Groff, a senior at 草莓社区 (EMU), began an internship earlier this winter with the , a bike-pedestrian trail that would link the Park View area with downtown.

Phase one of the 1.6 mile trail would begin near Eastern Mennonite School (just east of EMU) and end at the intersection of Main and Washington Street. A potential second phase would go tie in further downtown.

“The Greenway will also help people meet one another in public spaces, and strengthen this community,” said Groff. “It will also hopefully lessen people鈥檚 need to drive cars for short trips in town and help lower聽pollution.”

Thinking green

Groff learned of the Greenway through conversations with other bicycle enthusiasts at . The conversation sparked Groff’s interest, but it was a conversation with Tom Benevento, lead organizer of the Greenway, that sold Groff on the project.

Benevento explained to Groff how the Greenway fit into his concept for an internship–a larger vision of peacebuilding, extending into areas of human health, quality of life and creation care.

“Hearing about how it will help so many more people than just EMU was particularly helpful in piquing my interest,” said Groff. “Promoting walking and biking helps people get active and out of the house.”

A green valentine

Groff, who is in charge of promotions for the Greenway, was encouraged by the standing-room only turnout at a Feb. 14 meeting with city council members. While funding for the project was not finalized, Groff said the over 150 people who showed support for the Greenway emphasized the importance of the trail to the city.

“As Tom [Benevento] said in his presentation, all kinds of people were represented that night from infants to seniors; people from Park View and EMU to others from all over town… Such widespread representation really drove home the point that this is a project that people really care about and is important to people from all over Harrisonburg.

“This path will make it easier and safer to get out and about and experience everything Harrisonburg has to offer.”

Ohio dairy farmer David Kline鈥檚 first trip to the Shenandoah Valley came with a surprise 鈥� it鈥檚 not flat amid the mountains.

鈥淵ou have rolling hills,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like roll to the land.鈥�

What鈥檚 more surprising is how many people heard Kline say that.

A crowd of about 200 packed into Dayton鈥檚 Montezuma Hall Wednesday night to listen to the Amish farmer speak of the importance of being respectful stewards of God鈥檚 land.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension, 草莓社区 and Valley Conservation Council were among the event鈥檚 sponsors.

鈥淚 guess Amish speakers are fairly popular,鈥� extension agent Eric Bendfeldt said when introducing Kline.

Attendees, however, did not come out to listen to just any Amish speaker.

Kline is the author of several books, including 鈥淟etters from Larksong: An Amish Naturalist Explores His Organic Farm,鈥� and travels often to share the story of his 120-acre family farm in Holmes County, Ohio.

The Amish comprise about half Holmes鈥� 40,000 people, according to the county鈥檚 chamber of commerce.

Amish and Mennonites share many of the same beliefs, born out of a 16th century European movement known as Anabaptism 鈥� rejecting infant baptism. The Amish, though, live a much more conservative lifestyle today.

Because of that faith, Kline asks not to be photographed. An EMU professor鈥檚 in-laws live near him and brought him to Virginia since he uses a horse and buggy as transportation in Ohio.

Kline is speaking to classes at the university this week. Eastern Mennonite School students have actually visited his farm a number of times as part of science teacher Myron Blosser鈥檚 summer program.

鈥淚t is a real treat to sit around and chat with David on his farm as the sun goes down, then get up early to 鈥榟elp鈥� milk his cows, eat a farm-grown breakfast, watch him mow hay with horses and discuss issues in agriculture with him,鈥� he said in an email. 鈥淚t has a way of framing perspectives for us.鈥�

Kline said farmers must embrace technology and science only so much, ensuring that the knowledge gained from manual labor on farms is handed down to succeeding generations.

He uses wind power to pump water on his farm and solar energy to charge batteries. Otherwise, his farm and many others around him are electricity-free.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 a storm,鈥� Kline said, 鈥渨e never worry about lines being down.鈥�

That way of life is not for everybody, he admits. What is, though, is respecting the land that grows the world鈥檚 food.

Kline advises farmers to 鈥渞omance鈥� young people to keep them interested in agriculture and to not be overwhelmed by the job.

