The Bridge - Fall 2021

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BRIDGE

Y O U N G A D U LT S T E E R I N G C O M M I T T E E ( YA S C ) INTRODUCTIONS

Briel Slocum HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

I am a 22 year old recent grad of Messiah College. I double majored in religion and peace and conflict studies. I attend Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren. I am the current youth and young adult intern for On Earth Peace. I love connecting with others.

Jenna Walmer SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

Jenna Walmer is from Lancaster County, PA, and a member of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren (Atlantic Northeast District). She graduated from Bridgewater College in 2015 and West Chester University in 2019.

She is currently at Syracuse University for a PhD in Social Psychology.

In her free time, she enjoys assistant coaching a local club swim team and exploring God's beautiful creation of central New York.

Mario Cabrera SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA

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Meghan Knight FOREST HILL, MARYLAND

The gifts I bring are kindness and love for others. I feel it is important to be kind to everyone because we all have struggles in our lives. I do my best to be kind to everyone I meet because people may be fighting battles I do not know about. Part of doing God’s work on the earth is to love everyone no matter who they are.

Robin Shultz ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

My name is Robin Shultz and this is my second year serving on the Young Adult Steering Committee. I currently am a junior at Nazareth College, double majoring in political science and religious studies. I am from Pennsylvania, and my home church is Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren in Mifflinburg, PA. I am biased towards the Southern Pennsylvania District, so of course Camp Eder is the best!

Ruth Ritchey-Moore ELKHART, INDIANA

My name is Ruth Ritchey Moore. I am originally from Bryan, Ohio, and am now living in Elkhart, where I am a 6th grade teacher. I grew up in the Church of the Brethren, and attended Manchester University where I was able to grow and learn even more. I am excited to continue my faith journey in new ways.

Thomas McMullin MINBURN, IOWA

My name is Thomas McMullin and I currently serve as pastor at the Fairview Church of the Brethren in rural southern Iowa. For most of my life, I have lived in Iowa and have been a member of the Church of the Brethren too. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa and received a Master’s in Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary. In my spare time, I enjoy coaching, playing, and watching a wide variety of sports, running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

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Hello fellow Young Adults!

You should join us for this year’s National Young Adult Conference, which will be held May 27 – 30, at Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina!

The Young Adult Steering Committee is working together to make an amazing and fruitful experience for everyone. Included in the conference will be worship, workshops, activities, service projects, and time for fellowship. This year’s theme, “I am because we are,” Romans 12:5, was inspired by conversations about being a community and being together. When we are together, we each bring uniqueness and special gifts given to us by God. Also, after a long time of quarantining and separation, it will be a special time when we finally come together. Come as you are and join other young adults to worship a God who loves us more than we can imagine!

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Where Your Gifts and Passions Collide

BY BEKAH HOUFF

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6

When I was in college, my campus pastor reminded me, in a moment of panic and concern that I was being pigeon holed into a particular kind of ministry, that “Bekah, anything you do will be ministry.” That moment was pivotal in my life. It was the moment that I understood that ministry takes many forms, uses a variety of gifts, and can be a calling for any person.

Fast forward more than 15 years and I am now the one with the pleasure of sharing these kinds of words with college students. I am privileged to work alongside Manchester University students with a variety of gifts: artists, mathematicians, musicians, runners, preachers, teachers, leaders, influencers, future doctors, great thinkers, organizers, and the list goes on and on.

A few resources I love and recommend: • Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation • The Forum for Theological Exploration and the many resources, grants, and conferences they offer: https:// fteleaders.org/ • Dori Grinenko Baker’s The Barefoot Way: A Faith Guide for Youth, Young Adults, and the People Who Walk with Them

Writer and theologian Frederick Buechner wrote, “the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” As you make everyday choices and huge life decisions, consider these words. What makes you excited to get up in the morning?

What gives you great meaning in your life? What do you love doing? What causes are particularly motivating for you? Where do you want to make an impact? The intersection of those places may be YOUR vocation.

When I was in high school I attended a leadership program, Explore Your Call, at Bethany Theological Seminary. It was there that I learned words like discernment and vocation and discovered that following God’s call in your life isn’t just a solo adventure but includes folks who help you discern, discover your passions, and help you to make connections.

I consider myself truly blessed that I get to be one of those people in the lives of Manchester University students. I hope and pray that each of you have discernment partners - pastors, spiritual directors, therapists, professors, dear friends, or family. As you continue in a life-long journey of discernment I wish you deep joy in discovering the many gifts that you have and how they connect to God’s calling in your life.

