chwenkfeldian - Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center€¦ · of sin is death, but the gift of God ... about how their lives were changed when they invited Jesus ... difference

The cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth

of the winter season. A glimpse of this brilliant bird

brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray wintry day

SchwenkfeldianWinter 2018

THE

2 | The Schwenkfeldian | Winter 2018

Waldo JohnsonThe Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Board of Directors named Mr. Waldo Johnson Board Member Emeritus on October 2, 2017

Martin Luther

Dr. H. Drake Williams discusses the five solas that are the basis of the Schwenkfeldian faith.

Church Notes

See what’s been happening in the Central, Olivet and Palm Church Communities.

Personal Notes

Births, Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths from Central, Olivet and Palm

In Retrospect

Looking back at the accomplishments of our members through the years.

Winter 2018 Issue | Volume 118 | Number 1

Editor’s NoteThe Schwenkfeldian is an archive of church history and activities. Do you have suggestions? Feel free to contact us anytime at [email protected].

Editor: Gerald A. HeebnerBusiness Manager: Joanne JalowyDesign: PrintWorks & Co., Inc.Artist: Frank BatsonPhotographer: Lee SchultzReporters:

Linda Schmidt, CentralCharlotte Winslow, MissonaryKarl Nyce, OlivetGail Ferry, PalmHeather Harris, In RetrospectFrances Witte, Notes

Publication CommitteeJoanne Jalowy, ChairJean S. Ross, Secretary

Publication OfficeSchwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center105 Seminary StreetPennsburg, PA 18073-1898

THE SCHWENKFELDIAN is published during the Winter, Spring, and Fall quarters by the General Conference of the Schewenkfelder Church, under the direction of the Publication Committee, in the interest of the churches. Material presented in this magazine does not necessarily represent the beliefs and teachings of Caspar Schwenckfeld or the Schwenkfelder Church.

If you move, please advise us promptly, giving both your old and new addresses to ensure uninterrupted delivery. To discontinue mailings, email [email protected] or call 215-679-3103.

$12.00 per year, $5.00 per copy. Free to each Schwenkfelder Church member household.

In this issue of The Schwenkfeldian

ABOUT OUR COVERTraditionally associated with winter, the red cardinal reminds us to find balance in vitality and creativity. It’s a reminder to slow down and take in the moment. It ties us to family and responsibility. It embraces the notion of becoming a spiritual warrior, blessing us with power and good wishes. With it, the cardinal brings a strong aura, encouraging us to re-connect with who we truly are. It brings intelligence, guidance from a higher consciousness, helping us to better understand our path and all of its natural rhythms.

Bob Krauss

Celebrating the life of of Bob Krause through the writings of those he impacted, with a special introductory page penned by Bob when he was 88 years young.

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Proclamation

The Pennsylvania Senate Resolution Commemorates the arrival of the largest group of Schwenkfeldians in Philadelphia on September 24th, 1734.

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SchwenkfeldianTHE

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Hurricane Cleanup Buckets

OSUCC and it’s Lil’ Angels Preschool ministry provide cleanup buckets full of supplies to help those affected by this years hurricanes.

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Winter 2018 | The Schwenkfeldian | 3

A Testimony by Bob Krauss,Sr.

Written in 2005 at age 88

I am indebted to my parents who always took me as a baby and through my early teens to Sunday School

and church. At the age of 14, I attended a class which taught the basic fundamentals of the Bible known as catechetical instruction. After completion, I was baptized and formally joined the church. We studied many key verses in the Bible which told about God’s love and his saving grace. A key verse was John 3:16 which states that “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” We talked about the cross upon which Jesus died to atone for our sins.

I continued to attend Sunday School and church and heard many Bible stories, the importance of the Ten Commandments, St. Paul’s missionary journeys and where he established churches, and God’s love for all of the people of the world. However, all this instruction and knowledge didn’t seem to make much difference in my young life. I didn’t consider myself a bad person but I didn’t witness to anyone about my faith I was supposed to have in Jesus Christ or the importance of this faith. As I look back, I probably had a head knowledge about some portions of the Bible but I didn’t have Jesus in my heart.

Around this time I became active in a young people’s organization called Christian Endeavor, [a.k.a. CE]. Their goal was to promote Christian Education and fellowship, plan retreats, hymn sings, and social programs. In addition to our own church group, we became associated with young people from other churches in Montgomery County. By becoming involved in these activities, we had wonderful fellowship and we learned what the Bible taught about our sinful condition and the importance of praying to God and to confess that we were sinners and sorry for our sins and willing to turn from them and receive Jesus as Savior and follow Him in the fellowship of His church. At this time I personally made these decisions and became a new person in Jesus Christ. In the third chapter of the book of Romans, it says that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” but in the sixth chapter it says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

In July 1940, I attended the Pennsylvania State CE Convention in Pittsburgh which ran for one week, and at one of the evening sessions, the speaker challenged over 1000 young people to stand and publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ and to serve Him to the best of their ability. I was one of the many who stood up. It was a very emotional time and I felt the presence of the

Holy Spirit of God moving through that auditorium.I continued my involvement in the church as well as a

Christian organization known as the Christian Businessmen of Schuylkill Valley. I met and associated with wonderful Christians. The speakers at our dinner meetings were inspiring as they told about how their lives were changed when they invited Jesus Christ into their lives. The verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17 comes to mind where St. Paul says that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

During my involvement in Christian Endeavor, I met a wonderful young lady by the name of Norma Kriebel. We dated on a regular basis which led to our marriage in 1943. I believe that God had a hand in bringing us together as husband and wife, and I am the proud father of six wonderful children. Furthermore, I believe they have all embraced the Christian faith and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

One of my goals in life was to become a teacher in the Christian community, but I soon learned that this was not my talent, but it was in the area of music. God really blessed me with a voice which I have been using for over 65 years to honor and glorify his Holy Name.

In conclusion, I want to make a statement for all to ponder. “What we do with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, makes all the difference in the world as to our future.”

Jesus said in the Gospel of John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” St. Paul records in 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” John 3:18 says that: “He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” In the book of Romans 8:1 it is recorded that “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” I’m sure there will be a question as to what happens to those who are condemned. One account is given by Jesus in the sixteenth chapter of Luke verses 19-31, and it is not a pretty picture. A profound statement is made by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 7:13-14 where he says “Broad is the road that leads to destruction and many go that way, but narrow is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it.”

The Christian life is one of joy and peace as we look to the future and think of God’s promises. As it is written: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” I would hope that everyone who reads this testimony has made, or will make, that important decision to invite Jesus to come into their heart and life and to serve Him to the best of their ability.


Ancestry

My father, Robert Morris Krauss, traced his ancestry to Anna Krauss and her five

children, Schwenkfelders who emigrated from Berthelsdorf, Saxony, as a part of the second Schwenkfelder migration to Pennsylvania in 1733. Anna’s son, Balthasar, brought along a tuning fork, which was a musical instrument that Schwenkfelders used in those early years. During the ensuing years various Krauss family members displayed unusual giftedness in leading Schwenkfelder congregations in singing or in the production of musical instruments. Most well-known for these abilities were John and Andrew Krauss who were founders of an organ building company that manufactured pipe organs throughout the 19th century. During his lifetime Andrew Krauss built no less than 48 pipe organs. In about 1820 John and Andrew led a Krauss musical organization devoted to the singing of Psalms and sacred songs. And throughout the years Krauss family members were instrumental in supporting the music ministries among the Schwenkfelders.

