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BR ETH RE N CON G R EG AT I O N S FO R M I N G M EA NIN G FU L REG I O N A L R E L AT I O N S H I P The congregations of Gretna Brethren (Bellfontaine, OH) and United Community Brethren Church (Dayton, OH) continue to forge a meaningful partnership and friendship. The congregations have regularly been joining each other in worship, travelling to each other’s churches to hold services in one space. Most recently, over 60 members of Gretna travelled to Dayton to join UCBC in worship. Gretna member Greg Culp shares, “What a powerful experience! We learned that God is at work at UCBC and certainly felt the presence of The Holy Spirit while worshiping together. Following our time worshiping together, the kind folks at UCBC had a wonderful lunch prepared so that our families could get to know one another a little better. More friendships were made. We really are ONE church and this is just the beginning of a great relationship where we look forward to seeing God move to build us closer to one another and closer to Him.”
THE GAT H E RING CE L E B R AT E S F I R ST THR EE- FOLD COM MU N I O N S E R VI C E The Gathering Church (Grottoes, VA) continues to celebrate firsts, as they recently held their first Communion and foot washing service. The love feast was integrated into their normal Sunday morning gathering, in the fire department hall where the church gathers in. The church has been holding public services since March of 2017. Pastor Justin Morris reached out to other leaders in his region to talk about the practical and logistical considerations of the practice. The church reports that there were a few over 60 adults in attendance and 15 children, and they estimate that at least 90% of those in attendance participated. Morris shares, “It was an amazing moment for the congregation, and we’re excited that four kids gave their lives to following Jesus during kid’s church that morning as well!”
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LOST AND FOUND OF PA R A D I S E Jared Crooks
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he first thing you notice about the town of Paradise is, not surprisingly, the devastation.
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winds up the mountain to send people fleeing in all directions with nothing but their own lives, we were there to search.
More than four months after the Camp Fire raged through the town, the geometry of the place is askew, the hard angles of former buildings melted down into shapes more in keeping with the blackened organic sprawl of the remaining trees than something designed by human hands. Burned out cars, their tires long since consumed by the blaze, rest lower to the ground than what seems possible. Even in heavily-wooded areas, the views stretch for miles now, whole neighborhoods reduced to rubble, flattened into charred vistas rarely seen outside of apocalyptic wasteland movie sets.
And to find.
The second thing you notice, though, is even more unsettling. The devastation is thorough, and unrelenting, until... well, it isn’t. Throughout the town, isolated houses and businesses still stand, untouched, surrounded on all four sides by complete wreckage as if transplanted into place from somewhere else, somewhere peaceful, a place where even the idea of disaster has yet to materialize. It’s an assault on the mind, these visions of perfection against a backdrop of total and complete ruin. In late February, eight of us traveled here— four from Five Stones Community Church in Ashland, Ohio, four from Northgate Brethren in Manteca, California. Working with the charitable organization Samaritan’s Purse, our mission in Paradise was a unique one. We weren’t here to rebuild. We weren’t here to clean up. We weren’t even here to meet the physical needs of the survivors. Instead, four months after a fire started two canyons away before riding 60 mile per hour
Clad in white Tyvek suits and ponchos that did little to keep the torrential rain from soaking us to the bone over the course of five days, we took hand rakes and shovels to the remnants of what used to be homes, looking for whatever valuables the fire didn’t consume. Sifting through the ash—a white and grey mess, the consistency and weight of wet toilet paper thanks to the rain—we searched for the small remnants of a life that no longer existed. Wedding rings, military medals, heirloom jewelry, dog tags, loose diamonds—anything that the homeowners might want recovered. In these searches, we were met head-on with the stark physics of what happens to various substances when you crank up the surrounding world’s temperature knob to broil. Pearls turn black and go a little pear-shaped above 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. Glass melts into green and amber stalagmites. Pottery dissolves back into its original, earthy form. The coins we found were mostly unrecognizable, silver dollars fused into cylinders the size and shape of barbells, the familiar profile of Susan B. Anthony pressed flat into a vague apparition of her former self. The valuables were no longer valuable, per se. Not in a material sense, anyway. We were looking to provide closure. To give homeowners the chance to recover what could be recovered and say a final farewell to what couldn’t. We were also there for them. Standing in a circle with the homeowners, we prayed with them. We listened to their stories of that day, all of which were harrowing in ways that are unimaginable for those of us blessed enough
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not to live in an area where the threat of an all-consuming fire rushing over the horizon is a daily concern. The Camp Fire that leveled 95 percent of the town of Paradise started early in the morning. We heard the same story over and over: it began as smoke, gray at first before darkening to a thick black curtain. People went about their usual routines in the beginning—taking the kids to school, driving to work, buying milk at the corner store. But when the wind shifted and the flames began to illuminate the edge of the sky behind the tree line, the threat became real.
