BIBLICAL VISION Of ECOJUSTICE

THE FIREFLY 12 ENTRY ROOM 14 SPECIAL RESPONSE PROCESS 16- ____ / __..-- -~ .---

DECEMBER 2010 VOL.159 NO. 10 WWW.BRETHREN.ORG

u .. publish with the voice of thanksgiving) and tell of all thy wondrous works)) (Psa. 26: 7b KJV) .

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8 Shalom: the biblical vision of ecojustice Noted theologian and author Rosemary Radford Ruether encourages us to take another look at biblical stewardship as it has been filtered through conventional Western understanding. Perhaps we have misread Genesis 1 :28, which instructs humanity to" .. . fill the earth and subdue it ..." Has our understanding of this instruc­ tion in Genesis led to an imbalance in which we see ourselves as autonomous own­ ers, rather than caretakers of the earth under God? DEPARTMENTS 12 The firefly 2 From the Publisher She wasn't sure what to expect when she entered the remote Mayan village in 3 In Touch Guatemala. But what emerged amid the wood and tin huts, machete-toting field­ 6 Reflections workers, and a tool shed filled with fireflies caught her and her companions by sur­ 7 The Buzz 20 News prise, and slowly opened their eyes to a renewed sense of hope and compassion. 24 Media Review 25 Youth Life 16 Can we agree? 26 2010 Index In this second installment in our periodic series on the Special Response Process, Robert 28 Letters 31 Turning Points Johansen asks that, whether or not we actually can agree, we at least treat one another 32 Editorial with dignity and respect-basic Golden Rule stuff that, sadly, seems to evaporate too often when those with opposing viewpoints have come together in recent years.

18 God's wisdom is the pathway of love Bob Neff wraps up his series on God's way in wisdom's path with an examination of the story of the Magi, and a new understanding of wisdom that has emerged in the process of preparing this series. "In a world gone awry," he says, "the sage advice is to enjoy the simple gift of a mealtime with friends. In the scene of Mother and Child, the grace of God is revealed to strangers and wise men. The Incarnation is the high­ est form of wisdom. God's way is an invitation to enjoy our humanity and relation­ ships, because God's love dwells among us in this one named Immanuel."

Messenger December 2010 ■ HOW TO REACH US

MESSENGER t used to be that I had trouble keeping track of baby Jesus. When our 1451 Dundee Avenue l youngest child was small, she would tuck Jesus safely into a purse or small con­ Elgin, IL 60120 tainer. He would be missing, then, when I packed away the creche and hauled the Subscriptions: Christmas boxes into the attic. In a busy household, it was no small feat to make sure [email protected] that he was where he needed to be by the next Christmas. Phone: 847-742-5100 ext. 247 After all, what kind of Christmas would it be if we couldn't find Jesus? Fax: 847-742-6103 But finding Jesus may turn out to be inconvenient. What Jesus brings "makes for a Advertising: great deal of Christmas discomfort, in a society that stands for comfort and total secu­ [email protected] Phone: 800-323-8039 rity and status," according to Sister Joan Chittister in a reflection written years ago for Fax: 847-742-1407 Whose Birthday Is It Anyway? (but unfortunately even more Editorial: relevant today). [email protected] "We like 'peace through strength,' we say. Then we spend Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 263 the money of the poor on the militaristic agendas of the Fax: 847-742-6103

mighty. We don't have enough money for day care or educa­ Subscription rates: tion or job retraining programs in this country, we insist. We $17.50 individual rate don't have enough money to develop the earth, but we have - $32 for 2 years $14.50 gift rate enough money to arm the heavens. Our peace is clearly not in $14.50 church club rate the crib-our peace is in the sword," Chittister writes. - $27 for 2 years "We look for Jesus in the clean and the comfortable, not in $ 1.25 student (per month) the down and out, not in the uncouth, not in shepherds, not in If you move, clip address label mangers. We expect a syrup and butter Jesus, not the one and send with new address to who cleansed the temple or called the Pharisees hypocrites or told Pilate he had no MESSENGER Subscriptions, at the authority over him." above address. Allow at least five weeks for address change. And then Chittister quotes part of the Church of the Brethren tag line. Well, actually, she quotes the Gospel of Matthew: She points out that the Magi "departed to their Connect electronically: For a free subscription to Newsline, own country by another way." the Church of the Brethren That is, they embarked on "another way of living," as we Brethren say. That's what e-mail news report, write finding baby Jesus requires. [email protected]. May you be blessed this season with Christmas discomfort and joy. Visit MESSENGER online at www.brethren.org/messenger.

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Messenger Dece m ber 2010 CONGREGATIONCLOSE-UP

Pastor's passion leads to 'Story Barn Project' annual district auction took place Nov. 6 Celebration ties into Florence church's anniversary at Camp Harmony (Hooversville, Pa.). Proceeds benefit district ministries., . . Bob Neff and Chris Bowman led a contin­ A passion for barns and their stories is one of the outcomes of a recent sabbatical uing education event on "Preaching for Nina B. Lanctot, pastor of Florence Church of the Brethren Mennonite Beyond Sunday Morning" Nov. 12 at The (Constantine, Mich.). In the coming year she will interview local residents to learn Village at Morrisons Cove in Martinsburg, the stories of their barns. Pa . .. . Bermudian Church of the Brethren Through photography, taped interviews, a blog, and gatherings of interested peo­ (East Berlin, Pa.) hosted the final deacon ple, Lanctot aims to share the Story Barn Project with the local community and training event of the year on Nov. 14 ... , churches. Pole barns, centennial barns, The Outdoor Ministries Association held remade barns, and abandoned barns are all its annual retreat Nov. 14-18 at Camp of interest as part of the story of changing Eder (Fairfield, Pa.). farm culture. The Florence church's rural her­ Southeast Camp Bethel held its annual itage will also be celebrated as part of the Brethren Heritage Day Festival on Oct. 2, project as it celebrates in 2011 the 80th including food, crafts, 34 vendors, and anniversary of its official founding in the train rides for kids ... . World Hunger Church of the Brethren (Florence has also Auction events in Virlina District raised joined Mennonite Church USA as an affiliat­ more than $55,000 this year, up about 10 ed congregation in the last 15 years). percent from the previous year. .. . As a recipient of a Lilly National Clergy Brethren Woods and Camp Bethel Renewal Grant, Lanctot explored "Vibrant received Outdoor Ministries Association Rural Churches and Communities." A pastor environmental grants this year for spe­ with an urban background, Lanctot wanted cial projects. to experience rural life on small farms over a two-month stay. When Ezra Graber, long Midwest Windfall (Ind.) Church of the time Constantine seed corn farmer, learned Brethren held its final worship service Barns built by George Sherck, first pastor of that Lanctot grew up in Philadelphia, he said Aug. 29 before closing and signing over Florence Church of the Brethren, are of spe- the property to the district .. .. Timbercrest cial interest to current pastor Nina Lanctot of her project, "You have a lot to learn!" Senior Living Community (North as she develops a "Story Barn Project." And so in Lanctot's sabbatical away from Manchester, Ind.) on Oct. 19 offered a free the congregation in February and March, she seminar for pastors on "Emotional lived and worked on small farms in Costa Rica. After studying Spanish as a child and Intelligence and Pastoral Relationships." . through college, Lanctot's life-long dream was to gain fluency. After two months in .. Illinois/Wisconsin District is planning a Costa Rica on her own, Lanctot returned for two weeks in the summer with her fami­ district youth disaster relief trip to ly to find that indeed, conversational Spanish flowed with ease. Spanish is used fre­ Tennessee June 19-25 . . . . Springfield quently at Florence and in the local community. (Ill.) First Church of the Brethren is host­ A potluck kick-off for the Story Barn Project took place Nov. 21 at the home of ing an alternative holiday fair Dec. 3-4. Karla Kauffman. The former Gleason Farm was purchased recently by Kauffman and has been renamed Maple Tree Meadows. The story of the main barn and a tour were Ozarks/Plains Western Plains held its part of the evening. "Gathering VI" conference Oct. 22-24 in A final multi-media celebration of the project is scheduled to take place on Nov. 20, Salina, Kan ., with the theme "Melt me, 2011. More information about the project can be found at storybarn.blogspot.com. mold me, fill me, use me." ... Central Iowa congregations gathered Oct. 3 at Dallas Center for a joint love feast, the Do you have district or congregational stories that might be of interest to M ESSENGER? Short items with a photo. if pos­ sible, are best. Send them to M ESSENGER, c/o In Touch, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60 120 or [email protected]. third time area churches have come together in the fall. ... A Western Plains District cookbook is in the works, with each congregation asked to gather - BYTHENUMBERS favorite recipes. Plans call for selling the ~YOU SAID IT cookbook at the 2011 district conference.

West Pacific Southwest will offer an "All HSeeing people is Ministers Workshop" Feb, 28 to March 2 in Arizona, focusing on spiritual practices a lot different that and ministry skills . .. . Olympic View Number of4 Church of the Brethren looking at them." Church of the Brethren in Seattle part­ district conferences held in nered with a local elementary school to -Retired Church of the Brethren pastor and current Bethany Theological November. Pacific Southwest held provide food baskets for those in need at Seminary staff member Fred Bernhard, speaking at Southern Ohio District its conference Nov. 12-14, ending the conference. Thanksgiving. Baskets were purchased, slate of district conferences in 2010. assembled, and distributed Nov. 21 -23.

Messenger December 2010 ■ The recipients of the Mercedes-Benz USA schol­ arship for 2010 show off the 1886 Mercedes­ Benz currently at McPherson College. They are, from /eh to right: Taylor Adams, Ashland, Va.; Rod Bar/et, Elizabethtown, Pa.; and Kendall Critchfield, Hesston, Kan.

New Shiloh church come and encouraged to rises from the ashes attend these celebrations. May God bless each of you Seven months after con­ in a very special way." struction began, Shiloh Church of the Brethren has Historic church completed its rebuild. The hosts memorial , church near Kasson, W.Va., service +, ' ,' ' had lost its building to a fire

Institute for International Peace Studies. sins." The Pleasant Hill and Black Rock LANDMARKS & LAURELS Church of the Brethren member Robert Church of the Brethren congregations • David Shoup retired in October after c_ Johansen is director of doctoral were also mentioned in the article. 46 years of service as treasurer for studies at the Kroc Institute. • Melanie Snyder, author of the Southern Ohio District. He was honored • Bermudian Church of the Brethren Press book Grace Goes to at district conference by being named Brethren was featured in the York (Pa.) Prison, was the keynote speaker at the "treasurer emeritus" and was given a Daily Record for its ongoing tradition of 2010 graduation ceremony for Bethel stained glass artwork. performing outdoor baptisms in Ministries, an organization that helps men • The University of Notre Dame will Bermudian Creek. The feature section leaving incarceration change their lives to begin offering a Ph.D. in theology and cover story featured a photo of 11-year­ become law-abiding, productive members peace studies. The new program is a old Katie Hann's baptism, noting that of society. The ceremony and dinner took partnership between Notre Dame's the running water was significant for place Nov. 20 at Mountain View Church of Department of Theology and the Kroc "symbolizing the washing away of the Brethren in Boise, Idaho.

Messenger December 2010 Remembered

• Kenneth L. Brown, 77, died Nov. 3 at attended Wichita State University and the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic. He was a pursued graduate work at the University national peace studies pioneer and pro­ of Kansas. He held degrees from fessor emeritus at Manchester College in Bethany Theological Seminary and Duke North Manchester, Ind., a nonviolent University, where he received his doctor­ activist, and an ordained minister in the ate in 1964, and also attended Garrett Church of the Brethren. School of Theology and the University of "Ken was an amazing man," California. Early in his career, he held Manchester president Jo Young Switzer pastorates at two Church of the Brethren said in a release. "For decades, his name congregations, and taught in the was synonymous with our Peace Studies Chicago school system. program. His students grappled with big A memorial service was held at the questions and ambiguities. We respected college on Nov. 14. him for all that and more." • Kenneth M. Shaffer Jr., 64, direc­ For 25 years, beginning in 1980, he tor of the Brethren Historical Library and directed the nation's oldest peace studies Archives (BHLA) at the Church of the program at Manchester. He also served as Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., a consultant to peace studies programs passed away Oct. 23 at his home in across the country and around the world, Elgin. In May he had announced his and led study teams to Vietnam, Brazil, plans to retire Dec. 31. He had served as Northern Ireland, Haiti, Thailand, India, BHLA director since January 1989, hold­ books on Texts in Transit up to date. He Jamaica, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, ing responsibility for the extensive also wrote numerous articles for and Cuba. Brown and his wife, Viona, also archival collection housed in the base­ MESSENGER, including recent contribu­ hosted weekly discussions for students in ment of the General Offices. tions to the coverage of the 300th their home since their arrival in North Shaffer regularly aided researchers, anniversary of the Brethren movement. Manchester in 1961 . After retiring in 2006, provided information for church pro­ Originally from the eastern shore of Brown continued to teach. His daughter, grams and projects, served as staff liai­ Maryland, Shaffer graduated from Katy Gray Brown, is a current peace stud­ son for the Brethren Historical Bridgewater (Va.) College in 1967. He ies professor at Manchester. Committee, oversaw the work of interns, received a Master of Divinity degree In 2005, he received the Lifetime and wrote about Brethren history. He from Bethany Theological Seminary in Achievement Award from the Peace and began work for the Church of the 1970. In 1983 he also completed a master Justice Studies Association. He also was Brethren in August 1970 as consultant for of arts degree in Library Science from a founder of several organizations, curriculum development for the former Northern Illinois University. He was an including the Brethren Action Movement General Board. From 1972 to 1988 he ordained minister and early in his career and the War Tax Resisters Penalty Fund. worked at Bethany Theological Seminary fil led two summer pastorates. A native Kansan, he graduated from in Oak Brook, Ill., where his positions His funeral was held Oct. 27 at Denton Wichita East High School in 1951, and included bookstore manager, acquisitions (Md.) Church of the Brethren. A memori­ from McPherson College in 1955. He librarian, administrative assistant to the al service is planned Dec. 12 at Highland Doctor of Ministry program, Avenue Church of the Brethren, where and library director. he was an active member. He served as book review • Brett K. Winchester, 57, a member editor for the journal Brethren of the Church of the Brethren Disabilities Life and Thought from 1986 to Ministry, passed away Sept. 20 at home 1999. From 1987 to 1989 he in Garden City, Idaho. Blind since birth, was editor of A Guide for he developed a great deal of experience Biblical Studies, the Brethren coping with blindness and low vision, Press Bible study curriculum and shared this experience with his for adults. Most recently he employer, the Idaho Commission for the had contributed to a new proj­ Blind and Visually Impaired. He served ect to digitize Brethren period­ as ICBVI Reading Services Coordinator icals in a cooperative endeav­ for the Boise office, coordinating radio or with several other Brethren reading services. He also was involved in bodies, and along with co­ numerous advocacy efforts on behalf of author Graydon Snyder was persons who are blind or visually writing articles for Brethren impaired. A memorial service was held Life and Thought to bring their Oct. 2 in Boise.