Dad’s grandfather, Edward S. Krauss, served as “chorister” or choir director for both the Worcester and Towamencin congregations for more than 40 years. After the death of Edward Krauss in 1915, Dad’s father, Morris H. Krauss served as the choir director and assistant organist at Towamencin from 1917 until 1939. Dad remembered that as a child he would listen to Grandpop Krauss play choir anthems on the piano as he prepared for leading the choir. During the winters choir rehearsals were held at various homes including the Krauss home. So Dad observed choir rehearsals as a boy, years before he joined the choir.The youthful years

My father was born in the Krauss farmhouse at the corner of Valley Forge Road and Morris Road in Worcester Township on September 25, 1917. The youngest of six children: Leon, Walter, Harold, Esther, and Sarah, Dad attended the Worcester School which was only about a mile away from home. He was the class president during his last year at Worcester. When not at school, he attended to many chores on the Krauss farm. After completing ten grades at Worcester he went to Norristown High School and graduated in 1935.

Realizing that there was no future for him in farming, my father attended the Keystone Business College, which later became the Valley Forge Secretarial School. In 1936 Dad was hired by the Alan Wood Steel Company.

Employment and community involvementMy father worked at Alan Wood Steel for more than forty

years. Some of the job titles he held during those years were: Stenographer, Safety and Real Estate Inspector, Employment Supervisor, Manager of Personnel Relations, Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Manager of Real Estate, Manager of Office Services, and Employment Manager.

In addition to his work at Alan Wood, Dad actively participated in the business community. In 1947 he served as president of the Foremen’s Club of Norristown, which had a total membership of more than 400. In 1971 he was elected president of the Norristown Lions Club. He was also the president of the Industrial Management Club. Dad was also active in the Schuylkill Valley CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Committee) where he served once as chairman.Early associations with future Schwenkfelders

During his Alan Wood years in the 1950’s and 1960’s my father was responsible for a half-hour Christmas program that was broadcast live on the WNAR radio station in Norristown. As a part of the program Dad sang Christmas music with the “Super Diamond Quartet” live on the air. George Schenkel sang with Dad in the quartet. George would become a member of the Central Schwenkfelder Church.

At one of the Alan Wood Christmas musical celebrations, Dad met Dottie (Wood) Heebner who accompanied him on guitar as he sang “O Holy Night.” She, too, would become a member of Central Schwenkfelder Church. They developed a great respect for each other’s musical talents. Later, as Director of Music at

Central Schwenkfelder, Dottie filled the position that my Dadheld when the church was dedicated in 1951. In later

years Dottie Heebner began accompanying Dad, as

Robert M. Krauss,Sr.by Bob Krauss, Jr.

KRAUSS FAMILY (l. to r.) – Bob, Norma, Bob Jr., Ron (back row) Richard, Nancy, Jim, Carolyn (front row)



Robert M. Krauss,Sr.by Bob Krauss, Jr.

soloist, on the piano. Dottie and Karen Black (organist) also accompanied my father both at Central Schwenkfelder and later as he led the Dock Woods Choir.Musical development

During his teen years Dad took seven years of piano lessons in Lansdale. His piano teacher was the brother of the Chief of Police, so Dad drove confidently to his lessons even though he was under the legal age for driving a car. Some years later he took voice lessons from Marion Spangler, the granddaughter of the founder and first president of Ursinus College. Professor Spangler later studied at the Julliard School of Music, and she provided just the kind of voice lessons that Dad needed.

In 1934, when he was seventeen years old, my father joined the Towamencin Meetinghouse choir which was led by his father. He would sing as a member of the church choir for more than seventy-five years. It was during those early years that Dad discovered that God had gifted him with a powerful and beautiful singing voice. As people discovered his wonderful singing ability, he was increasingly invited to sing at weddings and funerals.Sharing his talent

In 1996 Dad stated that he had sung at more than fifty weddings. I remember that when I was a boy, I often watched and listened at our home as Dad played various wedding songs for engaged couples as they selected the songs they wanted him to sing at their wedding. Some of the most popular songs that my father sang at weddings during those years were: “Because,” “I Love You Truly,” “O Promise Me,” “With This Ring,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” and “Always.”

In 1939 Grandpop Krauss resigned as the choir director at the Towamencin Meetinghouse. My father was offered the position of choir director. One of his responsibilities was keeping all of the choir music in order. He stored the music on the third floor of the Krauss farmhouse, until the new Central Schwenkfelder Church provided a music storage area. Dad served as choir director at Towamencin and later at Central for twenty-five years (1939-1963).Dedication of the church and to the church

My father was in charge of the music for the laying of the cornerstone ceremony for the Central Schwenkfelder Church on August 14, 1949. He also wrote an article about the church choir, and this was placed in the cornerstone. Dad served on the church building committee, he chaired the organ selection committee, and he selected the first organist. The committee decided upon Esther Beyer, who had been a classmate of Dad’s from Norristown High School. At the dedication, comprising two worship services, of the new Central Schwenkfelder Church on Sunday, June 10, 1951, Dad was in charge of the music, and he sang a stirring solo, “Bless This House.”

In addition to singing in the choir at Central Schwenkfelder and directing the choir for twenty-five years, Dad sang in the United

Schwenkfelder Choir. He directed the United Schwenkfelder Choir five times and co-directed several more times. Dad sang in the annual United Schwenkfelder Choir concerts at least 63 times, including sixteen times when he performed solos at the annual choir concerts. He sang “O Holy Night” twice with the United Choir, and was well known for singing his signature “O Holy Night” at the annual Christmas Eve service at Central.Commitment to Christ

A major turning point in my father’s life took place at the Pennsylvania State Christian Endeavor Convention in Pittsburgh in 1940. Dad said that a highlight of the convention was a class taught by Homer Rodeheaver, the well-known music director and publisher, who had been the song leader for the evangelist Billy Sunday for over twenty years. Dad also recalled learning a new song, “He Lives,” written by Alfred Ackley. About his greatest memory of the convention Dad wrote:

“The Thursday night speaker was Dr. Ross Stover from Philadelphia. His message was one of challenge and commitment. At the end of his sermon, he asked all those who had invited Christ into their lives as Savior, to stand and commit their lives to serve Him to the best of their ability. The Holy Spirit moved me to stand and to make that commitment.”Commitment to his wife

Christian Endeavor not only impacted Dad’s life spiritually but also romantically. While attending CE meetings at Towamencin he met Norma Lydia Kriebel, who became his wife on March 27, 1943. Their marriage lasted exactly seventy years, as Mom died on the day of their seventieth wedding anniversary. My Mother was a perfect partner for my Dad. She helped

to smooth his rough edges. And they had a biblical, harmonious marriage that produced and raised six children. Dad frequently stated that Mom was the most beautiful woman in the world—his Miss America.Always busy, busy, busy

My Father was a workaholic. If the sun was shining, Dad was working on something or fixing something. No one would ever think of him as a man of leisure or as a sportsman. However, he did play for the Schwenkies softball team.

Every year he planted a large garden or truck-patch. My siblings and I helped him with planting seeds, pulling weeds, and canning or freezing vegetables. Our next-door neighbor remembered observing Dad picking cherries from our cherry tree at the crack of dawn. When she asked him why he was picking so early, Dad, who was still wearing his pajamas, responded that he was picking the cherries before the birds could get them.

