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Message from the Moderator: October 2016

By David Whitten, District Conference Moderator, 2017

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).

My very first engagement as the Moderator of the Northern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren was to assist with the closing of the Robins congregation on September 10. This was not an easy thing to do. In an earlier meeting with the few, remaining members of the congregation following a closing prayer to adjourn one of the members buried her head in my breast and wept uncontrollably. Her family had been members there for three generations. The closing of a congregation celebrating 160 years of existence is like a funeral. We grieve over it.

And yet, we were uplifted by the words of our guest speaker, Rev. James Benedict, a man who was born and raised in the Robins congregation (Please read his sermon in this month’s district newsletter) and presently pastor at the Union Bridge Church in the Mid Atlantic District. Rev. Benedict commented on Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the reality that there is a season for everything including congregations. He then pointed to the fact that in the imagery of Revelation 21 and the new Jerusalem there was something glaringly absent. What was missing was the temple, something so central to the people of God in the old Jerusalem and yet not present in the new. In the first earth and first heaven the church was perceived as a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. In the new Jerusalem there will be no need for that because God becomes their dwelling place and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes . . . neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21: 4 ESV).       

I don’t know but I left there feeling encouraged by the words of Rev. Benedict. That ultimately when all is said and done even our beloved churches will become obsolete in the kingdom of God.

We closed the ceremony and the congregation with the tolling of the church’s bell chimed to be heard throughout the community and then no more. For those whose heart was first touched by God’s Holy Spirit, for those who came to faith in an altar call, for the baptisms, the prayers, the sermons, the singing, the countless reading of the Word of God, the legacy lives on from the Robins Church of the Brethren. To God be the Glory. RIP

District News & Announcements – September 2016

District News & Announcements

September 2016

South Bend Work Camp Reflections

Work camp 2016 South Bend Indiana

By Beth Cage

Four 12-13 year old girls and two adult advisors went from the Northern Plains District to serve in the South Bend, Indiana area for a the junior high aged work camp. There were three kids from the Prince of Peace Church in South Bend that also were at the work camp.  These three had all done the same work camp the previous year.  We worked at the Center for the Homeless that houses individuals for up to 2 years at a time.  There are mothers with kids, single men and single women who live there.  We weeded the garden and planted sunflowers.  Then we had lunch with folks who live there.  We got to wrap birthday presents for the kids who live there, which was fun and age appropriate for Jr. high kids.  After that we were able to listen to two persons who were graduating from the recovery program tell their stories of how they became homeless.   This was hard because when you hear about someone’s pain and trouble, you feel sympathetic to their situation and want to hug them and say it will all work out, but that is what they are learning through the classes that they teach at the center.

The next day we worked at a plot of ground called the Unity Garden.  It is a garden that has no fences or fees.  Anyone can come and pick vegetables or fruit.   We mulched the paths and planted flowers.  The sugar peas were ready and so we picked some and took them back to cook for our supper.  

After that we went to the food bank to work with the food distribution.  I was called to work at the checkout and got to help folks box up their selections. Some of the kids worked in the produce section, looking over the donated produce to see if it was still good and stocking shelves. The customers were allowed to take as much produce (fresh fruits and veggies) as they wanted.  There was a 20-40 can limit on canned goods.  One frozen meat, and they had a huge donation of ice cream and they each got a pack of 8 cartons of Hagen Daz.  It was interesting to see what folks chose.  They all were thankful and expressed appreciation for the food pantry.  It made me wonder if this was the main staple that would feed them for the next few weeks.

For our fun day, we went to Lake Michigan and climbed the sand dunes and splashed in the lake.   The water was cold.  We also went to see a community theater production of Aladdin.  Overall, I think the work camp brought to our attention that there are a lot of people in the world who are looking for ways to get by, and if you are in that situation, there are a lot ways to connect and get help.

Waco Work Camp Reflections

My Summer Adventures

By Parker Cage

This summer I’ve had quite an adventure.  First, my mom and I flew down to Greensboro, North Carolina to attend Annual Conference.  While the delegates were dealing with the boring business of the church, I participated in a fun group with other kids my age.  In our group we had different speakers come in to cover a variety of issues that affect us in today’s sometimes gloomy world.  My favorite activity that we did was going to the Civil Rights museum in downtown Greensboro.  This museum is special because during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s, four African American college students peacefully protested segregation by sitting at a white only lunch counter, and not leaving until they were served lunch.  The Greensboro Four started a nationwide movement of sit-ins at lunch counters, and helped bring attention to the segregation in America.  The museum is the Woolworth’s original lunch counter where the sit-in took place.  After annual conference wrapped up, I made my way to the airport early Sunday morning for my flight to Dallas.

That Sunday afternoon when I touched down in Dallas, I was excited to start another work camp with my friends.  Our work camp was located in Waco, Texas, which about a hour and a half drive from Dallas.  Our group worked at a Family Abuse Center in Waco.  This center is a private center for women and their children to go if they are being abused.  The shelter allows women to stay for up to 3 months at a time so that they can get back on their feet.  The abuse center offers child care and legal services for the clients staying there.  

On our first day of work, we had to stain a fence.  This fence stretched around the backyard and playground area, and probably stretched the length of two football fields.  Now, you may think that staining a fence sounds easy enough, but when you add in the 108 degree Texas summer heat, things get a little bit more challenging.  By days end, we got about half of the fence stained, and were ready to go back to the church to rest.  That evening we went to a place called Magnolia Gardens, which is a place that was a host site to a TV show.

The next day, and the day after that, we went to work in the thrift store that the shelter gets donations from, and finishing the fence.  At the thrift store, we sorted through all kinds of different clothing and shoes.  Our biggest task there was cleaning out the backroom, so people could walk through it.  On that day we found some pretty neat things, from old china to dehumidifiers.  On our last day of work at the family abuse center, we finished painting the fence and still had some time before we left.  Our supervisor said that she didn’t have anymore work for us to do, and that she was very grateful for all of our hard work.  Later that evening our group went to a picnic with all of the clients.  It was nice to hear their stories, and play with some of the children.  

