Caring Ministries Assembly explores 'Peace Beyond Our Fears.'

More than 200 Brethren caregivers focused on "Peace Beyond Our Fears" at the Caring Ministries Assembly Aug. 11-13 at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. The theme was explored through speakers, preachers, and workshops.

"Conference attendees thanked us for this event because of the spirit of healing and peace that they experienced," said Kathy Reid, executive director for the Association of Brethren Caregivers, the Church of the Brethren agency that sponsors the conference biennially.

In the opening worship service, a visual prelude showing images of fear while organist John Barr performed Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings." Worship leader Del Keeney led a confession of fears that incorporated readings and responses based on Psalm 23:1-6. Robert Wicks, professor of pastoral care at Baltimore's Loyola College, gave the message focused on the need for caregivers to have perspective about the problems and difficulties facing them and the people for whom they care. Perspective comes from "the source of all of this, God, scripture, prayer life," and without these things caregivers lose perspective, he said.

Wicks carried the theme into a morning plenary session about the three pieces of spiritual life, which he named as presence to others, presence to self, and presence to God. "One of the greatest things (caregivers) can offer others is the circle of grace formed by love and freedom," he said. "We offer this space to others where they can rest their burdens, their questions, their anger, their doubts, their anxieties."

Jayne Seminare Docherty, of the STAR Center at Eastern Mennonite University, provided a plenary presentation on the dynamics that individuals and groups experience as a result of trauma and being victimized. She described how trauma victims experience physical and emotional cycles such as physical reactions to trauma, feelings of loss, grief, anger, helplessness, and a need for justice. She explained how individuals and groups must experience these stages as part of a journey toward healing. People of faith can be harmed if they focus too quickly on God's reassurance to "be not afraid," without acknowledging what really happened and working through these stages, Docherty said.

Louise Baldwin Rieman, co-pastor of Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis, preached on the Acts 27 story of Paul's journey as a prisoner to Rome to appeal his case before the emperor. When Paul's ship met with terrible storms followed by days of dormant seas, he broke bread and encouraged the passengers and sailors to eat and keep up their courage. "It's truly easier to have courage when you have a mission, a purpose, a passion," Rieman said. She wondered who will have Paul-like courage to go to "our Rome" to protest the Iraq war, speak out for the victims of an unjust health-care system, and work for tolerance for those who are different.

Stephen Reid, academic dean and professor of Old Testament Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., explored fear and courage through Isaiah 41:8-16 and 43:1-7 in morning Bible studies. He described how these words of affirmation and encouragement from God, written in 700-500 B.C., continue as words of encouragement to the present church to appreciate its roots but also embrace the living God who calls us to change and welcome others.

The assembly's closing worship featured a sermon from Andrew Murray, founder and director of Juniata College's Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Murray preached a message of peace despite fear, a message he believes Brethren don't hear enough from church leaders or the pulpit.

More than 20 workshops covered a range of topics, led by several denominational agencies. Topics included peacemaking, older adult ministry, healthy communication, dealing with conflict, mental health, and healthy lifestyles. Tracks were offered for deacons and chaplains. Each day, attendees entered into a period of silence and could rest, walk the grounds, meditate, or do Tai Chi. Massage and spiritual direction were offered as well.

Photographs from the event can be viewed at www.brethren-caregivers.org.

Source: 8/26/2005 Newsline
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