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1 O Citizenship at Ground Zero What does it mean to be a Christian citizen in a post-Sept. 11 world? In April a group of Brethren adults visited New York and Washington, D.C., to ponder that question. Erin Matteson writes about stones she brought back to build a life upon.

12 Thirty years in Northern Ireland A 12-page special feature marks the 30-year anniversary of Brethren Volunteer Service send­ ing volunteers to Northern Ireland. Walt Wiltschek traveled there to interview current BVSers at their projects. And former BVSers con­ ONTHECOVER tribute their perspectives, edited by Kristin Flory and Megan Blinn. Nowhere in the world outside the United States are more Brethren Volunteer Service workers serving than in Northern Ireland. The once volatile conflict between 24 India action explained Protestant and Catholic groups in the region has sub­ After two years of work, a study committee rec­ sided in recent years, but much work remains in building ommended new relationships with two India reconciliation and understanding. One of the current churches that grew out of Brethren mission BVS projects in Belfast is at the Forthspring Community. efforts. Here the study committee explains its pro­ It is located in a Methodist church in the western part of posal, which will come before Annual Conference. the city, where towering "peace walls" separate rival communities. Natalie Dutrow of the McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren is assisting the organization's many ministries, helping youth build a new set of values and bridging the gap between Protestant and Catholic teens. On this particular afternoon, she and new friends Claire, Jonny, and Shauneen paused for a photo along one of the streets of West Belfast. Dutrow and other BVSers past and present share some of their stories in a look at 30 years of BVS work in Northern Ireland.

DEPARTMENTS

2 From the Publisher 3 In Touch 6 News 29 Letters 31 Turning Points 32 Editorial

Messenger June 2002111 How to reach us

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Display advertising: rma tteson [email protected] t was time for the children's sermon, and the minister was demonstrating how Phone: 800-323-8039 hard it is to hug another person when you're hugging yourself. He wrapped his Fax: 847-742-1407 armsI around himself and had his young son do the same. Then they tried to hug each other while keeping their arms tightly in place. The result was more a bump than a Editorial: hug-a little uncomfortable, and decidedly unsatisfying as far as hugs go. ffarrar [email protected] In sharp contrast, one of the images gracing the walls at the Church of the Phone: 217-525-9083 Brethren General Offices in Elgin is called "Embrace of Peace," by George Tooker. Fax: 21 7-525-9269 The two figures are reaching urgently for each other, arms outstretched, as if nothing matters more than being together. It is the artist's statement about the nature of the Subscription rates: community of faith. We know that God reaches that passionately for us; surely it is $16.50 individual rate $13.50 church group plan that gesture that motivates us to reach out to the world. $13. 50 gift subscriptions It is understandable that the place with more Brethren Volunteer Service workers than any other location outside the US is one where volunteers can walk with those If you move, clip address label who are building bridges of peace and reconciliation. As in Northern Ireland and the and send with new address to Republic of Ireland (see p. 12), the Brethren are at work in many places around the MESSENGER Subscriptions, at world, learning to see beyond simplistic descriptions of religious and political the above address. Allow at least intractability. five weeks for address change. The Church of the Brethren's history of looking beyond the world's definitions of the "enemy" caught the attention of Faith & Values Media, as it prepared to add our Connect electronically: church to the series of television spots featuring its member groups. (The spots are For a free subscription to Newsline, the Church being aired on the Hallmark cable network.) The producers thought the story of of the Brethren e-mail news Brethren involvement with the Iraqi people demonstrated something essential about report, write [email protected]. the Church of the Brethren's Christian calling. That desire to embrace the world does describe the Brethren at our best. It's deep To view the official Church of in our history, and it's a vision that continues to lead us into the future. But some­ the Brethren website, go to times it is easier for us to exercise Christian compassion toward so-called enemies in http://www. brethren.org. other countries. A test of our true willingness to embrace is much closer to home: As we prepare our hearts for deliberations at Annual Conference, will we reach out to one another with arms that are bigger than our differences? When we hold ourselves too tightly, we can't. But when we see how God has wel­ comed each of us, prodigal as we are, we can't help but open our arms to all.

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• Messenger June 2002 INTOUCH-

The ark of God's children Missouri youth they present the play dent who reflects on the "acts out" for The Laramie Project as confusion, anger, and their senior project. changes that the people Jacob and Melissa Bowman of Curryville, Pa., tolerance The Laramie Project, of Laramie go through decided to "raise an ark" to help feed God's written by Moises Kauf­ due to the nature of the "God loves everyone." hungry children. Heifer International sends man and the Tectonic crime, and the attention With this quote in the animals to poor families all over the world. Theater Project of New that it brought to their local newspaper, Bryan Last year Melissa and Jacob saw the idea in York, N.Y., is an examina­ community from around Grosbach went on the Heifer Project catalog to raise $5,000 for tion of the changes the the world. record in the public approximately two of each kind of animal the people and community Any public presentation debate on tolerance. organization sends out. Heifer Project calls it Bryan, a member of "raising an ark." In August the 11-year-old Messiah Church of the One of the student actors was twins challenged their church, the Martins­ Brethren, Kansas City, burg Memorial Church of the Brethren, and Mo., and son of Dale their family to do just that. and Deborah Grosbach asked by a parent to not visit their Melissa and Jacob presented the idea to the of Gladstone, Mo., is a church board, visited every Sunday school senior at Winnetonka child. The anti-gay protester Rev. class to deliver hand-decorated ark collection High School in Kansas cans, and gave reports at worship services. City. He has been active Fred Phelps condemned the school, in his school in a They explained Heifer Project to the children number of activities, during Sunday morning story time. They read incl uding drama. the teachers, and the actors. by Susan Bame Hoover, shar­ Faith the Cow, After Winnetonka ing the story of Dan West and HPl's Church of drama instructor Sheri of Laramie, Wyo., that touches on the topic the Brethren beginning. They also made a Coffman received a undergo following the of homosexuality is large ark out of paper grocery bags to hang letter from a former stu­ brutal murder of gay col­ bound to be controver­ on the wall at church. They added animal dent expressing his fear lege student Matthew sial, and the stickers as the project progressed and a rain­ of being discovered by Shepard in October 1998. presentation by the Win­ his peers as being gay, bow over the ark grew with each $100 given. The production of the netonka seniors was no she began listening to Although they expected the project to take play at Winnetonka was exception. One of the the words spoken in the a year, they were thrilled when the Christmas one of the first in the student actors was hallways of her school. Eve offering increased the collection total country by a high school asked by a parent to not What she discovered past their original goal. In five months they drama department. visit their child because about the intolerance of raised $6,100. Thei r family and friends are The play is a series of of the actor's participa­ the school community vignettes and mono­ tion in the play. The proud of them and of Martinsburg Memorial challenged her. To help logues representing the anti-gay protester Rev. church which gave them so much support. raise awareness for the responses to questions Fred Phelps condemned -Sherry Bowman need for tolerance for all posed to the citizens of the school, the teachers, persons, she proposed Laramie by the writers and the actors through to her senior drama stu­ 12-year-old over a period of 18 press releases and by dents that twins Jacob and months following the protesting at their per­ Melissa Bowman murder. Sixteen senior formances. challenged Martins­ drama students took The play was strongly burg Memorial to part in the production. supported by the school "fill the ark" for Bryan played several administration and the Heifer International. of the citizens of surrounding community. Laramie, including the The Laramie Project leading role of Jeda­ played to fiv~ sold-out diah Schultz, a strai'ght performances, three in a University of public theater in down­ Wyoming stu- town Kansas City, and two at the high school. After his graduation from Winnetonka in June, Bryan plans to attend McPherson Col­ lege where he intends to study business, and to participate in cross country and track.

Messenger June 2002. - INTOUCH

Brethren Home residents conduct "soys in space" experiment

Some residents of The Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, Pa., boldly went where no residents had gone before this winter. Working alongside students from the New Oxford Elemen­ tary School, "Villagers" from the community are helping with a "Soys in Space" experi­ ment to determine the effects of space travel on soybeans. A group of four residents, 12 fourth-grade students, parents, and the school's principal trav­ eled to Kennedy Space Center in December to watch the launch of the space shuttle NASA Commander Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie (Captain, USN) Endeavour with their precious visited The Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, Pa., in science-project cargo aboard. February, thanking the community and the New Oxford schools for The launch was delayed sev­ their participation in the "Soys in Space" program. He paused for a eral times, so the group missed photo with Kay Jones, public relations/communications coordinator seeing the shuttle lift off, but for The Brethren Home. they did get to visit the Astro­ naut Hall of Fame and spent trip was worthwhile despite (Capt. USN) of the Endeavour two days touring Kennedy the disappointment of missing returned the seeds. He first Space Center. They were even the blast-off. appeared on The Brethren seated with the astronauts' The seeds eventually did Home Community's closed-cir­ families during the second make the trip, while the stu­ cuit television program "In attempt to watch the launch. dents kept a control group on Touch," then went to New New Oxford Elementary Earth. On Feb. 22, Commander Oxford High School where the principal Joan Crouse said the Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie students, the Villagers who had participated, and three buses of other Brethren Home residents gathered to watch as Remembered the soybeans were presented. The soybeans that yvere sent Barry Weber, 54, of Bloomingdale, 111., died of a into space and the control heart attack March 5. A graduate of Bethany Theo­ group that stayed on Earth are logical Seminary, he was a clinical psychologist in now being grown by the stu­ private practice. Previously he had been a Church dents and residents to see of the Brethren pastor. The week of his death he what effects, if any, the received his certificate in forensic psychology. weightlessness, extreme tem­ Barry was working on two books-one science fic­ peratures, and such may have tion and one on psychology and theology. He was had on the space soys. "This the father of two adult daughters and 10-year-old is the first intergenerational twins. He was a member of the York Center science experiment NASA's Church of the Brethren, Lombard, Ill. ever had," Crouse says. Barry Weber

• Messenger June 2002 Here is the church, where is the steeple?

Eldon Coffman, then pastor of the Cabool, Mo., Church of the Brethren, illustrated his sermon a dozen years ago with a story about a church that kept using the funds set aside for its steeple to help Atlantic Northeast welcomes New Korean members through personal crises. another Korean congregation Brethren. Above: Afterward a church member pastor Tae Yi with the suggested, "Maybe we should Pastor Tae Yi and the Good Shepherd Korean Church Fel­ deacons of Good have such a fund," and so a lowship were welcomed into the Atlantic Northeast Shepherd Korean "Steeple Fund" was added to the District family of churches last fall. The congregation of 40 Church Fellowship. church's budget. That "Steeple worshipers purchased a church building adjacent to a Below. the building Fund" has helped church and Korean community in Lansdale, Pa. The group, which that the group has community members through the rented space for five years, celebrates this new beginning purchased and is years, including a family recover­ as well as its partnership with the neighboring Indian remodeling. ing from a disastrous fire, Creek congregation, which continues to give them prayer members whose car was stolen, and financial support. and a couple who incurred steep The property, originally a church and more medical bills. recently a day care center, was purchased for Recently a Cabool church $202,000. Some remodeling needs to be done. member, new to the congregation, The district has pledged to give $1,000 per month read over the budget and com­ for three years toward the mortgage payments. mented, "I didn't know we were This is the second Korean congregation in the planning to build a steeple onto district. The first was Grace Christian Korean in the church." Philadelphia, received in October 1999. The reason the Cabool congre­ The district Korean Advisory Committee gives gation has a "Steeple Fund" but guidance and offers encouragement to the two its building will never have a congregations. Earl K. Ziegler chairs the commit­ steeple was quickly explained. tee, which includes S. Joan Hershey, Ronald -Irene Shull Reynolds Hendricks, Jim Bauer, and Mark Baliles. MILESTONES

Live Oak awarded nity service. During that for victims of domestic vio­ because so many local "Church of the Year" time the church has pro­ lence, child abuse, and amusements were forbidden, vided shelter to flood sexual assault. -Anne Palmer including the "theatorium," The Live Oak {Calif.) Church victims, housed the Japan­ bowling, basketball games, of the Brethren was pre­ ese returning home from E-town turns 100 picnics, and visiting Mo_unt sented with an award for "relocation" camps follow­ Gretna. While they ~iscussed Organzation/Church of the ing World War 11, sponsored The Elizabethtown {Pa.) how different these earlier Year at the 11th Annual refugees, and opened a Church of the Brethren cele­ Brethren were, two of them Awards Banquet held by the child-care center, which brated its centennial May 4. materialized, S. R. Zug and Live Oak District Chamber cares for 80 of the commu­ Church member Jean Moyer his wife, Fannie, who were of Commerce. Criteria for nity's children. wrote a play for the occasion. equally appalled at the the award included dona­ Recently the Live Oak In it she features three stu­ changes they saw in the tions, voluntee·r time, and Church joined in partner­ dents poring over old church church of today. The folks community service. This is ship with Casa de council minutes they found from the past, however, the first award of its kind to Esperanza, the local bat­ in the Elizabethtown College delight in learning that doing be given to a church. tered women's shelter and library. They learned that the work of Jesus is still the The Live Oak Church has rape crisis center. The being a Brethren 100 years focus of the church. a 91-year history of commu- church became an advocate ago didn't look like fun, -Karen Wenger

Messenger June 2002 - NEWS

Bethany board looks reported that the theme appointed associate dean and at demographics "Bethany's Centennial: A Pil­ director of distributed educa­ BRETH RENS PEAK grimage of Faith, A Future tion for a three-year term The Bethany Theological with Hope" has been chosen beginning July 1. It also "Evangelism Seminary board of trustees for the seminary's centennial, reported that discussions on gathered for its semiannual which will be celebrated expanded cross-cultural is an invitation meeting April 5-7 in Rich­ October 2004 through Octo­ options for students are mond, Ind., and spent ber 2005; that three taking place with several to follow significant time discussing discernment events for agencies, including a the opportunities and chal­ people at various stages of stronger relationship with Jesus of lenges of the increasingly life are slated for the 2002 Brethren Colleges Abroad. diverse nature of Bethany's calendar year; and that as of In other action, the board: Nazareth into student body. April 6, total gifts and com­ •Approved 11 students for That group now includes mitments to Bethany's capital graduation upon successful God's dream commuters, students who are campaign stood at completion of their gradua­ for us all!" residential, and those who $9,391,924. tion requirements as take the majority of their The Finance and Business determined by faculty; classes at the seminary's Affairs Committee presented •Approved Dan Ulrich for - Michael Curry, Susquehanna Valley Satellite. a 2002-2003 fiscal year advancement to Associate bishop of the The board also discussed budget with a net income of Professor of New Testament Episcopal Diocese how "Connections," the sem­ $3,830, with $1,908,560 in Studies with tenure and Scott of North Carolina, inary's emerging distributed expected revenue and Holland for advancement to speaking at the education program, will add $1,904,730 in expenses. Associate Professor of Peace Evangelism further to the diversity, and The Academic and Student Studies and Cross-Cultural Connections 2002 other demographic issues. Affairs Committee reported Studies; conference The board's Institutional on "Connections," noting •Elected Anne Reid and Advancement-Committee that Dan Ulrich has been Connie Rutt to the board pending Annual Conference confirmation; Dominican youth travel team. A group of 70 youth from •Chose the following offi­ the Brethren in the Dominican Republic will travel through the cers: John Gingrich, chair; US this summer on a month-long worship tour. The team plans Anne Reid, vice chair; Ed to make stops at Annual Conference, congregations and Poling, secretary; Susan camps, and National Youth Conference. Team members are. Boyer, chair of Academic and Front row: Minerva Vargas, Aurelis Reyes, Miladys Figuereo, Student Affairs Committee; and Wichi Lamu. Back row: Rodolfo Agramonte, Der/in Garcia, Mark Baeverstad, chair of Julian Cabral, and Jairon Rodriguez. Not pictured: Benito Finance and Business Affairs Encarnacion and Ariel Rosario. Committee; Janice Ruhl, chair of Institutional Advancement Committee.