The last day before our fun day, we went to a local woman’s house to paint it.  The women was getting old, and couldn’t paint her whole house by herself.  While we were painting, she was telling us about her life and how she had spent 34 years homeless.  She said that she thanked God everyday for the house that she was able to live in.  When we were about done, a news team showed up to interview the women, and to take pictures of us!  That story of us was shown that night on the local news!  It was really inspiring to hear the woman’s story, and that made me think that I should be more appreciative of what I have.

Due to the shootings in Dallas, we had to spend our free day in Austin Texas.  There, we went to swim in a naturally fed spring.  The water was clear, and was the coldest i’ve ever felt.  After a week of craving burgers, an advisor and I walked about half a mile to the Texas burger chain Whataburger.  The burger was good, but not as good as Culver’s.  The rest of the day was spent walking around Austin, and enjoying the nice weather.

The next morning we said our goodbyes and headed home.  Annual Conference and Workcamp were both really good experiences for me to grow in my faith and as an individual.  I have learned to have a deeper trust in God in all things that I do in my life.

Leadership Development Musings: September 2016

Barbara Wise Lewczak, Minister of Leadership Development

For those of you who were not at “The 150th Big Meeting” you missed our awesome skit during “the Ministry of Leadership Development” report based on the story of Samuel’s call found in I Samuel 3.  How many of us have heard the call, the nudge, the leanings to answer the call that God might be laying on our hearts, minds, and souls?  Where might we use our gifts to further God’s story where we are planted?  Brothers and Sisters of Northern Plains District, who among those who you worship with, fellowship with, share in Bible study with might need a mentor, an Eli to help in the discernment of the call God might be placing on their heart?  Where might we be called to use our gifts to respond to the “Needs of our Neighbors” as the “Sending of the 70” asks?  Our prayer is that we will continue to be open to God’s call in our lives and in the lives of our Brothers and Sisters.    

In that regard Laura and I want you to know that we are available to visit congregations with a “Gifts Discernment” tool that we would like to share as we each discern who might have gifts for leadership in our Congregations and our District.

We would like for you to share the names of some of those who might have gifts for leadership and introduce them to us so that we may suggest classes, books, possibly provide them with a mentor as they continue to discern.  

Let us continue to be about God’s work together, many prayers for the journey Barbara and Laura

Did You Know: Brethren in North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota

The Church of the Brethren in Northern North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota

Keith Sheller 

The Church of the Brethren was alive and active in the northern plains of the U.S. during the end of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century as noted by two descendants of Albert Sharp, an early minister to the Brethren.  Here are excerpts from the written memories of his daughter, Ruth Coffman, in her memories of her life.  This essay concludes with information taken from Arlene Barley Sheller, granddaughter of the Rev. Sharp.  Ruth was a member of the English River Church and the mother of Eldon and Paul Coffman.  Arlene’s membership was in the Ivester Church, and she is the mother of Keith and Dan Sheller.

  Ruth writes, “Father joined the Church of the Brethren in 1883 during meetings by D.B. Gibson.”  Ruth’s mother was already a member and had attended Mt. Morris College and Academy.  “Land developers were always urging people to go west, or north, and stake out claims, so in 1898 the folks moved all their possessions by train to North Dakota.  Usually an entire train consisted of pioneers and their goods.

 “When they landed in Cando, North Dakota, they found a small house in which to live and were somewhat crowded!”  (Seven children plus parents.)  “Father took out a claim about 21 miles northeast of Cando and in the summer of 1900 they built, and moved into a sod house….One of my older sisters told me that in 1903 while mother was in Ohio attending an Annual Conference, Father bought ‘real’ wallpaper as a surprise for her.  Before that the walls were covered with newspapers…..

 “(My brother) Clifton started helping a neighbor soon after we moved to the claim and he subscribed to the ‘Youth’s Companion.’….We always took the ‘Gospel Messenger’ and the ‘Missionary Visitor.’

 “The church house was built in 1904 or 1905.  Before that the services were held in the school house.  I don’t remember my father when he wasn’t a minister; the older children  do.  He was ordained in Cando in 1899 or 1900.  The church was three miles from our house and we always went…At Sunday School we received papers with stories and colored cards with Bible pictures and verses.  I only remember one teacher on the farm.  I do remember several after we moved (back) to town.  Even before we were members we girls wore bonnets and longish dresses.  The dresses weren’t necessarily dark though; we always had light ones for summer.

 Lovefeast time was a big affair.  The Council or Business Meeting was held on a Saturday with a basket dinner at noon.  It usually lasted all day.  Then they went home to do chores except for a couple men who stayed to cook the beef in a large iron kettle over an open fire.  Usually several neighbor non-members would come to Lovefeast ‘just to see.’  There were nearly always visiting members who would have to be guests in some home for the night.  Sunday morning breakfast was served at the church and then we had the regular Sunday School and church services.  A visiting minister usually preached.

  “Evangelistic meetings were held in most Brethren churches sometime during the year.  Never in winter.  They would last two or three weeks and were conducted by a minister from a different church.  Some were ministers who spent all their time in evangelistic meetings at different churches.  These meetings were usually quite well-attended by members and non-members alike.  I can remember a few evangelists who shouted and pounded in the pulpit quite freely.  Hell was no fairy tale in those days!  My most pleasant memories of evangelistic meetings were going home at night with the moon shining and my head in Mother’s lap.  Half asleep, I could hear the creaking of the ‘spring wagon’ and the soft clop clop of the horses’ hooves in the dusty road.