My Father was always looking for something to do. After he retired from Alan Wood Steel Company in 1977, he served as the tax collector for Worcester Township for eight years. He once confided in me that his greatest fear in life was to be called lazy. During the last year of his life, when he was physically incapacitated, he would often ask, “what should I do?”


Norma (Kriebel) and Bob Krauss


Family singingAll of us Krauss kids sang in one of more of the choirs at the

Central Schwenkfelder Church. When my bother Ron and I were still boys at home, we remember that after supper Dad often played the piano. Sometimes he would sing, and sometimes he made us sing along with him. When he wasn’t playing music, he was listening to it. Dad had record players and many records with Christian music. We Krauss kids speculated that Dad knew every hymn in the church hymnal and that he had memorized all of the verses to every hymn. If Dad was not directing the church choir on Sundays, my brothers and I had to sit next to him in the pews during the worship service. He would sing louder than anyone else, and he would skip around and sing tenor, alto, bass, or soprano. Dad once expressed his opinion of contemporary Christian music: “there’s no harmony; there’s just no harmony here.”Public singing

In addition to directing the church choir, Dad sang as a member of several male quartets over the years. His last quartet at Central Schwenkfelder was called “The Couriers” quartet. Dad sang lead; Jim Beam first tenor; Bob Phifer baritone; and Jack Kratz bass. Many people re-member Dad for his enthusiastic, spirited leadership of congre-gational singing. He ledsinging at the Towamencin Sunday School, at the opening exercises of Sunday School in the early years at Central, at the annual Salford Pilgrimage, and at nu-merous hymn sings. Dad would wave his arms as if he were directing a choir, and he would sing loudly, encouraging all to sing along, inspired by his contagious love of singing. Pictures of Dad leading singing were printed in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Norristown Times Herald, and Dock Woods publications.Always singing

Two of the songs that Dad was especially remembered for over the years are “O Holy Night” and “Always.” “Always” is a song which was written by the well-known composer Irving Berlin, who composed “Always” as a wedding gift for his wife in 1925. Frequently, when people visited my Father, they would ask him to sing. Dad often responded by singing “O Holy Night” or “Always.” When he sang “Always” at the wedding of his granddaughter Kerry, many attendees, including most of the wedding party, began to cry.

In 2009 Dad entered the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia for open heart surgery. On the day before his surgery, four uniformed student nurses from the Villanova School of Nursing marched into Dad’s room. The leader stated, “Mr. Krauss, you are our favorite patient in the whole hospital. Mr. Krauss, will you sing for us?” For these admiring nursing students,

Dad sang the chorus for the song “Always.” On the next morning, as orderlies moved Dad into the hallway on his way to the O.R., the same four student nurses appeared, and Dad sang “Always” to them. They were just in awe of him, and they remarked how beautifully he sang, and how they were touched by the words of the song.Retirement living

My father and mother sold our home in Worcester Township in 1999, and they moved to the Dock Woods Community in Kulpsville. Dad quickly concluded that Dock Woods needed a community choir, so he and several others organized a choir which sang cantatas at the Dock Woods Chapel for Christmas and for Easter. Dad served as the first director of the choir. Whenever the choir sang, the chapel was packed to overflowing. The last time he directed the choir, he directed while sitting in a chair due to his diminished strength. Dad gave his last concert as a soloist at the Dock Woods Chapel on February 7, 2011. He was accompanied by Dottie Heebner and Karen Black. A DVD recording was produced, and it’s still a blessing to hear Dad sing

some of his favorite hymns.Dad led the congregation in several hymns

at the dedication of the new Dock Woods Chapel on Sunday, June 25, 2000.

Frequently while Dad and Mom ate dinner at the Dock Woods

dining room, Dad would discover that someone in

the dining room was cel-ebrating their birthday. He would stand and lead all in the dining room in singing the “Happy Birth-day” song.

A lifetime of musicDad is remembered

at the Harmony House memory-care unit at Dock

Woods for his singing along with various musical activities. One

activity in particular was called “Name That Tune.” The pianist would play the first

or second notes of popular old-time songs or hymns or Christmas carols. If Dad knew the song or hymn, he could amazingly guess the title from the first or second note. And sometimes he could sing the entire song or hymn from memory.

Dad was almost blind during his last years, but he could sing all the verses of the old hymns without written music. Dad and I would sit on his couch for hours and listen to hymns broadcast through YouTube or iTunes with my laptop connected to his television. I loaded more than a hundred of his favorite hymns on an iPod Shuffle. Dad would put on his headset and listen for hours.The final days

On the Saturday before Dad passed away, and on the last day that he was able to join in conversation, he was visited by our pastor, David McKinley. Pastor McKinley asked Dad what hymn came to his mind as he was lying in his bed, nearing the end of life. Dad immediately replied, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.” While Pastor McKinley and I struggled to find the words

Central Schwenkfelder Church Choir circa 1953 on front steps of church with Director Bob Krauss in front

Memories of BobMy family came to Central Schwenkfelder Church

when I was in seventh grade. One of my vivid memories involves the Sunday School opening that took place each week. The entire congregation would meet for a brief time together before breaking up into Sunday School classes. I can’t remember what all went on in the opening, but I do remember lots of singing and I really loved to sing. Each week, I watched and sang as Bob Krauss directed hymn after hymn. As I look back, I remember being in awe of his confidence, his joy in singing, his command of the music, and that big, booming voice. Now some forty-five years later, I am Director of Music at Central and I occasionally lead the congregation in hymn sings. Before I begin, I say to myself, “Try to be more like Bob Krauss!” – Sally House

I was reminded of a story about my father by Eileen Burks (Life Enrichment Coordinator for Dock Woods). When I visited my parents at Dock Woods in 2002, we attended the New Year’s Eve party in the Fisher Auditorium. The entertainers (Mummer’s from Philadelphia) did not show for some reason. So my father went back to his apartment and retrieved song sheets with lyrics for American folk songs. He distributed them to all at the party (possibly 150-200 people) . He then led the singing of these old familiar songs, thus providing the New Year’s Eve entertainment for the party. – Bob Krauss, Jr.

From the first time I began attending Central Schwenkfelder Church in 1971 – there was Bob Krauss. As I assumed the duties of Junior Choir Director – there was Bob Krauss. Then I added choirs to my responsibilities and became full time Director of Music in 1983 – there was Bob Krauss! He was a joy to work with, a man who never said “No!” to anything I asked of him – that was Bob Krauss. I have been blessed by God to have had the opportunity to know Bob Krauss. – Dottie Heebner

In 1982 I received the first of many telephone calls from Bob Krauss, who had been the director of the United Schwenkfelder Choir when I sang with the group in the 1960s. By the time those calls came, Bob had been a participant in the choir for over 45 years. He surprised me by requesting that I assume the role of director of the United Schwenkfelder Choir. Although I did not consider myself qualified, Bob was indeed persistent, and assured me that I was more than qualified for the position. At the time, the Choir executive committee desired that a member of the Schwenkfelder Church lead the choir. Due to Bob’s encouragement, and his faith in my abilities, I eventually and prayerfully accepted the position. Bob was to participate in the Choir for another 25 years, serving as both its heart and soul, and as my personal mentor. We carry his spirit with us as we continue to sing God’s praise. – Ed Bieler

I met Bob in early September of 1974. I was a new member of Central Schwenkfelder Church and was going to join the choir, but I didn’t know where to go for rehearsal. Bob met me in the hallway and led me to choir rehearsal. He was tall and had a shock of white hair. He reminded me so much of my father who had passed away the previous December. I told him I was going to call him dad, so he just added me to the list of his “kids.” We had so many connections. Dad’s birthday was September 25th, as was my mother’s birthday. I would always remember him with a card for his birthday and Father’s Day. He was loving and caring to any and all those around him. Everyone anticipated singing “The Palms” at Easter and “O Holy Night” at Christmas. They were just so dad. Later, there were many visits to Dock Woods with him reminiscing our times together and he would use that tenor voice and sing to me. God truly blessed him with a glorious voice to extend that blessing to each of us. Tears come to my eyes every time I hear him sing. How could you not love my “dad.” – Judy Berger

to the verses on his iPhone and in an old hymnal, Dad sang all of the verses from memory.

