Church of the Brethren
MessengerSeptember 2018 www.brethren.org
Annual conference 6 Light over the river 14 Brethren Woods 18 Burundi 20 So that the world f lourishes
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Messengerseptember 2018 Vol.167 No. 7 www.brethren.org/messenger Glenn Riegel Glenn
Publisher: Wendy McFadden Associate editor: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Web editor: Jan Fischer Bachman At-large editor: Walt Wiltschek Design: The Concept Mill
Annual Conference 2018 departments Seeking a compelling vision 6 2 From the Publisher 3 In Touch Light over the river 5 The exchange by Jan Fischer Bachman 22 bible study 14 24 Media review 25 Newsline digest Brethren Woods works toward 28 Letters 30 Turning Points 18 an intercultural future 32 Potluck A different way of living by Briel Slocum Why would a camp care? by Tim and Katie Heishman Sharing work and soda in Burundi On the cover 20 by Victoria Bateman Who is this not-so-big church Can we live together? with the big ideas? Watch the 27 Reflection by Calvin Park video that inspired the crowd at Annual Conference. Use it in your congregation by downloading it from the homepage of www.brethren.org Correction:Carolyn Seilhamer was mistakenly identified (July/August, p. 23) with the or at www.brethren.org/annualreport. wrong congregation. She is a member of Harrisonburg (Va.) First Church of the Brethren. Illustration by Craighton Berman. FromthePublisher
Christ on the run How to reach us
Messenger xcept for the child’s own safety, the forced separation of 1451 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120 children from their parents is never acceptable. I can scarcely believe this needs to be said. Subscriptions: E Diane Stroyeck Great damage has been done, and the urgent next step must be to reunite [email protected] the devastated families. I say this as a person of faith, a citizen of this country, Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 327 a mother, and one who was brought to the US at the age of the children now Fax: 847-742-1407 being housed in “tender age” shelters. Why are we not Advertising: treating tenderly those who are of tender age? Karen Stocking [email protected] Adding to this national pain is the government’s Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 308 use of scripture to justify such cruelty. Surely there is Fax: 847-742-1407 weeping from the God whom many call Father, the one Editorial: who calls us children. When Jesus healed on the sab- [email protected] bath, he made it clear that people are more important Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 326 than the law (Matthew 12:9-13). Another day, Jesus Fax: 847-742-1407 brought over a child and said, “Whoever welcomes one Subscription rates: such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). $17.50 individual rate - $32 for 2 years Wendy McFadden Care for the stranger and sojourner is deeply and $14.50 gift rate Publisher undeniably woven into the biblical text. That is evi- $14.50 church club rate dence that the Scriptures are best used to defend rath- - $27 for 2 years er than abuse those who flee violence and hardship. $ 1.25 student (per month) But at this moment, I am drawn even more to texts that speak of God’s spe- If you move, clip address label and send with new address to Messenger cial care for children and families. During Pharaoh’s regime, God acted Subscriptions, at the above address. through a sister, two midwives, and Pharaoh’s own daughter to save the infant Allow at least five weeks for Moses and allow him to be nursed by his mother (Exodus 2). Job laments that address change.
“the wicked snatch a widow’s child from her breast” (Job 24:9 NLT). When For digital Messenger go to Herod wanted to destroy young Jesus, God led Joseph to escape with his fami- www.brethren.org/accessmessenger. ly across the border to Egypt (Matthew 2). Visit Messenger online at The Church of the Brethren has long spoken and acted on matters of immi- www.brethren.org/messenger. gration and the plight of refugees. In this time of crisis, let us recall words from an Annual Conference statement in 1982: “Christ has made another appearance among us, as himself an immigrant and refugee, in the person of political dissidents, the economically deprived, and foreigners on the run.”
Messenger is the official publication of the Church of the Brethren. Member of the Associated Church Press. Biblical quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version. Copyright © September 2018, Church of the Brethren.
Messenger (ISSN 0026-0355) is published 10 times a year by Brethren Press, Church of the Brethren. Periodicals postage paid at Elgin, Ill., and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Messenger, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694. Printed on recycled paper (20% post consumer) 2 Messenger September 2018 InTouch Henry Gong Remembering Manzanar
ll they could take was one suitcase and Taniwaki can share first-hand what trauma can do to a what they could wear. That is what small child. President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 told She entered the camp when she was just 7 months old. JAapanese and Japanese-Americans who were living on the The negative health effects to her bones trouble her to this West Coast after the attack on Pearl Harbor, in 1942. They day. Her memories never go away of waking up to wind reported to relocation camps with only one week’s notice. blowing through the barracks and sand getting into her Marge Taniwaki was one of those interned at Manzanar teeth at night. The hardships also wore heavily on the adults, Camp in California. She shared her experience in a who lost everything when evacuation orders came through. presentation at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in The US government has since apologized and paid Littleton, Colo. The July 24 event was co-sponsored by reparations to victims of the internment camps who were Littleton neighborhood citizens and brought 45 people still alive in 1988. But for listeners at Prince of Peace, now is together despite hail storms. the moment for a living peace church to call for dignity for For those at the event, the recent separation of families immigrants and refugees. (Find a video of Marge Taniwaki’s at the US-Mexico border feels disturbingly similar to the presentation at https://youtu.be/ZNy75HSH2FM) Japanese-American internment. Indeed, 76 years later —Gail Erisman Valeta
Water for Haiti
In response to a presentation by Brad Yoder on the Haiti Medical Project’s pure water initiative, an anonymous Timbercrest resident pledged to match donations to the water project up to $1,000. The presentation was to Timbercrest Seniors for Peace, a group at Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester, Ind. In a few weeks, the challenge was met and exceeded. A total of $3,325 was raised and sent to Global Mission and Service to be used for the Haiti Pure Water Initiative. —Marie Willoughby
Do you have district or congregational stories that might be of interest to Messenger? Short items with a photo are best. Send them to Messenger, c/o In Touch, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 or [email protected].
Messenger September 2018 3 InTouch
Leading the church’s song
astoral musicians have the terrify- ing priestly task of placing words of sung prayer on people’s lips. . . . [They] have theP holy task of being stewards of God’s Word,” writes John D. Witvliet. This quote from “Capable Leadership for the Church’s Music Ministry,” by Jeffrey Clouser, represents Clouser’s thoughtful and spiritual per- spective on the ministry of music. He is director of music ministries at Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and the article appears in the UCC Musicians Association journal Worship, Music, and Ministry. The article looks at what it means to “lead a church’s song” in a congregational setting in any denomination and examines how the music ministry at Palmyra embraces the task of being musician- stewards of God’s word. Pastor Dennis Lohr is quot- ed from a 2017 sermon on intergenerational worship and the positive impact it has had for the congrega- tion to finds its own voice for singing together. Clouser shares his personal guidelines for music planning: 1) choose songs that support the theology of the church, 2) choose songs that affirm the mis- sion of the church and how the church lives out its faith in community, and 3) choose music that sup- Running with ports the liturgy and scripture of the day, is partici- patory, and honors God. Whenever Palmyra gathers perseverance for worship, the congregation benefits from this methodology that grows from the heart of the music He’s 98 and managed to shave a minute off his time from a director’s spirituality. year ago. For the 13th time, George Etzweiler of the Clouser’s experience with Palmyra Church of the University Baptist Brethren congregation in State College, Brethren is an important and formative part of his Pa., ran the annual Mount Washington Road Race, a 7.6- academic journey in the master of church music mile race up the tallest peak in the northeast. Etzweiler degree program at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in was featured in For the Love of Mary, a short video that Columbus, Ohio. —Martha Shaak premiered at Telluride Mountainfilm 2018. Watch it at https://vimeo.com/273611679.
4 Messenger September 2018 TheExchange
m u a b la u D ie ll A
Annual Conference by the numbers
2,233 registered, including 673 delegates $9,492.75 received in and 1,560 nondelegates cash, checks, and gift cards for First Step Home, recipient of the Witness to the Host City donations. Also received were donations of goods such as diapers for use by this $60,223.80 received in organization that serves women and children in Cincinnati. offerings: $14,774 for Nigeria Crisis Response, $14,773 for Glenn Riegel disaster relief in Puerto Rico, $13,157.03 for Core Ministries of the denomination, $8,764.25 for Spanish translation for 4 top finishers in the Annual Conference, $8,755.52 for ministry among Batwa Brethren Benefit Trust Fitness (Pygmy) communities in the Great Lakes region of Africa Challenge: walkers Don Shankster (35:56) and Susan Fox (40:42), runners 2 percent increase approved for the Minimum Cash Matthew Muthler (18:48) Salary Table for pastors and Karen Stutzman (25:03)
$2,102 raised for the Ministry 2 congregations welcomed: Assistance Fund by the Ministers’ Association GraceWay Church of the Brethren (Mid-Atlantic District), Iglesia Cristiana Renacer Church of the Brethren (Virlina)
159 pints collected by the blood drive 2 fellowships welcomed: Iglesia del Buen Pastor (Virlina), Joyful Church Fellowship (Western Pennsylvania) $8,100 raised for world hunger by the quilt auction of the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren 6 projects welcomed: Centro Agape en Acción and Iglesia Cristiana Elohim (Pacific Southwest); Church of the Table, Parables Community, and The Gathering Chicago (Illinois and Glenn Riegel Wisconsin); Nuevo Comienzo (Atlantic Southeast)
Messenger September 2018 5 Gl e nn
Ri eg e l
Annual Conference 2018 Seeking a compelling vision Delegates act on global church, ecumenism, creation care
by Frances Townsend and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
he compelling vision pro- ments into the experience of vision and cess began at the 2018 Annual purpose as we proclaim and serve Christ Conference, involving delegates together. . . . While we cannot anticipate Tand non-delegates during two sections of how God will work through a body of the business sessions. believers seeking God’s vision, we can answer that such a vision can only be
Glenn Riegel Glenn The process, as outlined in the report, “is intended to move us beyond our con- anchored in Jesus Christ.” versations, debates, and official state- Last year’s Conference set the church
6 Messenger September 2018 Gl e nn
Ri eg e l
Below left: Intercultural ministries director Gimbiya Kettering and her daughter at the Families Belong Together candlelight vigil. Below right and bottom: Spirited worship. Glenn Riegel Glenn Larry Ditmar Larry Glenn Riegel Glenn
Seeking a compelling vision to this task when it adopted a recommen- dation from the Leadership Team and Council of District Executives. Since then, a Compelling Vision Working Group and a Compelling Vision Process Team have been named. The latter led the discussions at this Annual Conference. The process will continue denominationwide through the 2019 Conference, with events in districts, input from boards and staff of agen- cies, conversations at National Youth Conference, and sig-
Messenger September 2018 7 others, listening and pausing during conversation, not attempting to “fix” or “rescue” others, using “I” state- ments, and more. Table talk questions focused on val- ues, vision, and hope, designed to help people bring to mind how their faith has shaped their lives and may shape their future choices. In addition, each person received papers to write down their own responses to the questions,
Glenn Riegel Glenn and those were collected by the pro- cess team for compilation and analysis. More information is at www.breth- Mission executive Jay Wittmeyer introduces leaders of the Brethren in Venezuela. ren.org/ac/compelling-vision.html.