Messenger December 2010 Brethren forbearance

orbearance as practiced by the Church of the conservative take on some of these issues. The following FBrethren (see "The Recovery of Brethren signed petition was received by the Conference officers: Forbearance," Brethren Life and Thought, vol. 54[4]: pp. 14-23) implies much more than simply tolerance of per­ November 1, 1969. sons with views unlike your own. It To Annual Conference Central Committee: carries with it a deep concern for "We, members of Brethren Peace Fellowship and the welfare and well-being of those Brethren Action Movement, are concerned that the individuals with whom we dis­ request of Brethren Revival Fellowship to present one agree. It means equal treatment of evening program at Annual Conference this coming year all Brethren. It means speaking up has reportedly been denied. If this is true, we urge recon­ sideration. We feel that the conservatives have been dis­ for the minority, no matter how criminated against for too long and should be given small or large that minority is. opportunity to present their concerns, just as the con­ Forbearance and the early cern of some brought Archie Hargraves to Conference phrase, to bear with one another, this past year. We request that Central Committee work appear often in the minutes of with Brethren Revival Fellowship in planning an evening Annual Conference. Likely, the first of Annual Conference this next year." was in 1799 when the members were admonished to "bear with (Signed} James Poling; Warren M. Eshbach; Jim Drescher; J. him" in patience. It always refers to our relationship with Kenneth Kreider; Dale Aukerman; Gary Shank; A. Stauffer other Brethren, person to person, group to group. Curry; Ted Glick; Peggy Gish; James C. Gibbel; Richard D. The following example illustrates the interaction of two Bittinger; Charlotte Kuenning; Mary Sue Rosenberger; Bruce E. Rosenberger; Art Gish; Paul E. Myers. factions in the Church of the Brethren in 1969. On the one hand, there were two liberal activist peace groups, Brethren Over the next few years, deliberate efforts were made by Peace Fellowship and the Brethren Action Movement. On the officers and the Central Committee to increase the expo­ the other side there was the Brethren Revival Fellowship, a sure of the BRF on various Conference appointments and small conservative, fundamentalist movement within the committees. Major speakers were at times selected from the Church of the Brethren. Theologically, the two sets of believ­ conservatives among us. The ballots contained conservative ers were about as far apart as one could imagine. Of partic­ names, and BRF members were elected to General Board ular interest to the topic of this little story are these words and even the moderatorship. In 1980, the Saturday evening worship service was a "celebration of our diversity," with presentations of a number of representative segments of our denomination, including the BRF. In 1983, an amendment to the paper on Human Sexuality disapproving of same-sex covenantal relation­ ships was adopted. The BRF Witness commented, "The 1983 Annual Conference in Baltimore could well have been our spiritual Gettysburg." Gettysburg, you remember, was the decisive battle in the Civil War which marked the change in military successes which ultimately won the war. I didn't even know there was a war going on. In 1987, the BRF said, "There is no rigid pattern that every congregation must follow. The local congregation of the leader of the BRF in 1968: " ... we cannot be called does not have to adopt all the resolutions and s·tatements of 'pacifists.' Pacifism covers many types of opposition to war­ Annual Conference." But that is not how it played out on fare. It is Satan's counterfeit for the doctrine of nonresis­ the issue of same-sex covenantal services. For example, the tance. True Christians have never advocated the doctrines of Brethren Mennonite Council has consistently been denied a present-day pacifism." display booth at Conference. At that time, the Annual Conference officers were reluc­ Wouldn't it be a marvelous gesture of forbearance if the tant to turn over conference time slots to any private special BRF would compose a petition to the Program and interest groups not directly related to one of the program Arrangements Committee asking, after years of denial, that aspects of the General Board. Because the BRF was dis­ the BMC finally be allowed a booth in the display area? ~ turbed with what they saw as a one-sided presentation of many issues on the Annual Conference program, they want­ Willia m R. Eberly was secretary of Ann ual Co nference from 1968-1977 and ed an evening program directed by the BRF to present their moderator in 1980.

Messenger December 2010 QUOTEWORTHY CULTUREVIEW

The National Council of ment in actions that have been ''Migrants are Churches held its annual assem­ widely condemned international­ bly as a "Centennial Gathering" ly, including acts of torture. not co1n1nodities, to mark the 100th anniversary of • Church World Service report­ the 1910 World Mission ed in October that it had reset­ illegal aliens or Conference in Edinburgh, tled more than 7,000 Scotland, that sparked the mod­ refugees in the US during the inere victiins; ern ecumenical movement. More past year, representing about 10 than 400 people were expected to percent of all refugees resettled they are huinan attend the assembly in New during that time period. The Orleans Nov. 9-11. largest group resettled came beings.'' • A gathering of 60 delegates from Iraq. -excerpt from a statement by participants at a hearing at an international consulta­ • A recent article in the Detroit in Beir ut, Lebanon, on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape, co-sponsored by the World Council of Churches tion on Muslim-Christian Free Press noted the increas­ and Middle East Council of Churches relations in Geneva, ing use of the Web for Switzerland, called for a "mutu­ "church shopping, with sites al commitment to justice" and like ChurchRater.com that allow "I think what everyone longs for is recommended the formation of visitors to post reviews of con­ certainty. What's interesting is that God a joint working group that could gregations. "The whole issue of doesn't give us certainty; he g ives us address future interreligious how to use the Web and com­ mystery. He doesn't require proof, he crises. munications is gigantic," the requires faith." • A new book by Bible scholar Rev. Gary Hall of Christ Church John Dominic Crossan, titled Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, -Adam Hamilton, author of Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White. He was interviewed by The United Methodist Reporter. The World's Greatest Prayer, Mich., said in the article. seeks to make a fresh interpre- • PARADE magazine asked tation of the Lord's Prayer and Americans earlier this year "We need mentors, heroes and saints. We to "reclaim its original meet- what they would do if given need positive role models. People of faith ing," according to David Crumm $100,000 to donate to chari­ throughout the ages have understood this. ot ReadtheSpirit.com. ty. The top responses: food and For that reason the church has often • A protest vigil was scheduled shelter for the needy, research preserved the memory of exceptional again this year at the School of to cure disease, disaster relief, Christians, honoring them as 'saints.' the Americas at Fort Benning, animal welfare, and youth

-Former Church of the Brethren pastor Tom Wagner, writing in his Ga., Nov. 17-19. The annual programs. About 94 per- "Gleanings" column in a Michigan Council of Churches newsletter gathering protests the role of the cent of respondents in school, renamed the Western the survey said they "Unfortunately, the arguments and even Hemisphere Institute for Security "believe it's important the animosities that exist among Cooperation, in training Latin to be involved in a American soldiers for involve- community cause." Christians are like a cancer that is metastasizing within the body of Christ."

-former US President Jimmy Carter, speaking about divisions in the Southern Baptist Convention (RNS) JUST FOR FUN: MATCHING

0 CHRISTMAS TREE Match the Advent/Christmas tradition or "The call for the universal reign of peace observance on the left with the country with which it is most typically and harmony is the central hope of all, associated on the right. Answers are printed below. irrespective of religious affiliation." 1. St. Nicholas Day a. United Kingdom -the Rev. Fr. Anthony Fom, coordinator of the Justice, Peace, and Development Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Jos, 2. Boxing Day b. Mexico Nigeria. His remarks appeared in the Mennonite Central Committee Peace Office newsletter. 3. La Befana c. China 4. St. Lucia's Day d. Greece 5. Las posadas e. Brazil "The witness of the Hebrew Bible is the 6. "Trees of light" f. Germany essential foundation of the New Testament 7. "Christmas rice" g. Sweden church." 8. Christmas market h. Italy -Bible scholar and current Village at Morrisons Cove staff member Bob Neff. He was quoted in the fall issue of the "Seed Packet .. newsletter.

Messenger December 2010 ■ THE BIBLICAL VISION Of ECOJUSTICE

by Rosemary Radford Ruether

he 1970s until today has been a western Christians with nature. This article time of an increasing recognition has been widely read and caused much that the Western industrial style of soul-searching among Christian theologians development is unsustainable, although and scholars of the Hebrew Bible. this has yet to be acknowledged by There have been two main responses by leaders of corporate growth. This system of western religious thinkers to this challenge. development, based on an affluent minority One response, dominant among scholars of using a disproportionate share of the world's the Hebrew Bible, has been to protest that natural resources, is fast depleting the base Genesis 1 :28, which mandates that humani­ upon which it rests. We need an entirely new ty "fill the earth and subdue it and have way of organizing human production and dominion over the fish of the sea and over consumption in relation to natural resources, the birds of the air and over every living one that both distributes the means of life thing that moves upon the earth" has been more justly among all earth's people and misread as allowing humanity a destructive also uses resources in a way that renews domination over creation. Read in the con­ them from generation to generation. text of the view of humanity in relation to As the seriousness of the ecological cri­ God and nature generally, the Hebrew Bible sis of modern industrial development teaches that God remains Lord of creation. became more and more evident, there has We humans are mandated to be caretakers been an effort among theological or reli­ of the earth under God, not autonomous gious thinkers to respond to this crisis. To owners who can do whatever we wish with what extent have the different religious sys­ the earth. Our relationship to the earth tems contributed to a destructive relation­ should be one of stewardship in which we ship with the earth? To what extent do are responsible to God, rather than destruc­ world religions have positive resources that tive exploiters. can teach us to be more caring of the earth? Other religious thinkers have rejected this Christianity, in particular, as the dominant stewardship model of human relationship to religion of western industrial countries, has the earth. They see this as still handing over been challenged as to its ecological impact. all creation to humans as rulers. These In 1967, Lynn White, a historian of science, thinkers see scripture as much less recover­ wrote an article entitled, "The Historical able for an ecological spirituality and ethic. Roots of our Ecologic Crisis," in which he They agree with White that the main impact claimed that the biblical doctrine of human of biblical thought has been to locate dominion over creation has been the key humanity outside of and over nature, rather cause of the destructive relationship of than as a part of nature. We need to recog-

Messenger December 2010 The biblical dream of redemption is one of a flourishing nature in the peaceful kingdom of God's shalom. Springs of water return and the land flourishes abundantly.

the ecological potential of other religions, especially if they enter into deep and respon­ sible dialogue with other traditions, and do not just seek to use them without real rela­ tionship to them. But I believe that the biblical traditions have precious resources for an eco­ logical spirituality and ethic, or what I would nize that we are latecomers to the planet. call an ecojustice ethic, that should not be Humans have existed on Earth for only half neglected. Moreover, it is evident that the a million years-a mere blip on the timetable almost two billion Christians, close to a third of Earth history that goes back four and a of humanity, are not going to be moved to half billion years- most of that time as a concern about ecology by the message that non-dominant species. Fish, birds, and ani­ their religions are part of the problem, but not mals have been here far longer than we, and part of the solution, and should be discarded. they got along quite well-and indeed bet­ If we wish for Christians to care about ecolog­ ter- before we assumed power over them. ical crisis, we must speak about it in language These writers argue that we need a more that appeals to the Bible. This is not simply a animist view of the natural world that sees matter of strategy. It is also a matter of truth. the whole of nature as sacred, permeated In fact the Bible has deep resources of ecolo­ by the spirit of the divine. We need to recov­ gy that we can and must recover. er a sense of reverence for the earth and a Those who dismiss the Bible as hostile to recognition of our own place in it as one nature have mistakenly confused the biblical species among others. We need to learn worldview with its 19t h century German inter­ how to enter into mutuality and fellowship preters. In German thought we find a view with nature, rather than separating our­ that sets nature against history and sees God selves from nature and imagining ourselves as the Lord of history against nature. Nature as having been given a divine mandate to is decried as static and stifling to the spirit, rule over it. Since, in the view of these while history is seen as emancipatory, allow­ thinkers, such views cannot be found in ing us to transcend nature. This split scripture, we need to set aside biblical between nature and history, however, is for­ thought for a moment and consider the reli­ eign to the Bible. In the Bible we have an gious worldviews of indigenous peoples, understanding of God as the creator of the such as Native Americans, o r Asian reli­ whole world, of the stars and planets, ani­ gions, such as Hinduism or Daoism. mals and plants, as well as humans, as one. I have no objection to people exploring The same steadfast love of God is present We humans are mandated to be caretakers of the earth under God, not autonomous owners who can do whatever we wish with the earth.

when God "spread out the earth on the water-scarce environment. Hebrew religion waters, .. . made the great lights," made also constructed an ethic of care for nature "the sun to rule over the day ... the moon through practices of letting fields lie fallow and stars to rule over the night," and also periodically, and regular land reform that when God "brought Israel out from among sought to prevent over-exploitation of the them ... with a strong hand and an out­ land. These agricultural laws were embod­ stretched arm ... divided the Red Sea ... ied in the Levitical codes about the cycles of and made Israel pass through the midst the week, the sabbatical year, and the of it ... but overthrew Pharaoh and his army Jubilee. in the Red Sea" (Psa. 136: 6-15). In this reflection on the biblical vision of The view of nature that has triumphed in ecojustice, I would like to focus particularly Western science from the 17th century until on what I see as a key prophetic pattern of today sees non-human nature as dead mat­ thought. This thought knits together injus­ ter without animating spirit. This shift in atti­ tice of humans to one another and the dev­ tude toward nature is what science historian astation of the earth. It also lays out a vision Carolyn Merchant calls "the death of of redemptive hope in which a human con­ nature." But this view is totally foreign to version to justice renews the earth and the Bible, and indeed to Christian thought restores harmony among humans, nature, generally until modern times. The Hebrew and God. This view rests on an understand­ worldview, and that of Christianity until the ing of the covenant among humanity, the scientific revolution, assumes that nature is earth, and God which is holistic. The land is alive, filled with soul or spirit. We interact itself an integral part of the covenantal rela­ with this animate spirit in nature. Nature is tionship between humanity and God. responsive to God as living creatures who In this covenantal view, nature's respons­ relate to God in their own right. es to human use or abuse itself becomes God is seen as taking profound pleasure in an ethical sign. The erosion of the soil, God's work of creation, and creation in turn drought, the drying up of the springs of responds to God with praise. God rejoices water, and the pollution of the earth are in the world which God creates, and the themselves judgments of God upon unjust planets, mountains, brooks, animals, and ways of living between humans with each plants return this rejoicing in their relation­ other and with nature. Thus Psalm 107 ship with God. God visits the earth in rain declares: "He turns rivers into a desert, showers, watering its furrows abundantly, springs of waters into thirsty ground, a blessing its growth. The earth responds with fruitful land into a salty waste, because of overflowing abundance and joy. "The hills the wickedness of its inhabitants" (Psa. gird themselves with joy, the meadows 107: 33-34). This text is a religious interpre­ clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys tation of the reality of the ecological disas­ deck themselves with grain, they shout, they ters in the ancient Middle East, caused by sing together for joy" (Psa. 65: 9-13). abuse of the land in which deforestation It is important to remember that the world and over-irrigation was causing desertifica­ of Hebrew scripture, as well as that of Jesus tion and salination of the land. in his hometown of Nazareth, was a world From the biblical point of view, when of small, mostly subsistence, farmers. They humans break their covenant with God and were keen observers of nature, dependent one another by social injustice and war, the on nurturing its growth in a stony and covenant between God, humanity, and

Messenger December 2010 nature is broken. War and violence in socie­ harvests: "The tree bears its fruit, the fig ty and the polluted, barren, hostile face of trees and vine give their full yield .... Rejoice nature are both expressions of this violation in the Lord for he has given early rain .... of the covenant. They are linked together as The threshing floors shall be full of grain, expressions of one reality. Isaiah 24 vividly the vats shall overflow with wine and oil" portrays this link between social and ecolog­ (Joel 2: 22-24). "Behold the days are com­ ical violation and violence: ing, says the Lord, when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of The earth shall be utterly laid waste and grapes him who sows the seed; the moun­ utterly spoiled ... . The earth mourns and tains shall drip sweet wine and all the hills withers, the world languishes and with­ will flow with it" (Amos 9:13). ers, the earth lies polluted under its Justice in human affairs and harmony with inhabitants. For they have transgressed nature together reflect a humanity made the laws, they have violated the statutes, right with God, thereby filling the earth with they have broken the everlasting peace and abundance. As Isaiah puts it in covenant. Therefore a curse devours the his vision of a redemptive future, "They earth and its inhabitants suffer for their shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy guilt. .. . The city of chaos is broken mountain, for the earth shall be full of the down, every house is shut up so that knowledge of the Lord" (Isa. 11 :9). This none can enter.... Desolation is left in redemptive vision that knits together nature the city, the gates are battered to and society as one is expressed succinctly ruin .... (Isa. 24: 3-6, 10, 12). in Jesus' Lord's prayer as he prays for God's kingdom to come, God's will done on earth. But this divine judgment expressed in des­ In that coming of God's kingdom upon the olation in society and nature is not the end of earth, we can hope for all people to be fed. the prophetic vision. When humanity mends The debts that turn some into debt-slaves its ways with God, the covenant of creation is will be forgiven. The temptations to dreams restored and renewed. Restoration of just of power over others are surrendered. "Give relations between peoples restores peace to us this day our daily bread; forgive us our society and also heals nature's enmity. Just, debts as we forgive out debtors, lead us not peaceful societies where people are not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." enslaved, where violence has been over­ The biblical kingdom of God is ecojustice come, also blossom forth in a peaceful, har­ realized on earth, as it is in heaven.li! monious, and fruitful land. The biblical dream of redemption is one of Rosemary Radford Ruether is a noted Roman Catholic a flourishing nature in the peaceful kingdom theologian and prolific author praised for her wide range of God's shalom. Springs of water return of inquiry. Her books include the seminal Sexism and and the land flourishes abundantly. "The God-Talk; Faith and Fratricide (an examination of wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, Christian anti-Semitism); and The Wrath of Jonah (a the desert shall rejoice and blossom, Like study of Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). Ruether is an emerita professor of feminist theology at the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and Pacific School of Religion and the Graduate Theological rejoice with joy and singing" (Isa. 35: 1-2). Union, as well an emerita professor of applied theology at This redemptive promise includes abundant Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

When humanity mends its ways with God, the covenant of creation is restored and renewed.

