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Are Christians to blame for ecological crisis and climate change?

Luke A. Gascho, executive director of the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen (IN) College, will reflect on that question in a presentation 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the Suter Science Center Auditorium.

Dr. Gascho will explore how biblical faith and value systems call Christians back to a connection that strengthens understanding and practice of earth care. He will include a focus on the meaning of responsible stewardship with examples ranging from personal actions, to green buildings to efforts such as the Evangelical Climate Initiative and the Association of College and Universities Presidents Climate Commitment. (Read more about EMU’s efforts to be green.)

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center is a natural sanctuary located near Wolf Lake, Ind., and operated by Goshen College that provides a natural sanctuary for northern Indiana’s plants and animals, a vigorous educational program that interprets the significant biological and geological features and a setting for re-creating opportunities that benefit the human body and spirit while not exploiting the land or disturbing its ecosystems.

Gascho is a 1974 EMU graduate. He has been director of Merry Lea since 1997.

The program is sponsored by the Shenandoah Anabaptist Science Society. Admission is free.

Two experts in Anabaptist studies have collaborated on the first scholarly examination of pacifism during the Civil War.

“Mennonites, Amish and the American Civil War,” by James O. Lehman of Harrisonburg and Steven M. Nolt of Goshen, Ind., describes the various strategies used by the sectarian religious groups in responding to the North-South conflict and the effects of war on these communities.

Lehman is librarian emeritus at EMU, archivist for Virginia Mennonite Conference and the author of nine congregational histories and a book on 20th century Mennonite revivalism.

Steven M. Nolt, professor of history at Goshen (Ind.) College and coauthor of two books on Amish faith and life

Nolt is professor of history at Goshen (Ind.) College and coauthor of two books on Amish faith and life, both published by Johns Hopkins University Press.

Bloodiest War in American History

Integrating the most recent Civil War scholarship with little-known primary sources and new information from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Illinois and Iowa, Lehman and Nolt provide a definitive account of the Anabaptist experience during the bloodiest war in American history with 620,000 dead and over a million maimed and wounded.

The authors focus on moral dilemmas Mennonites and Amish faced that that tested the very core of their faith: How to oppose both slavery and the war to end it? How to remain outside the conflict without entering the American mainstream to secure legal conscientious objector status.

The book serves as a good reminder that not all churches immersed themselves in super-charged patriotism for either the Confederacy or the Union.

“The book is an easy read, with lots of arresting stories of faith under test,” said Albert N. Keim, professor emeritus of history at EMU. “Its amazingly thorough research makes the book convincing. After reading it, I was convinced I had just acquired an accurate understanding of my forbears response to the Civil War,” he added.

The 376-page hardback book, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, is available for $39.95 at leading bookstores and at www.amazon.com.

Kelsey Yoder (#13) of EMU and Lucy Roth (#11) of Goshen vie for the ball in the women’s matchup that ended in a scoreless tie in double overtime.

Many people who hadn’t seen each other in years renewed acquaintances, cheered on student athletes, and in the process, saw stellar athletic competition in a setting billed as “a celebration of Mennonite higher education.”

The event: the EMU-Goshen College men’s and women’s soccer games, played this year on Sept. 15 on the new artificial- surface field at Lancaster Mennonite High School with some 2,000 alumni, friends and students in attendance.

According to organizing committee members Daryl Groff, Cliff Wenger, John Denlinger and Jim Smucker, the idea for the event was “to increase exposure for and highlight the quality of our five Mennonite Church USA colleges in hopes of inspiring our youth to consider them viable options for their college education.

“The future ministry and health of our church depends on the next-generation leaders that are developed at our Mennonite colleges,” the group stated. “This event is one way we can come together as a community to show our support for the wonderful gift our Mennonite schools are to our churches and communities.”

Goshen College won the men’s game, 4-1, breaking a longstanding drought against EMU. In the second game, the Goshen and EMU women battled to a 0-0 tie after regulation and two sudden-death overtimes.

“This [celebration] far exceeded expectations,” said David A. King, EMU athletic director. “It was an incredibly festive occasion, much like a family reunion.

“For many of us, the focus wasn’t as much on the games as on watching the people who came, seeing them reconnect with each other or meeting people for the first time,” King added.

He noted that the soccer games at Lancaster are part of a five-year plan to bring Mennonite colleges and major Mennonite communities together in supportive ways, adding that exploration is going on to hold athletic event in Ohio and the Franconia area of eastern Pennsylvania.

EMU President Loren Swartzendruber and Goshen President Jim Brenneman were in attendance, along with admissions and development staff members from both institutions, spreading the good news about their respective schools.

“Athletics offers us a starting point to showcase our institutions to a lot of folks,” said Ken Pletcher, Goshen College athletic director. “We had a great turnout this weekend, and I think both institutions were very pleased with the results both on and off the field.”

Over 400 people attended a post-game reception that included door prizes, refreshments and a question and answer session with players from both teams.

Come out and see Goshen College vs EMU on the soccer fields on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007 at Lancaster Mennonite High School.

The times are as follows:

• Men’s game, 4 p.m.
• Women’s game, 6:30 p.m.
• Reception, 8:30 p.m.

Come out and celebrate Mennonite higher education by cheering on the Maple Leafs and Royals, as the mens and womens soccer teams compete on the new turf field at Lancaster Mennonite High School starting at 4 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, as seating will be limited.

Following the games, join presidents James Brenneman and Loren Swartzendruber, soccer players and coaches for a joint reception for alumni, parents and friends in the LMHS dining hall.

This enjoyable family event will include comments from athletes, light refreshments, door prizes and fellowship.