The people of Paradise fled as best they could before the narrow roads winding down the mountain clogged with traffic, forcing many to turn back and flee on foot. The fire swept in over the next few hours, exhausting the oxygen in the air and chewing through buildings like kindling after a summer defined by a critical lack of rain. At points in the early afternoon, the fire was destroying the town at a rate equivalent to one football field per second. By the end of the next week, the fire would take its place as the most destructive blaze in California history, destroying triple the amount of life and property than the previous worst three wildfires on record combined.
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toward the fact that they survived: that they have a future. That God preserved what mattered in their individual lives, and showed His grace in ways that now seem nothing short of miraculous.
Parts of the town, in fact, are still smoldering. Despite the devastation, though, the fire isn’t the story of Paradise. There were tears, of course, even months after the tragedy. But the people of Paradise that we met, to a person, were thankful for what was left. On the second to last day, standing by her elderly father, whose house was completely gone, a woman named Lisa summed the whole situation up succinctly. “Coming here, helping us find Mom’s wedding rings,” she said. “That’s what those crazy Christians do. They help when help is needed.”
The metaphor wasn’t lost on us, even as we acted it out in real time. God finds us in the devastation of our lives, buried in the wreckage of a fallen world, and returns us to our proper place. It’s the widow’s coin, the lost lamb, the prodigal son, this time set against a backdrop where true beauty and abject desolation exists, side by side. It’s a reallife parable set in a mountain town filled with people who have lived through the worst of what this world can offer, and who now truly seem to understand what ultimately matters, both in this life and the next.
The strength of the people of Paradise showed itself in their gratitude— not just towards the volunteers wading through the burnedout hull of their former lives in the pouring rain, but T H E B RETHREN EVA NG EL IST | 11
GOOD NEWS FOR SMALL CHURCH PASTORS: THE CONGREGATION YOU’RE PASTORING IS BIG ENOUGH. BY KARL VATERS
NEW DIGS FOR THE NATIONAL OFFICE Pat r i c k Sp ra g u e
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he Brethren Church National Office has completed a storied history at its 524 College Avenue location and has officially moved to its new home at 27 High Street in Ashland, Ohio. The former location had been home to the National Office and its various ministries and endeavors since the 1940s. The new location resides on the campus of Ashland Theological Seminary in the Shultz Building.