鈥淭his is the best life you can live,鈥� he said.

“David Kline has a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on what it means to live sustainably and respect God’s creation,” said , professor of at EMU.

As a sponsor of the talks, EMU has arranged for Kline to be driven from Ohio for this series of rare public appearances.

“I think many people will be both surprised and inspired by David’s stories of simple living, observing nature, and his success at promoting small-scale diversified farming in Ohio,鈥� said Yoder. 鈥淗e is one of the most intelligent men I鈥檝e ever met.”

Based on his 120-acre farm in Holmes County, Ohio, Kline is author of 鈥淟etters from Larksong: An Amish Naturalist Explores His Organic Farm鈥� (2010); “Great Possessions: An Amish Farmer’s Journal鈥� (2001); and 鈥淪cratching the Woodchuck: Nature on an Amish Farm鈥� (1999).” He also edits “Farming Magazine: People, Land and Community.”

Kline has been compared to Kentucky-based author and farmer Wendell Berry, who has written the forewords to Kline鈥檚 last two books.

“The farm is a place we live and not merely reside,” said Kline in an interview with the . “Our philosophy was my dad’s philosophy. That we should leave our land in much better condition than when we got it.”

EMU events open to the public

• Thursday, Feb. 9, 8:30-10 p.m., “An Evening with David Kline,” , University Commons.
• Friday, Feb. 10, 10-10:30 a.m., university chapel forum, .

Additional events, more information

In addition to publicly and visiting classes at EMU, Kline will serve as guest speaker on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6:45 8:30 p.m., at Montezuma Hall, 4736 Ottobine Road, Dayton, on the topic, “Living on Earth as Respectful Stewards.”

Kline鈥檚 visit is sponsored by EMU and the . Admission is free to the public events.

For more information contact Jim Yoder at 540-421-9912 or email yoderjm@emu.edu.

The video was created for the National Wildlife Federation’s Chill Out contest. See more at: www.gogreentube.com/groups/NWFChillOUt2010-2011

Akerson educated beach clean-up crews about local wildlife, making sure that the oil clean-up did not disturb nesting birds and sea turtles.

Akerson, who is about half way through his program of study at EMS, is a forest ecologist and program director for the National Park Service. Normally he works in insect and disease control and invasive plant management.

When he heard about the oil spill and follow-up efforts, he made sure that his disaster response form was up to date. He was asked to leave immediately for Pensacola Beach, Fla.

"I saw my work with beach clean-up as an extension of creation care," said Akerson. "It was good for me to be there, because I saw first-hand the impact of my oil use."

Our need for oil causes disaster, says Akerson

"One thing I learned is that it is my use of oil and demand for plastic that caused this disaster," he continued. "The best thing for us to do to prevent this kind of thing from happening again is to reduce our own use of oil."

Akerson often finds intersection with his work in the Parks Service and his seminary studies. He is a part of the Creation Care group at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church where he attends and recently completed an internship.

Akerson normally works with volunteers in invasive plant management. A volunteer made him a wreath of invasive Japanese stiltgrass, which he put around his hat.

"Creation care is something that should never be divorced from faith," said Akerson. "It has been our job to care for the earth since creation. Even before the fall described in Genesis, we were called to be stewards of the earth."

Creation is Belongs to God

"There is a big difference in treating creation like it is ours and remembering that we are just caring for it for someone else," Akerson stated. "I think it’s a wrong sentiment to say that because you own something it is yours. Really, you’re just taking care of it for now."

Akerson’s primary duty while on the beach clean-up crew was to make sure that local wildlife was not endangered. In Pensacola, this meant making sure that the birds that nest in the dunes and the sea turtles that lay eggs on the shore aren’t disturbed during the clean-up efforts.

"I had day shift for three days, and I’ve never been so glad to have night shift in my life," said Akerson.

"For the clean-up workers the heat and humidity, combined with the clean-up suits they were required to wear meant that we could only work 20-30 minutes out every hour or we would suffer from heat exhaustion," he said. "I didn’t have to wear the protective clothing but was plenty hot in my long pants and shirts."

Student follows call

Akerson is taking several seminary classes each year so he can work them around his job with the parks service.

