BMH Editor's Blog

Pastor Gary Underwood (pictured) from the Delaware, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church and his wife, Jennie, are off on a trip to Argentina. You can follow their progress by clicking on http://underwoodsinargentina.blogspot.com/ Here are a few introductory comments from the blog they are keeping.

Welcome to Gary & Jennie's trip blog, travel log, and journal updates for our trip to Buenos Aires for short-term missions. The people on the left are Dave & Ruth Ann Martin, missionaries with GBIM (Grace Brethren International Missions) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Long-time members of our church, Dave and Ruth Ann sensed God's call to full-time missions work in the late 1990s, and have been serving Christ with a team of missionaries there for a while.

Jennie and I will update this blog on a regular basis throughout our trip, or as we are able.

A trip like this has been "in the works" and planned by our missions team at Grace for several years. We've wanted to send a pastor/leader from our church overseas as a way to encourage and help missionaries, research future opportunities, and also to keep our hearts focused on God's worldwide command to "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20).

USAF Maj. Randy Skeen talks to students at Los Altos Brethren School in Long Beach about a letter he received from Katy Feller, left in the front row, when he was wounded in Iraq. He came to the school to surprise Katy who he had never seen before. (Steven Georges / Press-Telegram)

Read the entire story by clicking on http://origin.presstelegram.com/news/ci_7316881

From the Rockbridge Weekly (Buena Vista, Virginia):

The Rev. Ed Lewis will be the guest speaker this Sunday, November 4, in the 10:50 a.m. Worship Celebration at First Brethren Church in Buena Vista.

Ed Lewis grew up and attended school in Buena Vista from 1954 to 63. His father, the Rev. Ed Lewis, Sr., pastored First Brethren Church during that time.

After High School Ed attended Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. In 1972 the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) selected him as its National Youth Director. In 1985, he became the Executive Director of the FGBC's National Christian Education Department (now called CE National).

Under Lewis’ leadership CE National has grown to include The National Institute for Youth Ministry and the 412 Commission, a year-long program to develop young adults in ministry. He also led in developing the Urban Hope Training Center in Philadelphia, PA and expanding the Momentum national youth conference.

The church’s pastor, Christian Becker was enthusiastic about Lewis’ visit.

“Ed is one of the most dynamic and inspiring preachers I have heard. Many people in the area know Ed from his days in Buena Vista and the times he has been back to speak. We invite everyone who knew him or his father to come and surprise him this Sunday!”

First Brethren Church is located in Buena Vista at 100 E 29th Street (U.S. 60 E). Assisted listening devices are available and the church is handicapped accessible. For more information call (540) 261-6425.

Three Fireside Dialogues are coming up at the Russell Center in Winona Lake. Hosted by CE National, guests are welcome to attend any of the events. The Russell Center is located on Presidential Drive (just past the east side of Grace College’s Alpha parking lot) in Winona Lake.

Upcoming sessions are:

“Grace Brethren History, Part 2” by Pastor Todd Scoles, 9 a.m., Thursday, November 1 -- Todd took us through a fascinating history from Acts to Alexander Mack. Come hear “the rest of the story.”

“Triune Immersion” by Dr. David Plaster, 2 p.m., Wednesday, November 7 -- A look at our ordinance of baptism.

“The Role of a Pastor’s Wife” by Mrs. Cindy Thornley, 4 p.m., Thursday, November 8 -- Cindy is a pastor’s wife in Waldorf, Maryland.

The Gateway Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Parkesburg, Pa., broke ground on Sunday, October 28, dedicating their 34 acres in Chester County, Pa. for the Lord's use.

They expect to begin construction on a new 20,000 square foot multi-purpose worship facility on five acres of that land. It will allow the growing congregation, which is pastored by Dan O’Deens, to move from a cramped, rented facility where more than 400 people worship in two services, to a building of their own.

The rest of the facility will be developed with athletic fields, picnic area, and a wedding gazebo next to a spring-fed pond.

In the photo above, the pastoral team, led by Pastor Dan O'Deens and his wife, Gay, (her back is to the camera, he is next to her), took the first slice into the ground.

After the ground breaking, members of the church were encouraged to write the name of an unsaved person on a rock, plant the rock in the ground, and pray for that individual. Members of the church scattered throughout the property to place their rock in the ground, then spent some time in prayer.

The groundbreaking service was followed by a chicken barbeque and harvest party on the church grounds.

Below are more photos of the event.

Chaplain Keith Randall (pictured), who is also pastor of the Peninsula Grace Brethren Church in Soldotna, Alaska, recently received the Chaplain of the Year award from the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains Ministries. (Photo by M. Scott Moon) Here is a short excerpt--the entire article may be accessed at http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/102807/news_4396.shtml

Keith Randall's job takes him out in the community as well, though in a different capacity than Hale. Volunteering as CES's chaplain, Randall is a presence at many family emergencies the department has been called to. Randall's skills as senior pastor at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church largely come into play when he's out on a call with firefighters or paramedics, but he said it's faster paced.

"Sometimes it's just listening," he said. "(Other times) it's getting the family and patient connected to their support network."

It's hard to find a school kid here on the Kenai Peninsula who hasn't met Captain Burn-ee, Hale's red-nosed alter-ego. And even though Randall's recognition is somewhat quieter, he'll often receive acknowledgement from a community member he helped during an emergency.

It is Hale's exuberance, Randall's empathy and the passion they both display for community outreach that earned them the Public Fire Educator of the Year award and Chaplain of the Year awards.

Melinda Cosentino, of Canton, Ohio, leads worship at the end of Saturday's evening session at the Women's Leadership Summit, which concludes this morning in Wyomissing, Pa.

Last night, key speaker Donna Seyfert, continued her thoughts on wisdom, speaking about balancing priorities. She concludes this morning (Sunday) with a discussion of "Wisdom's Woman Builds Ministry Potential" as the summit participants look at "Unlocking Potential."

The leadership summit is sponsored by Women of Grace USA. It will be held next year on October 24-26 at the same location.

Below are more photos from the weekend.

It's the midway point in the 2007 Women's Leadership Summit, being held this weekend in Wyomissing, Pa. Dr. Christy Morr, faculty member at Grace Theological Seminary, led a lunch session on self awareness.

The Summit is sponsored by Women of Grace USA. Click here to see more photos from the weekend activities.

Following lunch, ladies had a variety of opportunities. Some went shopping at the nearby VF Outlet Village, others continued to get acquainted or took the opportunity to rest. This Intrepid Blogger drove to nearby Ephrata with Viki Rife and Cindy Bushen to visit the Ephrata Cloister, an early Brethren attempt at communal living. Founded by Conrad Beissel in 1732, the cloister had about 300 members at its zenith in the 1740s and 1750s.

The lifestyle of the celibate members was characterized by severe discipline and self-denial. They became known for their music, calligraphy, and printing.

Following the death of the last celibate member in 1813, the married congregation formed the German Seventh-Day Baptist Church.

Members continued to live and work at the cloister until 1934. It has been owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a National Historic Landmark since 1941.

From Friday, October 26, to Sunday, October 28, BMH Books author Dr. John C. Whitcomb (pictured) will be speaking on prophecy at the Englewood Grace Brethren Church in Englewood, Ohio. For more information, call Dan Hensley at 937-237-0646.