neighbors’ good.” Approximately one hundred gathered for the open house inside, welcomed with refreshments and a chance to see the offices. Attendees included many Brethren pastors and leaders, as well as employees of Ashland University and Ashland Theological
The building was renovated in cooperation with Ashland University and boasts just under 3,000 sq. ft. of office, conference and gathering space. The building features seven offices, two conference rooms, a lounge/kitchenette, office workroom, and two administration areas. There are also thoughtful additions throughout, including a reading area and a media production room. The move and renovation was funded from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the College Avenue property. Ashland University intends to turn the former property into a veteran’s service center for the campus. The National Office staff celebrated the new building’s opening with a ribbon cutting and open house. The event was organized by Ashland Area Economic Development and highlighted the important work that faith-based nonprofits have in a local economy. Remarks were delivered from Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, Interim Vice President of Ashland Theological Seminary Dr. Wayne McCown, and Executive Director Steven Cole. A crowd of around 60 gathered outside for the ribbon cutting. Steven Cole told the group in his remarks, “We have been around this city and part of the community for a long time and we are really excited that we are still a part of that today.” He added the church always worked to adhere to the phrase “for the glory of God, and for our
Seminary. It is the sincere prayer of the National Executive Board and of the National Staff that this space continues to be a catalyst of God’s Kingdom come, through the faithful work of The Brethren Church for years to come. Photos: (Top Left) Mayor Miller, Steven Cole, Joshua Coffee, Kathy Goon (Ashland Economic Development) and Jake Coffy (Ashland Chamber) cut the ribbon. (Top Right) Steven Cole addresses the crowd. (Middle) Mayor Miller speaks to the ribbon cutting crowd. (Bottom) Steven Cole speaking at the National Office Open House.
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WOM E N M E A N T TO S E R VE Sherry Van Duyne
This is the 2nd year of our two-year project for The Transformed Life Center in Dayton, Ohio. To date, we have given them $8670.11 for the repairs and remodeling of this facility. This is awesome! We received this thank you from them. “Thank you all so much for your generosity, prayers, love, and encouragement. The monies you are donating were much needed, and we appreciate your kindness. We are hoping to have the building repaired by the spring of 2019 and up and running by the end of summer 2019. Please keep us in your prayers! God bless all of you for your dedication to seeing this ministry fulfilled!” — Pastors Reggie and Julie Harvey and TLC So ladies TOGETHER we can make a difference, and we are! Keep saving and praying! Conference 2019 is at Ridgecrest, NC. Hopefully, you are pre-registered and planning to attend this essential Brethren event. We only gather together once every year, and this will be a special one. We, as WMS ladies will meet for one session! Tuesday evening after dinner from 7:00 to 8:30, in Rhododendron 3A. This meeting will be a time of sharing ideas, hearing reports from our officers, giving the gathering an update on our project and discussion time on the new revitalization and renewal of National WMS. (Each local group should have received a letter about this in February.). This need for a renewed, revitalized Women’s Ministry is no surprise if you have been involved in local, districts (regions now) or national WMS. We are still Women Meant to Serve and do not ever wish to dishonor our heritage. But, the culture, needs, and interests of women have changed. Our groups are aging, numbers are dwindling, and we have a lack of available and willing leadership. So the WMS Executive Board is proposing some changes to not only revitalize our existing groups but to encourage new women’s ministry groups to form! We will transition from elected and appointed national officers to a Leadership Team that will provide support to the local groups including but not limited to resources for devotions and study, meeting/outreach/event ideas. This “packet” will have many resources and ideas for meetings and beyond. This proposal is only in the first stages of planning and forming. So please PRAY with us to hear from our great God! Be excited with us as we look to the future and the Lord for direction!
