“Are you always working?” she asked him. At that point, his answer was “yes.”

Now, after graduating in May and beginning to work as a part-time pastor at , Bucher knows the better answer: “No, I am not always working.”

Part of the reason he can now respond this way is his research for a capstone project titled “” The project has helped him determine how to balance a part-time ministry position with other work and family obligations.

“As an Anabaptist Christian, I want to speak and act against economic systems that force many to work at harmful levels,” said Bucher, who also earned a from 91¶ĚĘÓƵ’s . “I want us all to celebrate and minister from the counter-cultural idea of Sabbath rest. Researching, investigating the Biblical text, conversing with pastors, and reflecting on my own Sabbath practices proved to be a rich experience. I hope these public and private practices will serve as a personal rhythm and rule for ministry and as a model for the congregation and the community.”

Each capstone presentation presented by members of this touched on both the personal formation experienced within the students’ seminary journey, and the transformation they hope to bring about as leaders in ministry. The capstone requirement helps seminarians synthesize and integrate into their unique ministry setting the four guiding curricular principles that have formed the rich foundation of their learning: wise interpretation, mature practice, discerning communication and transformational leadership.

“A culmination of their education, their capstone project is a reflection of their learning, a practical resource to carry with them into ministry, and often an exciting expression of creativity,” says seminary dean .

Capstone Presentations

The following graduates presented capstone presentations for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Priyanka Bagh (Pune, Maharashtra, India) narrated a personal experience of transformation and movement by the power of love through four seasons or stages. Bagh is a graduate of the University of Pune and has an MA from Shreemati Nathibia Damodar Thackersey. She will return to India to work with children and youth in the mental health field.

Tracy Brown (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) looked at the congregational capacity of “.” In the light of recent unrest related to communities and policing, the research explored past and future work within Lancaster congregations to move towards justice and peace in the city. He plans to begin a doctorate in ministry degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Gwendolyn B. Carr (Waynesboro, Virginia) explored “A Journey Toward Wholeness: Being Ushered Into the Presence of God with My Intellectually Disabled Friends and Family.” Her conclusions offered an understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities, promoting inclusive worship rather worship that is planned for or done to them. A member of Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, Carr plans to continue serving at Craigsville Presbyterian Church.

Seth Crissman ’09 (Harrisonburg, Virginia) is a frequent performer and worship leader at Eastside Church. The title of his project, exploring more private practice within the family and encounter with Scripture, was “Deep Love: Reflecting on God’s Love through the Eyes of a New Parent.” He will be working with Virginia Mennonite Missions to develop a kid’s club ministry.

Melissa Fretwell (Harrisonburg, Virginia) defined compassion out of her personal experience, training as a specialist in special education, and seminary preparation for ministry in her capstone project, “” Fretwell is a graduate of Bridgewater College, and holds a MEd and EdS from University of Virginia. She will pursue a residency in chaplaincy at University of Virginia.

Lori Friesen (Harrisonburg, Virginia) traced the formative impact of the seminary experience, highlighting the importance and practice of reflection, vision and commitment to mission, and the authority and interpretation of the Bible. She is a member of Hartville Mennonite Church. She has a 2-year degree from Hesston College.

Pete Geoffrion (Harrisonburg, Virginia) presented “” His capstone calls for holy conferencing across theological difference through gracious fidelity to Scripture, particularly in the United Methodist Church, engaging 1 Kings 2:1-3 as a case study. His bachelor’s degree is from James Madison University.

Nathan Grieser (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) looks at the ways in which privileged Mennonite churches in Lancaster are engaging people on the margins and asks whether these engagements are fostering mutual relationship and transformation. His project is titled “” Grieser is a graduate of Goshen College. He moves into a new role as executive director of The Shalom Project, a service-learning and intentional community for college graduates.

Lizzette Hernandez (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) researched multicultural Christian education, and challenged educators to develop as messengers who understand the different contexts in which faith develops and who transmit the good news in culturally appropriate ways. Hernandez, a retired physician, worships at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church and works with the Mennonite Hispanic Initiative.

Rosemary King ’65 (Harrisonburg, Virginia), in a presentation titled “” described the need for shelter as a matter of biblical justice and describes investigation into financial, legal, and architectural considerations as part of a local response. She will graduate in 2016.

Bradley Kolb ’09 (Harrisonburg, Virginia) proposed that the cultivation of imaginations that are captive to the Gospel and enchanted by the scriptures and the Spirit as key to Christian formation for adults in his presentation, “” Kolb begins as associate pastor at Grace Mennonite Fellowship this summer.