Veteran missionary stateswoman Marilyn Laszlo (pictured) spoke at the Grace College (Winona Lake, IN) annual missions conference this past week. She posts some of her reflections on being with the students on her blog. Here is a short excerpt--the entire blog may be accessed at http://marilynlaszlo.blogspot.com/2007/10/poetry.html

I just returned recently from Grace College, Warsaw, Indiana…just 1 ½ hours from home (Valparaiso, Indiana) with 1,300 students. Before Grace College I was in Santa Barbara, CA, at Westmont College, with 800 students (you can hear my talk online). Two colleges in a row and two totally different cultures, but it is so rich to be around these very dedicated students who want to serve the Lord and make a difference and a positive impact on people’s lives. I love being on the college campuses around all that energy and passion.

All of these students want to serve the Lord in some capacity, whether it is in teaching, engineering, medicine, or whatever. My job is to uplift them, encourage them, and make them feel special, because they are. We are ALL special to God, and the mission field is wherever God puts you. People need the Lord.

There are often students who attend these Christian Colleges and Universities that are not Christians, but because these schools have such high standards, morals, and integrity, and cost less money than most universities, they are compelled to go there. I can tell you, their lives become more meaningful, self-assured, and purposeful as they are impacted by the staff and students whose focus is God.

Janet Minnix, president of Women of Grace USA, shared this morning about the various ways the organization can facilitate women's ministries in Grace Brethren churches. It was part of the annual Women's Leadership Summit, being held this weekend at Wyomissing, Pa. and is sponsored by Women of Grace USA.

She also announced that next year's leadership summit will be held at the same location on October 24-26.

The 2007 Women's Leadership Summit, sponsored by Women of Grace USA, has provided an opportunity for women from around the country to talk about the women's ministries in their churches. This morning they gathered by size of church and then type of ministry to share ideas about what has worked and what hasn't.

Chery Boehm, of Macedonia, Ohio, has coordinated the Women's Leadership Summit, which is being held this weekend in Wyomissing, Pa.

The Worthington (Columbus), Ohio, Grace Brethren Church will honor Pastor Jim Custer (pictured) and his wife Triceine and their family for 40 years of ministry with the church on Sunday, November 4 at 10:30 a.m.

An e-mail invitation says, "Some special surprises are planned, so don't miss it. Afterward, you're invited to stay for a luncheon in honor of the Custers. Please let us know if you plan to attend by e-mail, by calling 614-410-4245, or by completing the “Ministry Reply” panel of your Sunday bulletin and turning it in to an usher or the Welcome Center. Pick up a flyer at the Welcome Center for more information on this special occasion."

Custer had been pastor of the church since 1968, and was succeeded earlier this fall by Dr. David Plaster.

The November-December issue of FGBC World, the newspaper for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, will be shipped to you this week. Below are promotional announcements that can be used in your church bulletin or newsletter.

To see a pdf file of the newspaper or to read web-only content, click here.

Elysée Joseph is at the forefront of efforts to plant Grace Brethren congregations in Haiti. His church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has opened a Church Resource Center to help train Haitian leaders to return to their home country to begin new churches. Read more about Pastor Joseph in the November-December issue of FGBC World, which is available at (INSERT LOCATION) or see www.bmhbooks.com/fgbcworld.

It was a radical thing to do. The law forbade it, and other religious people didn’t approve. But it didn’t stop Alexander Mack from following God’s Word and leading seven other people in believer’s baptism in the Eider River. That baptismal service became the foundation of the Brethren movement. Read more about this founding father in the November-December issue of FGBC World, which is available at (INSERT LOCATION) or see www.bmhbooks.com/fgbcworld.

Stacy Householder began sewing when she was four or five. Today she is responsible for costuming the 200 to 250 participants in the yearly Living Christmas Trees (LCT) performances at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio. Look behind the scenes at this annual production in the November-December issue of FGBC World, which is available at (INSERT LOCATION) or see www.bmhbooks.com/fgbcworld.

It sounds like a plot in a television crime drama or a scene from a movie like Bonnie and Clyde. It’s a chronicle that rivals any Hollywood script. But for Ted Rondeau, it’s a testimony of how God worked in a dramatic way to bring a defiant teenager to a saving knowledge of Christ. Learn more about Ted’s Christmas miracle in the November-December issue of FGBC World, which is available at (INSERT LOCATION) or see www.bmhbooks.com/fgbcworld.

A bulk quantity of FGBC World is sent to congregations in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. If you would like to change the quantity your receive or to receive a free copy in the mail to your address, send an e-mail to Ann Myers at the Brethren Missionary Herald Company (amyers@bmhbooks.com).

Donna Seyfert (pictured) is the keynote speaker for the 2007 Women's Leadership Summit, which began Friday night in Wyomissing, Pa. The theme for the weekend is "The Search Is On!" and focuses on looking for wisdom.

More than 40 women, many who are leaders in women's ministries in their home churches, are participating. The event is sponsored by the Women of Grace USA.

YIB (Your Intrepid Blogger) is in Minneapolis this late-October weekend, and it was my delight this morning to sit down for several hours to enjoy scones, coffee, and conversation at Babettes in Uptown with George Stagg (pictured), who is seeking to plant a network of Grace Brethren churches in the Twin Cities area.

George and his wife, Anna, and their four children moved to the Twin Cities several months ago after some months of commuting from their home in Ames, Iowa, to conduct a Sunday-evening Bible study.

George has a large vision, and is working with Tim Boal of GBNAM and under the direction of GBNAM career missionary Ron Boehm to bring that dream of multiple congregations into reality. They are currently focusing on southwest Minneapolis, with particular attention to the Uptown and lakes communities.

Pray for George, that he will have wisdom in knowing how best to spend his time, where to find the resources needed, and good savvy in making contacts both in discipleship and evangelism. He and his group were rejoicing recently in the salvation of an individual who is involved in the management of several restaurants in the Twin Cities area.

I'd encourage all to pray for George and to communicate with him as you can, welcoming him into the FGBC family. His e-mail address is gstagg@qwest.net.

From the Simi Valley (CA) Acorn. John McIntosh is pastor of the sponsoring church, Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley.

Gore Verbinski, the director of the three "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, came to Grace Brethren school to meet with the students in the Performing Arts Department.

Accompanying him was Raphael Sanchez, one of the camera and lighting crew directors.

Verbinski showed clips of his films and discussed the role of a director in film, as well as film production in general.

Sanchez said, "As director, Gore is the engine car of the train. Where he goes the whole movie follows, with all of its complex parts."

Verbinski also answered questions to help the students understand how to succeed in the industry. "Hollywood is fickle," he said. "There has to be a sense that this job is going to be your last. Do something that will challenge you personally and that you will be proud of."

He also inspired the students to challenge themselves intellectually and creatively. "Mediocrity is like gravity, constantly pulling us down to it. We have to continuously challenge ourselves if we will succeed."

Attending the seminar were the cast of Grace Brethren's upcoming theatrical production of "The Curious Savage"; the drama, film and technological theater classes; and an alumnus attending film school at USC.

Grace Brethren Junior/Senior High School will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

For more information, visit www.gracebrethren.com.

A Wednesday check of Grace Brethren pastors throughout California has brought a few interesting reports.

