Norman H. Derstine, who devoted more than 50 years to church ministry, died Nov. 4 at Park Place, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, at age 85.

At age 21, Derstine traveled by motorcycle from his home in Doylestown, Pa., to finish his last two years of high school at Eastern Mennonite School, graduating in 1943. He received a bachelor of theology degree from Eastern Mennonite College (now 91短视频), in 1946.

He went on to teach high school Bible and later was dean of high school boys and dean of men at 91短视频.

On May 27, 1944, he married Virginia M. Martin, who survives.

In 1951, Derstine became the program director, associate pastor and announcer for "The Mennonite Hour," a weekly radio broadcast produced by Mennonite Broadcasts, Inc. He served 10 years in that role.

Derstine was ordained to the ministry on Feb. 10, 1952 at Trissels Mennonite Church near Broadway, Va., and served there for four years. In 1962, he accepted the pastorate at Roanoke Mennonite Church, Eureka, Ill., and served there for seven years.

He then returned to the former Eastern Mennonite College to become the first director of . During this time, he led two Holy Land tours and produced "Moments at EMC," a weekly 15-minute radio program aimed at connecting the college to the community.

Following an assignment 1976-78 as director of religious broadcasting in Botswana, Africa, Derstine returned to Harrisonburg and became director of admissions and grantsman at the college.

Following his retirement from 91短视频 in 1984, he served as interim pastor for congregations in Kalona, Iowa; Salem, Ore.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Lebanon, Ore.

Through the years, Derstine has written numerous articles for church publications and frequently wrote letters to the editor for many newspapers.

In 2002, recognized Derstine for 50 years of church-related ministry.

In addition to his wife, Derstine is survived by a son, Jerry Derstine and his wife, Jan Garrett, of Snowmass, Colo.; a daughter, Jean Cubbage and her husband James Cubbage of Harrisonburg; a brother, a sister, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Nov. 7 at Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, with interment at the Lindale Mennonite Church cemetery.

Acoustic music festival "" will make its debut in Harrisonburg Nov. 4-6, bringing visual artists, musicians and fans together from across the eastern United States.

This event will offer delightful performances for all ages at venues around the city – from downtown Harrisonburg to Eastern Mennonite High School to local churches.

Most performers have some connection to the Shenandoah Valley, and what brings them together is the experience of roots or membership in the Mennonite Church. A variety of genres are represented, but the common thread is "folk music" written about themes of faith, love and hardships of the everyday life of regular people. Many hymns began as folk songs or take their melodies from older folk tunes.

Using the theme, "Tis a Gift," organizers have encouraged performers to create new music for the festival as well as interpret traditional music. Mennofolk represents a homecoming for many artists.

Featured Artists

J.D. Martin (aka Jerry Derstine)

Headliner Jerry Derstine (stage named JD Martin) grew up near Harrisonburg. At a young age, he wrote several songs which have become well loved among Mennonites, one of thenm included in the latest hymnal for Mennonite and Brethren churches. However, Jerry spent most of his career living and writing music in Nashville and Los Angeles. There he hit the big time, writing songs for Wynnona Judd, Reba McEntire, and Peter Cetera, and had a number of top ten hits to his name.

Now, Jerry returns to his roots, bringing with him recent songs that reach a new level of spirit and hope meant to inspire people towards themes of the heart. He is accompanied by his wife Jan Garrett, a renowned singer-songwriter in her own right, who performs "music for soul retrieval." Garrett will also lead a women’s singing workshop entitled "Finding Your Authentic Voice."

Locals who were in high school or college in the 1970’s may remember a popular Christian band called "Daybreak," which toured in this area. This year, Mennofolk will feature a reunion of the Daybreak band members, some of whom had lost touch with each other but are now coming together for this encore performance.

Reunion Vocal Band

"Reunion Vocal Band" also brings old friends to the stage. For over 20 years this eclectic group has been meeting to perform from all corners of the country. They will play at Mennofolk as their reunion concert of this year, blending folk, spiritual and jazz influences with good old rock and roll.

Appalachian music will take the stage at Mennofolk through Liz McGeachy and Tim Marema’s haunting harmonies, The New Johnson’s fiddle tunes and Alex Albright’s Appalachian Blues. Phil Ruth, a Mennonite historian and dulcimer player from Pennsylvania, claims that the mountain dulcimer may have originated in the Shenandoah Valley, a mix of early Swiss/German and Irish instruments. Dave Landes develops the dulcimer theme further with hymns and folk songs played on a hammered dulcimer, one of many instruments he regularly plays at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton.

Bluegrass fans will be well-satisfied with the sound of local bluegrass/gospel group, "Daphna Creek." "The Goldmine Pickers," a young up-and-coming band from Goshen, Ind., features Jay Lapp, originally of Harrisonburg, and blends newgrass and jazz with a traditional bluegrass idiom. Songwriter Dave Nealon plays bluegrass style and includes banjo and guitar in his set of originals.