"Each class I’ve taken is a great tool," said Akerson. "I have found joy in my seminary studies, and I enjoy the ministry opportunities I have at Harrisonburg Mennonite and in the local community.

"I have felt a call to ministry since childhood," he continued. "I have held a long litany of church positions, including teaching, leading Bible study and book keeping. My internship at Harrisonburg Mennonite confirmed that I was on the right road."

Eastern Mennonite Seminary offers two- and three-year degrees and one-year certificate programs.

For more information, contact the office of seminary admissions 540-432-4257 or email semadmiss@emu.edu.

Sunday: sustainability panel

EMU President Loren Swartzendruber

Sunday, April 18 at 4 p.m., EMU President Loren Swartzendruber will be part of a area panel that will discuss "Four Views: Community Sustainability" held at Harrisonburg High School. Swartzendruber will speak about his climate change and creation care philosophy and the campus-wide sustainability effort initiated by him at EMU.

He will be followed by Kathy Holm on sustainable agriculture, Erik Curren of Blackfriars Theater in Staunton on business sustainability practices, and last, City of Harrisonburg Mayor Kai Degner will offer a viewpoint on sustainability progress and goals for Harrisonburg and surrounding area.

A question and answer period will follow the speakers forum.

Wednesday: Joe Stanley on moral energy use

Joe Stanley of Virginia Interfaith Power and Light

Joe Stanley of Virginia Interfaith Power and Light brings the voice of the faith community to the discussion of public policies that concern the environment, predominately on the state level. The group’s work largely focuses on climate change, energy production and energy efficiency.

Stanley will speak on ‘Energy Use and Its Moral Implications’ Wednesday, Apr. 21. in the Strite Conference Center on ground floor of the EMU Campus Center (see campus map).

Stanley is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in political science. During his college days, he served as a legislative assistant to Delegate Franklin Hall, former minority leader, and also worked in the Richmond office of Senator Jim Webb. He also served as a student fellow for Virginia21, an advocacy organization working directly with and on behalf of college students. While at Virginia21, Stanley was active in the successful effort to pass the Community College Transfer Grant in 2007.

The Goochland County, Va., native is a 2005 graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and a member of the Greater Richmond Partnership for Smarter Growth’s Land Use and Transportation advisory board.

Admission to Stanley’s Wednesday speaking presentation is free. For more information, call April Banks at 432-4545.

Thursday: food and farms

On Thursday, April 22 at 5 p.m., Eric Bendfeldt of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and local farmers will discuss current issues in food, farms and community sustainability.

This event, held in the Strite Conference Center of EMU’s Campus Center (see campus map), is sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension: Community Viability and the Creation Care Council of EMU. For more information, can call the extension office at (540) 564-3080.

Thursday at 7 p.m. there will be a showing of "Kilowatt Ours, A Plan to Renergize America." Children grades 3 to 9 are especially invited. Eldon Kurtz, EMU director of physical plant, will be part of a panel discussion after the film. For more information on the film, contact

“A model for other colleges.”

That’s how the EMU Quality Enhancement Plan was described by a visiting reaffirmation team from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in early March.

“Peace with Creation: Environmental Sustainability from an Anabaptist Perspective” is the title of EMU’s Quality Enhancement Plan or “QEP.” The plan was evaluated during EMU’s once-every-10-year review. Some 800 schools are part of the SACS commission, and a QEP is required for each reaccreditation process.

Dr. Michael Johnson of the Commission commented enthusiastically about the QEP on behalf of the nine-person review team representing eight colleges and universities.

Creation care will be significantly integrated across EMU’s curriculum as part of the plan, strengthening (or complementing) EMU’s already strong commitment to sustainability in areas of energy use, recycling and facilities development.

The QEP seeks to unite the Anabaptist peace tradition with an interdisciplinary framework of principles for sustainability as set forth by Dr. Anthony Cortese of Second Nature, a nonprofit organization. These principles include:

• The health of all current and future humans and other species;
• The fairness, equity, stability and security of human cultures and social systems;
• Economic opportunity for all current and future humans; and
• Ecological diversity and integrity.