From Julie Schumacher, Director of Missions and Communications at the Grace Brethren Church in Long Beach
Here in Long Beach, we are not directly in danger from the fires, but are certainly affected in other ways. Many in our church have family and friends who are displaced, and one of our staff members sister's house burned to the ground yesterday. Of course, the sky is dark and it's raining ash as well.

We are trying to set up some systems for assistance with two other churches we have relationships with in the Escondido (San Diego County) area, in order to channel supplies and resources to those who need help. Even getting down there today is nearly impossible as they've closed THE major freeway from LA to San Diego due to a fire that jumped the freeway. It's pretty crazy out here right now.

Thursday update from Julie: The good news is that the weather is finally changing and the winds are dying down. That will give the firefighters and standing chance to deal with these raging fires.

If you would like to help, we (Grace Brethren Church, Long Beach) are working with Northcoast Church in Vista, Calif. to provide $20 gift cards to Walmart or Target in order for those displaced or now homeless to be able to purchase basic need items. Notes of prayer or encouragement can be attached to the card. Funds can be sent to Grace Long Beach, 3590 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90807, ATTN: Pastor Eric Marsh. Checks should be made to Grace Long Beach and the memo line should state "fire assistance."

Other Wednesday reports:

From Pastor Chris Suitt, New Hope Community Church , Canyon Lake
New Hope Community Church is unaffected - at this point - by the fires. Some of our people are helping get food to those who are affected. People in our home school group have been forced to evacuate and one has had damage. Our family and home school group are providing meals and clothing.

From Pastor Terry Daniels, Grace Brethren Church of South Pasadena
We have had no direct impact from the fires. In fact, we hardly even smell smoke here in South Pasadena. Thanks for your concern.

From Pastor Mike Sciarra, Grace Church of Orange
We are pretty unaffected by the fires. The closest it got to any of our people was a few miles from my home in Irvine. We all have relatives/friends who have been evacuated in other areas but nothing near us.

From Pastor Glen Shirk, Ripon Grace Brethren Church
We are far enough away that we are not impacted other than hurting for those affected in the south of our state. I know that there are fire teams that have gone south to fight the fires from our area.

From Pastor Roy Halberg, Grace Fellowship of Alta Loma
Nothing near us this time . . . at least not yet!! Four years ago we were impacted but so far we are in the clear.

Photo above: Passing over Southern California at 3:10 p.m. on October 24, 2007, NASA's Terra satellite captured this image of the massive wildfires that have devastated the area.

This week's centralohio.com news feed carries news of the death of Jim Boggan, who was affiliated with the Southwest (OH) Grace Brethren Church (Tony Webb, pastor). Boggan, who was a freelance writer, wrote several articles for FGBC World, the all-Grace Brethren periodical published by Brethren Missionary Herald Co. Here is his obituary:

James E. Boggan, 50, of Orient, passed into the arms of the Lord Jesus, Giver of Life and Peace, October 23, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mary Alice Boggan. James is survived by his wife, Shelley; son, Nathan; father, J. Austin Boggan; mother, Nelda Boggan; brothers, Stephen and Larry Boggan; stepsister, Lynne Crooks and stepbrothers, Lane and Lon McPherson.

James was a reporter for the Madison Press and a freelance Christian writer. He attended Southwest Grace Brethren Church and Darbydale Church of the Nazarene. He was a former minister at Brokensword and Lykens. He also served on the mission field in Brazil.

He was a graduate of Asbury College and studied at Ashland Seminary. Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 at Southwest Grace Brethren Church, 3989 Neff Rd., Grove City, Ohio, with the funeral service following at 4 with Pastor Tony Webb officiating. Interment will be held at Mansfield Memorial Park, Ontario, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southwest Grace Brethren or Darbydale Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements entrusted to Newcomer Funeral Home, Southwest Chapel.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.NewcomerFamily.com.

Several pieces of Boggan's writing can be found on the Southwest church's website at www.southwest.org. Here is a short excerpt from one of those pieces:

Reflections on cancer at 50

To hear one of my doctors talk, I¹ll live to be 100. He obviously hasn¹t checked my belt size or my cholesterol count.

Of course, he wasn't talking about the health of my heart.

He was talking about the knob below my right ear which started out (in my fancies) as infection from a defunct tooth and moved through several identities before being pegged as cancer.

Surgery and radiation will send it packing, I'm told. I'll never be bothered by it again.

The only thing which is unnerving about all that is the professional sympathy. When two doctors in one day pat you on the shoulder while wearing kind smiles, it makes you wonder.

It also makes you think about the big "what if."

Sooner or later, of course, the big one will hit, whatever form the big one takes when it takes me.

Even if Doc is right and the calendar reads "2057" at the time, at some point, from whatever cause, my heart monitor will go flat with a long screech and a bunch of people in white coats and cool rubber gloves will step back from the table, sadly shaking their heads.

The thing I¹ve found odd through this process has been my state of mind as expressed by the question, "Do I want that to happen now, or later?"

Don¹t get me wrong. Life is good. I'm married to a wonderful woman and my son, at 10, makes me proud every day. I enjoy my work, my friends, life as I have it.

But I also believe something better awaits. When the pastor tosses a clod of earth on my coffin I won't be there. I'll be in a stupendously better place, from which I¹ll never leave.

The Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio, and the school it sponsors--Worthington Christian Schools--have been the focus of much negative publicity recently.

The Columbus newspaper has run a number of articles regarding the school and how it has handled personnel matters. One incident goes as far back as 1996 and involves a staff member who resigned because of an indiscretion, went through a restoration process and was re-hired. That individual, however, has recently re-resigned from the school staff in light of recent news reports.

A second school staff member is currently in difficulty, apparently because of incidents in a prior employment in another state.

Pastor David Plaster and all his Worthington Christian School administrative staff would appreciate prayers that they handle all the situations biblically, that the school will not suffer irreparable harm from these reports, and that God will somehow be glorified through the current difficulties.

More on the situation is available at http://www.worthingtonchristian.com/faq/ .

Jim Brown, moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches leads the men at the East Focus Retreat in a get-away from work and a focus on mission. Pray as the retreat continues through tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. The retreat is being held at Sandy Cove on the Chesapeake Bay in North East Md.

The world is watching as firefighters battle out-of-control wildfires across southern California. A number of Grace Brethren churches are located in areas impacted by the fires. Here's a report from Pastor Glen Sykes at the Grace Brethren Church of San Diego, which is located near Qualcomm Stadium, where many people have gone after being evacuated from their homes.

So far we are fine. Our church is located near Qualcomm stadium so people are being evacuated toward us. It has been intense trying to determine the best course of action to take as far as ministry. The local schools and our own pre-school are closed until Monday due to the fires and air quality issues.

As of now, all the people in the church are safe and still in their own homes including those who live in Poway and Escondido, two of the hardest hits areas with the fire.

Right now we are waiting to see what new direction the fires will head with the changing weather front ... we may still see quite a bit of new damage. To give some perspective on the fire, four years ago with the Cedar Ridge fire, there were only 50,000 people evacuated from their homes. With the combined fires in San Diego County alone there have been over 300,000 people evacuated.

On a personal note, our extended family suffered loss in the fire.
Sharon and Dan Cullen were evacuated on Monday afternoon only to have everything destroyed today (Tuesday). Their home is burnt to the foundation. Sharon is an older adopted sibling of our adopted children.

