DOCSLIB.ORG

West Marva District Memo September 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
West Marva District Memo September 2019 384 Dennett Road Oakland, MD 21550 WEST MARVA DISTRICT 301-334-9270 John Ballinger, Interim Executive Minister MEMO J . Rogers Fike, Executive Minister Emeritus Brenda Harvey, Administrative Assistant SEPTEMBER 2019 www.westmarvachurches.org On the Road with DE John Ballinger: They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32 NLT) “So tell us about the Church of the Brethren,” the couple inquired. It was early March, and we were seated at an indoor track meet where our children were competing members of their college teams. My wife Kathy and I had struck up a conversation with the couple seated next to us, and as we became acquainted, they asked us what we did for a living. “My wife is a dental hygienist,” I said, “and I’m a district minister in the Church of the Brethren.” When they asked about our church, I thought I would try a different answer instead of mentioning Anabaptism and Pietism. Lately I had wondered if restating our Anabaptist/Pietist heritage in modern terms might prove useful in describing our Brethren identity, so I had done some reading. My studies convinced me that while the language of our heritage may no longer be understood by today’s culture, its underlying values are. The word Anabaptism (which means re-baptism, not anti-baptism!) refers to a model of faith commitment and church life that originated in Switzerland in the 1500s. The movement grew in response to the baptism of infants into church and state membership, and it was characterized by obedience to the teaching of Jesus, believer’s baptism (baptizing only those old enough to consent to and understand their commitment), and devotion to the faith community. The term Pietism describes a revival movement that swept over Europe in the 1600s, born in response the cold, formal religious teaching of the time. Its name was derived from the word piety, a Bible word that means godliness, reverence, affection for the family of God, pity, compassion, gentle, harmless and simple. Pietists practiced a vital, life-changing faith in God through Jesus Christ and placed great emphasis on the Bible. These two movements converged in the hearts and minds of eight Christians who were rebaptized in the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. Among them was Alexander Mack (whom we call the “founder” of the Church of the Brethren) and his wife, Anna Margaret. The union of these Anabaptist and Pietist values created our Brethren identity. I concluded that while the values of Anabaptism and Pietism are as relevant today as they were in 1708, most people have no clue what we’re talking about if we use those terms to describe our identity. So I considered using other terms such as “believing and belonging,” “spirituality and service,” “faith and faithful living,” “loving God and neighbor,” or “a vital, life-changing faith coupled with a sense of community” as substitutes. But were these terms acceptable? Here was my opportunity to find out! I took a deep breath and replied, “We are a New Testament Church that follows the teaching of Jesus, and we emphasize both believing and belonging, spirituality and service, faith and faithful living.” They were delighted with my answer, and it stimulated a lively conversation about the Christian faith! While not a comprehensive study of our Anabaptist-Pietist heritage (I recommend reading Jeff Bach, Carl Bowman, Dale Brown, Donald Durnbaugh, Denise Kettering-Lane, Harold Martin, and Dale Stoffer for that), I offer these thoughts as “another way of answering” when asked to describe our Brethren identity. No other voice in mainline or evangelical Protestantism offers a vital, life-changing faith coupled with a sense of community in this manner. I found that recalling our Brethren heritage and restating it in modern terms can stimulate lively conversation about our identity, and about the important values we have been given. This is our unique, timely expression of the faith we are commanded by Jesus Christ to share with the world. ATTENTION DISTRICT CONFERENCE DELEGATES: District Conference delegate registration forms were sent to all pastors/contacts in May but there are still a number of churches who have not returned their forms. At this time I have sent out business