Posted by Brian Paff on Tue, May 15, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA and HESSTON, KS (May 15, 2012)—Meghan Good served as keynote speaker for the biennial Women in Conversation retreats hosted by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville Mennonite Church Center this April.
Good, pastor at Albany Mennonite Church (Albany, Ore.), centered her four presentations on the Old Testament book of Hosea. Her grasp of theological concepts and ability to tell engaging stories captivated the 200 plus women in attendance at Laurelville (Mount Pleasant, Pa.) and Cross Wind Retreat Center (Hesston, Ks.).
Mennonite Women USA co-directors Rhoda Keener and Ruth Lapp Guengerich were pleased with the input Good provided. “Meghan Good’s messages were a priceless gift to all who attended Women in Conversation,” said Lapp Guengerich. “Her gift of biblical interpretation and insight will encourage women and men for years to come as we listen to her messages again and again.”
“Meghan was a phenomenal speaker,” said Donna Mast, a member of Forest Hills Mennonite Church (Leola, Pa.) who has attended the past four Women in Conversation retreats at Laurelville. She appreciated the way Good “unwrapped the story” embedded in the Hosea narrative and invited participants to enter into its meaning.
“I was struck by her ability to take what could be a hard and difficult passage and put it into everyday language that is relevant to us today,” explained Mast. “I came away (from the weekend) with great spiritual insights.”
Carmen Miller also affirmed Good’s input throughout the weekend. “Her preaching was powerful and so poetic,” commented Miller, who served as a music and worship leader at the Laurelville retreat.
Thoughtfully planned worship sessions complemented Good’s messages at both retreats: Miller collaborated with Janet Hostetter and several other women from Harrisonburg Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg, Va.) to lead worship at Laurelville; in Hesston, Tonya Keim Bartel led alongside two other members of Whitestone Mennonite Church (Hesston, Ks.).
Leading worship in a retreat setting such as Laurelville was a first for Miller. “I was grateful for how our various giftings came together,” she said. “It is beautiful when we can bring together different cultures and experiences and the Spirit unites us.”
In particular, Miller appreciated a worship ritual that took place on Saturday evening in which women came forward to the altar to select a stone. On it they would later inscribe a name or attribute that they wanted to claim in their lives. “It blessed me to hear the words that women used—words like whole, oasis, beloved,” she recalled.
Tonya Keim Bartel is worship coordinator at Whitestone Mennonite Church and has served on the worship planning committee for several Mennnonite Church USA conventions. “It was a really great experience. Everyone came with hearts, ears and eyes open to what might be in store during worship,” she said.
In addition to worship sessions and input from Good, both retreats featured time set aside for women to participate in conversation circles. Assigned to these small groups on the opening night, women were encouraged to reflect on questions presented by Good and share from their own life experiences during the weekend.
Keim Bartel, attending her first Women in Conversation retreat, found this component to be especially worthwhile. “We sat in circles where there were women from three generations present,” she said. “People were very willing to be open and honest with one another.”
Participants also enjoyed ample free time to spend together or in solitude as well as a variety of optional activities designed to nourish mind, body, soul and spirit. In what is becoming a favorite at Women in Conversation, Saturday afternoon’s MennoSpa offered participants chair massages, chocolate tasting and other relaxing activities.
“I appreciated the space built for that,” said Mast, who noted that retreats and conferences have the tendency to pack too many activities into a constrained amount of time. She invested her free time on Laurelville’s hiking trails. “I love that [the retreat planners] provide opportunities to decompress.”
Women in Conversation will return to Laurelville and Hesston in spring 2014; dates and speaker information are yet to be announced. For more information about the retreats and other Mennonite Women USA programs and initiatives, you can visit MennoniteWomenUSA.org or call 316.281.4396.
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No. 91
Posted by Brian Paff on Fri, May 11, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (May 11, 2012)—Laurelville Mennonite Church Center will host its annual Summer Kickoff event on Saturday, May 26 from 1-5 p.m. The camp and conference center will provide visitors with free swimming pool admission and grilled hot dogs to mark the occasion.
“Families often spend time together over Memorial Day weekend,” says executive director John Denlinger. “We hope they will discover Laurelville to be a great space for this sort of valuable interaction to occur.”