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• Messenger June 2002 VOUTHBEAT

NYC registration tops 4,000, but shows drop from 1998 event BRETHRENSPEAK Blind trust walk. Aaron Hostetler of the Bremen (Ind.) Church A total of 4,078 registrations of the Brethren and Carrie Fry-Miller of the Beacon Heights for the 2002 National Youth congregation (Fort Wayne, Ind.) experience a blind trust walk " A lot of people during worship at Regional Youth Conference. Conference {NYC) were have had received by the General Board's Youth/Young Adult Midwestern youth meet for regional weaknesses, Ministry office through April 1, event at Manchester the end of the main registra­ and God has tion period. Youth and advisors from six Midwestern districts converged While late registrations con­ on Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., April 12- used each and tinued to be accepted with a 14 for the school's annual Church of the Brethren Regional surcharge through May 15, Youth Conference. About 165 people attended the weekend every one of boosting the total to near 4,150, event, which used the National Youth Conference theme it marks the first time in recent "For Such a Time as This." them. " history that attendance will have Keynote speakers for the weekend worship celebrations - Elkhart (Ind.) Valley Church dropped from one NYC to the included Trotwood {Ohio) Church of the Brethren pastor of the Brethren pastor Frank next. About 4,500 people partici­ Amy Messler, Elkhart {Ind.) Valley pastor Frank Ramirez, and Ramirez, speaking at Regional pated in the 1998 NYC, and Manchester campus pastor Jim Chinworth. Youth Conference at about 4,100 in 1994, continuing Methodist humorist Chris Danielson provided the Satur­ Manchester College an upward trend over the past day evening entertainment, with acts ranging from a few decades. It still remains one contemporary spin on the Jonah story, to having volunteers of the largest gatherings in the pronounce Old Testament city names while holding a denomination, along with mouthful of marshmallows, to a touching story about cere­ Annual Conference. bral palsy delivered in a first-person style. This year will be the fourth Other activities during the weekend included a variety of straight time that NYC, held workshops, the opportunity to join in the college's Peace every four years, will take place Week activities, campus tours, and a performance by Man­ at Colorado State University in chester's "Controlled Catastrophe"improv group. Fort Collins, Colo. Previous conferences were held in loca­ tions including Estes Park, Colo.; New Mexico; North Car­ olina; and New York. The 2002 NYC will be held July 16-21.

Methodist comedian Chris Danielson entertained the Regional Youth Conference crowd with a series of sketches, including one in which he had Jenna Lamb of Vandalia, Ohio, and other "contestants" try to pronounce Old Te stament city names with a mouthful of marshmallows. NEWS

UPCOMINGEVENTS Membership slide continues, Personnel moves but slows slightly, in 2001 June 1-7 Ministry Summer •Richard B. Gardner has Service training, Earlham Col­ Church of the Brethren membership dropped again announced his plans to retire as lege campus, Richmond, Ind. in 2001, though not quite as sharply as in recent years. academic dean and professor of (Interns serve through mid­ The denomination's 23 US districts reported a net loss New Testament at Bethany Theo­ August) of 1,051 members in the past year, according to statis­ logical Seminary effective at the tics in the Church of the Brethren Yearbook published conclusion of the next academic June 1-9 Brethren Witness by Brethren Press. year, June 2003. Faith Expedition to Arctic The decrease, about 0.77 percent, brings the denom­ Gardner began as dean in July National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska ination's total membership to 134,828. It is the smallest 1992, two years before Bethany one-year decline in both number and percentage since relocated from Oak Brook, 111., to June 6-9 Fellowship of 1997, when a net loss of 411 members was reported. Richmond, Ind. He first joined Brethren Homes' Forum 2002, The Church of the Brethren has not shown a net gain Bethany's faculty in 19-88, when McPherson, Kan. in membership since 1974, when it grew by 54 mem­ he came from the staff of the bers. The overall downward trend extends to the early General Board. Gardner plans to June 8 "The Big Picture: What 1960s. continue teaching at Bethany on Does Peace Have to Do With Fifteen districts reported net losses in 2001, seven a half-time basis for two years Me?" event for youth and adults, had net gains, and one, Northern Plains, reported no and then in the future as needed. Brethren Service Center, New change. The largest declines came in the Midwest, •Tom Zuercher, district execu­ Windsor, Md. where the five districts that cover Ohio, Indiana, Illi­ tive of the Northern Ohio District nois, and Wisconsin had a combined net loss of 751 since 1991, has announced his June 17-21 Creative Church members. Michigan was the exception, with a 1.8 per­ resignation effective Oct. 5. He Leader training event, Man­ cent increase. has been called to serve as chester College, North The largest numerical and percentage increase came pastor of the Ashland-Dickey Manchester, Ind. in Southeastern District, which reported a net gain of congregation of Northern Ohio 72 members (2.63 percent). Mid-Atlantic reported a 45- District. June 23 National Youth Con­ member increase. Zuercher has also been serving ference Prayer Day Total reported worship attendance is about half of as chair of the Council of District the reported membership, at 71,737 per week-a Executives since January of this June 23-29 Ohio Valley Song decrease of 264 from 2000. The number of congrega­ year. & Story Fest, Woodland Altars, tions decreased by just two, to 1,035. There are also 31 •Matt Guynn will continue Peebles, Ohio fellowships and four projects. working with On Earth Peace

June 27-29 Council of Dis­ trict Executives meeting, Louisville, Ky.

June 28-29, July 1 General Board meetings, Louisville, Ky.

June 29-July 3 Annual Con­ ference, Louisville, Ky.

July 1 Brethren Benefit Trust board meeting, Louisville, Ky.

July 14-Aug. 3 Brethren Vol­ unteer Service Unit 249, Sedalia, Colo.

July 16-21 National Youth Con­ ference, Fort Collins, Colo .

• Messenger June 2002 through at least September 2003. Guynn had been coordinating the agency's "Seeking Peace" pro­ ject in a short-term capacity since September 2001, as a response to Sept. 11 and subse­ quent events. Guynn will continue to coordi­ nate the next steps of Seeking Peace while also coordinating Ministry of Reconciliation work­ shops and activities and working with the agency's Peace Witness program in an organizational and advisory role. 1. North Korea. The General Board's Peace, included rallies, workshops, lobby­ •Tim Van Meter has resigned Global Food Crisis Fund made a grant of ing, and marches. as assistant professor and direc­ $30,000 for long-term work being carried tor of the Institute for Ministry out through Church World Service and 5. New Windsor, Md. Brethren Volunteer With Youth and Young Adults at other Christian development organiza­ Service Older Adult Unit 248 met April 21- Bethany Theological Seminary tions. The funds will support food May 2 at the Brethren Service Center for effective June 30. He joined production, health care, and emergency orientation. It was the fourth older adult unit Bethany to launch the new pro­ relief as needed in the famine-stricken held in recent years and also the largest, with gram in fall 2000. region. nine participants. Van Meter will begin a new position with Lancaster (Pa.) The­ 2. Tijuana, Mexico. An allocation of 6. Elgin, Ill. The General Board's Small ological Seminary on July 1. $10,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund Membership/Rural Church Advisory Com­ will support an emergency housing request mittee met for the first time on April 13, at from Compafleros en Ministerio/Partners in the General Offices. The initial group was Ministry Inc., a General Board partner. The made up of people named by districts in funds will assist with expenses related to the Midwest. In the future it may be building new housing where a flash fire expanded, or subgroups may be formed to destroyed 32 homes in the community of deal with concerns in other regions. • Colonia Nueva Aurora. 7. Los Fresnos, Texas. A $10,000 grant 3. Nigeria. Paul and Dorothy Grout and from the Emergency Disaster Fund will sup­ Janis Pyle, the General Board's coordinator port the refugee work of Southwest Good for mission connections, traveled to Nige­ Samaritan Ministries. The grant will assist in ria in April for a 12-day visit with the providing temporary housing, clothing, food, Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (Church of health kits, medical and dental care, and legal the Brethren in Nigeria). Grout became the assistance, as well as transportation for first Annual Conference moderator to refugees being reunited with friends or rela­ travel to Nigeria since 1993, when Chuck tives already legally in the United States who Boyer visited. As a part of the visit, Grout will assume their care. preached at the "majalisa," or annual meeting, being held April 10-13 at Ku lp 8. Sudan. A Church of the Brethren Faith Bible College near Mubi, Adamawa State. Expedition group traveled to several com­ munities in war-torn southern Sudan in 4. Washington, D.C. The Church of the late February and early March. The group Brethren Washington Office organized of 12 people representing nine districts Brethren participation in a major "Colom­ went to learn about living conditions in bia Mobilization" event April 19-22, the east African country, to show support seeking to show solidarity with the for Sudan's struggling people, to observe people of the South American nation. The Brethren-supported programs, and to pre­ four-day event, convened by School of pare to share their learnings after the Americas Watch and Witness for returning home.

Messenger June 2002 - SPECIAL REPORT

The building stones of citizenship The Christian Citizenship Seminar

Christ. And when we do, we ask what it means to live not simply as a citizen, but as a Christian citizen. The Christian Citi­ zenship Seminar-sponsored by the Brethren Witness office and the Washing­ ton Office and held during April in New York and Washington- was a time to go off somewhere quiet with others, like Jesus often tried to do, to ponder what it means to be a Christian citizen. In New York, we revisited the realities of the wealth of our nation as compared to the rest of the world. Our military budget is about half of that of the world. We heard a report from our delegation's A Sept. 11-related by Erin Matteson trip to Iraq, revealing what happens mosaic of children's when US power and influence is directed drawings at the I remember from when I was little the toward hurting a country's medical and United Nations being enjoyment of piling stones up one at a educational systems. photographed by time as high as they could go. Of course I As Christian citizens, we must stop to Erin Matteson . piled them so quickly, and really with ask, what is the new world Christ would little care, that they fell down fast. have us build? How would Christ have us By the time I grew a bit older, and relate to and care for others, individually enjoyed walking on walls that were made and as nations? How do we think beyond of piled stones or bricks, I had come to our own native lands, to the caretaking realize that the stability of the structure of all of God's creation? Building our came from the placement of the stones, lives on Christ will mean gathering and the strength of the foundation. stones of compassion and a willingness There are many choices for the stones to sacrifice, and stones of justice. we as Christians will gather to In New York, we visited Ground Zero, build our lives upon. There are seeing firsthand the destruction and loss. the stones of public opinion, As we approached the site, it got deathly stones of materialism, stones quiet, and as we walked the area it of convenience, and of empty seemed as though there were still soot in busyness. But when we are the air. With each step I felt ep10tionally baptized, we make a choice heavier, until I thought I might choke. The urgency of Christian that Christ is our cornerstone. The air there is still heavy with confu­ citizenship explatned by . We come to realize that we sion, questions, and pain. As Christian Brethren Witness director $91,~ will have to build our lives citizens, we hope that includes the pain Dav, slowly and carefully on of yearning for a different world. We hope that breathing in that air will make us willing to be in better relationship with those different from us. As a way of discovering good building stones, we spent time with those work­ ing to improve Muslim-Christian-Jewish relations. We also spent time with those m Messenger June 2002 At Ground Zero, Linda Williams of San Diego First Church of the Brethren poses with a new friend.