  “As early as 1908 some of the settlers were becoming tired of the long cold winters and often dry summers of North Dakota.  One family—Fifers–had come from Virginia.  They had one of the very few phonographs in the area and had the record ‘Carry Me Back to Old Virginia’ which Mr. Fifer was always playing.  They moved back to Virginia…At least five other families moved to California.

  “About that time land developers were in the community trying to get people to go to Cuba.  They were at our place but Mother refused to consider it.  I think Father would have gone.  One of our church families did go but came back in a couple years.

  “One church family moved to Egeland where a couple of other Brethren families lived, so the church building was moved to Egeland about 1910.  During the move Sunday School and church services were held in the Egeland school house.”

  Ruth’s sister was Iva who became the mother of Arlene Sheller.  While working for a family in Cando, Iva met a young man from Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  “They became interested in each other and eventually were married.  Chalmer was going to take up a claim in Montana so they took the train west right after they were married in March of 1910.

  “I had always dreamed of going to the Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren.  When I found out that Father was going, I decided to go along.  That was the summer of 1920.  The Conference was in Sedalia, Missouri.  We went by train.  We changed trains at St. Paul, Minnesota, and also at St. Louis, Missouri.  The only other time I had been out of the state was when I went to Montana (to help Iva).

   “Both the trip and Conference were most interesting.  I thought Missouri was awfully hot!…The Egeland church congregation had been getting quite small.  Some of the older families were moving away and the young people were going to college and getting positions in other locations.

  Father got in touch with some other churches who wanted a pastor.  He and Mother finally decided on Fredericksburg, Iowa.  They moved in the fall of 1920 soon after Maude and I left for Mt. Morris College in Illinois.”

  Arlene Barley Sheller’s Life Story can connect us to one of Montana’s Churches of the Brethren.  She was born and lived on a farm near Froid, Montana for about nine years.  Her father built a wonderful barn that he was very proud of.  It stood on a farm of Ralph Clark’s family and when the barn was torn down, Ralph retrieved a piece of the weathervane for Keith and Dorothy Sheller.  Things got hard there on the ranch so the family moved to the Bemidji area in Minnesota.  Arlene writes, “During this time we used to go to church out in the country about 12 miles away from Nymore.  That is where the people that we really felt close to lived.  The Allens had moved there from Montana, and Stones, and Byers, and Browers, and Saathoffs.  We really looked forward to Sunday when we would get to go to church, and see all our friends.  Almost every Sunday somebody would usually ask us to stay for dinner, and so that was wonderful.  In 1925 I was baptized at the Church of the Brethren out in the country.”  Right after that their family spent two years in Florida, but Arlene’s older brother died there and the family was drawn back to the support of their church friends in Nymore.

  She goes on, “During those four years that we lived out in the country, we had a real active young people’s group.  There were quite a number of young people, and we would go to youth rallies. And at Christmas time we would go caroling.  We…had a great time.”

     After she finished high school, Arlene earned a two-year teaching certificate.  Arlene began teaching in the north woods of Minnesota.  She writes, “Just before school started, I did get a job teaching at the wildwood schoolhouse out in the country where we went to church.  That was just perfect.  I lived with the Allens, who lived about a mile and a quarter from school.  I only had four children and they were all children I had known since they were born.”  Among these was Edith Allen, who became the wife of the late Northern Plains and Western Plains pastor, John Ditmars.  When school was out, she went to McPherson, Kansas to spend the summer with her parents, who had moved there so that their children could have room and board while they attended college.  Her father, being a carpenter, thought he could find work anywhere, which he did.  A number of young people from the north woods were attending college in McPherson, so after one more year of teaching in Minnesota, Arlene returned to college in McPherson, where she earned her four-year degree and then moved to the Ivester community where she married Charles Sheller and settled down where the family had deep roots in central Iowa.

  One by one many of the families from the north woods moved away, as did the Barleys.  However, Arlene remained in touch with them until her death in 1985.  Those formative years in the Church of the Brethren were so meaningful to the tight-knit Brethren that they returned to the area for several reunions.  By the mid-seventies when Dan, Keith, and Dorothy Sheller attended the reunion with Charles and Arlene, all that was left of the school and the church were the concrete foundations.

 Besides Ruth Sharp Coffman, two of the other Sharp sisters also stayed in the Northern Plains.  Maude Schmudlach and Angeline Treloar lived in the Fredericksburg area.  Iva Barley lived in New Hampton until her husband retired and they moved to Sebring, Florida.  Gertrude married Stewart Hamer from the South Waterloo Church, and they settled in North Manchester, Indiana.

Northern Plains District Heritage Tour 2016

Northern Plains District Heritage Tour – 2016

Diane Mason

Nineteen people from the Northern Plains embarked on a Heritage Tour August 7, an appropriate appendix to their District Conference where the theme was “This is Our Story; This is Our Song.”  In the course of the eight-day tour many stories were told of personal and congregational heritage and much was learned about our collective heritage as Church of the Brethren.

Back row, left to right: Bus driver Phil, Jim Ward, Rhonda Bingman, Ron Mason, Dick Williams, Paul Coffman Middle, left to right: Glen Draper, Tim Button-Harrison, Ida Van Westen, Carolyn Bellfy, Viola Lursen, Karen Williams, Diane Mason Front row, left to right: Vicki Draper, Diane Sittig, Terry Hansen, Alice Draper, LaDonna Brunk, Marlene Dickerson, Sharon Heien

Traveling by bus, the first stop was Camp Mack in Northern Indiana where the group viewed the impressive murals painted by Medford Neher in the late 1940’s and were privileged to their explanation offered by Brother Herman Kauffman.  It’s amazing how much of the Brethren story is included in each mural.  The Northern Plains travelers made several observations, one of which was, “The first six murals show brethren on the move on foot, horseback, ship, covered wagons.  But the last six murals show many people standing in front of buildings.  What does that have to say about our denomination?”

