Church of the Brethren

MessengerAPRIL 2018 www.brethren.org

Gun Violence 6 March madness 16 Can we live together? 18 Why? 20 Winter is past 22 Photos by Brethren Volunteer Service Staff, Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Victoria Bateman, and Donna Parcell Donna Bateman, and Victoria Brumbaugh-Cayford, Staff, Cheryl Service Volunteer Brethren by Photos

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoice” (Psalm 126:3).

Thank you for supporting the ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

www.brethren.org/give

Office of Mission Advancement Your gifts do great things! Church of the Brethren

MessengerPublisher: Wendy McFadden Associate editor: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Web editor: Jan Fischer Bachman At-large editor: Walt Wiltschek Design: The Concept Mill Contributing editors: Eric Bishop, Sandy Bosserman, Dana Cassell, Daniel D’Oleo, Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred, Tim Harvey, Bob Neff

www.flickr.com / Elvert Barnes Baxter Stapleton

April 2018 Vol.167 No. 3 www.brethren.org/messenger

No easy answers departments An interview with a Brethren police officer by Tim Harvey 6 2 From the Publisher 3 In Touch 5 the exchange Stranger or neighbor? 15 Media review by Tim Harvey 8 22 bible study 25 Newsline digest 27 Youth and Young Adults Music for the times we’re in 28 Letters 12 An interview with Shawn Kirchner by Walt Wiltschek 31 Turning Points 32 Potluck Gun violence up close 14 by Walt Wiltschek Musical March Madness On the cover Our favorite hymns face off 16 How does a peace church deal with the Can we live together? national epidemic of gun violence? In this issue, 18 Brethren and the winds of change see how individuals and congregations are responding to the When our church is broken times we’re in. 19 by Duane Grady Why? 20 by James Benedict From the Publisher

Doing well, thank you How to reach us

Messenger his issue of Messenger represents a bold idea from one of 1451 Dundee Avenue our districts. About a year ago Southern Ohio asked us to collaborate Elgin, IL 60120 Ton a joint venture: They would produce a professionally designed Subscriptions: Diane Stroyeck newsletter, bind it into the center of extra copies of Messenger magazine, [email protected] and send the combined package to everyone in their district. Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 327 Of course, we said yes immediately, inspired by Fax: 847-742-1407 their enthusiasm and their vision for working together. Advertising: In a time when some folks are eyeing their neighbors Karen Stocking suspiciously, we were heartened by their desire for [email protected] Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 308 increased connections within their district and beyond. Fax: 847-742-1407 Leadership in Southern Ohio like the idea of wrap- Editorial: ping their district news in the denominational magazine. [email protected] They believe this is a plus for the visibility of their infor- Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 326 mation to members of the district—as well as a hearty Fax: 847-742-1407 promotion for Messenger. They plan to do this twice Subscription rates: a year, and can imagine it serving as a model for other $17.50 individual rate Wendy McFadden - $32 for 2 years Publisher districts. If you’re not in Southern Ohio, your magazine $14.50 gift rate looks just like usual. But to those 1,500 readers who are $14.50 church club rate receiving the special Southern Ohio edition, welcome to the Messenger family! - $27 for 2 years A few weeks ago, readers in Virginia told me, “This is what a denomina- $ 1.25 student (per month) tional magazine should be!” What makes for a really good denominational If you move, clip address label and magazine? Bible studies that are a lamp to our feet. Inspiring articles about send with new address to Messenger Subscriptions, at the above address. ways individuals and congregations are living out their faith. Essays that Allow at least five weeks for grapple with serious issues, and responses from people who are respectful and address change.

thoughtful, whether or not they agree with what they’ve read. Words and im- For digital Messenger go to ages that strengthen Brethren identity. Articles that hold us together, but aren’t www.brethren.org/accessmessenger. afraid to raise difficult matters that seem to push us apart. Visit Messenger online at The editorial team is grateful for excellent writers (whose numbers have www.brethren.org/messenger. increased significantly in recent years). We’re also pleased to welcome former editor Walt Wiltschek, who is spending a few hours a week as Messenger’s at-large editor. He recently became pastor at Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren, but finds time to help shoulder the editorial load. Most important for a strong magazine is you. We can tell that our subscribers love the church and want it to thrive. You can thank yourselves that Messenger is doing so well.

Messenger is the official publication of the Church of the Brethren. Member of the Associated Church Press. Biblical quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version. Copyright © April 2018, Church of the Brethren.

Messenger (ISSN 0026-0355) is published 10 times a year by Brethren Press, Church of the Brethren. Periodicals postage paid at Elgin, Ill., and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Messenger, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694. Printed on recycled paper (20% post consumer) 2 Messenger April 2018 InTouch

Shenandoah sews for girls in Ghana

isa Bowers and Teresa Richard, twins and mem- For nine months, the two bers of Community Mission Church of the have coordinated a sewing L Brethren in Woodstock, Va., planned a trip to project with Shenandoah Ghana in February to take 1,200 shields and 6,000 liners District congregations to for girls to use during their monthly cycles. make the washable shields and liners that will give girls needed protection, enabling them to attend school with no monthly interruption. The Ghana Health Service and Education Coordinators have joined with US non- profit Healthy Villages, Inc., to organize this project in remote Ghanaian villages. Many sewers and sergers were needed to accomplish the task. With the help of Ragtime Fabrics in Harrisonburg, Va., and members from several Churches of the Brethren including Antioch, Bridgewater, Sunrise, and Wakeman’s Grove, they were able to meet their goal to supply reusable sanitary kits for 600 girls. The success of this project led those involved to that place in the kingdom where the common, greater good unites God’s children in service, fellowship, and love. —Alice Lee Hopkins

Serving with the Rohingya

harlene Gilbert of the deplorable conditions Muslim Pleasant Valley Church refugees from Burma are facing. She Cof the Brethren in has a heart for the Muslim people, Jonesborough, Tenn., in Southeastern having worked at a mobile medical District, spent nearly a month in unit just outside Mosul, Iraq, for Bangladesh working in a surgical unit several weeks when the fighting serving Rohingya refugees through against ISIS was at its height. Samaritan’s Purse. As a retired nurse, Conditions there were equally she has kept busy doing medical horrific. mission work around the world over She makes it clear to the people she the past several years. She has worked serves that she serves in the name of in places such as Haiti, Egypt, Iraq, Christ and out of a deep love for them, Nigeria, and other African nations. regardless of which side they are on. In Bangladesh, she saw first-hand —Gary Benesh

Do you have district or congregational stories that might be of interest to Messenger? Short items with a photo are best. Send them to Messenger, c/o In Touch, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 or [email protected].

Messenger April 2018 3 d or yf Ca h- ug ba m ru B yl er h C

InTouch

Faith Community reaches milestone

he record shows that the community. After much plan- celebrated its 25th anniversary. regular worship experi- ning, the Faith Community was Warren Eshbach, former district Tence has been offered at established and recognized as a fel- executive and a former chaplain, was Cross Keys Village—The Brethren lowship at Southern Pennsylvania the guest speaker . . . as he had been Home Community in New Oxford, District Conference in 1992. At the at the beginning, back in 1992. Pa., throughout its 108 years of exis- 1993 Annual Conference in The Faith Community participates tence, regardless of the setting. When Indianapolis, the Faith Community in many areas of outreach, with the the “Church of the Brethren Home” was recognized as a Church of the church’s budget as evidence. Recently, moved into the former Cross Keys Brethren congregation. the Faith Community supported the Hotel in 1952, room was provided for Intervening years have been a Adams County Department of Aging a small chapel, but it also served as a time of growth for the Faith by boxing up non-perishable food and space for drying laundry. Community, culminating in the dedi- household items for seniors who are More recently, in the 1990s, some cation of a new worship space in the in need. During November, the Faith villagers expressed the wish that a Nicarry Meetinghouse in 2000. This Community collected monetary dona- congregation be established within past November, the Faith Community tions to purchase items for the boxes.

Nanty Glo’s angels

anty Glo (Pa.) Church of the Brethren is Spirit moving to get such a positive response to this rather small in number, but rich in spirit project,” Beachley says. Nand giving. Looking for a project that would Thirty angels were made, and those that were sold allow them to reach out into the community and beyond, raised $575. The money was used to help two families in they found that one way of doing this is to collect spare the community at Christmastime, providing furniture, change each Sunday. But Pastor Linda Beachley wanted household items, and gift cards. —Ronald Beachley to get others involved beyond congregational life. She decided to share an idea for a craft activity. One Sunday she brought along an “angel” made from an old hymnal, purchased at an auction in Northern Plains District a number of years ago. The people who stayed after church to learn about the craft activity decided to meet again and begin making angels for themselves. The Holy Spirit had other plans, however. One of the group posted a picture of a completed angel on Facebook and something amazing happened. People began calling to order an angel for a Christmas gift. “It had to be the

4 Messenger April 2018 d or yf Ca h- ug ba m ru B yl er h C

The Exchange

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding God established the heavens; by God’s knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down.”

—­Proverbs 3:19-20

d or yf Ca h- ug ba m ru l B ry e h Care for creation C A Christian confession

1. God, Creator of heaven and earth and all earth’s creatures, looks lovingly upon all the works of creation and pronounces them good.

2. God, our Deliverer, acts to protect, restore, and redeem the earth and all its creatures from sinful human pride and greed that seeks unwarranted mastery over the natural and social orders. 3. God in Jesus Christ reunites all things and calls humans back from sinful human Earth Day sloth and carelessness to the role of the steward, the responsible servant, who as God’s representative cares for creation, for all life, both animate and inanimate. is April 22

4. God our Creator-Deliverer acts in the ecological-social crisis of our time, demonstrat- ing today the same divine love shown on the cross of Christ. As a covenant people, we are called to increase our stewardship, in relation both to nature and to the political economy, to a level in keeping with the peril and promise with which God confronts us in this crisis.

5. All creation belongs to God (Psalm 24). God, not humanity, is the source, the center, the depth and height of all creation. The whole creation is ordered to the glory of God (Revelation 1:8). Human beings, both individually and collectively, have no right to systematically abuse or dispose of nature for their own ends.

6. Even amid human violation and devastation, God is at work renewing creation. One important way is through humans who join God in reconciling and restoring the earth to its new creation.

7. Human dominion in God’s image is not mastery, control, and possession, but a stewardship of love for and ser- vice of this world in God’s name. Such stewardship respects the integrity of natural systems and lives within the limits that nature places on economic growth and material consumption.

—From “Creation: Called to Care,” a statement of the 1991 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference

“Creation is good in and of itself as God’s intention and work. This applies to all the beings, animate and inanimate, made by God. The world of sea and forest, desert and field with myriad creatures became, after all, the very ground of the incarnation of the Word.”