representatives in Congress, to speak to them about issues we believed were of concern to Christ. These included the sanctions against Iraq, our nation's working against media violence. We our sorrow at the world's lostness. We military budget, and living conditions spoke with Marie Dennis, who works worshiped earnestly as Brethren, seek­ in other countries. Together we tried to with the Catholic organization Mary­ ing God's guidance on how to influence live the faith we were building upon, knoll, which is committed to having leadership at all levels toward building carefully, thoughtfully, one ff.'I persons work in the poorest communi­ for peace. We worshiped to give thanks, stone at a time. i6ii ties in the world. They do so to learn not unlike the early church, for other about and educate others regarding the believers who encourage us and walk Erin Matteson is the pastor of Faith Church of the Brethren impact on the globe of decisions made with us along the way. in Batavia, Ill., and enjoys the opportunity to sing when­ ever she can. She is married to Russ Matteson, manager In Washington during our final hours in Washington, D.C. Low wages and of marketing and sales for Brethren Press, and has two poor living conditions destroy not only of the seminar, we prepared to visit our lively daug hters, Emi ly (9 1/2) and Hannah (6). persons and whole economies, but also the sustainability of the earth. There is something wrong when TOURS IN 2002: about 350 billionaires are controlling Europe and More more wealth than 40 percent of the EUROPEAN HERITAGE TOURS: ...... JULY 12-29 earth's population. There is something IRE LAND : ...... SEPTEMBER 20 · OCTOBER 1 wrong when millions are living on a pile SPECTACULAR SCANDINAVIA AND ITS FJORDS: ...... J UN E 17 · JULY 1 of beans and a potato a day. Christian SW ISS GLACIER EXPRESS: ...... AUGUST 12-26 SWISS·VDLHYNIAN MENNON ITE HERITAGE TOUR : .. SEPTEMBER 18 · OCTOBER 3 citizenship beckons to us to live simply, to live faithfully caring for the stranger, Far East and to try to persuade our government VIETNAM: ...... NOVEMBER 6-24 North America CALL to be a better example to the world. 1-800-565-0451 We visited the United Nations. The ALASKA CRUISE TOUR : ...... JUNE 19 • JULY 1 EASTERN CANADA: ...... AUGUST 2-12 UN seems to be losing respect, as E-MAIL: FALL FOLIAGE TOUR IN NEW ENGLAND : ...... OCTOBER 8-14 [email protected] shown by the growing violence toward MAJESTIC CANADIAN ROCKIES : ...... JULY 15-28 WEB : peacekeeping operations. Exploring MEN NONITE & AMISH COMMUNITIES IN OHIO: ...... MAY 10-14 www.tourmagination.com Christian citizenship led us to ask how Service Tours our government's use of power and CHRISTMAS SERVICE TOUR TO PENNSYLVANIA: ... NOVEMBER 28 · DECEMBER 3 "Celebrating over 30 years control has influenced others' attitudes SERVICE TOUR TO ISRAEL: ...... OCTOBER 25 · NOVEMBER 7 of building bri<(qes • toward the United Nations, damaging among Mennonites and TOURS IN 2003: its capacity for effectiveness. other Christians around While we were at Christian Citizenship Mennonite World Conference Tours the world through custom-designed travel" Seminar, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ETHIOPIA & ZIMBABWE: ...... JULY 30 · AUGUST 19 KENYA & TANZANIA: ...... AUGUST 2-19 continued to escalate and Iraq decided SOUTHERN AFRICA : ...... JULY 29 · AUGUST 19 to stop selling oil temporarily. Opinions TAN ZANIA & KENYA: .. . AUGUST 1-19 9 Willow Street Wate rloo, ON, WEST AFRICA: ...... JULY 29 · AUGUST 19 abounded, and we had to form our own Canada N2J 1V6 opinions. At the same time we were ZAMBIA & ZIMBABWE: ...... JULY 31 - AUGUST 19 ZIMBABWE : ...... AUGUST 1-19 1011 Cathill Road committed to a life firmly built on Christ. Sellersville, PA, ZIMBABWE: ...... AUGUST 8-27 Through all the changes going on in USA 18960 our world and in ourselves, we wor­ Service Tours REG. #1567624 PARAGUAY SERVICE TOUR: ..... APRIL 3-17 shiped daily. We worshiped to express

Messenger June 2002 - The "Troubles" in Northern Ireland Protestant areas, with people of all more than ever, a rare gift. They began in the late 1960s, but the con­ ages, all economic, political, and edu­ bring their desire to learn, their belief flict is rooted in events from the 1920s cational backgrounds. They have not in the future, their willingness to live and in the centuries-earlier settlement volunteered to solve the conflicts, but lightly, and the history of a church by English and Scottish people in they have been invited to come and that doesn't shy away from conflict in parts of Ireland. Often regarded as a accompany some of the groups and order to avoid war. "religious war," the communal divi­ individuals who were and are trying Walt Wiltschek traveled to Northern sions also run along political, to seek ways that "make for peace." Ireland earlier this year to visit cur­ ,n Cl) economic, social, and territorial lines. BVSers have not brought great rent BVS projects and interview the (.) In the past 30 years, more than 100 change to Ireland/Northern Ireland; volunteers. Accompanying his article ·-...... Brethren Volunteer Service workers rather, they have taken part in small, are some perspectives and memories ca have served in Northern Ireland and ordinary ways in the powerful force from some of the past BVSers who Cl) .c:.... in the Republic of Ireland. As Dale Ott of life that has not been extinguished served during these 30 years . .... writes on page 14, the Church of the by the pain and confusion of ongoing These perspectives were edited by :::s Brethren was invited by a Methodist conflict. In Northern Ireland, where Megan Blinn, former Northern Ire­ 0 .c pastor to send a youth worker to a the past four years have brought a land BVSer and a member of L'Arche <( community center in the Shankill­ tentative peace and the growing Belfast, and Kristin Flory, coordinator area of Belfast. Since then BVSers awareness that peace cannot last of the Brethren Service office in ■ ■ have worked in Catholic areas and in without justice, BVSers are now, Geneva since 1987. m Messenger June 2002 The six Brethren Volunteer Service workers currently in Northern Ireland gathered for a retreat along the coast in March. From left, Sarah McLaughlin, John Adams, Sara Cook, April Angel, Natalie Dutrow, and Hope Woodard.

■ ■ Tuesday, 5 p.m. making this the largest concentration of BYS workers outside the United States. Rain falls from a gray sky as my bus trundles We step into an ancient establishment across toward the main bus station in Belfast, North­ the street for dinner and begin to go over the ern Ireland. It seems appropriate somehow for plans for the coming days. They point out the this place, which has lived under a figurative nearby Europa Hotel as once being "the most dark cloud of conflict and sectarianism for bombed hotel in Europe," but today it and the decades- centuries, really, as its history dates rest of downtown look little different from any to the era of colonizing empires. other small European capital, with cheery store­ I've been to Europe a number of times for fronts and bustling commerce. family visits and other ventures over the years and I've studied its history, but this is my first time in After our meal, John and I catch a bus to the this particular corner of the region. I don't expect Currach Community, a small home where he to dodge bullets as I step off the bus, b.ut neither lives along the "peace line" between Protestant am I fully sure what it will be like. and Catholic communities. Friendly faces soon emerge from the crowd as I find Brethren Volunteer Service (BYS) Euro­ ■ ■ Tuesday, 9 p.m. pean coordinator Kristin Flory and John Adams, one of six BYS workers currently in Northern John takes me on an extensive walking tour of Ireland. A seventh is due to arrive this summer, northern and western sections of Belfast, areas

Messenger June 2002111 NURTURING HOPE IN NORTHERN l RELAND

II I know we can't change Northern Ireland overnight, but we try to find ways to bring communities together, to encourage dialog and foster trust by helping people to get to know each other better.,,

of the city where the conflict-often referred discover the next morning that a small riot had to by the understated euphemism, "The Trou­ occurred less than a mile away. bles"-has been centered. Our journey continues over miles of the city, In most of Belfast, overt fighting has disap­ first along the working-class Protestant peared as a power-sharing agreement for the stronghold of the Shankill Road and later government and moves toward disarmament down the Catholic-dominated Falls Road. Col­ have taken hold since the cease-fires of 1994 orful murals mark areas where paramilitary and 1997 and the Good Friday accords of groups for one side or the other have been 1998. Tensions still bubble beneath the sur­ active and some still operate. face, though, and in the north and west they We eventually wind up in a hilltop graveyard, sometimes boil over. where a forest of Celtic-looking crosses rises As we walk down a street in the northern sec­ dramatically under the mist and fog. John tion, a stretch where barbed wire, graffiti, and points out areas where some of the prominent broken windows are visible, John says, "If we Catholic nationalists are buried, some of them hear gunfire, we'll turn back!" I'm not sure if from the Irish Republican Army (IRA) hunger he's joking or not, but no signs of danger are strikes of the 1980s. visible other than a siren in the distance. We We head back to Currach after this stop, which

LEARNING TO LIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: seminar." Following the seminar, I tants]. He reflects his experience just managed to get through a against a biblical theme. BVS goes to Belt ast roadblock in time to visit a youth "What do I really seek among club at the Shan kill Methodist the masked men with truncheons, The "new round of troubles" Church, where I was fortunate the bombed-out pubs, 'the terror exploded like a firestorm in enough to talk with the pastor, the by night,' 'the destruction that Northern Ireland in 1971 . Road­ Rev. Harold Good. He asked me wasteth at noonday,' if not a blocks became the norm, and in whether a BVSer might come to reflection of my own violent soul? August, the practice of "detention help with youth activities in the ...The gunman is my brother without trial" was formally intro­ Shankill area. Delighted by his and the bomber is my guilty duced. On Aug. 9, more than 300 interest, I told him I was quite sure accomplice .... Ulster is only the men were detained without we could find someone in time. grandiose pretext under which I charges or trial. Almost all were Fortunately, after just a few begin to wrestle my humanity Catholics, and nationalists. Sto­ months, we found a discerning back from the violent self at my ries quickly circulated about and diplomatic volunteer in Ken side. Twentieth century man is a "brutalities" committed by British Smith. He arrived in Belfast in late terrorist.... I am here to reaf­ soldiers. These events, in turn, spring of 1972, and began working firm my humanity.... I am here provoked even more violence at the Agnes Street Community to 'help' no man, but to learn to from gunmen still at large. Centre. live among them."-DaleOtt In December of 1971 the Con­ Apropos of today's "obsession ference of European Churches with terrorism," I close this brief Dale Ott was the director of the Brethren Service office in Geneva , Switzerland, from and the Irish Council of writing with the following Churches invited me to 1966 to 1987. Still in Geneva, he keeps busy excerpt from an introspective with walking, reading, writing, sending opin­ Belfast for an "information letter by Ken Smith dated July 9, ions to newspapers, and discussing 1972 [an IRA cease-fire ended "forbidden" subjects like religion and poli­ Dale Ott in the that day and 10 people were tics. His membership is with the La Verne early 1980s. (Calif.) Church of the Brethren. killed, both Catholics and Prates- serves as a reminder that what­ ever the causes of the conflict, death has been one of its results.

■■ Tuesday, 11 p.m.

We're still energized after the brisk walk, so John and I sit down at Currach and talk about his work. He is Catholic, from Connecticut, and grew up in a family that mirrored some of the issues here. His grandfather served 1979 BVS retreat as an officer in the British army, his grand­ ■ ■ Wednesday, 10 a.m. with Northern mother in the Irish nationalist movement, and Ireland volunteers. his father was born in Dublin, capital of the After breakfast with Kristin Flory, she and I Irish Republic. walk over to the downtown offices of the Irish This heritage understandably led John to Council of Churches to meet with general sec­ curiosity about his family's homeland. He first retary David Stevens. came to Ireland and Northern Ireland in 1994 He's remarkably casual and relaxed for as he studied political science and interna­ someone of his high position, working with tional relations in college. He continued with Protestant churches in both the Republic and an Irish studies major in a graduate program Northern Ireland. As he leans back in an office at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., chair, he pulls out a rich history of some of the and returned to do an internship in the Irish religious issues that have faced the island. legislature in 1999. Stevens has also been a longtime local contact He subsequently wanted to find work that for BYS, working with Kristin and her prede­ would be meaningful, "something that would cessor, Dale Ott, through the 30 years that BYS really turn my life around," he says, and has had a presence here. He recalls story after through a series of contacts found his way to story of BYS workers who have served there BYS. It eventually led to a placement with the through that time and some of the issues that Mediation Network of Northern Ireland, in were dominating during their tenures. Belfast, which promotes conflict resolution In recent years, he says, those issues have and reconciliation training. changed form again. He says he becomes frustrated with people "It's an odd reality, this place," he adds. who think they know the answers to the chal­ "Depending where you're located, you may be lenges Northern Ireland faces, when he's not living a 'normal' life, but if you live in some even sure the right questions are being asked yet. areas of North Belfast, life has gotten worse." "I know we can't change Northern Ireland He echoes John's sentiments that there will overnight," he says, "but we try to find ways to be no quick fixes, no easy answers to the bring communities together, to encourage often-dark past. Many issues remain unre­ dialog and foster trust by helping people to get solved, Stevens says, and it has forced the to know each other better. Northern Ireland is council to adjust its focus as it takes part in the going through a lot ... . It's going to take painstaking healing process. years till we see a final peaceful solution to the "I suppose we were given an agenda by 30- problems of Northern Ireland." some years of the Troubles," he says. "Now