packets to all of the delegates who have registered. Contact the District Office if you have not received your business packet. CEU’S AVAILABLE FOR ORDAINED MINISTERS WHO AT- TEND DISTRICT CONFERENCE: The West Marva Ministerial Leadership Team is announcing that .5 CEU’s will be available to all ordained ministers who attend District Conference. Ministers must attend both Fri- day night and all day Saturday (in the same year) one time during the five year cycle. One list with Friday night and Saturday to be signed will be made available for all ministers wishing to receive CEU’s. RESERVATIONS FOR DISTRICT CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 20-21, 2019 The lunch served on Saturday will be on a pre-pay basis and you must have a meal ticket in order to receive your lunch the day of conference. It is extremely difficult to prepare a meal when you don't have a number to work with. The menu will consist of: Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, rolls, tea, lemonade and coffee and desserts. Meal prepared by the Moorefield Church. Reservations need to be in by September 7, 2019 along with a check made payable to West Marva District, 384 Dennett Road, Oakland, MD 21550. Person sending reservations: ____________________________________________________________________________ From congregation: ____________________________________________________________ Phone number (if needed for contact) _______________________ MEAL RESERVATIONS: Number of persons: _____________ Saturday noon (cost of meal $13.00) MEAL TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE ON SATURDAY MORNING DISTRICT CONFERENCE MOTEL ACCOMODATIONS: Motel reservations should be made directly, arranging with the following public accommodations: In Moorefield: In Petersburg:(20 to 25 minutes away) South Branch Inn (304)538-2033 Fort Hill (304)257-4717 Rt. 220 North Honors AAA & AARP Hermitage Motor Inn (304)257-1771 If your church has a tax exempt number Virginia Avenue bring a copy of it with you to be tax exempt Evans Motel (304)538-7771 N. Main St. Homestead Inn, Rt. 55 (304)257-1049 Singers needed for District Conference Choir We would like to assemble a choir for the 2019 West Marva District Conference which will be held at the Moorefield Church of the Brethren, September 20-21, 2019 Ezra Yoder will be leading this group as they will be singing two familiar hymns on Friday evening and one hymn during the morning worship on Saturday morning. If you would be interested in singing with this choir (really need tenors) there will be a practice at the Moorefield Church (choir room) at 5:30 p.m. on the 20th. For more information contact Ezra at 301-895-5988. ATTENTION ALL BOOK WORMS!!!! There will be a FREE Book Swap!!! At the West Marva District Conference Friday September 20th & Saturday 21st 2019 Bring a book – Take a book (or 2 or 3 or more!!!) Please bring your gently used books, Bible studies, devotionals, DVDs & CD’s, and VBS materials to share! It would be helpful if you have a collection or a series to band them together. For VBS material please label with church and contact name and phone number. Books may be dropped off at the Moorefield COB prior to the conference. For further information or to make arrangements call Lucy @ 304-703-7572. The Return of an Old Friend! For the last few years, this excellent resource, offering study materials in 13 chapters, has not been available. We learned that Brethren Press was not go- ing to print any more, and our District obtained the necessary permission from Wendy McFadden, Publisher of Brethren Press, to print and distribute a new printing of this item. Copies will be available at District Conference: 1—9 Copies:…………………………………...$2.00 each. 10—99 Copies:…………………………………$1.75 each. 100 or more Copies:………………………...$1.50 each. This pocket sized booklet, states traditional Church of the Breth- ren understandings of New Testament teachings on the following topics of Doctrine (Teachings): 1. Doctrine of God 7. Doctrine of the Church 13. Bible Reading Guidance 2. Doctrine of Christ 8. Christian Baptism 3. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit 9. The Love Feast Additionally, the following other 4. Doctrine of Man 10. Christian Ideals subjects are included: 5. Doctrine of Sin 11. Christian Discipline Bibliography 6. Doctrine of Salvation 12. Lord, Teach Us to Pray The Brethren “Card” This resource is suitable for Sunday School Classes, Membership Classes, Bible Study Sessions, Personal Growth and Development, and other settings. Be Creative! ALLEGHENY PASSAGE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Allegheny Passage is the definitive history of the West Marva District that was lovingly written by Dr. Emmert F. Bittinger. It is authoritative as history and genealogy. This 2012 (latest) edition has been priced at $79.95. New price is only $40.00. To avoid $5 Shipping and Handling fee, if ordered by mail, purchase at Conference, the District Office, or the Westernport Church of the Brethren. Permanent Price Reduction— Now, ONLY $40.00 Pre-ordered copies will be delivered at District Conference Make check payable to West Marva District. 2019 Women’s Camp Report The West Marva District Women's Camp was held Thursday and Friday August 8th - 9th 2019 at Camp Galilee with the theme of COME To The Table. We had perfect weather both days!! Our evening began with a wonderful dinner, an annual tradition of a game of Bible Jeopardy, a FANTASTIC Bible study led by Debbie DeWitt of the Pine Grove COB, and we wrapped up the evening with a perfect camp fire (Thank you Isaiah Spaid for building it for us!!) with singing and Betty Wolford led us in a closing devotion.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Migration Patterns, Old German Baptist Brethren
    November 10, 1988 Coordinated and Compiled by - Gerald C. Wagoner, Sr. 5110 N. Croft Mill Rd. Bradford, OH 45308 With Assistance From - Gladys (Cool) Royer 25457 C. R. 43 Goshen, IN 46526 & Lowell H. Beachier 1612 W. Grayson Rd. Modesto, CA 9'5359 qs3;i information Pertaining to Old Order River Brethren by - Stephen Scott R#1 - Box 362 Columbia, PA 17512 OLD GERMAN BAPTIST BRTHR: MIGRATION PATTERNS October 17, 1988 In the early years, settlement of the Brethren in the eastern portions of the United States, is very ably told by the various Brethren historians. Included in this sto are ancestors of the Old German Baptist Brethren along with family progenitors of all Brethren groups. While this portion of writing deals directly with genealogical interests and pursuits of Old Order families - we will begin by offering a bit of general information. As Brethren began coming to Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1719 & 179, ever pushing westward to new frontiers, the migration never really stopped until they reached the west coast many decades later. Maryland & Virginia began to be settled before the Revolution and just prior to 1800, members were found as far west as Kentucky, Ohio and even Missouri. Through the Pittsburgh and Ohio River gateways, most of the remaining states were settled. Railroads also played a significant role in colonizing the western states. Our attention will now center around migration patterns and family names of brethren in the Old German Baptist Brotherhood. After Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska were settled, cheap land and new frontiers continued to lure the Lrethren westward as the twentieth century approached.
    [Show full text]
  • Myron S. Principies 01 Biblical Interpretation in Mennonite Theology
    Augsburger, Myron S. PrincipIes 01 Biblical Interpretation in Mennonite Theology. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1967. Bauman, Clarence. The Spiritual Legacy 01 Hans Denck: Interpretation and Translation 01Key Texts. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1991. Beachy, Alvin J. The Concept 01 Grace in the Radical Relormation. Nieuw- koop: DeGraaf, 1977. Beahm, William M. Studies in Christian Belief Elgin, IlI.: Brethren Press, 1958. Bender, Harold S. Two Centuries 01 American Mennonite Literature, 1727-1928. Goshen, Ind.: Mennonite Historical Society, 1929. Bender, Harold S., ed. Hutterite Studies: Essays by Robert Friedmann. Goshen, Ind.: Mennonite Historical Society, 1961. Bender, Harold S., et al. The Mennonite Encyclopedia. 