wfn.org | Notes about People

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

2-April-1997 
97146 
 
                        Notes about People 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
     Marshall Herff Applewhite Jr., founder and leader of the Heaven's Gate 
cult, will be buried in San Antonio, Texas, next to his father, the Rev. 
Marshall Herff Applewhite Sr. Applewhite, 66, and 38 of his followers 
committed mass suicide in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., last week.  He was a 
graduate of Austin College in Texas and attended Union Theological Seminary 
in Virginia for one semester before dropping out.  His most recent 
denominational affiliation was with the Episcopal Church. 
     Applewhite Sr. was a pastor, presbytery stated clerk and new church 
development staff worker until his death in 1971.  He spent his entire 
ministry in Texas. 
 
                              # # # 
 
     The Presbyterian Church in Canada has named former Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.) moderator the Rev. John M. Fife winner of its E.H. Johnson Award 
"for dedication to the cutting edge of mission." Former winners of the 
award include Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and C.M. Kao, general 
secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. 
     Fife, pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz., is 
being honored for his seminal work in the sanctuary movement in the United 
States, for his congregation's work with Central American refugees and for 
his ongoing advocacy work on behalf of refugees worldwide as a member of 
the Task Force on Refugees and Sanctuary of the World Alliance of Reformed 
Churches. 
 
                              # # # 
 
     The Rev. Michael W. Mooty, pastor of Central Christian Church in 
Lexington, Ky., has been nominated to serve as moderator of the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ).  If elected by the denomination's General 
Assembly in July, Mooty will serve a two-year term.  He is a graduate of 
Davidson College, a Presbyterian-related college in North Carolina, and 
Lexington Theological Seminary. 

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