Pastor Dan Lowther
Dan was born December 24, 1965 in Weston, WV. He graduated from Lewis County High School in May 1984. Following high school Dan worked for Terrell Builders as a Carpenter for about a year then began work at Alkahn Label Factory in Weston, WV. Dan’s service at Alkahn included working as an operator, finisher, maintenance mechanic and mechanic. Dan served in this capacity for 19 years. It was at this time Dan acknowledged and accepted his call to ministry in the United Methodist Church.
In June 2002, Dan was appointed to the Orlando United Methodist Charge in Lewis County, WV as an Assigned Supply Pastor. It was during this time Dan attended the Local Pastor Licensing School and he became a Licensed Local Pastor in June 2003. At this time, Dan was appointed to the Frenchton United Methodist Charge in Rock Cave, WV as a Full-time Local Pastor. While appointed to the Frenchton Charge, Dan also completed his undergraduate degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2007, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education and Church Leadership and a minor in religion. He also received a Master of Divinity Degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, graduating December of 2010.
In June of 2010, Dan was commissioned as a Provisional Elder to the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and was appointed to the Knottsville United Methodist Charge in Grafton, WV where he served until 2016. In June of 2013 he was ordained an Elder in full connection in the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. On July 1, 2016 Dan was appointed to the Pineville/Matheny/ Wyoming Circuit in the Southern District and as Field Operations Director for New Vision Depot, an extension of the Disaster Response Ministries for the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. On July 1, 2022 he was appointed to the Memorial/Muddlety Charge where he is currently serving. Dan’s wife, Rev. Sue Lowther, is also an Elder in full connection in the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church serving the Mt Nebo Charge in Mt. Nebo, WV.
Dan and Sue were married June 22, 1996. They have 2 adult sons, Mike and Jason McCue and five grandchildren. Also, we cannot forget their two four-legged daughters, Daisy and Duchess.
Dan has been involved with Volunteer Fire Fighting since 1984 while he was still in High School. In this capacity he has also served as Fire Department Chaplain for the Banks District Vol. Fire Department, Upshur County Firefighter’s Association, and the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department. Sue and Dan were part of the Ministry Team at the Sago Mine Disaster January 2, 2006. Following this event Dan sought more extensive training in how to minister in the midst of disaster. This passion led Dan and Sue to be appointed as the WV Conference Disaster Response Co-Coordinators in 2008 where they served until June 2022. In this capacity, they have been involved with many types of disasters around the state and beyond.
Dan has a love for God and a love for serving God as he seeks to share the gospel message in all places and all time.
As for hobbies, Dan enjoys hunting and fishing, different types of shooting sports, and Sue and Dan both enjoy ATV riding.
John Mark Walkup first joined the music staff at Memorial United Methodist Church in 2001. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Glenville State College, a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Illinois, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Literature from West Virginia University. He is currently completing his 32nd year in higher education and is a full-time professor of music at New River Community and Technical College where he teaches courses in music, humanities, and education. He has also served as an administrator in various roles while at New River. John Mark has performed solo piano recitals in numerous venues in West Virginia, Illinois, and Georgia, and teaches private piano lessons from his home studio in Summersville.
Dr. John Mark Walkup (left) and Wayne Halstead (right) – co-directors of music
Custodian Bill Harlow keeps the church looking beautiful!