A relatively short jaunt took us to the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, OH.  A remarkable collection of artifacts, books, and personal papers is stored and being cataloged for research.  Our animated and knowledgeable tour guide Sister Karen Garrett told us the most unique feature of the center was the inclusion of materials from all the Brethren groups descended from the 1708 Schwarzenau (Germany) Brethren.

The group continued eastward into the John Kline territory of Virginia.  Several sisters and brothers met us at the Linville Church of the Brethren and showed us their historical collection and their cemetery.  Brother Paul Roth accompanied us to other sites of interest in the area ultimately leading us to the John Kline homestead where we enjoyed a delicious meal along with a meaningful theater dialog of persons from 150 years ago discussing the hardships and restoration following the Civil War.  

As the group continued to the Shenandoah Valley and the Valley Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center, we learned of the massive devastation wrought in the area by the Civil War as Brothers JD Glick and Robert Alley told the stories.  A little-known fact is that some of the routes of the Underground Railroad were also used to help Brethren and Mennonite conscientious objectors flee the area to avoid conscription into the Confederate army.

It was quite a moving experience to see the Antietam battlefield before meeting for reflection and singing in the rebuilt Dunker church located on the battlefield.  One remarked that God’s Spirit is still grieving over those killed in all wars, past and present. The ravages of war seem so far removed from us, but the photos and stories of Sept 17, 1862 are devastating reminders of the stories of our Nigerian brothers and sisters and of others who are caught in the crosshairs of battles.  

Our short stay at the New Windsor Service Center included three meals and overnight lodging arranged by our gracious hostess Sister Mary Ann Grossnickle.  The experience was meaningful in several ways.  Some of our group were returning “home” to where their BVS experiences began.  Others found the morning of volunteering our time in the SERRV and CWS warehouses significant since we were able to help prepare materials for their next point of service.  One of our group was so moved, she plans to return for a longer stent of volunteering.

The Sight and Sound Theater production of “Samson” was very striking.  The massive moving set caught our attention immediately.  The quality of the acting and music was outstanding.  And most striking was how the message of Jesus’ grace enveloped the telling of this Old Testament story.  

Another high point of the trip was our conversation with Brother Jeff Bach at the 1723 baptismal sight in the Wissahickon Creek and the Germantown church and cemetery.  We appreciated how Brother Jeff couched the story of the early Brethren in the cultural and economic context of their time.  It was fascinating to hear the stories of several individuals of the era.  Highlights of the visit included wading into the waters of the Wissahickon and a communion service held in the original part of the Germantown meetinghouse.

Following a visit to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, we rejoined Brother Jeff at the Pricetown meetinghouse in Pricetown, PA.  Built in 1777, this meetinghouse has not been altered through the centuries.  The thick stone walls were plastered on the inside and surround a single room.  The original simple benches are still there and exhibit how backs were added after their first 100 years of use.  A kitchen attached to one side served as a place the Agape Meal for Love Feast was prepared.  The upper level which housed visitors for Love Feast provided a low ceiling in the worship area which offered great acoustics for our singing.  Worship is still held in the meetinghouse once each June and a song service held there each July.

A visit to the Ephrata Cloisters was very insightful for we had two tour guides.  The Ephrata guide provided information about founder Conrad Beissel and discussed the structures and artifacts and daily life.  Brother Jeff provided background information on how the Cloisters started with a cluster of small cabins built by religious hermits who followed Beissel. One participant expressed gratitude for Brother Jeff’s accurate information which dispelled some previous misunderstandings.

We were hosted at Quaker Hill in Richmond, IN our final night on the road.  It was great that Sister Jenny Williams met us early on a Sunday morning to open Bethany Seminary and give us a brief tour.  The chapel and the mementos from other Bethany locations were special to all of us.

Upon reflection, all on the tour were thrilled with the opportunity to experience our Brethren roots rather than just read about them or just to view them.  Many thanks to the Northern Plains Nurture Commission for their multi-year effort in organizing this tour.  Hopefully, there will be another so more can experience our history this way.

From District Conference 2016: A Summary of Conference

2016 Northern Plains District Conference Summary

Moderator Rhonda Pittman Gingrich presided over the 150^th Big Meeting of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District, August 5-7, 2016, at the West Des Moines Christian Church, with guest speaker Jeff Carter, President of Bethany Theological Seminary, and guest music coordinator Carol Elmore of the Virlina District, under the theme “This is Our Story….This is Our Song.”

Conference Actions:

1. Slate/Ballot Results: Moderator-elect (Marilyn Koehler); District Board Adults (Beth Cage, Doris Covalt, Alan Cox, Penny James, Diane Sittig, and Denise Flory); District Board Youth (Lauren Gumm, Caleb Peter); District Conference Planning Committee (Kim Hill Smith, Barbara Miller); District Leadership Call Team (Lucinda Douglas, Diana Lovett).
2. Church Closure: Motion passed to disorganize the Robins Church of the Brethren
3. Future Conference Locations: 2017 and 2018 District Conferences will be held at South Waterloo Church of the Brethren on August 4-6, 2017 and August 3-5, 2018.
4. 2017 District Budget:  Approved a budget totaling $112,505.00
5. Discernment of District Leadership: Leadership was discerned through prayer.
6. Calling District Leadership: Conference approved using a ballot to select the district leadership call committee, and all other positions to be chosen by a slate.

At the close of the Worshipful Work/Business Session, District leaders were dedicated and the incoming Moderator, David Whitten, was consecrated through prayer and the laying on of hands.  Moderator Whitten then introduced the theme for the 2017 District Conference: Go in the Strength you have…Am I not Sending You?  (Judges 6:14).