Thanks for praying. Pray for wisdom in how to effectly minister in this very trying time.

In connection with the Conference on Mission, which is being held this week at Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., the ninth annual “Taste of the World,” will be held on Wednesday, October 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium.

Guests can “travel” from country to country via booths and hands-on displays, enjoying food, music, art, media, and games from more than 20 countries and cultures. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for students, and $6 for families. Children 12 and under are free. This event is sponsored by Grace’s chapter of Mu Kappa International, which includes nearly 100 students from 50 countries.

This week's conference theme is “Through Fear to Faith.” Special chapel speakers are Bible translator Marilyn Laszlo from the Laszlo Mission League, and Oswaldo Magdangal, president and founder of Christians in Crisis. Thirty-five mission representatives will be on campus during conference to talk with students about ministry possibilities and to lead seminars.

One feature of this year’s conference is a “round-theclock” prayer time, coordinated by students, which runs throughout the conference. Students and employees are encouraged to sign up for specific times to pray in the Upper Room in McClain Hall.

Saturday's coverage of clean-up efforts in Nappanee, Ind. featured members of the Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Goshen, Ind. Pastor Jim Brown, who also served as this year's moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, is quoted.

The southern Elkhart County community was hit by a massive tornado on Thursday evening (October 18).

To view the entire story, as broadcast on WSBT (South Bend), click here.

People in Nappanee are still trying to get over the shock of the devastating storm that leveled homes and business in Nappanee and northern Kosciusko County, and tore lives apart.

But now, many have also turned their attention to the massive cleanup effort.

"The noise was deafening. It was. It was like a freight train. It was loud, real loud," said Kathy Magner. The storm left her yard in a big mess.

"I think a lot of this came from the factory over there that was demolished," Manger said. "Because I have no idea what that is, no idea."

But Saturday, she and others in Nappanee are getting some much needed help to clean it all up. Volunteers from Grace Community Church are just some of the many people already helping the people of Nappanee recover.

"I think this is the way God wants us to live, just helping each other out,"
said Jim Brown.

On Sunday, instead of having church services in Goshen all three services are going to be in Nappanee, helping the people.

"Instead of going and learning how to be the church, why don't we be the church and go out and do it," Brown said.

Joy Distler, daughter of Scott and Laura Distler (he's the pastor at Grace Church in Lititz, Pa.), was featured in the Shopping News of Lancaster County.

To see the article, click here. Scroll down to School Scene, then click on Lititz Christian School.

Whether joking with a fellow classmate or encouraging an underclassman, Joy Distler is fully immersed in the lives of students at Lititz Christian School.

What she likes most about school are the people. And the people love her!

As Joy enters her fourth year at LCS, she continues to bring an atmosphere of warmth to the halls of LCS. Another favorite is AP English, "because we can eat and drink coffee everyday," says Joy.

Within school she is actively involved in many areas including choir, the school play, volleyball, and soccer. Joy has been involved in the ministry team at LCS for three years and became a member of the National Honor Society in her Junior year. In addition to improving her skills in the numerous areas with which she is involved, Joy enjoys running and hanging out with her friends. She is also involved in her church, Grace Church of Lititz, where her father pastors.

As well as being involved in her school and church, Joy has traveled to a variety of countries, including Mexico, England, and Italy. After she graduates Joy plans to go to college as an education major, where she will continue to touch the lives of the people around her with her encouraging words and loving spirit.

Written by: Alicia Miklas

Northern Indiana Grace Brethren responded to the needs of their neighbors over the weekend to assist with tornado clean-up following a devastating F3 storm on Thursday night. Some churches canceled Sunday services, while other members and attenders chose to forgo Sunday morning worship to assist with the task at hand.

Churches at Goshen and Osceola, located 10-15 miles from where the storm hit, canceled services and carpooled to the southern Elkhart County community to help. Total numbers of people involved are not known, but there were three groups of 10-12 cars each from the Goshen church who took chain saws and other heavy equipment to help move trees and other debris. Others drove directly to a check-in site at a local high school where they were assigned a place to work.

Approximately 10-15 people from the Winona Lake church helped at the Yoder farm on Sunday, which had experienced a direct hit from the tornado. This was also a site where members of the Goshen church helped.

The pastors and elders at the Goshen church also went on Saturday to assist with clean-up.

Area media reported that the roads to Nappanee were crowded on Sunday as volunteers flocked to the community to help.

To see a report from Nappanee, which includes interviews with Goshen's Tregg and Kevin Fisher, and Winona Lake's Gladys Deloe, click here.

About 205 from the Osceola, Ind., Grace Brethren Church also volunteered to help. To read a report about their day, click here.

Dan Wray (center, in red shirt) organized volunteers from the Winona Lake (Ind.) Grace Brethren Church. Also helping with tornado clean-up were members of the Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Goshen, Ind. (in blue shirts).

Volunteers from the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, along with some from Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren Church in Goshen, Ind., and others helped with clean-up at the Yoder farm, located southwest of Nappanee.

All that remains of the Yoder farmhouse is the basement and a slab.

John Ward, from thequest and East Side Grace Brethren churches in Columbus, Ohio, is also involved in leading a community service opportunity. Here is a short excerpt. To read the entire article, click on http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/101807/Westerville/News/101807-News-438431.html

WARM is a faith-based, nonprofit local food pantry that also provides employment coaching, budget training and limited financial assistance, according to Marier.

Team coordinator John Ward said that while the team is comprised of individuals of varying skill levels, everyone has worked hard over the last 16 weeks and has logged more than 2,500 miles as a team.

"There's a good spirit among the team. For some, this is an entry into the sport altogether," Ward said. "It's one thing to train for a marathon by yourself, but it really is a shot of adrenaline to have others alongside of you, encouraging you along and helping you to make strides toward the goal of completing a half or full marathon."

A Westerville businessman, Ward recently began volunteering with WARM, and has said that his background in marathon running gave him the idea for the fundraiser. Ward ran his first marathon in 2004, in London, England, and followed that by competing in the Boston Marathon in 2005 and the Columbus Marathon last year.

As part of the team's training, WARM has organized several clinics on injury prevention, nutrition, what kind of shoes to wear and stride analysis for the runners, according to Marier.

Tucked away in a shopping center in Brookville, Ohio, is a repository of all things Brethren. Founded in 2001, opening in 2003, the Brethren Heritage Center is a haven for the various historical records and artifacts of Brethren denominations that trace their spiritual roots to 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany. It’s not only evidence of the common history of the groups, but a testimony of their ability to work together in spite of a variety of theological and functional distinctives.

Recognizing those differences, the organizers insisted that the center only focus on heritage. As a result, the Center is a diplomatic celebration of the roots that bind the groups together. With an eye to preservation, there are more than 12,000 catalogued books in its 7,000 square feet. In addition to the library, there is a store with new and used books about Brethren, Anabaptist, Pietist, and related history and a one-room museum of Brethren memorabilia.

“As I study the history of the (Brethren) church, I see the continuity of faith and practice,” says Dale Savage, chair of the board and a member of the Old Brethren Church.

“I take comfort in that continuity and that the faith is still a living faith,” he adds. “I want to show that continuity and faith, and pass it on to future generations.”