5 vols. 1955, 1959, 1990. Bittinger, Emmert F. Heritage and Promise: Perspectives on the Church olthe Brethren. Elgin, IlI.: Brethren Press, 1970. Bittinger, Emmert F., ed. Brethren in Transition: 20th Century Directions & Dilemmas. Camden, Maine: Penobseot Press, 1992. Bowman, Carl F. A Profile 01the Church 01the Brethren. Elgin, IL: Brethren Press, 1987. Bowman, Carl F. "Beyond Plainness: Cultural Transformation in the Chureh of the Brethren from 1850 to the Present." Ph.D. Dissertation: University of Virginia, 1989. Bowman, Carl F. Brethren Society: The Cultural Translormation ola "Peculiar People". Baltirnore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995. Bowman, Rufus D. The Church olthe Brethren and War: 1708-1941. Elgin, IlI.: Brethren Publishing House, 1944. Brethren Encyclopedia. The Brethren Encyclopedia. Three Vols. Philadelphia and Oak Brook, IlI.: The Brethren Eneyclopedia, Ine., 1983. Brethren Publishing. The Brethren 's Tracts and Pamphlets, Setting Forth the Claims 01Primitive Christianity. Vol. I. Gish Fund Edition. Elgin, IlI.: Brethren Publishing House. Brethren Publishing. Full Report 01 Proceedings 01 the Brethren 's Annual Meeting.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Early Anabaptism As Minority Religion in German Fiction
    Heresy or Ideal Society? A Study of Early Anabaptism as Minority Religion in German Fiction DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Ursula Berit Jany Graduate Program in Germanic Languages and Literatures The Ohio State University 2013 Dissertation Committee: Professor Barbara Becker-Cantarino, Advisor Professor Katra A. Byram Professor Anna Grotans Copyright by Ursula Berit Jany 2013 Abstract Anabaptism, a radical reform movement originating during the sixteenth-century European Reformation, sought to attain discipleship to Christ by a separation from the religious and worldly powers of early modern society. In my critical reading of the movement’s representations in German fiction dating from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, I explore how authors have fictionalized the religious minority, its commitment to particular theological and ethical aspects, its separation from society, and its experience of persecution. As part of my analysis, I trace the early historical development of the group and take inventory of its chief characteristics to observe which of these aspects are selected for portrayal in fictional texts. Within this research framework, my study investigates which social and religious principles drawn from historical accounts and sources influence the minority’s image as an ideal society, on the one hand, and its stigmatization as a heretical and seditious sect, on the other. As a result of this analysis, my study reveals authors’ underlying programmatic aims and ideological convictions cloaked by their literary articulations of conflict-laden encounters between society and the religious minority.
    [Show full text]
  • 2005 09 09 Catalog
    LANCASTER MENNONITE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S 209TH BENEFIT AUCTION OF RARE, OUT-OF-PRINT, AND USED BOOKS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2005, AT 6:30 P.M. TEL: (717) 393-9745; FAX: (717) 393-8751; EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://www.lmhs.org/ The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society will conduct its 209th auction on September 9, 2005, at 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one-half mile east of the intersection of Routes 30 and 462. The remaining sale for 2005 will be held on December 9. The auction not only specializes in local and denominational history and genealogy of southeastern Pennsylvania, but also includes theological works and other types of material of interest to the nationwide constituency. Please refer to the last page of the catalog for book auction procedures. Individual catalogs are available from the Society for $8.00 ($4.00 for Society members) + $3.00 postage and handling. The catalog is also available for free on our web site at www.lmhs.org/auction.html . Absentee bids should be in rounded dollar amounts. For example, an absentee bid of $20.50 is not acceptable; it should be simply $20.00 or $21.00. Any absentee bids received that are not in rounded dollar amounts will be rounded downward to the nearest dollar. Absentee bids for the book auction cannot be accepted the day of the sale. In order for absentee bids to be considered they must be received by 4:30 p.m. (EST), Thursday, the day before the sale. If you desire a complete listing of prices realized for this sale, please send $4.00 plus $1.00 postage/handling along with your request to the Society; or visit our website at www.lmhs.org/auction.html following the sale.