He departed from this world for his home in heaven from the Harmony House section of the Dock Woods Living Branches community on July 6th, 2017.Bob Krauss’ legacy

On Sunday, October 13, 1996, my Father spoke to the congregation at the Central Schwenkfelder Church. Near the end of his message Dad shared his thoughts about music in worship:

Music certainly plays a very important part in the eye of our nation, and especially the church. Music inspires the heart, relieves tension, quiets our emotions, and most importantly, prepares our heart, mind, and soul to receive God’s Word, as ministers expound the many truths found in the Scriptures. Let us not think of music

in the church as entertainment, but as a way to praise the Lord for His goodness, and for bringing glory to His Holy Name. By singing hymns together, we give voice to our faith.During the last two years I have been working at the Central

Schwenkfelder Church Library. As I conducted a collection assessment of the library, I discovered that Dad had donated numerous books, more by far than anyone else. And when I recently assumed responsibility for the Monday night Bible study at Dock Woods, I discovered that the red hymnals, from which we sing, are discards from Central Schwenkfelder Church. Dad had brought them to Dock after new hymnals had been purchased for the church sanctuary at Central. I confirmed with the Dock Woods Chaplain that Dad had contributed the hymnals. As we sing from those hymnals on Monday nights, I will be reminded of my father’s lasting legacy.


8 | The Schwenkfeldian | Fall 2017

500 YearsFive Key Ideas for Protestants Remembering the Reformationby Dr. H. Drake Williams

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. This launched what we know as the Protestant Reformation which lasted from 1517-1640.

Problems with the Catholic Church in that day were apparent. There were others who had drawn attention to these issues such as John Hus from the modern day Czech Republic and John Wycliffe from England. Martin Luther’s act, however, drew the most attention to the corruption within the Catholic Church, and his act started the Reformation.

There were many problems in the church of Martin Luther’s time. Members of the clergy were simply absent from their posts, and yet they were enjoying the benefits. In Germany, one parish in every four had its pastor in residence. The Frenchmen, Antoine du Prat, archbishop of Sens turned up for only one service at his cathedral. He was there for his appointment to the post of archbishop. When he came to the church the next time, he arrived in an extremely passive way, since he was brought in his coffin.

Posts within the church were also acquired by very questionable means. For example, Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy secured the appointment of his son to the senior bishop of Geneva in 1451. His son was only 8 years old. If anyone had any misgivings, they were smart enough to keep quiet. Another clergyman, Pope Alexander VI secured his election to the papacy in 1492 despite having several mistresses and 7

children. He had purchased his post from competitors.While there were obvious abuses in the church, there

was also a substantial rethinking of what the Christian faith was. Ultimately, this was at the root of the Reformation, and Martin Luther was at the center of this. Right before he posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenburg cathedral, Martin Luther was a devout monk and dedicating himself to the rigors of monastery life. He frequently rose at 3 am for prayer. At times, he confessed his sins for up to six hours at a time, sometimes even beating himself in the process.

One day he finally was able to understand what it meant to be justified by faith. He was meditating upon Romans 1:16-17 which reads, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”(ESV) Instead of believing that he needed to do good deeds such as give to the poor or do vows of penance to obtain God’s righteousness, Luther rightly understood that God grants righteousness to all who confess Jesus Christ by faith (cf. Rom 10:9-10).

This correct understanding of Romans spread throughout the church and gave it new life. Others who supported this conclusion were John Calvin (France), Philipp Melancthon (Germany), Huldrych Zwingli (Switzerland), and Martin Bucer (Germany). Besides recognizing that the Bible taught being


Fall 2017 | The Schwenkfeldian | 9

500 YearsFive Key Ideas for Protestants Remembering the Reformationby Dr. H. Drake Williams

justified by faith rather than works, these men also knew that the church needed reforming due to bad practices at the time.

Several factors contributed to Reformation ideas gaining influence. The Reformation followed the time of the Renaissance in which people were taking a greater interest in the original sources. One critical person in this was Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is known for the saying “ad fontes” which means back to the sources. The Reformation time became known for the examination of the Bible in the original languages of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Erasmus, for example, translated the New Testament out of the original Greek language. This led to the comparison of his Greek New Testament with the Vulgate, which was the Latin Bible used in church at the time. The difference was stark as Thomas Linacre, a scholar at Oxford University, stated upon comparing the two. He said, “Either this is not the gospel, or we are not Christians.” As a result, many were ready to reconsider the Christian faith that was being taught.

A second significant factor that contributed to the Reformation was the influence of the printing press. In 1454 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. This invention allowed for the message of the Reformation to be circulated widely. It also allowed the Bible to printed in the language of the people and obtain wide circulation.

With the printing press as an ally, the Bible could be printed inexpensively and swiftly. After spending years translating the Bible from the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek and with the help of others such as Philipp Melanchthon, Martin Luther’s translation was published in September 1522. Its influence was great for the understanding of the Christian faith within the church. Furthermore, Luther’s German Bible and its widespread circulation facilitated the emergence of a standard, modern, German language.

In the English speaking world, William Tyndale translated the Bible into English. He was inspired by Martin Luther’s efforts in translating the Bible into German. William Tyndale translated most of the Bible working directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Miles Coverdale completed the task, supplementing Tyndale’s translation. This led to the first complete English language Bible which was then published in 1535. It, too, circulated widely carrying Reformation ideas on justification as being declared righteousness. It also rightly supported the church as being composed of its people rather than being an institution. Tyndale’s Bible went on to influence the King James Version and significantly affected the English language.

As we reflect on the key ideas of the Reformation, it is good to return to what the Reformers called the five solas (the five “alones”). The first is sola Scriptura (i.e., “Scripture alone”). The Bible alone is our final authority for faith and practice. The second is sola fide (i.e., “faith alone”). The Christian is saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ and not through any other means. Sola gratia (i.e., “grace alone”) is the third. The Christian is saved by the grace of God

alone. The fourth is solus Christus (i.e., “Christ alone”). Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King. Finally, the last is soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”). Christians live for the glory of God alone whatever their occupation may be.

These five solas have marked Protestant Christianity, and these still influence our faith as Schwenkfelders today. We can be thankful that because of the Reformation, our faith finds its ultimate resting place on the Bible alone, and it is not hindered by other traditions that may stand in its way. We can be thankful that our salvation is by God’s grace alone and is accessed through faith alone rather than being based upon good works. Instead of looking to other intermediaries such as saints or relics, we can be thankful that our faith is based on Christ alone who gives us direct access to God. Finally, the Reformation reminds us that whatever our calling is in life (i.e., accountant, housewife, student, business, construction, etc.), we can and should live it for the glory of God alone. We are blessed to be a part of the Reformation tradition. Happy 500 years!