One of the visible symbols of that continuity is the set of murals that depict Brethren history from 1708 to 2008 and circle the reading room. At five-feet long by two-feet high, each of the 12 panels are one third the size of the original murals that were painted by Medford D. Neher in 1949 and installed at Camp Mack in Milford, Ind.

The collection includes five rare Sauer Bibles (Sauer was an early Brethren printer); the personal Bible of Daniel Miller, one of the earliest Brethren leaders in the Dayton area; and a variety of meeting house furnishings, communion ware, clothing and photographs. The only Grace Brethren artifacts presently in the collection are a unique early 20th century communion tray of glasses from the First Grace Brethren Church in Dayton and a girding towel from the Englewood Grace Brethren Church.

Jean Rogers, a member of the Brookville Grace Brethren Church, is the sole Grace Brethren member on the group’s board. As a member of a group of churches that more often looks ahead than back, she sees value in being a part of the Center. “If you want to know about your spiritual heritage, you can find it there,” the former church librarian says.

She is also one of many volunteers who have logged more than 20,000 hours working in the collection, often researching history or genealogical questions for interested individuals.

Both Rogers and Savage encourage Grace Brethren people to consider volunteering at the Center. “It’s important to tell the story of the Grace Brethren,” says Savage. “If they are here to be able to narrate that story, it’s even better.”

While based in southwest Ohio, the not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization sees its mission as a nation-wide effort to preserve Brethren heritage. It has welcomed visitors from all over the world and encourages involvement by Brethren people from outside their area. The denominations it represents include: The Brethren (Ashland) Church, Church of the Brethren, Conservative Grace Brethren International, Dunkard Brethren, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Old Brethren, and Old German Baptist Brethren.

Photo above -- Brethren communion ware sits on a convertible pew table at the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio.

If you go...

The Brethren Heritage Center is located at 428 Wolf Creek Street (P.O. Box 175), Brookville, Ohio 45309-0175. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed all major holidays. It is easily accessible from Interstate 70. For more information, see www.brethrenheritagecenter.org.

To volunteer or to donate items, call 937-833-5222.

The Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church is experimenting with an all-church blog designed to create interaction, to engage members in daily scripture readings, and to foster insights and comments on scripture by various congregation members.

Under the direction of proclamation pastor Kip Cone, the church's "Live It" blog is now featuring a daily scripture reading schedule and commentary by various church members.

Here is part of the blog's introductory section:

What is this?
This blog is an attempt to connect the people of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church as we dive into the life of Christ. Daily (hopefully 5x/week) entries will be posted here on the current day’s Bible reading.

How do I use it?
Follow along with the reading schedule located below. Don’t worry if you miss a day…just keep going. After you’ve read the scripture passage/s take time to read the devotional thoughts that are posted for today. Consider how you might add to the conversation as we all dive into the life of Christ.

To follow along, or just to take a look, log onto http://liveitblog.wordpress.com/
(hint: next week's entries are all written by BMH staff members who are also from the church)

Pastors of the North Central Ohio District are meeting today at Woodville Grace Brethren Church in Mansfield, Ohio, to advance a discussion about "Autonomy and
Cooperation."

Pastor Todd Scoles, chairman of the NCO leadership team, led the discussion.

Questions asked include:

"What are the three greatest avenues to cooperating in the NCO?"
"What are the three greatest obstacles for cooperating in the NCO?"
"What are the three greatest opportunities for cooperating in the NCO?"
"If NCO churches drafted covenant of cooperating between churches, what
guidelines would you like to see included?"

Grace Brethren churches are historically committed to the autonomy of the local church and to maximum voluntary communication. How these historic commitments are applied to our movement in today's world is a vital discussion for FGBC churches.

Grace Brethren want to know Jesus and to make Him known... Together!(Tom Avey photo and article)

Need custom T-shirts for your youth group or function? Here's a new source that just came to our attention:

http://myhallshirt.blogspot.com/

The 2007-2008 edition of "Women's Spectrum" the official program magazine of the Women of Grace USA, is now complete and ready for shipping.

The 46-page full color magazine contains a wide variety of feature articles, personality sketches, and challenges, including one by Women of Grace USA president Janet Minnix. Spotlighted missionaries for this year include Tracey Schwartz, Patty Morris, Siew-Choo Ong, and one other in central Asia.

Other informative articles include "When the Answers are Out of Reach" by Jesi Kettering,"Called to Plant 'Seed Truths'" by Lisa Triplehorn, "Not Retired--Just Retreaded" by Geneva Inman, "Why We Need Relationships for Personal Growth" by Dr. Christy Morr, "The Need for Prayer in Counseling" by Dr. Tammy Schultz, and much more. Linda Michael is senior editor of the magazine, and Viki Rife is the general editor.

Single copies of "Women's Spectrum" are available for $6 each or $5 each in quantities of five or more copies sent to one address. To order, or for more information, contact Women of Grace USA at PO Box 711, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590 or e-mail womenofgraceusa@aol.com. The Women of Grace website is www.wgusa.org.

The Southview Grace Brethren Church of Ashland, Ohio, (Larry Edwards, pastor) celebrated its 50th year of ministry the first Sunday of October.

Former Pastor Donald Farner spoke on “The Year of Jubilee” to the 152 who were in attendance. There were several musical specials, including a concert by Nancy Messner and Jim Messner.

It was Jim Messner’s father, Glenn, who was on the original board of trustees of the church for starting Southview. Many gave testimonies as to what the West 10th Street Brethren Church and Southview Grace Brethren Church meant to them. A fellowship meal followed the concert.

The Southview church had its beginning as a branch of the West 10th Street Brethren Church, eventually re-named the Grace Brethren Church. Because of overcrowded conditions and with the foresight of several individuals, in 1957 Southview was born.

It was originally called “one church with two locations” but in 1965 the church was named Southview Grace Brethren Church and the following year was officially organized as a separate church body.

The first pastor was Dr. Miles Tabor, and his assistant was Eddie Cashman. Other pastors who followed included William Kolb, Mason Cooper, Charles Martin, Donald Farner, Gary Miller, Gary Taylor, Steve Burns, and Randy Haulk.

Larry Edwards currently serves as pastor, with Mark Abel as youth pastor. Dean Risser serves the congregation as pastor emeritus. (material contributed by Rex Weirich)

The Brethren Encyclopedia Board met all day Monday at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio, to firm up details for the 300th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Brethren movement. The celebration will be held in Schwarzenau, Germany (pictured) next August 2 and 3. (Dale Ulrich photo)

Ted Rondeau of Grace Brethren International Missions is heading up the tour group from the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches that will be participating. Details may be obtained from him at trondeau@gbim.org. Grace Brethren who will be participating in the program include Dr. David Plaster, Mboi Andre, Terry White, David Guiles, and others. Translators for the event will include Dr. Roger Peugh and Rainer Ehmann.

Terry White of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company is the board member who represents the FGBC, one of six Brethren groups descended from Alexander Mack's baptism of eight adult believers in the Eder River at Schwarzenau in early August of 1708. Other groups represented on the board include Church of the Brethren, The Brethren Church (Ashland), Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International, Old German Baptist Brethren, and the Dunkard Brethren.