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MOMENTS TR AN S IT ION S IN T H E B R E T H R E N C H UR C H Pastor Drew Meziere was ordained as a Brethren Elder on Sunday, November 18. The service took place at Garber Brethren (Ashland, OH) where Drew is senior pastor. The message was given by Rev. Dr. John Shultz. A number of Brethren elders and leaders attended the service, and a potluck followed the service. Pastor Ken Thompson (shown at left) has been called to lead the congregation at Roanoke Brethren (Roanoke, IN). Tim Bordeaux has completed a long run in ministry as youth pastor at North Manchester Brethren (N. Manchester, IN). Pastor Brent Sloan has concluded his ministry at Bryan First Brethren (Bryan, OH), and has begun a new season of ministry with a church in Michigan. Bryan First is seeking a new lead pastor. St. James Brethren Church (Hagerstown, MD) is beginning an interim stage of leadership, as Pastor Brad Selan has concluded his ministry with that congregation. Lanark First Brethren (Lanark, IL) continues its search for a senior pastor. Rev. Glenn W. Grumbling (left) died February 21, 2019, on his 88th birthday. He was born in Johnstown, PA, and grew up in Third Brethren Church where he was ordained in 1958. A graduate of Ashland College and Ashland Theological Seminary, he was a member of the Ambassador quartet that traveled in the United States and Europe. Glenn served Brethren congregations in Milford, Wabash (College Corner twice) and Muncie, IN; Waterloo, IA; Georgetown, DE (Mt. Olivet), and Johnstown, PA (Second). He was General Conference Moderator in 1993 and served on many district and denominational boards. Upon retirement, he and his wife Nancy moved to Hickory, NC, to be near family. He is survived by sons Wayne (Jayne) and Tom (Jenny) Grumbling, daughter Cheryl (John) Black, son-inlaw Jesús (Rosa) Muñoz; fourteen grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy and daughter Rebecca (Becky) Muñoz. Eleanor Porte, widow of John W. Porte, passed away Sunday morning, August 5. She was 102 years old. Services for Eleanor were Saturday, August 11 at First Brethren Church of South Bend - visitation at 10:00 am followed by the funeral at 11:00 am. John Porte served as Field Secretary for The Brethren Church during the 1960’s. Eleanor was a life long member of the South Bend congregation, Deaconess, and very active in the life of the congregation until recent years when her health necessitated a move closer to family. T H E B R ETHREN EVA NG EL IST | 27
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END NOTES I am excited that I get to write to you and tell you about our conference offering for the 2019 General Conference held in North Carolina. This year, we are raising money for the future of Brethren Academy. Four years ago, The Brethren Church National Office Partnered with Ashland University’s Christian Ministries department to write a grant that started a shared ministry to help young men and women discern their calling in life and orient them to Brethren life and values. Over the past three years of programming, more than 100 students from 18 Brethren Churches have experienced Brethren Academy. As the grant comes to a close at the end of 2019, we will be transitioning into the next season of Brethren Academy and hope that this conference offering will establish a solid footing of the future of Brethren Academy. Through the decades, Brethren continue to strive to raise the next generation of Brethren leaders through a variety of programs. Some of you have had the privilege to serve Jesus through the Crusaders program. Others of you have experienced God’s call on your life through camping ministry or Engage Conference. Brethren Academy is a learning experience for students to explore the life and practice of Brethren values and how those values intersect with their life calling. These students will be equipped to deepen their spiritual formation and develop leadership skills to implement in their communities. Throughout events hosted regionally, students will engage with area pastors, professors, ministry leaders, business professionals, and broaden their community with fellow Brethren students from across North America. You can hear the early
successes of Brethren Academy in the words of the students and leaders who have experienced this event. Lydia Heckert of Ashland, OH said, “being a mentor for Brethren Academy was such an incredible experience. Having been a student two years before, it was amazing to pass on what I had learned to other students. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much I learned this year, despite not being a ‘student.’ The fresh approach to foundational lessons that are taught each year made it possible for me, as someone who has been a part of Brethren Academy all three years, to learn new aspects of those foundational lessons still, giving me a deeper understanding.” David Miller, the youth pastor at Mount Olive Brethren Church in Virginia, said, “I have seen a drastic change in the proactive participation of our youth in the community and our church. Students have come home and taken active roles in the youth group and the body of Christ.” One of their students, Chyann Mackey, took an immediate role in the youth group after returning home and asked to be a part of the team who teach students at Mount Olive Brethren Church. Fred Miller, Pastor Mount Olive Brethren Church, and David Miller both described how excited they were that their students were getting to know other Brethren Students from around the country. For Pastor Fred, this reminded him of his time in Crusaders and the long-lasting relationships that he fostered as a young man. Students experiencing Brethren Academy reinforce this new reality. Tiffany Welton
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