Born in Eisleben, Germany, in 1483, Martin Luther went on to become one of Western history’s most significant figures. Luther spent his early years in relative anonymity as a monk and

scholar. But in 1517 Luther penned a document attacking the Catholic Church’s corrupt practice of selling “indulgences” to absolve sin. His “95 Theses,” which propounded two central beliefs—that the Bible is the central religious authority and that humans may reach salvation only by their faith and not by their deeds – was to spark the Protestant Reformation. Although these ideas had been advanced before, Martin Luther codified them at a moment in history ripe for religious reformation. The Catholic Church was ever after divided, and the Protestantism that soon emerged was shaped by Luther’s ideas. His writings changed the course of religious and cultural history in the West.

In July of 1505, Luther got caught in a violent thunderstorm, in which a bolt of lightning nearly struck him down. He considered the incident a sign from God and vowed to become a monk if he survived the storm. The storm subsided, Luther emerged unscathed and, true to his promise, Luther turned his back on his study of the law days later on July 17, 1505. Instead, he entered an Augustinian monastery.

Luther began to live the spartan and rigorous life of a monk but did not abandon his studies. Between 1507 and 1510, Luther studied at the University of Erfurt and at a university in Wittenberg. In 1510–1511, he took a break from his education to serve as a representative in Rome for the German Augustinian monasteries. In 1512, Luther received his

doctorate and became a professor of biblical studies. Over the next five years Luther’s continuing theological studies would lead him to insights that would have implications for Christian thought for centuries to come.QUESTIONING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

In early 16th-century Europe, some theologians and scholars were beginning to question the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It was also around this time that translations of original texts—namely, the Bible and the writings of the early church philosopher Augustine—became more widely available.

Augustine (340–430) had emphasized the primacy of the Bible rather than Church officials as the ultimate religious authority. He also believed that humans could not reach salvation by their own acts, but that only God could bestow salvation by his divine grace. In the Middle Ages the Catholic Church taught that salvation was possible through “good works,” or works of righteousness, that pleased God. Luther came to share Augustine’s two central beliefs, which would later form the basis of Protestantism.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church’s practice of granting “indulgences” to provide absolution to sinners became increasingly corrupt. Indulgence-selling had been banned in Germany, but the practice continued unabated. In 1517, a friar named Johann Tetzel began to sell indulgences in Germany to raise funds to renovate St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.THE 95 THESES

Committed to the idea that salvation could be reached through faith and by divine grace only, Luther vigorously

Martin Luther


objected to the corrupt practice of selling indulgences. Acting on this belief, he wrote the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” also known as “The 95 Theses,” a list of questions and propositions for debate. Popular legend has it that on October 31, 1517 Luther defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. The reality was probably not so dramatic; Luther more likely hung the document on the door of the church matter-of-factly to announce the ensuing academic discussion around it that he was organizing.

The 95 Theses, which would later become the foundation of the Protestant Reformation, were written in a remarkably humble and academic tone, questioning rather than accusing. The overall thrust of the docu-ment was nonetheless quite provocative. The first two of the theses contained Luther’s central idea, that God intended believers to seek repentance and that faith alone, and not deeds, would lead to salvation. The other 93 theses, a number of them directly criticizing the prac-tice of indulgences, supported these first two.

The 95 Theses were quick-ly distributed through-out Germany and then made their way to Rome. In 1518, Luther was summoned to Augsburg, a city in south-ern Germany, to defend his opinions before an imperial assembly. A debate lasting three days between Luther and Cardinal Thomas Cajetan produced no agreement. Cajetan defended the church’s use of indulgences, but Luther refused to recant and returned to Wittenberg.BRANDED A HERETIC

On November 9, 1518 the pope condemned Luther’s writings as conflicting with the teachings of the Church. One year later a series of commissions were convened to examine Luther’s teachings. The first papal commission found them to be heretical, but the second merely stated that Luther’s writings were “scandalous and offensive to pious ears.” Finally, in July 1520 Pope Leo X issued a papal bull (public decree) that concluded that Luther’s propositions were heretical and gave Luther 120 days to recant in Rome. Luther refused to recant, and on January 3, 1521 Pope Leo excommunicated Martin Luther from the Catholic Church.

On April 17, 1521 Luther appeared before the Diet of Worms (Assembly in Worms, Germany). Refusing again to recant, Luther concluded his testimony with the defiant statement: “Here I stand. God help me. I can do no other.” On May 25, the Holy Roman emperor Charles V signed an edict against Luther, ordering his writings to be burned. Luther hid in the town of Eisenach for the next year, where he began work on one of his major life projects, the translation of the New Testament into

German, which took him 10 years to complete.HIS LATER YEARS

Luther returned to Wit-tenberg in 1521, where the reform movement initiated by his writings had grown beyond his influence. It was no longer a purely theological cause; it had become political. Other leaders stepped up to lead the reform, and concur-rently, the rebellion known as the Peasants’ War was making its way across Germany.

Luther had previously writ-ten against the Church’s ad-herence to clerical celibacy, and in 1525 he married Katherine of Bora, a former nun. They had five children. Although Luther’s early writings had sparked the Reformation, he was hardly involved in it during his later years. At the end of his life, Luther turned strident in his views, and pronounced the pope the Antichrist, advocated for the expulsion of Jews from the empire and condoned polygamy based on the prac-tice of the patriarchs in the Old Testament. Luther died

on February 18, 1546.THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER’S WORK

Martin Luther is one of the most influential figures in Western history. His writings were responsible for fractionalizing the Catholic Church and sparking the Protestant Reformation. His central teachings, that the Bible is the central source of religious authority and that salvation is reached through faith and not deeds, shaped the core of Protestantism. Although Luther was critical of the Catholic Church, he distanced himself from the radical successors who took up his mantle. Some of Luther’s most significant contributions to theological history, however, such as his insistence that as the sole source of religious authority, the Bible, be translated and made available to everyone, were truly revolutionary in his day.


PA SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING SCHWENKFELDER IMMIGRATION

Pennsylvania State Senator and Schwenkfelder descendant David Argall (29th District, Schuylkill/Berks) was joined by Pennsylvania State Senator Bob Mensch (24th District, Berks, Bucks, Montgomery) in presenting a unanimous consent resolution

before the Pennsylvania State Senate commemorating the arrival of the largest group of Schwenkfelders in Philadelphia on September 24, 1734. The Schwenkfelders at that time paused for the first celebration of Day of Remembrance, or Gedächtnistag, still celebrated today and considered the oldest continuous Thanksgiving celebration in the United States.

Argall and Mensch invited representatives of the Heritage Center to join them in the Senate chamber for the presentation. Rachel Osborn, Rebecca McBrien, Gerald Heebner, and Lee Schultz drove to Harrisburg on September 19 to do this and had a very nice visit with these two state senators.