More information about the Brethren Encyclopedia Project may be obtained online at www.brethrenencyclopedia.org. Here is a news release on the 300th anniversary, as distributed by the Church of the Brethren.

BRETHREN WORLD ASSEMBLY WILL CELEBRATE 300th ANNIVERSARY

Elgin, IL -- The village of Schwarzenau, Germany, is the site of the 2008 Brethren World Assembly and 300th Anniversary Celebration to take place the weekend of Aug. 2-3 next year. The event is being planned by the Board of Directors of Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc.

The celebration will mark 300 years since the first group of eight Brethren were baptized in the Eder River in Schwarzenau in August 1708. The Brethren Encyclopedia board has representation from the six largest Brethren denominations and faith groups that are descended from that first group of Brethren.

Dale R. Stoffer, vice president of the board of the Brethren Encyclopedia and dean of Ashland Theological Seminary, Ohio, is serving as chair of the planning committee. The secretary for the board, Dale V. Ulrich of Bridgewater, Va., is serving as coordinator.

A preliminary schedule for the assembly and celebration in Schwarzenau includes:

--On Saturday, Aug. 2, time during the day for visitors to meditate at the Eder River, walk around the village of Schwarzenau, visit the Alexander Mack Museum--named after the founder of the Brethren, hike as Mack did from the Httental to the mill along the river, visit the castle and museum in nearby Bad Berleburg, and take a walking tour of nearby Marburg; a meal tent where a lunch and dinner will be served for a fee; an evening concert by the McPherson (Kan.) College Choir, the Schwarzenau Ladies Choir, the Schwarzenau Men's Choir, and the Bad Berleburg Choir.

--On Sunday, Aug. 3, a morning worship service at 10 a.m. with preachers James M. Beckwith, 2008 moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, and Frederick G. Miller, Jr., pastor of Mount Olivet Brethren Church in Virginia; a meal tent where lunch will be served; a 2 p.m. Anniversary Program with guest speaker and German academic Dr. Marcus Meier, author of the book "The Origins of the Schwarzenau Brethren" to be published in English by Brethren Encyclopedia Inc. in 2008; and a 4:30 p.m. closing gathering at the Eder River.

Registration for the assembly and celebration including Sunday lunch in Schwarzenau is $85. For a registration form, schedule, and more information, including a list of some nearby hotels and a map of the area, contact Dale Ulrich, Brethren Encyclopedia Coordinator of the 300th Anniversary Celebration, 26 College Woods Dr., Bridgewater, VA 22812; daulrich@comcast.net; 540-828-6548. A list of tours also is available.

These are some of the girls and women who are involved weekly in an after-school SMM program at Jefferson Elementary School, which is across the street from the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor).

On Thursdays the girls are encouraged to wear their green SMM shirts to school all day, and at 3:45 p.m. they have an after-school program which includes crafts, snacks, a Bible story, games, and more.

Miriam Pacheco (second from left, back row) is the leader of the program. WLGBC is making a concerted effort to reach out to Jefferson School families this year, with many church people being involved in daytime reading programs, after-school tutoring, and mom-to-mom mentoring, particularly with young Hispanic mothers.

There is wonderful news out of Sebring, Florida.

Former Sebring Grace Brethren Church pastor David Ogden, whose wife, Pam, died more than seven years ago, has let it be known that he and Chris Ryerson Brown, whose husband Denny died about two years ago, are planning to be married.

Here are some edited comments from an e-mail in which Dave was asked for more detail. Dave may be reached at deogden3@peoplepc.com and Chris at cbrown14@embarqmail.com.

I guess the "Reader's Digest version" is that Chris was ready to love again after nearly two years without Denny . . . and (to my GREAT surprise!) I was ready, too -- after more than seven years without Pam.

I started my "transition" back to Sebring Grace Brethren Church (after nearly four years at Okeechobee) in mid-April and one of Pastor Randy Smith’s assignments for me was to spend the first few hours of each weekday at our Kid City child care ministry -- to meet the families and begin to establish relationships with them.

Since Chris is the Director of the Day Care, that meant spending several hours each day in close proximity to her! We'd joke and reminisce and have a great time laughing--the most laughing I've done in years.

The part of the story that you may not know is that the four of us (Denny, Pam, Chris and I) have known each other fairly well since 1970, when we were all students at Grace College. Denny played soccer with my brother-in-law Dan Snively; Chris's younger sister Jane (as distinguished from Greg's wife, Jane) was one of Pam's dearest friends, and a close friend of mine, also.

Over the years, the Brown/Ryerson families and the Ogden families have had a variety of contacts -- keeping track of kids, moves, ministry changes. When I was invited to serve on the C.E.National board back in the Spring of 1997 (taking over for Paul Mutchler, when he switched to the Grace Schools Board), I was pastoring Sebring GBC at the time.

I invited Ed Lewis and the guys to have spring board meeting at "our place" in 1998. Denny Brown really liked Sebring and even spent some time with a realtor checking out homes that he and Chris could convert to day care facilities. At some point, Denny and Chris even visited Pam and me at our home in Sebring.

About two-and-a-half years after my Pam died, I "hit the wall" emotionally (probably clinical depression, though never diagnosed.) The first year-and-a-half had gone pretty well, actually . . . to my great surprise; the "delayed grief reaction" caught me off guard.

I finally persuaded our elders that I needed to step down from the pastorate, because of my ineffectiveness. By then, Randy and Dottie Smith (and family) had come home from nearly 10 years in Israel to live near Randy's parents in Sebring! I suggested to the elders that Randy might be willing to do "pulpit supply" fairly regularly (he was still travelling extensively) and they could divide the other pastoral duties among themselves while they searched for a new pastor.

Well, all in God's time and planning, Randy's "fill-in" turned into one of the most successful pastorates in the FGBC. Randy is TERRIFIC--we all love him so much.

Randy hired Denny, who started the Kid City ministry and brought two of his adult sons (Jason from Frederick, MD; and Jacob from CA) to help out. It was such a gracious blessing from God that Jason and Jacob were near when the Lord called Denny home in November, 2005. (The Brown family even had a little "warning" a year earlier, when Denny suffered a severe attack of angina).

Denny's passing has been tough on all the Browns -- and especially tough on Chris, since there were nine kids under 18 in the household.

On Friday, Sept. 28 of this year, a bunch of us were working into the evening to get ready for a Kid City yard sale the next day to help out with "scholarships" for some of our struggling childcare families.

I was moving some sprinklers and Chris walked up to me. "Out of the blue" I said: "Chris, do you think there might be something more than friendship between us?" She burst into a HUGE smile (so sweet) and responded (essentially): "What's taken you so long? I've been praying for this for six months."

I said, "So you'd be willing to do some things together? Like, maybe go out to dinner once in awhile?" (I was very conscious of the fact that the second "anniversary" of Denny's Promotion to Glory was still over a month away.)

The next evening we had dinner at the home of some friends (who didn't even realize it was a "date"), went to a Christian music concert, had coffee at a Village Inn . . . we've been together virtually every evening since.

Our families have been very excited and Chris and I are very happy. We accept this relationship as a precious gift from a loving and merciful Heavenly Father. I never thought this would happen. So few -- even Christians -- get to enjoy a good marriage. Chris and I both HAD one, and now (God willing) we get to experience another one. Isn't God faithful?!