nificant time at the next Annual Conference, the process involves small Vision for a Global Church of Conference. Delegates approved a rec- groups in deep conversation and shar- the Brethren: Brought by the ommendation to set aside new business ing. Ground rules for discussion, Mission and Ministry Board at the ini- items in 2019 to give most of the time called “Guidelines for Sacred Sharing,” tiative of Global Mission and Service, to the process. encourage transparency, not naming this paper was reviewed by the Mission As experienced at this Annual names, not attempting to convince Advisory Committee, as well as by
Voices from Annual Conference Learning to listen by Allie Dulabaum
Although I am only 16, I have gone to numerous remember sitting off to the side while the testimonies of Annual Conferences. In fact, it would be easier for me to countless Brethren were made for or against the motion at count the ones I did not attend than the ones I did. hand. The tension in the room was heavy, and I found myself As I grew up, children’s activities seemed less and less adding to it. I would judge people based on their beliefs. I meaningful. Starting in middle school, I couldn’t help but would get angry and project that hatred onto those who did notice the harsh times the church was going through. not see eye to eye with me. Understanding the politics of the world was far beyond my That hostility showed my immaturity. Instead of just hearing reach. Yet I yearned for an understanding of what was hap- what my fellow Brethren had to say, I needed to listen. Without pening, and so I began attending business sessions. listening there can be no solution. In 2018, the Church of the Brethren is still at a divide. As time has passed, I have come to appreciate all parts of Much like the rest of the country, we find ourselves split over the spectrum, although I may not agree with everyone. issues of sexuality, climate change, politics—the list is ever Sitting through years of Annual Conference business sessions flowing. Yet I believe this split is much more severely felt by has helped me develop my views on various subjects while us than it is by the rest of the country. How could the church also training my ears to listen. be more fragile than a whole country? However, I fear that as the youth who are now my age rise This divide is breaking us apart. With an already decreas- to be the leaders of the church tomorrow, we will forget to ing membership, we are losing brothers and sisters due to love each other and fall into another cycle of division. I am these disagreements. We are forgetting that, above all else, calling the church to find that gentle warmth between the we are God’s children following the teachings of Jesus. And in blistering chaos of the outside world and the frozen separa- those teachings of Jesus, it is taught time and time again to tion that is lingering inside the church. put aside hate and to love each other. I am calling for love. When I started going to Annual Conference business ses- Allie Dulabaum is a high school student from Elgin, Ill., and youth member of sions, it was during another era of serious disagreement. I the volunteer news team for Annual Conference 2018.
8 Messenger September 2018 Preaching parables
“God is counting on us to be the hope in a society that seems to be going down the drain. . . . To go out and simply and peacefully live out the call—
Brethren, that is our charge.” Riegel Glenn Annual Conference moderator Samuel Kefas Sarpiya
“The kingdom of heaven is where the last will be first and the first will be last. . . . There is a certain joy we can have by putting others first. . . . When you forget self and reach out to others, you will find joy.” Glenn Riegel Glenn Brian Messler, pastor of Ephrata Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania, on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard
“Worship begins when our hearts are in the right place, and when our hearts are in the right place worship never ends.” Rosanna Eller McFadden, pastor of Creekside Church of the Brethren in Indiana, on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
“How can we begin to see all these victims as individuals? Christlike seeing allows us to see beyond our labels, beyond our categories
into the humanity we all share.” Glenn Riegel Regina Holmes Angela Finet, pastor of Nokesville Church of the Brethren in Virginia, on the parable of the good Samaritan
“We’ve got to get off our seats and on our feet and go. . . . We have a missional Jesus who is on a mission and sends us out on mission. . . . The MRI mission statement that Jesus gave us: Missional Relational, Incarnational.” Leonard Sweet, E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, Madison, N.J., and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University, Portland, Ore. Glenn Riegel Glenn
Messenger September 2018 9 Paul Mundey to serve as moderator-elect Delegates elected Paul Mundey of Committee: Emily Shonk Edwards, Nellysford, Va. Frederick, Md., as moderator-elect. Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory He will serve as moderator of the 2020 Committee: Deb Oskin, Columbus, Ohio Annual Conference. Mission and Ministry Board Area 2: LaDonna Sanders An ordained minister, Mundey is retired Nkosi, Chicago, Ill.; Area 3: Carol Yeazell, Asheville, N.C.; from a long pastorate at Frederick Church of affirmed: Joel Peña, Lancaster, Pa. the Brethren. Previously he served on the Bethany Seminary Trustee, representing laity: Louis denominational staff in the areas of evange- Harrell, Manassas, Va.; clergy: Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey, lism and church growth, and was a developer of the Passing on the Hagerstown, Md.; affirmed: Cathy Simmons Huffman, Rocky Promise program and the Andrew Center. A writer and consultant, Mount, Va.; Katherine Melhorn, Wichita, Kan. he serves on the board of Bridgewater (Va.) College, and has been Brethren Benefit Trust Board: Shelley Kontra, Lancaster, a speaker for Annual Conference, National Youth Conference, and Pa.; reported: Eunice Erb Culp, Goshen, Ind.; Dennis W. National Older Adult Conference. Recently he spent a year as a Kingery, San Diego, Calif. visiting scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary. On Earth Peace Board: Jennifer Keeney Scarr, Trotwood, Ohio Other elections and appointments: Leadership Team, district executive, confirmed: Cindy Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Sanders, Missouri/Arkansas District
Brethren leaders from several countries. mon passion to be followers of Christ, a Christian bodies. The paper calls the Impetus came from a disconnect common New Testament theology of church at all levels to nurture positive between polity and practice, according peace and service, and a common com- interfaith relationships. “In doing so, to executive Jay Wittmeyer. A mandate mitment to be in relationship with one we strengthen a history of service and for a global church is present in previ- another.” missions, disaster response and relief ous statements, but they call for interna- ministries, and peace witness,” the tional districts rather than the indepen- Vision of Ecumenism for the statement says. “These relationships dent Church of the Brethren denomina- 21st Century: By adopting this further our understanding of opportu- tions that have developed. The vision is paper, delegates reaffirmed the histori- nities for mission and ministry, and for a global Church of the Brethren cal identity of the Church of the they instill a cooperative readiness to “union of autonomous bodies, a spiritual Brethren as active in ecumenical work act upon needs and areas of common community bound together by a com- and in relationship with other concern when they arise.”
Voices from Annual A divided house by Eric Brubaker Conference Jesus said that a house divided against itself destructive, but can actually be unifying. The longer discipline is cannot stand (Mark 3:25). Is a diverse house the same delayed, the more painful a resolution will be. It is naïve to think thing as a divided house? It depends. Diversity of what? that resolution on one issue will be an end-all, fix-all scenario. But Whose house is it? it is also naïve to think that resolution is not necessary. Based on Jesus’ teaching, it is absurd to think that a king- The church is diverse, and yet must be unified. However, dom/house can withstand self-destructive, divisive patterns. A the church cannot withstand broad diversity of belief, vision house cannot remain permanently divided against itself. Self- and practice and still be unified. Boundaries and consisten- destructive patterns are often started and spread by dissen- cy are necessary. The more theologically diverse a group sion, discord, factions—which can lead to rebellion, revolt, rev- becomes, the broader the unifying common denominator olution, and insurrection. The Bible teaches strongly against needs to be and the further out the boundaries get pushed. division and those who cause it. It is best to deal early with Eric Brubaker is a minister at Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, Lititz, Pa. division, rather than allow it to grow. These remarks are excerpted from his presentation at an Annual Conference In order to maintain unity, agreed upon boundaries are neces- insight session sponsored by Atlantic Northeast District and the Brethren sary, which may lead to discipline. Discipline appears to be self- Revival Fellowship.
10 Messenger September 2018 Donna Parcell Regina Holmes Laura Brown
Creation Care: Faith into Action: Delegates approved the recommenda- tions, which begin to move the church Laura Brown from fossil fuel use to renewable energy at all levels including denomination, district, congregation, and individual. The com-
mittee described how care for humanity is part of the church’s calling in Christ, that Voices In the footsteps from Annual Conference of Christ by Carol Lindquist
Whether or not the denomination remains together as the Church of the Brethren, its future and its history are threatened by how we conduct ourselves within our current polarities. We are unlikely to abandon our A divided house by Eric Brubaker positions because they are grounded in our personal beliefs, but we can manage them by assuming the mantle of Christ who walked among us as God’s chosen teacher. Christ lis- tened. Christ asked questions. Christ loved us and instructed us to do the same. Glenn Riegel Glenn In the footsteps of Christ, we are called to relinquish our need to win at the expense of others or to assume “we” are right and “they” are wrong. When the drive of one person or Clockwise from top left: Michele Gibbel group is to wield power over other persons, the calling of the redeems her exhibit hall passport for free ice faith community falls short of its principles and its future is cream. Insight session presenters Christina threatened. Such behavior, in public or behind closed doors, Bucher and Wilma Bailey are co-authors of a should stop and be held accountable. new volume in the Believers Church Commentary Series. Brethren tourists take in Carol Lindquist is a member of Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind. This is excerpted from a white paper prepared by Supportive the sights in Cincinnati. Committee chair Communities Network to delve into issues related to Annual Conference. Find Sharon Yohn responds to questions about the the full paper at https://www.bmclgbt.org/single-post/2018/06/29/BMC-at- Creation Care statement. Children beat the Church-of-the-Brethren-Annual-Conference. heat at a downtown park.