Messenger December 2010 traveled to Guatemala the sum­ Even though the meat wasn't thorough­ "The Mayans will be afraid of you," mer before my senior year at ly cooked and there wasn't a salt shaker our Guatemalan guide and translator Bluffton University. The brochure in sight, it was the best meal I've had. warned us. "Many of them have never called it a "faith expedition." I'm not We went to a remote Mayan village in seen white skin. All they know about sure I would have gone if it had the mountains. We traveled north in the white people is that they murdered their been a "mission trip." I've never bed of a pickup truck that vibrated like an ancestors for bananas and coffee beans. been an evangelist or a teacher. I don't unbalanced washing machine. I don't They won't like you." know how to build a house or dig a well. remember how many hours it took to The first villagers I saw from the truck So I was thrilled that the "expedition" had reach the peak of the mountain, but we bed were little kids with baskets bal­ simple goals: learn about the native peo­ started at sea level and ended up inside anced on their heads and firewood slung ple and, hopefully, from them: about their the clouds. The village was little more over their backs. Their feet were bare culture, beliefs, politics, language, family, than a general store, an old church, and a and their clothes were worn. We said and priorities. That didn't sound so hard. cluster of wood and tin huts on the edge "Hola" (unaware that Spanish wasn't I joined a group of a dozen college of a cliff. The scenery was breathtaking. A their first or primary language) and students led by the quiet, contemplative crazy quilt of teal-brown fields cascaded waved our hands in a universal greeting. leader and his 6-year-old son, Zach. below us until the world curved. Columns The children froze. Then they turned Zach wore a red, sweat-stained baseball of brassy sunlight transformed the forest and fled, shouting " Gringos!" like I would cap and socks rust-colored from dust. into a palace hall. Spider webs twinkled shout "Fire!" if I saw something burning. His cheeks were swollen with baby fat like tinsel on a Christmas tree. After that, we went through a gauntlet of and his blue eyes were intelligent and mischievous. For the first time in my life as a North American Caucasian, I experienced what it was like to truly be a minority. I was careful not to take pictures of the shacks that most of the Guatemalans lived in. How would I like it if Bill Gates or someone else obscenely rich put a picture of my home in some scrapbook? The people we met were so happy and accepting, and extremely generous in spite of their poverty. One family fed us their only chicken, which meant that they wouldn't have meat for months.

Messenger December 2010 glares. Men walking home from the fields Zach was bored the next day, and fingered their machetes as if preparing to wanted to play a game of tag. He was defend themselves. Women scowled from "It" most of the time (on purpose, I sus­ The game shadowed doorways while children hid pect, as children sometimes play). At behind their frayed, fuchsia-colored skirts. first, I didn't notice that Zach's antics continued until I wished I knew how to say "We come in were drawing the villagers' attention. I peace," but all I could do was smile and was busy observing a spider crawling sunset. For the try to look harmless. across our truck. It was light brown, At dusk, we shoehorned ourselves into hairy, and as wide as the gas cap. In the rest of our time in a tool shed beside a sand-colored Mayan village, women cook and eat spi­ the village, the Catholic church. We stayed on a dirty ders. It's supposed to make them weave concrete floor while spiders rappelled clothes, rugs, and blankets as well as a children played from the rafters and rats burrowed into spider spins a web. our suitcases. It was so cold that I longed After a while, the mothers left their Uno with us, the for the heat and humidity of Guatemala doorways to watch the game, and the City that I'd cursed hours before. To stay men took a detour on their way home women showed warm, I wrapped my body in every piece from the fields. Another half-hour went us how to weave of clothing I had: dirty socks on my hands by and there were almost 100 Mayans. like mittens, extra bras wrapped around Initially, the scowls were still there, but (luckily, they my neck, and shoelaces tied around the then the villagers started chatting to one cuffs of my jeans to keep out the critters. another and pointing, trying to figure out didn't insist that Outside, the village kids threw rocks at what we were doing. Their eyes and fin­ the walls of the shed. I understood their gers followed "It" around the square as we eat the child-logic. I knew that they didn't want they learned the rules. The audience spiders), and the to hurt us. They just wanted to poke us, grew. Some of the men climbed up tele­ the strange, foreign beasts, to see if we phone poles and onto the roof of the men shared roared. Most of us in the expedition were store to get a better view. from the Church of the Brethren, a his­ Suddenly, Zach ran into the crowd. stories about toric peace church. We don't roar (at Instead of tagging one of us, he went up least not in our own defense). to a middle-aged Guatemalan man who their lives. Between the rocks hitting the walls and had a machete clipped to his belt. Zach the bugs crawling over me, I was anxious. ignored the knife, smacked the man in I was on the wrong side of the equator. the arm, and shouted, "You're it!" firemen. Zach ended up on the roof alone, The people hated me because of the color I gasped, and so did everyone else. with his hands on his hips, crowing with of my skin. How could I accomplish our The entire village went still. Everything laughter like Peter Pan. goals when I couldn't communicate? on that mountain seemed to depend on The game continued until sunset. For Meanwhile, Zach decided that we needed how the man would react. I imagined the the rest of our time in the village, the a bedtime story to help us fall asleep. worst-case scenario: the man swinging children played Uno with us, the women He told us a story about a little boy in a the machete. And I imagined the best­ showed us how to weave (luckily, they red baseball cap who went to a strange case scenario: the man ignoring Zach didn't insist that we eat the spiders), and land and became best friends with the altogether. Incredibly, there was a better the men shared stories about their lives. people who lived there. I knew that he scenario than the one I had imagined. Zach accomplished in a moment what was talking about us, about what he The man dropped the machete and a dozen educated adults couldn't in a hoped would happen with the Mayans. joined the game! He raised his arms day. He got the Mayans to play with us. While he spoke, silent fireworks straight out like Frankenstein's monster One little boy and a simple game of tag appeared above my head. There were and chased after Zach, who yelled in bridged the barriers of race, culture, and fireflies inside the shed with us! Dozens delight as he ran . Soon two, then six, then language, of light and darkness. and dozens of lightning bugs. Hundreds. ten villagers were playing with us. Zach He was a firefly in the dark. li! They celebrated Zach's vision. They hov­ even figured out how to climb up onto the ered above me like stars in the night sky roof of the store and the men perched up Meredith Morckel is a former Breth ren Volunteer Service worker. a graduate of Bluffton University. and a member to wish upon. They broke through all lit­ there pretended to be afraid of being "It." of Springfield Ch urch of the Brethren in Akron, Ohio. She eral and figurative darkness, and I was They swung off the gutters like monkeys lives in Canton, Ohio. This article is dedicated to her par­ able to sleep. and slid down the telephone poles like ents, Bru ce and Kim Morckel.

Messenger December 2010 Entry room by Ken Gibble

Hated getting out of bed that winter I worked for Bob Kurtz whose farm was up the road a ways Hated getting up two hours dark before the school bus came so I could help Bob milk his damn cows Hated what I had to do - pour feed into the troughs lug steaming pails to the milkhouse fork manure into the spreader But mostly hated the getting up and going

Icy air hit me as I left the house swung my legs onto my bike lunged into the darkness and the wind the cold amazed me every time stunned my throat my lungs burrowed through my clothing to the skin I shivered-shook-ground my teeth in useless freezing rage

Strain up the hill and-at long last- see the gable light beckon like the star the wise men followed park the bike outside, yank open the stable door cattle warmth surrounds-embraces-blesses I sob with glad relief

You're late again says Bob but merry Christmas anyway he tosses me a ribboned Hershey bar and grins

Some say it's sad that Christ the king had just a cattle trough for crib I say a warm stable on a bone-cold morning feels like the entry room to heaven

Maybe-for the Child-the entry room to earth

Ken Gibble is an orda ined minister in the Church of the Brethren and a prol ific author. He lives in Greencastle, Pa.

Messeng er December 201 0 { E:r:ecutive Chef Christian Lain:} Ask any resident, staff member or even guests about the dining experience at Hillcrest and you'll hear them rave about the culinary wizardry of Chef Christian Laire. Educated in the French system of culinary education known as Culinary Aptitude, Chef La ire worked in several restaurants, including his own and in many different countries. Chef La ire welcomed the opportunity to join Hillcrest. He enjoys that his work is mission-driven and has purpose. He has a relationship with the residents; he sees them everyday, they give him feedback and he can see the results of his efforts in the kitchen. That connection and exchange allows him to give back through his cooking and to make Hillcrest residents happy.

Remarkable Residents

{ Resident Sharon 'fVright } { Residents Jeny & Berkley Davis } "I'm busier than ever, but having Jerry and Berkley Davis are very so much fun! Between my clients, involved at Hillcrest, participating in the drama club, and swimming, the several aspects of campus life. Jerry excitement never ends! I can't think of heads up Channel 3, the community's any place else on Earth like this. The in-house television station, while freedom to do as much as or as little Berkley serves on the management as you want is limitless. Hillcrest is team of the Hillcrest gift shop and assists.with tbe production of like a B&B but more than that- it's an "Hillcrest Happenings;' the community's resident newsletter. "There extended family:' is more to do and learn here than one can imagine;'says Jerry." "I think we made a good choice in Hillcrest!" { Reszd,ents Joan & Jac/c Rosenbrock } Joan and Jack Rosenbrock enjoy the quiet ,{ Resident Ann Do-ty } life at Hillcrest, especially their relaxing Ann's advice on making the move outdoor space, where they often have a to a retirement community. "Re­ glass of wine and chat with neighbors. member that nothing is certain, "It's like having another room" says Joan. everythin9changes and we don't Also very active in water aerobics, Joan know what.the future holds - so raves "the Aquatic Center alone is worth look at it as an adventure!" moving to Hillcrest for!"

A Remarkable Re ·

2705 MountainView Dr., La Verne, CA 91750 .0,: 5 1 909.392.4375 I www.LivingatHillcrestorg ~ :ittority#062: HILLCREST '·:•:· ,: ·> ·>·- .~/ ~,~,. ~ ~;~i;::t: Considering our Special SPECIAL Response Process Can we agree? by Robert C. Johansen [Note: This is the second in a series of agree that we should not threaten or pun­ they be accepted? essays that will appear periodically dur­ ish those with whom we disagree, espe­ We know that some members of our ing the year leading up to the 2011 cially if they express love and respect for beloved church strongly want to reaffirm Annual Conference. It is intended to pro­ God, for us, and for one another? every sentence in the 1983 statement vide different points of view that we Can we agree not to punish women "Human Sexuality from a Christian hope will add to the discussion taking who do not cover their heads and hair Perspective." We also know that other place in churches and districts over the during holy communion? Can we agree members of our beloved church want coming year. -Ed.] not to punish men who depart from plain not to discriminate against those with a clothing and choose to wear ties and col­ minority sexual orientation as some orful shirts or hats? Can we agree not to words of that statement condone. In At this time in our history, we in exclude from our fellowship or from ordi­ view of these differences, might it make the Church of the Brethren cannot nation those people who divorce and sense for Annual Conference and its agree on whether it is sinful for two remarry? Can we accept in our fellowship Standing Committee to choose simply people of the same sex to form a loving, those who serve in the military, even not to comment on the most controver­ covenantal relationship. That is a fact of while many of us, assembled in our sial sentences? Of course each church our lives, whether we like it or not. So Annual Conferences, affirm that all war is member might have his or her own what should we do? After a lifetime of sin? Can we agree not to punish women views on precisely which sentences studying the Bible and trying to take who seek ordination and men who do should be affirmed or revised, but they Christian stances on political, social, and not favor the ordination of women? conscientiously may not want to legis­ personal issues, I have come to believe Jesus often befriended someone late new statements at this time, that it is more Christ-like to be in loving whom other religious people discrimi­ because any new statement might feel relationship with others than to try to nated against as sinful persons who like adding insult to injury for one group

Can we agree that, even while we disagree on an issue of sexual conduct, we should hold one another in respectful, loving relationship?

impose on them my understanding of should not be invited to eat with him or or another. Any new Annual Conference the correct stance to take on issues. to be engaged in respectful conversa­ statement might in practice seem to cut Loving others takes priority over getting tion. Can we agree that we should be as off one part of our body or another. them to agree with me. In the words of loving and accepting as he? Would it be Of course each person may freely seek the 2008 Annual Conference "Resolution acceptable to allow individual congrega­ to persuade others to agree with his or Urging Forbearance," " . .. we are called tions to decide whether to welcome peo­ her own position, but that is different to love and care for each other before ple of different sexual orientations and, from seeking to threaten or punish others we are called to correct one another." if so, how to receive them? because they disagree. Would it make If so, can we agree that, even while we No doubt we can agree to bar from sense for the Standing Committee and disagree on an issue of sexual conduct, our ordained clergy anyone who acts Annual Conference to ask for a pledge we should hold one another in respectful, unlovingly and unforgivingly toward from all members not to punish those loving relationship? Can we agree that others, because this would be un-Christ­ who seek to hold others in respectful, lov­ the ultimate judgment about sin should like, but if any in Christian faith act lov­ ing relationship, even though they dis­ be left in the hands of God? Can we ingly and forgivingly toward all, can agree, thereby avoiding pharisaical legal-

Messenger December 2010 ism and judgmental ism t hat Jesus noted violate the spirit of love? Such a non-punishing initiative would tacitly acknowledge that the 1983 statement exists while also acknowledging that its implementa­ tion would be uneven, reflecting the uneven support for it as a Christian reality. Such an action would encourage those people who emphasize that a covenantal homosexual lifestyle is "unacceptable" to remember that the 1983 statement also calls each member to cha l­ lenge the "widespread fear, hatred, and harass­ ment of homosexual persons . ... " A non-pun­ ishing pledge might enable our beloved church to model, for others as well as for ourselves, a Christ-like ability to hold in loving relationship people who disagree on one issue or another, but who also agree on the overriding impor­ tance of the love of God for all of God's creation. Although the issues vary in moral gravity, could expressing love and forgiveness toward both supporters and opponents of revising the 1983 statement be analogous to welcoming into our church both those who favor plain dress OhD and those who do not, those who use prayer ~~ Everence coverings and those who do not, those who remarry after divorce and those who would not, and those who participate in military combat and those who do not? For those who conscientiously believe that homosexual conduct is sinful, can they practice love and forgiveness toward those wit h a dif­ ferent view? For those who conscientiously believe that a loving, covenantal relationship among two people of the same sex is not sin­ ful, can they practice love and forgiveness toward those with a different view? Can both groups encourage all marriages and covenantal relationships to be truly loving, monogamous, without adultery or promiscuity, and filled with Let's grow together Ch ristian fidelity and mutual respect? Welcome to the new Eve rence - the res ult of MMA Could steps such as these express Christ-like and Mennonite Financia l Federa l Credit Union grow ing love toward those with whom we disagree, no together to offer you co mplete financial services rooted less than toward our enemies? li! in faith and values.