Messenger June 2002 Iii we're in a period of transition, and it's going grams- including a popular cooking pro­ to be a long period of transition. It's fragile, gram she started for boys-to bring precarious, and it seems to go on forever. Catholic and Protestant youth together. The We' re dealing with the legacy of the past." other half is dedicated to "drop-in" evenings when youth from one group or the other come ■ ■ Wednesday, 1 p.m. together. They work at "single identity," developing A taxi ride back to West Belfast puts us at an expression of oneself that doesn't require Forthspring Community Center, located in a putting down others. They also try to broaden Methodist church that sits just on the other side worldviews, a challenge in a place where of the "peace wall" from my accommodations people sometimes never leave their own neigh­ at Currach. The looming concrete and wire borhood, let alone leave the city or travel walls, some being extended that very week, seek outside Northern Ireland. to squelch conflict by keeping opposing groups "Cross-community work is so difficult to do separate. Critics, however, say the walls only and such a delicate balance," Natalie says. give troublemakers a new challenge. "You can't just throw a bunch of kids together After a brief chat with the pastor, we find here and expect them to get along .... There's Natalie Dutrow, a young BYS worker from the hope, but it's really little things. You have to Sara Cook and Hope McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren. look really hard." Woodard both work at BVS She's obviously found her niche working with projects in the city of youth in this cross-community setting, as kids ■■ II Wednesday, 3 p.m. Coleraine, in northwestern call out "Natalie!" and wave as we walk to a Northern Ireland. Cook nearby deli for lunch. She smiles and yells We head into the central part of Belfast again currently serves at the back. It hasn't always been that way, she says. to visit the Mediation Network where John Ballysally Community "It takes a long time to build some of those serves. We say hello as we see him working the Center and Woodard at relationships," she says. "It's a slow process. phone at his desk, then go into an inner office Ki/cranny House. The two It's so discouraging when you first start to meet with Andrew McCracken, the jovial met up with others from because you think you're never going to business manager for the organization. Ki/cranny House this understand them." He, too, comments on the gradual changes, particular evening to Despite the difficulty, she doesn't regret mostly positive, occurring in Belfast- "You celebrate Woodard's one- coming here following her graduation from get used to them as they happen," he says­ year anniversary at the Elizabethtown College last year. She knew she and traces some of the political and social project. wanted to be engaged in youth work, and most developments that have occurred. of those BYS opportunities "A lot of people don't own the fact that were in Northern Ireland­ there's still a lot of change that has to a place she was interested happen," he says, "The lesson we're trying to in seeing, although its teach others is that change isn't something reputation scared her. you fear. It's sometime you deal with, and you Since arriving, she must have a mechanism to deal with it." says, her fear has dis - That's led the Mediation Network to develop appeared. a new mission statement: "to offer creative About half of her approaches to good relations in Northern Ire­ work at Forthspring land." BYS workers and other volunteers, is cross-commu- Andrew says, are a key part of that work, from nity, with a having people with different, non-Irish accents variety of answer the phone to the attitude they bring. special "There's something about enthusiasm that pro- isn't linked to salary," he says. "It means the person is motivated by their own inner self, wanting to be in a place where what you gain is experience or learning, or just being present in a place where you can see the work that's going on." "We work them hard," he adds with a laugh, "There's no doubt about it." LEARNING TO LIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: Pastors and paramilitants

I spent five years between 1974 and ated independence for 1981 living and working in Belfast Northern Ireland-in which through BVS. I worked directly for two the loyalists would give up groups-two groups from opposite the link to the Crown and the ends of the spectrum. republicans would give up My first project was the Irish Council the dream of a united Ire­ of Churches, an ecumenical group that land. Thus, there would be is part of the World Council of no "winners" and no Churches, with members from all the "losers" in this very detailed Protestant denominations and with a and carefully thought out close working relationship with the plan. Their plan was similar Roman Catholic church. to the "Good Friday Agree­ A few years after working for the ment" of 1998, the most ICC, I became the BVSer for the New recent diplomatic attempt to Ulster Political Research Group solve the "troubles" in At the BVS house in Ligoniel, Belfast: Ruby Stickel (NUPRG), a research group for the Northern Ireland. (middle, with scarf) enjoying time with fellow BVSers Ulster Defence Association (UDA). BVS I came to admire these about 1977. viewed the placement as an opportu­ men who had been part of nity to put the Church of the Breth re n's the violence in Northern Ireland and take some radically new and different beliefs on pacifism into action. For me, now were putting their lives on the approaches to resolving the "troubles" too, this was about acting on my per­ line in a different way. The plan they in Northern Ireland. My work with the sonal belief in pacifism. For NUPRG, were presenting made it essential for two groups contributed to my belief having an American in their office lent them to work with the other side. that all parties involved in conflict situ­ credibility to their professed neutrality. Unfortunately, the British government ations should be involved in The NUPRG came into being because a refused to talk with representatives of discussions. For without open discus­ few leaders in the UDA recognized that the NUPRG because of their connec­ sion and contact between all parties, "violence was not getting the results" for tion with the UDA and other how can there be any real or lasting which they had hoped. Key representa­ paramilitary groups. Consequently, solution?-Ruby Stickel tives of the UDA managed to convince members eventually became discour­ the organization to take their men "off aged and began to shift back towards Ruby Stickel served in Belfast from 1974 to 1976 and 1979 to 1981. Ruby will soon retire from the Depart­ the streets." They then formed the their original militant stance. ment of Labor and Industry in Harrisburg, Pa ., to pursue NUPRG, spent 18 months in research Through BVS, I had the privilege of her longtime interests in holistic healing, the environ­ developing a viable plan to resolve the working with some amazing people ment, and peace. A member of the Church of the "troubles." The plan called for negoti- and incredible groups, who dared to Brethren, she attends the Harrisburg Quaker Meeting.

■ ■ Wednesday, 5 p.m. better future for her young godchildren and for the many youth who pass through NICHS' Another taxi brings me to an organization doors. "I just want them to have a happy and called NICHS, in North Belfast. I first meet peaceful life," she says. with the director, Jackie Chalk-an English Helping her and the NI CHS staff in that woman who radiates cheerfulness and energy. effort is April Angel, a BYS worker from the Jackie talks about the work of NICHS, which Bear Creek Church of the Brethren in Dayton, operates a youth resource center and carries Ohio. April worked at the Women's Aid pro­ out a variety of cross-community and cross­ ject in Belfast her first year, then moved to border contact programs, some of them NICHS last fall. As we talk in her third-floor intensive and requiring a commitment of up to office, she says she has found the work with two years. youth rewarding, but also an eye-opener. She calls the climate in the immediate com­ "It's a humbling experience to realize you can munity "a bit scary," noting that one-fourth of only do what you can do," April says. "It's hard in all the sectarian conflict and killings have the beginning because you want to see the results occurred within a two-mile radius of her of what you're doing. You want high rewards, but office. Driving her work is a desire to create a you don't always see it. It can be hard to accept."

Messenger June 2002 Iii BVSer April Angel of the Beaver Creek Later in the evening, we have a chance to see Church of the Brethren some of the small changes she is trying to build. in Ohio works on the We travel to a youth drop-in center where a third floor at NICHS, a group of teenagers from a Catholic community youth program located is doing a live, online chat-complete with Web in the sometimes cameras- with a Protestant teen group in turbulent area of North another building a few miles away Belfast. It's a first step before the groups meet face ­ to-face. It might not seem like much, but for them it's a new frontier. The staff monitor the exchanges to keep them positive amid the usual giggles of youth checking one another out. "You learn to see things from a different angle," April says of her experience. "Being on the outside looking in you can see a lot more, not just what the media want you to see."

■ ■ ■ Thursday, 9:30 a.m. The morning begins with one more brief trip in Belfast, as Quaker Cottage coordinator Grant McCullough picks me up and drives up a hill overlooking the city. The cottage has no cur­ rent BVS workers, but it's the oldest active BVS project in Northern Ireland. In the rural setting, staff work with mothers and children, most of them from poorer fami­ lies. They seek to both strengthen the mothers and provide programs for the children while encouraging understanding between Protes­ tant and Catholic clients. McCullough speaks highly of the BVS workers who have served

LEARNING TO LIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: Outsmarting cows

When I was a volunteer at the Kil­ to convince people otherwise.) Anne I appreciated the animals as much as cranny House/Peace People farm, I Cummings, who ran the place, was the I appreciated Anne. The_geese, goats, chose to live in the barn for a year. antithesis of weird veggie commune, chickens, ducks, a donkey, and a pony The barn was surrounded on three and she worked hard to convince the made a lasting impression on me. The sides by lush green cow pasture and community and the world that Kil­ goats, Clover and Rebecca, taught me located just behind the vegetable cranny House was a legitimate humility. Somehow every morning garden. Creature comforts were lim­ conference center. Anne wanted to run Clover managed to either kick over the ited: no insulation, no plumbing, a a successful business and be bucket of milk I had just got from her, small electric heater. Everyone respected by our patrons. I wanted to or stick her dirty hoof in it. thought I was a bit odd for actually grow organic veggies and create the Every animal had a distinct "person­ wanting to live in the barn. perfect compost heap. After a while I ality." Take the neighbor's cow, for Kilcranny was thought by the sur­ came to realize that Kilcranny was instance. Walking home after a late rounding community to be a weird about balance and extremes coming night in Coleraine, I was cutting vegetarian commune. (The longhaired together, and I grew to appreciate and through our neighbor's pasture when I guy living in the barn didn't do much respect Anne and her work at the farm. got the chilly sensation of being fol-

Ill Messenger June 2002 16 Dave Meredith tries The lessons I learned from the animals, my out some stilts at the farm at Ki/cranny co-workers, and living in the barn are the ones I House in 1992. usually think of when someone asks me what being a BVSer in Northern Ireland meant to me."

there over the years, including Christy lot they share. When you open up your Bischoff, who finished her term in February. heart and share with someone, the "She reached one kid that no one else label's gone." could," McCullough says. "That's the kind of difference a volunteer can make. The value of ■ ■ Thursday, 1 p.m. having volunteers is incredible. They seem neutral in this environment, so they're not I leave Belfast via another bus, this time rolling labeled, and they also bring a cultural aware­ westward toward Derry (also known as Lon­ ness to our children. It unlocks a whole sort of donderry). The scenery is breathtaking, a avenue for the children, that the world isn't reminder that with conflict fading this could just Belfast." become another European tourist mecca. As I ride the van back into the city while it At the Derry station, I find BVS volunteer picks up clients, the driver asks one woman if Sarah McLaughlin, and we talk over lunch. she would ever venture into a Protestant She grew up in Spokane, Wash., and did a neighborhood- designated by curbs painted study abroad program in Ireland while she in the red, white, and blue of the British flag­ attended St. Joseph's University. She returned just a few blocks away from her Catholic one. after graduation for a service-learning program She answers "Oh, no!" without hesitation. that included a day in Derry, where she met There is still much work to do. then-BYS worker Holly White and other staff at "As they meet, they find more in common the Peace and Reconciliation Group (PRG). than different," McCullough says. "There's a Sarah was determined to come back, and

lowed. When I turned around, one of to outsmart cows." our neighbor's cows stood frozen in The lessons I learned from the ani­ her tracks not 20 feet away. I think she mals, my co-workers, and living in the really thought that I couldn't see her barn are the ones I usually think of and that she was sneaking up on me. when someone asks me what being a Every time I continued to walk, she BVSer in Northern Ireland meant to started also, matching my pace me. -Dave Meredith exactly. It began to freak me out, so finally I turned around and walked Dave Meredith served 1992-1994 at the Kilcranny House backwards the rest of the way home, farm in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Today he is the Community Recreation Coordinator for the City of Rich­ as she stood frozen in the middle of mond (Ind.) Parks and Recreation Department, where r the field, confused and wondering he runs the city's largest free summer camp, shows how her prey could have slipped away free outdoor movies, and coordinates classes, work­ I from her like that. To this day when­ shops, and clubs. "Yes, it's a pretty cool job, but what ever I do a job resume, I include "able I really want to be is a fireman." l J 1 Messenger June 2002 Iii LEARNING TO LIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: One word

I was the first BVSer at the Peace and our cross-cultural youth group "sectar­ formed a cross-cultural romance with a Reconciliation Group, a peace group in ian." This is the equivalent of calling young woman on the trip. Derry/Londonderry, a city in the north­ someone in a diverse group a "racist." In my studies on the process of inter­ west of Northern Ireland. After a year of My utterance of one word in this situa­ cultural education I keep running up on preparations, my co-workers and I were tion was enough to jeopardize my the idea of the experience of intercultural facilitating our cross-cultural (Protestant project's history of cross-cultural work, interactions as a process, rather than an and Catholic) youth group to go on a 10- not to mention endangering the success end-especially our awareness of this day exchange to Germany. It was the of the exchange trip to Germany we process and our interactions. On the PRG first exchange our group had organized. were about to go on. Really. exchange, we group leaders learned a lot By the time we went on the exchange I The young man's parents (I had about the youth we worked with from had worked for a year in Northern Ire­ unknowingly said this to the stepson of a the experience of accompanying them. I land and was versed in the nuances that prominent local politician) called the wasn't the altruistic youth group leader, make up life there-what colors it's okay next day to threaten to take him out of but a true participant in this experiment or not okay to wear, where to say the full the program, and to spread the word that we were undertaking. I didn't have name of my city (Londonderry) and that we were cross-cultural in name only. the answers, I wasn't sure of the ques­ where to say the shorter version (Derry), I made apologies to the young man, to tions, but I was there. Participating. where to take a black taxi and where not his parents, to the group, and to my co­ Sharing. Making gigantic mistakes. to ... I knew this. But in one word I real­ workers. This incident knocked the Learning something in the ized that I was no onlooker, neutral party self-serving, American peacemaker right process.-Mysti Roberts sitting on a fence, trying to help "them" out of me, but the young man held no bridge their differences. I had come apparent grudge against me and even Mysti Roberts spent one year in Poland with BVS before smack-dab into the reality of moving to the Peace and Reconciliation Group in Lon­ donderry/Derry (1997-1998). Today she is in St. Paul, my own prejudice. Minn., in graduate studies in "experiential education," The incident: well, it's a which she says is a "fancy-schmancy term for 'learning long story culminating in by doing,"' or hands-on activities, field trips, service pro­ me calling a young man in jects, and educational exchanges.

Mysti Roberts, left, did so in October 2000. PRG, like several of the with project director other projects, works at cross-community Tanva Gallagher understanding and dialog in a variety of ways. at the Peace and One facet of its work is "cultural exchanges" for Reconciliation high school students and young adults, an area Group in 1998. where Sarah has been particularly involved. As we tour the offices, other staff talk about their work in a city where the current tensions exploded with "Bloody Sunday" in 1972. Today a river largely separates the Protestant and Catholic communities except for one Protestant compound called "The Fountain" in the heart of Derry, "Segregation and separation is the norm," says PRG coordinator Tanya Gallagher. "People can do everything separately. It's ground ripe for misunderstanding and misconceptions, for hatred and fear to be communicated from one generation to the next." We walk around the city's centuries-old walls before I depart, and many of the issues are visible: the peace walls around The Foun­ tain, the river that serves as a wall, and more murals. One reads, "The desire for peace is a flame that cannot be extinguished." Someone, however, has crossed out the "not."