Messenger September 2018 11 Regina Holmes Glenn Riegel Glenn
Voices climate change has potential to cause from Annual Confessing Jesus Conference great harm to people around the world, by John Jantzi and reducing fossil fuel use may help avoid that harm. The committee devel- Our denominational and district paralysis can be addressed oped a Brethren Creation Care Network only by returning to our common center, Jesus Christ. Then and only then of volunteers with expertise, coordinat- will our most sophisticated processes, our most skilled practitioners and ed by the Office of Peacebuilding and ways of interacting become effective. Policy, and collected resources at We have been impacted far more by the current political and cultural scene www.brethren.org/creationcare. than we can ever understand. The corrosive environment in which we live makes In other business, delegates it increasingly difficult to hear the Jesus story. The paradox is this: There are approved: many saints in the Church of the Brethren, but our corporate conversations do A Vitality and Viability report that not reflect that individual holiness. offers resources and stories to help the We need to experience the story of Jesus through the eyes and ears of one church renew relationships with Jesus hearing for the first time. Far from avoiding conflict, this could introduce conflict and with each other. This committee in ways we cannot now imagine. Our lives, our communal living, our dearest was formed to address concerns raised convictions could be held up for examination in light of Jesus Christ. in 2015 in a query about district struc- Listen to the cacophony of sounds from our culture: “Deplorables,” “lock her ture, and was assigned the broader up,” “murderers and rapists,” and the unending cycle of violence and the ostenta- topic of vitality. tious display of wealth on both sides of the aisle. We might object strenuously. Changes to the Brethren Benefit Surely this does not reflect our posture as Brethren. But how many times in the Trust articles of organization that silence of our own souls have we skirted the edges of such attitudes and language? change the term ‘Socially Responsible On our very best days we fall short of God’s glory. That sense of humility—that Investing” to “Brethren Values sense of being one with other human beings in our shortcomings—should drive us Investing” and reduce from four to two to a compassionate, invitational approach to our conversations with each other. the number of nominees required for There is no room for moral disdain, for contempt of the other. There are no election of a board director. deplorables, and, but for the grace of God, we all deserve to be locked up. Amendments to the Church of the 1 Corinthians 13:12 instructs us regarding our approach to our convictions: Brethren bylaws recommended by the “For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now I know in Mission and Ministry Board in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known” (KJV). response to the 2017 Review and On our very best days, our knowledge is only partial. We don’t know as Evaluation report. They add responsi- much as we think we do. There is no room for the curled upper lip, for the bility to the Leadership Team for sense of superior knowledge—only room for those who know in part. implementing denominational vision; Of whom shall we speak? We speak of Jesus Christ. clarify the team’s oversight of the In what manner shall we speak? We speak confessionally. Annual Conference Office and director; John Jantzi is district executive of Shenandoah District. These remarks are excerpted add a district executive to the from the Brethren Revival Fellowship Luncheon at Annual Conference. Leadership Team; and change some
12 Messenger September 2018 From left: Quilters create a traditional gift for the moderator. Moderator-elect Donita Kiester, moderator Samuel Sarpiya, and secretary Jim Beckwith. Salamatu Billi and Rebecca Dali speak at a session on women theologians in the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Early childhood activities bring together the generations. Dennis Webb performs at the exhibit hall stage. Keith Hollenberg Donna Parcell Donna Parcell
terminology, including updating the Advisory Committee. For full coverage of Annual Conference go to name “Southern Ohio-Kentucky Delegates did not approve a Review www.brethren.org/ac/2018/coverage. The Annual District.” and Evaluation Committee recommen- Conference news team members were photogra- phers Glenn Riegel, Regina Holmes, Keith Hollen- A 2 percent increase to the 2019 min- dation for a gathering of denomina- berg, Donna Parcell, and Laura Brown; reporters imum cash salary table for pastors and a tional leadership every three to five Frances Townsend, Karen Garrett, Frank Ramirez, change in polity for how the district years. A feasibility study showed that and Allie Dulabaum; and communications staff executive representative is named to the current structures provide enough col- Jan Fischer Bachman, Russ Otto, and Cheryl Pastoral Compensation and Benefits laboration. Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services.
Voices from Annual Conference The vine and branches by Jamie Nace I am reminded of the vine and branches meta- that encourages separation when disagreements become too phor in the gospel of John. Jesus calls us to be connected to intense, we Brethren vote to come together. In a world that the vine, to abide in him as he abides in us. As we are deeply says we need to take care of ourselves first, we Brethren say, connected to that vine, we branch out, further and further, but “No. We must care for others first.” In a world that tells us that we remain connected to Jesus and it’s that connection that it’s dangerous to interact with people of other faiths, we say allows our branches to be fruitful. that such interactions will only help to bolster our faith as we During Annual Conference business sessions this year, our seek to truly listen to and love others. In nations that are rav- work was significant. We adopted a paper on creation care, aged by war, we are building churches to stand for peace. allowing us to branch out into our communities and across our We Brethren exemplify what it means to be a witness for country in an effort to care for our planet. We adopted a paper Christ. We work hard to love as he loved. We listen to our on ecumenism, allowing us to branch out to people of other brothers and sisters when their views are different, and we Christian traditions as well as to those of other faiths. We adopt- truly try to hear their hearts. That was so evident to me at ed a paper on being a global Church of the Brethren, allowing us Conference this year. I heard people speak with such respect to to branch out all over the world. And most exciting of all, we others who challenged their work. I saw love in the midst of agreed to set aside all new business in 2019 to allow ample time struggle and confusion. I saw Jesus, ever-present, all over that to work on a compelling vision for our denomination. place. Instead of allowing our differences to divide us, we are There’s something different about the Brethren, and I have meeting them head-on and moving forward. Our deep connec- never been more joyful to be a part of it!
tion to the vine, to Jesus, was clearly evident in our decisions Jamie Nace is a licensed minister and director of children’s ministry at Lan- and in our interactions. caster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. This was her third Annual Conference There is something different about the Brethren. In a world and her second year as a delegate.
Messenger September 2018 13 Light over the river story and photos by Jan Fischer Bachman
stand in a chilly low-ceil- Ohio entered the United States in Where am I in this story? Facing inged space with rough stone 1787, required to prohibit slavery. The extreme injustice, would I break laws? Iwalls. White-painted blocks in front US Constitution was ratified the same Would I violate the Constitution? of me indicate a sealed tunnel. A dark year; slave-owning states gained endur- Discipleship Ministry’s two-day rectangle to the left reveals, by flash- ing, disproportionate power from the and Discipleship program, held just light, a crawl space: a shelter on the provision that slaves be counted as before Annual Conference, served up Underground Railroad. three-fifths a person. The Constitution’s historical sites, soul food, and extraor- I imagine lying in the cramped Fugitive Slave Clause, followed by dinary discussions with panelists enclosure, breathing the mineral smell Fugitive Slave Acts in 1793 and 1850, including the dean of Christ Church of slightly damp stone. Would the dark- meant that Ohio, while a “free” state, Cathedral, Cincinnati’s chief of police, ness crush my spirits? Or would it was not a safe place for escaped slaves. a city councilman, and prominent civil envelop and comfort, giving the illu- It was both illegal and unconstitutional rights leaders and pastors. Harriet sion of safety? for anyone to help them, for 78 years. Beecher Stowe’s home; James Brown’s
Dikaios and Discipleship
Dikaios and Discipleship (www.brethren.org/ dikaios) was a two-day program sponsored by the Church of the Brethren’s Discipleship Ministries (formerly Congregational Life Ministries). The program will be repeated in Greensboro, N.C., prior to the 2019 Annual Conference. For information on monthly phone conversations and other opportuni- ties, go to www.brethren.org/intercultural.
14 Messenger September 2018 Where is the justice?
The Greek word “dikaios” in various forms means both “justice” and “righteousness.” In Spanish, the word “justicia” encompasses both meanings. In English, “righteousness” implies personal morality or holiness and “justice” carries a sense of interactions between people in society. “Adikia” likewise could be either “unrighteousness” or “injustice” in English. Notice the difference:
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be filled.”
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their Light over the river wickedness suppress the truth.” “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those who by their injustice recording studio; a tavern that shel- 100,000 adults were 1,608 (black) suppress the truth.” tered escaped slaves; Underground and 274 (white). Railroad locations; Cincinnati’s The 2009 median wealth (posses- The New Testament uses this Greek word Freedom Center—all were visited by 40 sions minus debts) of white house- in various forms about 300 times. In most people with different backgrounds, holds was 20 times that of black English translations, all but six are ages, and skin colors. households. translated “righteous/righteousness.” Does it seem racist for me to mention Are these all things I prefer skin color? Would it be better for me to be not to see? “colorblind”? “We cannot be afraid to have con- expect any more A’s, since “they are Hear the words of a tour partici- versations about race,” Cincinnati smarter than you.” Miller instead found pant: “To be colorblind is to disavow police chief Eliot Isaac says, “examin- that she was two years ahead of her someone’s personhood. You don’t see ing where we are and for what rea- new classmates. me if you don’t see color. I’m invisible.” sons.” Isaac described areas he never The Rev. Aaron Greenlee, pastor of Do I prefer invisible people who don’t dreamed would be part of his 30 years Olivet Baptist Church, describes being upset others? of police work: education, jobs, health, part of a group trying to start a credit From 2010 to 2014, Cincinnati’s even grocery stores. union. No one would rent them a infant mortality rate was 15.6 per 1,000 “When grocery stores pull out, building. It took four years to get a live births for African American fami- everything else follows, until there is charter. In the end, the effort failed. lies; for white families it was 6.1 per no food and no services. Police get left One Brethren participant remem- 1,000. In 2017 black unemployment with the aftermath of people frustrated bers her sweet, kind grandmother was almost 12 percent; white unem- by their situation.” repeating comments on mixed race ployment was 4.5 percent. Meanwhile, if he is out of uniform, couples. Can a genuinely nice and com- US public schools disproportionate- people move away from him uncom- passionate person be . . . racist? The ly discipline black students, from pre- fortably on the elevator. thought carries pain. school up, regardless of socioeconomic Participants and panelists share sto- As Damon Lynch III, pastor of New class. African Americans ages 18-49 are ries. Lajuana Miller, our tour guide, Prospect Baptist Church, says, “It’s not twice as likely to die from heart disease switched to a desegregated school in that I’ve got a white or black friend. As as whites. The 2016 prison rates per sixth grade. Her mother told her not to a body of people, we’re still at the bot-
Messenger September 2018 15 tions and was cited by the US Supreme Court as recently as 2005. “The church has an important part to play,” Charles says. “Our entry point is lament.” Site after site, story after story, layer upon layer. I find myself in the Freedom Center memorial for the mil- lions who died in slave ships and forts, soft strains of a gospel version of “Amazing Grace” playing, over- whelmed by the lives destroyed. I am sorry. I am so sorry. The more I learn about the sick structural inequality we accept as normal, the more my heart cries out. But what does God call me to tom rung of society.” cents per hour. Prisoners grow pro- do? What does God call us to do? His congregation is located in a pre- duce, staff call centers, and assemble Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a dominantly African American, low- clothing, electronics, and furniture. I book educating thousands about slav- income community, and their favorite recently learned with disbelief and dis- ery. The Dikaios tour encountered Bible hero is Moses. may that my daughter’s Christian col- traces of Stowe in place after place: Am I one of the “chosen people,” lege uses such labor for laundry. here she heard the story of Eliza enslaved but breaking free and following God tells Abraham, “your offspring crossing the ice-covered river; here God to the promised land? Am I a Moses, shall be aliens in a land . . . and shall be she met slaves; here is the foundation leading others to salvation and freedom? slaves there, and they shall be of the market where she saw human Am I comfortable in my own country, oppressed for four hundred years but I beings sold. Stowe saw, pondered, resentful of foreigners, of the opinion that will bring judgment on the nation that remembered. When her 18-month-old Moses should follow the laws and pray they serve” (Genesis 15:13-14). There son died, she connected: This must be for change? are those longing for 2019, in hopes what slave mothers feel when separat- Slaves arrived at Jamestown in 1619. that this promise still applies today. ed from their children. The process In 1865 the 13th amendment declared, Who am I in this story? took two decades; the result was Uncle “Neither slavery nor involuntary servi- At the Discipleship Ministries din- Tom’s Cabin. tude, except as a punishment for crime ner concluding the Dikaios program, One story in Uncle Tom’s Cabin whereof the party shall have been duly speaker Mark Charles traces how came from pastor John Rankin. convicted, shall exist within the United Christianity became entangled with Rankin’s impassioned letters to his States. . . .” Convict leasing spread political power as far back as slaveholding brother became Letters immediately; by 1898 it accounted for Constantine in the fourth century. on American Slavery, making a case 73 percent of Alabama’s state revenue. Fifteenth-century papal bulls autho- against slavery and refuting reassur- Prisons swelled with former slaves. In rized, indeed encouraged, the enslave- ing, mistaken biblical interpretations. 1965 the Civil Rights Act outlawed ment or death of non-Christians, with race-based discrimination. In 1970 their possessions and land going to there were 250,000 people in prison; Christians instead. This “Doctrine of today there are over 2.3 million. Prison Discovery” informed the genocide and labor persists, with wages below 20 forcible re-education of native popula-
Doctrine of Discovery resources
For a seven-minute description of the Doctrine of Discovery, view https://youtu.be/N3oc84aLC-Q Find a full version of the talk by Mark Charles at https://youtu.be/XRRDulnkgrl Mark Charles writes at https://wirelesshogan.com/
16 Messenger September 2018 participants stand on the banks of the powerful Ohio River and shine tiny flashlights over the water, praying to become lights in the darkness, part of an outpouring of the Spirit, of justice and righteousness and discipleship.