The proclamation reads, in part: “Whereas, the Schwenkfelders are the only Protestant sect of the Spiritualist branch of the Radical Reformation, with roots in the Protestant Reformation that still exist today...Resolved, that the Senate commemorate the 283rd anniversary of ‘Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving Day’ on September 24, 2017, in Pennsylvania… introduced by Senators David G. Argall and Bob Mensch, and adopted by the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Sen. David Argall with Rachel Osborn, Jerry Heebner, Lee Schultz, Becky McBrien, and Sen. Bob Mensch in Pennsylvania Senate chamber.


Waldo Johnson N A M E D B O A R D M E M B E R E M E R I T U S


It was with great pleasure that Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Board of Directors named retired member Waldo Johnson Board Member Emeritus on Monday evening, October 2, at a dinner meeting of

the Board of Directors.Waldo served as a member of the Board of Directors

since the early 1980s. At the presentation, Waldo reminded the members of the Board in what great esteem his grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Elmer E.S. Johnson, held the Schwenkfelder Library in his time. Without his devoted attention to collecting the heritage of the Schwenkfelders and the Perkiomen Region, much of the Heritage Center collection would not be preserved.

In appreciation, Board President George Meschter presented Waldo with the new book, Migration and Faith, by leading Schwenkfelder scholar Horst Weigelt. The fly leaf of the book was annotated with the following words: “In thanks and recognition of Waldo Johnson, Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Board Member, named Board Member Emeritus by unanimous consent of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Board of Directors on September 5, 2017. Presented with gratitude for extraordinary service. On behalf of the Board, October 2, 2017, George W. Meschter, Board President.”

The 2017 hurricane season was devastating to areas of the United States and many of our Caribbean neighbors. After Hurricane Harvey flooded Texas, followed almost immediately by hurricanes Irma in Florida, and Maria in

the Caribbean, Olivet-Schwenkfelder UCC ‘s preschool director, Maryann Mitchell, suggested a joint mission project to aid hurricane victims.

OSUCC and its Lil’ Angels Preschool ministry immediately sprang into action through the Church World Service. The Church World Service (CWS) is an ecumenical Christian relief organization specializing in disaster and refugee ministries. In light of the devastating 2017 hurricane season, CWS was mobilizing the distribution of health kits and cleanup buckets to affected areas. As of November, CWS had provided 127,256 hygiene kits to Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Cuba to meet immediate needs in shelters throughout the affected communities.

But once these displaced families leave emergency shelters and return to their homes, they often find extensive water damage, mold, and destroyed memories. CWS cleanup buckets help these survivors move forward and reclaim their home and belongings. The buckets are collected at CWS depots across the country, and distributed by emergency management groups and organizations such as the Red Cross. Once the buckets arrive at the CWS main warehouse in New Windsor, Maryland, they get distributed to areas where they are most needed.

The contents of each five gallon cleanup bucket is valued at more than $75. The CWS provided a detailed list of what each bucket should contain. Every bucket had to include all items on the CWS list, which was very specific. Items included everything from disinfectant cleaner, to leather work gloves, to dust masks, and scrub brushes. According to OSUCC Sunday School and Youth director Cheryl Emerson, the hardest thing to purchase was the insect repellant: “It was very hard to find so many bottles of bug spray this time of year,” she reported.

“Originally I thought our congregation would be able to put together maybe 6 cleanup buckets,” recalls Rev. Leslie Kearney, “but then an outpouring of support just came flooding in.” Schwenkfelder Mission Church in Philadelphia generously sponsored a bucket. Norristown Odd Fellows Lodge #57 heard of the congregation’s efforts and donated towards the cause. The congregation even received a matching grant from the national United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries. “I learned that there was a UCC Disaster Ministries $250 matching grant for congregations making these hurricane cleanup buckets. We applied, and on October 2nd we received news that Olivet-Schwenkfelder UCC had

been awarded the matching grant money,” said Rev. Kearney.When members went to a local Lowe’s Home Improvement

store to purchase cleanup bucket items, they were met with even more generosity. “The saleswoman was curious about the unusually large and specific purchase,” recalls Rev. Kearney. “When our folks informed her they were buying items for hurricane relief, she insisted on taking 10% off of the entire bill.”

With all the required items either donated or purchased, the buckets still needed to be assembled. On Sunday morning, November 26th both adults and children of OSUCC’s Sunday School assembled the buckets in a massive assembly-line fashion. In total, the congregation and Lil’ Angels Preschool created twenty three buckets, thanks to in-kind and monetary donations.

The very next Sunday, December 3rd, Rev. Karl Jones of the UCC Penn Southeast Conference Disaster Relief Ministries came to collect the buckets and thank the congregation. During a special “mission moment,” Rev. Jones reported that in the past six months alone, the CWS had shipped over 10,000 cleanup buckets to locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. He congratulated the church and preschool on their efforts, noting that OSUCC’s cleanup buckets constitute 25% of all buckets donated from churches within Montgomery County, Pennsylvania! If others are interested in sponsoring CWS hygiene kits or cleanup buckets, go to: http://cwskits.org.

by Rev. Leslie Kearney


(from L to R): Grace Jackson, Cheryl Emerson, Doug Emerson, Phoenix Mamas, Persephone Mamas, Rev. Leslie Kearney, Holly Knauer, and Leah Tyson.


Olivet-Schwenkfelder619 Township Line Rd., Norristown, PA 19403610-539-7444 • www.osuccpa.com

CENTRALAll-Church News: “Schmooze, News,

and Views” started again in September, led by Rev. Roger L. Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship. Rev. Wambold presented news updates from Israel and views of the Old Testament Scriptures and their relevance for today and the future. All this took place while “noshing” on Jewish baked goods which were prepared by Mrs. Phyllis Wambold.

November had us hosting Keystone Opportunity Center’s Inter-Faith Hospitality Network which supports families who are unemployed or are in need of temporary housing because of difficult economic times and no support from extended families. Once again, Joan Buchanan did a wonderful job of organizing, receiving and distributing the Christmas Child Shoe Boxes.

The second annual Christmas Arts and Crafts show took place on November 4th in the Community Center. This show features vendors selling everything from baked goods to handmade wooden toys, artisan soaps and greeting cards. Proceeds benefit the Benevolence Fund.

Youth News: Summer programs started with ultimate Frisbee on Sunday evenings, a trip to Hershey Park and a day at an escape room in King of Prussia. Sally House hosted SYLO (Sing Your Lungs Out! Swim Your Legs Off!) for grades 6-12. Kids entering K-6 were invited to the AWANA POOL BASH at Al Koehler’s home.

6th through 9th graders attended Breakaway at North Bay Adventure Camp in Maryland from October 6-8. The retreat offered zip lines, indoor climbing wall, alpine swing, a ropes course, a talent show as well as great food and fellowship.

Central Schwenkfelder2111 Valley Forge Rd., Lansdale, PA 19446610-584-4480www.centralschwenkfelder.com

Schwenkfelder Missionary29 W. Tulpehocken St., Philadelphia, PA 19144215-334-4658

Palm SchwenkfelderP.O. Box 66, Palm, PA 18070215-679-5321www.palmschwenkfelder.com

September brought the start of the Fall Youth program with elections. Awana had a kickoff picnic meeting. Wired & Crave had an all-nighter. They travelled to Dorney’s Halloween Haunt, participated in laser tag and then had breakfast. Some of the events planned were campfire nights, All-nighter SYLO pumpkin bash, a trip to the 76ers, “Bring a Parent Night and bonfire and hayrides for AWANA.”