Robert C. Johansen is the dire ctor of doctoral stu dies at the Kroc Talk to your loca l represe ntati ve or visit www.everen ce .com Institute for International Peace Studies at the Un iversity of Notre to lea rn about the new ben efits of becoming a member. Dame and a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren . He teaches Su nday school at the Crest Manor Church of the Brethren in South Bend, Ind. 2101345

Messenger December 2010 God's Way in Wisdom's Path Studies in Biblical Instruction

Matthew 2: 1-12: The story of the Magi God's w"isdoITl is the pathw-ay of love by Bob Neff

have always believed that teaching and learning is a nacle of non-Jewish wisdom. Through their study they have relational enterprise. Our early tradition of inviting other discovered the birth of a new king whose star has appeared. members to respond to the preacher's sermon seems both The conjunction of two royal planets (Venus and Jupiter) near appropriateI and necessary. Regulus, the king star, in the constellation of Leo the Lion­ When I began this series, I invited a group of readers to look which represents Judea in ancient astrology-directs them to at each article before it was sent to the editor. They included Jerusalem, the seat of Jewish power and wisdom. Their study ministers, a college professor and dean, and one trained in has carried them as far as they can go, and they need an addi­ Christian education. I am deeply in debt to Christina Bucher, tional source to determine the location of the child's birth. Chris Bowman, David Leiter, Frank Ramirez, and Dot Wiggins The scene shifts from the heavens and the East to the house­ for providing useful insights and guidance for each of these hold of Herod and Jerusalem. When Herod hears the news that articles. Thank you for your steadfast assistance. I am also the wise men bring, he assembles the religious authorities and grateful to Walt Wiltschek, who sustained his editorial over­ scholars, chief priests and scribes, to make a determination of sight throughout the year, provided careful reading and sound the child's birthplace. They search the source of Jewish wis­ advice in the final format for these articles. dom, The Hebrew Scriptures, and declare that the location is Nowhere was the relational aspect more apparent than in the "in Bethlehem in the land of Judah." The authorities are comment of a student, Becky Zeek, pastor of the Twenty-ninth experts in the scriptures the way the Magi are experts in read­ Street Church of the Brethren in Altoona, Pa. Early in the ing the stars. They give an accurate answer based on Micah process I scheduled two classes to discuss these articles on 5:2-4. Go to Bethlehem! But there is a problem. biblical wisdom. At the end of the first class Becky said, "What Matthew informs us that the king, the religious leaders, and you are really saying is that biblical wisdom is relational and the people were frightened by the message of the Magi. Their personal." While I had not thought of it quite in that way, she initial response is one of shock and trepidation. Their fear of helped me understand the thread of relational instruction that instability, the unsettling nature of the succession, and Herod's runs through these texts. paranoid fears are increased because they recognize the truth Her observation is one of the reasons I selected the story of of the news from the Magi, but they do not wish to have it the Magi in Matthew 2 instead of Paul's discussion of the wis­ interfere with their standing and position. They want life to dom of God in 1 Corinthians 1 for this final article. Becky remain under their own control. They recognize that the scrip­ helped me realize that not only the teaching enterprise but also ture tradition can be useful but refuse to internalize it and make the wisdom texts are relational and personal. it a way of life. The scrolls of wisdom stay on the shelf and The story of the Magi begins with the identification of wise remain out of reach for determining the way of God's wisdom men, astrologers from the East-a metaphor for the place of and are only retrieved because of the outsiders' request. wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. These individuals are trained and Meanwhile the Magi journey to Bethlehem and find.the child gifted in reading the signs of the heavens and stand at the pin- with Mary his mother in a local home. This scene of domestic tran-

In this child God embraces humanity in a personal form that humans can touch and see. The wise men, focused on the stars all their lives, now kneel and present gifts i n a J u dean house ho Id.

Messenger December 2010 "' !'O"' ;s C :, !'! :,- ~· ,;~ · ' :,- "<1) ;;:"' ~ <1) C _3 < iii " :, :, "' quility stands in sharp contrast to the household of Herod and the the dispossessed and the outcast so central to both Testaments. machinations of power in the prior verses. In these verses God's I think the French Jewish philosopher and student of the wisdom is portrayed in human form-in the relationship between Talmud, Levinas, who survived the Holocaust and became the child and parent. In this child God embraces humanity in a person­ principal interpreter of German philosophy to the French intel­ al form that humans can touch and see. The wise men, focused on lectual community, puts the matter very clearly: Philosophy is the stars all their lives, now kneel and present gifts in a Judean not the love of wisdom, as the word suggests, but "the wis­ household. The Greek word for "worship" used here connotes dom of love." It is in the encounter with another person that both a sign of honor shown to a human king and the adoration we find the "signals of transcendence" in our lives. appropriate to the divine presence. They have found the object of When I began this series of articles on biblical wisdom, I their lifelong search in the simplicity of human relationships and could only see dimly the direction we'd take. Now that I have the personal interchange between mother and child_They come to the end, for this time at least, I see more clearly that embrace Wisdom in human form, personal and approachable. God's Way in Wisdom's Path has been relational and personal. In the concluding verse, The Magi are warned in a dream to From the encounter between Joseph and Judah to the story go home by another way. In Matthew's Gospel dreams of the prodigal sons, God seeks just and satisfying relation­ become a way of relating divine purpose and protection, as in ships. From the language of the Psalter to the quandary of the warning to the parents to go and then return from Egypt. Job, the searcher finds the God who meets him/her in a per­ In this chapter alone we discover four sources for wisdom: the sonal way. In a world gone awry, as in the Book of stars, treasured texts, dreams, and a person. The focus of our Ecclesiastes, the sage advice is to enjoy the simple gift of a study has led us to this One who embodies what is personal mealtime with friends. In the scene of Mother and Chil_d the and relational in God's way, the crown of wisdom. grace of God is revealed to strangers and wise men. The As Matthew makes clear, Herod seeks to destroy the good Incarnation is the highest form of wisdom_ news by his order to massacre the infants in Matthew 2:16-18. God's Way is an invitation to enjoy our humanity and rela­ His bloodthirsty and paranoid behaviors portrayed in Matthew tionships, because God's love dwells among us in this one are consistent with what historians have demonstrated. His inter­ named lmmanuel.n! est is the retention of power, pure and simple. He neglects the role of the true king as defined in Psalm 72 and Isaiah 9 and 11. Bob Neff is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren; he serves on the devel­ The wisdom of God appears in a person. The power elite opment staff and as chaplaincy coordinator at The Village at Morrisons Cove in Martinsburg, Pa. He was previously on the faculty of Bethany Theological Seminary, reject this personal and relational wisdom as seen in both the served as general secretary of the Ch urch of the Brethren General Boa rd, and was pres­ Christmas and Easter stories. They want no part of this relation­ ident of Juniata College. He lives in State College, Pa. This article is the 10th and fina l al aspect of life, nor the call to justice and the fair treatment of installment in a year-long Bi ble study seri es on w isdom literature.

Messengec Decembec 2010 ■ Denomination's board sets framework for strategic planning, 2011 budget

A framework for strategic planning for strategic planning. A Strategic the next decade of denominational Planning Working Group has been ministry, and a 2011 budget, were named from board members and exec- approved by the Church of the utive staff: board chair Dale Minnich; ~ Brethren's Mission and Ministry Board board members Andy Hamilton, f on Oct. 15-18, meeting at the church's Frances Townsend, and Colleen i General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The board Michael; treasurer Judy Keyser; and j a, used a consensus style of decision general secretary Stan Noffsinger. This i making, led by chair Dale E. Minnich. working group also was in conversa- u The bulk of the board's time was tion with the envisioning committee of Dale Minnich, chair of the denomination's Mission and Ministry Board, displays the first spent on a framework for strategic Annual Conference as it created the document to come to the board for approval planning for the next decade. The doc­ framework for strategic planning. as part of a strategic planning process. ument features a preamble prayer, six A final strategic plan and any result­ broad directional goals, and a plan for ing changes in program or staffing are Committee and the Mission and next steps such as development of not expected for at least a year. Ministry Board review the CIR's mis­ strategic objectives and how the result­ The board agreed to schedule a half sion and discern what is most appro­ ing strategic plan will be implemented. day of private conversation at its next priate for the ecumenical work of the Previously adopted vision, mission, meeting in March, at the recommenda­ Church of the Brethren in the 21st cen­ and core values statements are consid­ tion of its Executive Committee. The tury." The denomination's Leadership ered foundational to the effort. conversation will be held in order "to Team will facilitate the review. Six directional goals give broad guid­ share their views on issues of intense The board affirmed a change in des­ ance for denominational ministries in five conflict and discord like the current ignation of the Church Loan Fund to large program areas-"Brethren Voice," issue of human sexuality and to listen become a board-designated fund. church planting, congregational vitality, attentively and respectfully to the Becky Ball-Miller was chosen as international mission, and service-and thoughts of their colleagues," accord­ chair-elect beginning at the 2011 Annual an organizational goal of sustainability. ing to the proposal. Conference, to assist the next chair, Ben "The possibilities before us are Two international delegations report­ Barlow, for a two-year term as chair­ indeed exciting," said Minnich as he ed: a delegation to China in August for elect, and then to serve as chair for two introduced the framework to the board. the centennial of the Ping Ding mission years. The term of service of current Using an "appreciative inquiry" hospital started by the Brethren, and a board chair Dale Minnich ends in July. process that focuses on identifying delegation representing the denomina­ Todd Eichelberger of Bedford, Pa ., strengths of the organization, data for tion at the 40th anniversary of the was named to the board to fill the unex­ strategic planning has been gleaned Church of North India (see p. 22). pired term of Willie Hisey Pierson, who from a five-year evaluation of the work A review and evaluation of the became ineligible for the position when of the general secretary and a survey of Committee on lnterchurch Relations hired by Brethren Benefit Trust. The seven leadership groups in the denomi­ (CIR) was set in motion, at the request appointment will come before Annual nation: the board members themselves, of CIR and the Executive Committee. Conference delegates for confirmation. the Standing Committee of district dele­ CIR is jointly answerable to Annual Board member Wallace Cole was gates to Annual Conference, district Conference and the Mission and named as Church of the Brethren repre­ executives, executive staff of the church, Ministry Board. CIR chair Paul Roth sentative to the On Earth Peace delega­ the denominational Leadership Team presented the request "that Standing tion to Israel and Palestine in January. (Annual Conference officers and general secretary), lntercultural Ministry Team, and participants in a Young Adult Forum. Consultant Rick Augsburger of the Konterra Group based in Washington, D.C., is providing assistance for the

The board heard from a recent delegation to China during its October meeting. ~ l Delegation members displayed a large ~rn~ banner that was part of the centennial ~ celebration of medical facilities that have E emerged from the original Brethren ~ mission hospital in Ping Ding, China.

Messenger December 2010 Church of the Brethren general secretary visits White House

Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger was one of the Christian leaders who met with President Barack Obama on Nov. 1. The White House invited the delegation of leaders of denominations connected with the National Council of Churches (NCC) and Church World Service (CWS) in cele­ bration of 100 years of ecumenism in the United States. "What an event! It wasn't just a feel-good meeting, it was substantive," commented Noffsinger in a phone interview fol­ lowing the meeting. "We had a very pastoral visit. There was no partisanship. We were there as people of faith." As the meeting opened, Wesley S. Granberg-Michaelson of the Reformed Church in America read James 3:16-18 as a way of acknowledging a seeming lack of civility as the country deals with issues. At the invitation of the President, the meet­ ing concluded with prayer led by Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt Jr. of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. "We set the stage with scripture and closed with prayer." Stan Noffsinger and other denominational leaders associated with Noffsinger said. Church World Service and the National Council of Churches met with President Barack Obama at the White House on Nov. 1. The Christian leaders thanked President Obama for robust engagement with the faith community, and for passage of concern for the unemployed, those who need health benefits, health reform legislation, while also pressing him to take a those who face violence in their lives." strong stance on behalf of people facing poverty and hunger. Noffsinger was chosen to take part in the delegation as a They urged the President to prioritize a number of issues, member of the executive committee of the NCC, and was one including strengthening the country's fraying safety net; of two leaders representing the peace churches along with extending unemployment benefits as the economy continues Thomas Swain of the Religious Society of Friends, to falter; lifting people out of poverty with a focus on job cre­ Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. ation for those in poverty, job training, and education; Middle The delegation presented the President with a Saint John's East peace; and the US relationship with Cuba, urging the Bible, a framed sampler of statements commemorating 100 President to lift the travel ban from the US to Cuba so that years of ecumenism, and a picture plaque commemorating American-based organizations like Church World Service can the CWS "Feed the Future" initiative. support churches and communities there. At a reception hosted by the Office of Faith-Based Meeting on the eve of the mid-term election, the Christian Initiatives, members of the delegation had an opportunity to leaders also emphasized the need to work together for the meet directors of that office's 12 focus areas. "There was sig­ common good and spoke of the power of churches to lead nificant conversation," said Noffsinger, who had a chance to and break down walls of division. speak with staff related to AmeriCorps, US AID, and the "Almost in every issue we laid on the table he (the Department of Agriculture, regarding Church of the Brethren President) was crisp in his responses, very well thought out," initiatives against hunger and the work of the Brethren Service Noffsinger said. "I was very impressed with his caring for and Center and Brethren Volunteer Service.

Church Yearbook goes to electronic format

The 2010 Yearbook of the Church of the Brethren is now available from Brethren Press in an electronic format on CD. The Yearbook will no longer be available in printed form. "The CD Yearbook is an essential resource for Church of the Brethren information," says a description from Brethren Press. The disc format is searchable, easy to navigate, and contains contact information for congregations, districts, pastors, minis­ ters, moderators, and Church of the Brethren agencies. The disk also includes the previous year's Statistical Report for 2009. In new features made possible by the electronic format, Yearbook information can be downloaded to a personal computer, searchable navigation includes devices such as bookmarks, there are clickable links to other sections of the book or to external websites, the e-mail addresses are clickable, and a "find" tool enables quick searches of the entire listing. Packaging for the CD is friendly to the environment, using vegetable inks and a minimum of 10 percent post-consumer recy­ cled content, as well as a 100 percent recycled tray and the option for the user to only print what is needed on paper. The Yearbook on CD is available from Brethren Press for $21.50, plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712 to order. For more information or questions, contact managing editor James Deaton at 800-323-8039 or [email protected].

Messenger December 2010 Moderator joins Archbishop of Canterbury at Church of North India celebration

Annual Conference moderator Robert lighted candles in their hands, bishops, Alley joined the Archbishop of clergy, laity, and delegates of the church Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and other repeated a pledge of rededication to Christian leaders in October to com­ unity. memorate the 40th anniversary of the "While we celebrate our common Church of North India. unity that is expressed in our common CNI was formed Nov. 29, 1970, by worship and in our common mission six Protestant denominations including towards working among the marginal­ the Church of the Brethren. The 1970 ized and dispossessed, we also recog­ ceremony included Shantilal Bhagat, nize that being a united and uniting Loren Bowman, Joel Thompson, and church implies that we continue to Howard Royer, along with a number of name the sin of disunity among us mission workers representing the even today," stated CNI General Church of the Brethren in the US, and Secretary Alwan Masih, reading out a Bishop lshwarlal L. Christachari of the unity declaration. Indian Brethren was named as one of The Annual Conference moderator the original bishops of CNI serving in was accorded a high level of respect, Gujarat Diocese. Alley said in his report to the Mission Annual Conference moderator Robert The three-hour thanksgiving service and Ministry Board. "It was an honor Alley and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams release a pigeon as part for the 40th anniversary took place Oct. to the Church of the Brethren," Alley of the 40th anniversary celebration of the 14 in Nagpur, central India, and was told the board. Church of North India. attended by two dozen CNI bishops and CNI is the dominant Protestant over 5,000 church members. denomination in northern India with United Church of Northern India. The moderator of CNI, Bishop Purely about 1.3 million members and 3,500 Leading up to the anniversary, Alley Lyngdoh, rededicated a hexagonal unity congregations in 27 dioceses. Its head­ and Jay Wittmeyer, executive director monument erected to commemorate the quarters are in New Delhi. The six of Global Mission Partnerships for the union, with the name of a founding founding members are the Council of Church of the Brethren, participated in member on each side. Alley and Baptist Churches in Northern India, the numerous events in CNI communities Williams then released balloons and Church of the Brethren, the Disciples of with a Brethren heritage and also met pigeons in celebration. The most memo­ Christ, the Church of India (Anglican, with the India Brethren in Ankleshwar rable moment during the service was the formerly known as the Church of India, and the Rural Service Center. Annual lighting of candles by Alley, Williams, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon), the Conference has stressed the value of and Lyngdoh, symbolizing the rededica­ Methodist Church (British and maintaining relationship with both CNI tion of CNI to its uniting mission. With Australasian Conferences), and the and the India Brethren.