    [Show full text]
  • What Are the Plain Anabaptists? -- Anderson
    Who Are the Plain Anabaptists? What Are the Plain Anabaptists? -- Anderson Who Are the Plain Anabaptists? What Are the Plain Anabaptists? Cory Anderson1 OSU Presidential Fellow and Doctoral Candidate in Rural Sociology School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University Abstract: I define the plain Anabaptists by answering two essential questions: “Who are the plain Anabaptists” and “What are the plain Anabaptists?” In asking “Who are the plain Anabaptists?” I investigate several dimensions of identity. First, I trace the history of seven religious traditions within Anabaptism: the Swiss Brethren/Mennonites, the Low German/Russian Mennonites, the Hutterites, the Amish, the Brethren, the Apostolic Christian Churches, and the Bruderhof. Second, I explore three categories of people in each group—mainline, conservative, and Old Order—describing the last two as “plain.” Third, I explore scales and indices on which plainness is measured, as well as other measures of who the plain Anabaptist people are. In asking “What are the plain Anabaptists?” I define several ways social scientists conceptualize and describe the plain Anabaptists. I organize the sundry definitions and frames under three categories: the plain Anabaptists as a religious group, as an ethnicity, and as a social system. Keywords: Mennonite, Amish, Brethren, Hutterite, Apostolic Christian, Bruderhof, religious traditions, ethnicity, social system 26 | Page Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies, Volume 1, Issue 1 (April), 2013 Introduction The inauguration
    [Show full text]
  • Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Rancher
    Spotlight on Service | Religious Part-time Pastor, Full-time Rancher Hereford cattleman Gordon Jamison answered a “calling” from his church to be a minister. by Sara Gugelmeyer “We feel like God gave has continued the tradition of raising and selling top-quality Hereford bulls and females. us this ranch and gave And, Gordon has continued the tradition of being a pastor at us the things we do for a the Dunkard Brethren Church in Quinter. purpose and we need to Now, the Dunkard Brethren denomination may not be as share it. There’s still a deep well-known as say the Baptist denomination, but Gordon says its theology is similar. The Dunkard desire across all America Brethren is an Anabaptist religion, which includes Amish, to see the cowboy life. Hutterites and Mennonites. The “dunkard” term comes from the — Gordon Jamison way that believers are baptized, which is by immersion. Pastors in Gordon’s faith are not nlike a typical pastor, still the headquarters of the Jamison full-time employees. Rather, the Gordon Jamison didn’t Ranch. He farmed, raised horses congregation chooses a member or U necessarily aspire to and served the church as minister. members of the church whenever be a minister. In his religion, Owen’s son Dale bought the there’s a need to take on the duties the Dunkard Brethren, it works family’s first Hereford in about of minister, Gordon explains. In a little differently. But, both his 1940. He, too, served as a minister his church there are three “lay employment as a rancher and of the church.
    [Show full text]
  • Three Hundred Years of Pietism, Anabaptism, and Pluralism (The
    Three Hundred Years of Pietism, Anabaptism, and Pluralism Scott Holland This year [2008] we in the Brethren movement are celebrating 300 years of Pietism, Anabaptism, and Pluralism. Here in Canada there is sometimes confusion about the varieties of Brethren identity, so let me provide the historical context of this anniversary celebration of the Brethren. We are not the Plymouth Brethren or the Brethren in Christ. Canadian Mennonites know we are certainly not the MBs, the Mennonite Brethren! Who are we? We trace our 1708 origins to eight adult baptisms in Schwarzenau, Germany. Inspired by the spiritual leadership of Alexander Mack, this renewal movement blended elements of Anabaptism, learned from Mack’s Mennonite friends and neighbors, with the influences of Radical Pietism that were sweeping across Germany. Two very different but fine resources could be recommended this year for a window into Brethren history. Donald Durnbaugh’s final book, Fruit of the Vine,1 is the standard scholarly source. Myrna Grove has published a children’s book for this year of celebration. Grove’s Alexander Mack: A Man Who Rippled the Waters2 offers a very helpful historical summary of the rise and evolution of Brethrenism. Let me read from Grove’s book to give an indication of how diverse the Schwarzenau Brethren have become in three hundred years: The earliest church members were known as New Baptists, and later, German Baptists and German Baptist Brethren. An Annual Meeting to discuss the beliefs and policies of the church has been held every year since 1742. In 1908, a main branch took the name, Church of the Brethren.