In addition to swimming pool admission and the picnic luncheon, Laurelville will offer free tractor-pulled wagon tours of its campus as well as some crafts and activities for families. Laurelville program director Angela Dietzel will also be on hand to answer questions about summer camp and assist with registration, scholarship applications, etc.
The Laurelville swimming pool is open to the public daily from 1-5 p.m., weather permitting. Pool admission is $2.50/person; season passes are also available for $35/person or $75/family (applies to two adults and four children). Laurelville fills its pool with filtered water from Jacobs Creek, making swimming a particularly refreshing experience at the camp and conference center.
“We know how popular our swimming pool is during the summer months,” comments Denlinger. “What better way to have fun and beat the summer heat than by swimming in a creek-fed pool?”
Guests with physical disabilities will enjoy increased accessibility to pool this year: Laurelville director of facilities & grounds Gene Hartzler installed a mechanical chair lift to comply with ADA regulations. The lift is portable and will provide access to either end of the swimming pool.
For more information on the Summer Kickoff event, visit Laurelville.org or call 724.423.2056. Also, Laurelville is still accepting applications for certified lifeguards. If you are interested in applying, please contact info@laurelville.org or call 724.423.2056.
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No. 90
Posted by Brian Paff on Wed, May 09, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (May 8, 2012)—Students from Chiaravalle Montessori School (Evanston, Il.) likely never imagined that a highlight of their biennial educational trip to Washington, D.C. would involve getting stranded on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and spending a night at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center.
But when their charter bus broke down late on a Monday evening on the Pennsylvania Turnpike a few miles east of Exit 91 (Donegal, Pa.), a detour became imminent.
“It worked out wonderfully,” commented Chiaravalle headmaster Ed Hollinger, who was able to secure lodging at Laurelville for the twenty-eight students and five adult chaperones aboard the bus. “Part of what we want to do as educators is to build resilience in our students; every bit of what happened contributed to this end,” he said.
“I knew Laurelville from my time spent living in Lancaster County,” said Hollinger, who had attended Mennonite Education Agency events at the camp and conference center as a teacher at Lancaster Mennonite School (LMS). As it turns out, he is distantly related to Laurelville executive director John Denlinger, and the two had been colleagues at LMS during the 1990s.
Hollinger made contact with Laurelville guest services host Brad Bishop and explained his group’s situation. Meanwhile Pennsylvania Turnpike officials coordinated emergency transportation for the group, and a converted school bus arrived around ten o’clock to deliver the students and chaperones to the safety and comfort of Laurelville.
Upon their arrival, Hollinger borrowed a Laurelville van and made a late night run to Mount Pleasant to pick up food for his group. “I can only imagine what they were thinking in the drive-through when I ordered thirty-five cheeseburgers and thirty-five orders of fries,” he laughed.
Students explored the campus and enjoyed their long-delayed supper prior to settling into bed in Laurelville’s Motel around 1:00 a.m. The following morning, the Chiaravalle group was able to enjoy a leisurely morning while they waited for a new bus to arrive from Illinois.
“[The students] woke up to a nice quiet morning in the mountains and were just loving it,” recalled Hollinger. “That rivaled everything we experienced in Washington, D.C.”
Sam Fredericksen, a student at Chiaravalle, was moved by the hospitality he and his classmates received. “I was really grateful [Laurelville] took us in,” he said. “All the staff were so nice in our time of need!”
Denlinger praised his staff for their response to the unexpected guests. Bishop fulfilled his duties as guest services host by readying Motel rooms for the students and chaperones as well as remaining on-call throughout the night. Food services director Matt Cameron and his staff also made accommodations for an additional thirty-three guests at breakfast.
“Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that we are to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it,” he said. “This is Laurelville hospitality at its best...it is living out our mission statement to ‘extend Christlike hospitality to all’—sometimes whether they are registered or not.”
The rest of Chiaravalle’s trip went rather smoothly: they arrived in the nation’s capital without any further delays mid-afternoon on Tuesday and picked up with their scheduled activities for the week.
To learn more about the retreat services and programs provided at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, visit Laurelville.org or call 800.839.1021.
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No. 89
Posted by Brian Paff on Fri, Apr 27, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (April 27, 2012)—Laurelville Mennonite Church Center recently hired Brad Bishop to fill the role of guest services host. Originally from Perkasie, Pennsylvania, Bishop is excited about the opportunity to settle on the west side of the state and work in a ministry setting such as Laurelville.
“Brad has already brought a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to this role,” says John Denlinger, executive director at Laurelville. “His friendly smile will make it easy for guests to seek him out when they need something during their stay.”
Guest services is an all-important function at Laurelville, a camp and conference center that identifies “Christ-like hospitality” as one of its core objectives. As host, Bishop’s responsibilities include welcoming group coordinators upon arrival, responding to guest needs, operating the Gift Shoppe and processing group invoices.
“The best part about my job so far is interacting with guests when they are here,” observes Bishop, reflecting on his first month at Laurelville. “Seeing their enjoyment of Laurelville is a weekly reward for me.”
Bishop first came to the region in 2005 to attend California University of Pennsylvania (California, Pa.). It wasn’t long before he became enamored with the abundance of things to do in Western Pennsylvania.
“I think this is a wonderful area to live in,” declares Bishop, a self-described outdoors enthusiast and sports fan. “The recreation opportunities that this area has—from the Great Allegheny Passage to Ohiopyle State Park to the Youghiogheny River—are hard to beat for someone who enjoys the outdoors. I also appreciate having a city like Pittsburgh close by so I can enjoy sporting events and concerts when I get the chance.”
Bishop spent a year with AmeriCorps as a member of the Student Conservation Association’s Pennsylvania Trail Towns Team after graduating from Cal U. He worked primarily as a community organizer and project coordinator in towns along the Monongahela River.
When his service term ended in late fall of 2011, he began searching for employment with hopes of remaining in Western Pennsylvania. Denlinger approached him about the possibility of serving in the guest services role when Bethany Schrag announced plans to return to her home state of Kansas in mid-March.
“The position seemed challenging to me. I've never worked in a camp setting before, but I've always appreciated my retreat experiences,” says Bishop, who grew up attending programs at Spruce Lake Christian Retreat (Buck Hills Falls, Pa.).
The role of guest services host became a paid position in 2011 after years of being labeled a voluntary service placement; nevertheless, Laurelville continues to welcome individuals and couples to volunteer with guest services operations. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, visit Laurelville.org/volunteer or call 724.423.2056.
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No. 88
Posted by Brian Paff on Tue, Apr 17, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (April 17, 2012)—Laurelville Mennonite Church Center will host a Summer Camp Open House from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, and hopes to extend an invitation to area kids and families.
Admission is free and will include refreshments as well as activities, camp tours and an opportunity for children and their families to learn more about the summer programs hosted at the Christian camp and conference center.
Laurelville program director Angela Dietzel is eager to host such an event. “I am excited to offer families a chance to see and experience Laurelville for themselves,” she says. “I hope that as they walk the grounds and interact with counselors and staff, they will see this place come alive with the activity and fun of summer camp.”
Dietzel indicates that Laurelville’s efforts to strengthen ties with its local community and reach out to young families have been well received. Summer camp registration numbers—bolstered largely by first-time campers and new families—are up significantly from recent years.
“We especially welcome families from our local community to come,” adds Dietzel. “The Mt. Pleasant Ministerium and Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club have generously given money towards a Westmoreland area scholarship fund, and we hope this will make camp accessible to more nearby families.”
The Laurelville dining hall will serve as the central hub for the open house. There families will find refreshments, activities, video footage and photos from last year’s camps and even a computer station where they can sign their kids up for summer camp.
Tractor-pulled people mover rides will leave the area outside the dining hall every half hour beginning at 2:30 p.m. Families can also visit the six cabins and pavilion at the Laurel Youth Village, where kids, counselors and staff spend a majority of their time during summer camp. Laurelville’s recreation facilities—including hiking trails, mini-golf, bocce, carpet ball and basketball—will likewise be available for use.
Laurelville Summer Camp is open to kids ages 6-17. A typical week at camp includes a variety of outdoor activities, a campout on Laurelville’s Sunset Hill and morning and even sessions of The Gathering, a time highlighted by Bible lessons and singing. Altogether, it’s a memorable experience that Laurelville believes is well worth the investment.
“We recognize that families have lots of options when it comes to filling their summer schedules,” observes Dietzel, “but few things are as formative as a week at summer camp—building relationships, experiencing nature, growing in faith, and having a lot of fun in the process.”