Messenger April 2018 5 No easy answers An interview with a Brethren police officer by Tim Harvey

Ronald Robinson is a member of Oak Grove Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., where he and his wife, Stephanie, attend with their son, Rex. The congregation recently called Ronald and Stephanie to serve as deacons. Growing up in both Prince Georges County, Md., and inner-city Baltimore, Robinson is a 2007 graduate of Bridgewater College and has been a police officer with the Roanoke City Police Department for 10 years.

Messenger asked Tim Harvey to interview Robinson for his perspective on matters involving race, police shootings, and Black Lives Matter. While arranging this interview, the Parkland (Fla.) school shooting occurred. Robinson has served as a school resource officer, and that became a relevant part of the story as well.

Mike Stevens Messenger Your background when I was nine, but his best friend is a significant part of your stepped into our lives and made sure I story—including why you had a strong, positive male presence in became a police officer, and my life. He was a successful black how you view many of our dis- man, and took me places that boys like cussions about race. What to go—basketball games and football events from your childhood practice, to name a few—and helped were most significant for you? me fill out all my college applications. robinson I was surrounded by In high school, my Sunday school many significant role models who teacher was Brother Don Montgomery. helped me form a healthy perception He made sure I was in church every of myself. My mom was a huge force Sunday, telling the church bus driver to in my life, and taught me so much “wait for this kid.” Don was also a suc- about how to be a loving parent cessful black man, and his intentional through the way she loved me. She efforts to know me convinced me that I sacrificed much so that I could could be, too. achieve the goals in my life. While working at Camp Bethel, I My dad essentially abandoned us saw Salem DARE officers interacting

6 Messenger April 2018 Wet pro ect life. Even if it means laying down my life, I am not allowed to do nothing while others are being killed.

with youth from different backgrounds thing unless you are specifically asked. But in other cases, there are differ- in significant ways, and it made me real- This was an ongoing thing. ent issues that lead to a shooting— ize that I had many of these same skills My mother didn’t have “the talk” issues that are not immediately obvi- and interests. This is what turned me on with me because she feared I might be ous. A closer examination reveals that to becoming a police officer. It would be killed—or if she did, she didn’t present skin color was not a factor in any way, outdoors, and would involve working it that way. She just knew that, as a and mitigating circumstances exoner- with and investing in other people. black kid living in a high crime com- ate the officer. But it’s not popular to munity, I was a target. I might be has- say that because it’s already been Was your neighborhood safe? sled by police for no reason; yet if I framed as “white police officer kills n Looking back, it probably wasn’t as escalated the encounter and became black male.” safe as I might prefer, now that I’m a “disorderly” I might go to jail. parent, but we didn’t live in fear. Mom In those times when the let us play outside relatively unsuper- I assume you, as a police responding officer was in the vised, but we also knew to go inside if officer, have studied deadly wrong, many want the officer a stranger appeared. It was just what encounters like these. What do prosecuted. Would you agree? we knew to be normal. you learn from them? n That is a terribly difficult question. n One significant lesson is that the Police officers are unique in that we How were the police perceived initial headline shapes the later narra- are allowed to use firearms on citi- in your neighborhood? Did you tive. One of these shootings happens, zens—even deadly force. And even fear them? and the headlines read, “White police though we are trained in numerous n They were not perceived well, but I officer shoots unarmed black male,” techniques to either de-escalate the sit- did not personally fear them. Our reality and then people retreat into their pre- uation or use minimal force, we cannot meant that my mother gave me “the determined opinions and assume be prosecuted for using the amount of talk” on a number of occasions—where there is nothing more to the story. force necessary to make the arrest. black parents talk to their kids about Of course, it’s much more compli- There are no easy answers to these how to interact with the police. I didn’t cated than that. In some of these situations. We spend a lot of time in even realize that this was just a “black cases—like Philando Castile—the training, but there are no perfect people. thing”—it’s what everybody did: Always police officers are clearly in the Shootings are always tragic, and we keep your hands visible. Show respect. wrong. They shot, even though the should seek to avoid them. But we don’t Don’t make any sudden movements. Say people were doing exactly what they want our cops second-guessing them- “Yes, sir” and “No, sir.” Don’t say any- had just been told to do. selves in a moment of crisis, either.

Messenger April 2018 7 They have missed the fact that our experiences of life—and especially relationships with the police—are different based on where we live.

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) relationships with the police—are dif- them. If he saw someone that looked movement emerged from ferent based on where we live. But like they were upset or having a diffi- shootings like these. What are because we live in different neighbor- cult time, he would pull them out of your thoughts about BLM? hoods, and tend to only engage on class later that morning and ask how n The significant thing about BLM to social media with people like us, it they were doing. me is that it is a unified movement doesn’t occur to many middle- and At this point (late February), it among black people; historically, that is upper-class white people that other looks like two of the biggest problems a very rare thing. And to the degree that persons have to worry about the with the Parkland shooting were that it has brought attention to the difficult police in the places they live, or have everyone missed some very obvious relationships between police and poor, “the talk” with their children. signs that this kid was in trouble and black neighborhoods, I’m glad for it. that the SRO stayed outside instead of Unfortunately, there has been a Let’s change directions and engaging the shooter. As a police offi- degree of hooliganism from some who talk about the recent school cer, that is an unforgivable black mark have attached themselves to BLM. But shooting in Parkland, Fla. on this officer’s career. Ever since we also saw this by white people after You’ve served as a school Columbine, standard procedure for the Eagles won the Super Bowl. But resource officer (SRO). What situations like these is to enter the somehow that’s “different,” even do you see here? building and engage the shooter. We though it’s really not. We don’t define n The one thing I know to be true is protect life. Even if it means laying other events by the bad behavior of that an SRO’s two primary jobs are to down my life, I am not allowed to do fringe participants. Why do we judge know the kids and de-escalate any con- nothing while others are being killed. Black Lives Matter by these standards? flict. These are the best ways to reduce any kind of conflict in our schools. Some are saying we need to What have white Americans During my training, my training arm teachers. Are we better missed in BLM? officer stood at the front door of the off if we arm everybody? n They have missed the fact that our school each morning, watching kids n The Trayvon Martin story gives us experiences of life—and especially enter the building, and talking with one answer to that, doesn’t it? Stranger or neighbor? by Tim Harvey

was surrounded by guns. (hopefully) more about people’s atti- der: Had this woman—or someone Only in this case, they were tudes toward guns in general. So we she knew—been a victim of violence? I equipped with safety locks and decided to visit a gun show. Why did she feel the need for a con- were displayed on rows and rows of Overhearing a conversation cealed weapon? Does she fear a par- tables at a gun show. between a gun dealer and a young ticular person, an unsafe neighbor- Following the Las Vegas and woman who was purchasing a holster hood, or an unknown stranger? Could Sutherland Springs mass shootings for her new gun, I listened as the she pull the trigger and kill someone? in late 2017, the peace and justice dealer explained how different hol- The tragic and too-frequent committee at Oak Grove Church of sters allowed for quick access based reports of mass shootings in schools, the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., want- on the various styles of clothes the churches, and workplaces generate ed to learn more about the guns woman might be wearing. both fear and the all-too-predictable involved in the shootings, and This conversation made me won- chorus of tired arguments.

8 Messenger April 2018 Carrying a gun made George So much of our political charged with assault if I am doing my Zimmerman respond in a way that discourse is paralyzed job correctly. People often don’t know was not necessary. Who is to say that a between “conservative” and that, and they may not like to hear it, teacher might not do the same— “liberal” viewpoints. As we but consider it this way: If I respond to a become fearful in a school situation reflect on all of these things, call and encounter a person holding a and use their gun to respond? what is something you have knife, I have to respond quickly. If they We also need to be careful to not learned that people with a won’t put the knife down at my verbal criminalize rule-breaking—discipline conservative view point might command, I could use pepper spray, my issues might creep into criminal find hard to hear? Tazer, or my gun. But what if I opt for a issues. If a student is suspended and n No one is coming to get your guns. lesser amount of force, and they harm then refuses to leave the building, do That was a huge rallying cry for peo- themselves, or someone else? Or what if we really want to charge them with ple when President Obama was in I hesitate among my options and they disorderly conduct? Who de-escalates office. But step back from that a min- cause harm? that situation? ute—who would be the ones to come Our imperfect system functions as It is also true that people have a very get your guns? Police officers? Do we it was created to. That also is not easy hard time keeping secrets, and if we really think law enforcement officers to hear. What is easy is to sit back at a know the people around us, then we can are going to go door to door and con- distance and think we know what a often find out what is going on and per- fiscate weapons? It’s a ridiculous police officer should do in a tense haps step in to do something about it. thought, at face value. moment. In such moments, I see my We also need to distinguish between job as trusting my training, seeing the “illusion of peace” and “actual Okay, now the other side— others as human beings, and trying to peace.” We can install metal detectors, what might those with a liberal de-escalate every situation as much as or arm everyone, and we might feel like view point find hard to hear? is possible in the moment. there is peace. But is that really peace? n Police are not supposed to be arrest- Unfortunately, if people want to cause ed for shooting people. It is written into Tim Harvey is pastor of Oak Grove Church of the harm, they will find a way. the code of Virginia that I cannot be Brethren in Roanoke, Va.

The tragic and too-frequent reports of mass shootings in schools, churches, and workplaces generate both fear and the all-too-predictable chorus of tired arguments.

www.flickr.com / Fabrice Florin The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. We need to ban guns. We need better mental health laws. We need God back in our schools.

Sentiments like these are a frustrating combination of anger, hurt, partial truth, and an unhelpful attempt at a one-size-fits-all solution. After a few days the anger recedes . . . until the next shooting

Messenger April 2018 9 If our first response to the stranger is love instead of fear, a whole host of possibilities emerges.

happens, and the cycle repeats. even some Brethren pastors have question is to consider how the Bible Is there no other way out of this begun carrying guns for personal pro- teaches us to view the other—that impasse? tection, how might our faith shape us person who is unknown to us, or is Brethren have long sought to shape on this matter? not part of our family, tribe, or group. our attitudes and actions around The Old Testament books of scripture, not popular sentiment. Is A generous view of the other Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy carrying a gun for personal protection Because so much of the discussion of are helpful to us here. This section of and the potential defense of others gun violence involves the fear of being the Bible is notoriously difficult— consistent with maintaining a distinct- hurt or killed by an unknown stranger, arcane laws, strange customs, and ly Christian identity? In an age where one approach to answering this pages of tabernacle dimensions

Children and violence

The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference adopted this boards and other appropriate public policy agencies to resolution on “Children and Violence” in 1999. request the establishment of school-based curricular instruction in conflict resolution, peace education, anger The Church of the Brethren is deeply concerned by the control, and the tolerance of others. increased frequency and severity of school-related violence We call our members, especially the youth of the due to a lethal mix of factors, including: church, to turn away from the culture of violence in its •the pervasiveness of violence and violent images in our many manifestations in our society and to live as people of culture; peace. We encourage members, young and old, to refrain •our own passive acceptance of this culture of violence; from playing violent video games of any kind, listening to •the ease with which young people can acquire fire- music that promotes violence or hatred, or viewing movies arms; or television shows where violence is glorified or sanitized. •and our nation’s readiness to resort to violence in the In particular we reaffirm the 1978 Annual Conference foreign and domestic arenas. Statement “Violence and the Use of Firearms” in its call for elimination of all weapons used for human destruction. In In light of these disturbing realities, we recommit our- addition we call for more effective gun control legislation, selves to our heritage of nonviolence as modeled by the life especially legislation that would protect our children from and teachings of Jesus and our mission of continuing this gun-related violence, and encourage our members to vital work. actively support such legislation. We call on congregations to teach peace and pursue it In a society and world saturated with violence and vio- within their fellowship, and to take the lead in advocating lent images, we recommit ourselves to the challenge of the for peace within their communities, nation, and world. We Apostle Paul in Romans 12:21 to “not be overcome by evil, also encourage congregations to actively approach school but overcome evil with good.”

