H. Dale Bracey
Born in southern Missouri by the Mississippi
River, Dale is the oldest of four brothers. Strong influences in his youth were
the local Southern Presbyterian Church, Boy Scouting, school activities, and
music.
He was educated at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he majored in psychology. His training for ministry was at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, a non-denominational graduate school with deep Presbyterian ties. Dale met his future wife, Barbara, at DePauw, and they were married after his first year of seminary education. For the next two years Barbara completed her baccalaureate degree at Hunter College in the City of New York while Dale completed seminary, and they both participated in his fieldwork training at churches in New York City and Long Island.
While serving pastorates in upstate New York, the Braceys gave birth to two sons, Jeff and Todd. Moving west, Dale served churches in Fresno and then Palos Verdes, California. Moving to Phoenix in 1979, the Braceys enjoyed a long productive pastorate, highlighted by the marriages of their sons—Dale got to tie the knots! Dale and Barbara moved to their to current residence in Sunnyvale, CA in 1991, where Dale enjoyed a change of work to that of associate pastor with initiatives in adult education, mission, pastoral care, and leadership equipping. They celebrate that their sons have provided them with five granddaughters. Their older son, Jeff, lives with his family in Las Vegas where he works as a trauma and emergency physician. Their younger son, Todd, makes his home with his family in Coto de Caza (Orange County, CA), where he works with a large property management firm.
On July 31, 2000, Dale retired after 40 years of leadership with congregations. Dale’s leisure interests are scuba diving, beaching, hiking, exploring, theatre, and opera. Barbara has joined Dale in numerous international seminars through the years. She also enjoys oil and watercolor painting and teaching adults. Currently, they are studying Spanish and planning travel.
Experience and Work History:
( Congregations which varied from 235 to 1,900 members in small
towns, suburbs, and cities)
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First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, CA - Interim Pastor and Head of Staff (Post-retirement service) (2001–2002) |
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Presbyterian Church of Sunnyvale, CA - Associate Pastor for mission, adult education, congregational care and nurture. (1991–2000) |
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Orangewood Presbyterian Church of Phoenix, AZ - Pastor and Head of Staff. (1979–1991) |
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St. Peter’s By the Sea Presbyterian Church of Palos Verdes, CA - Associate Pastor for education of adults and children, mission, and congregation care. (1973–1979) |
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Easton Presbyterian Church, Fresno, CA - Pastor and Head of Staff. (1966–1973) |
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Presbyterian Church of Chittenango, NY - Pastor and Head of Staff. (1962–1966) |
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First Presbyterian Church of Geneva, NY - Assistant Pastor for college students and youth. (1960–1962) |
Reasons for Serving God as a Pastor:
From my early youth, I sensed God’s nudging to consider ministry through the church. Unsure yet idealistic, I pursued other vocational goals until my senior year in college. College pastors whom I respected immensely inspired me to apply for seminary in New York—at the world’s foremost liberal theological seminary. My preparation at Union Theological Seminary confirmed that it would be my greatest privilege to work for God through ordained church leadership. Basically, I believe that the local church is where “it” happens: where persons and causes and witness are joined to become effective agents of the new thing God is doing. I thrived on my calling as a pastor, because I was privileged to share with persons who are learning to give and receive love. Further, the stresses, joys, and intimacies of sharing in people’s lives seemed to draw out my gifts. I thrived on providing groups and courses to keep people growing and spreading the opportunity of life in Christ beyond the congregation. Fortunately, I was married to a woman whose faith and conviction were rooted in similar values and who was selfless in supporting me.
Contributions For Which Dale Would Most Like to be Remembered at Orangewood:
“Contributions” are seldom due to pastoral leadership alone: they result from the synergy of Holy Spirit inspiring staff and lay leadership. I was blessed with a gifted staff and energetic congregational leadership. A faithful and responsive congregation made the following possible.
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The Youth Ministry Pilot Project
(1981–1988) -
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Because youth work was not making the
permanent, significant impact on the lives of our young people that we
desired, a group brainstormed what we could do to make a dramatic shift in our
approach. The Youth Ministry Pilot Project was born.
