Film, monologue celebrate Heifer founder Dan West.

As Heifer International celebrates 60 years since its founding by Brethren leader Dan West, two new resources--a film and a monologue--tell the story of West's life and work. The resources are available through Brethren Press.

"Dan West Peacemaker," a short film on video and DVD, premiered at Annual Conference this year. It reviews West's work on three peace programs begun in the 1940s under the auspices of the Church of the Brethren: "Heifers for Relief," which became Heifer International; the peace studies program at Manchester College; and Brethren Volunteer Service.

Work on the film began almost two years ago when Florence Crago, who volunteers in the Heifer International gift shop, was asked by visitors for a video on Dan West and discovered that none was available. After her husband Glen died, Florence decided to use his memorial fund to create such a resource and contacted Brethren videographer David Sollenberger, who agreed to write and produce it. Dan West's daughter, Jan West Schrock, a former director of Brethren Volunteer Service, assisted with production arrangements. Sollenberger interviewed numerous church members for background insights and stories and the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) provided archival material. Major funding came from Heifer International and the Glen Crago Memorial Fund, with help from Manchester's peace studies department and the General Board's funding office. Order the video (item number 1071) or the DVD (item number 1070) for $15 from Brethren Press, 800-441-3712.

The monologue telling Dan West's story, and the story of Heifer's beginnings during World War II in Europe, was written by Schrock and John Haman, an actor and award-winning playwright with input from the BHLA's Ken Shaffer and Brethren Press editor Nancy Klemm. The monologue can be read as a letter or given as a drama in worship services or other church gatherings. See www.Brethren.org/genbd/BP/LivingWaters, where the piece is offered free of charge for congregational use through Brethren Press's Living Waters Online. The worship resources created by pastors and laypeople in the Church of the Brethren are available for use in congregational settings provided credit is given to authors.

Looking forward to the 60th anniversary of Heifer International, which she called Dan West's most visible legacy, Schrock said of her father, "Peacemaking was all he was really about." Placing the work of Heifer International in a context of peacemaking "lifts up his true legacy," she said.

Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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