Attendance:
22 churches represented
116 adults registered
60 delegates among those registered
14 children/youth registered

Finances:
$6,124.02 in offerings
$5,377.50 from the auction
$1000.00 from auctioning the 150^th Anniversary Quilts
$718 for 150^th Anniversary Fundraising from Ankeny Church of the Brethren
$654.40 (for Sr. High) and $66.50 (for Jr. High) from Nurture Breakfast and Ice Cream Social
$73.00 donated to BVS for Marge’s Smalley’s books
$145.00 for Camp Pine Lake Fundraising

Service Projects:
304 Diapers for Haiti were delivered
25 Hygiene kits were taken to New Windsor
$120 for Des Moines Area Religious Council
$100 for backpacks

From District Conference 2016: Church and Ministry Milestones

DISTRICT CONFERENCES RECOGNIZES CONGREGATIONS

At the 2016 Northern Plains District Conference, seven congregation were recognized for reaching a five year milestone in their history.  

Beaver Church of the Brethren – 115 years

In the late 1800s, before the turn of the century, Church of the Brethren members were settling in Boone County and ministers from Dallas Center were leading them along with some from Panther Creek and Coon River, now Panora.  Because their membership was in the Dallas Center Church, in 1900 they petitioned Dallas Center Church asking permission to build their own church and this permission was granted in 1901.  The names of the founding families include Powers, Hoefle’s and Shadle’s.  Through the years, women have had a strong part in ministry leadership including Sister Bertha Boggs, Sister Clara Smith, serving with her husband Harry, and Darlene Garwick.  In 1971 the congregation entered into a yoked relationship with the United Methodists and Marge Smalley served the yoked church from the mid1980s until her death just a few months ago.  Today Bob Shadle is providing Sunday morning preaching and worship leadership a lay person faithfully continuing the work started by his Shadle ancestors over 115 years ago.

Dallas Center Church of the Brethren – 140 years

In 1875, members of the Panther Creek Church living in the Dallas Center area who had been meeting in a county school built a church building near the cemetary 1 ½ east of town and in 1876 the church was organized with 57 charter members.  That country church served the members and community for 35 years including several time hosting district meetings.  In 1909 worked commenced on a new building in town which was completed and dedicated in 1910.  For 42 years, from 1893-1935, the church was served in its ministry by Elder C B Rowe assisted by other ministers.  Dallas Center Church missionaries, Harold and Gladys Royer, served in Nigeria from 1930-1968.  Many from the church have gone into Brethren Volunteer Service or been called into the Ministry.  The church’s current pastor is Randy Johnson who this spring completed his Training in Ministry and was ordained.  Also Kathy Johnson is going through her Training in Ministry.  Others currently in Ministry in the District with ties to the Dallas Center Church are Barbara Wise Lewczak and Michelle Leonard.  

Iowa River Church of the Brethren – 160 years

In 1856, a group of Brethren settlers came to Marshall County, Iowa from Miami County, OH under the leadership of John Murray and organized what would become known as the Iowa River Church of the Brethren.  The congregation first met in homes and schoolhouses before building a meetinghouse in 1866 then following that with the present structure in 1899.  For almost 80 years the church depended on the free ministry.  The first paid ministers were seminary students until the church called J A Eby as their first full time minister in 1939.  In 1909 the women of the church organized the Helping Hand Aid Society to serve the church and community.  In 1932 the Men’s Work Group was formed to do service projects in support of Heifer Project, CROP and other relief efforts.  The congregation was most recently served by Kevin Gruen and they are now searching for a new minister.

The Church of the Brethren in Waterloo – 160 Years

In Waterloo, the South Waterloo Church and the Hammond Avenue Church trace their history to a common origin when Brethren families from Somerset County, Pennsylvania began to settle in the area.  A boundary line was established to define two groups, one in town, the other in the country, and they were organized as separate congregations in 1856.  In 1895 the two congregations merged under one official board and the merger continued until 1929.  For a few years, from 1971-1974, the two came together again, forming a yoked parish and sharing pastoral and Christian Education staff.

The South Waterloo, or country church, began with meetings in homes and then in schoolhouses.  In 1867 work began on the first meetinghouse which was dedicated in 1868. Two year later, in 1870, the congregation hosted Annual Conference.  The current structure was built in 1912 with an education unit added in 1950 and then updated in recent years.  In 1883, after Annual Conference passed strict regulation on church governance and attire, nearly 80 members withdrew and formed a Progressive Church later known as the First Brethren.  Despite these losses, the congregation would grow to become for a time the largest country church in Iowa. Through the years the church benefited from long term Elders and capable Ministers and many persons have been called into the ministry.  Also, South Waterloo has a strong missionary spirit with numerous members going into the mission field.    South Waterloo’s current pastor is David Whitten, who came to South Waterloo after serving in the mission field in Nigeria.  

The Waterloo City Church started out meeting in a rented hall which it outgrew by 1880 so that a church house was built and then another in 1902 when the first was outgrown including an education unit in 1912.  Early and long-time Elders of the church were A. P. Blough and Oscar Hamer.  Having again outgrown its facility, the church in 1956 purchased property on Hammond Avenue and dedicated a new building in 1962.  In 1992 the Waterloo City Church affiliated and merged with the Waterloo First Brethren Church and the new congregation adopted the name Hammond Avenue Brethren Church.  The congregation supports the ministries of both the Church of the Brethren and Brethren Church.  The current pastor of Hammond Avenue Brethren Church is Larry McKinney.

Robins Church of the Brethren – 160 years

In 1856, Brethren who had settled in the eastern Iowa counties of Linn, Cedar, Delaware and parts of Benten meet near Robins, IA and formed the First Dry Creek Church of the German Baptist Brethren with ten charter members.  In 1858 they built their first meetinghouse.  In 1881, about half of the congregation went to the Old Order Brethren.  A second church house was built in 1883 in a place called Sand Ridge and a third was built in Cedar Rapids in 1892, becoming a separate congregation in 1905.  The present Robins church house was built in 1915.  In 1939 the church’s name changed from Dry Creek to Robins Church of the Brethren.  One Robins member licensed to the ministry was Warren Hoover, who for many years was head of the Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objector in Washington, DC.  A few month ago, the remaining members decided to close the church.  The District is working with them to dispose of the property and a final celebration service will be held on Saturday, September 10 at 2:00 p.m. with Jim Benedict, a son of the church and Brethren pastor in Maryland, bringing the final address.

