Clergy profile Pastor inspired by Billy Graham

By Claire Vereczky MalisSpecial to The Acorn

The Rev. Gary Alan Dickey Little did Gary Alan Dickey realize that his life would be so drastically changed by a telecast featuring the Rev. Billy Graham. As he listened to the evangelist’s sermon, the young UCLA pre-med student received a “definite calling” to cure the soul rather than cure the body.

He decided to obey God’s command and leave the medical profession.

“I have been very blessed and have loved every church where I’ve served,” said the Rev. Dickey, who was ordained in 1969 by Bishop Gerald Kennedy at an ordination service held at Redlands University. The current pastor of the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village has served similar churches in Pasadena, Burbank and Canoga Park.

Dickey has earned doctorates from the Claremont (California) School of Theology and the Trinity Theological Seminary in Indiana, and in 2002 he received an Advanced Diploma in English local history from the University of Oxford, England. He admits that he is a “life-long learner” and recently completed a two-year course in Methodist history and records at the University of Toronto.

Born in Santa Monica of Scottish-English ancestry, Dickey is a ninth-generation Methodist “dating back from the very beginning of the Methodist Church in England.” Qualified in English genealogy from 1700 to 1900, he is a certified genealogist with the Board of Certification for Genealogists in Washington, D.C.

For relaxation, Dickey likes to play the bagpipes. His hobby denotes his heritage, but he also recognizes that Tami, his wife of 29 years, might not enjoy hearing the bagpipes “quite as much as he does.”

Dickey, who also is active in the Conejo Valley Interfaith Council, believes in the power of prayer, the importance of worship for God’s people, and the active participation of lay people in the life of the church. The congregation of about 600 at the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village serves their community in projects such as those sponsored by Habitat for Humanity and Many Mansions as well as a “winter shelter.”

The church’s sanctuary is at 1049 Westlake Blvd. in Westlake Village. Sunday worship services feature a 9 a.m. service with praise music and a 10:30 a.m. traditional service.

An informal worship service begins each Sunday with coffee served at 8 a.m. in Alton Hall. The sacrament of Holy Communion is offered during this service.

Christian education classes are conducted at 9 a.m. Care for infants and young children also is available.

A special prayer and healing service begins at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

For more information about the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village, please call (818) 889 5432 or (805) 497-7884, or visit website www.umcwv.org.