PERSONNEL CHANGES Morgan State University; and University Ohio District in a half-time position. Most of Pennsylvania. He is a retired law recently, since September 2006, he has Keith R. Bryan has been named presi­ enforcement officer. He and his family been on the staff of Mennonite Mutual Aid dent/CEO of Fahrney-Keedy Home and live in Westminster, Md. as an agency manager/counselor. He has Village, a Church of the Brethren retire­ Emily Osterhus has begun as advo­ more than 30 years of experience in min­ ment community in Boonsboro, Md. He cacy assistant in the Washington (D.C.) istry, having served several congregations has been at Fahrney-Keedy filling that office of the Church of the Brethren and as pastor, associate pastor, or ~nterim min­ position in an interim role since January. the National Council of Churches, after ister. From October 1996 - June 2003, he Bryan is an accomplished fundraiser and finishing a year of Brethren Volunteer was director of Admissions and Student has extensive expertise in the field. Prior Service with the Capital Area Food Bank. Development at Bethany Theological to starting his own business in 2003, he Born and raised in coastal North Seminary in Richmond, Ind. He holds a worked with nonprofit groups for 13 Carolina, she joined BVS after receiving master of arts in Religion degree from years in leadership roles. He graduated a degree in Political Science and English Eastern Mennonite Seminary, with an from the University of Maryland with a from the University of North Carolina at emphasis in historical and theological bachelor's degree in law enforcement Chapel Hill where she was president of studies, and a bachelor of arts in and sociology, and continued his stud­ the UNC Wesley Campus Ministry. Philosophy and Religion and Business ies at St. Joseph's College in Windham, David D. Shetler begins Jan. 1, 2011, Administration from Bridgewater (Va.) Maine; Pennsylvania State University; as district executive minister for Southern College.

■ Messeogec Decembec 2010 New medical initiative is announced for Haiti

A new Church of the Brethren medical initiative is in the early stages of development for Haiti. Members of the Brethren Disaster Ministries medical team sent to Haiti in March to serve earthquake survivors have UPCOMINGEVENTS been reaching out to others in the denomination with experience in Haiti, in order to develop a more com­ Nov. 28 First Sunday of prehensive approach to medical needs there. Advent The intention for the new initiative is to hire Haitian medical professionals to help develop the Dec. 1 World AIDS Day plan. It will likely begin as a one-year pilot project serving five different communities where Eglise des Dec. 5 Advent Offering Freres Haitiens (the Haitian Church of the Brethren) ,;~ . Emphasis already has a church presence. A new medical initiative is being launched in Haiti by the Church of the Brethren, with help The medical operation will be mobile, operating Dec. 25 Christmas Day from a Brethren medical delegation that served out of the back of a large van or small bus. The there in March, following the earthquake. Shown Jan. 3 Youth/Young same communities will be visited each week, in here, a woman brings her child to see one of the Adult Ministries Haitian physicians at the clinics last spring. order to establish relationships between caregiver , Workcamp registration and patients. Haitian staff, once hired, will be begins at www.brethren.org charged with the task of learning about other medical initiatives in those communities such as clin­ ics, hospitals, or community health organizations, and nurturing mutually beneficial connections to Jan. 10 National Junior existing programs. High Conference The announcement of the new initiative came as Haiti was struggling through an outbreak of cholera, registration begins at and as the island awaited a hit from Hurricane Tomas, noted Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global www.brethren.org Mission Partnerships. At least one member of Eglise des Freres Haitiens has died of cholera. Wittmeyer asked for prayer for those affected by the cholera outbreak, and noted that other ongoing efforts by the Jan. 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Brethren will help support health for the Haitian people such as the building of wells and water collection systems alongside the rebuilding of homes and churches destroyed by the earthquake. Jan. 18 Church of the A Benefit Dinner on Nov. 6 at McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren began the task of raising Brethren Credit Union "seed money" for the initiative. Funds to support the medical initiative in Haiti can be sent to the Board Meeting Emerging Global Mission Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. For more information contact Jeff Boshart at [email protected] or call the Global Mission Partnerships office at 800-323-8039. Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Brethren couple begin teaching in North Korea Jan. 23-30 Brethren Disaster Ministries Classes started Nov. 1 for Robert and Linda teach at the brand new institution. Workcamp in Haiti Shank, Brethren workers who have begun teach­ From Kansas, the Shanks' road to North Korea ing at a new university in the People's Democratic has taken them through a succession of agricul­ Jan. 25 First day of Republic of Korea. The tural assignments in developing coun­ class for spring Pyongyang University of Science tries: Ethiopia, Liberia, Nepal, and semester at Bethany Theological Seminary, and Technology, located at the Belize. Robert Shank holds a doctorate Richmond, Ind. edge of North Korea's capital city, in wheat breeding and has conducted has opened and is in operation. rice research. Linda Shank holds a Jan 30-Feb. 18 A call to prayer for the Shanks master's degree in counseling and Brethren Volunteer was issued by the Church of the learning disabilities. ·f . . Service Winter Unit Brethren's Global Mission They are working in North Korea Robert and Linda Shank Orientation, Gotha, Fla. Partnerships. "Pray that they get under the auspices of Global Mission sorted out in the first months, that they have Partnerships and the Global Food Crisis Fund. good rapport with their students and colleagues Since 1996, the fund has provided grants in North from around the world," said executive director Korea for hunger relief, agricultural development, Jay Wittmeyer. and farm rehabilitation, and currently supports a For the previous several months the couple cluster of farm cooperatives in order to help had been at a sister university in China, preparing North Koreans boost agricultural production and curriculum as they and other faculty got ready to equip their country to avert periodic famine.

Messenger December 2010 ■ Something never seen before

,i\,/ou 're about t o see something you ain't never again. Penny's father dies, and Penny is saddled with a $6 I ~ven seen before." This is the tagline of the movie million inheritance tax. A competitor offers her $7 million for Secretariat. They might well have added, "You're going to Secretariat. Penny's brother and her husband urge her to like what you see." Secretariat is the story of perhaps the take it, but she declines. greatest racehorse of all time, but even more, the story of In his first race as a three-year-old, Secretariat places t hird Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), the horse's owner. in a race he should have won. He has always had an aw k­ The movie opens with a long quote from Job 39, where ward style. He is late leaving the gate and pulls ahead only at God is speaking to Job: "Do you give the horse his strength the end of the race. Perhaps he is unfit for the tougher com­ or clothe his neck with thunder? He petition of three-year-olds. But Penny does not give up. She KEITH A. NONEMAKER paws fiercely, rejoicing in his recognizes the fighting spirit of the stallion. She has faith in strength, and charges into the Secretariat, and is just as stubborn as he is. Ultimately, she fray. He laughs at fea r, afraid of nothing. In frenzied excite­ learns that the loss was caused by a painful abscess. ment he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the One day, Penny sees the groom washing the horse while trumpet sounds." The biblical story of Job is the story of a singing, "Oh happy day, when Jesus washed my sins man who had everything and then lost everything. Job's away. He taught me how to watch and pray and live rejoic­ "friends" encouraged him to curse God and die, but his faith ing every day." This restores her hope, and with daily rejoic­ remained steadfast. In the end, his faith was rewarded as he ing, they nurse the horse back to full health. They set their received double from the Lord. sights on the elusive Triple Crown. Penny Chenery's story is similar to Job's. She is a well-to-do Penny's faith in Secretariat pays big dividends when he suburban housewife. Then her life is turned upside down by wins the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, both in the death of her mother. Her father is incapacitated, and so it record time. But the Belmont is a different kind of race. Most racehorses have either speed or endurance but not both. Secretariat had II • • WHAT THIS STORY GIVES us IS A SENSE THAT speed, but did he have THERE ARE CAPABILITIES IN EACH OF US THAT ARE the endurance for the 1 BEYOND WHAT WE THINK WE CAN HAVE. ' much longer Belmont Stakes? Indeed he did. He won it by 31 falls upon Penny to run the family ranch, which is doing poorly lengths, a record that has never been approached before o r due to a crooked manager, whom she fires. The only hope for since. It remains the fastest 11 /2-mile race ever run. the ranch is to find an excellent horse and a team to work with Director Randall Wallace says " .. . what this story gives us is him. She hires a wiry jockey, Ronnie Turcotte, (Otto Thorwarth), a sense that there are capabilities in each of us that are beyond and a t rainer, Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich). The only thing what we think we can have." He conveys the message by start­ more colorful than Lucien's clothes is his personality. ing with a remarkable true story told accurately. You know from As for the horse, Chenery's best hope is to win a sched­ the outset how the movie will end, yet you find yourself hold­ uled coin toss, which will divide two not-yet-born horses ing your breath through each critical scene. The characters are between her and a competing ranch. She loses the toss, but complex-it's hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys at ends up getting the horse she would have chosen first. Added to that is exceptional close-up and high-speed cam­ anyway. When the foal is born, he stands to his feet almost era work that puts you right in the center of the action. The immediately, to everyone's amazement. They call him Big result is one of the best feel-good movies in a long time. n! Red, but his official name is Secretariat. Keith Nonemaker and his wife Beth are ordained mini sters who have pastored in Rio As a two-year-old, Secretariat wins seven races and is Prieto, Puerto Ri co, and East Los Angeles, Calif. Keith has also w orked as a teach er. named horse of the year. Then disaster strikes He has contributed to Brethren Li fe and Thought and The Brethren Encyclopedia.

Messenger December 2010 ONCAMPUS Bridgewater College (Bridgewater, Va.) Mennonite dramatist Ted Swartz pre­ sented "The Big Story" for Bridgewater's Fall Spiritual Focus on Oct. 28 .. . G. Steven Agee, a judge on the Fourth Circuit of the US Court of Appeals, received the Distinguished Alumni Award Nov. 4 at the annual President's Dinner... . Gary Telgenhoff, a forensic scientist and consultant to the TV show " CSI," spoke at Bridgewater on Oct. 14.

Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pa.) E. Fletcher McClellan has been named dean of faculty, replacing Christina Bucher, who returns to a position as professor of religious studies .... WGAL-TV 8 recently featured Elizabethtown's partnership with Somat Company of Lancaster, Pa., and Mount Joy (Pa.) farmer Mike Brubaker, which turns food waste from the col­ lege's dining facilities into electricity.

Juniata College (Huntingdon, Pa.) Nationally known scientist Edith Widder, who received a MacArthur "genius" grant for her work on deep ocean ecosystem protection and con­ servation, spoke at Juniata on Nov. 16. On Nov. 8, Elizabethtown College president Ted Long lectured on "Educating for Global Citizenship."

University of La Verne (La Verne, Calif.) The school reported a record under­ graduate enrollment of at least 1,875 Bits and pieces students this fall, up 23 percent from a year earlier. ... La Verne followed up • The "Brethren Voices" community cable show of Portland (Ore.) Peace its opening convocation on Sept. 2 Church of the Brethren in September carried an interview with Kay Guyer, with a free picnic lunch for the entire a Manchester College (North Manchester, Ind.) sophomore from campus community in Sneaky Park. Woodbury, Pa., and a member of the 2009-2010 Church of the Brethren Manchester College National Youth Cabinet. Guyer spent part of the summer working with On (North Manchester, Ind. ) Earth Peace in Oregon. In October, the show featured Brethren band The number of first-year Brethren stu­ Mutual Kumquat. dents on campus is up for the first • The video and brochures for the 2011 Church of the Brethren time in at least five years .... A dedica­ youth/young adult workcamps are now available. This year's workcamp tion during homecoming on Oct. 23 theme is "We Are the Body," from 1 Corinthians 12. The video, along with celebrated the recent $1.5 million other information, is available at www.brethren.org/workcamps, from dis­ addition to the Physical Education and trict offices, or by calling the workcamp office at 800-323-8039. More than Recreation Center (PERC). 30 junior high, senior high, and young adult workcamps are being planned. McPherson College (McPherson, Kan.) Registration opens Jan. 3. McPherson hit a total of 622 full-time • Assistant workcamp coordinators are being sought for the 2012 students this fall, its highest total in 40 Church of the Brethren workcamp season. Interested young adults should years . ... Paul Neher, Wylene Gaeddert visit www.brethren.org/workcamps, e-mail [email protected], Lengel, and Becky Ullom were the or call 800-323-8039. recipients of this year's McPherson • Applications for the 2011 Youth Peace Travel Team are being Young Alumni Awards. Neher is a accepted through Jan. 19. The team of young adults ages 19-22, sponsored member of Ivester Church of the by several denominational organizations, travels to camps and conferences Brethren in Iowa, and Ullom is direc­ tor of Youth/Young Adult Ministry for around the country each summer to provide leadership in faith and peace the Church of the Brethren. education. Applications are available at www.brethren.org/youth.