Root River Church of the Brethren – 160 years

In 1855, several Brethren families migrated from Garret County, Maryland, settled on farmland south of Preston, MN, and formed the Dunkard Brethren Church with thirteen charter members.  For sixteen years they worshipped in granaries, sheds, homes and school houses.  The first church building went up in 1872 and the present building was erected in 1905.  To help the farmer-preachers, the first pastor, J. F. Souders, was hired in 1903.  The first Sunday School was organized in 1886, a Ladies Aid Society in 1905 to do sewing, serving meals, selling articles and canning for relief efforts and to send a Heifer to Europe.  Men’s Work was organized in 1930 to send relief to victims of war and drought.  Training in Sunday School was always an interest of the church and Education classrooms were added in 1961.  The church has also cooperated with other churches in the community in union services and CROP activities.  This past year the congregation decided to stop holding services.  The district is working to discern next steps.

A Prayer for These Congregations

God of all years and places, we give thanks for these congregations.  For their faithful work and ministries. For the vision and labor of their founders.  For those added through the years.  For the gospel and way of Jesus going forth to their neighbors.  For their set apart ministers.  For their deacons.  For their teachers of children and youth.  For their caretakers of buildings and bills.  For their witness and service from the beginning to this day.  We give thanks for their church today.  For their present leadership.  For all their members.  We lift up to you their joys and struggles.  Gains and losses.  Laughter and tears.  Help them remain steadfast in you.  And continue to bless them with the fruit your Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  For your glory of God and our neighbor’s good.  Amen.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE RECOGNIZES MINISTERS

Each year at District Conference we recognize the five year milestones of our ordained ministers.  This year we celebrated and honored the following ministers of Northern Plains District for their years of ordained ministry with the church.  

Sue Bollinger was ordained 5 years ago on December 4, 2011 after completing the Training in Ministry program through the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.  She was ordained at the Lewiston Church of the Brethren where she has served as Ministry Coordinator since 2001 and also on the Preaching Team.   In recent years, Sue has served on the District Conference Planning Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the District Women’s Retreat.  Sue farms with her husband Cliff Bollinger and they have three adult children and five grandchildren.

Barbara Wise Lewczak was ordained 5 years ago on November 6, 2011 after completing the Training in Ministry program through the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.  She was ordained at the Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren which she has served as pastor since 2007 when she was licensed to the ministry.  Barbara also currently serves the District as Camp Program Director, as a Cluster Minister, and as one of our Ministers of Leadership Development.  She has served on the District Board, chaired the Ministry Commission, and was our District Moderator in 2015.   She also serves on the District’s Shalom Team and is active in Reconciliation work at Annual Conference.  She is currently in a learning cohort with other Camp leaders.  Barbara is married to Ed Lewczak and has three sons, and two grandchildren.

Lucy Hollinger Basler was ordained 20 years ago on May 5, 1996 at the Rice Lake Church of the Brethren in Illinois/Wisconsin District after graduating from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1992.  She is a 1963 graduate of Elizabethtown College.  She served as pastor of the Rice Lake congregation from 1995-1997 and following that did chaplaincy work and spiritual direction.  She is married to Patrick Basler and they have four children.  Lucy is now retired and is a member of the Open Circle Church.  

Timothy Hewes Peter was ordained 25 years ago on June 16, 1991 at the Boulder Hill Church of the Brethren in Illinois after completing his Master of Divinity degree at Bethany Theological Seminary.  He is a 1987 graduate of Manchester College.  In July 1991 he was called as pastor of the Prairie City Church of the Brethren and continues to serve that congregation.    He has been a faithful leader at the Camp, serving as a camp dean each summer.  Tim has served as Northern Plains District Moderator.  He also served on the, District Board, chairing the Ministry Commission Chair.  Tim recently completed a 5 year term on the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board.   Timothy is married to Phyllis and they have four children, and one grandchild.  

Clifford Ruff was ordained 65 years ago in December 1951 at the Yakima Church of the Brethren in Washington State and was advanced to the Eldership at Sunnyslope Church of the Brethren in Washington State in 1956 after completing his Divinity degree at Bethany Seminary.  He is a 1951 graduate of LaVerne College.  Cliff has served pastorates in Washington State, California, Arizona and Missouri as well as in our District the Peace Church of the Brethren (1973-1981) and the Ankeny Church of the Brethren (1981-1990).  Cliff is father of three children is married to Phyllis Kingery Ruff.  He is a member of Peace Church of the Brethren in Council Bluffs.

Prayer for These Ministers

GRACIOUS AND LOVING GOD, THANK YOU FOR THESE SERVANT-LEADERS OF YOUR CHURCH.  THANK YOU FOR THE INFLUENCES THAT SHAPED AND PREPARED THEM FOR THEIR WORK; FOR YOUR SPIRIT PLANTED WITHIN THEM; AND FOR THEIR PART IN CHANGING LIVES AND GROWING YOUR CHURCH.  HELP THESE MINISTERS TO KEEP GROWING AND LEARNING.  HELP THEM BE SLOW TO JUDGE AND QUICK TO FORGIVE, TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT, AND TO RECEIVE AND GIVE THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER, WORD AND ACTION.  AS MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS DISTRICT WE NOW REAFFIRM OUR PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL WITH THESE AND ALL OUR SET APART MINISTERS FOR YOUR GLORY AND OUR NEIGHBOR’S GOOD.  IN CHRIST’S NAME WE PRAY.  AMEN.