For more information on the Laurelville Summer Camp Open House, email program@laurelville.org or call 724.423.2056 x2431. If you can’t make it but would still like to learn more or sign your child up for a week of camp, visit Laurelville.org/summer-camp or call 724.423.2056.
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No. 87
Posted by Brian Paff on Sat, Mar 31, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (March 31, 2012)—Runners and walkers are getting ready for the second annual Laurelville Spring Classic 5K, scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center.
The event is designed to raise money for camp scholarships and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Following the 5K, Laurelville will also host a series of Jr. Jog races for kids ages 12 & under as well as a family relay race.
“We’re excited about hosting the Spring Classic again,” says race organizer Brian Paff. “It’s a great way to get people involved in something that is both fun and beneficial.”
Paff, himself an avid runner, serves as director of communications for the camp and conference center. He says he modified the 5K course from the route used last year. “We tried to reduce possible points of confusion and the number of volunteers needed to direct race traffic,” he explains. “We also want to avoid grassy areas on our grounds that could be muddy in case of wet spring weather.”
The race will take place on and around Laurelville’s 600-acre campus, located east of Mount Pleasant near the intersection of Rt. 982 and Rt. 31. The course travels on paved and gravel roads and is classified as moderately hilly, with one significant climb to the top of Sunset Hill.
“Runners and walkers will have to work hard to reach the top of Sunset Hill,” Paff cautions, pointing out that the gravel road to Sunset Hill is 500 meters long and runs on a 4-6% grade. “But the view they’ll get in return will be well worth the effort. I think everyone will appreciate the natural beauty that unfolds around each bend.”
Awards will be given to the top three overall 5K male and female finishers as well as age-group winners. Last year, Michael Weaver (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Heather Monroe (New Huntingdon, Pa.) were the top male and female finishers, respectively.
The 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m.; a series of Jr. Jog races on a flat 200-meter course will begin at 9:45, and the family relay is scheduled for 10:00. All 5K and Jr. Jog participants will receive a free race t-shirt. You can learn more and register at Laurelville.org/5k or by calling 724.423.2056.
The Laurelville Spring Classic is being sponsored by Jewel A. Harry Agency, Standard Bank and Dale Walker CPA. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or supporting the race in other ways, contact Brian Paff at 724.423.2438.
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No. 86
Posted by Brian Paff on Sat, Mar 31, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (March 31, 2012)—Tim and Bethany Schrag resigned from their positions at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center this month and will be returning to their home state of Kansas.
The couple married in December 2009 and arrived in Pennsylvania shortly thereafter to spend a year of voluntary service at the camp and conference center. Bethany (Goessel, Ks.) worked as guest services host, while Tim (Mound Ridge, Ks.) split time between guest services and maintenance roles.
Bethany’s guest services role eventually evolved into a paid position and Tim began working exclusively in the facilities and grounds department. They were hired as full-time staff members at the conclusion of their service year.
The Schrags move out to Pennsylvania was a bit of a serendipitous development. Laurelville executive director John Denlinger had initiated a conversation with Mennonite Mission Network staff member Jill Schmidt regarding voluntary service. “I must confess that I thought I would never hear from Jill again,” said Denlinger of his chance encounter with Schmidt at the Mennonite Church USA convention in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio.
In hindsight, their conversation seems more providential in nature. As of yet MMN does not have a formal service arrangement with Mennonite camps, but Schmidt, a friend of Bethany and Tim, helped steer the couple toward Laurelville when she learned of their desire to volunteer during their first year of marriage.
Both individuals contributed to Laurelville in many significant ways, each bringing a broad skill set, creative energy and a willingness to commit to the organization’s mission and ministry. They also developed strong relationships with fellow staffers as well as with members of the Scottdale Mennonite Church community.
“They will be missed greatly as staff because of the roles they played so well in guest services and facilities and grounds,” notes Denlinger. “But they will also be missed as persons who invested deeply in the on-campus community at Laurelville.”
Brad Bishop (Perkasie, Pa.) was hired in March to fill the guest services vacancy left by Bethany. He also brings a service orientation to Laurelville, having spent the past year in a community development role with AmeriCorps. Because Robby Emerson was added to the facilities and grounds department at the end of 2011, Laurelville has no current plans to seek an additional maintenance staff member.