Mennofolk will also include "Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels," with original and American roots music material. Wagler recently made his CD release debut at Court Square Theater.

Musical Styles

Mennonites are known for their tradition of a capella singing, an influential foundation apparent in the harmony focus of many Mennofolk acts. At the festival, this tradition will be explored with performances by "Finely Tuned," "Cantore" and "Sons of the Day." Ruth Stoltzfus Jost will tell the moving story of her family history during the Civil War through a song she sings without accompaniment.

On Sunday, Mennofolk will conclude with the "Festival of Praise" at Park View Mennonite Church, a celebration through men’s choral singing.

Singer-Songwriter styles at Mennofolk range from rock to pop to roots music and include themes of peace, faith and the complexity and beauty of everyday life. Original material will be presented by Chris Kniss, Andru Bemis, Konrad Wert, Brad Yoder, , Heather Kropf, Gina Holsopple and Jonathan Reuel. Saturday night’s Songwriter’s Circle gives a chance to hear a smorgasbord of contemporary music being produced by Mennonite writers.

Visual arts are a special part of Mennofolk Harrisonburg. Oasis Gallery is presenting a show by , and Gusler has coordinated local artists for a show at Eastern Mennonite High School. Art will be for sale, and Artisan’s Hope will create an off-site sale of fairly-traded gifts by artisans from around the world.

Schedule

Mennofolk begins Friday night with concerts downtown at The Children’s Museum, Court Square Theater, Oasis, St Stephens Church, The Little Grill, Luigi’s and the Daily Grind. Saturday during Mennofolk at Eastern Mennonite High School, food will be sold from The Little Grill Collective and music will run from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sets will be divided into three stages. A concert/jam session continues after 11 p.m. at Common Grounds Coffeehouse at 91短视频 featuring the Goldmine Pickers.

Sunday, participants are invited to local churches to hear their favorite Mennofolk musicians play. Sunday afternoon brings "The Bob Show," a Ted and Lee comedy, to the Court Square Theater, Jan Garrett’s women’s singing workshop at Cups to Go, and the Festival of Praise at Parkview Mennonite Church.

A complete schedule and admission prices can be found at: .

Local organizations and business sponsoring Mennofolk are Garrison Press, The Little Grill, Artisan’s Hope, Harrisonburg Downtown Rennaisance, Court Square Theater, 91短视频’s, Common Grounds Coffeehouse, , Virginia Mennonite Conference, Shalom Congregation, Park View Mennonite Church and the Arts Council of the Valley.

Organizers plan to make Mennofolk a yearly event. To volunteer or make a donation (both provide free admission to the festival) check the Mennofolk website or call Trent Wagler at 540-438-1842.

Harrisonburg native J.D. Martin (aka Jerry Derstine) will lead a songwriting workshop 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, in Recital Hall on ground floor of Lehman Auditorium at 91短视频.

Martin, an award-winning composer of five Number One and 10 Top Ten singles on the pop and country music charts, will discuss his approach to writing music and answer audience questions.

Following college graduation, Martin joined a band called Tanglefoot, based in Aspen, Colo. They toured for seven years, opening for artists such as Kenny Rogers. He honed his songwriting skills with this band, then moved to Nashville in 1980, determined to break into the music business.

By 1994, Martin had established himself as one of Nashville’s top songwriters. As a staff writer with MCA Music and later with Warner/Chappell Music, he co-wrote such hits as "Love Will Find It’s Way To You" by Reba McEntire; "Nobody But You" and "Just As Long As I Have You," both performed by Don Williams; "Everyday" by the Oak Ridge Boys; "I’ll Never Stop Loving You" and "Between Two Fires" by Gary Morris; and "You and Only You" by John Berry.

However, like the seekers he often portrays in his songs, Martin wanted to experience new worlds. In 1994, he moved to Los Angeles, where he found a home in the world of pop music as well. Kathy Tracolli and Clay Cross recorded his duet, "One Heart," and Peter Cetera released "One Clear Voice," a Top Ten Adult Contemporary single. Martin continued writing for country artists as well, and in July of 1998 Terri Clark’s version of "Now That I Found You" reached #1.

He also wrote two songs often sung in the Mennonite Church – "Unity" (Jesus help us live in peace) and "Jesus, Rock of Ages."

Whatever style of music Martin chooses, his songs have one unifying trait. "I’m attracted to writing about themes of the heart," he says. "Not only about love, but also of following dreams and going through the dark times." He and his wife, singer/songwriter and teacher Jan Garrett, now live and create their music in the mountains of Colorado.

Admission to the workshop is free.