Ii Messenger June 2002 LEARNING TO LIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND:

■ ■ Thursday, 6 p.m. Different languages

I arrive at the train station in the northwestern I worked in Belfast along the "peace line," a large metal city of Coleraine, near the coast, and meet up wall separating Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. I with the final two BYS workers on my tour­ felt comfortable crossing the line because I knew there Hope Woodard, from the Oak Grove Church of would be no questions once I opened my mouth and my the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., and Sara Cook, accent was recognized. Even though we technically who grew up in Indiana and Ohio, where her speak the same language in the United States as people father is a Church of God pastor. do in Northern Ireland, it doesn't sound the same. I often It turns out to be Hope's one-year had difficulty understanding the English I heard. On one anniversary at her Kilcranny House project, occasion, I was having dinner in a so the evening is full of festivities. We go restaurant with a friend. The wait­ bowling and have a homemade Italian feast ress ran to the table, said something, as I meet her co-workers and am quickly and my friend ran out of the restau­ made to feel at home. rant. I was baffled, and tried to pay After dinner, Hope and Sara talk about their the waitress. She told me there had work. Sara currently serves at the Ballysally been a bomb threat and urged me to Youth and Community Center, which seeks to leave. give kids alternatives to the paramilitaries and When I think of the number of mis­ other street temptations, but will move to PRG takes I made coming from a country in Derry when Sarah McLaughlin finishes in with no visible military presence to a October. Hope's work is at a retreat center that country where there were uniformed hosts a variety of groups and emphasizes envi­ soldiers on the streets, I am amazed ronmental education. that I suffered no major consequence. "It's not really a religious conflict," Sara Probably the worst situation was bor­ says. "It's much more of a historical piece, rowing my boss's car and traveling and ethnic and cultural and political. It's around Northern Ireland with two amazing because it affects everything from other Americans. We traveled into a people's names, to the schools they went to, small town, parked outside a pub, to the nursery rhymes they sing to their kids, and went in for a meal. We saw the a whole different slang. The more you learn, signs indicating that this was a con­ the more questions you have." trolled zone, but this had no meaning Hope says one boy who attended an activ­ for us. When we returned to the car ity at Kilcranny later wrote on an evaluation we found the British Army doing that he found the discussion on human rights maneuvers around it. We learned interesting "because I didn't know I had any." they were going to blow up the car, She acknowledges, too, that the cross-com­ fearing it had a bomb planted inside. munity work can be difficult, since people will We all sighed a breath of relief, and often be "politically correct" in such situations, didn't repeat this mistake. saying what they are expected to say. It takes time Peg Gibble when she was a The people of Belfast were very to build trust to the point where they can be BVSer, with a caseworker and friendly but the climate and customs, honest. Still, the two volunteers say they see children from the Family in addition to the language, were a progress. Centre in Belfast. challenge to me. I was als_o bothered "You can see some people being open to the by the security measures common at process," Sara says. "People are more comfort­ the time-being frisked and having one's bag checked. It able with the idea of peace, even if they can't wasn't until I had been there a year that I felt at home. completely embrace it yet." Many of my friends started saying, "I never liked an American before," and I started to love my friends and ■ ■ Friday, 11 a.m. the experience in Northern lreland.-Peg Gibble

After a night at Kilcranny and a tour of the facili ­ Peg Gibble worked in Belfast from 1983 to 1985 with a project of the Belfast Voluntary Welfare Society called the "Family Centre" for a year, and then with ties there, I'm on a train again, heading back to the Irish Council of Churches as well as with the Corrymeela Community in Belfast and again observing the rugged beauty of her second year. Today she lives in Elgin, Ill., where she is a member of the the land while pondering the tension and sadness Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren and works as a licensed clinical social that has filled it. worker. Peg is a single parent and has three children.

Messenger June 2002 a NURTURING HOPE IN t"-l ORTH ER N I RE I . \ ~,_✓ n

II I expect that one could spend three years here and not understand all the complexities of the situation, let alone three days.,,

As Sara and others noted along the way, the conflict is no longer really over religion. Its cen­ turies-old roots may lie in that soil, but today Brethren in the United States likely have more actual theological quarrels than do the parties in Northern Ireland, many of whom never go to church. Instead, the names "Protestants" and "Catholics" have become labels for groups that differ in economics, politics, and a host of other social issues. As we continue to learn in the US, old preju­ dices and stereotypes die hard. The barriers between blacks and whites and the sometimes bloody history of race relations in this country may be our closest parallel. I expect that one could spend three years here and not understand all the complexities of the situation, let alone three days. I admire those who persist in such muddied waters. It is good to

BVS worker John Adams pauses on the streets of downtown Belfast as he heads to a day of work at the Mediation Network.

LEARNING TO LIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: Gratitude

Belfast was a galvanizing experience. I With friends on both sides of the reli­ in fighting to destroy the causes which speak of the importance of Belfast and gious/political divide, Alfie had hope. nourish false charity. False charity con­ its people in my life in terms of pro­ The great Brazilian teacher and lib­ strains the fearful and subdued, the found gratitude. Alfie Midgley, who eration thinker, Paulo Freire, and Alfie 'rejects of life,' to extend their trem­ was my friend from the start, perhaps were shoots from the same stalk. Nei­ bling hands. True generosity lies in best personifies what I received in ther believed that experts and striving, so that these hands-whether Belfast. When I met him, Alfie was a teachers are repositories of knowl­ of individuals or entire peoples-need youth worker at Agnes Street Commu­ edge. Instead, they both believed in be extended less and less in supplica­ nity Centre. He had been a shop leaders who animate the people tion, so that more and more they steward and labor organizer in a time around them to think, speak, and act. become human hands wh1ch work and place in which working people Leaders encourage people to identify and, working, transform the world" were easily divided. their problems and take action to ( The Pedagogy of the Oppressed). Alfie could recount strikes and labor address them. Both Alfie and Freire I lived and worked with Alfie at a rallies broken, literally, by a sectarian understood and respected the capac­ bleak time. Gunmen and car bombers opportunist waving the Union Jack. ity of those who are overlooked, made the sectarian divisions seem This symbol of political difference marginalized, and excluded to dis­ insurmountable and eternal. But Alfie could overshadow the workers' close important, world-changing spoke out of a certitude that they were common experience of injustice. Alfie truths. In Frei re's words are mirrored neither. Alfie lived for change. He had was a radical. He once organized his the wisdom that Alfie taught in his learned that change was possible under shop floor so that production bonuses own way: liberation is mutual. difficult circumstances. Alfie taught me were shared equally by all the workers. "True generosity consists precisely to respect the capacity of disadvan- mMessenger June 2002 see signs of hope, and comforting to know that the Church of the Brethren is related to efforts to nurture that hopefulness here. Sii11ple wisdo111 £ro111 Anna Mow ■ ■ Friday, 5 p.m. Anna Mow's wisdom is simple and After lunch with former BYS worker Megan timeless. She speaks to all people, young, Blinn and Scott Shively and a few hours to explore downtown Belfast on my own, I'm on old, or someplace in between. These yet another train, this time heading to Dublin short, faith-filled sketches will inspire and eventually my flight home. readers to live fully in their relationship The border between Northern Ireland and with God and with one another. the Republic is invisible as the train crosses it, with no signs and no checks of docu­ Two or Ninety-Two is a delightful gift for marking life's many passages. ments. In other respects, however, the two 11' places are worlds apart. Political realities L.....------r11.. may mean that a border will need to still be 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120-1694 f · part of the future. I find myself hoping for phone 800-441-3712 fax 800- 667-8188 B 1_ :. p e-mail [email protected] retnren ress these warmhearted people, though, rr.. that the conflict will not be. l6i

Walt Wiltschek is manager of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. He traveled to Northern Ire la nd in Stepping Stones for Stumbling Saints late March following a trip to London. by Robin Wentworth Mayer This whimsical collection of conversational essays illustrates the familiar ways we all stumble in the walk taged people and to take the long view. of faith, but it also offers I returned from Belfast determined stepping stones to help us regain to re-plant myself at home. In the 30 our footing. You may recognize Mayer years since-building housing, devel­ from her popular Messenger columns of oping shelters, organizing tenants, the same title. Here are readable essays working with exploited new arrivals to that focus on coping with fear, failure, our land-I have seen our harsh soci­ and feelings of inadequacy, learning from ety move in the direction of our mistakes, personal growth through manufacturing more poor and vulnera­ painful experiences, working on ble members, persons to be excluded, building healthy relationships, making institutionalized, or repressed from our changes, accepting limitations, and collective awareness. Despite all this, I focusing on things above. Walk do not dismay because I have known beside someone who will help people like Alfie. Gratitude keeps me you see faith's stepping stones. going.-Ken Smith Now Available #833 1 , . Ken Smith of New Castle, Del., the "pioneer" BVSer $13.00 plus shipping & handling (1972-1974) in Northern Ireland, served at the Agnes Street Community Centre, Belfast. Today he is the director of the Delaware Housing Coalition, a non­ 1451 Dund ee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120-1694 profit organization that does advocacy and organizing phone 800-441-3712 fax 800-667-8188 around low-income housing issues. e-mail brethren press [email protected]

Messenger June 2002 Ell New 11 relationships' with

The General Board brings to the Annual Conference this year a recommendation for broadening denominational partnerships in India to include the Brethren who chose to leave the united church. Excerpts from the recommenda­ tion, approved at the March General Board meeting, are on page 27.

The Church of North India (CNI) has been a partner with the US Brethren church since its formation in 1970, and the General Board action tradition in encourages strengthening this relationship, also. Tensions India continues between the two groups have continued since some Brethren as Wendell Florv began to separate in 1978. The 1998 request from the India washes feet. Brethren for recognition led to formation in 1999 of the General Board study committee.

The General Board study committee includes Christy Waltersdorff, a pastor and General Board member, who had never been to India prior to the committee's visit in 2000; Wendell Flory, a former India > Q) missionary, who enjoyed reviving his Gujarati language from more C Q) Q) than 40 years ago; Ernest Thakor, a member of the Indian commu­ "'C: Q) nity in America, who has lived in the US since childhood and has 2 extended family in both churches in India; and Merv Keeney, the General Board's director for Global Mission Partnerships, who has responsibil­ ity for international mission relationships. Here, the committee responds to common questions about what they learned and the proposal. Iii Messenger June 2002 •• The committee found the India Brethren to be a worshiping community that is seeking to reclaim its Brethren identity and wants to reconnect with the US church which,, helped to birth it.

What key points do our members need to know both these Christian groups in India, needs to sup- about this proposed direction? port both groups.

Christy: When this process began, our committee did Ernie: The committee has met separately with the not have preconceived notions of the outcome. We CNI and the Indian Brethren and heard from con­ really tried to see the situation with fresh eyes and cerned voices here in the US. Throughout this open hearts. This recommendation was created process we have prayerfully sought God's will for Christy through a great deal of prayer, thought, and conver­ sisters and brothers in India. In the end we found Waltersdorff ·is sation. The committee took its responsibilities very it difficult to deny relationship greeted by a few of seriously. We looked carefully at the issues, both past to the India Brethren who are the next generation and present. We listened to the opinions of others. bound to us through of Brethren in India. And what it came down to for me was, where is God common heritage. in this situation? Where is the Holy Spirit leading us at this time? In a country where Christians make up only two percent of the population and Hindu-Muslim violence is escalating, it seems right to lend support and affirm our relationships with two Christian groups.

Wendell: Both the Church of North India and the Brethren have values that we need to honor. We saw God at work among both groups. The US Church of the Brethren, which helped to found Students at the Brethren High School, Va/sad, sit attentively on the ground as classmates and school administration welcomed the committee with garlands, dance, and music.

What about a sense of mission?

Merv: We saw evidence of outreach among the India Brethren both in starting congregations and in service to their communities. The Brethren reported starting new congregations at Dolara (1989), Rudha (1993), Sadan­ van(l 994), and Surat (1997); and a number of "evangelistic centers," the status of a worshiping group prior to becoming a congregation, have been begun. In the year between the committee's two visits, we observed the Mypur center moving from a mud-walled hut to a II cement and steel building. Three high schools have been ( The young adults spoke with passion started to serve the communities and the Vocational Training College is still being administered. Among the about the~r dreams for the church and Brethren gathered at Valsad last year to meet us, we observed a group of young people boxing up relief mate­ rials for earthquake victims in the northern part of their \ their hopes for connecting with state within just a day or so of the tremors.