From District Conference 2016: Reflections from Past DEs

PAST DISTRICT EXECUTIVES REMEMBER NORTHERN PLAINS YEARS

Northern Plains Brethren held their 150th District Meeting August 5-7, 2016.  To recognize this milestone, past District Executives shared memories of their Northern Plains years.  Connie Burkholder (1996-2006) spoke at the Friday evening worship.  The next day, letters were read from Joe Mason (1995-1996), Tom Bowser (1992-1995), Jim Miller (1985-1992), Charles Lunkley (1977-1984) and Martin Gauby (1972-1976).  

Martin Gauby (1972-1976)

The letter from your District Office inviting us to attend your District Conference in Des Moines this coming August was a wonderful offer which I would very much like to accept. However, my health at this time is not good enough to consider our being with you at that time.  We will be in prayer for your conference and your District life and work.

As I think back over the four years I was privileged to serve as District Executive for Northern Plains, and the two districts in Missouri and Arkansas, it would be great to speak in person of my gratitude, but let me try to put it in a few words.

The position was not one I had even thought of, but when the invitation came asking if I would consider applying, we accepted that as a door opening, to serve a few years in Edith’s home district.

I remember so vividly the support and encouragement of all the people I had the privilege of working with. We did not always think alike, but we were always on the same team. I had the prayers and support of pastors and District officers. It was a joy to worship in all of the churches, to support pastors, and perhaps give encouragement. I was so lucky, never once having to cancel a meeting.

Our memories, prayers, and best wishes will always be with you. We have fond memories of our years of service to you and the churches of the Northern Plains.

Martin Gauby, 9080 W. Arabian Drive, Boise, ID  83709

Charles Lunkley (1977-1984) from his daughter, Carolyn McDaniel

Thank you for inviting Charles Lunkley to your 150th Celebration.  He would love to be there to celebrate with you, however his health is not sufficient to allow him to do that.  He remembers with fondness the churches he served both as pastor and district executive.  He will be 98, on his birthday, July 2, 2016.  He started his full-time ministry at the Prairie city, Iowa, Church of the Brethren in 1947.  I am currently writing a book on his and Rozella’s life in the pastorate and mission field, so I have many facts and details in mind.  I don’t know when I will finish it, but hope to title it “Movin’ On”, Letters from Africa – a personal true story of a missionary family in the 1950s”.

Dad is virtually blind, with only slight vision in one eye, and he has Parkinson’s disease which limits his abilities considerably.  His mind is still sharp and he enjoys her visits from family, friends and caretakers.  He also enjoys listening to books on tape.  He sends you his greetings with regrets he will not be able to attend.  He lives in an assisted care facility owned by our daughter and her husband, just a few miles from me.

Charles Lunkley, 1256 N-400 W., Apt. 3A, Marion, IN 46953-9236

Jim Miller (1985-1992)

There are so many good memories of people, churches, the land, the sky and just the good air and clouds in the various seasons we lived in Northern Plains District.  Let me share a couple that stand out:

Our country was experiencing “The Farm Crisis” in the late 1980’s. This was a major issue for our families, communities and churches.    It was a challenging time for small towns and rural communities.  We saw small businesses, schools, and vital support systems evaporate especially in the rural areas.  Through that time, renewed commitment to discipleship and service grew in many of our churches.

I really felt the welcome and support in many of our churches as I would travel throughout the district.  There were a number of 1,000 mile week ends with several visits for search committees, worship, district sub committees, etc.  Personally, it was an uplifting time in building new relationships and assisting church leaders in their ministry and service.

Creative efforts were found for training pastors.  The challenges included long distances, a shift to part time pastors who also had other employment, and integrating ministers new to the Church of the Brethren.  However, there was a willingness to work so that solid pastoral training was accomplished.  Programs like EFSM, TRIM (with the support of McPherson College) really did make a difference.

I learned to appreciate the warmth and energy of the Northern Plains Brethren. The resources and staffing for the district continued to down size, but the vitality and genius of our life together was strengthened. With the constraints of time and travel, “the district” didn’t do a lot together throughout the year, but the District Conference Weekend, with fellowship, urban rural auction, All District Sunday Worship and the Mon-Dak Family Camp week end, it is impressive what a high percentage of the Brethren in Northern Plains came to these annual events.

To bring you up to date, since I left Northern Plains in 1992, I completed 19 years as District Executive in Shenandoah District, retiring in 2011.  Since then, I have kept challenged with volunteer work at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (PA) and with ESL tutoring in the Harrisonburg VA immigrant communities. Currently, I am interim Pastor at the Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in eastern Rockingham County.  

Mary has just retired as an RN with hospice. Before that, she was a floor nurse in a regional hospital and had been a visiting home nurse.  This summer we are looking forward to time with our two children’s families, which include four grandchildren!  Our daughter Angela is married to Gerhard Hoffmann and they live in Pfullendorf, Germany. They have two children, Benjamin and Katelyn.  Our son, Greg, is married to Krista Knicely and they live in Harrisonburg, VA with their two sons, Corbin and Brennan.

Wishing You God’s Richest Blessings.  

Jim Miller, 106 Hickory Lane, Bridgewater VA 22812-9555

Tom Bowser (1992-1995)

Let me begin with greetings to the good people of the Northern Plains District.  I began service as your District Executive in September 1992 and completed my service in September 1995.  I have some good memories of those years, and I have been influenced by some of those events.

One of my goals was to visit every church and every pastor.  If my records are correct, I visited almost all of the churches, and I preached twenty times in district congregations.  Camping ministries are an essential mission of any COB district, and so I supported both of your camps.  Involvement in district board and commissions were important for me as well.  And I welcomed the rejuvenation of your disaster ministries following the flooding of 1993.