The Rankins’ home sits on a bluff wove together to provide freedom for Ohio River and shine tiny flashlights above the Ohio River. A light from the the 30-100,000 people who escaped, over the water, praying to become house could be seen from Kentucky, out of 4 million slaves at the time. lights in the darkness, part of an out- inspiring hope and promising safe Discipleship does not look the same pouring of the Spirit, of justice and passage. Inventor and entrepreneur for everyone. As Rankin writes, “Let righteousness and discipleship. John Parker, a former slave, used his all the friends of justice and suffering “The church bears a lot of responsi- house on the riverbank as a launching humanity, do what little they can, in bility for what is happening across point for risky night-time rescues. The their several circles, and according to America,” says the Rev. Damon Lynch, Rankin boys would head downhill to their various stations, capacities and Jr., pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist find the newcomers, provide them opportunities; and all their little Church. “Whatever you’ve heard that’s food, and guide them to the Red Oak streams of exertion will, in process of beneficial, be a witness.” church six miles away. Sources say time, flow together, and constitute a “I know things are going to get bet- that thousands of slaves passed mighty river that shall sweep away the ter because you’re here,” says the Rev. through the Rankin house and barn; yoke of oppression.” Greenlee. A concession to fragile feel- they couldn’t stay since the house was At the end of the Dikaios and ings? Maybe. Or perhaps there is hope constantly searched. Discipleship program, participants in the tiny beams of flashlights over the The gifts and faithfulness of many stand on the banks of the powerful Ohio River.
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Messenger September 2018 17 Brethren Woods works toward an intercultural future
A different way of living by Briel Slocum
eing staff at Brethren Woods showed a fifth of the staff have been people of color. This is not a me a different way of living than I was concern, although it does bother me. At Brethren Woods, Bused to. I grew up in a neighborhood in which staff are not chosen by their color but their ability to whites were in the minority, or there just weren’t many serve the camp and the children. I believe the ratio of around besides teachers. I learned about Brethren Woods white people to people of color is only high because there through my pastor, Josiah Ludwick. He joked that it was are more white Brethren teens in the US, plus camping in general is more of an activity for white families. Other people are not always willing to change everything they are used to for a summer. I love Brethren Woods and how the camp treats staff, as well as how it raises uncomfortable conversations that
Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center challenge all staff to care about everyone no matter their background, and how to treat them fairly. I came back from camp wanting to continue to serve, because I know everyone is loved and heard. I encourage more staff of different backgrounds to apply to serve at Brethren Woods because there is no dis- crimination against minorities, but spiritual growth and God’s love for everyone. going to be hard being one of the few people of color on Briel Slocum of Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren is a counselor the staff, or maybe being the only one. at Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center near Keezletown, Va. For my future, it had to be one of the best risks I could have taken. Brethren Woods taught me an important lesson. They didn’t rob anyone of the awareness of different races, but showed that all races are unique and special. My whole life, race has been brought up negatively and in self-pro- moting ways. The first time I walked through the staff
lounge at Brethren Woods, however, I was greeted like a Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center loved family member whom everyone missed. It was over- whelming but a great feeling as well. At Brethren Woods, diversity and culture are welcomed and encouraged. Offensive questions are not asked, and no one looks at you and then judges negatively. Both years I have worked there, last year and this year,
18 Messenger September 2018 Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center
Why would a camp care? by Tim and Katie Heishman
hy would a camp care about working • We noticed that some stores in the area are moving toward an intercultural future? Is inter- ahead in bilingual hospitality, which spurred us to action. As Wcultural ministry really something outdoor min- a result, most of the signs around camp are now bilingual in istry staff should be concerned about? The answer is yes! English and Spanish, a recognition of Spanish as the second- There are biblical and sociological reasons to work toward most-common language spoken in the Shenandoah Valley. an intercultural future. • We looked closely at recruiting and hiring practices, with The biblical story tells us where we have come from, the goal of hiring a more ethnically diverse staff to mirror the where we are today, and where God is taking us in the camper population. It has been a joy to move from next to no future. In Revelation 7:9 we receive a beautiful vision of ethnic minority staff to about 20 percent for two years in a row. what the coming kingdom will look like. The author writes, • We have instituted mandatory cultural competency “After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no training to train staff to be on the lookout for microaggres- one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peo- sions, racial bias, and other factors that can prevent camp ples and languages, standing before the throne and before from being a welcoming place for all campers. the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their • We encourage worship leaders to introduce a song in hands.” For Brethren who have long believed that we are to another language once a day, both to join the praises of do our best to enact the coming kingdom in the here and Christians around the world and to stretch the camp com- now, this should be a call to action. munity as we become more diverse. From a sociological perspective, many of us are aware These are small changes but they are important changes that by 2044 over half of the United States population will that lay the groundwork for the ministry to come. be ethnic minorities. White people will be a minority in a lit- Being open to the stranger is a key theme throughout the tle over 25 years. Bible not only because it is necessary for mission and evan- It would be irresponsible to brush off both the biblical gelism, but because it comes from the heart of Jesus. In the call and these sociological trends, hoping that change will Bible, faith formation so often occurs when a person either happen naturally or the next generation can deal with encounters God in the “other,” in people who are not alike. it. We must prepare now. Welcoming others requires that we change, and that is a How does one begin to make small changes in an over- tough fact to absorb. But our prayer is that Jesus will contin- whelmingly white institution, to prepare it for the challenges ue to show us the way to be most faithful in these times. of the emerging generation? We have taken several practical Tim and Katie Heishman are program directors at Brethren Woods Camp and steps to become more welcoming to people of various races. Retreat Center near Keezletown, Va.