The focus is on undergraduate level learning around these themes. Learn more about sustainability at EMU

EMU focus is unique

“The EMU QEP focus…is a unique and precedent setting initiative,” wrote Dodd Galbreath, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University and lead evaluator of the QEP.

The March 1-4 on-site reaccreditation visit, chaired by Dr. Mark Smith of Rhodes College, resulted in a strong affirmation of EMU’s undergraduate programs.

“This affirmation of what we do and how we operate is significant,” notes EMU Provost Fred Kniss, Ph.D. “Our QEP is a place where our core values as a university can intersect with a pressing issue for the global community.”

The Quality Enhancement Plan on sustainability will be implemented over the next five years. The first step in implementation is to include sustainability themes in several courses in EMU’s general education program, including all first-year writing and Bible and religion classes, and cross-cultural programs.

Details of the plan are available online at www.emu.edu/qep. A full copy of the visiting committee’s exit conference report is available on request by contacting BJ Miller, EMU Institutional Research at bjmiller@emu.edu or (540) 432-4304.

That’s the question EMU students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests will tackle at a forum Jan. 22, beginning at 8:45 a.m. in the Suter Science Center that is open to the community. Read more about the event…

The university is hosting the morning-long event to foster a sense of ownership and excitement in plans to renovate the existing science center and create a sustainable learning environment. The “how green?” question invites people to dream about innovation and how sustainable building fits with EMU’s core vision and mission.

“There’s no doubt EMU is committed to building green,” said President Loren Swartzendruber about the upcoming event, noting that EMU is well-known for its energy-efficient buildings.

The school’s historical commitment to sustainable building is well documented, he noted. “Now that we are in the planning phase of a significant building project, we are considering how to mesh our values and dreams with the realities of appropriate funding goals and a booming new field in green technologies,” the president stated.

The forum will include input on Anabaptist theology and sustainability by retired sociologist Dr. Calvin Redekop; a summary of EMU’s track record on sustainability by Eldon Kurtz, director of EMU facilities; an overview of green design and building with Bill Barnard, LEED-AP certified architect with the . The event will also include discussion on EMU’s principles of sustainability.

Current students who are part of a new “green design” class this semester at EMU will also participate. They will gather ideas at the forum to research throughout the coming semester.

Planners hope that a building project that has the backing of the campus and broader community will:

• Model the community’s theological commitment to creation care and God’s mandate in Micah 6:8 to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”
• Serve the university well from a pedagogical perspective.
• Attract students and faculty who share EMU’s core values.
• Showcase the university’s creativity, innovation and motivation.

The forum will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon, Tuesday Jan. 22, 2008. It is free and open to all.

The event is sponsored by the university’s Creation Care Council. See more at www.emu.edu/begreen. Email questions to begreen@emu.edu or phone 432-4348.

David Orr, a renowned authority on sustainability issues, will speak twice at EMU on Friday, Nov. 9.

He will speak at 10 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium as part of EMU’s year-long emphasis on creation care, including a series of chapel services on the theme of sustainability.

“The changing climate of U.S. politics,” is the title of Orr’s 4 p.m. address in the Suter Science Center Auditorium.

Ecological Pioneer

Dr. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin (Ohio) College. He is best known for his pioneering work on environmental literacy in higher education and recent work in ecological design.

Orr raised funds for and spearheaded the effort to design and build a $7.2 million Environmental Studies Center at Oberlin College.

The building was described as “the most remarkable” of a new generation of college buildings by the New York Times, and one of 30 “milestone buildings” of the 20th century by the U.S. Department of Energy.

EMU representatives visited the building in September to learn more as they plan their own new science facility.

Orr is the author of five books and co-editor of three others. “Ecological Literacy” (SUNY, 1992), described as “a true classic” by Garrett Hardin, is widely read and used in hundreds of colleges and universities.

Another book, “Earth in Mind” (1994/2004) is praised by people as diverse as biologist E. O. Wilson and writer, poet and farmer Wendell Berry.

Admission to both presentations is free and open to the public.

Animated orator Tony Campolo speaks without notes in engaging his audience. Photo by Jim Bishop

At age 72, Tony Campolo remains passionate about two things – that people experience a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and that they combine evangelistic zeal with concern for social justice.