Audrey Roth Kraybill (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) explored . She holds a bachelor’s degree from Goshen and an MA in religion from Lancaster Theological Seminary. She is a member of Community Mennonite Church in Lancaster.

Luis Martinez (Harrisonburg, Virginia) proposed that , with illustrations from original artwork and chaos theory. Martinez is a pastor at Iglesia Discipular Anabaptista (IDA).

Bob May (Bergton, Virginia), who has worked as a UMC missionary, argued that : who is already doing what, what opportunities and partnerships are evident, and what does this particular missions group offer for this context? May, who has a bachelor’s degree from University of Virginia and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, plans to continue further graduate studies in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding’s program in conflict transformation.

Gordon Meriwether (Culpeper, Virginia) explored “.” Pastor at The Greene Charge (UMC), Meriwether’s research dealt with dying, death and the afterlife with an emphasis on the pastor/chaplain’s ability to connect with the presence of Holy Spirit and the soul/spirit of the individuals involved in the journey. He also earned a MA in conflict transformation.

Nick Meyer ’08 (Kidron, Ohio) traced the struggle to forgive an impenitent offender, using the psalms of lament and a broader definition of hatred to mark turning points towards forgiveness in a project titled “”  He is a member of Early Church and plans to volunteer as a prison chaplain.

Seth Miller ’07 (Harrisonburg, Virginia) presented research on “Engaging Confessional Theology in a Postmodern Context.” He is exploring pastoral ministry opportunities with the Mennonite Church.

Glenn W. Nofziger II ’02 (Stryker, Ohio) highlighted the role of effectively telling and listening to stories in enhancing self-understanding and providing pastoral care. His presentation was titled “” He is a member of Lockport Mennonite Church and is exploring pastoral ministry opportunities in the Mennonite Church.

Mike Souder (Mount Sidney, Virginia) described an ecclesiologically grounded plan for assimilating new members and caring for all members through a small group care structure in the large charismatic congregation. His presentation was titled “” A graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, he is associate pastor at Grace Covenant Church.

Anne Kaufman Weaver ’88 (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) presented research on“” Her project explored what factors and practices promote resiliency in female pastors as well as identifies the challenges and obstacles that exist in congregational and conference contexts. Weaver also has a master’s degree in social work from Marywood University.

Nelson Yoder ’81 (Narvon, Pennsylvania) examined four symbolic representations of Christian encounters with the Risen Christ from different time in church history and their application to congregational worship in a recent Easter season in his project, “” He is associate pastor at Ridgeview Mennonite Church in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Editor’s note: Information about educational history and future plans was provided by graduates on a voluntary basis.

Mike Souder has taken classes at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Kara Yoder, current seminary student, and Peter Eberly, 2007 MDiv, are on the planning committee. Chris Johnson, 2010 MDiv, is the evening guest speaker.

You don’t have to go far to find people in need.

That’s why, rather than packing up for a service trip in a faraway community, more than 200 local middle and high school students are banding together this week to help organizations and residents in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

“[I] grew up serving locally before [I] had the privilege of serving internationally or even out of state,” said Mike Souder, director of the youth service effort called Renew. “It’s important for people to learn to serve in their community …  to serve the people that serve them.”

Camp connects local churches

The camp, now in its second year, brought together youth from 17 local churches for five days of service and nearly doubled the number of campers it had in its inaugural year.

Souder, who is also the outreach pastor at Grace Covenant Church, organized this year’s camp along with Adrian Mills, daytime projects director, and evening activities directors Cris Lopez and Gordon Weirich.

The camp’s mission is threefold, according to Souder: to strengthen campers’ relationship with God and the community, as well as the relationships among local churches.

“It is a really cool way to meet other people from churches in our area,” said camper Caroline Shank, 15, daughter of Merle and Sue Shank.

To fully focus on the camp’s goals, students have been camping at Harrisonburg High School since Sunday, despite the school’s proximity to their homes.

“You really need to get away to have time for your world view to change,” Souder said. “If they went home every night, they would lose the momentum of what’s happening.”

Youth serve at 50 sites

On Wednesday, students helped build a porch at First Step, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, ran the food bank at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, served meals at the Salvation Army and performed yard work and cleaned at multiple other locations.

By the time camp ends Friday, the teens will have worked at about 50 different sites.

For camper Iain Slater, 13, a self-proclaimed “city boy,” the week gave him an opportunity not only to appreciate hard work, but to strengthen his faith.

“[I originally thought] it was a week of a lot of work,” said Iain, son of Joseph and Terri Slater. “When I came here, I found it was so much more, especially spiritually. We’re glorifying God in our work.”

Article courtesy of the Daily News-Record