Messenger September 2018 19 Donna Parcell
Sharing work and soda in Burundi by Victoria Bateman
s we passed the tubs of concrete along admired the women and children walking along the roads in the bucket brigade, our Burundian colleagues their colorful patterned clothing, I was reminded that these Abegan to sing. The song was call and response—one walks were often miles long and undertaken for survival of them sang a line in Kirundi, and everyone yelled either rather than recreation. Every adorable gaggle of schoolchil- Kora! (work) or Cola! (soda) in turn. We couldn’t understand dren was followed by another gaggle of children who exactly what the song was saying, but the meaning was weren’t wearing school uniforms. Tiny children, barefoot clear: Work hard, so we can relax together and drink a soda. along dirt roads, carried their even tinier siblings on their This work day was one of many during the young adult backs. Our group saw firsthand the extreme poverty, lack of workcamp trip to Burundi in early June. Located south of healthy political dialogue, and trauma inflicted by genocide. Rwanda, Burundi is consistently ranked among the poorest The joy that these Burundians displayed often disguised the countries in the world. In 2017, the GDP per capita was just harsh reality that there is a lot of humanitarian and human $818, according to the International Monetary Fund. rights progress to be made. Burundi has a history of genocide, and more recently has In response to this need, there is a significant amount of experienced political tension. Just a week before our work- non-governmental organization (NGO) activity, from both camp started, the country held a referendum that sparked the international community and local organizations. Our election violence, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. workcamp was hosted by one of these local organizations, Burundi is incredibly beautiful, and there is a sense of life called Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services and vibrancy throughout the country. Banana trees lined the (THARS). A partner of the Church of the Brethren’s Global mountain roads we used to get from town to town, and vil- Mission and Service office, THARS offers trauma healing lages were populated by families wearing colorful fabrics and economic empowerment services to those affected by and carrying all sorts of produce. Men on bikes held on to Burundi’s history of violence. the back of trucks for a lift up each hill, and cheerful school- One of the programs that the Church of the Brethren children walked together on their way home from classes. funds through THARS is a mid-day meal for Twa school- This beauty stood in stark contrast to the realities of children. Children had been skipping school, afraid that everyday life in poorer regions of the country. Even as I their parents would eat meals while they were away. To
20 Messenger September 2018 increase attendance, THARS began feeding the children In countless instances, workcampers and our new lunch before they went to class. Burundian friends got to experience the quirks of one anoth- The impact of this program was made clear to me as I er’s cultures. One evening, we returned from the Gitega mar- passed by the Twa children one afternoon. I smiled and ket with bolts of cloth we had purchased. The Burundian waved at one boy as he ate, and asked in English how he was women taught us how to wear them as skirts and headpiec- doing. Kirundi is the language most commonly spoken in the es—and followed the lesson up with a dance tutorial. country, followed by French for business purposes, so I Another day, workcamp participant Alexis Charles taught wasn’t expecting more than a smile and wave back. I was the THARS national staff how to do yoga during a work pleasantly surprised, then, when the boy broke into a big break. As we chugged water and tried to find shade, she intro- smile and told me he was doing very well—in English. His duced them to stretches like “cobra” and “downward facing response was a testament to the education he is receiving. dog.” Later she reflected, “In that moment, God showed me Something that is often emphasized in modern peace- how I could use my talent for yoga to build relationships and building and humanitarian work is the importance of local community with the people of Burundi. [Even in] a country leadership and the empowerment of beneficiaries of aid. where there was a slight language barrier, love was shared, This makes the work of the US church in places like laughs were made, and yoga brought us closer together.” Burundi complicated. We seek to be helpful and to have a The experiences that meant the most to Colby Patton healthy dynamic between the US church and our interna- included the informal Kirundi lessons she got during the tional partners, without approaching the situation from a workday, the rural church service and drum ceremony, and place of arrogance or pity. This is easier to theorize about hearing firsthand accounts of the Burundian genocide. “I than to accomplish. have learned more about myself on workcamps, like in I asked two of our Burundian colleagues how the Burundi, than what I could have learned anywhere else. I American church can relate to countries like Burundi in a have also fostered strong friendships across the world helpful, healthy way, and received the same answer from woven with the love of God. I encourage anyone to go some- both: relationships. David Niyonzima, founder and executive where new and embrace the people there, because we have director of THARS, said of the workcamp: “It’s like we are so much to learn!” all partners in the whole thing. It’s like you are raising up The impact of intercultural relationships isn’t reserved our service team and sharing and telling us that we are all in just for interactions between Americans and Burundians. this together as human beings. As God’s people. In fact, we Solomon Ntibaharire, another Burundian who worked with have a saying in Burundi, ‘We are who we are because of us, spoke to the practical use of relationships in peacebuild- others.’ I believe that this relationship, the partnership, the ing work in the context of Burundi: “Relationships go to collaboration, is very important for us Burundians as we go love. You can’t say I love somebody if I am not relating to through the healing process that has already started.” him. Here in Burundi we have differences hanging on tribes. In other words, our physical labor in Burundi was signifi- I may be a Twa, I may be a Hutu, I may be a Tutsi. So for me cantly less important than the relational work. to relate to these other tribes, I have to create a way I can meet them. To visit them where they are in trouble, or to Donna Parcell come to my home when I have something good.” This is a valuable lesson for those of us interested in peacemaking. We can love humanity in the abstract as much as we want, but we can only start building peace when we get to know our neighbors—both locally and globally. When we travel and visit with one another, our relation- ship becomes less abstract and more meaningful. As we seek to be in community with people and cultures from around the world, we must truly desire to build relationships and listen to one another. This is the true value of a workcamp. The work itself is peripheral to the conversations, songs, jokes, and cultural discoveries that take place while we live and work among our fellow humans. As our work song implied, the work isn’t the goal. It’s the cola at the end of the day, shared on the lawn with the peo- ple who labored alongside you.
Victoria Bateman is associate in the Church of the Brethren Office of Peace- building and Policy, serving through Brethren Volunteer Service.
21 Messenger September 2018 BibleStudy Christ Blessing the Children by Lucas Cranach Elder (1472–1553). Wikipedia.com
Other people’s children by Christina Bucher
here are the children?” “Families Mark 10:13-16 belong together.” “Childhood is In a story that appears in Mark 10:13-16 (with parallels in not a crime.” Protesters demonstrating Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17), Jesus puts children Wagainst a zero-tolerance immigration policy hold these signs front and center in his ministry. This short narrative and its to express their outrage at the treatment of children whose visual interpretation by Lucas Cranach provide an opportu- families come to the US seeking refuge from violence in nity to reflect on the treatment of children in our homes, their home countries. So easily and frequently overlooked, churches, and communities and on what it means to “receive children have brought US immigration policy to the forefront God’s kingdom.” of national (and international) debate. “And they were bringing children to him so that he might touch them” (v. 13a, NASB). Although some English versions identify the people who bring children to Jesus as “parents,” Lucas Cranach, the Elder the Greek text does not identify them as such. It has simply A German painter and engraver, Lucas Cranach (1473-1573) “they” and “children.” Although it might well be that parents created woodcuts to illustrate Martin Luther’s translation of are bringing their biological sons and daughters to Jesus, it the New Testament into German. Cranach’s son, Lucas the is intriguing to consider the possibility that “they” are bring- Younger (1515–1586), was also an artist. The Cranach work- ing other people’s children. In her book Welcoming Children, shop produced over 20 illustrations of the Gospel scene in Joyce Mercer encourages us to think not only of our own which Jesus holds, touches, and blesses children. children’s wellbeing, but also of the welfare of all children. She writes, “Jesus called on his followers to welcome, touch,
22 Messenger September 2018 hug.” The International Standard Version is one of the few Recommended reading English versions to use the word “hug” here: “Then after he Judith M. Gundry, “Children in the Gospel of Mark,” In had hugged the children, he tenderly blessed them as he laid Marcia Bunge, Terence E. Fretheim, and Beverly Roberts his hands on them.” We know today how important it is for Gaventa, eds., The Child In the Bible (Eerdmans, 2008). children to be held. I like thinking that Jesus not only blessed Gundry, who teaches New Testament at Yale Divinity School, the children, but also held and hugged them. discusses in depth the role of children in the Gospel of Mark. It would be easy to criticize the disciples for wanting to Joyce Ann Mercer, Welcoming Children: A Practical restrict access to Jesus. When we read Bible stories, we tend to Theology of Childhood (Chalice Press, 2005). Mercer, who see ourselves on the correct side of a conflict or disagreement. teaches pastoral care and practical theology at Yale Divinity But think about it. How often are we like the disciples? Don’t School, frames her study of children within the context of we, too, get annoyed when others interrupt our work? Don’t western consumerist culture. we say to children “I’m busy—go find something to do until I finish this task.” Like the disciples, we adults are eager to get ahead with our projects, often at the expense of children. and bless those members of the society most precariously positioned, the children; not only ‘their own,’ but also the Children in God’s kingdom children of others.” Jesus corrects the disciples with an indignant response. “Let In response, the disciples “rebuke” them. Don’t the disciples the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to get it that Jesus loves the little children? Earlier the disciples such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell do not try to prevent people from bringing children to Jesus. you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little They do not stop Jairus, who asks Jesus to heal his daughter child will never enter it” (NRSV). Not only does Jesus wel- (Mark 5:22-24). They do not stop the man who brings his son come the children; he also proclaims that God’s kingdom for healing (9:17-29). In fact, Mark’s short Gospel frequently belongs to “such as these” and that if we receive God’s king- describes interaction between Jesus and children that is unhin- dom, we receive it “as a little child.” dered by the disciples. So why now would they want to prevent In the 16th century, Martin Luther used this passage to children from approaching Jesus? argue for infant baptism (over against the Anabaptists, our Scholar Judith M. Gundry observes that this narrative own spiritual ancestors). Interpreters today suggest that occurs at a turning point in Mark’s story. Jesus has twice Jesus’ followers must adopt some childlike quality or charac- explained his mission to the disciples, and they have twice teristic, such as innocence, humility, or absolute dependence. misunderstood Jesus’ purpose. Thinking that Jesus’ mission Still others suggest that, rather than defining entrance has to do with power and status, they argue over who among requirements, Jesus here describes the nature of God’s king- them is the greatest (9:34). Later, they ask for positions of dom. In Jesus’ teaching, children represent those who are vul- honor in the kingdom Jesus will establish (10:37). Gundry nerable and socially marginalized. If God’s kingdom belongs to proposes that the disciples are impatient for Jesus to get on “such as these,” it belongs to those at the bottom of society’s with his mission of bringing in the kingdom, which they social ladder. God’s kingdom is one in which status and power incorrectly think will convey power and status to Jesus and no longer apply—which is why James and John are wrong to those who follow him. ask for seats that will indicate their position of power and glory “at the top.” All who are ignored and overlooked in humanly Cranach’s painting constructed social orders find that in God’s kingdom they are In Cranach’s painting, the disgruntled disciples are nearly hugged, held, and blessed by Jesus. shoved out of the frame by the women, children, and infants Christina Bucher is professor of religion at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College in who surround Jesus. The facial expressions and body lan- Pennsylvania. guage of the men convey their disapproval. By contrast, the women and children appear joyful. They smile and embrace one another. Questions for reflection I love the bustle of activity around Jesus in Cranach’s paint- What might we do differently in order to attend to the welfare ing. One infant even seems to be crawling on Jesus’ back! In of “other people’s children”? the center of it all, Jesus holds a child to his cheek and rests his other hand on a child in a gesture of blessing. Although I have How is our understanding of church affected if we think of never thought of Jesus as a “hugger,” Mark uses a Greek word God’s kingdom as a community in which those commonly in this passage that means “to put one’s arms around someone ignored by society are “hugged, held, and blessed by Jesus”? as an expression of affection and concern—to embrace or to
Messenger September 2018 23 MediaReview
September Mourn
he first time I went to Antietam National the story of the Dunker meetinghouse, and you’ll learn Battlefield, the Dunker meetinghouse was about both in this book. Despite all the carnage, only one locked and my effort to get a staff member to open it private home was destroyed—that of Samuel and Elizabeth ledT to nothing. Mumma, who coincidentally donated the land for the It was a bit disappointing. After all, the Battle of Antietam Mumma meetinghouse, now referred to most often as the near Sharpsburg, Md., was a pivotal event in American histo- Dunker church. The Mummas’ house was burned to the ry. More Americans died that fateful day on Sept. 17, 1862, ground to prevent its use by snipers. The Mummas than any other. The Union victory, one received no compensation from the US government, since of very few during those first months it had been burned down by Confederates. of the Civil War, gave President As for the Mumma Bible, you’ll learn about Mark Lincoln the political cover necessary Twain’s African American Dunker friend John Lewis and to issue the Emancipation the part he played in getting the Bible returned to the Proclamation. That in turn prevented church. You’ll also learn what happened to the guy who England and France from officially stole it as a souvenir (a common practice in those days), a taking the side of the Confederates piece of original scholarship on Schmidt’s part. And a because it gave the Union the high whole lot more. Frank Ramirez moral ground. Brethren will get a lot out of this book, but the impor- One irony on this most bloody day was that the humble tant thing is that it’s written for the general public, the Dunker meetinghouse, where peaceful Brethren met for folks who haunt the battlefield bookstore looking to learn a worship, was a landmark during some of the worst fighting little more about that striking Dunker church. And what and later an icon in the starkly brutal photographs that they’ll learn from this book is about us—who we are and afterwards shocked the nation. where we came from and what we believe. If I never, on my many subsequent visits, found the Alas, Schmidt was not able to complete this book because Dunker meetinghouse locked, it was because of Alann of the effect of Lyme disease, and that’s where Terry Barkley Schmidt, who as a national park ranger made the study of comes in. Author, archivist, scholar, and musician, Barkley is our Brethren history his personal mission. Consulting with an expert on the Dunker meetinghouse in his own right and the late historians Donald F. Durnbaugh and Ken Shaffer, former director of the Brethren Historical Library and among many other Brethren, including—full disclosure Archives. Together the two of them have assembled this here—me (that’s my picture on p. 66), Schmidt not only wonderful, profusely illustrated history. learned all we had to teach him about Brethren history, cul- So, the next time you’re asked to define the Brethren, ture, and practice in general and the Manor church (which instead of answering, “We’re kind of like the Mennonites,” included the Mumma meetinghouse as one of its preaching you’ll be able to hand someone this book and say, “You ever points) in particular, but he delved deeper and discovered hear about the Dunker meetinghouse?” Your inquirers will stuff we Brethren never knew! enjoy reading the book, and along the way they’ll learn The result was that authentic Brethren history was about the love feast, our origins, and that there are still taught to thousands of visitors to the battlefield, and that Dunkers today! the museum displays about the Brethren presence that Frank Ramirez is senior pastor of Union fateful day were expanded. Center Church of the Brethren near Nap- The Mumma family and the Mumma Bible are central to panee, Ind.