Messenger December 2010 ■ Listed on these pages are AUTHORS HOLLENBERG, AUDREY MONTGOMERY, CHRISTOPHER J. "IN TOUCH" articles, editorials, columns, Ordinary love, extraordinary Finding God in the fringes ..... 11-6 God ...... 6-6 CONTRIBUTORS and opinion letters that have MORCKEL, MEREDITH appeared in M ESS ENGER dur­ ALLEY, ROBERT E. HOLLENBERG, KEITH E. The firefly ...... 12-12 Baker, Sh irley ...... 1/2-4 Annual Conference 101 yea rs Th e images of worshi p .... 3-16 ing 2010. They are classified ago ...... 6-14 NEFF, BOB Boettner, We ndy J ...... 1-4 in five groups: authors, In HUGG, MATTHEW God's way in wisdom 's path Bowman, Da le ...... 4-4 BORGMANN, KURT The Lord's Casse l in Africa .... .4-14 Touch contributors, letters to .....1 / 2-18, 3-18, 4-18, 5-18, 6-18, Flora, Dav e ...... 3-5 On a mission ...... 1-6 Kettering, Gimbiya ...... 3-4 the editor, congregations, JOHANSEN, ROBERT C. 7 / 8-18, 9-18, 10-6, 11-18, 12-18 Mye rs, Jean ...... 5-3 BOWMAN, CAROL Specia l Response : and subjects. Nu mbers fol­ NONEMAKER, KEITH A. Schan k, Nancy Bullock ...... 10-3 Retreat focu ses on environmental Ca n we agree? ...... 12-16 lowing the listi ngs indicate stewardship ...... 4-22 Something never seen before .12-24 Shaver, Janet ...... 3-3 month and page number, JOHNSON,ROY BOWMAN, KAREN DOSS Growing the church through PFAFF, BRIAN w ith 1/2 and 7/8 represent­ Keepi ng the co nnection ...... 3-8 joyful wo rsh ip ...... 4-16 Retreat foc uses on en vi ronmental ing the combined Embracing God's ca ll : profile stewa rd ship ...... 4-22 LETTERS TO KEENER, RONALD E. January/February and of AC moderator Shawn Flory THE EDITOR Replogle...... 6-8 Th e marks of a thriving denomina- RADCLIFF, DAVID July/August issues. tion ...... 5-16 What wou ld Jesus do or 8aliles, Herma n ...... 10-30 BOYER, CHARLES wou ld he? ...... 7 / 8-9 Specia l Response : What's ahead KETTERING, GIMB IYA Bollinger, John C...... 6-28 for the Church of the Intercultural consultation: RAMIREZ, FRANK Dubbl e, Cu rtis W ...... 9-27 Brethren? ... .9-16 dive rsity in ha rmony ...... 6-20 Israel Poulson Sr.: breaking the Dulabaum, Willard E...... 1-28 mo ld ...... 1-16 Eberly, Wi lliam R ...... 5-31 LI, RUOXIA BOYER,SUSAN 'Sta r Trek': changes and Ei ke nberry, Beverly ...... 12- 28 Being Brethren on the A heritage and a hom e ...... 1-8 choices ...... 3-26 Gibney, Clay ...... 11 -29 4th of July...... 7 /8-13 Grandison, Tami ...... 3-28 MAHONEY, RICHARD D. Alice in Wonderland-a pecu liar Harding, Bill ...... 4-30 BROCKWAY, JOSHUA Jacob Martin Zuck and t he found- people with no intention to ing of Juniata College ...... 5-12 Heigel, Greg ...... 1 2-28 A look at sc riptural authority ... 5-8 conform? ...... 7 / 8-24 Herder, Rebecca ...... 11-31 Encounters with the Hol y-A Antietam Meetinghouse-old Bibles McFADDEN , WEND Y Hiler, Richard B ...... 9-30 Conversationa l Model for From the pub lisher...... 1/2 -2, 3-2, and radical compa ss ion ...... 11 -8 Worship Planning ...... 10-25 Ho, Esther Mohler ...... 1-27, 9-26 ...... 4-2, 5-2, 6-2, 7 / 8-2, Will we choose to fail or fail to Huber, Edward ...... 9-29, 12-28 ..... 9-2, 10-2, 11-2, 12-2 CARTER, JEFF succee d? ...... 11-24 Long, David W ...... 3-28 AC 2010 speci al res ponse : dealing Mason, Dorotha Fry ...... 11-31 McNEIL, DANA REPLOGLE, SHAWN FLORY with co ntroversy...... 6-13 McKinnon, Marie ...... 3-28 Experi ences and expectations .. 9-6 Bridging th e gaps ...... 7 / 8-6 Micha el, Ma rianne K ...... 5-28 DAVIES, JEANNE MCKEEVER, MICHAEL Miller, Byron ...... 3-30 Peacemaking and the stories we REYNOLDS, PHIL 'Avatar': Ameri ca n monomyth ..4-26 Miller, Howa rd ...... 9-29 tell ...... 3-7 Brethren bloggers ...... 5-6 Mitchell, Glenn ...... 11-28 MICHEL, JUAN ROSENBERGER, MARY SUE Mitchell, Olden ...... 5-28 DECOURSEY, AUDREY Ca n theology help curb climate Karen Armstrong' s Case Conversation at Antietam ...... 11-9 change?...... 4-13 Miller, Howard ...... 4 -30 for God ...... 6-24 Nonemaker, Beth Holmes ...... 4-27 RUETHER, ROSEMARY RADFORD MILLER, DAVID W. Ow en, Steven D...... 9-27 EBERLY, WILLIAM R. Shalom: the biblical vision of Tear down this wa ll! ...... 1-12 Parmley, Max ...... 12-28 Brethren forbearance ...... 12-6 ecojustice ...... 12 -8 Postma, Joel ...... 1-29 MILLER, RANDY FARAHAT,SARAH Quintrell, Pamie ...... 10 -29 Editoria l: Training wheels ...... 4-32 SPEICHER, ANNA To the land of Oz and back Royer, Pat ...... 9-27 Editorial: Where have Reflections on health and again ...... 6 -26 Scott, Jeffrey D ...... 7 /8-29 we been? ...... 5-32 spirituality...... 5-26 Shafer, Mark ...... 11-27 FUCHS, BECKY Editori al: Tra pped in San STEURY, MARK FLORY Sollenberger, Elaine ...... 1-30 Mountville yo uth relish an oppor- Francisco? ...... 6-32 Vital Congregations...... 4-6 Sutton, Wayne ...... 4-30 tunity to serve ...... 10-26 Editoria l: What would Huck do? Wakeman, Gary J ...... 9-27 ...... 7 / 8-32 TUTEN, JIM GIBBLE, KEN Wa lker, Phil ip ...... 11-29 Editorial: How many bridges Behind the hymn: beyo nd 'The Help': powerful voices .....1 /2-26 Waterman, Jerry ...... 7 /8-26 do we have? ...... 9-32 a dying sun ...... 11 -16 Saving Christians and other Whitten, Dav e ...... 3-29 Editori al: When we are at our wretches ...... 11 -14 Young , Joan and David ...... 7 /8-27 best ...... 10-32 WALTERSDORFF, CHRISTY J. Entry room ...... 12-14 Editorial : Leaf-falls from the Th e writing life ...... 11-12 family tree ...... 11-32 GRADY, DUANE WILTSCHEK, WALT CONGREGATIONS God 's abundance ...... 1-20 Editorial: Missing th e markers ..12- 32 Editorial: Worth a second GREINER, VERNNE MITCHELL, GLENN look ...... 1 /2-32 Altoona First (Pa.) ...... 6-4 Enoug h: why the world's poorest Connecting to Celtic New De lmarva minist ry is Antioch (Rocky Mount, Va .) ..... 9-3 starve in an age of plenty .. 5-24 Ch ri stianity...... 4-8 'locked in' ...... 3-25 Arlington (Va .) ...... 4-5 Edi tori al : Dashing off ...... 3-32 HARRISON, RYAN MONN, NADINE Bermudian (Ea st Berlin, Pa.) Inception: dreams and a lingering I ntercu ltural consultation: diversi- Manchester hon ors a ...... 12-3 , 12-4 itch ...... 9-24 ty in harmony ...... 6-20 wo rld-changer ...... 7 / 8-16 Black Valley Federated

Messenger December 2010 Brethren/Christian (Everett, Pa.) Miami First (Fl a. ) ...... 6-20, 11-5 Williamson Road Church of the Br ethren 2010 Conference ...... 3-8 ...... 12-4 Middlebury (Ind.) ...... 11-5 (Roanoke, Va.) ...... 5-3 Yearbook ...... 12-20 National Yo uth Conference 2010 Boise Valley (Idaho) ...... 11-3 Midland (Va.) .. ·······6-20, 11-3 Windfall (Ind.) ...... 12-3 Church Wo rld Service ········3-25, 4-25 , 5-25, 6-8, Boones Chapel/Snow Creek Mi ll Creek (Port Republic, Va.)3-10 Wood worth (Youngstown, Pa.) ... 3-5 ...... 5-22, 7 /8-20, 10-4 ...... 6-25, 7 /8-25, 9-21, Civilian Public Service ... .7 /8-17, 9-5 (Pen hook, Va .) ...... 7 /8-5, 11-5 Modesto (Calif.)...... 4-4, 5-3 York Center (Lombard, Ill.) ... 11-3 ··················· .... 9-25, 10-2, 10-9 Bridgewater (Va.) ... 11-3 Mon itor York First (Pa.) ...... 7/8-3 COBYS Family Services ...... 4-5 New Commu nity Project ...... 7 /8-9 Broadwater (Essex, Mo .) ...... 3-3 (McPherson , Kan.) ..1 -3, 11-4 Community service ...... 1- 3 Nigeria...... 3-21, 4-21 Davi es, Jeanne .7 /8-4 Cape Coral (Fla.) ...... 6-3 Mount Bethel Noffsinger, Stan ...... 5-21, 6-21, Chambersburg (Pa.) ...... 5-3 (Eagle Rock , Va.) .... .7 /8-5, 11-5 Day of Prayer for Peace ....1-4, 11-20 ... 6-22, 9-15, 11-21, 12-20 Mount Herm on (Bassett, Va.) .. .4-5 SUBJECTS Decade to Overcome Violence ... 9-7 Christ the Servant (Cape Coral , North Korea ...... 12-23 Fla .)...... 1-3 Mountain View (Boise, Idaho) 12-4 Douglas, Scott...... 7 /8-22 On Earth Peace ...... 3-4, 6-26, 9-4, Ci ncinna ti (Ohio)...... 9-4 Mountville (Pa.) ...... 10-26 African Inland Church ...... 5-21 Dulabaum, Nevin ...... 7 /8-22 ..... 9-5, 9-23, 11-20, 11-23, 12-25 Clover Creek (P a.) ...... 7 / 8-5 Neighborhood Alice in Wonderland ...... 7 / 8-24 Ecojustice ...... 12-8 Outdoor Ministries Codorus (Loganville, Pa .) (Montgomery, Ill.) .... .7 /8-23 Alley, Robert ...... 9-11, 10-27 Eglise des Freres Haitiens conference ...... 1-21 ... .5-3, 6-25, 9-3 New Carlisle (Ohio) ...... 3-3 , 7 /8-3 American Samoa .... .4-20 (Haiti) . . .. .7 /8-20 Pakistan ...... 3-4 Comm unity (Twin Falls, Idaho) 3-3 Newton (Kan .)...... 11 -3 Annual Conference 2010 Ekklesiyar Yan 1uwa a Pakistan flood relief .... .9-22, 11-3 Creekside (Elkhart, Ind.) ...... 3-3 Newville (Pa.) ..... ··········5-3 ...... 1-21, 4-24, 6-8, 6-10, 6-12, Nigeria ...... 11-20 Patriotism ...... 7 /8-13 Danvil le (Va.) ...... 3-3 Nokesvi lle (Va.)...... 9-4 ...... 6-13, 7/8-13, 9-8, 10-27 El Salvador ... .7 /8-11 Dayton (Va.) ...... 1-3, 5-3, 9-11 North Liberty (Ind.) ...... 6-3 Archbishop of Canterbury ....12-20 Emergency Disaster Fund ..... 1-22, Peacemaking ...... 7 / 8-29, 12-6 Douglas Pa rk (Chicago, Ill.) ... 11-5 North Winona (Warsaw, Ind.) .. 4-4 Arizona's immigration law ... .. 6-21 7 / 8-20, 9-5, 9-22, 11-20 Ping Ting Mission Hospital ...... 9-5 East Chippewa (Orrville, Oh io)6-25 Oakton (Va.)...... 10 -27 Avatar...... 4-26 Engle, Steve ...... 11-16 Pittsburgh, Pa ...... 9-8 Eaton (Ohio) ...... 7 /8-3 Olympic View (Seattle, Wash.) .. 12-3 Beanie Babies ...... 7 /8-4 Environmental stewardship ... 4-22 Poulson Sr., Israel ...... 1-16 Eel River Community Panther Creek (Adel, Iowa) .7 /8-3 Bethany The ologica l Seminary Fellowship of Brethren Homes5-20 Reconciliation. .... 1-12 (Silver Lake , Ind.) ...... 5-3 Park way (Blue Ridge ...... 1-24, 5-20, 5-22, 7 /8-21, Flood relief ...... 5-4 Roxbury, Alan...... 5-20 Eng lish River (South English , Iowa) Parkway, Va.) ...... 4-4 ...... 9-5, 9-16, 10-28 Foods Resource Bank .... 1-25, 11-4 Replogle, Shawn Flory ...... 6-8 Slogging ...... 5-6 11-5 Peace Valley (Mo .) ...... 6-3 Gish, Art ...... 9-20, 11-5 Schrock, Jan West...... 7 /8-6 Boyer, Charles .... 10-5 Global Mission Partnerships Erwin First (Tenn.) ...... 7 /8-5, 11 -5 Peoria First (Ill.) ...... 7 /8-3 Scriptural authority ...... 5-8 Everett (Pa.) ... ..6-3, 10-3 Portland Peace (Ore .) .... 5-3, 12-25 Bread for the World ...... 11-7 .. 5-21, 12-23 Seagoing cowboys ...... 7 /8-17 Fe ll owship of Christ Ridgeway Community Brethren Academy for God's abundance ...... 1-20 Selective Service System .... 11-21 (Fremont, Ca.)...... 1-3 (Harrisonburg, Pa.) ...... 1-3 Ministerial Leadership ...... 5-20 Gross, Bob ...... 6-26 Shaffer, Ken ...... 6-23, 12-5 First Central Roann (Ind.) ...... 10 -3 Brethren Action Mo ve ment... .. 12-6 Guatemala ...... 12 -12 Shank, Robert and Linda ...... 12-23 (Kansas City, Kan .) ...... 5-3, 11-3 Roanoke (Va.) ...... 9-11 Brethren Benefit Trust..3-21, 3-23, Gun violence ...... 7 /8-22, 9-14 Smeltzer, Mary Blocher ...... 9-3 Flint (Mich.) ...... 7 / 8-4 Rockford Community (Ill.) ..... 6-20 ...... 7/8-22, 9-22, 10-27, 11-23 Haiti earthquake ...... 3-22, 6-3, Sojourners...... 5-21 Florence Brethren/Mennonite Sabetha (Kansas) .10-4 Brethren Digital Archives ...... 7 /8-20, 9-15, 10-4, 12-23 (Constantine, Mich.). . .. 12-3 Sa lem (Englewood , Ohio) ... .4-3 ...... 11-2, 11-21 Haiti workca mp ...... 7 /8-4 Solar array ...... 9-3 Florin (Mount Joy, Pa.) ...... 10-3 Sam 's Creek Brethren Disaster Ministries Harvey, Tim ...... 9-11 Song and Story Fest...... 4-21 Freeport (Ill.) ...... 1-3 (New Windsor, Md. ) ...... 11-5 .. 3-4, 3-22, 4-22, 7 / 8-20, 11-20 Health and spirituality ...... 5-26 Special Response Process ..... 6-13, Germantown Schoolfield (Danville, Va.) ...... 3-3 Brethren in China ...... 1- 8 Heifer International . .7 /8-16, 11-7 ...... 7 /8-6, 9-16, 12-16 (Philadelphia, Pa.) ...... 4-5 Shady Grove Brethren Foundation ...... 9-5 Historic peace churches 4-22, 11-5 Star Trek ...... 3-26 Glendora (Calif.) ...... 7 /8-5 (Brandonville, W.Va.) ...... 7 /8-4 Brethren Historica l Library an d Honduras relief ...... 5-21 Stoltzfus, Gene ...... 5-23 Archives ...... 6-23, 11-2, Goshen (Ind.). . .. .11-3 Shiloh (Kasson, W. Va.) ... 3-5, 6-4, Intercultural Con su ltation and Story Barn Project...... 12-3 11-5, 12-4 ...... 11-21, 11-22, 12-5 Growi ng Martin Creek Celebration ...... 6-20 Sudan relief ...... 5-21 (Gell, Ill.) ...... 1 -3 Shippensburg (Pa.) ...... 1-4 Brethren Peace Fellowship ..... 12-6 International Da y of Prayer for Switzer, Jo Young .... .7 /8-16, 12-5 Hap py Corner Skyridge (Ka lamazoo, Mich.) Brethren Revival Fellowship Peace...... 3-4 The Christian Century ...... 7 /8-21 (Clayton, Ohio) ...... 7 /8-23 ...... 9-4, 11-3 ...... 3-12, 7 /8-26 , 12-6 Juniata College...... 5-12 Thomasson, Kerman ...... 10-2 Harrisburg First (Pa.) ...... 9-23 Snake Sp ring Va lley Brethren Village ...... 4-5 Kids as Peacemakers ...... 9-4 Torture ...... 9-23 Hempfield, (Manheim, Pa.) ... . (Everett, Pa.) ...... 1-5 Brethren Volunteer Service Kline, John ...... 7 /8-14, 11-11 Ullom, Becky ...... 9-21, 10-23 Hutchinson Community South Waterloo (Iowa) ...... 9-3 .....1-22, 1-23, 4-23, 6-21, 6-22, ...... 6-4, 9-23 (Kan.)...... 1-3, 11-4 Springfield First (Ill.). ..5-3, 12-3 ..... 9-4, 9-16, 9-20, 11-22 Koch, Florian...... 6-21 Vital Pastors program ...... 1-24 Ivester (Grundy Center, Iowa ) Spring Run Brethren Service Center Lewis , John...... 11-9 Water filtration system ...... 3-3 ...... 7/8-17, 9-5 ·······1-25, 5-3 (McVeytown, Pa.)...... 7 / 8-25 Lybrook Ministries. . ... 6-22 Wa llis, Jim ...... 5-21 Ivy Farms Staunton (Va .) .... 11-3 Bridgewater College ...... 3-23 Manchester College . .7 /8-16, 9-16 Webinar series ...... 5-20 (Newport News, Va.)...... 10-3 Sto ne (Huntingdon, Pa.) ..... 1-5 Bro wn, Ken ...... 12-5 Marty, Martin ...... 7 /8-21 West Africa...... 4-14 Brumbaug h, John ... . 5-12 Kingsley (Iowa) ...... 10-3 Stover Memorial McFadden, Dan ...... 6-21, 11-21 West, Dan ...... 7 /8-16 Building Sid e Doors ...... 718-5 Kokomo (Ind.)...... 6-4 (Des Moines, Iowa) ...... 4-3 McPherson College...... 12-4 West, Larry ...... 7 / 8-16 Sunnyslope/UCC Cedar Rapids flood relief...... 5-22 Lancaster (Pa.) ... 5-4 Medema , Ken ...... 10-26 White House visit...... 12-20 La Verne (Calif.) ...... 3-3, 3-5 (Wenatchee, Wash.) ...... 1 -3 Children's Disaster Services ... 9-22 Middle East ...6-26 Wittmeyer, Jay ... .5-21, 9-15, 11-21 Lititz (Pa .) .... 3-5 Sunrise (Harrisonburg, Va .) .. .. 6-22 Christian Broadcasting Network Ministry of Reconciliation ... .4-5, 9-5 Workcamps ...... 7 /8-4 , 7 /8-25, Little Swatara , (Bethel, Pa.) ... .. 5-3 Toledo Heatherdowns ...... 4-14 Modern-day slavery...... 5-4 .. 9-25, 11-25, 12-25 (Ohio) ...... 7 /8-23 Lower Deer Creek Christian Citizenship Semina r .... 5-4 Mumma Meeting House . .11-8 World Council of Chu rches ...... 4-8 Trotwood (Ohio) ...... 11-5 (Camden, Ind.) ...... 1-3 Christian Peacemaker Teams National Council of Churches Worship ...... 4-16 Manchester (North Manchester, Twi n Falls Community (Idaho) .4-3 ..... 5-23, 6-26, 9-20 ...... 3-24, 6-21, 6-22, 7 /8-22, Worship images ...... 3-16 Ind.) ...... 4-3, 11-5 Un ion Bridge (Md.) ...... 4-3 Christians in Iraq ...... 6-23 ...... 10-27, 12-21 Yea rb ook ...... 12-21 Maple Spring (Eglon, W.Va.) .... 5-3 University Park (Md.) ...... 9-3 Ci vi l War ...... 11-8 National Junior High Conferen ce .. McPherson (Kan.) ...... 1-3, 7 /8-5, Wabash (Ind.) ...... 5-5 Congregational Life Mi nistries5-20 ...... 6-25, 9-25, 10-26, 11-25 Youth Peace Travel Te am, 2010 .9-5, 11-4 Waterside (Woodbury, Pa .) ...... 1-5 Covenant for Civility ...... 5-21 National Older Adult ·········5-25, 12-25 Mecha nic Grove Westminster (Md.) ...... 3-4, 10-27 Church growth...... 5-16 Conference ...... 6-22 Zigler, M.R...... 7 / 8-17 (Quarryvi lle, Pa.) ············3-4 Williamsburg (Pa.) ...... 1-4 Church of North India ...... 12-20 National Young Adult Zuck, Jacob Martin ...... 5-12