Dr. Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pa., and outspoken advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, issued strong calls to a deeper level of spirituality and care for creation in addresses at EMU Thursday evening, Oct. 18 and Friday morning, Oct. 19.

Campolo asked his audiences: "When was the last time you were simply still, quiet, totally surrendering to God’s presence?"

He said that he begins every day by "centering on Jesus," by desiring "an invasion of the Holy Spirit" to drive and to direct his actions.

"We pray, ‘Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven,’" Campolo noted. "Our mission in life is to live out the will of God, working to change the world from what is into what God intended His creation to be.

"That’s why we have places like EMU that integrate faith and knowledge with a strong spirituality and commitment to peace and justice," he said.

Focus on Creation Care

Campolo focused his chapel message on "caring for God’s creation," noting that "it is only as we become willing to change our lifestyles, to live simply that others may simply live, that we begin to move beyond just a lot of talk to actions that will make a difference in the world.

"Working for social justice can easily become a new form of legalism," Campolo warned. "How we approach the task makes all the difference.

"The power of the Spirit must be the driving force that transports you from something you ought to do, often motivated by guilt, to something you want to do because you view people differently – you see Jesus staring back at you," the speaker said.

"Are we living like Jesus wants us to live?" Campolo asked. "The more we surrender to the Holy Spirit, the more that same mind will be in you that is in Christ," Campolo said. "Let your hearts be broken by the things that break the heart of God."

Read more about EMU’s efforts to be green…

Campolo is founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), where he works to create, nurture and support programs for "at-risk" children in cities across North America and has helped establish schools and universities in several developing countries. He is author of 34 books, his most recent "The God of Intimacy and Action."

His visit was sponsored by Compassion International and the campus ministries office at EMU. Campolo’s chapel session was part of a year-long series on sustainability. Click here to see upcoming "sustainability" chapels on the schedule…

Matt Frei, chief Washington, D.C., correspondent for the BBC, interviewed President Loren Swartzendruber on creation care from an Anabaptist perspective for a BBC production about Christian response to global warming; the program will be aired internationally later this month.

It’s a hot topic generating heated debate.

EMU President Loren Swartzendruber added to the conversation with a message on global warming and the care of God’s creation, Friday morning, Apr. 13.

, which followed the regular chapel service in Lehman Auditorium, were recorded by Matt Frei, chief Washington, D.C., correspondent for the London-based British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The event opened with the singing of an a cappella hymn, “God of the Fertile Fields” (Brethren-Mennonite Hymnal #360).

Swartzendruber believes the BBC contacted him because he was among 86 Christian leaders who signed a statement concerning this issue.

“Some Christian leaders have made public statements suggesting global warming is not a reality or is a hoax/conspiracy and the BBC wants to compare responses of various Christian leaders/groups,” the president said.

‘a Theological Issue’

“I believe this is a scientific and theological/moral issue,” the president said. “We are called to be good stewards of God’s creation, and we are invited to make every effort to reduce the impact of our lifestyle choices on this phenomenon for the sake of the entire world and our future children/grandchildren.

“The projections from many leading scientists are currently quite dire, particularly for the poorest populations in the world,” Swartzendruber said.

“A report from the (IPCC) says, with at least 90 percent certainty, that global warning is man-made and will ‘continue for centuries’ – unless we take actions to slow or reverse the trend.”

“What have we lost if we make changes now for a cleaner environment, even if we should ultimately learn that the projections have been made in error?” the president stated. “If we ignore some very obvious signs, however, or avoid the tough issues, and we are wrong in that direction, millions of us and our descendants will suffer awful consequences.

Excerpts from Swartzendruber’s address and an interview will be broadcast as part of a BBC news report on global warming later this month on the BBC television and radio network to an audience estimated in the millions.

The complete text of the president’s message is available at .

You may also read more about .

President Swartzendruber is available for further interviews on this topic. Contact EMU marketing and communications:

Andrea Wenger, director
Phone: 540-432-4348
Cell: 540-560-2237

Jim Bishop, public information officer
Phone: 540-432-4211