Brethren young adults in the US How does this proposed direction rest on ,, Brethren identity and reflect Christian values? and around the world. Wendell: Brethren values contained in our ordi­ nances are greatly respected by the India Brethren. In what ways are the India Brethren We observed love feast, baptism by immersion, a a community of faith? child dedication service, openness to each member's ideas and opinions, and use of the former Merv: The committee found the India Brethren to be District Constitution and procedures. We support a worshiping community that is seeking to reclaim its openness to allow Christians to develop the kind of Brethren identity and wants to reconnect with the US church in which each feels comfortable. That is cer­ church which helped to birth it. Over more than two tainly what Brethren founders did in 1 708. decades of separation from CNI, they have re-estab­ lished Brethren practices and ordinances. They hold Christy: Our denomination has a long history of meetings to make decisions together for the good of supporting no force in religion. In fact, those who the church. We observed leadership being elected and gave birth to the church did so by walking away \ respectful transitions between leaders. The Brethren from the large, established state churches. They in India have a sense of community and identity. formed a small community dedicated to seeking the wisdom of the scriptures in their life together. What did you hear in your meetings During our two trips to India we saw two very com - with the women and young people mitted Christian communities: the Church of North \ among the India Brethren? India and the Brethren group. Christ calls us to \ reach out to our sisters and brothers, to provide Christy: What we heard and saw were Christians support and affirmation, to encourage o·ne another committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We lis­ in our faith. I don't think we can do otherwise and tened to people who are excited about their faith still remain faithful to who Christ is calling us to be. and their church. The young adults spoke with pas­ sion about their dreams for the church and their Why did it require more than two years of study hopes for connecting with Brethren young adults in for the committee to bring a recommendation? the United States and around the world. People shared quite openly about their pain in the separa­ Wendell: We realized that the request from the "sepa­ tion from the CNI and the ongoing conflict between rated Brethren" had been raised more than 20 years the two groups. Many expressed the hope that the ago, and India relationships had been dealt with by two churches would be able to work together and Annual Conference previously. So there was a long be witnesses for Christ in India. history to factor into our thinking. We needed to hear

II Messenger June 2002 Recommendations of the General both groups fully . We wanted to give thorough and Board Study Committee on India prayerful consideration as to how the American church could best respond to the request for recognition The 10-page study committee report concludes with these recom­ within the conflict situation that exists. mendations: Even if oneness within a structure has eluded some participants in What prompts action now? the union, let us continue to seek and make real our oneness in Christ. Having acknowledged the essential role for the Indian Ernie: The 1998 request for recognition prompted churches to guide their own futures, the decision before the US the General Board's response, but the issue of recog­ church is simply a choice about how to relate to the two churches in nition is not new. For more than 20 years the India. While the committee understands the reasons for earlier Brethren in India have requested a relationship with stances taken by the church to relate solely to CNI, especially in the the US church. During this time CNI has made it years immediately following the union, we conclude that a fresh clear that it believes we can only have a relationship approach is more in the spirit of God's leading at this time. We envi­ with them since the Brethren church no longer exists sion an approach that nurtures new relationships with both in India. We have honored our commitment to the churches. CNI, and encouraged the groups to work out their In its role of overseeing international relationships for the denomi­ differences. Yet the Brethren who separated have no nation, the General Board is encouraged to begin an intentional desire to rejoin CNI. A change in mission policy has process of building a relationship with the India Brethren. This will created a situation where we recognize Brethren in be a time of learning to know each other after three decades of sepa­ other lands, but to this point deny the same status to ration. Initial tasks will include defining the relationship and the India Brethren. By having a partnership with both clarifying mutual expectations. Based on preliminary discussions churches we hope to open doors to resolve conflict with the India Brethren, the following steps might be components of and build more meaningful relationships. this relationship-building process: •seminars in India on Brethren beliefs and practices, including peace, How does the committee respond to the opposi­ •exchanges and visits for facilitating the interpersonal relationships, tion of many former missionaries? •discussion of Brethren identity and spiritual formation in our dif- fering cultures, Wendell: I speak as a former missionary to India myself. •participation by India Brethren leaders in US denominational During my years of service (1952-57) the negotiations training events, perhaps including study at Bethany, for a future united church were under way. I was very •visitors to each other's annual meetings, and much in favor of the proposed union, knowing that, with •interactions with representatives of other international Indian independence under way, the days of the mission­ Brethren bodies. ary were nearing an end. On my return to India with the The Church of North India has been our partner for 30 years. We committee I came to realize that political changes do not remain committed to this partnership and desire to strengthen it. In govern Christian feelings and wishes. Changes have consultation with CNI leadership, we want to explore ways to relate occurred both in India and in the US church. To be more meaningfully with CNI members as well. Based on our prelimi­ bound by decisions of 30 years ago is impossible. We nary discussions with CNI leadership, the following steps might be must make decisions based on current realities. included in strengthening our relationships: •exchanges and visits to facilitate interpersonal relationships, Merv: Brethren have always been ready to reshape our •discussion of spiritual formation in our differing cultures, human-created church structures as God's leading or •seminars and training events in India and the US, the work of the church have called for it. I believe the •visitors to each other's annual meetings, and committee was able to see more options as it looked •workcamps. beyond the last three decades of church union. Many The US church desires a relationship with two churches in India: the Church of North India and the India Brethren. And, to the extent that our participation is desired, the US church may continue to work with both churche~ to resolve the differences that exist surrounding the shar­ ing of buildings and properties, joint mission and I witness in their commmon communities, and the upbuilding of Christ's church in India.

The committee at the Wilbur Stover bungalow in Va/sad, where meetings were held with the Brethren board as well as groups of young people and women. Committee members include Christy Waltersdorff, left, Wendell Flory, Merv Keeney, center, and Ernest Thakor, at right. Also present in the photo are Bob Gross, Gabriel Jerome, one of the young adults, and Shanti/al Bhagat.

Messenger June 2002 II of the India Brethren still remember the pre-union onciliation will certainly not be easy, and some believe era which goes back to 1895, and seek to reclaim it will never happen. But I believe that we should never Brethren identity and practice-which was itself underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit! modeled after the first-century Christian community. Merv: The reconciliation effort is a separate track from What about people who say we are breaking the question of relating to the India Brethren which the our word or covenant? committee is addressing. Division and conflict have consumed energies and diminished the witness of both II Christy: This is a very painful aspect of this whole parties in India, so the General Board's mission office We feel issue. We certainly respect those who feel that we had retained Bob as a mediator and facilitator and we gave our word 30 years ago to honor the covenant traveled to India together seeking resolution of the that it is forming the united church. We also talked with Indian conflict even before the committee was formed. Since Christians who feel that the united church broke the the parties in India have welcomed this external covenant very early in the union. There is certainly involvement, we will continue to support it. important enough blame to go around for all involved in this conflict. It is important for all to move away from the Ernie, how does this question look to to support blame game and to move ahead with the mission of the primarily-Indian congregation you the church. When the united church was created attend at Naperville, Ill.? both those there were great hopes by all involved. For some, those hopes have not been realized. We feel that it is Ernie: The idea of the US church having a relationship important to support both those who have found a with both the CNI and the Brethren in India is much who have home in the CNI and those who have returned to more acceptable to the Indian community in America their Brethren roots and built their own church. than in India. Members from both the CNI and India found a Brethren worship as one family here, yet they continue Why did the committee recommend building to support their parent church's position in India. The home in relationship instead of formal recognition? American experience has taught them that the behav­ ior that led to the conflict in India would not be Wendell: The relationship-building emphasis of the accepted here. They also understand that both sides in the CNI proposal encourages conversations and joint ministry India have done a great deal that reflects poorly on the between the US church and both groups in India. Our Christian community. We have a common feeling that and those committee did not define the nature of the relationship something different needs to be tried to help the two with the India Brethren. Obviously we cannot go back sides to get along with each other. who have to the former missionary relationship. We must create a new, forward -looking partnership with them. Since the General Board is empowered to implement and oversee international mission returned Merv: What we propose is based on the way we for the denomination, why is the change in relate to other churches who are a part of the global India relationships being brought to the to their Church of the Brethren, such as Dominican Republic, Annual Conference? Nigeria, and emerging Brazil. The church is not like a Brethren multinational corporation where the international Merv: While this proposed direction would not headquarters has power over the national offices and completely reverse earlier Conference actions, it directs their work. As God works through the Church proposes a new direction by affirming both roots and of the Brethren, activating new relationship to Christ in churches in India. As the gathered, representative people of other lands, the emerging churches are full body that speaks on behalf of the whole church, the built members of the body of Christ, not stepchildren. We Annual Conference is the forum for the church to offer each other mutual acknowledgment, as branches discern God's guidance in unity. their own on the same vine connected through Schwarzenau and ,, rooted in Christ. Beginning from this point, we can So, where is God in all of this? begin to explore ways to both nurture and challenge church. each other toward greater discipleship. Christy: That is the question I have been asking since my first visit to India in 2000. Like in all human con­ Has the Board discontinued its efforts flict, God is right in the middle of it with us, at reconciliation in India? encouraging us, challenging us, urging us to look beyond our own agendas, our own needs, our own Christy: Absolutely not. Reconciliation is our greatest power, and our own plans to see new possibilities. God hope. Bob Gross has been working diligently with both is with us all along. I hope that the CNI, the India sides to develop a process for talking with one another. Brethren, and the Church of the Brethren in the US It speaks well of Bob and his gifts in mediation that will stop looking inward and begin to look toward ml both groups feel comfortable with his leadership. Rec- God for guidance, direction, and wisdom. a.i

II Messeogec Jeoe ~ LETTERS

66We will be determining in the 'big meeting' the future shape of our common life and ministry. While I'm not disinterested in outcomes, I am aware that the manner of our living and conversation contributes to the outcomes. ,,

A fruitful conversation for Parish Development has outlined is to take a position and argue it. Depend­ at Louisville some biblical norms on which I trust we ing on how it is done, such advocacy may can agree, and which I would advocate not lead to a fruitful conversation. Appre­ In 1993, the metaphor chosen by the we practice at Louisville. ciative inquiry, on the other hand, invites writers of a Christian Century article to an openness that can deepen our under­ describe the church was "vacuous 1. Be clear about your purpose. standing of God's interests and concerns. center." What was called for was the In going to the microphone, we need to A posture of inquiry tends to withhold development of an "emphatic center" ask, "Is what I'm going to say for the pur­ judgment, even while remaining true to framed by a discerned vision of what pose of exchanging ideas, to deliberate the values or intent behind a position. God is doing in the world and a church on the issue, or to win the competition of shaped by the New Testament. solutions for the future direction of the 3. Wait for one another. It has been nearly a decade since church?" Can we remember the work of The Corinthians were not good at wait­ then and the Church of the Brethren the Holy Spirit is to build up the body, ing for one another, particularly when it will be determining in the "big meet­ and to gain a deeper discovery of God's came to a common meal. The same ing" the future shape of our common nature and purpose in the world? thing can happen when we talk "at" life and ministry. While I'm not disinter­ each other. Checking out our under­ ested in outcomes, I am aware that the 2. Balance "advocating" and "inquiring." standing of what is said to us takes manner of our living and conversation The dominant pattern in Western culture time. But it results in understanding. contributes to the outcomes. CLASSIFIEDADS Specifically, I'm hopeful we can have a fruitful conversation at this year's Annual A Beautiful New Book: BY FAITH I WILL OVER­ CPS COs, Volunteers and Friends of Castaner: A Conference. Dale Ziemer of the Center COME by Forrest Groff. His 88-year Life group of committed Castaner residents is planning Adventure with many pictures, 417 pages. You to rebuild and restore the old Casa Grande to its will remember Forrest as Brotherhood Church original specifications using native lumber. The Building Counselor, Designer and Builder of many structure will be mainly used as a history of coffee churches across the Brotherhood for 20 years. museum-the agricultural commodity most associ­ "You will enjoy my early history, my difficult ated with the community. Estimated cost is childhood and HS working years, my seeking a $1,000,000. Your help is appreciated. Send dona­ greater spiritual life, and my wonderful years tions to Los Amigos de la Casa Grande, Castaner, while working for my church." Order for $20 via e­ Inc., Apartado 1027, Castaner, Puerto Rico 00631. mail at [email protected] or write 1049 E St., For more information, call Gil Claudio 440-259-4884. Springfield, OR 97477; phone 541-747-5815. Travel with purpose-(Bohrer Tours, Indianapolis, Loans and/or scholarships are available for qualified Ind.) SOUTH PACIFIC EXPLORER, May 5-21, 2003, Church of the Brethren students or employees of a visiting New Zealand and Australia. Special Church of the Brethren agency preparing for a career places of interest-Queenstown, Christchurch, in a health care profession. This program is offered Melbourne, Sidney, Canberra, Cairns, The Great through the Association of Brethren Caregivers. For Barrier Reef Excursion. For information, contact qualifications to receive a loan or scholarship, visit Bohrer Tours, Wendell and Joan Bohrer, 8520 ABC's website at www.brethren.org/abc/. For more Royal Meadow Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46217; information, contact Loans and Scholarships Coordi­ tel/fax 1-317-882-5067, cell 1-317-201-3847, e-mail nator Linda Timmons at 847-742-5100, ext. 300, or [email protected] or [email protected]. e-mail [email protected]. Travel: "CHINA: Ancient Wisdom." January 18-23, Brethren-operated Child Sponsorship Program. 2003, educational tour of Beijing, Xian, and Shang­ Support a child through International Christian hai. The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Aid. Operated by volunteers from Western PA Dis­ Wall, Ming Tombs, Ancient Observatory, Buddhist/ trict COB, ICA supports programs in Honduras, Taoist Temples, Terra Cotta Soldiers, Chinese Nicaragua, India, and a developing program in school, traditional pharmacy, evening cruise on Mexico. Help us offer hope where there is no Yangtze River. College credit available: "The Reli­ hope. $25 per month and lots of prayer will help gions of China" & "Multi-Cu ltural Education." bring this hope to a child. For information, con­ Superior class hotel, buffet meals, leave from 50 tact International Christian Aid, 115 Spring Rd., different USA cities: $2195. Contact: Ors. Herb & Hollsopple, PA 15935. Phone 888-643-7421 ore­ Jeanne Smith, McPherson College, McPherson, KS mail [email protected]. 67460. E-mail : [email protected].

