out of this came the first efforts to acquire additional land, to grow the Sunday School and serve the community. Rev. Lorene Moore was employed as an outreach worker.  She administered the Good Samaritan Fund; coordinated Wesley Place Fellowship,  a simple meal and informal worship service held on Sunday evenings; hosted a Mother’s Support Group and coordinated Kids’ Klub, a Thursday after school ministry.  Her work was made possible by “New and Innovative Ministry Funds” from the Kansas East Conference.

In 1987, following a long history of the use of our facilities by the Independence Cooperative Pre-School, the Administrative Board voted to see that the church operate its own pre-school.  Ann Banzet and Louise Hudson gave direction to the church’s own pre-school with 42 three and four year old children participating.  The Right Place was established as a community youth center because people of this congregation saw a need for such work.  Following a retreat for leaders of the church, the congregation adopted the purpose: “People who care.”  Sherry Epp joined the staff of First United Methodist Church.

Rev. Merwin Kurtz died of cancer on February 11, 1989.  Rev. Leonard Clark and Rev. Aully Holst served as interim pastors during Rev. Kurtz illness and following his death.  Rev. Larry Seybold was appointed to the church in June, 1989. 

Rev. Seybold encouraged the congregation to focus on spiritual formation.  He held daily prayers and, on Tuesdays, a service of healing and communion.  By this time, Johnetta Shelton was the Outreach Director, working with Wesley Place and Sherry Epp was Director of Youth and Adult Ministries.  LOGOS was begun in January, 1994, with 40 children enrolled.

Rev. Larry Seybold was seriously injured and his wife, Mary, was killed in an automobile accident on August 14, 1994.  Rev. Wayne Castle served as interim pastor during Rev. Seybold’s recovery.  In July of 1995, Rev. Gary Brooks was appointed to First United Methodist Church.