10 Messenger April 2018 www.flickr.com / Elvert Barnes www.flickr.com / Cindy Pepper

complicate our reading and relegate it remains—even when there are the other. In the New Testament, this to an oft-skimmed section. But when compelling reasons to fear the other, takes the form of hospitality. In a we step back and consider the forest God’s people are to make room for world that is increasingly filled with and not just the trees, interesting them, as God once made room for us. xenophobia (stranger fear), Christians patterns emerge. Might turning strangers into are to practice philoxenia (stranger One is an attitude of openness and friends be one solution to reducing love). In being open to a relationship grace toward the vulnerable members violence? with the stranger, Jesus-followers of the community, including the alien willingly accept some of the potential and the stranger: the poor are allowed Faithful hospitality or risk the stranger might represent, in to glean in the field, slaves and idolatrous fear? the belief that in our openness we servants get a day off on the sabbath, We should not be naïve; violence does might find a friend. laws are not to be biased against the occur. The strangers of our day do If our first response to the stranger outsider. The book of Ruth shows how sometimes burst into our homes, is love instead of fear, a whole host of this approach to the other can work. schools, churches, and workplaces to possibilities emerges. We can invite The basis of this openness comes cause harm. Trusting our own ability neighbors to a picnic in our back yard, from the people’s own experience as to protect ourselves and our loved be a friend to the student who seems aliens and strangers in Egypt. For ones with a gun might seem prudent, to have no friends, confront the bullies Children and violence perhaps the first time in human history, even tempting. If the “other” thinks in our schools and workplaces, speak a god had chosen the side of the weak we have a gun, we might be safer. up for the vulnerable, put down our and vulnerable, bringing these people But this is ultimately a “tiger by the phones and strike up a conversation out of slavery into freedom. But as the tail” argument. We hope that more with the people around us, partner people began to settle down, build guns will make us safer, but can we with a congregation across town that homes, families, and acquire wealth, ever be sure? Numerous studies show is different from ours to learn what they might be tempted to forget their that, overall, more people having more life is like in their neighborhood. past. So God reminds them: “Remember guns leads to more violence, not less. As followers of Jesus, we are called that you were slaves in Egypt.” Be Abusers use guns to intimidate their to be salt and light. Our communities gracious toward the other. partners. People shoot at their are likely not as violent as we might This is a challenging command, difficult neighbors rather than trying suspect, yet are not without risk. How especially considering the people’s harder to talk about their might Brethren influence the circumstances when given these disagreements. Sometimes children communities surrounding our homes instructions. They are still in the play with a gun they find in the home and church buildings if we armed wilderness, living at or near and accidentally shoot their friends. ourselves with hospitality, sought to subsistence level. Under these It is difficult to believe we will turn strangers into friends, and circumstances, strangers pose a very really be safer if we must first evaluate demonstrated a trust in God that real risk. They’re potential the other as a potential threat instead overcomes fear with hopefulness and competitors for limited resources. of a potential friend. And if we do go grace? What changes need to happen They may seek to do harm and take down this road, there may be no in our hearts? what we have by force. Self- returning. In the face of changing attitudes preservation is the natural inclination. Thankfully, our faith gives us toward guns and the “other,” these are There is no compelling reason to be different options. We can follow the some of the questions the peace and gracious and welcoming to strangers. example of Leviticus, Numbers, and justice group in my congregation And yet the overall admonition Deuteronomy and be generous toward seeks to answer.

Messenger April 2018 11 Baxter Stapleton Music for the times we’re in An interview with Shawn Kirchner by Walt Wiltschek

Prominent Brethren musician Shawn Kirchner—Swan Family Composer in Residence for the Los Angeles Master Chorale—recently composed a piece titled “Eye for Eye,” drawing on Mahatma Gandhi’s quote “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” It was featured in a “Put Your Guns Down” concert by Tonality, a choral group based in Los Angeles—initially in October 2017, and then in a reprise concert this past January. Those who have heard Kirchner’s piece described it as “beautiful,” “moving,” “haunting,” and “powerful.” Kirchner was in the midst of several composition projects when Messenger caught up with him to ask about the piece.

decent, but the chorus didn’t work out. How did your personal back- Messenger Where did the But eventually the whole song was ground and beliefs influence its inspiration for “Eye for Eye” just there. It kind of emerged. It didn’t creation? come from? come out of a specific shooting; it just n I was a peace studies major at Kirchner I was looking for an came out of everything that’s out of Manchester University and I was born anthem for church and couldn’t really control. The main part of the piece is and bred Brethren, but I went into pro- find the perfect thing. We were looking Gandhi’s text, “An eye for an eye ends fessional music. In all honesty, profes- for something relating to a scripture in up making the whole world blind.” But sional music outside the church was the Gospels that says your eye is the “ends up” isn’t very poetic, so in my not something that I felt my Brethren lamp of the body, and when it is light piece it’s “Eye for eye and the world elders imagined or encouraged—at the whole body is light, and if it is not goes blind.” least that’s how I saw it at the time. So light, how deep is the darkness (from Earlier I had written “Rain Come for me this is a “full-circle” kind of Matthew 6:22-23). I thought, “There Down,” which came out of the thing where my peace studies and needs to be a song about this.” But I Columbine shootings, a year after my Brethren background combined with didn’t succeed in writing an anthem at mom’s death, so this isn’t the only my love of choral music to produce that time—I had a verse that was piece I’ve done on this theme. something for the times. I had so many

12 Messenger April 2018 It’s not about music being an escape. It’s about music being a way to enter more deeply into these issues we need to address.

mixed feelings about not studying “Mom, I’m going to college.” Also in the Do you have plans to follow music in college. But when I see how concerts they include personal stories. up on “Eye for Eye” with any all these things have met up on the It’s not about music being an other pieces? other side I’m really happy about it. escape. It’s about music being a way to n Not at the moment. But the piece enter more deeply into these issues we that I just finished, “Songs of Ascent”― How did you become need to address. There is a church in it’s kind of like my magnum opus or connected with Tonality? downtown Los Angeles that has start- something—it’s really about conflict n The “Put Your Guns Down” concert ed singing this song every time there’s and resolution. I just wrote four new has been such a cool thing. I have been a shooting, and unfortunately they’re movements to highlight themes of involved with Tonality, a newly formed getting to know the song very well. estrangement and reconciliation, choir in Los Angeles which is inten- which again I feel is really my tionally focused on the intersection Why does it feel important for Brethren background. I feel proud for between music and social change and your music to have a social being part of a people who for 300 social justice. The founder of Tonality, component like this? years have been focused on the need Alex Blake, had an association with n You know, the reality is I can’t help for reconciliation. It’s part of who I the Los Angeles Master Chorale. He’s it, because I think when you’re an art- am, so it just kind of seeps out. being mentored by our conductor, and ist you’re responding to the times When you’re a musician it feels he’s a doctoral student at USC. you’re living in. You’re taking in the strange: The piece is sung, and then it’s Tonality is an awesome group and breath of the times, and that’s what over, and it disappears. It makes you very diverse. All the singers come from your breath is. Every single one of my wonder, “What’s the level I’m working different backgrounds and want to pieces in the past year has been a at?” But I think all the levels are impor- build a new unity together. They’re response to the times we’re in. tant. It’s not the same as getting a bill really amazing people. They’ve been I recently was asked to write for the passed, but it all feels important. We doing concerts on different themes, California high school all-state young have to be working at all levels. If you and this one was such an amazing con- men’s choir, and I wrote a piece called don’t have music about something, peo- cert. They actually reprised it due to “Man of Truth.” Right now all we’re ple will wonder, “Doesn’t anyone care popular demand. People are like, “We talking about in the news is lies. We’re about this?” I really do think that songs need to hear this.” in a time when we ask, “Does your show the trend lines. The inspiration Probably the most moving thing in word mean anything anymore?” I just leads the movement. this concert was called the “Seven Last had to respond and write a piece for Shawn Kirchner lives in the Los Angeles area and is a Words of the Unarmed.” It’s a choral young men about a way of being a member of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, setting of the last things remembered to truthful person. I can’t help it. I just where he serves as pianist and organist. His compositions are performed around the country and be said by people who were killed in feel if you’re awake and experiencing internationally. He also sings with a variety of groups. those police shootings. One was incred- what’s going on, if you’re a creative His completed “Songs of Ascent” will open the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s season this fall. ibly poignant, this beautiful ballad in person, your creative outlet is going to Learn more at www.shawnkirchner.com and the middle of the piece. All it is is, reflect the times. www.ourtonality.org.

Messenger April 2018 13 Gun violence up close by Walt Wiltschek

e cannot be silent or uninvolved when Violence Awareness Day is planned for June 24. someone else is being harmed,” says Ann Van Perhaps their most vivid witness, though, is the “Moving WDyke, a member of inner-city Harrisburg (Pa.) Memorial to the Lost”—a display of empty T-shirts each First Church of the Brethren. “We just can’t do it. We are painted with the name of a local gun violence victim. called to be agents of God’s love.” “We hear the news and it’s just a clip, but it represents the Van Dyke and others at Harrisburg First have seen the life of an individual and extends to the family and to the effects of gun violence up close. More than 110 people have community,” Mitchell says. “It’s a real personal issue in been shot and killed in Pennsylvania’s capital city (population addition to a legislative problem with the ease of these guns 48,900) in the past decade. The church has sought to respond being in our streets.” through Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence, a multi- Van Dyke keeps track of all the names to be remembered, a faith movement. too-long list, for the shirts of the memorial. The small organization grew out of a 2009 event in “It makes me sigh just to talk about it,” says Van Dyke, Philadelphia organized by the historic peace churches as a who retired after years working for the state in civil rights witness against illegal gun sales. Belita Mitchell, now in her enforcement related to hate violence. “To me it’s a real 15th year as pastor at Harrisburg First, was among those ministry—a public statement and also a ministry to the loved attending. It resonated with her experience. ones of those who have been lost.” “A 17-year-old was shot to death on a corner near the While the immediacy of the issue has been raised again church soon after we moved (to Harrisburg),” Mitchell says. recently with mass shootings in Las Vegas, Texas, Florida, and “I said to myself, ‘That doesn’t make sense.’ There has to be elsewhere, Mitchell notes that for many people of color gun something we can do. It’s something we can all come violence is an everyday reality they can’t escape. And throughout together on because we value the sanctity of life.” the country it remains a pervasive problem. The church established a weekly prayer vigil, and after the She and Van Dyke have seen glimmers of hope in the 2009 event it connected with other faith communities in the public outcry since the Parkland massacre, with the issue area to form a more comprehensive response. Today, the perhaps reaching a tipping point as students speak out. work of Heeding God’s Call includes education, advocacy, “It takes the courage and outrage of someone who is support and resourcing, community organizing, and willing to stand up in front of the cameras and say enough is networking. Its work is carried out by a paid executive enough and we want to see it changed,” Mitchell says. director, Bryan Miller, whose efforts are supported by a board But she also wonders where the message of the historic peace of directors and a group of dedicated volunteers. churches—and specifically the Brethren voice—is in all this. Events have included peace witness gatherings at the “I haven’t seen or heard any outcry from our Pennsylvania Capitol, denomination,” she says. “What would it look like if we could interfaith services on become a beloved community? Where is our voice?” the International Day Regardless of who else steps up to address the issue, though, of Prayer for Peace, Harrisburg First and the larger Heeding God’s Call movement legislative lobbying, will continue their unwavering work as a matter of faith. and partnerships with “We get frustrated,” Van Dyke says. “We get mad. But we groups such as Mom’s don’t feel defeated.” Demand Action for Sensible Gun Walt Wiltschek is pastor of Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren and at-large editor for Messenger. For more information on Heeding God’s Call, visit Legislation. A Gun www.heedingharrisburg.org.

“We cannot be silent or uninvolved when someone else is being harmed, We just can’t do it. We are called to be

Belita Mitchell and Ann Van Dyke agents of God’s love.” —Ann Van Dyke

14 Messenger April 2018 MediaReview Speak and live Poetry opens up the interior of gun violence

wo statements from very different untold more lives will be lost. poets set the agenda for Bullets into Bells: Poets One of the editors, Brian Clements, lives in Newtown, and Citizens Respond to Gun Violence, a unique Conn., and is married to a teacher who survived the shoot- anthologyT of poetry and reflections on guns. “If you speak, ing at Sandy Hook Elementary School. His poem is a litany you die. If you keep quiet, you die. So, speak and die,” wrote of its own. The number 22 helps him remember people he Algerian poet and journalist Tahar Djaout, who in 1993 was has encountered at various times in his life, people who shot and killed by a fundamentalist group. Wallace Stevens carried .22 pistols, or threatened him with one, or shot describes poetry as “a violence from themselves or others. One stanza is about his best friend within that protects us from a violence from sixth and seventh grade, who committed suicide at without. It is the imagination pressing age 22. The last stanza recounts his wife’s experience at back against the pressure of reality.” Sandy Hook. The staggering, unimaginable reali- ty in the United States is cited in the . . . a Bushmaster .223, hundreds of rounds of book: our nation suffers more than ammunition, 30,000 shooting deaths annually, and a shotgun in the car. Rather than turn right, Cheryl including suicides, accidents, and toward my wife’s classroom where she pulled Brumbaugh-Cayford assaults. In this anthology, 54 poets two kids into her room from the hallway, respond to this reality by—in essence—asserting, “speak and he turned to the left. . . . live.” The times necessitate moving beyond debate about guns A poem by Reginald Dwayne Betts, “When I Think of into a new territory of nuance, perhaps accessible only Tamir Rice While Driving,” is paired with a response by the through poetry and other creative arts. Poets and artists are mother of 12-year-old Tamir, who was shot by police while the doorkeepers who usher us into the interior of this playing with a toy gun in a public park. “When I lost Tamir, national horror. I lost a piece of myself,” Samaria Rice writes. “American The book is constructed as a litany. Each poem is echoed police terrorism was created to control the black and brown by a short reflection written by the “citizens” referred to in people of slavery. This remains vivid today. We need change the book’s subtitle. They aren’t just any citizens, however. across this country and accountability for our loved ones They are survivors of shootings, family of people who died whose lives have been stolen by American terrorism.” in shootings, gun control activists and other peacemakers— “Who will govern the government when they continue even people who are related to shooters. to murder American citizens?” is her question. It deserves a It makes for a truly disturbing, unsettling reading experi- serious answer from our nation’s leaders—and, really, from ence. Raw language and graphic imagery bring to life the all of us. stark reality of gun violence, and what it does to people. Here is her answer: “I am Readers should prepare for a deeply emotional and person- not afraid of the leadership al reaction, feeling with and for victims, survivors, even that I have come into upon the shooters . . . because that’s the point. Unless Americans tap death of my son. I am not afraid into the physical and emotional and spiritual realities of the to create change and to be a shootings, gun violence will be allowed to continue and part of change.”

About the Book Title: Bullets into Bells: Poets and Citizens Respond to Gun Violence. Editors: Brian Clements, Alexandra Teague, and Dean Rader. Publisher: Beacon Press. Publication date: 2017. Available from Brethren Press.

Messenger April 2018 15 Musical MARCH MADNESS!

1 Amazing Grace How Great How Great Thou Art 33 Amazing Grace Amazing How Great Thou Art 2 Blest Be the Tie That Binds Holy, Holy, Holy 34 Grace Thou Art Praise to the Lord, Fairest Lord 3 To God Be the Glory Praise God Fairest Lord Jesus 35 the Almighty Jesus 4 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Amazing from Whom Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us 36 Grace (118) Praise God All Things Great Is Thy 5 All Things Bright and Beautiful All Things from Great Is Thy Faithfulness 37 Bright and Beautiful Faithfulness 6 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Bright and Whom What a Friend We Have in Jesus 38 Beautiful (118) Praise God from TOP OF THE KEY 7 Just As I Am When Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah 39 Trust and Obey Whom (118) 8 Trust and Obey Peace Like Move in Praise God from Whom (118) 40 This may be as close as dancing- a River Our Midst challenged Brethren get to “The Big 9 O Healing River Here in This Here in This Place 41 Dance,” as the annual NCAA men’s O Healing River Place 10 Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing O Healing Here in Precious Lord, Take My Hand 42 basketball tournament is often River This Place called. In the basketball version, 11 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Have Thine Own Rock of Ages 43 teams face off in a single-elimina- Way, Lord As the Deer 12 Have Thine Own Way, Lord When Peace Move in As the Deer 44 tion bracket to determine a national Like a River Our Midst All Hail the Power The Church’s champion. In our version, hymns 13 Crown Him with Many Crowns When The Church’s One Foundation 45 of Jesus’ Name One Foundation replace hoops, with 64 best-loved 14 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name Peace Move in My Hope Is Built 46 tunes going one-on-one in the quest Like a River Our Midst When Peace Move in Our to be crowned (with many crowns). 15 As I Went Down to River to Pray When Morning Has Broken 47 Like a River Midst In full disclosure, the idea for this 16 When Peace Like a River Peace Like Move in Move in Our Midst 48 came from the Presbyterians. A For the a River Our Midst Brethren, Brethren, We Have congregation in Kansas did a show- 17 In the Bulb There Is a Flower Beauty We Have Brethren, We Have Met to Worship 49 Take My Life Met to Worship down like this last spring, and it 18 Take My Life of the Met to Blessed Assurance 50 seemed like a fun idea to transport Earth Worship For the Beauty Wonderful Grace into the Anabaptist world. So we 19 For the Beauty of the Earth For the Praise, I Wonderful Grace of Jesus 51 of the Earth of Jesus stole it. The field of hymns was cre- 20 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Beauty of Will Praise Christian, Let Your Burning Light 52 ated by looking at surveys of favor- the Earth You, Lord Praise, I 21 Come Thou Fount Come Will For We Are Strangers No More 53 ite hymns done by various groups Come Thou Fount Guide My Feet and adding in some uniquely 22 For Christ and the Church Thou Praise Guide My Feet 54 Fount Joyful, Will You You, Lord Brethren favorites. Seasonal favor- Gracious Spirit, Praise, I Will 23 Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me Joyful We Let Me Be Help Us to Help Each Other, Lord 55 ites (Christmas and Easter, etc.) Dwell with Me Praise You, Lord were not included. Some seeding 24 ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Adore Your Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord 56 Thee Servant I Sing the was done to try to separate likely Sweet Hour of I Sing the Mighty 25 Sweet Hour of Prayer Mighty There Are Many Gifts 57 top vote-getters into different Prayer Power of God brackets. 26 Nearer My God to Thee Here I Am, Power of I Sing the Mighty Power of God 58 Lord God This version of Musical March You Shall Go 27 Here I Am, Lord Joyful, Will You Let You Shall Go Out with Joy 59 Madness features the voting of Here I Am, Lord Out with Joy Messenger staff members, but feel 28 Great Is the Lord Joyful We Me Be Your Joys Are Flowing like a Fountain 60 Adore Thee Servant Will You free to tip off with the first round of Shall We Be Thou My 29 Shall We Gather at the River Joyful, Let Me Be Thou My Vision 61 64 and try it in your own congrega- Gather at the River Vision tion! It might just put an extra 30 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Joyful We Be Your Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 62 Adore Thee Servant bounce in your step this spring. 31 Just a Closer Walk with Thee Joyful, Joyful Will You Let Me Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing 63 We Adore Thee Be Your Servant 32 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Will You Let Me Be Your Servant 64

16 Messenger April 2018 MARCH MADNESS!

1 Amazing Grace How Great How Great Thou Art 33 Amazing Grace Amazing How Great Thou Art 2 Blest Be the Tie That Binds Holy, Holy, Holy 34 Grace Champion Thou Art Praise to the Lord, Fairest Lord 3 To God Be the Glory MOVE IN OUR MIDST Praise God Fairest Lord Jesus 35 the Almighty Jesus 4 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Amazing from Whom Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us 36 Grace (118) Praise God All Things Great Is Thy 5 All Things Bright and Beautiful All Things from Great Is Thy Faithfulness 37 Bright and Beautiful Faithfulness 6 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Bright and Whom What a Friend We Have in Jesus 38 Beautiful (118) Praise God from 7 Just As I Am When Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah 39 Trust and Obey Whom (118) 8 Trust and Obey Peace Like Move in Praise God from Whom (118) 40 a River Our Midst 9 O Healing River Here in This Here in This Place 41 O Healing River Place 10 Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing O Healing Here in Precious Lord, Take My Hand 42 River This Place 11 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Have Thine Own Rock of Ages 43 Way, Lord As the Deer 12 Have Thine Own Way, Lord When Peace Move in As the Deer 44 Like a River Our Midst All Hail the Power The Church’s 13 Crown Him with Many Crowns When The Church’s One Foundation 45 of Jesus’ Name One Foundation 14 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name Peace Move in My Hope Is Built 46 Like a River Our Midst When Peace Move in Our 15 As I Went Down to River to Pray When Morning Has Broken 47 Like a River Midst 16 When Peace Like a River Peace Like Move in Move in Our Midst 48 For the a River Our Midst Brethren, Brethren, We Have 17 In the Bulb There Is a Flower Beauty We Have Brethren, We Have Met to Worship 49 Take My Life Met to Worship 18 Take My Life of the Met to Blessed Assurance 50 Earth Worship For the Beauty Wonderful Grace 19 For the Beauty of the Earth For the Praise, I Wonderful Grace of Jesus 51 of the Earth of Jesus 20 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Beauty of Will Praise Christian, Let Your Burning Light 52 the Earth You, Lord Praise, I 21 Come Thou Fount Come Will For We Are Strangers No More 53 Come Thou Fount Guide My Feet 22 For Christ and the Church Thou Praise Guide My Feet 54 Fount Joyful, Will You You, Lord Gracious Spirit, Praise, I Will 23 Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me Joyful We Let Me Be Help Us to Help Each Other, Lord 55 Dwell with Me Praise You, Lord 24 ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Adore Your Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord 56 Thee Servant I Sing the Sweet Hour of I Sing the Mighty 25 Sweet Hour of Prayer Mighty There Are Many Gifts 57 Prayer Power of God 26 Nearer My God to Thee Here I Am, Power of I Sing the Mighty Power of God 58 Lord God You Shall Go 27 Here I Am, Lord Joyful, Will You Let You Shall Go Out with Joy 59 Here I Am, Lord Out with Joy 28 Great Is the Lord Joyful We Me Be Your Joys Are Flowing like a Fountain 60 Adore Thee Servant Will You Shall We Be Thou My 29 Shall We Gather at the River Joyful, Let Me Be Thou My Vision 61 Gather at the River Vision 30 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Joyful We Be Your Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 62 Adore Thee Servant 31 Just a Closer Walk with Thee Joyful, Joyful Will You Let Me Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing 63 We Adore Thee Be Your Servant 32 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Will You Let Me Be Your Servant 64

Messenger April 2018 17 Can we live together? Brethren and the winds of change

an the members of the Church of the to be linked with single issues, schisms tend to occur when Brethren continue to live together? That Brethren become differentiated along multiple social and question is more real now than at any other time in theological lines.” Some of the social factors can be geogra- recentC decades. Several groups are organizing meetings and phy, age, occupation, and education. structures based on their views of scripture and theology. What pushes the factions of a church into schism? Not Some people are saying the church would be better off if we just the differences in social and theological issues, says the divided. Others say it’s essential that, as a peace church, we encyclopedia, but differences “in their exposures to the figure out how to stay together. winds of change.” We’ve stayed together a pretty long time, all things consid- So, where are we today, more than 90 years after the last ered. While a few congregations have split off over the years, split in the Church of the Brethren? Should we stay togeth- the last major division was the formation of the Dunkard er? If so, how? Brethren in 1926. Before that was the schism of 1883, which Messenger invites readers to send us thoughtful divided the Church of the Brethren and a group called the reflections on this topic. Submissions may be as brief as Progressives—now known as the Brethren Church. one line but no longer than 500 words. Please send them While the long-ago divisions were based in theological to [email protected]. All will be considered for differences, The Brethren Encyclopedia points out that there possible publication in print or online editions of are usually social issues underlying the schisms. “While Messenger magazine. defections within the larger Brethren church may appear —The editors

18 Messenger April 2018 When our church is broken by Duane Grady

bout 20 years ago, our own divisions and points of separa- er’s tasks more difficult through our daughter fell and broke tion. Simply put, we cannot live out words and actions. her arm on a hiking trail in the fullness of the gospel without My home life would be much easier theA Great Smoky Mountains National relating to others whose life experi- if I got to make all the decisions with- Park, where we had stopped on our ence and grounding in faith does not out considering anyone else. But if this way to Annual Conference. I will mirror our own. We need the other. were the case, my home life would never forget my immediate emotional Throughout its history, the Church suffer because sometimes my ideas are reaction of wanting to snap the bones of the Brethren has been afraid of out- stupid. Sometimes my ideas are self- back into place. I didn’t want her arm siders. This is the primary reason we centered and short-sighted. There has to be broken and was eager to put remain a less racially, ethnically, and yet to be a time when our collective things right. Fortunately, my thinking culturally diverse community than ideas did not make for a better, more Can we live together? got the better of my emotions and, God wishes us to be. Throughout our spiritual, and more Holy Spirit-filled instead of doing more harm than history God has sent us prophets to life together. Brethren and the winds of change good, we rushed her off to seek proper help transform us, but too often we If we are lucky, God will continue medical care. have chosen to ignore or discourage to send people our way. Unless we This memory has added meaning them. For decades we have wondered learn to embrace those who are differ- for me as I hear the calls for separating why our numbers shrink, but we ent, this will do us no earthly or heav- and dividing up the church into small- haven’t critiqued our lack of willing- enly good. A first step would be to er and smaller bits. I understand the ness to accept the people God was stop imagining that we will be better emotional desire to be with people sending to us. Whenever we feel that off if we separate or organize our- who look, act, and think like us, but we would be better off without selves into like-minded cliques. this is the wrong remedy. I understand “those” people, we fall short of the Desiring to be held accountable by how difficult it can be to listen and glory of God. none other than our own beliefs is far worship with people whose ideas and Within our denomination are lead- from the New Testament. attitudes appear to be radically diver- ers and churches who speak fluently Our church is broken, but trying to gent from what I hold dear, and yet the about the need for repentance, holy fix things our own way is not in our scriptures call us to do this hard thing. redemption, and the destructive best interest. The New Testament tells The second chapter of Ephesians is nature of sin. And within our denomi- us how to move forward together. not a historical account of how the nation are leaders and churches who Now is a good time to do more than early church acted like Christians. It is are gifted in the holy work of welcom- just read about it. a living invitation to overcome our ing, including, and restoring people. For us to remain the church that God Duane Grady is pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren in Auburn, Ind. He is a member of the An- calls us to be, we need both groups— nual Conference Standing Committee, representing and we need to stop making each oth- Northern Indiana District.

I understand the emotional desire to be with people who look, act, and think like us, but this is the wrong remedy.

Messenger April 2018 19 "The Parents" woodcut by Kathe Kollwitz, 1922 Why? by James Benedict

ne warm summer night in 1985, a group of the time. I was working part-time at a church while going teenagers in a suburb of Chicago were looking for to seminary, and this was my first exposure as a pastor to Omischief to get into. Wandering around their sudden, senseless tragedy. I have had other exposures neighborhood, they spotted a post and mailbox which, since, and while each incident is different in several ways, instead of being firmly planted in the ground, was stuck in there is a common thread: the question, “Why?” an old milk can filled with cement. For reasons that were When death comes suddenly and out of season, we find never clear, they decided to move it from its place on the ourselves in a land of shadows, a land of abrupt and unex- curb to the middle of the road. There it lay on its side and pected darkness. Pain and anguish are our portion, and it cars had to swerve around it. seems so unfair. If we lift our voices in protest, it is Until one didn’t. The driver didn’t see it and struck it at understandable and acceptable. What has happened is full speed. The impact launched the car into the air and it unfair, and a life (or lives) ended far too soon. There is no came down just in time to land on a van coming from the getting around that. opposite direction. That van contained a man, a woman, By lifting our voices in protest, we join a long tradition, and their two children—a teenaged boy and a preteen girl. going back into the scriptures themselves. Job, who pro- The car that struck the milk can landed on the driver’s side tested, was judged more righteous than his friends who of the van, crushing and instantly killing the husband and offered excuses and explanations. In the psalms we hear, daughter, while leaving the mother and son with just “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide your- scratches and horrific emotional trauma. self in times of trouble?” and “O Lord, why do you cast me The teenaged boy was a member of my youth group at off? Why do you hide your face from me?”

20 Messenger April 2018 When death comes suddenly and out of season, we find ourselves in a land of shadows, a land of abrupt and unexpected darkness. Pain and anguish are our portion, and it seems so unfair.

"The Parents" woodcut by Kathe Kollwitz, 1922

Asking “Why?” as a means of protest—as a way of For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, expressing the pain we feel—is important. It is part of the that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of process that will allow us to heal. But we must be careful the Lord, will by no means precede those who have about expecting a satisfactory answer. “Why?” is a question died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, both theologians and ordinary folks have pondered for a with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s long time and, to my knowledge, none have come up with a trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in good enough answer. The question, “Why?” is an anvil that Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are has worn out many hammers. People have pounded away left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them at it for centuries without making much of a dent. to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. ven as we ask the question, we know deep down that an answer is not what we really want. It is important to notice in this description that the res- E What we really want is to have back the ones we urrection is not an individual event, in which each of us are have lost. Every one of us would likely accept a lifetime raised one at a time and taken to some private paradise. without an answer to the question in exchange for a few Resurrection, as Paul describes it, is a coming together, a more years, or months, or weeks, or even a single day with kind of reunion. Resurrection as a reunion is what is prom- those who are gone. ised in the gospel, and it is the gospel that we are called to That is why the gospel does not promise an explanation; proclaim in the face of tragedy. The world as we know it is it promises resurrection. It promises that death only inter- broken, but God who created the world is more than able rupts a life; it does not end a life forever. The gospel does to recreate it, setting right what is wrong, making whole not give good reasons; it gives good hope. It does not try to what is incomplete. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, justify evil; it proclaims God’s ultimate triumph over evil in God has conquered death, and through faith in him we the death and resurrection of Jesus. receive a share in that resurrection. Christians in the city of Thessalonika, to whom the There is a new world coming, where all God’s people will Apostle Paul wrote, were concerned about some whom be together, fully alive, full of love, full of joy. It will be a they had loved who had died. The absence of those who great reunion, and those who have died in faith will be there. had died was almost too much to take, and the prospect of This is God’s promise. This is our comfort and our hope. never seeing them again was breaking the hearts of those James Benedict is an interim minister at Frederick Church of the Brethren, follow- who remained. So Paul wrote to remind them of the great- ing his retirement last year after 20 years of pastoring Union Bridge Church of the er plan of God: Brethren. Both congregations are in Maryland.

