Sunday, July 13
Feature

[Highlights | Photo | Worship]

A young Conference-goer greets one of the horses of the John Kline Riders. Photo by Ken Wenger

Glenn Bollinger, one of the John Kline Riders, comforts his horse in the midst of the crowds who gathered around following worship. Photo by Ken Wenger

THE JOHN KLINE RIDERS ARRIVE IN RICHMOND
The John Kline Memorial riders traveled to Richmond, Va., today for the 300th Anniversary Conference of the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church. Eight horses and their riders were outside the Richmond Coliseum this morning to greet Conference participants following the morning worship service.

Conference participants had an opportunity to learn about the life and work of John Kline, a 19th century Brethren minister. The John Kline Memorial Riders travel routes taken by the historic preacher to share history, fellowship, and worship with churches in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Organized and led by Emmert Bittinger, of Bridgewater, Va., the riders have visited more than 30 churches.

Born in 1797, John Kline has been described by historians as a good pastor, attending to the spiritual needs of others, especially to the young and the aged. In 1825, Kline gave part of his farmland to the Linville Creek congregation and it is the present site of Linville Creek Church of the Brethren in Broadway, Va. Kline was an articulate speaker advocating for the abolition of slavery, opposing the Civil War, and worked to settle disputes with reason and respect.

Traveling widely, Kline preached in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. He was killed during the Civil War on June 15, 1864, by a few local military irregulars who were unsympathetic to his cause.

Go to http://johnklinehomestead.com/messenger.htm for more about the life of John Kline.

Photos by Ken Wenger	A special evening celebration of missions around the world highlighted the mission work and international sister denominations of both the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church. The evening included praise music and dance, as well as stories from the mission field. Just a few of the presenters are shown here, representing nations in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean.

MESSENGER DINNER HEARS FROM TOM EHRICH
&I’m intrigued to be among the Church of the Brethren. We have something in common besides the belief in Jesus Christ,” said Tom Ehrich, speaker at tonight’s Messenger Dinner. “My spiritual ancestors were also kicked out of other places.”

Ehrich, of New York City, is an Episcopal pastor, author, columnist, and church wellness consultant. His weekly column appears in over 100 newspapers, and his fourth book will be published this fall. He noted that in the 11 months since he was first asked to speak by “Messenger” editor Walt Wiltschek, the whole world seems to have changed.

Listing increasingly unaffordable dreams regarding housing and transportation, Ehrich said that congregations are failing to adapt to the trends that are reshaping our society. Instead, he said, “Churches compensate by obsessing about human sexuality. It’s easier to focus on things that don’t matter when the things that do matter are spinning out of control. Dealing with harsh reality is not always our strength.”

He compared the church’s former battles against science and modernism, with so many modern congregations that spin along as if the current economic situation has nothing to do with church life. “I want to issue a call to bold action,” he said. “I’m an impassioned Christian and an impassioned American. We are a nation that needs a strong Christian movement. Now more than ever, our nation needs healthy and responsible religious communities, built on faith, not habit, who want to make a difference, not just survive.”

He concluded by saying all the struggles of the past 50 years have prepared us for this moment. “We are broken and we are broken. Hubris having been vanquished, if only by our own failures, God can do something with us!”

Ehrich reminded the audience that success is a poor teacher, and that we always learn from failure. He closed with three words of advice for the church: “Listen, learn, and lead.”

-- Frank Ramirez is pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.

Photo by Glenn Riegel	A series of workshops titled "An Experience of Brethren Faith Journeys" gave opportunities for Conference participants to learn more about the heritage and past of the Brethren movement, as well as about current ministries. The Church of the Brethren and Brethren Church shared together in the afternoon's events, sponsored by the denominations' respective committees planning the 300th celebration. Photos from just a few of the many sessions: (left) Asha Solanky was one of the presenters; (bottom from left) Nevin Dulabaum showed a power point on sites important to Brethren history, a musical drama "A Simple Feast" was written by Steve Engle and Frank Ramirez, a session on hymns offered a chance to sing, Youth Heritage Travel Teams gathered for a group photo after their presentation.
Photo by Regina Roberts	Photo by Regina Roberts	Photo by Regina Roberts	Photo by Sarah Kovacs

Today's events at Conference also offered opportunities to chat with international Brethren, admire quilts of previous Conference years, hear from Brethren academics about the heritage and history of the church, and in the evening, join in praise and worship. Photo by Ken Wenger	Photo by Ken Wenger
Photo by Ken Wenger	Photo by Ken Wenger