    [Show full text]
  • Plain People
    Plain People - Anabaptists and Brethren Total 1978 1996 2013/2014 Estimates members in Central Mennonite Mennonite (Numbers equal members, not attendees) Members this category Canada America USA Yearbook Yearbook Amish 104,050 Old Order Amish 100,150 2,450 97,700 New Order Amish 3,500 3,500 New Order Amish Fellowship 400 400 Amish-Mennonites 15,416 Ambassador Amish Mennonite 461 Beachy Amish-Mennonites 9,740 5175 8167 Berea Amish-Mennonites 484 Maranatha Fellowship 1,035 Mennonite Christian Fellowship 1,585 1171 Tampico Amish-Mennonites 1,881 Unaffilated Amish Mennonites 230 Apostolic Christian Church 12,725 12,725 25 12,700 Brethren 7,775 Dunkard Brethren 1,000 1,000 Ind. Conservative Brethren 500 500 Ind. Traditional Evangelical Brethren 350 350 Old Brethren (Car) 375 375 Old Brethren (Horse) 200 200 Old German Baptist (Old Conference) 3,000 6,300 Old German Baptist (New Conference) 2,000 Old Order River Brethren 350 350 Charity Fellowship 2,218 2,218 250 2,050 CoG in Christ Menn. (Holdeman) 20,625 20,625 5,000 1,125 14,500 Old Colony Mennonites 36,600 Klein Gemiende 4,375 700 3,575 100 Old Colony 26,475 9,000 16,525 950 Old Colony (Horse) 5,250 5,250 Old Colony Manitoba 500 500 Hutterites 19,125 Dariusleut 6,325 5,450 875 Lehrerleut 5,600 4,200 1,400 Schmiedeleut, Gibb group 4,800 2,350 2,450 Schmiedeleut, Kleinsasser group 2,400 2,050 350 Old Order Mennonites 27,075 Old Order Menn. (horse) Old Order Mennonites (Groffdale, etc.) 13,200 3,200 10,000 Virginia Old Order (Cline group) 500 500 Stauffer Mennonites 1,300 1,300 Dave Martin group / Ontario 500 500 Orthodox Mennonites (Huron) 600 400 200 Reidenbach group 375 375 John Dan Wenger group 300 300 Reformed 300 125 175 Hoover church 575 175 400 Old Order Menn.
    [Show full text]
  • Peacefully. Simply. Together. Hillcrest
    HILLCREST A REMARKABLE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY® PEACEFULLY. SIMPLY. TOGETHER. HILLCREST. Residential I Assisted I Memory Care I Skilled 2705 Mountain View Drive I La Verne, California I 909-392-4375 www. Livi ngatH i I lcrest.org DSS #191501662 I COA #069 @. ~~.. ::~~ ~ CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN ESSENGER Editor: Randy Miller Publisher: Wendy McFadden News: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Subscriptions: Diane Stroyeck Design: The Concept Mill Jorge Natera CC flickr.com April 2015 voL.164 No. 3 www.BRETHREN.oRG Will the real Jesus please stand up? 8 Just who is Jesus, really? It sometimes seems as if the Bible gives us a multifaceted portrait of him, and God's purposes in sending him among us. Which portrait is the real one? And who gets to decide? Idols in the sky 12 In January, Brethren helped organize the first Interfaith Conference on Drone Warfare at Princeton Theological Seminary. Nathan Hosler and Bryan Hangar, of the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness, wonder if "we have been deceived by a tech­ nological quick fix that has taught us the lie that our security depends on our brother's insecurity." Creating a climate for justice 15 "What does a changing global climate mean for the poor, both now and if we stay on the current path?" Authors Sharon Yohn and Laura White address that question in this, their second article in a series on climate change Look, listen, and share your story 18 We face life and we face death, but how do we live? Melody Keller offers three Easter actions that can help us live well.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pennsylvania Dutch in the 21St Century
    Plain, Fancy and Fancy-Plain: The Pennsylvania Dutch in the 21st Century Rian Linda Larkin Faculty Advisor: Alex Harris Center for Documentary Studies December 2017 This project was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program in the Graduate School of Duke University. Copyright by Rian Linda Larkin 2017 Abstract In 1681, William Penn traveled to Europe’s Rhineland-Palatinate and invited Anabaptist and Protestant groups to live and worship freely in Pennsylvania. Over the next century, 111,000 German- speaking men and women sailed to America, many settling in southeastern Pennsylvania.1 During this period, English-speaking residents began to use the term, “Pennsylvania Dutch” to describe the new settlers who spoke Deitsch or Deutsch (German). Today, the term Pennsylvania Dutch conjures visions of bonnets, beards, suspenders and horse- drawn buggies. However, this imagery only applies to the Old Order Anabaptist sects, which constitute less than half of Pennsylvania’s total PA Dutch population.2 3 Therefore, this project will examine and document four Pennsylvania Dutch communities in order to present a more accurate cultural portrait and contextualize the Pennsylvania Dutch populace in the 21st century, from anachronistic traditionalists to groups that have fully integrated into modern society. The project documents the following religious communities: the Old Order Amish, Horning Mennonites, Moravians and Lutherans of southeastern Pennsylvania. Each section includes a historical overview, an interview with a community member and photographs taken on-location. I conclude that church-imposed restrictions and geographical location shaped each group’s distinctive character and impacted how the groups evolved in the modern world.