Although I have never found traveling a hardship, I marveled at the way you viewed distances.  Our whole family loves camping, so we drove to Camp Mon-Dak for family camp in July 1993, taking two days each way.  Traveling to North Dakota for a regular district board meeting on an overnight bus trip was one of the highlights of my time with you.  It struck me how many people from the Mon-Dak area traveled to district board meetings in Iowa, not only without complaint, both with enthusiasm for the work of the district.

Since leaving Iowa, I served as pastor in Nokesville, VA, and served as interim pastor in nine churches in Southern Ohio District, two of which I served twice.  I have served on ministry commissions and district boards.  I also served as district moderator once.  And despite knee and hip surgeries, I have kept involved in the brethren disaster ministry.

One of the gifts of retirement is the opportunity to reflect on past ministries and relationships.  I appreciate the chance to remember my time in Northern Plains District.  I am sorry Paula and I cannot attend your district conference, but I enjoyed the time I took to think of you.  May God continue to bless you as you move forward in faith.

Tom Bowser, 4224 Gorman Ave., Englewood, OH 45322-2623

Joe Mason (1995-1996)

Congratulations to you and your long history of continuous ministry “To the Glory of God and our neighbor’s good” in the Northern Plains region.  You’re 150th anniversary is surely a time for celebration with such a long history of continuous ministry.  Rejoice and be glad for all the blessings that God has given you.

In September 1995 I gained a very special feel for Northern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren.  Five months earlier my wife, Peggy, had died and then later in the summer Karen Miller, Director of District Ministries, asked me to do a one year interim as District Executive in Northern Plains District, foreign territory to me.

After having retired six years earlier from 18 years as a pastor and 22 years as a District Executive it seemed pretty natural to take on that assignment.  My years of ministry had been to the eastern part of the US (Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio) so venturing west of the Mississippi was an adventure.

In Middle PA and Southern OH where I had served as DE, I could drive to 90% to 95% of the churches in the District within about an hour.  Northern Plains is geographically so very different but I soon sensed a kind of closeness, a warm fellowship among the churches and the people that is unique.  When you have District Conference it is a real EVENT.  You Brethren come together and stay together for several days and enjoy the finest of Brethren fellowship.  There was, and I’m sure still is, a genuine sense of Mission over these vast plains.

Stover Memorial Parsonage was graciously prepared as my residence for that year.  I’m not sure I did very much during that year, but I did get into most of the churches.  Your current DE, Tim, and I even took an all night train trip to Big Sky congregation in Montana for an ordination.  I drove every day to the district office in Ankeny where I was frequently visited and given advice and pastoral care by Tim, who was pastor there at that time.  My reminiscing could go on and on — you know how it is with old codgers.

Now, however, you are together celebrating the 150th year of Church of the Brethren ministry in the Northern Plains.  May you rejoice that “This is our Story” and may you sing with gusto, “This is our Song”, and may you “Continue the work of Jesus, Peacefully, Simply, Together”.

Joe Mason, Timbercrest Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962

Connie Burkholder (1996-2006)

I’m delighted to be with you this weekend for this celebration of the district’s history and faithfulness.  I bring you greetings from the Western Plains District and the Monitor COB and all the sisters and brothers there.  Thank you for the invitation to celebrate these 150 years with you, and for this chance to share brief reflections on this occasion.  Thanks to Tim Button-Harrison and the planning committee for the invitation!

As I reflect on my experience and ministry in Northern Plains, what stays with me is the persistent willingness on the part of so many of you to go to great lengths to be a district, to be in a community of faith over this vast area with scattered churches, and to find ways to be in ministry even when small numbers of people are present.  A prime of example of that persistent willingness was the District Board Bus Trips to the Mon-Dak area.  We made 3 of those trips during my tenure and I don’t know how many were done before or after that.  Every district in the denomination holds their District Board meetings in various locations; but this district is the only district that I know of that has that kind of intentionality and willingness to go those kinds of distances to stay connected as a community, as a body of Christ.  This is our story; this is our song of faithfulness.

I know that the District Board Bus Trip is a thing of the past now, but in this time, you are doing other things that show a persistent willingness to go to great lengths to be community together.  The division of leadership  from one full-time DE to other persons who supplement and complement Tim Button-Harrison’s work shows a willingness to be creative with resources so that connections can be made and ministry can be accomplished.  Surely this strengthens the district with gifts and skills of a variety of people being used instead of relying on just one staff person.  This is our story; this is our song of faithfulness.

I’m intrigued by another way that I see you being creative in your persistent willingness to be community together and that is in the Sending of the Seventy.  What a brilliant way to nurture the relationships in a much broader way than just a DE visiting!   This is our story; this is our song of faithfulness.

Another aspect of the persistent willingness to be in ministry as community is through the several churches that are Ecumenical Shared Ministry Churches– where the COB has been paired with another denomination in a shared ministry.   These congregations operate a little differently in each circumstance, but in each case the arrangement allows for opportunities for worship, service, outreach, and mutual support in places where Brethren are few in numbers.  It takes commitment to relate to one denomination, much less maintaining relationships with two denominations.  And yet, that’s exactly what some of you do!  This is our story; this is our song of faithfulness.

And then finally a visual aid of persistent willingness to be community together – a T-shirt that, I think, was already in progress when I first came to the district in 1996.  As I recall, Lois Hermanson from the Kingsley Church – one of those Ecumenical Shared Ministry congregations at the time – was instrumental in getting this together.  On the front are pictures of the church buildings of the district – – as many as she could round up.  And you know that means persistence in tracking down people who are willing to provide or take the pictures.  And on the back is a map of the District with location and the names of the churches.  I wear this T-shirt from time to time.  And I do so with fond memories and with joy, because this, too, is our story; this is our song of faithfulness.

I pray that the persistent willingness of this district to be faithful in building community and ministry continues strongly for another 150 years.  Congratulations!  And God’s blessings to all of you, my brothers and sisters.

Connie Burkholder, 614 North Hartup, McPherson . KS 67460