A Thanksgiving Wedding
Miriam Uphouse, former Dean of Women at Grace College, wed David Christensen in a November 27 ceremony at Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church conducted by Pastor John Teevan. Uphouse, 87, had known Christensen, 89, since their college days together in Philadelphia. Each had previously lost a spouse to death, and many of their children and grandchildren participated in the ceremony. The matron of honor (left) was Mrs. Uphouse’s daughter, Abigail, of Fort Wayne, IN, and the best man was Dr. David Christensen (right) of Reading, PA. The Christensens will live half the year in Winona Lake and the other half in the Poconos in Pennsylvania, where Christensen owns a home.
Boat Auction for Urban Encounter
Clive Craigen, director of the Chicago Urban Encounter ministry under the direction of Grace Brethren North American Missions, recently reported that $13,750 has been realized from a boat auction conducted this fall to support the ministry. Seven donated watercraft were sold, some at the site of the sale in September and some over ebay auctions.
130 Guitars at Lititz
Bryan Nelson, director of music at the Lititz, PA, Grace Brethren Church, recently used a Phil Keaggy concert as an outreach, inviting community guitarists to join Keaggy for a “jam.” About the event, Nelson says, “Thought you’d like to see the 130 guitars from the community from our guitar jam with Phil Keaggy. Only three guitarists were from our church! God is using this event to reach those who would normally never step inside our church, especially musicians. Since the event, we’ve had several begin attending the church on a regular basis.” (photo courtesy Tom Avey)
Chaplain Ministers in Afghanistan
Grace Brethren US Army Chaplain James Schaefer (standing, right) in Afghanistan, reports, “I had the chance, with my Col. Pedersen, to lead my Muslim Mullah leaders in prayer for the Break of Fast last Thursday, 21 Oct, during our post-dusk meal during Ramadan. We had a great time to talk about the times, the families God has given us and share in general good-natured fellowship, emphasizing our common heartfelt need to see peace and order come to Afghanistan! This is the sixth meeting with the Mullahs and is very productive in working together to change the Province of Kandahar and reach the hearts of these men! I ask you to continue to pray for this country, in Jesus’ Name!”
Presidential Voting at Cary
Uncle Sam leads the way to the presidential voting booth at the Hope Community Church (Raleigh, NC) Fall Family Fun Festival. Among the many festival celebrations, early “voting” for the presidential candidates was a highlight as votes were cast based on candidate likes/dislikes (favorite treats, favorite sports, etc.), while their actual names were kept off the ballots. (John Watts photo)
Accordion Outreach
Pastor Steve Makofka of the Centerville, OH, Grace Brethren Church, is shown here directing the Oakwood Accordion Band in the lobby of the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts in Dayton, Ohio. Makofka, whose interest in the accordion and ethnomusicology increased after a mission trip to Africa, joined the band to gain some more facility in playing, and became the director when the need arose. Makofka, who has a B.S. in Music Education from Grace College, has the band playing in his church on December 26. He requests prayer “that we will have an effective witness to a mostly unchurched group of musicians.” (Lowell Davis photo)