The Schrags’ commitment to volunteering for a year can serve as a model for others interested in embracing new experiences and supporting the work of a ministry such as Laurelville. Denlinger described long-term voluntary service at Laurelville as a potentially transformative experience, one that can serve as an oasis to people in various stages of their life journey. “There is a sense of life slowing down [while engaged in service at Laurelville],” he said, “which allows you to pause, reflect and then participate in life in a new and invigorated way.”
Service runs deep at Laurelville. According to volunteer coordinator Jane Rittenhouse, between 3,000 and 4,000 volunteer hours are logged each year at the camp and conference center. For information about volunteering, visit Laurelville.org/volunteer or call 800.839.1021.
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No. 85
Posted by Brian Paff on Fri, Mar 30, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (March 30, 2012)—Laurelville has renovated Strassburg and Skippack cabins and will introduce them as single-family vacation rental units this year. Formerly summer camp lodging spaces, the cabins have been used infrequently since Laurelville dedicated the Laurel Youth Village and its six cabins in 2006.
Located on Laurelville’s Gazebo Hill, both cabins will feature one private bedroom, a spacious common area with a pull-out couch and an outdoor deck. The cabins have also been retrofitted with indoor plumbing—including a kitchenette and full bath—and climate control for year-round comfort.
Laurelville Executive Director John Denlinger is eager to offer the rental units to guests. “It is our hope that this will become a sort of home away from home where families can experience the beauty of God's creation and renew their spirit and relationships in a relaxed environment,” he says. “We think they’ll love unwinding in a handcrafted rocker, hanging out on the cabin’s deck and taking advantage of Laurelville’s other possibilities.”
While designed for private retreats and family vacations, they will also be useful options for guest speakers and retreat planners who would like added privacy during their stay.
Laurelville Director of Grounds & Facilities Gene Hartzler oversaw the renovations. The project took place over the past twelve months and enlisted the members of Laurelville’s skilled maintenance staff in addition to numerous volunteers.
“Gene’s many gifts and past experience in construction allow Laurelville to do many of these types of projects at affordable costs,” observes Denlinger. “If it weren't for Gene and his staff, many of these projects could not get done simply because of the money they require.” He believes many volunteers are eager to participate in construction work at Laurelville because of the knowledge and expertise Hartzler brings.
Strassburg cabin is available for immediate use; Skippack is undergoing some finishing touches and will be available later this year. For information about renting either cabin as well as other lodging options at Laurelville, visit Laurelville.org/lodging or call 800.839.1021.
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No. 84
Posted by Brian Paff on Wed, Mar 28, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (March 28, 2012)—A joyous graduation ceremony held this February in the Meetinghouse at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center marked the conclusion of the 2011-12 Values-based Leadership Program, commissioning its tenth class to lead in their respective areas of calling.
The ceremony acknowledged a total of forty graduates for their contributions and commitment during the program’s pair of three-day sessions and accompanying five-month inter-term. Graduates also shared stories, areas of growth and personal mission statements that developed out of their experiences in the program.
“It was a holy moment,” observed Lee Schmucker, a consultant from Wichita, Kansas, who has served on the program’s steering committee and resource team since its inception ten years ago. “[Participants] were allowing others into their journey, demonstrating a high level of vulnerability in sharing their self-discoveries and inner thoughts; to me, that is the work of the Spirit.”
The Values-based Leadership Program integrates research and best practices with the diverse experiences—including strengths, leadership styles and contexts—participants bring with them into the program. What typically emerges is a learning community that encourages dialogue and collaboration, calling participants into an active role in their own personal growth as well as the growth of their colleagues.
“That is one of the unique elements of the program,” said Schmucker, commenting on the interactive nature of the Values-based Leadership Program. “God is clearly at work [during the program], shaping participants’ thoughts and actions and developing them into the leaders they are called to be.”
By and large, participants described their enrollment in the Values-based Leadership Program as an enriching, transformative experience.
Deborah Laws-Landis appreciated the sense of community she found as a participant. “[Members of our cohort group] shared with each other at a fairly deep level,” said the director of community relations for Landis Homes. “At our last gathering, it was evident we were standing with God's Spirit on holy ground as we participated in a sacred act of blessing each other.”