About the Book Title: September Mourn: The Dunker Church of Antietam. Authors: Alann Schmidt and Terry Barkley. Publisher: Savas Beatie. Publication date: 2018. Available from Brethren Press.
24 Messenger September 2018 NewslineDigest September 2018
September Mourn CDS goes to the border
hildren’s Disaster Cuba, El Salvador, Russia, and lence in their countries. CDS served Services (CDS) sent a Mexico. Kosovo refugees in 1999, Lebanese Cteam of volunteers to This is not the first time CDS Americans in 2006, and internally help care for immigrant children has responded to the humanitarian displaced people in Nigeria, begin- and families on the border in crisis of people displaced by vio- ning in 2016. McAllen, Texas. Working at the Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian Respite Center, the team served 684 chil- dren in the first week and a half. The families at the center have all been released on deferred adjudication, a legal status whereby the immigrants are allowed to travel to other cities and reunite with family members as long as they promise to appear for their scheduled immigration court dates. Many are women with children, some of whom have trekked for weeks or months with little food or
clothing. John Kinsel The children cared for were from Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Kelsey Murray Ministry interns serve the church Ministry Summer Service interns and mentors this year were (from left) Ron Tilley, mentor, and Jamie-Claire Chau of Philadelphia, serving at Harrisburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Zakaria Bulus of Michika, Nigeria, serving with mentor Nate Hosler (not pictured) at the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, Washington, D.C.; and April Wells of Huntingdon, Pa., serving at Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren with mentor Rachel Witkovsky. Laura Hay (not pictured) of Modesto, Calif., served as the Youth Peace Advocate.
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Messenger September 2018 25 NewslineDigest
Personnel notes Albin Hillert/WCC Mark Flory Steury retired Aug. 31 as donor relations representative for the Church of the Brethren. He began in April 2016, after having worked on sev- Hosted by the World Council of Churches, Pope Francis greets Dr. Agnes Abuom, eral projects for the General Secretary’s moderator of the Central Committee, and general secretary Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit. Office. His responsibilities included strengthening congregational and indi- vidual stewardship, direct gifts, planned Carter reflects on Pope’s visit to WCC giving, and enlistment programs of the Church of the Brethren. In his more he Pope’s visit to the Central Committee of the World than 30 years of church ministry, he Council of Churches is a visible sign and symbol of the church’s served as district executive minister in Tyearning for unity and the growing cooperation between Christians Southern Ohio and as a pastor, most throughout the world,” said Jeff Carter, Church of the Brethren representative recently in Illinois. to the Central Committee, which met in June in Geneva, Switzerland. The day- Karen Duhai began Aug. 1 as direc- long visit from Pope Francis I was a highlight of the biennial meeting. tor of student development at Bethany “In the morning worship, Pope Francis stressed our relationship as compan- Theological Seminary. She has two ions on the pilgrimage of justice and peace,” said Carter, who is president of recent degrees from Bethany, a master Bethany Theological Seminary. “In the afternoon he stressed the evangelical of divinity with an emphasis in peace nature of our witness related to unity: ‘Christians do not witness to the gospel studies and a master of arts with a when we are divided.’” concentration in theological studies. Carter added, “Personally it was an uplifting experience to have Pope Francis She brings experience in mentoring travel to Geneva to share in the morning prayer service and afternoon lectures.” and relationship-building, program He also noted the significance of the Pope’s visit for the Church of the Brethren development, event planning, worship “as a charter member of the World Council of Churches and more importantly, a leadership, speaking and writing, and partner known for service to those most in need.” volunteer training. “Pope Francis’ visit is an encouragement to all Christians who seek collabo- Shaye Isaacs resigned effective ration and partnership in service to the gospel which calls us to live lives of Aug. 31 as executive assistant to the compassion, grace, and peace.” president at Bethany Theological This year’s Central Committee meetings also celebrated the 70th anniversary Seminary. She has held this position of the founding of the WCC. since August 2011, serving with cur- rent president Jeff Carter and former president Ruthann Knechel Johansen. Everett Teetor began July 23 as Brethren Press releases wide range of books accounting assistant for Brethren Benefit Brethren Press has released four new books in recent months: Trust, following a one-year internship in 25 Days to Jesus, an illustrated Advent devotional for the finance department. He graduated in children by Christy Waltersdorff and Mitch Miller, invites 2017 from Beloit College with a degree children and their families to meet the people whose lives in business economics. were changed by the birth of Jesus. Sherry Crowe began Aug. 6 as cli- Inglenook Desserts is the newest in the Inglenook cook- ent manager for the Brethren book series, with more than 175 recipes from Brethren Foundation, part of Brethren Benefit kitchens, along with essays and reflections. Trust. She has worked as an investment A Poetry of the Soul, by Ken Gibble, is a collection of advisor associate for more than eight stories heard in the lives of the people he served as pastor. years and holds multiple designations Joseph, by Eugene F. Roop, is the latest volume in the Covenant and licenses pertinent to the field. Bible Studies series.
26 Messenger September 2018 Can we live together? A series on the future of the church
We must by Calvin Park an we continue living together as one worship side by side. We become a place where people value denomination even in the face of such profound others above themselves. We become a place where God’s theological disagreement? If scripture is to be loving shalom is realized—at least as much as it can be in the Cbelieved, not only can we stay together, we must stay together. midst of a world horribly broken by sin. In John 17 Jesus prays for the future unity of his disciples. Were we to split over any of the issues currently threatening He asks the Father to give his followers the same sort of unity our fellowship, we would communicate to a watching world the Son and the Father experience in the trinity (John 17:22- that Christ’s power to forgive and reconcile has been found 23). The reason Jesus makes this request of the Father is “so wanting; we would communicate that it is not great enough that the world may know that you have sent me.” to overcome our theological disagreements. We would trade It has often been said that you may be the only Jesus our fellowship as a beautiful, albeit imperfect, glimpse of the someone sees. This truism is meant to convey the importance eschatological kingdom for a seemingly pure expression of of how we live our lives, that is, the importance of ensuring our own particular theological system. We must stay together that the love and faithfulness Jesus embodied is likewise so that we may continue to provide our broken world with a embodied in our own lives. Certainly, this is true. But it is glimpse of the beautiful, hope-filled, unbroken kingdom of God. equally true that the only kingdom of God a person may see is How are we to do this? Not easily. It can be accomplished the local church. As much as our individual lives are meant to only by taking up our own crosses and being willing to suffer convey submission to the cruciform character of Jesus Christ, with and for one another. As Paul says in Philippians, “Do our churches are meant to be microcosms of his kingdom. nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility When we gather together in community, we give a glimpse regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look of what Jesus’ kingdom will one day be like. We become not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let a place where there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. . . .” free, male nor female. We become a place where people of Calvin Park is senior pastor at Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren in different backgrounds, socioeconomic status, or language can Quarryville, Pa.