    [Show full text]
  • Hoosier Brethren and the Origins of the Restoration Movement
    Hoosier Brethren and the Origins of the Restoration Movement David B. Eller* Frontier Indiana was a patchwork of competing religious views and interests. The Great Kentucky Revival at Cane Ridge in 1801 had set the dominant spiritual mood for evangel- ical Protestants, and in the years following Cane Ridge the fires of revival had swept across the Ohio Valley. In the Hoosier state, as in the rest of the Midwest, the result was a tremendous increase in adherents to such sects as the Methodists and Baptists who were ready and able to serve up religion warm, if not hot. An important part of the story of the growth of evangelical Protestantism in the Ohio Valley was the rise of the Disciples movement, popularly known as the “Restoration” because of its emphasis on restoring simple or “primitive” New Testament Christianity as the norm for faith and practice. The Disciples are usually said to have been inspired by Alexander Campbell, a Presbyterian turned Baptist reformer, and Barton W. Stone, a veteran of Cane Ridge. Working independently before 1832 and cooperatively thereafter, these two pioneer ministers led a re- form crusade which resulted in the formation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by about 1840. In Indiana, how- ever, Restoration activities previous to the mid-1830s were in- digenous and largely independent of Stone and Campbell.’ Although historians of the Disciples of Christ have long recognized the significant contributions of the German Baptist Brethren, or Dunkers, to Restoration reforms in southern Indi- ana, their accounts have usually been vague as to the congre- gations involved, their location, origin, and leadership.
    [Show full text]
  • Ron Keener Asks the Question HILLCREST
    Ron Keener asks the question HILLCREST PEACEFULLY. SIMPLY. TOGETHER. HILLCREST. 2705 Mountain View Drive I La Verne, California I 909-392-4375 LivingatHillcrest.org DSS #191501662 I COA #069 &'adingAgtr, ...... CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Editor: Randy Miller- cPublisher:•ESSENGER Wendy McFadden News: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Subscriptions: Diane Stroyeck Design: The Concept Mill .October 2013 vol. 1 a2 No. s www.BRETHREN.oRG Are Brethren on a course to 'mission drift'? 8 Are Brethren churches moving away from their moorings-their core values? And, if so, who is most responsible for the shift? Congregations? The denomination? Pastors and staff? Former Church Executive magazine editor Ron Keener's answer may surprise you. Being church in the world- 12 a conversation with wee leaders Olav Fykse Tveit and Natasha Klukach from the World Council of Churches visited the Church of the Brethren General Offices, where they discussed key issues in the church leading up to next month's 10th Assembly. Making their 'meetinghouse' useful today 14 Today's churches look quite different from the meetinghouses in which early Brethren gathered for worship. "The meetinghouses were plain but practical," says Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren pastor Bob Kettering. "I believe the Brethren had the right idea in calling their structures meetinghouses, which functioned as hospitality centers." Find out how one church is applying a meetinghouse approach in today's world. Unlikely conversations 18 Unexpected encounters and unlikely conversations can often lead to profound insights and rich relationships, if only we remain open to the nudging of God's Spirit. departments 2 FROM THE PUBLISHER 20 NEWS 27 LETTERS 3 IN TOUCH 24 MEDIA REVIEW 30 TURNING POINTS 6 REFLECTIONS 25 YOUTH LIFE 32 EDITORIAL 7 THE BUZZ 26 LIVING SIMPLY MESSENGER OCTOBER 2013 1 FromthePublisher emember the good old days when it was normal to spend How to reach us more than 90 percent of your energy producing heat instead of R MESSENGER light? Back then replacing light bulbs was a simple matter.
    [Show full text]