Messenger June 2002. ■ LETTERS

Assumptions, particularly in heated Brethren woman with the gift of preaching born into a Brethren world conversation, often result in miscom­ Please send information for Funk, James Grubb, Rickie munication, or worse, when we act on whose tradition denied the overt min­ Turning Points to Yerneda Cole, Grubb, Brent Peiffer, istry of women. Scripture was cited 1451 Dundee Ave. , Elgin, IL Mandy Peiffer, Michael such assumptions. 60120; 800-323-8039 X 247; Rutherford, Christopher that prohibited her use of her gifts. Did vcole_gb @brethren.org. Weatherbie, Karen Weather­ her gifts dry up and disappear? No. Information must be complete bie, Veda Wilson 4. Bear with one another. in order to be published. Frederick, Md.: Mary Sue When the going gets tough, Paul's Did God transplant her gifts into a Boxer, Steve Brunner, Peggy more "suitable" body? No. Scripture New members Brunner, David Cruzan, advice in Ephesians 4:2 is love in action. Cathy Cruzan, Dan Cudda­ In such moments, even the church could still be cited to prohibit the min­ 28th Street, Altoona, Pa.: hee, Bette Cuddahee, Marcia istry of women in official capacities in Robert H. Buterbaugh, Jr., Kolander, Charl es Kreitz, needs to be reminded of this norm. Tamara R. Buterbaugh, Kimberly Kreitz, Judd our church. Yet who would say that Justin Clark, Brittany Hiles, Rexroth, Meegan Rcxroth, they had never been helped by the Cathy Hiles, John Hiles Stacey Harrison, Amy Harri­ 5. Be subject to one another. Ambler, Pa. : Linden McEntire, son, Tom Mitchell, Cathy ministry of a woman? In times when agreement is hard to John Hill, Gary Scott, Mitchell , Timothy Russell, What does it mean to silence anyone Sandy Miller, Craig Miller, Angie Russell , Lester Caudle, come by, this value is all the more Lisa Caudle, Daniel Guyton, with God-given gifts? It is inconsistent Phil Smith, Betty Smith, important. It involves the hard work Jack Brycki, David Morgan John Lee, Joyce Early Grossnickle, Myersville, Md.: of listening to another point of view, to accept the ministry of women in Bear Creek, Dayton, Ohio: Chris Landis, Jennifer Landis Thomas Jouannet, Eugene maybe for the first time. official capacities despite scripture to Black Rock, Glenville, Pa.: Hofman, Elizabeth Hofman, the contrary, and not to accept the Daniel Beard, Amy Furhman, Fawn Marie Winfield, These biblical norms are a start for Angela Marie Gainer, ministry of others, such as gays and Andy Miller, Zane Miller, a fruitful conversation. On the day of Mark Schaefer, Robyn Sherry Lynn Tester, Alan lesbians, despite possible scripturally Schaefer, Laura Schaefer, Harshman, Larry Specht, Pentecost, Luke writes that when the Robin Specht, Linda C. based reservations. The Bible is com­ Carley Wantz, Emily Weaver Holy Spirit was poured out on those Blue Ridge, Ya,: Cathryn Grossnickle plex enough to offer scriptural support Woolridge, Chelsey Hagerstown, Md.: Travis gathered, ancient differences and bar­ Edward Poling, Freda C. for almost any point of view. But H einlen, Aaron T homas riers were overcome. God's nature Brandis, St. Thomas, Pa. : Ray Thawley, Jo rdan Crilly, Cas­ Jesus' every action showed that he Heckman, Barb H eckman, sandra Heyer, Megan and purpose in Jesus Christ was seen Stotelmyer, Aa ron Gingrich, came to teach the law of love, not the Michell e Strock, Ed Shields, clearly and shared. Without the Holy Deanna Shields, Roger Garrett Jessop, Justine love of law, even of scriptural law. Harmon, Lisa Harmon Beachley, Mariel Beachley Spirit shaping the conversation, our Harrisburg, First, Pa.: Betty The priest who "passed by on the Brook Park Community, speeches can degenerate into a verbal Ohio: Zachary Ammons, Brinkman, Fred Kho, Brian brawl, even on the Conference floor. other side" probably could have cited Garrett Baer, Jane Boomer, Kho, Helen Kho, Bryon a scriptural reason for not stopping to Lauren Schmid , David Kho, Olivia Boswell, Glenn F. Timmons Sweet, Sandy Sweet Nathaniel Olivencia, Jessica help the wounded man by the road­ Olivencia Elgin, Il l. Chambersburg, Pa.: Ryan side. Perhaps a religious code for Shipps, Margaret Wooley Free Spring, Mifflintown, Pa.: Defiance, Ohio: Patrick Foster Kim Marshall, Rachel cleanliness would have been violated, Dixon, Ill.: Clay Appenheimer, Bardell, Donald Speece Jesus didn't deny ministry or a prohibition of association with Myrtie Bain, Ramses Goshen City, Goshen, Ind.: Arreola, Rachel Cervantes, Muriel Ferris, John and the "wrong" kind of person. Was What does it mean to deny another's Dylan Coloni, Clifford Estella Horning, Roy and Jesus impressed by his strict adher­ Reisinger, Sharon Reisinger Phillies Stern ministry? Downsville, Willi amsport, Hagerstown, Pa.: Goldie ence to religious law? No. Jesus was In the parable of the Good Samaritan Md.: Jason Hamby, Joe Seaton, Matthew impressed by wholehearted service Spielman, Joanne Weicht Stotelmyer, Ryan Hutzel, (Luke 10:30-37), Jesus illustrated true Christiana Beachley, Eliza­ by anyone! Even tax-collectors. Even Dupont, Ohio: Scott Sarka, ministry by the actions of the Samari­ Alayna Leatherman, Holly beth Jane Beachley, Ryan prostitutes. Even Samaritans. Workman, Chad Adkins, David Beachley, Dennis tan, who, alone of the passersby, If God has given someone a gift for Sonya Adkins, Jerry Craft, Browne, Amy Clipp, stopped to serve the wounded man by Rhonda Craft Amanda Crossland, Laura ministry, who are we to stand in God's Easton Pcachblossom, Easton, Farnen, Lois Hightman, the roadside. Yet to the Jews, the way? Who are we to limit the hand of Md.: W illiam and Daisy Edward L. Poling, Marjorie Samaritans were anathema, unclean, Starkey, Barbara Taylor, Poling, Laverne Rohrer God ministering through every single Fred Ireland, Eric and Jody Huntsdale, Carlisle, Pa.: Glenn strange. Would any good Jew allow one of our brothers and sisters? The Gunn, Randy and Robin Rhoads, Marlin Sheaffer, him/herself to be ministered to by a Bachand, Rica Denlinger, Ruth Shoff, Jared Davis, Mike gifts of God are freely scattered Michael and Robin Yallaint, Dewalt, Shawn Sennett, Jr. , Samaritan? Would any good Jew throughout the community. Is the Robert and Judy Musch Natasha Sennett, Amanda deem a Samaritan a worthy example Eel River Community, Silver Rhoads, Justin Rhoads, Drew world such a perfect place that some Lake, Ind.: Bi ll Sherwin, Sheaffer,.William Sheaffer, of ministry? Jesus did. people's gifts are not needed? No! Joyce Sherwin, Terry Work­ Clayton Weber, Glenn Jesus contrasted the lavishness of man, Angie Kneller, Carrie Vanasadlen, Sr. The issue is whether or not we are Sautter, Nathan Sautter Kokomo, Ind.: Lisa Bricker, the ministry of the woman who open to receive and encourage the Elizabethtown, Pa.: Blake Mary Cox, Alan Lawson, anointed his feet with the paucity of Rosenberger, Chloe Danielle Lawson, Sarah ministry of each of our brothers and Hockey, Kaitlyn Retherford, Steiner the ministry of his host, the Pharisee sisters. Jesus lifted up people who Laura Jo Funck Lititz, Pa.: Natasha Blymier, (Luke 7:36-50). Yet the eyes of the com­ Eversole, New Lebanon, Ohio: Courtney Bomberger, Jessica were thought to be unclean and Ryan Jones DeWitt, Chelsea Kreiter, munity would have deemed Jesus' impure as models of ministry and ser­ First, Saint Petersburg, Fla.: Billy Longenecker, Bobby host the one best fit for ministry, and vice to others. Will we? Jesus was Teresa King, Kyle King, Longenecker, Kaitlyn Ober, Martin King, Anne Carter, Br ittany Ruth, Lauren not the woman, a sinner. Did Jesus' willing to be served by people others Frank Beard, Larry Ehret, Tennis, Meredith Way, Erinn host see the woman as fit for ministry deemed unfit. Are we? Vicki Ehret, Bill Fleming, Ros­ Weiler, Rodney Adair, ali e Fleming, Josephine Sandra Pennell, Ronald to him? No. But Jesus did. Shawn Kirchner Johnson Gordley, Pauline Gordley, Sarah Major (1808-1884) was a La Verne, Cal if Florin, Mount Joy, Pa.: Margie Craig Thompson, Lynne