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Messenger September 2018 27 Letters
Remembering Nora Berkebile of her teachers’ stories about missionar- “The Church Among the Maples,” pub- ies and their work. In 1897, she attended lished in Lest We Forget and Tales of I was surprised to see a quote from my Manchester College and in 1902 she Yester-years, vol. IV, by Rolland Flory aunt Nora Elma Flory Berkebile, my married Stephen Berkebile. They were and Irvin Flory. The poem commemo- mother’s oldest sister, in the June 2017 called by the district to be missionaries rates Poplar Ridge Church of the article “The Brethren in World War I” to India. They spent five years on the Brethren near Defiance, Ohio. by Diane Mason. Unfortunately, my mission field, then had to return to the Wilma Lymanstall Brandenton, Fla. aunt passed away before I was born. My United States due to Stephen’s health. mother told me many things about her, He spent time in tuberculosis treatment Cover to cover and I knew her three sons well. and recovered to be able to pastor a At an early age, Nora learned from church, but the illness returned. He I read Messenger cover to cover the Bible story books and studied until she passed away, leaving Nora with three first day I get it. I used three different could teach. She was impressed by one young sons. The family moved to Ohio, articles the same week in meetings, close to family. Five years later, Nora Sunday school, and with friends. classifieds passed away and the boys’ care was Marilyn Koehler Udell, Iowa We at Brethren Press would like to thank all with her father, aunts, and uncle. the volunteers who helped us out at Annual Nora was a writer, with articles A needed voice Conference. To all of you who helped, from appearing in Sunday school materials unloading the books to helping customers, to and Ladies Home Journal. She also tearing it all down at the end, we are grateful I just read Wendy McFadden’s article for and humbled by your generosity. Thanks to wrote poetry, and some of her writings “Christ on the run” in Messenger each and every one of the Brethren Press were published as sheet music. One of Online. Thank you so much for those bookstore volunteers. her favorite poems, and mine too, was words of wisdom for all of us. We need
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28 Messenger September 2018 your prophetic voice to continue to speak on such vital issues. Mark Lancaster Englewood, Ohio
Listen to God’s voice
I was especially drawn to the articles on the ordination of women by Beth Sollenberger and Tara Hornbacker. In 1958, after having finished a two-year stint in Brethren Volunteer Service in Germany, I had re- entered the teaching field and was more and more convinced that this was not my calling. Imagine my joy to learn that the church had voted for the ordination of women. Off I went to Bethany Seminary, only to be cau- tioned by the seminary president that they were not giving master of divinity degrees to women because no church would hire them. Undeterred, I entered the master of reli- gious education program and graduated two years later. Alas, there were no openings for
‘In case of emergency, break the glass.’ Imagine reaching through the We hope that this book will be shattered glass and pulling out Encounter A Place Apart. More than used by groups and individuals simply sounding the alarm of our current crisis, Paul Grout has created seeking to enter an awakening a guidebook for coming alive in the midst of a collapsing culture and church. In the understandings, re ections, and meditations of created by a spiritual Encounter A Place Apart is the invitation to a new beginning: step emptiness that neither religion, apart to a new aliveness, to a whole new humanity.” political af liation, nor secular humanism is equipped to — Glenn Mitchell address. Director of Oasis Ministries, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania — A Place Apart
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Messenger September 2018 29
Letters
Please send information for Patricia Yonish that program either. Back to teach- served there for seven years and Turning Points to Diane Middle Creek, Lititz, Pa.: ing I went, met my husband, and resigned when I reached 70. Stroyeck, 1451 Dundee Ave, Ashley Good, William began rearing our family. My hus- However, God wasn’t finished with Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323- Kilhefner 8039, ext. 327; dstroyeck@ Monroeville, Pa.: Dan Ishman band entered graduate school for me. Two years later, Root River brethren.org. Information Mount Wilson, Lebanon, Pa.: his doctorate and I was fortunate Church of the Brethren in must be complete in order to Natasha McKinney, enough to find a part-time job with Minnesota was looking for a part- be published. Information Nicholas Pfister older than one year cannot be Oakland, Bradford, Ohio: a Disciples of Christ church as time pastor. That call lasted six and published. John Mack Christian education director. a half years, until I was almost 80. Peace Community, Windsor, New members Colo.: Daphne Matson A few years after my husband had I returned to Springfield to reen- Pine Creek, North Liberty, Chambersburg, Pa.: Barbara begun work in higher education, he ter Missouri/Arkansas District as Ind.: Terry Heckman, Levi Boushell, Cory Boushell, Jay Holderman encouraged me to finish my theologi- camp Bible teacher and now am on Boushell, Edie Mills, Gary Prince of Peace, Littleton, Mills, Zachary Mills cal education. I graduated from a the district board. I will be modera- Colo.: Adriana Dali, Anne Chiques, Manheim, Pa.: Tell, Wendy Wibbens Disciples seminary at Enid, Okla., in tor of the 2018 district conference. Madison Breidenstine, Cole 1979 and that fall began as full-time These were all small churches Groff, Kailey Horning, Liz Sipesville, Pa.: Chance Heidorn, Charles Heidorn pastor at the Church of the Brethren and my time in each was not long, Landis, Jordan Painter, Joshua Painter, Justin Swope Summerdean, Roanoke, Va.: in Independence, Kan., at age 49! but I pray that I have fulfilled my Ephrata, Pa.: Anne Brubaker, Reece Beard, Ridge Beard, Later I served the Canton (Ill.) calling to God’s satisfaction! I Jeff Brubaker, Maggie Denise Cochran, Kelsey Cochran, Travis Guilliams, Church of the Brethren and First encourage all women who are Cardin, Jenn Dorsch-Messler, Jim Kidwell, Alex Myers Maddie Lenker, Audrey Mennonite Church in Indianapolis. called by God to never give up, but Fellowship, Martinsburg, W. Prisley, Peggy Randall, Eva Stultz, Connor Vernon Those were rewarding times and continue to listen to God’s voice, Va.: Sara Batton, Amber Chapman, Ariel Crawford, Sunrise, Harrisonburg, Va.: greatly improved my preaching skills. and respond with wholehearted Felisha Diamond, Amanda Kimberly Lopez-Burns, What I thought would be my last enthusiasm. Saunders, Gracie Saunders Brandon Puffenbarger, Pat Skeins, Jeanie White, Hilda call came from Springfield (Mo.) Lorene (Clark) Moore Frederick, Md.: Ashley Coon, Springfield, Mo. Justin Coon, Virginia Yeager Church of the Brethren in 2005. I DeSanto, Jodie Grove, Ben Uniontown, Pa.: Natalie Grote Livelsberger, Crystal West Goshen, Goshen, Ind.: Livelsberger, Elizabeth Lukas Baker, Chris Close, McWilliams, Damaris Patty Close, Kerry Johnson, Mitchell, Steve Mitchell, James Nettrouer, Pat Bobby Noll, Eloida Noll, Nettrouer, Barbara Wilfong, Jessica Rowley, Matthew Harold Wilfong Rowley, Alexandra Walker, Wyomissing, Pa.: Shirley Mike Walker Bender, Ernie Farrier, Garden City, Kan.: Bob Virginia Fichthorn, Brynn Bates, Brenda Bates, Carl Haas, David Martin, Bunch, Arlie DeFreese, Jr., Morgan Weaver Jayla Rigdon, Gary Smith Gortner Union, Oakland, Anniversaries Make Medicare Md.: Ashley Martin, Nicholas Martin, Sheri Balmer, Kenneth and Gladys, Martin, Gabriel Miller, Elizabethtown, Pa., 50 an easy step Lillana Miller Belcher, Marvin and Virginia, Heidelberg, Myerstown, Pa.: Bakersfield, Calif., 70 Everence can give you a hand Joyelle Gingrich Blalock, Jim and Polly, Lancaster, Pa.: Luis Acosta, Hagerstown, Md., 74 Denise Bachman, Robert Bucher, Luke and Naomi, Duffy, Sheila Johnson, Albie Myerstown, Pa., 60 von Schaaf, Vickie von Bucher, Wilbur and Annette, Gain a measure of condence and clarity with guidance from your Schaaf, Marisa Sherts, Joe Lancaster, Pa., 70 Everence® team. From workshops and webinars to personal appointments Thum Buckwalter, Edgar and Maple Grove, New Paris, Elizabeth, Ephrata, Pa., 55 and online education, see how you can simplify. And spend more time on Ind.: Garry Bowlby, Easterday, Donald and what matters to you. Melodee Bowlby, Adalyn Nellie, Frederick, Md., 55 Dunlap, Crystal Dunlap, Ebersole, Lloyd and Janet, Madison Keck, Travis Manheim, Pa., 60 Contact your Everence ofce or visit everence.com/easy-step-me Kirkdorffer, Irene Rassi, Evans, Tom and Rose, to learn more. 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TurningPoints
Herr, John and Theresa, Best, Joan Elaine Coulter, 85, Hollenberg, Dean W., 60, Windber, Pa., May 18 Brook, Va.), June 10 Lititz, Pa., 68 Knoxville, Md., Dec. 16 Sebring, Fla., March 13 Tosten, Maryetta N., 91, Hoet, Roland, S. Pa. Dist. Hershberger, George and Bohrer, Robert L., 89, Hollenberg, John Ralph, 87, Shippensburg, Pa., June 12 (New Fairview, York, Pa.), Wilda, Woodbury, Pa., 68 Martinsburg, W.Va., Feb. 1 Sebring, Fla., June 9 Tritapoe, Janice Lorraine June 10 Hershberger, Paul and Lila, Bowers, Leo Lee, 97, Hughes, Samuel Robert, Jr., Poffenberger, 84, Mohler, Christopher Ray, Hollsopple, Pa., 60 Martinsburg, W.Va., Oct. 23 87, Pendleton, S.C., Jan. 4 Hagerstown, Md., May 16 Mid-Atl. Dist. (Brownsville, Horst, Ken and Lorraine, Bowman, Richard, 86, Hurst, Marjorie J. Kincaid, 98, Verhulst, Alba, 81, Modesto, Knoxville, Md.), June 10 Manheim, Pa., 65 Bakersfield, Calif., March 2 Greenville, Ohio, June 26 Calif., May 30 Roman, Luz, Pac. S. W. Dist. Keim, Thomas and Thelma, Bryant, Ruby E., 102, Kee, John Joseph (Jack), 82, Walter, Doris A. Weldy, 79, (Iglesia Cristiana Elohim, Hollsopple, Pa., 60 Goshen, Ind., Jan. 9 Frederick, Md., Feb. 11 Goshen, Ind., Nov. 10 Las Vegas, Nev.), June 10 Kramer, Dick and Carol, Buch, Guy Richard, 93, Kimmel, Richard Joseph, 74, Ware, Sarah Angeline, 73, Solanky, Vivek, Ill. & Wis. Lancaster, Pa., 60 North Manchester, Ind., Lebanon, Pa., June 4 Martinsburg, W.Va., Dec. 31 Dist. (Naperville, Ill.), Kurtz, C.C. and Lois, July 4 Lease, Joyce Ann Hass, 79, Washinger, Patricia A., 83, June 10 Stanardsville, Va., 74 Bucher, M. Florence Versailles, Ohio, April 25 Shippensburg, Pa., April 10 Leverknight, Blain and Carol, (Jeannie), 102, Gettysburg, McGolerick, John