grams which have resulted in many congregations and denominational organizations outside the United States. There are more than 1,800 congregations of Brethren BACKGROUND Brethren in at least 22 nations on every continent (except Antarctica). Total membership outside the United States is rather sketchy, but probably is at Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. was organized in least 400,000. So there is a world-wide Brethren World 1978 to create a multi-volume reference work re- movement with more than 3,400 congregations and cording the history, beliefs, and practices of those more than 600,000 members located in twenty-three Assembly religious bodies originating in Germany with the nations. In addition to these permanently situated Schwarzenau Brethren of 1708. Persons from five congregations, there are many Brethren around the Brethren groups (then) –The Brethren Church, the world serving in short-term and long-term service Church of the Brethren, the Dunkard Brethren, the ministries. This conference theme helps us visualize July 23-26, 2003 Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, and the Old the question: Where are the Brethren around the German Baptist Brethren – first met together in 1973 world and what are they doing? Winona Lake, Indiana on the invitation of M. R. Zigler at the Tunker House

in Broadway, Virginia. After holding several small workshops and conferences, the group published the

Brethren Encyclopedia, a massive three-volume SITE Theme: compendium of information about all the Brethren bodies, and a number of related books and mono- Winona Lake, Indiana, is an historic religious graphs on Brethren history. center in the Midwest. Brethren have held many Brethren Presence annual conferences there. It has been the home of Around the World The first Brethren World Assembly was held in the Grace Brethren Denominational Offices since 1992 at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. The 1939. Many quaint shops line the streets near the theme was “Christ is Lord: Affirming Our Faith lake. One can visit the Billy Sunday museum and th Heritage.” This Assembly commemorated the 250 home, as well as the Rhodehaver museum which is anniversary of the first known Brethren Annual located in the former Westminster Hotel—now Co-sponsored by Meeting, held in 1742 in the Conestoga area of Lan- Grace College’s Westminster Hall. caster County.

The second Brethren World Assembly was held in 1998 at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Vir- Brethren ginia. The theme was “Faith and Family – Chal- Encyclopedia, Inc. lenges and Commitments.” Field excursions took conference attendees to Linville Creek to visit the sites of John Kline’s murder and his former home; and Tunker House, the former home of Peter Nead and M. R. Zigler and a designated National Historic Site; and the Linville Creek cemetery where John Kline and M. R. Zigler are buried. At this meeting, the Conservative Grace Brethren Church International became an active participant in the Brethren Ency- Westminster Hall clopedia organization.

Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, This year the Assembly will be hosted by Grace Indiana, was founded in 1937; Grace College began College in Winona Lake, Indiana. The theme is as a two-year college in 1948. The Fellowship of “Brethren Presence Around the World.” Some of the Grace Brethren Churches eventually developed from Brethren bodies have active foreign mission pro- the association of Brethren Church congregations that supported the Grace schools. Grace College tion is strongly encouraged. Please make checks international bodies with worship leadership pro- Brethren World Assembly expanded to a four-year institution in 1954 and now payable to Grace College. A letter of confirmation vided by Brethren Church members from Indiana. offers BA and BS degrees. The College was accred- along with travel directions and a campus map will REGISTRATION FORM ited by the North Central Association in 1976. be mailed to registrants. The Friday morning session will deal with Grace (Postmark by June 30, 2003) Brethren-sponsored denominations and congrega- The 2003 Brethren World Assembly will be tions outside the United States. The afternoon ses- Name______housed in Westminster Hall, a former hotel which is sion will deal with brethren-sponsored short-term EXHIBITS AND BOOK SALES Address______owned by Grace College and is a popular conference and long-term service projects around the world. City______State___Zip______site. The building has been renovated to serve as a Kenneth M. Shaffer, Jr. will present a paper on the modern residence hall for 200 women students at There will be exhibits and book sales in a room origins of Brethren service programs and projects in Phone______Grace College and includes a new Student Union, just off the lobby of Westminster Hall. Each Breth- the mid-twentieth century. A panel of a representa- E-mail address______offices for Student Life and student government, ren body will recommend books dealing with their tive of each of the six Brethren bodies will detail the Male______Female______large community meeting rooms, and a computer lab. own history and world-wide activities. Books deal- involvement of their groups in service activities cur- Each room has a private bath and typically houses ing with national and international directories of rently. The preacher on Friday evening will be $______Assembly registration ($60 per per congregations will be available. It is also planned to two or three students. James L. Custer, Senior Pastor of the Columbus, son) have ready a directory of all Brethren congregations Ohio, Grace Brethren Church. Worship leadership Meals will be served in Westminster Hall, where in the world for this conference. will be provided by Grace Brethren members from Assembly meetings will also be held. The rates Indiana. $______Registration for spouse ($30) listed here include three nights lodging and eight Name of spouse______meals (Wednesday dinner through Saturday break- PROGRAM TOUR fast). $______One-day registration ($20 per per Double occupancy - $122 Registration will be in the lobby of Westminster On Saturday morning, after breakfast, all confer- son) Single occupancy - $152 Hall beginning at 1:00 p.m., July 23. Conference ence attendees are invited to drive to the Bethany For those who prefer, there are many motels in attendees may enjoy fellowship with each other as church, located on US 6 one mile east of SR 15, be- $______Double-occupancy room ($51 per the Winona Lake/Warsaw area as well as numerous well as browse the exhibits and book sales. The tween Milford and New Paris. This was the host person, 3 nights) restaurants. Rodeheaver Museum is located adjacent to the congregation for the 1882 Annual Conference at Name of Roommate______lobby. A full program will be available upon regis- which events occurred that led to the division be- tration at the Assembly. tween the Progressive Brethren (The Brethren Church) and the German Baptist Brethren (Church of $______Single-occupancy room ($81, REGISTRATION COSTS The program will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the meet- the Brethren). We will visit the site of the confer- 3 nights) ing room at Westminster Hall. The open session will ence where tents were set up in a field just west of To cover necessary costs of the Assembly, the feature papers on the historical roots of Church of the the church building. Several railroad companies $______Food package ($65 per person, registration fee for those attending is as follows: Brethren missions by A. Ferne Baldwin and histori- constructed spurs toward the field where conference 8 meals) $60 per person cal roots of Progressive Brethren missions by Ronald attendees could live in train coaches left on the track $30 for accompanying spouse T. Clutter. The evening service will present a during the conference. $______Saturday lunch at Camp Mack ($6) preacher from one of the Church of the Brethren Included in the registration fee is the cost of a copy of the Proceedings of the Assembly when published. international bodies with worship leadership pro- We will then go to Camp Mack, where we will vided by Church of the Brethren members from Indi- see the murals depicting the history of the Church of $______Total amount due Those attending for a single day are asked to pay ana. the Brethren in thirteen large panels with figures a registration fee of $20. Those attending only the nearly life size. Other historical memorials around Please make check payable to Grace College evening services on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or On Thursday morning, Dale R. Stoffer will lead a the campus will be noted. Closing meal will be and mail it with this registration form to: Friday will not be asked to register, but will be en- session on Brethren-sponsored denominations and served by the Camp. Brethren World Assembly couraged to contribute to a free-will offering. congregations outside the United States. On Thurs- day afternoon, Mervin B. Keeney will lead a session Attention Bill Darr Grace College and Seminary The registration fee and form (postmarked by on Church of the Brethren-sponsored denominations 200 Seminary Drive June 30, 2003) should be mailed to Brethren World and congregations outside the United States. On Assembly, c/o Bill Darr, 200 Seminary Drive, Wi- Thursday evening another worship service will pre- Winona Lake, IN 46590 nona Lake, IN 46590. Full payment with registra- sent a preacher from one of The Brethren Church