Messenger April 2018 21 BibleStudy

Turtledove fraktur drawing from Ephrata Cloister manuscript, Quill and ink, ca. 1745, used by permission of Clarke E. Hess Winter is past by Christina Bucher

hether or not warning to be prepared for the worst, The Bible’s love poetry you watch HBO’s because the worst will happen. Some people are shocked to find love Game of Thrones By contrast, we encounter in Song poetry in the Bible, because they Wor read the books on which it is based, of Solomon 2:10-13 a message of hope expect to read in the Scriptures only it is hard to ignore the cultural impact and optimism about the future: what they consider “holy” or “sacred.” of that series, in which the Stark family “Winter is past.” But the Song of Solomon (also titled has as its motto the phrase “Winter is “Song of Songs”) is included in our coming.” The words communicate a Arise, my love, my fair one, sacred scriptures, tucked in between and come away; Ecclesiastes and Isaiah, and its inclu- Take a listen for now the winter is past, sion in the Bible importantly affirms You can find this music on YouTube the rain is over and gone. human sexual love. Although at face and at Hymnary.org: The flowers appear on the earth; value these poems describe the human the time of singing has come, experience of love, some interpreters  William Billings, “I Am the Rose and the voice of the turtledove relate the Song of Solomon to the of Sharon” is heard in our land. divine-human encounter.  William Walker, “Hark, Don’t You The fig tree puts forth its figs, I happen to think that both views Hear the Turtledove!” and the vines are in blossom; are appropriate and that we can inter- they give forth fragrance.  Healey Willan, “Rise Up, My pret this book on two distinct, but Love, My Fair One” Arise, my love, my fair one, interrelated, levels. With this book we and come away. have within the Bible a celebration of

22 Messenger April 2018 human sexuality. This is especially a rainy season, and summer is dry. To Mediterranean region in mid-April. important because sexuality has been say that “winter is past” in the Some (the New International Version, denigrated at various times in the his- Mediterranean means that the rainy for example) simply call the bird a tory of Christianity. We can call this a season has ended. The description in “dove,” but others (such as the New “level one” approach to the book. the Song of Solomon holds meaning no Revised Standard Version) specify that Without denying this important matter which “winter” we are talking this bird is a “turtledove.” (The King perspective, we can also see a “level about. Following winter is a season of James Version famously has “turtle,” a two” approach, which recognizes that beauty, fruitfulness, and abundance. now archaic term for a turtledove.) the human experience of love and This passage captured the attention Devotional writers use the term desire gives us language for talking of our Anabaptist forbears, who relat- “turtledove” to symbolize faithful love, about our relationship with God. ed these verses to new life and the because turtledoves mate for life. Because our identity as sexual beings flowering of a new age for the people In “Hark! Don’t You Hear the is a gift from God, we can speak of our of God. The Dutch Anabaptist Dirk Turtledove,” a song by 19th century relationship with God through the lan- Philips (1504-1568) describes the end- Baptist musician William Walker guage of sexual desire. These two lev- ing of winter as an experience of God’s (1809-1875), the turtledove symbolizes els support each other. grace, when he writes, “The land has the redeeming love of God: “O Zion, The poetic portion found in Song become fruitful in faith and the knowl- hear the turtledove, the token of your 2:10-13 expresses a lover’s desire for a edge of God; the plants of the Lord Saviour’s love!” beloved. At level one, these are two sprout forth.” Reflecting on this pas- My Elizabethtown College colleague anonymous individuals who love each sage in light of Dirk Philips, we might Jeff Bach has written about turtledove other and want to be together. A level ask ourselves, “Where does our world symbolism in the 18th century Ephrata Turtledove fraktur drawing from Ephrata Cloister manuscript, Quill and ink, ca. 1745, used by permission of Clarke E. Hess two approach views the dialogue of demonstrate faith and knowledge of (Pa.) religious community (Voices of the the Song of Solomon as a conversation God? Where do we see crocuses Turtledoves: The Sacred World of between divine and human figures. springing up through the snow?” Ephrata). Pairs of turtledoves appear in Traditionally, Christianity views the Composers have set the words of the Ephrata art known as fraktur (as in male as either God or Jesus and the this passage to music. The Anglo- the image accompanying this Bible Winter is past female as either an individual seeker Canadian musician Healey Willan study). In this art, pairs of turtledoves or the body of believers (the church). (1880-1968) based his song “Rise Up, symbolize the love that binds Christ My Love, My Fair One,” on this section and his followers. Winter is past of the Song of Solomon. The colonial As readers of the Bible, we often The setting for this love poem is spring- American composer William Billings want precise meanings for everything time. As April approaches in Penn- (1746-1800) weaves together the lan- we encounter in the Scriptures, but sylvania, where I live, we eagerly antici- guage of Song of Solomon, chapter 2, in poems often elude the precision we pate the end of winter’s snow, sleet, and the anthem “I Am the Rose of Sharon.” seek. Rather, they elicit emotional ice. We look for signs of spring—crocus responses, and they have the power to and snowdrops, which sometimes The voice of the turtledove call forth from our souls new poems, sprout up through a layer of snow. The “voice of the turtledove” (v. 12) songs, and art. By contrast, in the eastern signals change. English versions vary Winter is past! The voice of the Mediterranean region where our pas- on how they translate the Hebrew turtledove is heard in our land!

sage originates, there are only two main word tor, which refers to a migratory Christina Bucher is professor of religion at Elizabeth- seasons: winter and summer. Winter is dove that appears in the eastern town (Pa.) College.

To learn more In Lamentations; The Song of Songs (Herald Press, 2015), Wilma Ann Bailey and Christina Bucher discuss ways the Song of Songs (an alternate title for Song of Solomon) has influenced Christian spirituality through hymns and devotional writing. This volume, part of the Believers Church Commentary Series, is available from Brethren Press.In an insight session at Annual Conference on Friday, July 6, the two authors will focus on the intersection of faith and the human experiences of desire, love, loss, and mourning, which can be found in those two books of the Bible.

Messenger April 2018 23

NewslineDigest April 2018

‘Compelling vision’ process to be central at Annual Conferences next two years

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford nnual Conference in the steps that will move the denomi- 2017 called the nation forward “with vision and pur- ALeadership Team pose as we proclaim and serve Christ of the denomination, along with the together.” Council of District Executives, to A Compelling Vision Process Team develop a process through which the of seven individuals from across the church will engage in conversations denomination, with Sarpiya, Keister, leading to a “compelling vision” for the and Douglas, will work during Annual church’s life together. Conference 2018 and 2019 and also A Compelling Vision Working alongside district gatherings to engage Group has been formed, comprising the church in conversations that will general secretary David Steele, 2018 generate themes leading to a vision Annual Conference moderator Samuel with a distinctive direction for the Sarpiya, 2019 moderator Donita Church of the Brethren. During the Keister, Conference director Chris 2018 Conference, one full business ses- Douglas, and two district executives sion and a portion of a second will be chosen by the council, Colleen structured to begin the envisioning Michael and John Janzi. The 2020 process. Following the 2018 moderator will join this group follow- Conference, district gatherings will ing this year’s Annual Conference. provide input to the development of a This working group has set in place denominational vison statement. a process by which the church will be Annual Conference 2019 will be pri- ing all congregations “to be present led through a time of envisioning marily dedicated, including most of in these conversations bringing beginning with Annual Conference the business sessions, to the develop- your unique contributions and shar- 2018 and continuing through the 2019 ment of a compelling vision for the ing in the hard work of discovering Conference. The process is intended to Church of the Brethren. God’s plan for how we will continue move beyond conversations, debates, The Leadership Team and Council to be the body of Christ in this and official statements to living out of District Executives are encourag- broken world.”

“Confessing Jesus Christ as teacher, redeemer, and Lord, we desire to serve him by proclaiming, professing, and walking in his way together bringing his peace to our broken world. Join us in reclaiming a new passion for Christ and helping set a course for our future as the Church of the Brethren serving him in our communities and in the world!” —guiding statement from Compelling Vision Working Group

Post this page

You are welcome to photocopy this page. For more Newsline stories and to subscribe to Newsline’s free e-mail news service go to www.brethren.org/news

Messenger April 2018 25 NewslineDigest

P aul Mundey and Pam Reist top AC ballot

opping the ballot for the Ill.; Paul Schrock of Indianapolis, Ind. 2018 Annual Conference Mission and Ministry Board, Area Tare two nominees for moderator- 3: Sue Ann Overman of Morgantown, W. elect: Paul Mundey and Pam Reist. Va.; Carol Yeazell of Asheville, N.C. Mundey is an ordained minister who is Bethany Seminary board of trust- retired from a long-term pastorate at ees, representing clergy: Audrey Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, served on the denomination’s Mission Hollenberg-Duffey of Hagerstown, Md.; and previously served on the denomina- and Ministry Board, where she was a Brandy Fix Liepelt of Annville, Pa. tional staff in the areas of evangelism member of the executive committee. Bethany Seminary board of trust- and church growth. Reist is an ordained Following are additional nominees, ees, representing laity: Ronald D. Flory minister and pastor at Elizabethtown listed by position: of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Louis Harrell (Pa.) Church of the Brethren who has Annual Conference Program and (incumbent) of Manassas, Va. Arrangements Committee: Emily Brethren Benefit Trust board of Shonk Edwards of Nellysford, Va.; Del directors: Nancy L. Bowman of Keeney of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Fishersville, Va.; Shelley Kontra of Pastoral Compensation and Lancaster, Pa. Benefits Advisory Committee: Jeremy On Earth Peace board: Jennifer Driver of Harrisonburg, Va.; Deb Oskin Keeney Scarr of Trotwood, Ohio; Naomi of Columbus, Ohio. Sollenberger of New Enterprise, Pa. Mission and Ministry Board, Area For more information about Annual 2: LaDonna Sanders Nkosi of Chicago, Paul Mundey Pam Reist Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac.

P ersonnel notes

Roxanne Aguirre started seminary investments in con- Gaithersburg, Md., and holds 2016, serving as interim Jan. 16 as part-time coordina- sultation with a consultant degrees from Ohio State director of admissions and tor of Spanish-language min- firm. Additional responsibili- University and Valparaiso student services. She is a istry training at the Brethren ties include overseeing University. He succeeds graduate of Bethany and Academy for Ministerial human resources, buildings David Lawrenz, who retired Columbia Theological Leadership, working from her and grounds, and Bethany after 45 years at Timbercrest. Seminary. home in California. Aguirre housing. She will serve as Amy Gall Ritchie is Beth Sollenberger is holds a master’s degree in treasurer for the board of resigning as director of stu- serving quarter-time as inter- marriage and family therapy trustees, enabling her to act dent development and alum- im district executive for from Fresno Pacific Biblical in legal capacities for the ni/ae relations for Bethany Michigan District, while she Seminary and a bachelor’s in seminary. Previously, she has Theological Seminary, effec- continues as executive for psychology from California been controller for the city of tive May 15. She has worked South/Central Indiana State University Fresno. Richmond, Ind., among other there since August 2003. Her District. Tammy Glenn began work for area organizations. work for Bethany has includ- Rick Villalobos started March 1 as executive director John M. Loop began Jan. ed leading spiritual direction Jan. 29 as production coordi- of finance and administration 8 as CEO of Timbercrest as part of ministry formation, nator for Brethren Benefit at Bethany Seminary. As con- Retirement Community in helping with a research proj- Trust. He holds a bachelor’s troller, she will oversee finan- North Manchester, Ind. He is ect interviewing congrega- in communications with a cial planning and accounting a former administrator of tions to better prepare stu- minor in graphic design from operations and will manage Asbury Methodist Village in dents for ministry, and, in DePaul University.

26 Messenger April 2018 Youth&YoungAdults

Paul Mundey and Pam Reist top AC ballot No longer strangers by Emmy Goering

cPherson College in Kansas excels than 12,000 large mammals and 482 bird species roam free at providing amazing yet attainable in central Africa’s largest protected wetland. I had hoped travel opportunities for its students. Just we would see some of the wildlife up close, but I could aM few weeks ago, I was one of seven students who traveled to never have imagined just how close we’d be. In fact, I have the African country of Rwanda with professor Herb Smith some photos of a young elephant practicing his charge tech- as part of our interterm class. nique with the vehicle in front of us. It was remarkable! We met several times prior to the trip to learn about the This trip wasn’t all about sightseeing, however. Rwanda country we’d be visiting, and I was shocked by its violent is quickly making a name for itself for educational advance- history. In 1994, just 24 years ago, Rwanda found itself in ments, and it was exciting to be a small part of this effort. the midst of a genocide. About 800,000 people were mur- Our group spent three days with Rwandans at varying levels dered in the span of only 100 days. This racially fueled ram- of English proficiency. We met with university students and page left Rwanda a completely different country. highly educated adults who needed practice with pronunci- We left McPherson at 4 a.m. to catch a flight from ation and conversational English skills. We spent time just Wichita, Kan., to Washington, D.C., where we spent the night. speaking English with students, practicing certain words The next day was another early morning and a 14-hour flight and common phrases as well as reading aloud. to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From there, we flew four more On the last day of the class, we produced a deck of cards hours to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Although we and the students giggled with excitement. They quickly spent a lot of time getting to our destination, the experience picked up our instructions, and we laughed together over proved to be more than worth the effort. several silly games of Go Fish. Their enjoyment of this little On our first full day in Kigali, we visited a memorial glimpse of Western culture gave me a new perspective. In museum dedicated to the genocide victims and telling their those moments, our differences of culture, background, and stories. The sheer number of people who were killed was understandings transformed into a new, shared reality. hard to fathom. As I looked at pictures and learned more Although our return trip was just as long, Rwanda no about them, I felt overwhelmed by the many tragedies. The longer seems so far away. horror had occurred so recently that many of the people Emmy Goering, a student at McPherson College, recently spent a year of Brethren working in the museum had been affected by the genocide, Volunteer Service working as peacebuilding and policy associate at the Church of having lost friends and family members. Perhaps some of the Brethren Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC. the people we passed on the streets were among those doing the killing. One of our drivers shared his story from the genocide. As a young boy, he had come home from school one after- noon to find his family missing. He knew that to survive he’d have to leave. So he struck out on his own. He eventually fled to the Republic of the Congo and found safety there. The 800,000 who died weren’t so lucky. On a lighter note, one of my favorite experiences was our visit to Akagera National Park along the border with Tanzania. It is a refuge for protected spe- cies of the savannah such as zebras, giraffes, elephants, and baboons. More

Messenger April 2018 27 Letters

BDM ad Nigeria Crisis Response appeal.qxp_Layout 1 9/1/17 2:20 PM Page 1

Nigeria Crisis Response: ChurCh of the Brethren The Long Journey Home “One day Boko Haram will be a thing of the past. One day our (abducted) girls MARCH 2018 www.bRetHRen.oRg will be brought back alive. One day the northern part of Nigeria will be peaceful.” Messenger Dlama — Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Staff in 2014 photo by Roy Winter

Three years later, the hope for peace is still alive, though progress has been slow. The Church of the Brethren has walked with the Nigerian Brethren by supporting a large comprehensive response that is saving lives, preventing famine, and providing more than $4.5 million in resources and services.

Even with these huge efforts, “one day” has not arrived for hundreds of thousands of people. These families need our ongoing and unceasing prayers, support and aid. $1.5 million is needed to continue life-saving Another thoughtful issue. Kudos to Jonathan and life-giving programming for 2018 & 2019 Simplify Help people reclaim their lives and create a future by supporting education for children, home repairs, job training, agriculture, emergency food rations, peace building and trauma recovery. Your donation helps Rebuild Hope and Home for the “one day” Emmons for challenging us with his thoughts in Give online at www. nigeriacrisis.org

Donate to the Nigeria Crisis Fund Church of the Brethren 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 For more information contact Roxane Hill: [email protected] or 847-429-4329 “Le“ave Your Caves, O People of God.” A ‘FeAst oF Love’ 10 LeAve your cAves, o peopLe oF God! 12 HAve pAtience, BrotHer sAmueL 16 marcov.indd 3 2/12/18 2:52 PM ” Made by God normal people. deserve the same love, compassion, I have a niece and nephew who are and yes, rights as I have. The letters from Galen Miller and homosexual and they are normal. Allen Clague Rockingham, Va Myron Jackson in the March They have just chosen a same sex per- Messenger are right on in my opin- son to share their most intimate ion. I have spent a lot of time selves. It may or may not be sexual, Thank you researching the medical aspects of but that is for them to decide, not me. homosexuality, and if you look, you I do know that they were made by I want to thank you for “Pilgrimage: will find that homosexuals are just God just like a heterosexual. They Seeking Our True Home” in the

28 Messenger April 2018 by Ken Gibble

Poetic expressions December Messenger. I found it both that bring a clearer informative and inspirational. Thank understanding of what it you for including Henry Ossawa Tanner’s painting, “The Annunciation.” means to be human I think it is the most beautiful painting of the annunciation that I have ever seen. Also, thank you for your messag- es from the publisher. I look forward to them. Thank you for your hard and faithful work. Jim Eikenberry Annville, Pa

Thoughtful in March

Another thoughtful issue. Kudos to 800‐441‐3712 · www.brethrenpress.com Jonathan Emmons for challenging us with his thoughts in “Leave Your Caves, O People of God.” Larry Klingler Somerset, Ohio

From cover to cover

We really enjoy the Messenger and read it from cover to cover. Keep up Faith at the the good work. Reba and Dean Beery foundation Huntington, Ind.

About injustice

The theme of the January/February Congregations across the country are building and growing their issue seemed to be injustice and how missions and ministries, thanks to church loans from Everence®. we address it. Probably the most perse- cuted minority are those who believe in the Christian fundamentals. For more information, contact us at (877) 295-2664 or Four centuries ago my ancestor, [email protected]. Hans Heinrich Landis (1553-1614), who was an Anabaptist preacher, became a everence.com/church-loans martyr for Jesus Christ. After he was beheaded, the government confiscated the property of his widow and orphans. Their descendants and other oppressed Banking | Investing | Retirement | Financial Planning | Insurance | Charitable Giving Brethren immigrated to Pennsylvania Everence offers credit union services that are federally insured by NCUA. Investments and other products are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal and have no to be free to obey the holy scriptures credit union guarantee. All products are not available in all states.

2180120 Church Loan ad for The Messenger_2018: 4.875x5

Messenger April 2018 29 Letters

These Christians refused to bake a wedding cake for a religious ceremony that they could not with a clear “conscience participate in. ”

and serve God with a clear conscience is only between a man and a woman decision and even received death without persecution. and they will not participate in any threats. Today the state of Oregon is perversion of it. These Christians Melissa Klein said, “I loved my oppressing Christians who believe refused to bake a wedding cake for a shop. It meant everything to me and the holy scriptures and try to serve religious ceremony that they could losing it has been so hard for me and God. Although the Oregon Equality not with a clear conscience partici- my family. We lost everything we Act prohibits discrimination based on pate in. As a result, the Oregon loved and worked so hard to build.” sexual orientation in employment Bureau of Labor and Industries For their financial loss and emo- and their Constitution promises reli- ordered the couple to pay $135,000 in tional distress, the Kleins have gious liberty and free speech, Aaron damages for emotional distress to received nothing. Oregon has com- and Melissa Klein have lost their those who bullied them. In addition mitted a crime by violating their employment due to their sexual ori- to losing their business, the Kleins civil rights. entation. They believe that marriage have suffered harassment for their Ben Haldeman Greencastle, Pa.

C   B R C

There’s somewhere waiting for you—a retirement home amidst the abundant natural beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, in a quiet, established community. Opening in 2019, The Grove will offer the most spacious, contemporary apartment designs at Bridgewater Retirement Community. This is a chance PGBMJGFUJNF‰BDIBODFUPCFBNPOHUIFmSTUUPPQFOUIFEPPSUPUIFOFXFTU independent living home in the region.

Reserve your new home today. Visit brcliving.org/thegrove for more information.

at

1.800.419.9129 | 540.828.2540 | www.brcliving.org/thegrove | 302 North Second Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812

30 Messenger April 2018

TurningPoints

Please send information to be Bixler, Don and Wilma Calif., Jan. 9 Nair, Naomi E. (Patsy), 84, Gordon, 96, Frederick, included in Turning Points to Jean, Goshen, Ind., 55 Fleming, Mabel M., 77, Eglon, W.Va., June 4 Md., Jan. 9 Diane Stroyeck, 1451 Dundee Cripe, Farrell and Frances, Shelocta, Pa., Jan. 13 Perry, Rodney B., 52, Wyland, Beverly A., 66, Ave, Elgin, IL 60120; 800- Goshen, Ind., 65 Flory, Raymond, 84, Staunton, Va., Aug. 29 East Freedom, Pa., Feb. 8 323-8039, ext. 327; Eash, Dale and Judy, Lawrence, Kan., Petry, Johanna (Joby) Yoder, John, 89, Goshen, Feb. 22, 2017 Stangland, 79, Walkerton, [email protected]. Goshen, Ind., 55 Ind., May 4 Long, Melvin and Linda, Frick, Kevin Glenn, 58, Ind., May 19 Zehner, Dale, 74, Plymouth, Information must be complete Westminster, Md., 60 Bremen, Ind., Dec. 11 Rainey, Albert Gerald, 90, Ind., April 26, 2017 in order to be published. Ramsbey, Gene and Lynn, Funkhouser, Judy Annette, Timberville, Va., May 30 Information older than one North Manchester, 65, Warrenton, Va., Feb. Riegsecker, Ellen Miller, year cannot be published. Ind., 65 24, 2017 89, Goshen, Ind., Oct. 6 Ordained Stansbury, Leighton and Gamble, Rhoda C. Becker, Roller, Lucile Ritchie, 76, Brock, Sie, Jr., S. Ohio New members Dottie, New Cumberland, 98, Lancaster, Pa., Jan. 23 Timberville, Va., Sept. 16 Dist. (Stonelick, Pleasant , Harold Lee, 88, , Dewey Vance, 97, Goshen City, Goshen, Ind.: Pa., 67 Gass Rotruck Plain, Ohio), Jan. 7 Hartville, Mo., Jan. 29 Keyser, W.Va., Dec. 12 Selena Collazo-Guevara, Crissman, Jason, W. Pa. Goodrich, Opal Hester, 98, Russell, George F., 69, Bekah Houff, Carter Deaths Dist. (Berkey, Windber, Prairie City, Iowa, Jan. 27 Defiance, Ohio, Dec. 10 Kruse, Sierra Royer, Kylie Pa.), Feb. 4 Baumgartner, Lois Emleen, Guyton, Patricia Rebecca Schick, Marjorie Ann, 83, Witmer Estep, Audrey, Atl. N. E. 99, Elgin, Ill., Jan. 16 Harshman, 82, Lawrence, Kan., Jan. 4 Indian Creek, Harleysville, Dist. (Stevens Hill Bixler, Wilma Jean Burkittsville, Md., Oct. 16 Schulz, Robert, 90, Pa.: Lamont Edwards, Community, Elizabethtown, Dishong, 82, Goshen, Harsh, Rose Ina L., 88, Burbank, Ohio, May 21 Natasha Edwards Pa.), Jan. 21 Ind., Dec. 17 Eglon, W.Va., April 21, Shaffer, Daniel L., Sr., Ligonier, Pa.: Michelle Ishman, Daniel R., W. Pa. Blair, Peggy Ann, 82, 2017 72, Westminster, Md., Clark, Celeste Olszewski Dist. (Center Hill, Somerset, Pa., Jan. 28 Heisey, Dennis, 73, Nov. 30 Linville Creek, Broadway, Kittanning, Pa.), Jan. 28 Bolton, Charles W., 89, Lancaster, Pa., Jan. 16 Silvers, Peggy Jane Va.: Gretchyn Germoth, Kragt, Caleb, N. Ind. Dist. Franklin, Pa., Dec. 28 Hess, Marilyn Shupp, 87, Caruthers, 80, Lawrence, Jeff Orebaugh (Rock Run, Goshen, Bolton, Murray M., Jr., 91, Goshen, Ind., Sept. 29 Kan., Dec. 2 Midland, Va.: Charlene Ind.), Dec. 31 Media, Pa., Dec. 16, 2016 Holmgren, Everett C. Snead, Dorothy Jane, 91, Hill, Erin Olinger Lattimer, Benjamin, Mid. Bowman, Jerry L., 79, Glen (Sam), 86, Plymouth, New Oxford, Pa., Nov. 4 Mohican, West Salem, Pa. Dist. (Stone, Arm, Md., Nov. 19 Ind., April 24, 2017 Snowberger, Devona M. Ohio: Connie Delozier, Huntingdon, Pa.), Sept. 17 Burger, Virginia E. Hoover, Betty Jean Miner, 78, Waynesboro, David Delozier, Jack Miller, R. Scot, Mich. Burnside, 101, Goshen, Williams, 93, Martinsburg, Pa., Feb. 4 Donley, Jennifer Donley, Dist. (Common Spirit, Ind., May 3 Pa., Jan. 9 Spitzer, Danny, 78, Wyoming, Mich.), Philip Eberly, Sarah Buss, Miriam, 100, Judy, Jesse Troy, 93, Eglon, Broadway, Va., Jan. 24, Nov. 26 Fraser, Kyle Hinton, Ben Bremen, Ind., Feb. 1 W.Va., Jan. 8 2017 Moyer, Clay, Atl. N. E. Dist. Kunkel, Brennon Kunkel, Claar, Anna L., 85, Roaring Kendall, James Lloyd, 81, Strausbaugh, Ronald W., (Hatfield, Pa.), Jan. 14 Lily Kunkel, Renee Spring, Pa., Jan. 15 Smithfield, Pa., Oct. 1 86, New Oxford, Pa., Kunkel, Schuyler Kunkel, Clark, William, 83, Goshen, Kesner, Richard Lee, 82, Nov. 14 Cole Marley, Diane Ind., Nov. 7 Keyser, W.Va., Nov. 10 Strite, Jane Arlene Licensed Marley, Gabe Nichelson, Cramer, Esther M. Kintner, Emery Berton, 94, Brandenburg, 83, Barth, Jason W., Mid-Atl. Lydia Palmer, Jerald Brubaker, 83, Hollidays- Merrillville, Ind., Jan. 16 Rohrersville, Md., June 6 Dist. (Mountain View, Reeves, Paula Reeves, burg, Pa., Dec. 30 Kulp, Erma L. Weaver, 99, Stultz, Owen Glennard, 90, Bunker Hill, W.Va.), Bethanie Schaefer, Carole Deatrick, Sharyn Blosser, Goshen, Ind., July 18 Roanoke, Va., Jan. 16 Jan. 14 Winkler, David Winkler, 70, Sherwood, Ohio, Landis, Richard, 89, Lititz, Sullender, William W., 82, Schrag, Pamela, W. Plains Ava Workinger Jan. 9 Pa., Jan. 26 Stuarts Draft, Va., Jan. 15 Dist. (Newton, Kan.), Plumcreek, Shelocta, Pa.: Desper, Meryl F., 86, Leatherman, Howard G., Tate, Mary E., 82, Feb. 18 Toni Parsley, Steve Wilhoit Stuarts Draft, Va., Nov. 84, Oregon, Ohio, Jan. 27 Lawrence, Kan., Nov. 12 Plymouth, Ind.: Ryan 17, 2016 Mast, Rhonda Lee Teets, Charles Curtis, 68, Placements Bernard, Dorothy Eads, Dipert, Douglas, 65, Holderman, 77, Corvallis, Eglon, W.Va., May 17 Judy Matz, Phil Matz Walkerton, Ind., May 12 Ore., Feb. 21, 2017 Teets, David L., 92, Eglon, Kragt, Caleb, co-pastor, Ridgely, Md.: Lisa Dunbar, Robert Lowell, 82, May, Erma Ritchie, 88, W.Va., Nov. 17 West Charleston, Tipp Calloway, Rebecca Adrian, Mich., Jan. 10 Broadway, Va., Oct. 3 Thomas, Myron, 91, Chico, City, Ohio, Jan. 1 Keubler Durham, James D., 81, McCan, Virgil, 86, Calif., Jan. 23 Lattimer, Benjamin, Sunnyside, New Creek, Wooster, Ohio, Aug. 12 Plymouth, Ind., Feb. 22, Tisdale, Thomas Clinton, co-pastor, Stone, W.Va.: Luther Riggleman Ebersole, Adin R., 88, 2017 78, Stuarts Draft, Va., Huntingdon, Pa., Jan. 15 Chambersburg, Pa., Moore, Frances Devan, 76, June 1 Lattimer, Cindy, from Wedding Jan. 19 Uniontown, Pa., Dec. 20 Townsend, Wilma N., associate pastor, Edwards, Betty Bowersox, Moser, Glenn Elmer, 83, 97, Lake Odessa, Mich., Lancaster, Pa, to anniversaries 92, Goshen, Ind., Jan. 14 Middletown, Md., Dec. 4 Feb. 1 co-pastor, Stone, Anderson, Donald and Etter, Doris Jean, 81, Moser, Naomi F. Schroyer, Weed, Lucille Lantz, 97, Huntingdon, Pa., Jan. 15 Lucinda, Falfurrias, Chambersburg, Pa., Jan. 95, Frederick, Md., Mount Airy, Md., Jan. 18 McLearn-Montz, Alan, Texas, 55 13 Oct. 17 Winters, Jesse M., 94, from interim pastor, Baughman, Dan and Fillmore, Pauline Ruth Munson, Loren E., 88, Eglon, W.Va., Aug. 18 Ottumwa, Iowa, to pastor, Carolyn, Culver, Ind., 50 Fagerstone, 90, Live Oak, Dixon, Ill., Feb. 3 Wolfe, Catherine L. Bakersfield, Calif., Jan. 15

Messenger April 2018 31 Potluck

We don’t need another hero

have an appreciation for the writings of Vernard Eller, long-time professor of religion at the University of La Verne in southern California, Iprimarily because his views are cutting edge and sometimes cutting. I never knew him personally, but I gather from his books that he was a person comfortable in his own skin, even if what he said or wrote stirred thoughts and emotions in others. Recently I read Eller’s Towering Babble: God’s People Without God’s Word. I have a hunch that this book raised some forms of theology take us in different directions. eyebrows back in 1983. Eller told Is one of these the reason for our disunity? Is it all of the church rather directly that the above and more? Could it be something different? Kevin Kessler it was losing its grounding in Eller gives me pause. Could his point 5 be a reason that theology. In his mind, the church has not been given attention in our 21st century dilemma? seemed to be moving in the direction of anthropology. Is heroism a factor in our present situation? In efforts to In other words, the church was becoming more human- keep the church “pure” or to offer a prophetic voice or centered than God-centered. to find the solution to our problems, are we wanting to Eller wrote: “Above all, at the heart of our faith, we emerge as the hero who once and for all brings about a dare not allow the glorifying of the human to encroach way forward on which we can all agree? our glorifying of God.” And then he proposed a minimum Could it be we have not found the way forward yet core theology consisting of eight points. Point 5 rose to because our approach is too anthropological (heroic) the surface for me. It says: “Human ego-assertiveness, rather than theological (God)? Are we expecting the any desire to look heroic in the sight of God, is sin.” solutions to come from us rather than from the mind of Many people have suggested reasons for our current Christ? state of uncertainty about denominational unity: We don’t Thank you, Vernard Eller, for decades-old thoughts agree on the authority and understanding of scripture. that have relevance for our situation today. Matters of human sexuality become lines in the sand. Conservatism or progressivism is the problem. Various Kevin Kessler is district executive for Illinois and Wisconsin District.

Could it be we have not found the way forward yet because our approach is too anthropological (heroic) rather than theological (God)? Are we expecting the solutions to come from us rather than from the mind of Christ?

32 Messenger April 2018 AC 2018 Messenger ad #2.qxp_Layout 1 1/21/18 7:20 PM Page 1 Annual Conference Copyright Church of the Brethren. Photo by Glenn Riegel. by Photo of the Brethren. Church Copyright

Join us in Cincinnati July 4-8, 2018! For information about the conference schedule, tours, concerts at conference, business items scheduled, children and youth activities, hotel Information, registration and more go to: www.brethren.org/ac Register NOW! On-line Registration and Hotel Reservations ends on June 11. Questions? Call 847-429-4365 or email [email protected]

Annual Conference needs volunteers! Sign up to give a few hours or more at: www.brethren.org/ac/activities

Church of the Brethren Hollenberg. Keith by Photo of the Brethren. Church Copyright Annual Conference

Annual Conference exists to unite, strengthen and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus. Keep your fork

Something

is coming! www.inglenookcookbook.orgsweet