Walton Clark Forstall, II (Preferably known as “Tony”

I was born in Washington D.C. on October 5, 1955 to Louise and Al Forstall. I was baptized on November 25, 1955 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rock Creek. I was raised as an Episcopalian and remained so until adulthood.

I graduated from T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria (Yes, “Remember the Titans” took place my junior year. I knew all the real people) June of 1973, received my B.S. in Accounting from George Mason University in 1981 and my Mdiv from Duke University in May of 1991.

I joined the United Methodist Church in 1983. My wife, Mary Ruth was raised as a Baptist and while we loved each other’s church we needed to find our own faith home and it was Trinity United Methodist Church in Alexandria. A long felt and persistent call to the ordained ministry became all too clear in 1986 and I entered the process of seeking ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. I was ordained in June of 1993. I have served appointments in the Virginia Annual Conference since 1988. I am currently the pastor of Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church in Ordinary, Virginia located in Gloucester County (Where the York River and the Chesapeake Bay meet).

Mary Ruth and I have been married for 21 years. Mary Ruth loves scrap booking, cooking, and dolphin and whale watching. We have three children. Charlotte (age 18), is a freshman at Randolph Macon College in Ashland Virginia. She loves European History, French, movies and reading. Then there is Joey (age 11) who is going in to 6^th grade and loves soccer, turtles, and nature. Finally, there is Elizabeth (age 8) who is entering 3^rd grade. She loves gymnastics (she is in advanced gymnastics-she has no fear), reading, and riding her bicycle. Finally, the honorable Mickey Chewbaca rounds out our family playing the role of “dog who thinks he is human”. He is 12 years old. He likes to bark, sleep and play.

For my part I like to walk, play guitar, garden, and draw. I serve on the Virginia Conference Board of Laity, The Board of Trustees for The Assembly Center, and the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Conference Historical Society. I am a part of two Academic groups, The Society for Wesleyan Studies and the Wicomico Institute For Religion and the Humanities. Currently I am participating in a 2-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation, which is an Upper Room Program. I did an Emmaus Walk in August of 1988.

I am delighted to be appointed to serve Wesley, its members and community. I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of you as we begin this journey together.

Tony