Cross-cultural music tour covers two districts.

A cross cultural music tour built bridges of understanding in Western Plains and Northern Plains Districts, Sept. 29-Oct. 3, reported Duane Grady, Congregational Life Team coordinator for Areas 2 and 4 for the General Board. "Through music and worship, the message of Ephesians 2 was brought to life as walls of separation were overcome by a mutual commitment to following Jesus," Grady reported.

Tour stops included First Central Church of the Brethren, Kansas City, Kan.; Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, Adel, Iowa; Ankeny (Iowa) Church of the Brethren; Ivester Church of the Brethren, Grundy Center, Iowa; and South Waterloo (Iowa) Church of the Brethren. The tour group also provided a worship service at the Eldora Training School, a juvenile detention center for teenage boys in Eldora, Iowa. The tour ended with a love feast celebration at the Ivester congregation. "Staying in homes and sharing in meals provided the opportunity for persons from diversely different backgrounds to learn to know one another," Grady said. "A warm reception was provided at each location and genuine appreciation was given for the worship and music."

Tour participants were Gilbert Romero, of East Los Angeles, Calif.; Jennie Nichols, of Kansas City, Kan.; Michaela Camps, of Miami, Fla.; James Washington Sr., of Whitehouse, Texas; and Grady. A similar tour is being planned for Virlina District in May 2005.

Source: 11/05/2004 Newsline