Ii Messenger June 2002 TURNING POINTS -

Thompson, Keith DeWitt, Lisa Benjamin Leiter Deaths Kline, Woodrow A. , 87, Boons­ Younkins, Fred H., 88, DeWitt Union Center, Nappanee, Ind.: boro, Md., Nov. 11 Brownsville, Ind., Jan. 6 Manor, Boonsboro, Md.: Earl Terry Chanley, Trisha Searer, Arndt, Christian, 80, Lancaster, Lehman, Robert, 87, Johnstown, May, Glenna May, Dan Cole, Margaret Neff, Kathy Miller, Pa., March 24 Pa., March 25 Ordinations Wanda Cole, John Golden Crystal Hackler, Tiffany Dull, Amos, Ruth Kinzie, 86, South Leiby, Dorothy, 86, York, Pa., Maple Grove, Ashland, Ohio: Mike Newcomer Whitley, Ind., March 30 Jan. 25 Laszakovits, Gregory D., Papago Virginia Crossen, Jean N. Uniontown, Pa.: Mark Ellsworth, Barkdoll, Fred H., 8 1, Middle­ Martz, Viola, 78, Washing­ Buttes, Scottsdale, Ariz., Hreha, Jeff Workman, Kerri Mark Allen Ellsworth, Ken­ town, Md., Feb. 19 tonville, Ohio, Jan. 1 March 24 Workman neth Hager, Bethany Frazee, Bealer, Earl A., 81, Pottstown, Measley, Marion Elizabeth, 72, Murlin, Allen K. , Kelly Chapel, Marsh Creek, Gettysburg, Pa.: Arla Faye Hruby, A. Scott Pa., April I Glen Rock, Pa., Feb. 11 Rada, W. Va. , March I 7 Sherry Hoover, Benjamin Hruby, Jared Stein Bowman, Evelyne, 81 , Elkhart, Medlar, Milton, 93, Dayton, Pyles , Tyowen, Pitsburg, Smith, Mark Orndorff, Cheryl West Manchester, North Man­ Ind., March 14 Ohio, Sept. 5 Arcanum, Ohio, March I 7 Orndorff chester , Ind.: Preston Bowman, Gladys, 84, War­ Metzler, Miriam, 86, Lititz, Pa. , Webster, Jerry R., Boulder Hill, McPherson, Kan.: Bob Brax, Jill Moudy densville, W. Va. , Oct. l April 14 Montgomery, Ill. , April 7 Brax, Ben Clark, Brady Crist, Zion Hill, Columbiana, Ohio: Brenneman, Earl W., 79, Miller, Edith, 88, Bridgewater, Wenger, Jerriann Heiser, Hunt­ Lesli Gilbert, Craig Lolling, Michael Hileman Glenville, Pa., March 30 Va., Jan. 2 1 ingdon Stone, Huntingdon, Robb Krehbiel, Will Krehbiel, Brubaker, Viola, 95, Rocky Mishler, Katherine, 88, Elkhart, Pa ., March 1 7 Taylor Stevens Wedding Mount, Va ., March 24 Ind., Feb. 2 Mechanic Grove, Quarryville, anniversaries Bush, William H., 95, Cham­ Myers, Mary Leanna, 96, McSh­ Licensings Pa.: Fred Graham, Barbara bersburg, Pa., March 13 errystown, Pa., March 26 Graham, Sarah Drennen, Kat­ Nielsen, Alfred 0., 84, Modesto, Brubaker, John Henry and Buterbaugh, Ruth, 89, Ashland, rina Frey, Kevin Groff, Eric Calif. , March 24 Boynton, Joni, Lewiston, Minn., Orlena, Lititz, Pa., 60 Ohio, March 25 Holzhauer, Jared Krantz, Neal Nossett, Lillian, 93, Seminole, April 7 Erslinger, Mervin, Sr., and Callahan, Sara, 84, Reading, Lefever, Caitlyn Mauger, Fla. , April 14 Buckles, James William, New Ruby, New Paris, Ind., 55 Pa., March 30 Karen Mauger, N icole Welk, Nusbaum, Thelma, 77, Middle­ Carlisle, Ohio, April 7 Frederick, Carlyle and Juanita, Cardwell, Walter, 75, East Free­ Ben Wimer, Jacob Holzhauer bury, Ind., Feb. 26 Carr, Angela Tolbert, Christians­ Nappanee, Ind., 55 dom, Pa ., April 8 Memorial, Martinsburg, Pa.: Penrod, Eleanor S., 94, Johns­ burg, Va. , April 14 Gordan, Michael and Eleanor, Casper, Muriel, 93 , St. Peters­ William Ake, Betty Ake, Steve town, Pa., March 8 Reist, Pam, Lititz, Pa., Feb. 10 Lorida, Fla., 50 burg, Fla., April 13 Ayers, Kendra Foor Pelcher, Rhett, 86, Johnson City, Walters , Karen S ., Papago Group, Russell and June, Castle, Charles, 77, Jefferson, Middle Creek, Lititz, Pa.: Robert Tenn., March 4 Buttes, Scottsdale, Ariz., Franklin Grove, Ill., 60 Md., Feb. 11 McCloud, Evelyn McCloud, Phelps, Forrest R. , 91 , March 24 Hasting, Delmar and La Vern, Clingenpeel, Lloyd, 94, Boones Miquel Saenz, Dolly Saenz, Greenville, O hi o, March 2 Lorida, Fla., 50 Mill, Va. , Jan. 2 lsai Saenz, Daniel Saenz, Ramser, Robert, 55, New Water­ Heign, Ike and Mary Lou, Mid­ Conrad, Teresa Gearhart, 39, Pastoral Stephen Soltys, Delma Soltys, ford, Ohio, March 24 dlebury, Ind., 50 Hagerstown, Md., March 27 Arline Heisy, Amy Charles, Rantz, George C. , Sr., 81 , placements Hinton, William and Emma Jane, Cooper, Virginia, 89, Frederick, Kay Shirk, Arlene Hershey Martinsburg, Pa., 60 Md., March 5 Pottstown, Pa., Feb. 25 Middlebury, Ind.: Mike Baxley, Imhoff, Kenneth and Lou Ell a, Cripe, Don, 84, Goshen, Ind., Rash, Irene May, 91 , Waterford, Adkins, James, from interim to Linda Baxley, Ken Abbott, West Salem, Ohio, 50 Aug. 10 Calif., March 26 pastor, Richland, Pa. , Feb. I 0 JoAnn Abbott, Jennifer Hecka­ Little, Norman and Eileen, Cumming, Mary Elizabeth Replogle, Florence, 84, Haldeman-Scarr, William L., man, Jeff Plummer, Jan N orth Manchester, Ind. , 60 Gaunty, 93, Calgary, Alberta, Greenville, Ohio, March 30 from team pastor Bakersfield Plummer, Andy Showalter, Kesier, Roger and Thyra, Nappa­ Canada, Feb. 1 8 Ritchie, Cl eta, 85, Bridgewater, Community, Calif., to pastor, Marcy Showalter, Jeremy Gin­ nee, Ind., 50 Dickey, Martha Frantz, 79, Va., Feb. 21 Pomona Fellowship, Calif., gerich, Liz Gingerich, Jeanne King, Roy and Pauline, Dover, North Manchester, Ind., Rock, M. Lucille, 69, Chambers­ March 31 Fore, Pa. , 65 March 30 burg, Pa. , Nov. 8 House, Daniel, team pastor, Mount Morris, Ill.: Harold Root, Miller, Frances and Bryce, Diffenderfer, Edna, 89, Reading, Roland , Esther, 81 , Lititz, Pa., Piqua, Ohio, April I Georgian Root, Earl Miller, Topeka, Kan., 50 Pa. , Jan. 19 Feb. 2 1 House, Rebecca, team pastor, Richard Voss, Theresa Le Miller, Howard and Lena, West ­ Eastep, Doris, 67, Wardensville, Rowe, Patricia Elaine, 56, Ceres, Piqua, Ohio, April I Francois, Mary Green minister, Md., 50 W. Va., June 3 Calif., Feb. 19 Kingrea, David, assistant pastor, Mountville, Pa.: Victoria Hart, Moon, Walter and Evaline, Ebersole, Marie H., 90, Martins­ Rummel, Laura, 91 , Johnstown, Evergreen, Standardsville, Va. , Timothy Plack Friedens, Pa., 65 burg, Pa. , Jan. 28 Pa., April 12 Feb. I Moxham, Johnstown, Pa.: Gale Mowry, Richard and Dorothy, Faint, Blaine, 70, Honolulu, Sanborn, Malinda, 87, Boulder, Maurer, Joann, from interim to Lynn Shipley, John Ross Manns Choice, Pa. , 50 Hawaii, Jan. 18 Colo., April I 7 pastor, Paxon, Harrisburg, Robertson Mumma, Emily and Luke, Frushour, Rebecca, 86, Boons­ Sandy, Michael W. , 4 7, El ida, Pa., Jan. 1 Myerstown, Pa.: Jennifer Wenger, Lorida, Fla., 50 boro, Md., July 3 Ohio, March 21 Princell, Pamela S., from youth Kimberly Wenger, Sarah Har­ Myers, Galen and Sylvia, Lorida, Fuhrman, Merle M., 76, Simmers, Martha, 95, Bridgewa­ pastor, Mexico, Ind., to tranft, Andrew Brubaker, Trina Fla., 60 Glenville, Pa., Feb. 21 ter, Va., March 13 pastor, Markle, Ind., April 7 Miller, Michael Deitz, Bran­ Price, Gerald and Wretha, Good, David, 77, Ashl and, Ohio, Smith, Edward Charles, 68, Reiff, Opal G., from interim to don Deitz, Jeremy Burke, Lorida, Fla., 50 March 29 Topeka, Kan., March 18 pasto r, Pike Creek, Monti­ David Ceresini, Lori Ceresini, Robertson, Jesse and Wilma, Gordan, Donald, 55, Chambers­ Snader, Paul, 86, Lancaster, Pa., cello, Ind., April 7 Brittany Ceresini, Megan Lorida, Fla., 55 burg, Pa., Dec. 13 Feb. 23 Richardson, Rex, pastoral team Lengel, Monica Mishoe, Brian Robinson, Minor and Ruth, Ft. Gordan, Israel, 94, Goshen, Snyder, Verna, 87, Lancaster, with Paul Kohler, Champaign, Miller, Donald Hickernell, Loudon, Pa., 60 Ind., Aug. 2 Pa., Dec. 24 JI!. , Jan 1 Phyllis Hickernell, Jeanette Ruff, Carlton and Hilda, Broad­ Grossnickle, Naomi, 83, Freder­ Stehman, J. Landis, 100, Lan­ Routh, Joseph, pastor, Paradise, Hartman, Jason Krall, Anita way, Va. , 60 ick, Pa. , March 30 caster. Pa., Nov. 27 Smithville, Ohio, March I Hartranft, David Wenger Skillings, Harold and Lois, Grossnickle, Pauline K., 82, Sweitzer, Emmert, 86, Shrews­ Stauffer, David C. , pastor, Osage, McCune, Kan.: David Springfield, Ohio, 50 Myersville, Md., Jan. 26 bury, Pa., April 12 Stevens Hill Community, Eliz­ Wallace Smith, Kenny and Dorothy, New Hamilton, Robert, 78, Lititz, Pa., Teeter, John, 83, Warsaw, Ind., abethtown, Pa ., March I Prairie City, Iowa: Jon Nolin, Paris, Ind., 60 Jan.12 Dec. 13 Webb, Timo thy, fr om interim to Kerry Gumm, Carroll Nolin, Stouder, Charles and Evangeline, Harshman, Mary Poffenberger, Tombaugh, Verlin C., 90, Fall­ associate pastor, Locust Marilyn Nolin , Tim Neal, Teri Elkhart, Ind., 65 95, Boonsboro, Md., April 29 ston, Md., April 5 Grove, New Castle, Ind. , N ea!, Lauren Neal, Brandon Snyder, Donald and Gladie, Hartman, Harl, 82, Pittsburg, Troxell, Robert W. , 8 1, New March 10 Neal Waynesboro, Va. , 65 Kan., April 3 Oxford, Pa., April I 0 Webster, Jerry R., from interim Scalp Level, Windber, Pa.: Weaver, Raymond and Carol, Hawk, Gerry, 68, Shelocta, Pa., Walters, Thelma, 90, Martins­ pastor to pastor, Boulder Hill Kerrie Smith, Joshua Robert­ Modesto, Calif., 60 March 22 burg, Pa., March 25 Neighborhood, Montgomery, son, Ray Crawford, Heidi Weldy, Edgar and Shirley, Mid­ Hendricks, Estelle, 87, Kingsley, Weaver, Dwight, 78, Elton, Pa., Ill., Jan. 21 Smith, Mandy Robertson, Jane dlebury, Ind., 50 Iowa, April 1 March 23 Williams, Edward Thomas, Shirk, Jackie Schoening, Neva Wenger, Richard and Marge, Hildebrand, William, Sr., 97, Weaver, Levi, 96, Lititz, Pa., pasto r, Knight' s Chapel Fel­ Wise Lancaster, Pa., 5 5 Frederick, Md., Feb. 11 March 4 lowship, Barboursville, Va ., Smith Mountain Lake Commu­ Wentz, Gene and Thelma, Kaufman, Mel, 73 , Middlebury, Wiles, Letha A. , I 02, Middle­ March I nity, Wirtz, Va.: Ron Woodall, Lorida, Fla. , 55 Ind., April 5 town, Md., Sept. 28 Shifflett, Glenn D., from interim Ann Woodall Wyant, Delbert and Nellie, Keiper, H. LaRue, 92, Martins­ Winkle, Lucille, 100, Continen­ to pastor, Shiloh, Standards­ Union Bridge, Md.: Joan Topeka, Kan., 50 burg, Pa. , March 24 tal, O hi o, April 12 ville, Va ., April 1 Baile, Melvin Baile, Barb Wyrick, Clarence and Ellen, Kimmel, Lloyd, Jr. , 93, Freder­ Wolfe, Stewart, 91 , West Read­ Watkins, David S., pastor, Dickason, Rob Dickason, Lorida, Fla., 55 ick, Md., March 2 ing, Pa. , Feb. 7 Rossville, Ind., April I

Messenger June 2002111 EDITORIAL• The pendulum needs a push

inally the momentum has shifted against mants. Simon's commission found that prison capital punishment in the United States. It snitches, on whose testimony many convictions Fseems only a matter of time now until this are based, have little to lose and much to gain by country no longer imposes the death penalty, like lying, so courts should take precautions to ensure Canada, Mexico, Europe, and some 100 countries their reliability. of the world. But tell that to the 14 men scheduled Especially now that some politicians are begin - for execution in Texas before the end of July, or the ning to see the light, the church has work to do. hundreds awaiting death across the country. There The Church of the Brethren has a long history of is urgency to the abolition movement. How many opposition to the death penalty, affirmed by more state killings will there be before capital pun­ Annual Conference statements in 1957, 1959, ishment, now slowed, comes to a halt? 1975, and 1987. But a strong majority of Ameri­ Last month Maryland's governor, citing "rea­ can Christians (presumably many Brethren among sonable questions" about the fairness of the death them) continue to support it, according to a 1991 penalty, ordered a moratorium on executions in Gallup Poll. Many Christians justify their support ,, How many his state. In Illinois, the Governor's Commission of the death penalty on what they believe is the on Capital Punishment called for 85 legal reforms biblical perspective, "an eye for an eye" (Exod. it said were necessary to make the state's system 2: 23 -2 5). They need to be persuaded to study the more state fair and just. The commission was appointed Bible more. In his new book, Capital Punishment killings will when Illinois Gov. George Ryan two years ago and the Bible (Herald Press 2002), Gardner C. declared the_ nation's first capital punishment Hanks writes, "Christians need to approach this there be moratorium. After 13 men had been released from issue with a good deal of self-examination and Death Row when it was proven they had been discernment. For serious Christians, discernment before capital wrongfully convicted, Ryan courageously called a must always begin with the biblical perspective. In halt to executions. this way, we open ourselves up to the mind of punishment, Former US Senator Paul Simon, a longtime Jesus Christ." opponent of the death penalty, co-chaired the Illi­ Hanks argues that even if we study the Old Tes ­ now slowed, nois commission, which voted 8-5 to favor tament alone, we'll see that while the Hebrew law abolition of capital punishment. The issue is simple, allowed the Israelites to practice capital punish­ comes to Simon said in an interview with MESSENGER. "It's ment, it set stringent requirements for its practice. not a deterrent. It's just a barbaric practice." This is It required that the court give consideration of a halt? '' one of the subjects Simon can be expected to mitigating factors and demanded that capital pun - address when he speaks at the MESSENGER Dinner ishment could be applied only when there was at Annual Conference in Louisville June 30. absolute certainty of the guilt of the accused. Though a majority favored abolition, the com­ Finally, it required that capital punishment be mission concentrated its recommendations on applied fairly and without prejudice. These making application of the death penalty more fair requirements end up being impossible to achieve, and just. Simon highlighted three general cate­ Hanks writes. gories of recommendations: Then Jesus came along with a new requirement. •Don't execute the retarded. Since the death To those who were about to stone the woman penalty was reinstated there have been 35 people caught in adultery he said, "Let anyone among with an IQ below 70 executed in the US, Simon says. you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone • Provide adequate counsel and adequate review. at her" (John 8:7). Unless it's a Timothy McVeigh-type case, Simon Jesus taught love and forgiveness. Hanks: "But said, "If you can hire a good lawyer, you're not Jesus did not just teach this idea; he lived it out. going to get the death penalty." More safeguards Jesus' crucifixion and the other executions of the need to be implemented to prevent the poor from New Testatment illustrate the failures of the being sentenced to death disproportionately. The human way of vengeance. Though laws exist to commission also found that state's attorneys in protect the innocent from execution, political and rural counties seek the death penalty more often personal considerations overwhelm the laws. Sin than those from urban counties, so it said a is stronger than the law. Jesus' way is different. statewide panel should review local recommenda­ From the cross he forgave those who were killing tions for uniformity. Such a review could also him. The basic tenet of Christianity is that forgive­ guard against racial disparities, because the com­ ness is stronger than sin; love is stronger than mission found that the death penalty is much more death."-FLETCHER FARRAR likely for killers of white victims than for killers of black victims. Capital Punishment and the Bible by Gardner C. Hanks • Circumscribe the testimony of in-custody infor- is available from Brethren Press at 1-800-441-3 712.

Iii Messenger June 2002 Our graduates are impressive!

A Brethren education is excellent preparation for graduate school or a first job. A curriculum blending the liberal arts with pre-professional studies produces skills needed for work and lessons for a lifetime.

You'll find our students to be dedicated to learning. They work hard to prepare for futures that will bring them personal and professional success. They are taught and advised by faculty who bring values as well as expertise to the classroom. Our graduates leave with a commitment to use their education in the service of others.

Ultimately, a Brethren education joins the world of the spirit and the world of work.

A Brethren education begins with ... YOU!

For more information about Brethren colleges, visit our website: WW\-V.cobcoa.org or email: [email protected] or call 1-800-323-8039 Keep On · Keeping On

Tom Mullen, noted writer and humorist, will be the featured speaker at the Association of Brethren Caregivers' Annual Recognition Dinner

Using the theme "Keep On Keeping On" Mullen will invite attendees to honor the past but not be bound by it. During the Saturday evening event, ABC will honor Phill Carlos Archbold, Charles Cable, and Janell Clary, RN, as recipients of the 2002 Annual Caregiving Awards. John Garber will be recognized upon his retirement from Bridgewater Retirement Community. The Dinner will be June 29, 5 p.m., at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Rooms 109 & 112. Tickets are $20 per person and should be purchased prior to Annual Conference. Mullen will be available for book signing in the ABC Exhibit Booth following the Opening Worship.

Other Featured Meal Events

Brethren Chaplains Breakfast: Church and Persons with Disabilities Denominational Deacon Luncheon The Last Dance Network Luncheon: Exploring Jesus' Michael Stern, a Brethren songwriter, Those living with dying wi ll dance Call to Be Friends storyteller and caregiver, will use music until the last step. Chaplain Martha Black Rock Pastor Donald Hubbell will tell and story to creatively lead deacons Waas-Gilbert will tell how chaplains the inspiration for his church to develop in the four functions of deacon ministry. can lead with style and grace. a Summer Sunday program to educate Monday, July 1, Noon Monday, July 1, 7 a.m. children about disabilities. Hyatt Regency, Regency Center Hyatt Regency, Kentucky Suite - Oaks Monday, July 1, Noon Tickets are $16 per person Tickets are $12 per person Convention Center, Room 113 Tickets are $16 per person