Women’s Christian Fellowship (WCF): The summer months found Women’s Christian Fellowship busily preparing the annual Country Fair in September. The weather on the day of the fair turned out to be beautiful and the turnout was beyond expectation. The Fair Committee did a wonderful job planning and seeing that everything ran smoothly. It is a monumental task and we are grateful for the time and effort that goes into making the Country Fair a success each year.

OLIVETAt Olivet-Schwenkfelder Church, the

dog days of summer were made a little cheerier as the Women continued their “Bakeless Cake Sale” fundraiser. This is where you can send a check to help out the Women’s Fellowship instead of overtaxing yourself in the heat of the kitchen. We also continued our Garden Give ‘n’ Take where members who have green thumbs and have extra produce from their garden can share it with those in the congregation.

September saw the church return from sand and shorts to budgets and school as we kicked off our Sunday School classes.The monthly Taizé services also returned the same Sunday. For those who attend, it’s a wonderful, quiet, reflective service that provides 30 minutes of peace from


the outside world. Fall kicked into full swing in October with a host of activities starting with the Blessing of the Animals service on October 7th.

In Mission news, we gathered new and gently used washcloths and towels for the Norristown Hospitality Center. The Center will use these towels to help replenish their supply and provide the homeless with a warm and clean washcloth/towel while using the Hospitality Centers showers. Our Mission Project for September was to collect art and crafts supplies, such as paints and coloring books as well as craft kits and Play-Doh for Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons gives children the essential items they need to thrive at home and at school. From November until mid-December, we collected numerous items for the Giving Tree, which helps support the youth who are currently living at the for Bethany Children’s Home during the holiday season.

The congregation, along with the Li’L Angels Preschool, began collecting donations in October for victims of the hurricanes that devastated parts of the United States and Puerto Rico earlier this year as well as the earthquake that leveled parts of Mexico City. [See article, this issue, for more information]

The OSUCC Youth Serve hosted an Ice Cream & Bingo social to help celebrate our Welcome Back Sunday. On Saturday, October 21st, we celebrated our annual Safe Halloween Party. All pre-school and elementary children were treated to a fun afternoon of crafts, games and snacks while dressed in their Halloween costumes. The Youth Serve Annual Basket Auction was on November 5th. A lot of work went into the auction this year. For the second year in a row, over 100 baskets were raffled off. Special thanks go to everyone who assisted in the success of the day, especially Holly Knauer and Doug & Cheryl Emerson whose tireless dedication is one of the reasons for the success of this night. The kids used some of the proceeds of the evening to help contribute to the Emergency Clean-Up Buckets.

We ended the month of November with the annual Harvest Home Breakfast on November 20th. The congregation enjoyed a delicious breakfast between our 8 am and 10 am services cooked and

served by the youth of our church. A big thank you also goes out to the “young at heart” that assisted and helped keep the toast from getting burnt and the casserole dishes full of delicious eggs and bacon. It was a wonderful way to start Thanksgiving week.

We also celebrated the beginning of our new Church Council with the installation of our officers on November 20th. As always, we wish those whose time has been completed our heartfelt gratitude and at the same time we are also thrilled to have new faces to help with the daily chores of the church.

PALMPalm ended the summer with two

special worship experiences. On August 20, our congregation gathered at the Kraussdale Meeting House for a worship service and to remember our congregation’s past. The following Sunday, Palm gathered with other congregations of the Upper Perk Valley at New Goshenhoppen Park to celebrate the 500th Reformation Anniversary. Those who participated came to worship and remember people of the past who followed their faith and convictions so that we may worship freely today.

Emily Badman, a member of the Senior Choir, was the recipient of Palm’s 2017 Endowment for Continuing Education award.

Our Ladies’ Aid gathered volunteers to prepare and make a vast supply of their famous chow-chow! Yum! Looking ahead to the approaching holiday season, they also invited the congregation to assist them in their goal of preparing 75 Christmas stockings to share with Pennsburg Manor and Norristown State Hospital. In November, they organized an Election Day bake sale in addition to the annual Holiday Bazaar. In conjunction with the Bazaar, the Palm Mission Board arranged to hold a Miller Keystone Blood Drive. Both the blood drive and the bazaar proved to be successful. It seems the Ladies’ Aid was also able to show Palm their “secretive” side this year! They managed to “orchestrate” – yes, our fearless Musical Director, Ed Bieler, was part of the plot – and carry out a “kidnapping” of Pastor Nick’s worship service on September 10. Pastor Nick began his regularly scheduled service that was abruptly interrupted by various guests. In order to recognize

and say “thank you” to Pastor Nick for his last ten years of pastoral care and service to Palm, the Ladies’ Aid, along with many secretive helpers, had arranged a surprise service and luncheon. Pastor Nick had to hand over the power of the pulpit to the voice of his wife, the Reverend Barbara Pence, who led the congregation in an opening prayer. Pastor Nick was “invited” to remain seated while two of his friends and colleagues, Reverend Homer Royer and Karl Jones, took over the worship service. The luncheon that followed allowed time for everyone to spend some time with Pastor Nick and express how much he has meant to Palm’s family

Not to be outdone by the Ladies’ Aid, under the leadership of Barb Master, Palm youth have also had quite a busy season. In September, they held a hoagie sale to benefit the Vacation Bible School mission, Hope Excursion: children’s Hunger Fund. Before the evenings became too chilly, they had fun gathering with a bonfire where they shared snacks and an impromptu kickball game. Along with the Deacon’s, they sponsored the collection of food items, from church members, to help families at Open Link during our Harvest Home season. Several youth also gave up their time to volunteer at Redner’s Warehouse Market in Red Hill to receive additional donations from community shoppers. Palm’s young people traveled to Wilcox Farms with their flashlights to explore their way through the corn maze and then spend the remainder of the night, locked-in, at the church. The older youth assisted the younger with some festive pumpkin painting, and everyone worked together to make delicious chocolate covered pretzels which they sold at Palm’s annual Holiday Bazaar.

The season ended as it started for Palm’s congregation. Palm was invited to participate with several community churches for an afternoon celebration honoring the 500th anniversary of The Reformation by gathering at St. John’s UCC in Green Lane. Palm also closed this church season by celebrating Christ the King Sunday with musical delights. The worship service incorporated a piano and organ duet, a brass choir accompaniment to the hymns, a beautiful Senior Bell anthem, and a closing anthem by the Senior Choir that invited the congregation to join in the singing, united as one voice in celebration of Jesus Christ, our king.