Orangewood was given a grant by a group of businessmen to develop new models
of ministry with youth that would accomplish the goals of commitment to
Christ, strong Christian identify, significant relationships with adults and
peer group support. The Rev. Ben Clanton was called to head this project
in the fall of 1981. One year later this beloved pastor was randomly
murdered. Barbara Bracey accepted the challenge of picking up the broken
hopes and steered the project to focus on developing a team ministry of adult
advisors and youth. This focus shaped the Project for the following six
years. The Rev. Robert Stebe became director of the project in 1983. | ||
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Focus on adult education and Biblical
equipping - Barbara and other talented lay people were teaching
arresting, basic, and short-term courses on Sunday mornings; however, we saw
the need to go deeper. After Barbara and I became certified to teach the
two-year course called CROSSWAYS! , we launched the first course with
three-dozen participants! It is an in-depth survey of the entire Bible,
and we taught from the background of what is known as the historical-critical
approach, which welcomed the insights of archeology and linguistic
understanding. During our years in Phoenix, interest grew to support
five different groups of adults who completed the course! Barbara Haddon
also became involved in teaching CROSSWAYS! .
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Small Groups - At least four kinds were offered through the years: "FOCUS,” which were intensive personal growth groups that Barbara Bracey and I designed. “COMPANEROS,” which were covenant groups led by lay leaders whom I trained and supported with curriculum. Book study groups led frequently by Barbara Haddon. Marriage enrichment events and groups for couples were planned each year.
Worship Improvements: Blending
of worship styles, incorporating the best in traditional and contemporary
liturgy and music. This was made possible, because of the extraordinary
musical talents and support of Bob and Joyce Page. We also began
crafting dramatic new banners to augment Orangewood’s stunning collection.
* Drama, dance, and visual illustrations became an occasional part of worship. | ||
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Repairs and Capital Improvements:
Old timers will recall that in 1979 the entire campus was in a sad state of
disrepair. It became necessary, immediately, to re-roof all church buildings
and the manse. This gave us other ideas about how to improve the facility’s
safety and function. Air-conditioning was added to rooms for ministry with
youth and infant care. Visioning about a multi-purpose hall was begun, and we
got to celebrate the completion of the new fellowship center—Page Hall—with
major parking upgrades! | ||
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Mission Support: We returned
to strong financial support of Presbyterian mission, increasing the proportion
of our annual giving to General Assembly world mission each year, supporting
the Fifty Million Fund, and commissioning numerous members to service
worldwide as well as in the U.S.A. We invited an ecumenical associate to work
with us for five weeks. He was the Rev. Rufus Thepelo Nyamela, a pastor of
the Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa from the homeland of Lesotho.
Subsequently, the congregation responded to fund the completion and furnishing
of their sanctuary. (See also write-up in Mission)
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Another facet to mission in the Phoenix area was our encouragement of
self-help groups, often known as “12 Step Programs,” to use our facilities.
It was not unusual for eight such groups to meet each week. | ||
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The Sanctuary Movement: We
risked government disapproval to give aid and shelter for Central American
refugees fleeing to this country. Our support was mainly through holding
seminars for the city to explain their dilemma and raise funding for the basic
needs of refugees.
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Support of the North Phoenix Corporate
Ministry: Continuing the long tradition of Orangewood’s
identification with the NPCM, I was proud to encourage the congregation’s
participation in this unique interfaith venture. I counted the other pastors
and rabbis as ministry partners, and I have fond memories of preaching in two
Jewish congregations and three other Christian churches! | ||
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Leadership and Membership Training:
Both Barbara Haddon and myself placed high priority on equipping God’s people
for their ministries in the world. We developed an extensive course for
briefing and integrating new members that was repeated four times annually.
In addition, new elders and deacons were prepared through numerous evenings of
study and overnight retreats before they were installed to office. Continuing
study of elder and deacon roles became a part of most stated meetings of the
Session and Board of Deacons. |
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What Would Be of Interest to Current Members Who Joined Orangewood Since 1991:
The Braceys came to Orangewood in 1979 in response to a calling to love, support, and rebuild a great church, which had split over controversy that resulted in the dismissal of both the former Pastor and the Session. Morale was low, expectations were small, and many doubted if recovery to robust health was possible. Financial support was decimated to the extent that a loan from the Presbytery was required to meet basic expenses during the year preceding my call. Most were wondering as did Ezekiel when he asked the Lord, “Can these dry bones live again?” (Ezekiel 37) As in ancient Israel, God responded, “I will cause breath (wind/spirit) to enter you, and you shall live!”
Building on the patient and wise foundation laid by the Interim Pastor, Dr. Mark Koehler, and assured that the congregation was eager to put the past behind and turn-the-corner, we moved to Phoenix. Sure enough, God had vital plans for Orangewood, and we all grabbed hold of that hope! Working with Orangewood was the most fulfilling period of my 41 years as a pastor.
Dale
