{"id":23663,"date":"2024-05-16T22:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T22:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=23663"},"modified":"2024-05-17T22:58:58","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T22:58:58","slug":"youtube-channel-for-historic-church-videos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2024\/youtube-channel-for-historic-church-videos\/","title":{"rendered":"New YouTube channel features historic Church of the Brethren videos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Jan Fischer Bachman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does a ventriloquist\u2019s dummy speak if no one is watching? Do landmark \u201cfirsts\u201d still make a difference if no one remembers them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After more than 40 years of creating videos for the Church of the Brethren, David Sollenberger realized that nearly all of the recordings were in formats that are no longer used. As he converted film from three-quarter inch tape, betacam, and even DVDs, to digital files, he encountered significant moments that were not being seen by those who appreciate the history, heritage, and experiences of the Church of the Brethren faith tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was, he said wryly, \u201cno convenient place to view these historical resources, other than to come to my house and watch them. And while that would be enjoyable, scheduling could be difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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With Sollenberger, Brethren Historical Library and Archives interim manager Allison Snyder and Church of the Brethren web producer Jan Fischer Bachman have created a new YouTube channel for historical Church of the Brethren videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the more than 50 videos now posted on that channel are General Board live reports and wrap-up videos from Annual Conferences, National Older Adult Conferences, and National Youth Conferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also included are programs featuring significant Church of the Brethren ministries and events, including the original ABC News segment on the death of Ted Studebaker, the CBS News story of Enten Eller\u2019s trial for failure to register with Selective Service, and a rare performance by legendary singer Slim Whitman at the 1982 Annual Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI get inspired when I hear former Earlham School of Religion professor Tom Mullen share his insights at the 1996 NOAC, Sister Helen Prejean describe her experiences as a consultant to the movie Dead Man Walking, Andy Murray and Shawn Kirchner talk about how some of their songs were written, and former Annual Conference moderator Bill Hayes share prophetic words on inclusion among church leadership,\u201d Sollenberger said. \u201cI also find inspiration in reviewing the leadership and sermon excerpts at National Youth Conferences, NOACs and Annual Conferences, many of which are in formats that are unplayable with obsolete technology. Making them available now through YouTube allows participants to relive the experience of those events.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People sadly may consider history boring, according to BHLA interim manager Allison Snyder. \u201cAudio-visual preservation and archiving allow for the speakers and leaders of our past to speak directly to a present audience and, in so doing, adds a vibrancy to history that is incomparable to any other historic media,\u201d she said, adding the caveat, \u201cThis does not discredit antique texts and other medias, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn my work at our denominational archive, I\u2019m struck with how connected I come to feel with individuals I\u2019ve studied: Bill Hayes, Ralph Smeltzer, M.R. Zigler, Abraham Harley Cassell, etc.,\u201d she continued. \u201cWhile many of our Brethren forerunners don\u2019t have a presence on video, the ability to hear the message and mission of those that we do through audio-video format is deeply valuable to both our current and future study of us as a church and a people. It keeps fresh our current and recent history for future generations of students, church members, and historians. I know these items don\u2019t feel traditionally historic, but the ability to reference live speeches, interviews, concerts, and Annual Conference recordings expands our access and understanding of Church of the Brethren people, beliefs, and its peculiar and beautiful way of being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked to name some favorite videos, Snyder said, \u201cI am partial to the NYC wrap-up videos. I was blessed to attend twice (2006 and 2010), and they were such formative experiences for me. Seeing these videos again and having memories of attending resurface, like when Josh Brockway smashed a pot on stage, and hearing the theme songs, creates a deep nostalgia for these events. Also, while these might not feel like a historic collection, yet each one highlights both the spirits, interests, and beautiful vibes (looking at you 1990s) that will be studied and appreciated for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy favorite individual video is the passing of the gavel from Bill Hayes to Elaine Sollenberger. The way in which Hayes addresses the significance of that moment is so powerful and moving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sollenberger summarized: \u201cI hope that we have been inspired by things that we have done as a church through the years. I have faith that refreshing our memories of those experiences might motivate us to replicate those ways of being faithful to God\u2019s call upon us as a church.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the Church of the Brethren historic video channel at www.youtube.com\/@churchofthebrethrenhistory<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find a roughly chronological listing of the videos with descriptions and links at www.brethren.org\/bhla\/video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Jan Fischer Bachman is web producer for the Church of the Brethren.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n