Sunday, July 13
Highlights of the Day

[Feature | Photo | Worship]

The Richmond Coliseum was filled with thousands of members of the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church for the historic worship service celebrating 300 years of Brethren heritage. Photo by Ken Wenger

A rough cross stands at the center of the worship center on the Conference stage. Photo by Glenn Riegel

Brethren enjoyed meeting each other outside the Coliseum following worship. Photo by Glenn Riegel

A Clergywomen's Breakfast celebrated 50 years of ordination for women in the Church of the Brethren. A group picture of the women ministers who were present commemorated the event. Photo by Regina Roberts

Representatives of other Brethren bodies including the Old German Baptist Brethren, the Dunkard Brethren, and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren, were introduced to the Conference. Photo by Regina Roberts

QUOTES OF THE DAY

“God’s Spirit is abundant here this morning. It is pouring down on each and everyone that’s sitting here. The Spirit of unity that is here is very, very refreshing.”
-- Shanthi Edwin preaching for the morning worship service, representing the Brethren Church

“Seeds don’t write mission statements. They are mission statements.... All the seed needs to do is let itself go. You have to let go of what you once were, if you’re ever going to be what you’re meant to become.”
-- Chris Bowman preaching for the morning worship service, representing the Church of the Brethren

OVERVIEW OF THE DAY
Morning worship was the highlight of the day--the first time in 125 years that brothers and sisters from the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church have officially worshiped together as denominations. The day actually began, however, with a 5K run/walk Fitness Challenge sponsored by the Brethren Benefit Trust, and a Clergywomen’s Breakfast celebrating 50 years of women’s ordination in the Church of the Brethren. The John Kline Riders, a group commemorating the life of Civil War-era Brethren leader and peacemaker John Kline--met participants outside the Richmond Coliseum after worship. In the afternoon, participants had their choice of many different workshops under the theme “An Experience of Brethren Faith Journeys,” and an evening session celebrated Brethren in mission around the world. The Brethren colleges sponsored luncheons, and an array of insight sessions were held as well. The day also featured age group and other small group activities.

OFFERING AND ATTENDANCE
Registration for the Conference, as of Saturday late evening, had come to 5,438 people. More than 3,830 people were in attendance at the opening worship yesterday evening.

Offerings received during the Conference’s opening worship service and the concert of the National Christian Choir on Saturday evening totaled $17,236.53. Offerings received in morning worship today, which will be shared proportionally between the Brethren Church and the Church of the Brethren, came to $25,760.40.

A BIT OF BRETHREN HISTORY: JOHN KLINE MURDERED, GUILTY NEVER BROUGHT TO TRIAL
John Kline (1797-1864) of Linville Creek, Va., was one of a kind. Although it was not unheard of for Brethren elders to travel back and forth among their scattered flock, sharing news, praying, and preaching in their homes, Kline was exceptional. Over the course of his life he traveled by his record more than 100,000 miles, on foot, by train, but most of all on his faithful horse, Nell.

His sermons, as they are recorded, include humor as well as a strong biblical foundation. When asked, he defended the faith with his pen, writing an essay and a short book on the topic of baptism. But Kline was not only a preacher, he was also a farmer, a doctor and a carpenter. He was a much beloved visitor among the Brethren, especially the children, for whom he always kept some candy with him.

Kline’s life was not without tragedy. He and his wife, Anna, lost their only child at birth. She suffered from incapacitating mental illness.

Had the Civil War not intervened, Kline would still have been remembered as one of the towering figures among the 19th century Brethren. But southern Brethren faced many hardships because of their unwavering stance against slavery and violence. They were victims of theft, persecution, and even murder. Early in the war Kline was arrested and imprisoned along with other Brethren and Mennonites for his refusal to take part in the so-called “Glorious Cause.”

And as one of the few Brethren on either side of the Mason-Dixon line who refused to honor the boundary between the two sides, he drew particular ire. He was elected moderator of the Annual Meeting from 1861-64, in part as recognition of the great risk he took in traveling to the northern states.

By 1864 his friends and relatives were pleading with him to stay home because of the rumors of his impending murder. He refused. On May 19, 1864, as he journeyed back from his last Annual Meeting, Kline said, “Possibly you may never see my face or hear my voice again. I am now on my way back to Virginia, not knowing the things that shall befall me there. It may be that bonds and afflictions abide me. But I feel that I have done nothing worthy of bonds or of death; and none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.”

John Kline was ambushed and killed by cowards masquerading as soldiers on June 11, 1864. Although sometimes referred to as Confederate guerillas, those who did not serve in the army had usually found a way to avoid duty in order to swagger about and give orders to the few left at home. It is said that everyone in the Linville Creek area knew exactly who had murdered Kline, but no one was ever brought to trial, making the whole community complicit in the murder.

-- Frank Ramirez’ “Tercentennial Minute” for June 8. Ramirez pastors Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, which has offered the weekly Tercentennial Minutes through 2008 as a celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Brethren.