Anniversary bits and pieces.

• A photo journal of 300th Anniversary events in Schwarzenau, Germany, is available at www.brethren.org. It documents the international celebration that took place on Aug. 2-3, showcasing the work of Church of the Brethren photographer Glenn Riegel.
  
  
• The 300th Anniversary Committee has published results of its "Annual Conference Attendance Challenge," in which congregations were challenged to triple the number of members who attended Annual Conference in 2008 in celebration of the 300 years of the Brethren. Eighteen of the 22 congregations that recorded their names for the challenge met the goal, the committee reported. "These and many others are to be commended for their contribution to the terrific attendance in 2008." The congregations include Olympia-Lacey Community Church and Olympic View Community Church in Oregon and Washington District; Mountain View in Idaho District; Columbia City in N. Indiana District; Blue Ball, Mountville, and a "First Church" in Atlantic Northeast District; Community of Joy, Glade Valley, Harmony, and Midland in Mid-Atlantic District; Charlottesville, Flat Rock, Mount Zion, and Sunrise in Shenandoah District; and Newport News-Ivy Farms, Moneta-Lake Side, and West Richmond in Virlina District.
  
  
• A concert by Ken Medema highlights the "Seeds for a Great Harvest" weekend of celebration and worship sponsored by Shenandoah District on Sept. 5-6 at the Rockingham County, Va., fairgrounds. The weekend will commemorate the 300th Anniversary, and most of the congregations in the district are expected to participate. Opening worship begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5. On Sept. 6, several historic sites in the area will be open for tours including the John Kline Homestead, Tunker House, Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center, and the Reuel B. Pritchett Museum. The celebration also includes a heritage fair and appearances by figures from Brethren history such as Alexander Mack Sr., John Kline, Anna Beahm Mow, and Sarah Righter Major. Contact Ellen Layman at elayman@bridgewater.edu or 540-828-5452 or 540-515-3422.
  
  
• Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis, Ind., is planning a celebration of the 300th Anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to an announcement in the "Indianapolis Star." The celebration begins at 9:45 a.m. with the dedication of an expansive art quilt created for the church's sanctuary, followed by a reception and exhibition of Church of the Brethren historical memorabilia including items from the 300th Anniversary Celebration in Germany, and an 18th century Sauer Bible.
  
  
• Also on Sept. 7, the Cedar Creek, Cedar Lake, and Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren congregations in Northern Indiana District are planning a journey "Back for the Future" to celebrate the Anniversary. Events begin at 6 p.m. at Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren in Auburn, Ind., and will include skits, historical displays, refreshments, and more.
  
  
• Nearly 300 people attended all or part of the 25th Annual Homecoming at Spruce Run Church of the Brethren in Lindside, W.Va., on July 20, according to a notice in the Virlina District e-newsletter. The event was sponsored by the Women's Circle, and celebrated the 300th Anniversary as well as the congregation's annual homecoming. Co-pastors Dewey Broyles and Rodger Boothe led a two-hour service that included a history presentation, stories exemplifying Brethren beliefs, and recognitions of church members. The highlight of the service was "A Visit with Alexander Mack" delivered by Larry Glick.
  
  
• Brethren who visited the castle in Bad Berleburg, Germany, during the international celebration of the 300th Anniversary will be interested in Nathalie Zu-Sayn Wittgenstein's Olympic accomplishment. She is an equestrian athlete and the daughter of Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, whose family counts the castle in Bad Berleburg as its residence. Zu-Sayn Wittgenstein was on the three-member dressage team for Denmark, and helped that country win a bronze medal in the Team Dressage competition. Bad Berleburg was one of the recommended sites for Brethren to visit during the Anniversary weekend. The Berleburg Bible, a German language Bible from the early 1700s, was printed there while the town was a center for Pietism.

Source: 8/26/2008 Newsline