A Letter from Philip H. Muir (M.Div. 1960)

11-27-2009

By Philip H. Muir

Dear McCormick Community,

             I am looking forward to visiting McCormick's campus during 2010 - 50 years since my graduation. I chose McCormick largely because my dad, Charles W. Muir, was a McCormick alumnus, Class of 1936.

            While at McCormick 1957-60, I participated in the clinical pastoral education program at Augustana Lutheran Hospital in Chicago. I found that experience to be probably the most beneficial in preparing me for pastoral ministry. I also attended the 1960 summer PIIR program with Marshall Scott - a life-changing experience for me -  that was instrumental in God's hands to move me into urban ministry in Buffalo NY and Seattle WA for many years. I am also grateful for being able to sit under Joe Haratounian's inimitable teaching - particularly his emphasis on Pneumatology - and also George E. Wright, who made the Old Testament come alive for me.

            I served as a pastor of Presbyterian USA churches in Buffalo NY, Seattle WA, Birch Run MI, and Flint MI – before joining the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1983 while serving a church in Lakewood CO. From there I was called (with my wife) as a missionary serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators on the staff of the Wycliffe regional office near Chicago until retiring in late 2001.

            While with Wycliffe I had the opportunity to serve in pastoral care and training of Wycliffe missionaries at the regional office, as well as in five African countries, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea (all short-term assignments). My wife, Margaret, and I are now retired and living on her family's farm in southern Michigan. We plan a two-week sixth visit to Wycliffe friends in Cameroon, Central Africa in January 2010.  I continue to be active as a retired Teaching Elder (pastor) in the Evangelical Presbyterian denomination and am an active member of the EPC Midwest Presbytery. We have two children living and six grandchildren. We are thankful to God for relatively good health, although I have had prostate cancer successfully under treatment for five years.

Sincerely in Christ,

Philip H. Muir, Class of 1960