THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407130129
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Religion
SOURCE: BY DELORIS MOYLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
THE NEW MINISTER of Oak Grove United Methodist Church will be smiling and waving more instead of saluting.
The Rev. Walter Roberts McIvor is a retired Naval Chaplain. He recently was appointed by the Virginia Conference of the United Methodists to his new ministry at the Oak Grove church at 472 N. Battlefield Blvd.
McIvor accepted duties from the Rev. James Ward, the pastor for three years, and gave his first sermon this month.
McIvor is no stranger to the ministry. He has been a minister for more than two decades, and was a member of the Virginia Conference of Pulpit Ministry for 10 years, preaching at several Methodist churches.
Then, he went into the Navy, where he was a chaplain for 15 years, traveling to different parts of the country and across the sea. He traveled with the USS Nimitz for three years and went to the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, S.C. for two.
He also was stationed in Norfolk for several years.
But things won't be much different in Chesapeake, he said. A Navy chaplain does the same thing as a civilian minister, McIvor explained.
``The United Methodist Ministry has two types of ministries - parish and chaplain,'' McIvor said. ``There are no differences. Both preach God's Word.''
Although there won't be a big transition from the Navy pulpit to the pulpit of Oak Grove United Methodist Church, there will be at least one welcome change.
The greetings.
No more saluting or getting saluted. There will be handshakes as well as smiles.
``Oak Grove is an excellent church,'' he said. ``I'm blessed to be here.''
Oak Grove United Methodist Church is the mother church of several United Methodist churches. It is more than two centuries old - the oldest standing church in Chesapeake - and has its own history and traditions.
The Oak Grove church also has been linked to the military in many ways.
During the Civil War, the church was used as a hospital by Union troops. For a time, it was occupied by the Sixth Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.
It was an Army major, William H. Etheredge, who help moved the church in 1842 to its present site.
Now, a retired military man - McIvor - leads the congregation.
McIvor brings to the church his knowledge and his ability to organize efficiently. He received his bachelor's degree from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va., and his master of divinity from Candler's School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.
He has been in the ministry since 1970.
The minister said his aim is simple.
``I'm still learning about the church,'' he said. ``My job is to help the church members to obtain their own goals in serving God.''
With a congregation of 749 and about 300 in attendance on Sundays, his job should be a great opportunity.
``It is a wonderful opportunity for me,'' McIvor said. ``This is a great community to help expand the causes of Christ.''
Right now, McIvor says he is trying to meet his congregation.
``I'm still getting to know the people,'' McIvor said. ``And from what I have seen, after knowing them, I don't think my feelings about them will change. These are dedicated people.''
In return, the congregation has opened its arms to McIvor.
After his first sermon on July 3, the United Methodist Women sponsored a reception in the church Fellowship Hall to introduce the minister and his family to the entire congregation.
McIvor and his wife, Suzanne, have two boys, Matthew and Jonathan. Matthew is in his second year at James Madison University in Harrisonburg. Jonathan attends Kellam High School. The McIvor family lives in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
The Rev. Walter Roberts McIvor gave his first sermon this month at
Oak Grove United Methodist Church, where he is the new minister.
by CNB