Both sets of parents (Milt and Sue Ryerson, and Russ and Betty Ogden) have been so supportive. It's not definite, yet, but we're talking about a possible December 22nd wedding.

I'm travelling to Lanham, MD, next month for a celebration of the 30th year of ministry for Lanham Christian School, which Pam and I were actively involved in "launching" back in 1976-77. I'll know for sure by then, whether the Dec. 22 date is firm or not.

Addendum: Late-breaking news is that a December wedding is now not likely. Much more likely to be in the spring, according to "sources."

Pastor Tim Sprankle (on stage) and the Leesburg, Indiana, Grace Brethren Church this past Saturday sponsored a bluegrass festival and community get-together as an outreach. Church members distributed hundreds of flyers prior to the event, inviting townspeople to enjoy the music, refreshments, and games.

In addition to the music, there were displays, crafts for sale, and a chili supper was available later in the day. The event, free and open to the public, was staged from 3-7 p.m. in the church's parking lot.

J.D. Woods of the Grace College faculty was one of several bluegrass artists who kept up a steady foot-tapping stream of sound from the main flatbed stage throughout the afternoon and evening.

Stress getting to you? A free massage, along with a chocolate-chip cookie and a cup of steaming coffee might make a big difference!

Pumpkin-carving was a hit as young artists sought to be the most creative with their designs.

Face painting, outdoor ping-pong and other games made it a fun day for all.

A community trade exposition, Taste & Trade 2007, was held Friday and Saturday at the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace College campus, Winona Lake, Indiana.

Seventy-five exhibitors from local businesses and caterers exhibited from each day. Special motivational speakers included Denny Hepler, Raccoon Run golf pro and “Big Break VI” winner, Chef Jeff, of Bogey’s Steak House, and head Lancer basketball coach Jim Kessler. (Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union.)

From yesterday's Warsaw (IN) Times-Union newspaper:

Kumi Survives Communist Regime To Find Musical Success As A Violinist

David Slone

Until the early 1990s, Albania was a repressive Communist country.

Its citizens were not allowed to travel outside of the country unless they were politicians, athletes or musicians. But when those countrymen returned, they had to give up their passports so they could not flee the country.

"It was kind of a privilege to travel at that time," said violinist Gert Kumi during a Tuesday afternoon interview.

At one time, Kumi had a chance to escape Albania, but didn't because his family was still there. Had he left, he said, his family would have ended up in prison.

No foreigners visited Albania. "A lot of people didn't have an idea of how bad it was," Kumi said.

Through 1991, he said, Albania had 46 years of Communism, under the most repressive regime. "I grew up in that environment," Kumi said.

Despite the history of his home country, Kumi worked to become an award-winning violinist who has played at Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall. He played in a series of concerts with Elton John, broadcasted on NBC and Bravo. He also now is the artist in residence, head of the string department and violin professor at Grace College, Winona Lake.

Sunday, Kumi will be featured in The Second Sunday Series' presentation of "Down the Rhine," starting at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place at Rodeheaver Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m., and admission is free. Kumi will perform "The Sonata No. 1, Opus 12" by Beethoven.

Kumi also will be featured when The Symphony of the Lakes kicks off its concert season Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Kumi will perform "The Bruch Violin Concerto, No. 1, Opus 26 in G Minor" by romantic German composer Max Bruch. The performance will take place at Rodeheaver Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Kumi was born in Tirana, Albania, in 1971. Both of his parents were teachers. His older sister now is the academic coordinator and teaches at The King's College in New York City.

Kumi first picked up the violin at age 8. His sister was studying the violin at the time. When she took a break from her studies, Kumi locked the door behind him and tried to play his sister's violin. "I just made noise," he said.

His sister wasn't happy that he was messing with her instrument.

But his interest in his sister's violin was a signal to his parents. Another signal to his parents that Kumi might be interested in music was his constant whistling, in tune. Two of his mom's brothers were professional musicians, and they had Kumi tested. They found Kumi had the ear for music.

He auditioned for a professional music school in Albania at only age 8 against 200 potential students. They only chose one - Kumi. For his auditions, he had to sing, whistle and call out pitches played to him.

Until he finished high school, Kumi attended the music school. After graduation, he went to the Academy of Music in Tirana. He received his bachelor's degree, then worked five years with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Albania. In conjunction with the orchestra, he also served as the concert master with the Young Virtuosi of Tirana. From 1985 to 2000, he toured all over Europe with the Young Virtuosi. Those 15 years were exciting, he said, and the group won many awards.

He came to the United States in 2000 and auditioned for the Juilliard School of Music to earn his master's degree in violin performance. He won the audition and was accepted as a scholarship student of Stephen Clapp, dean of Juilliard. He received his master's degree in 2003.

During his years at Juilliard, he had the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He played at the time with the Bacchanalia Chamber Orchestra in New York City.

In 2001, Clapp, who was involved with MasterWorks at the time, asked Kumi what he was doing that summer. Kumi wasn't sure, so Clapp gave him a brochure on MasterWorks. Kumi was accepted, and he traveled to Houghton, N.Y.

"I liked it so much, I went back again in 2003," Kumi said.

After that, he was invited back to MasterWorks as a faculty member. He returned every year since. The MasterWorks Festival has been in Winona Lake since 2003.

In 2006, Patrick Kavanaugh offered Kumi a place at Grace College. "So, here I am," he said.

The job offer was very good, he said. It gave him the opportunity not only to play music, but also to teach it. "That was one of the alluring parts of the job," Kumi said.

Another reason was the chance to work in a Christian environment like Grace College.

"All these reasons made me accept this offer," he said.

He said he's also very excited about the upcoming Second Series and Symphony of the Lakes concerts.

"I love the community here and the support that comes from it," Kumi said. "I'm excited to perform as the concert master and as a soloist in the first concert of the season."

Hope Community Church, the Grace Brethren church in Raleigh, NC (Mike Lee, pastor) presents its annual community-wide Fall Fun Fest on Sunday, October 28, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

Hope is located at 821 Buck Jones Road in southwest Raleigh. There is no entrance fee to the festival and all games, rides and special attractions are free. There is a nominal fee for concessions.

Special festival guests this year include the following mascots: Carolina Hurricane’s Stormy, Durham Bull’s Wool E. Bull, NC State’s Mr. & Mrs. Wolf and others.

Featured festivities include:

live band
carnival games and prizes
pony rides
hayrides
rock climbing wall
bungee jump
outdoor laser tag
Inflatable rides
Carolina Hurricane’s Hockey slapshot ring
Free raffle every ½ hour
and more!

The Fall Fun Fest is a family event. Costumed participants are welcome; child-friendly costumes preferred.

For complete info, visit www.gethope.net or call 919.532.0620. Laura Lee is Children's Ministry Director at Hope Community Church.

Charles D. Rupp, 84, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007. Friends and family will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the SNYDER-CRISSMAN FUNERAL HOME in Kittanning. Funeral services will be held Sunday.

Rupp (pictured) was featured on this blog in June of 2006 as the individual who "rescued" and re-activated the "Winona Queen" pontoon boat that previously was used on Winona Lake, Indiana.

Rupp's three children, Chuck, Carolyn, and Gladine, all are Grace College alumni, as are a number of his grandchildren. Gladine is married to Larry McCall, pastor of Christ's Covenant Church in Winona Lake. The Rupp family has long been affiliated with the Grace Brethren Church of West Kittanning, PA (Mark Cornwell, pastor).