Messenger December 2010 ■ You already belong here

When I read the beautiful pictorial essay about NYC (October M ESSEN GER), my heart rejoiced, especially when I read the quote from Angie Lahman Yoder: "No matter where you are in the process of believing, you already belong here." Could it be that today's Church of the Brethren is so wel­ A Dunker Guide to the Bible coming? Then I read in the same issue a Drawing from the best and the brightest Church of the letter from Claysburg, Pa. , quoting scrip­ Brethren biblical teac hers; this guide is the perfect tool ture in favor of casting out a st aff member for building a basic understanding of the Bible. for his view on scriptural authority. 1651 ...... $15.95 Having missed reading the May issue of MESSE NGER, I immediately read the article A Dunker Guide to Brethren History that had offended the writer of the letter to A re lational approach to Brethren history. This guide the point of strongly suggesting that the offers a unique perspective into the lives of the peo­ author leave the Church of the Brethren and ple who shaped Church of the Brethren history and "visit another church." Obviously, the letter teac hes us to be more attentive to our own story. seemed to imply, here was an example of 1652 ...... $12.95 someone who did not "belong here. " Here was someone who was not worthy of strug­ gling along the Christian journey within the context of the Church of the Brethren. f/"J~~~ I read the article, which in essence pro­ claimed t he wisdom of studying the scrip­ www.brethrenpress.com • 800-441-3712 Brethren Press· "'' tures with others, even those who m ight disagree. I read that it is possible that the texts can be "opened" through the process of sharing our readings with one BE MORE THAN A TOURIST another. Above all, the article said that scriptures are to be read and studied in community. 2011 TOURS ALASKA CRUISE TOUR (June 7 - 18) Mr. Brockway, I want you to belong, to !CELANO COUNTRY TOUR (J un e 13 - 22 ) THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST be a part of the congregation where I wor­ & THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Ja nuary 6 · 16) EUROPEAN HERITAGE WITH JOHN RUTH (J une 23 - July 6) ship, and to be a member of the study JAMAICA - ITS PEOPLE, NATURAL BEAUTY & FRUITS WILLIAM PENN , THE POETS & MORE ... groups I attend. I need to read with you (ENGLAND & SCOTLAND) (July 22 · August 4) (Ja nuary 28 -February 6) and with the pastor from Claysburg. We MENNONITE STORY IN POLAND (August 9-1 7) CHURCHES & SAFARIS IN KENYA &TANZANIA must struggle together to hear the scrip­ (F eb ruary 7 - 18) VISIT UKRAINE WITH EDGAR STOESZ (September 19 · 28) tures anchoring our lives day by day. PANAMA CANAL CRUISE TOUR (February 23 - March 5) A PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL (September 20 · 30) M ax Parmley EXPLORE SOUTH AMERICA (Ma rch 20 · April 2) EXPERIENCE IRELANO WITH THE LEDERACHS Chicago, Ill. MEDA IN MOROCCO (March 25 · April 5) (September 22 -October 3) ISRAEI/PALESTI NE FROM NAZARETH TO ROME (November l O- 22) WITH PASTOR JAMIE GERBER (April 27 -May 6) BEHIND THE VEIL-EXPERIENCING EGYPT WITH MEDA Are only the righteous welcome? EXPLORE THE WORLD OF PAUL (November 14 • 26 ) WITH TOM YODER NEUFELD (May 4 · 20) There are more than 34,000 denominations LEGENDARY RHINE & MOSELLE RIVER CRUISE (May 11 · 24 ) 2012 TOU RS of Christians, probably more since I started AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND (February 3 -23) this sentence. In light of the fact .that each TOUR TO GUATEMALA (Februa ry 24 -Morch 4) of us thinks our beliefs are correct, human­ MEXICO & ITS COPPER CANYON (March 9 - 18) ity has an uphill battle for tolerance. Let us FOLLOWING THE STEPS OF MOSES (Ap ril 16 - 27) pray long before judging another's beliefs, GLORY OF RUSSIA: MOSCOW TO ST. PETERSBURG (July 3 -13) realizing that the log in our own eye often prevents us from seeing clearly to remove "Building bridges among Mennonites and other Christians and faiths around the world through custom-designed travel." the toothpick from the eye of another. In my opinion, a backlash against religion CALL 1-800-565-0451 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR TOUR results when non-believers see churches as E-M AIL: [email protected] WEB : www.lourmoginolion.com being a club with only the "righteous" wel­ 9 Willow Street, Waterloo, ON N2J 1V6 Con odo Re g. #500 14322 2308 Wood Street, Lancaster, PA17 603 USA come. This view of the Christian church is common among the non-religious. I like to

Messenger December 2010 But although an adulterous relation­ each other from a lonely, unhappy life, ''when Jesus said lose ship between a man and a woman has when they adopt children and rescue yourselves and follow always been considered a sin, how in them from being tossed into imperson­ God's name have we so easily come to al orphanages-they are not sinning, me, maybe that means the conclusion that when unmarried but are in fact living out the will of a gays or lesbians enter into a relation­ gracious God whose son said, the first go from person to ship of love with one another, that this commandment is to love. French writer is equally a sin? I have come to believe Albert Camus said "We don't have to person, standing in that when partners in a same-sex rela­ wait for God's last judgment upon us. It their shoes, until you tionship care for one another, when takes place every day." And so it does, they support one another through Brother Herman. And so it does. have lost your shoes tough times and become productive cit­ Edward Huber izens of our society, when they save Ph iladelphia , Pa. and spend all your time in bare feet.'' i:._~ Pontius' Puddle think that the Church of the Brethren's quiet HOW lAN I ~Ir M.AVSE' '/OU COOL{) REl'<\11-it> '/001<· ~oLP. l.'ve ::ros, G-AA1EFUI.. TI-\\S ~ELF ·n-v,.:r 00~ STF-.~01>..RI> 01= BE"EJ,.I Wl-\~1-lt.!) BY nurturing, which Randy Miller put so beauti­ HOLtoi:-.y SEASON L\'/IN(:r IS srn.L 1-llCrl-\ER "'\l-\Pll-1 Tl-\l:i rlME. l..lNE fully in his [October] editorial, remains one WI\Et.J OUR ECONOI'<\ V q()°7o OF ALL ?£0Pl..E ON Ei6-~"t"l-\ 1 @.ETwEE\.l t:r~~ilfODE of the places where people of all kinds are IS t\J St\At-'\BLE"S < 'fAAi A F()\)'R."'1'1-\ Of A.LL I-\Ut-\~t-1,"t"j Al-JD C,.l)IL1 I, 1..1\/E" Wlil-\OO.,.­ welcomed. E:.LEC.'tRIC. \'f'(. Ai.It> Draft a letter to the author of a writing \,4 fJ\ILLION 01£ that has disturbed you, or invite the person EA_C..i-\ YEA.R FOR.. whose lifestyle is hard for you to accept for Lf\C.K O~ S!>-f"E O~INK.\1-1& WATE.R\ supper at your house. Remember Jesus saying to forgive a person 70 times seven. What does that mean? Once we realize we are no better than the worst type of person we can imagine, we get a tiny glimpse of the power of love that Christ tried to teach humanity. This truth of Christ is not so much a religion as it is a recognition that a life of love is ultimately the strongest. When Jesus said lose yourselves and follow me, maybe that means go from person to per­ son, standing in their shoes, until you have lost your shoes and spend all your time in bare feet, hoping the person you disagree with will wash them. Discern your call at Greg Heigel Lancaster, Pa. Eastern Mennonite Seminary

Living out God's will ► An ecumenical community of adult learners ► More than half of faculty have pastoral experience Herman Babliles, in his attempt to enlighten ► 70% of faculty have significant cross-cultural ministry experience us on the homosexual issue, (October ► Peace and conflict transformation emphasis MESSENGER Letters) makes the rather ques­ tionable assumption that if two men (or ► A place to grow spiritually women) love one another and enter into a loving relationship, this would clearly be a sin which Jesus condemns and which we in the church should also condemn unless the "sin­ ners" repent by ending the relationship and become good, moral Christians. He backs up his answer to the popular question "What would Jesus do?" with the words of our Lord, "Go and sin no more."

Messenger December 2010 ■ We are all sexual beings man I had dated in high school? Is a thought came to me that felt like homosexuality a choice? If we accept divine revelation. Here it is: My children were born in the 1970s. I homosexuality as normal, will it just be We are all sexual beings. Sexual sin is was constantly looking for guidance in easier to relate only to our own gender? when our behavior as sexual beings is raising my children. What I believed I was grateful when my congrega­ abusive and destructive. I believe God and what I said to them had great tion decided to go learn more about intends for us to live in loving, commit­ power. Parenting is a humbling experi­ homosexuality. Extensive Bible study ted relationships. Sex is simply a part of ence for me. I was, and still am, a and hearing personal stories were part that love and commitment. When prayerful parent. of the process. Feeling safe to talk with expressed in that way, our sexual prac­ Action at Annual Conference on the each other was part of the process. I tice is blessed and good. If we are to talk Human Sexuality paper led me on a also looked up my old friend and e­ about sin and sex, let it be clear that we personal journey to be ready to parent mailed questions to him about homo­ talk about abuse and destructive behav­ my children as God would want me to sexuality. He comes from a strong ior, including verbal and emotional. parent. What did the Bible say? What Church of the Brethren background, so Beverly Eikenberry was the experience of the homosexual I valued his thoughts. During this time, North Manchester. Ind.

CLASSIFIEDADS

A Time to Rebuild Worship with us in Northern Virginia. Do you know of some­ one living in, moving to, or visiting the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C.? The people of the Oakton Church of the Brethren warmly invite everyone to join us Sunday mornings for Church School at 9:45 a.m. and Worship at 11 :00 a.m. Contact the church office at (703)281 -4411, ema il us at office @oaktonbrethren.org, or visit the church website at www.oaktonbrethren.org for more infor­ mation.

Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes in Goshen, Ind., seeks candidates for Executive Director. The ED is responsibl e for all programs, staff and activities in the GL region, and is respon­ sib le to the MCC GL board. The ED will play a key role in guiding the transition as GL works with all of MCC to implement new vision and structures. The position requires: familiarity with MCC constituency, strong re lational administrative skills, cultural competency, strong Christian fa ith and practice, abi lity to relate and bu ild relationships with the­ ologically diverse constituents and partners, ability to articu late Anabaptist theological perspectives as the foundation of MCC's work, and passion for and commitment to MCC's mission and vision. Experience with budgeting and admin istration also required; Church loans from Everence fund-raising experience preferred. Position includ es significant trav­ el time within the region. United Revival Mennon ite Church - a cata lyst for cha nge. A job description is available at http://mcc.org/s erve/positions /executive-di rector-great-lakes. Submit resume and letter of interest Thei r once economical ly depressed com mu nity in Brooklyn. by December 31, 2010, to: Prem Dick at: psd @mcc.org N.Y., is now a vibrant and diverse nei gh borhood. The ener­ getic con gregation outgrew their building - and la unched A Christian Cruise. Join COB Pastor John and Pastor Linda Stoner a 16, 000-square-foot construction project more than eight as they crui se Canada and New England aboard the stunning liner years ago. Poesia. This adventure takes place September 28 to October 8. 2011 and features bu s transportation from Western Pennsylvania. Travel Thanks in part to a church loan from Evere nce, Un ited Revival arrangements from any gateway city are possible as well. Departure Mennonite Church is compl etin g their new bu ilding - another is from New York City and includes Nova Scotia, Prince Edward step in buil ding an d growin g th eir mission and mini stry. Island, Quebec and Rhode Isla nd . Christian messages~ worsh ip and fellowship galore!! Contact: 814-444-8800 or jnljaunts@floodci­ ty.net for details. To learn more about Everence's church loan program, talk to your Everence representative, call (800) 348-7468, PASTORS NEEDED. Congregations in many of the denomina­ or visit us online at www.everence.com. tion 's 23 districts are in need of strong, trained Christian leaders who are dedicated to Church of the Brethren beliefs and practices to serve as pastor. The available placements are both full-time and part-time and include some associate/second staff positions. The ~hO congregations vary widely in size and program. A full listing of openings can be found at www.brethren.org/congregationalvacan­ ~~ Everence cies. Contact the appropriate district executive or call the Ministry office at 800-323-8039.