Over the past decade, Landis Homes has encouraged numerous staff members to enroll in the Values-based Leadership Program. Laws-Landis appreciated being able to attend this year’s program with several of her colleagues from the non-profit retirement community located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. “It gave us a chance to step back and view our organization from a different perspective and to reap the benefit of the insights of persons from other organizations,” she noted.
Cheryl Zehr Walker likewise attended the program with co-workers from Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S., where she serves as director of communications. “The Values-based Leadership Program gave us a little more insight into how we work,” she explained, adding that she hopes to remain in conversation with them regarding some of the leadership concepts presented during the program.
Given that MCC is in the midst of structural changes, Walker said she valued the program’s emphasis on understanding vision and purpose. “When any organization is in transition, it’s important to keep our focus on the common vision,” she commented. “This was an affirmation for me as a leader in a time of increased stress.”
For Jay Miiller, the program represented an opportunity to discover a sense of renewal in his role as pastor at East Union Mennonite Church (Kalona, Ia.). “As a pastor, it’s easy to go through certain dry spells,” said Miiller. “It was helpful to learn about self-care and spend time with peers and kindred spirits outside of the congregational setting.”
In addition, Miiller valued the program’s exploration of different visioning processes, in particular the practice of appreciative inquiry. “These resources would be assets to congregations who want to envision their future,” he said, citing the challenge pastors sometimes face in attempting to inspire a shared vision across the congregation.
Registration for the 2012-13 Values-based Leadership Program is now open. Session I will take place on September 18-20, 2012; Session II is scheduled for February 26-28, 2013. To register, apply for scholarship assistance and learn more about the program, visit VBLP.org or call 800.839.1021.
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Posted by Brian Paff on Fri, Mar 09, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, PA (March 8, 2012)—Tony Brown and Dwight Roth are scheduled to lead Soul Journey, a retreat exploring spirituality within the context of Christian discipleship, on September 28-30 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center.
The weekend retreat expands on a shorter workshop the two Hesston College colleagues have previously led, and it draws from ideas and resources presented in The Five Stages of the Soul, by Harry R. Moody and David Carroll.
Laurelville program director Angela Dietzel has high hopes for the new retreat. “Much of the programming we provide at Laurelville is rooted in the life of the soul,” she says, “but not many [programs] are this explicit in inviting participants to go deeply within, to reconnect with the depth of who they are created and called to be.”
According to Dietzel, Brown and Roth share a deep passion for Soul Journey’s content, but their enthusiasm is also complemented by two unique sets of gifts and experiences.
Roth directs the Lifelong Education and Development (LEAD) program at Hesston College. LEAD represents an effort by the two-year school in Hesston, Kansas, to create cross-generational, interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students and members of its local community.
It was through his work as LEAD director that Roth came into contact with the metaphor of the soul being on a journey, a concept Moody presented at a conference sponsored by the American Society on Aging.
“I was profoundly struck in terms of how what Moody was talking about resonated with my own questions about my soul and the soul of others,” explains Roth. “We typically…think of the soul as being something static. It was new and exciting for me to hear, ‘Hey, the soul is on a journey,’ as all of life is on a journey.”
As a result, Roth began viewing life’s experiences as well as spiritual growth and development through the journey lens provided by Moody and Carroll, and his intergenerational work in the Hesston community now reflects this sort of orientation.
Brown’s gifts and experiences will likewise help shape the retreat. A professor of sociology as well as artist in residence at Hesston College, Brown also directs the Peacing it Together Foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to promote peace and justice through music and spoken word.
“There is something about the gift of music that touches in a deep place within the soul that in some way connects us to God,” observes Brown. “Perhaps we could say that [music] transcends our ordinary day to day reality and connects us to the transcendent.”
Brown will weave music—including African-American spirituals—into the fabric of Soul Journey, focusing on the soul’s deep yearnings that can often be expressed most authentically through song.
Soul Journey will also provide participants with the opportunity to explore many other spiritual practices, both together and independently.
Dietzel anticipates that the retreat will draw a diverse crowd, welcoming people at various stages of faith development who share an interest in expanding their understanding and experiences of spirituality.
“Soul Journey is designed for people looking to push or deepen their spirituality,” she notes, “as well as for those who long for a more authentic expression of walking together on the discipleship journey, carrying each other’s joys and sorrows along the way.”
Soul Journey is scheduled for September 28-30 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center. For more information, visit Laurelville.org/soul-journey or call 800.839.1021.
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No. 83