Pastor Larry McCall said, "Although nearly 85, he had not retired, and died of heart failure doing what he loved to do--working on a project at one of his properties.

We will appreciate any prayer support from our friends. Gladine was particularly close to her father and is, understandably, grieving deeply."

Here is the obituary from the Kittanning newspaper:

Charles David Rupp, 84, of Kittanning, died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, in the outdoors, where he loved to be. He was born Jan. 3, 1923, in Armstrong County, the son of the late George Barthelow, who died in 1972, and Elva Naomi (Hetrick) Rupp, who died in 1996.

He married Ruth Naomi Saxman, who survives, on April 6, 1951, in Putneyville. They celebrated their 56th anniversary this year. He attended Hoover, Goheenville, Reeseman and Kittanning high schools.

He started Rupp’s Appliance in his father’s wagon shed on the family farm near Goheenville in 1946, and eventually built the current store in West Kittanning in 1958.

He enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends at his family’s camp along the Allegheny River near Templeton. He created a legacy by his example. He taught, encouraged and inspired his family to be hard workers, responsible citizens, good friends and devoted to family.

He worked hard at every task set before him, enjoyed his work, loved his family, voted in every election, laughed, joked, played and enjoyed music. He reveled in the beauty of God’s creation and thoroughly enjoyed helping others have a good time. He will be deeply missed by his grateful family and devoted friends.

Chuck was a 33-year Coast Guard Auxiliary member, a 60-year member of the Free and Accepted Masons New Bethlehem Lodge 522, New Castle Consistory member, Syria Shrine member and a West Kittanning Fire Department honorary member.

He loved his community and was involved in the Kittanning Chamber of Commerce (past member and secretary), Armstrong-Indiana Beekeepers Association. (member and past president), PA and International Carwash Association., PA Campground Owners Association, Indiana-Armstrong Builders Association, and was a former Cub Scoutmaster.

Chuck and Ruth have three children, Gladine (Larry) McCall and Carolyn (Robert) Rex, both of Warsaw, Ind.; and K. Charles (Pamela) Rupp, of Kittanning. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, David (Ken) McCall, Janelle (Joshua) Armstrong, Laura (Jacob) Barros, Jamie (Jon) Whirledge, Jenny and Bobby Rex, all of Warsaw, and Andrew, Danielle, and Joshua Rupp, all of Kittanning; one great- grandson, Jonathan Brady Whirledge; brother, Merle J. Rupp, of New Bethlehem; sisters, Larue Williams, of Dayton; Alda Powell, of Goheenville, and Margaret Light, of Lisbon, Ohio, and numerous nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn, in 1988.

Calling is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at SNYDER-CRISSMAN FUNERAL HOME in Kittanning. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Harvest Community Church, 143 Reed Road, Kittanning, with his son-in-law, Pastor Larry McCall, officiating, assisted by Pastor Mike Grenier, lead pastor of Harvest Community Church. Additional visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Burial will be in the Belknap Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Armstrong County Community Foundation, 160 N. McKean St., Kittanning, PA 16201 in memory of Charles D. Rupp.

Pastor Jim Franklin and the Flora, Indiana, Grace Brethren Church are looking for some used sound system speakers.

Pastor Franklin says, "We have a small Peavey system in our sanctuary but the speakers are permanently mounted behind a wall. We want to make this system portable. If your church has serviceable sound equipment gathering dust in a closet somewhere and you are willing to part with it, please contact Pastor Jim Franklin."

Church -- 574-967-3020

Home --574-967-4715

E-mail -- jgfamf@kconline.com

jimfrank@juno.com

Former Grace Brethren International Missions executive director Tom Julien, who is the author of Antioch Revisited (pictured), recently received a glowing tribute for the book in an e-mail from an executive in the Southern Baptists' International Mission Board. Here is an edited excerpt--rejoice at the book's impact and continue to pray for its effectiveness. It, and all other BMH books, may be purchased at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (toll-free) 1-800-348-2756.

"Greetings in the Lord’s name from the International Mission Board in Richmond, VA! What a privilege it is to write to you and thank you for the wonderful book, Antioch Revisited: Reuniting the Church with Her Mission!

"It is proving to be a wonderful way to communicate our agency’s vision. Our vision is: 'We will lead Southern Baptists to be on mission with God to bring all the peoples of the earth to saving faith in Jesus Christ.' Our president, Dr. Jerry Rankin, has led us to this vision and we are seeing increasing numbers of churches in our denomination awaken to their responsibility.

"We are also seeing increasing numbers of missionaries awaken to the new emerging resource of a missions-minded church ready to engage the lost and impact the missionary’s own effectiveness. I personally believe that the days ahead are exciting as missionary leadership and facilitation and willing church partners converge and the resulting synergy propels us forward!

"Shortly after I read your book in July or August, I shared the gist of the story with Dr. Rankin. His response was immediate and he encouraged me to order more to share. I ordered an initial 30 books and shared with leaders at our home office.

"Shortly after that purchase I ordered another 60 to share with our eleven regional personalizers (a missionary assignment representing a region of the world primarily to connect our regions—and missionaries within those regions—with churches) and our regional partnership strategists for each region (a missionary assignment on the field facilitating partnerships and assisting missionaries to strategically utilize partners).

"Some of this batch of books will be shared with some of our trustees, as well. I have ordered this most recent order of 120 to share with our regional leadership teams. Your story is making a significant contribution!

"I’ve shared as briefly as possible but wanted to communicate how much I appreciate this story! I also want to pass on appreciation to John Leonard who has served me well every time I’ve ordered books. He’s been so helpful!"

FGBC Coordinator Tom Avey reports, "The Central Focus Retreat ended today with a time of prayer for one another and worship. Phil Stohl and Keff Martin from the Powell GBC (pictured) led in worship.

"Thanks for praying for the focus retreat. We met our goals of maximum encouragement and some on-mission opportunities.

"Next retreat - October 22-24 in Maryland." www.fgbc.org/focus

From yesterday's Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette:

Grace College enrollment swells

By Kelly Soderlund

Total enrollment and the number of new students increased at Grace College this year:

2006 total enrollment: 1,352

2007 total enrollment: 1,406

2006 new students: 304

2007 new students: 344


Grace College welcomed a record number of new students this year and also increased its total enrollment.

The 344 new students helped beat the previous record set in 2006, when 304 new students enrolled. Total enrollment this year for the Grace campus, including Grace College, Grace Theological Seminary and Grace Graduate School in Counseling and Interpersonal Relations, is 1,406 students, an increase of 54.

“I think the fact that we have a broad number of majors – we have 52 majors at the college – is certainly a factor and the fact that Grace is becoming more selective academically in its admissions practices is attracting better and better students to the college,” said Ken Moyer, dean of enrollment.

The college received a record total of 1,734 applications for the fall 2007 semester.

Moyer thinks students are also paying attention to Grace’s placing in national studies and rankings. U.S. News and World Report named Grace College to its list in the top baccalaureate colleges in the Midwest, and the Princeton Review also recognized the school by naming it one of the Midwest’s best colleges.

Grace College is an evangelical Christian college in Winona Lake.