BAPTISMSGRAVES – Kieran, son of Kevin Graves and Amanda Krupp, October 22, 2017. (Central)

BIRTHSGONZALES – Alexander Phillip, son of Alexander and Courtney (Jones) Gonzales, September 22, 2017. (Central)

LOHSE – Ava June and Cecelia Ruth, twin daughters of Nathan and Rebecca (Shenkle) Lohse, August 26, 2017. (Central)

STITT – Colton James Vernon, son of Justin and Erica (Sabitini) Stitt, July 28, 2017. (Palm)

MARRIAGESBICKEL – JACKSON – John M. Bickel to Brittany Jackson on Friday, October 6, 2017 at The Loft at Landis Creek in Limerick, PA. (Central)

LOHSE – DETWEILER – Ruben G. Lohse to Alicia Detweiler on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Manufacturers Country Club, Fort Washington, PA. (Central)

MILETICH – FAZIO – Lee James Miletich to Brandy Marie Fazio, September 22, 2017 at Valley Forge Casino Resort. (Olivet)

REMSHIFSKI – FOULKE – Adam Remshifski to Kellye Foulke on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Immanuel Nazarene Church in Lansdale. (Central)

SIMONS – CRAY – Bryce J. Simons to Brianna Cray on Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Ocean City, NJ. (Central)

SYLVESTER – GRANDWELL – Evan Francis Sylvester to Natalie Lynn Grandwell, October 8, 2017 at White Chimneys Estate, Gap, PA. (Olivet)

DEATHSBADMAN – Verna (Schultz), age 88, of Waxhaw, NC formerly of Pennsburg, PA, wife of the late Harold O. Badman, August 20, 2017. Services August 23, 2017; interment at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery. (Palm)

DAVIS – Carmen (Rivera), age 87, of Emmaus, wife of Raymond Davis, September 2, 2017. Services September 7, 2017; interment at Grandview Cemetery in Allentown, PA. (Palm)

EDMONSON – Lawrence Davis, age 96, of Schwenksville, PA, husband of the late Elinor (Mann) Edmonson, September 27, 2017. Memorial Service November 4, 2017; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central)

HARCHER – Mary Christina (Simon), age 70, of East Norriton, PA, wife of the late William L. Harcher, Sr., September 25, 2017. Memorial Service November 16, 2017. (Olivet)

HEFFNER – Alvera (Kriebel), age 92, of Kutztown, PA, September 8, 2017. Services September 15, 2017; interment at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery. (Palm)

HELLINGS – Herbert H., age 88, of East Norriton, PA, husband of the late Thelma (Lawrence) Hellings, October 22, 2017. (Olivet)

HUNSICKER – Dorothy (DiNolfe), age 88, of Naples, FL formerly of Audubon, PA, wife of the late Robert Miller Hunsicker, Sr., January 19, 2017. Interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central)

MILLER – Edward K., age 69, of Lansdale, November 9, 2017. Memorial Service December 2, 2017; interment at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia. (Olivet)

NICE – Dorothy (Nace), age 95, of Salford Township, PA, wife of the late Joseph S. Nice, November 12, 2017. Memorial service November 18, 2017; interment at Hilltown Baptist Church Cemetery, Chalfont, PA. (Central)

NYCE – Jacob Vincent, age 75, of Audubon, husband of the late Helen (Beideman) Nyce, September 9, 2017. Memorial Service November 18, 2017; interment at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia. (Olivet)

STRASBURG – William E., age 90, of Worcester, husband of Sylvia (Schweiker) Strasburg, October 27, 2017. Services November 11, 2017; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central)

WINSLOW – Edward O., age 70, of Philadelphia, husband of Charlotte Winslow, November 13, 2017. Services November 18, 2017; interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. (Missionary)

WILLIAMS – Sandra (Schwab), age 78, of Paoli, PA, wife of H. Drake Williams, Jr., October 27, 2017. Services November 2, 2017; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central)

Sharing these important life events with our Schwenkfelder family.


As seasons transition from autumn to winter, the Schwenkfelder Churches were abuzz with activities thru the years.

50 YEARS AGO (1968)On Sunday, October 22nd, 1967, the members and friends of

the Central Schwenkfelder Church, Worcester, held services for the laying of a memorial stone at the site of the recently razed Towamencin Schwenkfelder Church.

The Perkiomen School celebrated their 75th year of operations under the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church.

The Schwenkfelder Ministerium formalized itself as an organization. Rev. David R. Crowle, pastor of the Norristown Church was chosen as the Moderator for the year.

In January of 1968, church members from Protestant, Orthodox and Episcopal congregations met to discuss the future of the human race under advanced technology. The discussion focused on the Christian responses to the challenges of a “technocratic” age. The theme was “Technology - Human Values and Community.”

The Pastor of First Schwenkfelder Church wrote to update everyone on their developments at their Parish Ministry. They realized that many of the church patterns that worked in the past would no longer work to serve them. They are discovering new ways to minister to people of the inner city. They have begun many new programs that they hope will continue to grow their programs and reach people within their area.

25 YEARS AGO (1993)The Norristown Church had a busy month in December. The

Women’s and Men’s Fellowship held their Christmas luncheon and Mrs. Polly Martel presented a program entitled “The Love Angel.” The Women’s Fellowship filled 50 stockings for the state hospital in Norristown. The young people went caroling to shut-ins and nursing homes.

On December 13th, Central welcomed 15 new members into their congregation.

December 20th a Christmas program was presented at the Palm Church. Oranges and gifts were given at the end of the program. Palm’s Christmas Eve service concluded with candle lighting and the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The Lansdale church decorated a mitten tree in December, to be distributed to the needy in the area. They also had 60 poinsettias to beautify their sanctuary for the Christmas Season. Nine young people from their congregation helped to portray the Nativity.

10 YEARS AGO (2008)The 79th United Choir Concert was held at Central Schwenkfelder

Church. On December 16th, the nine musical Service of Lessons were messages of Jesus’ advent and were introduced by Rev. Karen Gallagher, Ruth Kratz, Matthew Seese, Kristen Smith, Graham Bickel, Cheryl Walborn, Timothy Jones, Steven Broughton, and Pastor

William Kalajainen. On December 30th, a piano duet was presented by cousins Autumn Reyburn and Ayesha Qahash and a duet was sung by sisters Amanda and Rebecca Shenkle. February 10th was the informal love feast in Fellowship Hall. This included communion and a special musical presentation by Lighthearted..

At Olivet Church in December, preparations were being made for Advent and the wreaths were being placed. Olivet sent many gifts to Bethany Children’s Home in Womelsdorf. A service of carols was held on December 30th. Church officers were installed on January 6th. Rev. Dan Moser gave the sermon.

Palm church started off their Christmas season with The Pence Family open house. Members enjoyed the beautifully decorated house and treats throughout the house. The children of the church put on a wonderful Christmas program on December 23rd, entitled Happy Birthday Jesus. The Christmas Eve cantata and the candle light service were enjoyed by many. The musical was Season of Wonder. A highlight of the New Year for the Palm Church was the installation of Pastor Nicholas Pence. The church was packed to witness and to show support and appreciation for their new pastor. A celebration dinner followed in Fellowship Hall. Pastor Nick enjoyed himself so much, he led a group in the Hokey-Pokey dance. A Mardi Gras celebration was held in February and included a covered dish luncheon. On February 3rd, Palm held their annual Souper Bowl Sunday where collections of canned goods and monetary donations were collected to benefit Open Line.

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February 14Taming the Wilderness by Alan Keyser

March 14 Educated Pigs and Mrs. Wafflebach: Shows and Show People in 19th Century SE Penna by Candace Perry

April 11Medieval Church by Allen Viehmeyer

May 9 No Meeting due to Penn Market

June 13 Schwenckfeld and the Stillstand by Allen Viehmeyer

July 11 Rte. 100, going from Boyertown to Shimerville by Aaron Heckler

SCHWENKFELDER LIBRARY & HERITAGE CENTERBrown Bag Lunch Lecture Series for 2018All one-hour sessions take place in the Meeting Room of the Heritage Centerbeginning at 12 noon on the date listed

chwenkfeldian - Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center€¦ · of sin is death, but the gift of God ... about how their lives were changed when they invited Jesus ... difference

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