William, Wright, Mary Pauline, 99, Placements Johnstown, Pa., 50 Pa., May 25 Jr., 94, Frederick, Md., Westminster, Md., March 13 Bates, Charles (Bob), interim Marks, Jim and Joyce, Lititz, Burkholder, Verna L., 76, March 15 Yoder, Louise I. Harshberger, pastor, Garden City, Kan., Pa., 60 Akron, Pa., April 22 McKinstry, Mabel G. 89, Goshen, Ind., July 6 Jan. 6 Martin, Galen and Janice, Byers, John Dean (Jack), 88, Wimmer, 93, Sebring, Fla., Younker, William H., 82, Beachy, Lewis, pastor, Frederick, Md., 55 Hanover, Pa., July 7 June 30 Johnstown, Pa., July 13 Gortner Union, Oakland, Melhorn, J. Jack and Mary, , Gladys Price Nyce, Yowell, Richard Harrison, 48, Chillas, Florence Eckert, 92, Mease Md., June 17 Emporia, Kan., 70 94, Goshen, Ind., May 21 Timberville, Va., July 7 Quarryville, Pa., May 24 Ewing, Christopher, from Miller, Merlin and Maxine, Christian, Constance D. Miller, Robert C., 72, interim pastor to pastor, Bradford, Ohio, 55 Batts, 56, Sebring, Fla., Harrisburg, Pa., May 30 Ordained County Line, Harrod, Ohio, Mitchell, Donald and Rebecca, June 3 Miller, Vernon Ferrell, 98, Garretson, Christopher, W. July 20 Huntingdon, Pa., 50 Davis, Betty M., 87, Mount North Manchester, Ind., Pa. Dist. (Morrellville, Fix, Eleanor, interim pastor, Mowry, Ken and Janice, Morris, Ill., May 30 June 3 Johnstown, Pa.), June 24 Dunnings Creek, New Paris, Greenville, Ohio, 55 Davis, Laura Roye, 95, Lititz, Mori, Judith Kurice Leasure, Gendy, Joseph, Atl. N. E. Pa., April 30 Murray, Andy and Terry, Pa., Jan. 29 76, Mooresville, N.C., Dist. (Light of the Gospel, Garrison, Dennis, interim Huntingdon, Pa., 55 Dean, Vernon Fred, 90, May 13 Staten Island, N.Y.), June 24 pastor, Akron, Pa., July 29 Myers, Donald and Barbara, Franklin Grove, Ill., July 8 Nolin, Marilyn Louise, 81, Grossnickle, Karen, Mid-Atl. Heath, Clifton, associate Hanover, Pa., 50 DeHaven, James Roger, 71, Prairie City, Iowa, June 16 Dist. (Harmony, Myersville, pastor of youth and young Ramser, Samuel and Alice, Bunker Hill, W.Va., Jan. 17 Palmer, Sandra Lee Kuhn, Md.), July 15 adults, Eastwood, Akron, Brook Park, Ohio, 50 DeLauter, Dana Lynn, 43, 74, Hartville, Ohio, June 5 Heath, Clifton, N. Ohio Dist. Ohio, July 29 Sadd, Hudson and Bonnie, Frederick, Md., Feb. 6 Plunkert, Barbara Lee (Eastwood, Akron, Ohio), Hileman, Leah, from minister Manheim, Pa., 60 Diehl, Thomas L., 57, Hughes, 75, McSherrys- July 29 of music, First, Harrisburg, Shenk, Glenn and Audrey, Hollidaysburg, Pa., May 14 town, Pa., Feb. 10 Heishman, Katelynn, Shen. Pa., to pastor, Luray, Va., Lititz, Pa., 60 Dunbar, Shirley Lee, 83, Redman, Earlene Elisabeth Dist. (Linville Creek, May 15 Skinner, Philip and Marianne, Adrian, Mich., May 23 Mae, 79, Knoxville, Md., Broadway, Va.), May 27 Lee, James Michael, pastor, Hartville, Ohio, 55 Eis, Myrna, 80, McPherson, May 25 Heishman, Timothy, Shen. East Nimishillen, Canton, Skinner, Vern and Jan, Brook Kan., May 31 Remsburg, Nancy Darlene Dist. (Linville Creek, Ohio, July 1 Park, Ohio, 50 Emmons, Claudette Lynch, Manning, 73, Jefferson, Broadway, Va.), May 27 Lucas, Joshua, co-pastor, Smith, Shyrl and Betty, 77, Elkhart, Ind., May 10 Md., March 27 Hinton, Douglas, Atl. N. E. Oakvale, W.Va., June 1 Franklin, W.Va., 50 Fisher, Jessie Marie, 89, Royer, Robert H., 83, Dist. (Hempfield, Manheim, Matthews, Philip, pastor, Smoker, Earl and Vera, Frederick, Md., April 4 Carlisle, Pa., April 19 Pa.), June 10 Wiley Ford, W.Va., July 1 Ephrata, Pa., 68 Frymyer, Samuel K., 76, Seilhamer, Ruth L. Casteel, Judy, Donald, W. Marva Dist. Miller, Devon, pastor, Sollenberger, Carmon and Hanover, Pa., July 4 75, Waynesboro, Pa., June 24 (White Pine, Purgitsville, W. Florence, Constantine, Thessa, Sun City Center, Funderwhite, Dorothy B. Shank, Donald Hoffman, 94, Va.), June 24 Mich., May 1 Fla., 65 Bard, 86, Royersford, Pa., St. Charles, Ill., June 18 Thorpe, Elizabeth Ann, S. Pa. North, Amanda, lead pastor, Stern, Roy and Phillies, July 21 Short, Randall Scott, 50, Dist. (Chambersburg, Pa.), Manassas, Va., Feb. 11 Goshen, Ind., 60 Garrett, Mildred Irene Glendale, Calif., July 11 June 3 Richard, Thomas, from Sturgill, Owen and Ruth, Arbaugh, 87, Westminster, Sievers, Theodore Eugene, Wolf, Robert, W. Pa. Dist. pastor, Meadow Branch, Hartville, Ohio, 60 Md., June 15 89, Mechanicsburg, Pa., (Pleasant Hill, Johnstown, Westminster, Md., to pastor, Summy, Glenn and Martha, Garrison, Flora Ruth, 75, May 25 Pa.), June 3 Friendship, Linthicum, Md., Ephrata, Pa., 55 Modesto, Calif., June 6 Simmons, Mary Kathryn Wyant, David, N. Ohio Dist. April 22 Swope, Harry and Josie, Garver, V. Maxine Hickman, Gingrich, 96, Harrisonburg, (Bethel, New Middletown, Roman, Luz, pastor, Iglesia Union Bridge, Md., 55 97, Cerro Gordo, Ill., May 30 Va., May 19 Ohio), June 24 Cristiana Elohim, Las Vegas, Taylor, Larry and Gloria, Gochnour, A. Fay, 88, Singleton, Raymond M., 89, Nev., Jan. 1 Walkerton, Ind., 55 Roaring Spring, Pa., May 7 Wabash, Ind., May 8 Sell, Janet, hospice chaplain, Wade, Dwight and Elsie, Commissioned Gosnell, Thomas Altman, 90, Smith, Carl Franklin, 95, The Village at Morrisons Plymouth, Ind., 70 Lee, James Michael, S. Ohio & Frederick, Md., Jan. 11 Manassas, Va., May 27 Cove, Martinsburg, Pa., Yost, Dwayne and Elaine, Ky. Dist. (East Nimishillen, Goss, Teresa Dawn, 52, Smith, Curtis, 27, June 1 Manchester, Ky., 60 Canton, Ohio), July 1 Westminster, Md., June 21 Keedysville, Md., April 22 Whitten, David, from pastor, Graham, Joseph (Buddy), 76, Smith, Linda Diane, 62, South Waterloo, Waterloo, Deaths Inwood, W.Va., Oct 17 Keedysville, Md., April 21 Licensed Iowa, to pastor, West Baliles, Herman, 92, Greer, Walter, 94, New Spera, Tracey Suzanne, 46, Bates, Charles (Bob), W. Richmond, Henrico, Va., Harleysville, Pa., May 2 Oxford, Pa., July 8 Westminster, Md., June 17 Plains Dist. (Garden City, June 15 Barden, Rachel Anne Hershberger, Albert, 86, Stevenson, Mary Edna, 98, Kan.), July 15 Wink, Bill, pastor, Swatara Stutsman, 82, Goshen, Ind., Goshen, Ind., July 10, 2017 Boswell, Pa., April 11 Bennett, Dale, Shen. Dist. Hill, Middletown, Pa., July 9 April 20 Hertzog, Ray, 71, Frederick, Stutzman, Kathryn V. (Antioch, Woodstock, Va.), Wyant, David, from interim Baughman, Zelma L. Md., March 5 Doerscher, 85, Goshen, May 13 pastor to pastor, Bethel, Herbster, 99, Plymouth, Hess, Claude H., 92, Lititz, Ind., Oct. 23 Funkhouser, Ricky, Shen. New Middletown, Ohio, Ind., June 24 Pa., Jan. 16 Thomas, Edna Mae, 89, Dist. (Round Hill, Toms June 24
Messenger September 2018 31 Potluck
The Matthias method by Wendy McFadden
“And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and willing to serve when only one is needed. That effort failed. he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26 NRSV). This year’s nominating committee had the task of choos- ing 36 qualified candidates for 9 positions. The committee hoosing leaders by lot doesn’t get mentioned worked diligently and formed a diverse pool of nominees. A much nowadays. But the nominating committee shortage of nominations continues to make this a challenge, of Annual Conference referenced this biblical said the nominating committee, which noted that those exampleC in its report to Standing Committee, the group of who have been nominated are often reluctant to run again. district delegates doing behind-the-scenes preparation for This causes the pool to evaporate rapidly. Annual Conference business. The report didn’t propose a An unintentional outcome of the process we’ve had change from the longtime election process, but encouraged since the change in 2001 is that half of those nominated Standing Committee members to consider how leaders are aren’t even known. That is, people agree to serve, but only chosen in the Church of the Brethren. the 40 or so Standing Committee members know their This isn’t the first time the topic has come up. A nominat- names. The idea was that the change “would reduce by 50 ing committee 20 years earlier, back in 1998, pondered simi- percent the number of candidates exposed in the public lar questions: Is the democratic process the best way to call arena.” But another way of looking at this is that 50 percent leaders? Is a win/lose system a call? Eventually that discus- of those who were nominated and agreed to serve do not sion led to a 2001 Annual Conference paper on Review of receive the public honor of being nominated. the Process of Calling Denominational Leadership. This year delegates approved a request from Brethren Because of that paper, the full ballot (four names for Benefit Trust that only two names be required for each slot each office) goes to Standing Committee in February, and on the ballot for BBT board. The rationale was that BBT Standing Committee reduces the ballot by half. Previously needs specialized skills and it’s difficult to find people who this preliminary vote on the ballot took place just before are willing to be nominated more than once. That argu- Annual Conference and the whole church knew all the ment is a sound one. It should also apply to candidates for names for about five months. The change was meant to moderator-elect, the Mission and Ministry Board, and improve communication with nominees and to keep them other elected offices. from hanging in limbo for so long. Today it seems normal to expect a committee to find four The 2001 committee observed that there is “no shortage qualified candidates for each slot, for a bigger committee to of candidates for the ballot process.” That’s not true any- quickly remove half of those names, and for delegates to vote more. Four nominees made more sense when the denomi- from a list of people they don’t necessarily know. But there’s nation had many more members, but today we can’t afford no reason to think this is the only way for Brethren to call to have 75 percent of all the nominees “lose.” leaders. Tomorrow there could be a new normal. At another Annual Conference there was a brief effort to And back to the book of Acts: How many people did the change the balloting from four names per position to two, disciples choose before casting lots? “They proposed two” the argument being that it’s difficult to find four people (Acts 1:23).
there’s no reason to think this is the only way for Brethren to call leaders. Tomorrow there could be a new normal.
32 Messenger September 2018 SHARE YOUR FAITH BEYOND YOUR LIFETIME
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By sharing your faith forward in this way, you join generous brothers and sisters of the past and present to make a difference tomorrow. Contact the Office of Mission Advancement 1-800-323-8039 ext. 370 [email protected] www.brethren.org/faithforward
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