Messenger December 2010 Please send information to be Lancaster, Pa.: Ron Buffenmyer, Tom, 59, Lehman, Jan et, 80, Frederick, Stover, Clark Albertus, 92, included in Tiirning Points to Bohannon, Robin Kankakee, Ill., Ju ly 9 Md., Nov. 11 Hagerstown, Md. , Sept. 21 Jean Clements, 1451 Dundee Bohannon Burall, William E., 84, Leisure, Ada Mae, 61, Summers, Helen E., 84, New Ave, Elgin, JL 60120; 800- Lebanon, Mount Sidney, Va.: Frederick, Md., June 13 Elizabethtown, Pa., July 7 Oxford, Pa., Sept. 2 323-8039 ext. 206; David Ralston, Charlotte Byrem, Gerald H. , 87, Linker, June I., 87, Polo, Ill. , Swindell, Paul Fred, 87, [email protected]. Ralston, Michael Cupp, Strasburg, Pa., May 24 Jan. 2 Everett, Pa., Sept. I I Information must be complete Tammy Cupp, Morgan Chiow, Brenda Fern, 60, McGuire, J. Brian, 68, Switzer, Janet H. , 94, in order to be published. Patterson, Sarah Kline, Defiance, Ohio, July 27 Duncansville, Pa., Sept. 21 Staunton, Va. , Sept. 27 Information older than one Alvin Michael, Dillion Berry Clark, Mitchell A., 48, Mahan, Grant, 82, Salisbury, Tulloh, Winnie Lee Davis year cannot be published. Marilla, Copemish, Mich.: Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 3 Md., June 27 Morris, 90, Stanardsville, Zander Willoughby Cole, Florence, 86, Lincoln, Main, Paul 83, Frederick, Va., June 12 New Members Mechanic Grove, Quarryville, Neb., July 26 Md., Sept. 23 , 2009 Turner, Minnie f., 88, New Antelope Park, Lincoln, Neb.: Pa.: Joseph Graybeal Corbett, Betty jean, 78, Martin, A. Eugene, 54, Oxford, Pa. , Oct. 3 Cindy Leer, Adam Cardoza, North Webster, Ind.: Will Mount Morris, Ill. , Oct. 22 Fredericksburg, Pa., May 25 Valentine, Roberta Hope Larry Ditmars Darr, john White, Nancy Duncanson, Harold W., 91 , Martin, Vernon, 73, Frederick, Melton, 96, Trotwood, Bermudian, East Berlin, Pa.: Fretz Modesto, Calif., Oct. 10 Md., Nov. 5 Ohio, June 26 Robert Gould, Sharon Peace, Portland, Ore., Beth Elwood, Edward E, 61, Lima, Maurer, Oleta Breshears, 94, Van Brocklin, Winona Gould, Steve Glatfelter, Merrill Ohio, Sept. 21 Wheatland, Mo., July 3 Marion, 67, Onekama, Michelle Glatfelter, Wilmer Pleasant Valley, Weyers Cave, Ensinger, Evan Michael, infant, McGhee, Birdia, 88, Chicago, Mich., April 19 Grim, Doris Grim, Paul Va .: Bill Hall, Carl Leake, Reinholds, Pa. , June 29 Ill. , Jan. 10 Wachter, Ruth, I 00, Grout, Dorothy Grout, Katie Jack Gordon, Calvin Fawley, Eunice Marie Rhodes, Metz, Ann Sue, 60, Frederick, Frederick, Md., July 12, Kann, Christiana Lipsitz, Ion Heatwole, Elijah Haag, 88, Bridgewater, Va., Aug. Md., Sept. 29, 2009 2009 E. Lipsitz, Larry McKinley, Hunter Brittle, Sarah 27 Metz, Douglas K.. , 66, Dixon, Wade, Linda, 62, Frederick, Kayla Miller, Larissa Miller, Wampler, Michael Cook, Gibson, Martha, 94, Lebanon, Ill ., May 22 Md., June 23, 2009 Alysha Sweitzer, Eli Meryn Wilson, Alex Ribelin , Pa. , Aug. 27 Meyers, Laban H., 92, Wales, Helen Lucile, 100, Thonrton, Ella Thornton, Annie Shreckhlse, Jake Gordon, Forrest B., 92, Mercersburg, Pa. , May 22 Polo, UI., April I 9 jerry Weeks, Debbie Weeks, Shreckhise, Jessica McAlisterville, Pa. , Aug. 9 Miller, Anna, 72 , Jonestown, Wenger, Mary M., 94, Lititz, Reynolds, Loretta Stewart Miranda Zerbe Grossnickle, Garold George, Pa. , Sept. 2 Pa., April 4 Somerset, Pa.: Brandy Liepelt, Chambersburg, Pa.: Esther 65, Kaleva, Mich., Sept. 1 7 Miller, Catherine, 63 , Werner, Wilma Ruth, 78, Paul Liepelt Lee Webb Harman, Anna M. , 95, Frederick, Md., Dec. 28 Mount Morris, Ill., Sept. 28 Wolgamuth, Dillsburg, Pa.: Columbia City, Ind.: john Harman, W.Va., Oct. 11 Miller, Dale L., 89, White, Grace Jan e, 89, Ingrid Cook Shumaker, Tephanie Heaston, Emma V, 96, Lewisbmg, Pa., May 29 Oakland, Md ., July 6 Shumaker, Morgan Modesto, Calif., July 7 Miller, Libby, 95, North Red- Wiles, Mary, 82, Frederick, Shumaker, Kelly Peterson, Anniversaries Hicks, Wilford L. , 80, ington Beach, Fla. , Sept. 12 Md., Oct. 10, 2009 Nickolas Frank, Kendra Callaway, Va. , Sept. 14, Miller, Marjorie Stinebaugh, Williard, Wava, 94, Glen Bollinger, Harold and Nancy, 2009 91, North Manchester, Campbell, Pa., Aug. 10 Reimer, Lucas Kumfer Akron, Pa., 50 High, Catharine Stewart, 91, Ind., June 5 Winchester, Brett K., 5 7, Denton, Md.: Larry Johnson, Bolton, Randy and Margaret, Westminster, Md., June 18 Moss, Edith, 76, Frederick, Boise, ldaho, Sept. 20 Janice Burt Harrisonburg, Va., 50 Hoch, Edna V, 88, Md., Oct. 4, 2009 Wisner, Letitia l., 98, East Cocalico, Reamstown, Brode, Robert and Marian, Shippensburg, Pa., April 23 Mylin, Verna M. Ll oyd, 93, Milledgevil le, Ill. , fan . 17 Pa.: Robert Rogan Mechanicsburg, Pa., 55 Everett, Pa.: Linda Sutton, Hodges, Wilford W., 97, Quarryville, Pa ., March 5 Witman, Paul B. , 81 , Mount Diehl, l. W. and Mildred, New Joy, Pa. , April 8 Patricia Lashinsky, Haley Market, Va., 60 Boones Mill , Va., May 19 North, Ella, 92, Easton, Md., Lashinsky, Olivia Hoffer, Ethel K.. , 95, Sept. 9 Wright, Paul j ., 90, Twin Falls, Kerr, john and Nancy, Idaho, June 29 Hillenbrand, Alex La Salle, Webster, Iowa, 50 Elizabethtown, Pa ., June 6 Olvera, Ester Nava rro, 72, Nathan La Salle Hollinger, Naomi Hosler, 97, Alice, Texas, Aug. 26 Yingling, Harold L., 79, Little, Lionel and Harriett, Martinsburg, Pa., April 16 Faith Community of the Mesick, Mich., 65 Hershey, Pa. , Sept. 1 7 Orr, David Alan, 59, Brethren Home: New Hoover, Charles C., 90, Somerset, Ohio, Sept. 15 Young, Francis, 78, Frederick, Martin, Wilmer and Arlene, Md., Oct. 8, 2009 Oxford, Pa.: Inez Long Denver, Pa., 55 Myersville, Md., Feb. 18 Petticoffer, Lee B., 96, Alcron, Freeport, JII.: Doug Paul Nauman, John and Mataline, Hoover, Robert R., 87, Pa. , July 10 Ordinations Garden City, Kan.: Norman Palmyra, Pa., 50 Roaring Spring, Pa. , June 5 Pleasant, Ethel F., 91 , Tedford Patterson, lvan and Clara, Hopkins, Lois M., 85, Trotwood, Ohio, Sept. 28 Alley, Linda L. , (Shen. Dist., Green Tree, Oaks, Pa.: Greenville, Ohio, 60 Onekama, Mich., June 25 Riethof, Mary Lou, 85, Bridgewater, Va.) , Oct. 15 Andrew Hallman, Adam Royer, Merrill and Eunice, Huffman, Martha A., 101, Harleysville, Pa., Sept. 29 Lee, James, N. Ohio Dist. Messner, Emily Messner Greenville, Ohio, 70 Timberville, Va. , Sept. 3 Riley, Donna j ., 82, Bedford, (Center, Loui sville, Ohio), Henry Fork, Rocky Mount, Stern, Dale and Joanne, Hulvey, Priscilla B., 91, Mount Pa. , Sept. 8 April 18 Va.: Wray Furrow, Joey Martinsburg, Pa., 50 Sidney, Va. , Sept. 19 Roberts, Max G., 89, Cerro Smith, Melisa Simmons, Swindell, Duane and Gladys, Hursh, Elberta L. , 85, Gordo, 111. , Sept. 19 Placements Kali Faith Woods, Austin Everett, Pa., 50 Palmyra, Pa., May 5 Rowley, Albert, 74, Hillsdale, Brubaker, Carl L. , from asso- Wilcher, Amber Wilcher, Walton, Buddy and Myrtle, Johnson, Francis, 89, Pa. , July 27 ciate pastor, Midway, Autumn Wilcher, .Iris Akers, Timberville, Va., 50 Dunkirk, Ind., Jun e 18 Saylor, Glenn Ellis, 82, Evans, Lebanon, Pa., to pastor, Dillard Akers, Terry Ivan Weaver, Robert and Jean, Keeney, Mary, 89, Frederick, Ga., June 21 Mohler, Ephrata, Pa. , Oct. 1 Hodges, Christa Holland, Hershey, Pa. , 60 Md ., June 6, 2009 Shaffer, Kenneth M. , Jr. , 64, Kahler, Allen R. , pastor, • Ken Hall, Monica Kinzie, Phyllis Olwin, 82, Elgin, 111. , Oct. 23 Paradise, Smithville, Ohio, Ferguson, Kim Painter Cushing, Okla., June 11 Shaub, Ethel Mae, 80, Oct. 15 Hollidaysburg, Pa .: Courtney Deaths Koontz, Freda E., 97, Quarryv ille, Pa ., July 31 Morrow, David M. , pastor, Byrnes, Jeffrey Harlan, Adams, Betty, 77, Lincoln, Martinsburg, Pa., Jan. 2, Shelton, Doris, 78, Bassett, Wenatchee Brethren- Morgan Hinish, Heather Neb., May 8 2010 Va., Aug. 24 Baptist, Wenatchee, Wash ., Kelly, Lisa Mobley, Cathy Anthony, Beatrice E., 85, New Koontz, Gloria J., 65, Everett, Shull, Merlin G., 83, Aug. 8 Bassett, Kirsten Eaton, Oxford, Pa ., Sept. 19 Pa., June 18 Bridgewater, Va., Sept. 22 Samaan, Milad Sobhy, pastor, Miriah Hershberger, Armstrong, Mildred J. , 77 , Kreider, Mildred P. , 86, Simmons, Rosa M., 94, Light of the Gospel Colleen Murphy Lancaster, Pa. , Sept. 19 Quarryville, Pa., Sept. 7 Garden City, Kan., Oct. 13 Fellowship, Brooklyn, N.Y., Hope, Freeport, Mich.: Baer, Mary Ann, 74, Kyser, Justus Dale, 95, Starkey, Daisy C. , 88, Easton, Oct. 9 Zander Willoughby Broadway, Va., Oct. 4 Pleasant Hill, Ohio, Sept. 20 Md.,Aug. 26 Thacker, Robert M., pastor, Kokomo, Ind.: Lily Grace Bowman, Helen V Strickler, Leckrone, Genevieve C., 88, Stockslager, James Franklin, 81, Dunnings Creek, New Lipinski 93, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. I 5 Lancaster, Pa., June 16 Hagerstown, Md., Aug. 30 Paris, Pa., Oct. l Messenger December 2010 ■ Missing the markers

"On your left.! On your left! On your left!" she So suddenly I was riding with the big guns-one of whom I said insistently, almost frantically. noticed was wearing a "ride marshal" sign on his back. I pulled Wind whistled in my ears as I sped 45 miles per hour next to him and explained my predicament. "Just follow me," down a steep road amid a pack of cyclists. We had just fin­ he said with assurance. So I rode with him and the group he ished an arduous, mile-long climb and turned right, following was riding with-right into a dead end street. He fished out his small, tape markers on the pavement that showed riders directions sheet, turned us around, and got us back on track. where to go. I eased to my right and she coasted by, pushing I caught up with a couple friends, Larry and Ben, who'd perhaps 47 or 48 miles per hour. We flew block after block signed up for the 100-mile ride, and they suggested I just do down the winding grade, a blur of neon-colored spandex, the full century. The cost was the same for both rides and, at windbreakers, and whirring spokes, 27 miles, I still felt pretty strong. Why not? Larry handed me until the road began to level off. his directions sheet, saying "I don't like to read this while I'm This was my third time to ride in riding." Not wanting to get lost again, I became our unofficial the annual Tour de Foothills, spon­ navigator. Ten miles later, when someone asked if we were sored by the Upland Chamber of on the right road, Larry hollered, "Ask Randy. He's got the Commerce. I'd signed up once again map." Even though I had a map, I told them they'd better for the metric century-a 100 kilome­ take my directions with a big grain of salt, since it was a ter (62-mile) circuit that wound missed turn that had landed me in their group to begin with. through several communities in Between the maps, tiny bits of tape at intersections, and Southern California's San Gabriel general group consensus, we managed to make the 100- Valley and Inland Empire region. So I mile circuit (although while pedaling uphill into 40-mile-per­ was fairly familiar with the route, hour winds in Fontana after 75 miles, I thought: If I hadn't although sometimes planners make subtle changes for one missed that turn, I'd be done by now). At the end, there reason or another. Which is what I figured they must have were clanging cowbells to welcome us across the finish line, done as I rolled further west. However, this year they had and lasagna and music and even complimentary massages. added a 100-mile ride, and the metric century and the 100- Sometimes it feels as if we, as a denomination, are out

IT CAN BE A BEWILDERING RIDE AT TIMES, SO WE MIGHT AS WELL TRY TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT, WHETHER WE'RE SHARING A WATER BOTTLE OR A DIRECTIONS SHEET.

mile loop shared the same route much of the time. there battling the wind and the hills (the rigors of life), with After a while, it dawned on me that the ride planners may our signposts and markers (the Bible and the Holy Spirit), not have changed the route for the metric. I may have our ride marshals (pastors and lay leaders), and our collec­ missed the marker. tive sense of where we're going (Annual Conference). "The turn for the metric? That was about a mile or two Sometimes we read the signs wrong, or miss them altogeth­ back," said one cyclist when I asked which ride he'd signed er. Sometimes our leaders, despite their confidence and up for. He was doing the full century. And, as of that bravado, lead us into blind cul de sacs. And sometimes, moment, so was I. despite our collective wisdom, we seem to get confused. In my defense, those little arrows that the ride planners It can be a bewildering ride at times, so we might as well tape to the asphalt at intersections the night before are tiny, try to help each other out, whether we're sharing a water and very hard to spot when you're speeding downhill. Yes, bottle or a directions sheet. But if we remember that we're the planners give you a sheet telling which turns to take, in this ride together, we just might do all right. And that but it's hard to ride a bike and read those at the same time­ whether we hear cowbells or harps at the finish line, we'll all kind of like texting when you're driving a car. wind up eating lasagna around the same table.~

COMING IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY: Bible study, Brethren involvement in Sudan, media review, reflections, letters, and more.

Messenqer December 2010 Junior High (Comp leted Grades 6 - 8) Senior High (continued) I. June 14-17 Stone Creek Kettle, Pennsylvania 18. June 26-July 2 Caimito, Puerto Rico 2. June 22-26 Elgin , Illinois 18 . July 11-17 Brooklyn. New York 3. June 22-26 John Kline Homestead - Broadway. Virginia 20. July ID-16 Disaster Response I 6 II 4. June 27 - July I Greenville. Ohio 21. July 17-23 Disaster Response I 6 II 5. July 6-ID Kalamazoo, Michigan 22. July 24-31 Disaster Response (BRF) 6. July 13-17 Lancaster, Pennsylvania 23. July 18-24 St. Croix 7. July 18-22 New Windsor. Maryland 24. July 18 -24 Chicago/ Lombard, Illinois 8. July 20-24 Indianapolis, Indiana 25. July 24-30 Reynosa. Mexico 8. July 27-31 Roanoke. Virginia 26. July 25 - 31 Los Angeles. California ID . July 27-31 Richmond. Virginia 27. July 31 -Aug 6 Eastern Shore, Maryland II. August 3-7 Portland, Oregon 28. August I-7 ECHO - North Fort Myers, Florida Senior High (Completed Grade 8 - Age 18) Young Adult (ages 18-35) 12 . June 12-18 Idaho Mountain Camp 28 . June 4-14 Taize, France and Geneva, Switzerland 13. June 12-18 lnnisfree - Crozet. Virginia 14. June 20-26 Lybrook - Cuba. New Mexico We Are Able (ages 16-23) 15. June 20-26 Haitian COB- Miam i. Florida 30. July 11/12-July 15 New Windsor, Maryland 16. June 20-26 Brooklyn, New York (BRF) Intergenerational (ages 11-IDD+) 17. June 20-26 Castaner, Puerto Rico 31. June 25-30 Coconino National Forest. Arizona If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Davies, Carol Fike. or Clara Ne lson in the workcamp office at 800-323-8038 or [email protected]. Work.camp 20!0 photos by Jeanne Davies. Ca rol Fike and Do nna Parcell. WORKING TOGETHER WE TOUCH LIVES WITH GOD'S LOVE

AROUND THE CORNER AND AROUND THE WORLD.

7E?_JL Church of the Brethren www.brethren.org