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Bekah Houff is the University Pastor and Director of Church Relations at Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana.

Boundless Faith 2022 Adult Trips

Rwanda - June 2-13* $750**

Bethel, PA – We Are Able Assistants* - June 20-23 $385

Apply Now to be a 2023 FaithX Assistant Coordinator!

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S H U LT Z C H A P E L

BY DEANNA BECKNER

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FA L L N AT U R E

BY JESSIE KREIDER

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Ministry as a Music Teacher

BY RACHEL GUZMAN

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations” (PSALM 89:1)

My name is Rachel Guzman and I am an elementary music teacher in southern Iowa. I was raised in the Prairie City Church of the Brethren congregation. My father, Timothy Peter, serves as their pastor. Growing up, I found so much joy in singing with others. Whether it was at church, school, VBS, or church camp, rejoicing with music is what filled my soul. It is only fitting that I get to live out Psalm 89:1 every day of my life through teaching young children music. I teach over 500 students, kindergarten through 3rd grade, which means I get a lot of hugs during the day! I am so grateful I get to serve God through teaching and be surrounded by so many precious gifts from the Lord!

Now, don’t get me wrong, life is not all butterflies and rainbows as an elementary music teacher. Oftentimes, children will test my patience. Sometimes, teaching breaks my heart when I can’t help a child living through trauma. There’s a lot of stress and brokenness in the world of education. However, I take comfort in knowing God has placed me where I am meant to be and is using my gifts to help those in need.

One thing that has helped me focus on serving God daily are the fruits of the spirit.

In the morning when I get to school, I journal and choose one fruit of the spirit to focus on throughout the day; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When things start to go astray during the day, I’ll lean on God for strength and remember my focus for the day. My hope is that at the end of the day, I have shown my students God’s grace and love through the joy of music.

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When Individual Gifts Combine, Great Things Happen

BY ROBIN SHULTZ

Growing up, I always had a baseball bat in my hand. My father loved to play baseball, so being the only girl on the T-ball team was my destiny.

I played for three years and then moved up to softball. I love the feeling of being able to give my all and know that my teammates are doing the same. It is the exact opposite of having to do a group project in school and knowing that you’re doing all the work to ensure you get a good grade.

When you’re on a team devoted to the same goals, all your strength as an individual doubles.

In the Bible, there is a wonderful verse found in Proverbs that states, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV). To me, this relates back to my softball days. Each individual of our team had their own style, technique, etc that was working for them to thrive and contribute 110% to the team. If they were counting on me to hit the ball to send a player to home base, and I struck out, obviously I let down the team, However, my teammates and coach didn’t ever use that against me, however, they used that as a learning opportunity.

They would show me their way of swinging the 12

bat and allow me to grow as a player, therefore ultimately “sharpening” me into the player I am.

Each individual in life has their own hobbies, talents, experiences, etc. that allow them to thrive in life, however, within a team, there is much more of an impact on society than just one person.

That’s why sports teams are so important and allow for teamwork and contribution to thrive among younger children. That’s why bands, choirs, musicals are an essential part of extracurriculars a school can offer due to the teamwork that is built within them. It shows everyone the essence of teamwork and the huge impact a team can have compared to just one person. We can’t have sports without teams. We can’t have choirs or bands without multiple singers or players. God created us to be social beings, so being all alone 24/7 is not what God intended for us. The Lord knows that we can be team members, work together, and co-exist to strive for a better world.

Registration fee includes food, lodging, and programming. Early bird registration fee of $225 available during January 2022 ONLY! The regular registration fee is $275. Caregiver only/no programming registration fee: $190.

Non-refundable deposit of $150 due within two weeks of registering. Checks preferred.

Travel scholarships ($225) available for those who live west of the Mississippi River.

BVS scholarships and local church scholarships available by request until April 1.

Various styles of lodging available, including camping.

Contact Youth/Young Becky Ullom Naugle at bullomnaugle@brethren.org or 847-429-4385.

Registration opens online (www.brethren.org/yac) January 6, 2022.

NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE 2022

MAY 27-30, 2022

Montreat Conference Center (Montreat, North Carolina)

National Young Adult Conference (NYAC) is an energizing long weekend full of moments to connect with new friends, reconnect with old friends, enjoy nature, and worship! Add your voice to the music we’ll make and your perspectives to our Bible studies and small groups.

Attend workshops and enjoy over 2000 acres of the pristine Montreat Wilderness!

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Cover Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash