The atmosphere will be solemn and yet celebrative when a remnant of German Baptist Brethren and associates gather on Sabbath day, April 19 for the spring love feast at Ephrata Cloister. The group will assemble in the Saron Saal or sister’s meeting house, built in 1741. There, all will be treated to a carry-in dinner which in these times includes a varying fare of meats and sweets. Traditionally, the meal consisted of barley soup made with a shank of lamb, rye bread and water to drink. These days the company is mixed, but in olden times the men and boys sat on one side with the women and children on the other. Despite these changes, the austere aura of a former age still pervades the room. In fact, the moderns in their bright clothes and stylish shoes seem quite peculiar in this simple place from the past.

For nearly thirty years I’ve attended and conducted these services. My first association with the German Seventh Day Baptists dates back to seminary days when I prepared a paper on their faith and practice. Through the relationship we established and because the Ephrata and Snow Hill congregations had no minister, I became their de facto pastor. The movement originated in the preaching and teaching of Conrad Beissel (1691-1768) and flourished during the years of America’s first great awakening. They possessed a powerful witness for Christ on the Pennsylvania frontier, especially among German speaking people. In fact, my own paternal fourth great grandmother, Julianna Lang Rosenberger, was baptized by these “seventh day Dunkards” as they were known. I often imagine when visiting the cloister that this is her “holy ground” where she confessed Christ and made that profession public by submitting to trine immersion in the Cocalico Creek.

Any readers of this eNews who can and so desire may come on April 19th as my guest. If you cannot make this gathering but would appreciate a future invitation, please let me know. There’s usually a fall love feast in September. Anyway, at 4 p.m., Brother Joe Meck will offer a gratis tour of the property for anyone interested. The love feast will occur at 5 p.m. (you might want to bring a covered dish to share) followed by the observance of feet washing and the Lord’s Supper. For me these services are always very meaningful from a historical and spiritual perspective. The Ephrata witness still speaks to the attentive listener. “And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead” (Hebrews 11:4c).

Ephrata always reminds me of the power of the gospel and the frailty of human institutions. In its day the cloister made an impact on society for Christ as its history well shows, but times changed and the community did not. In the two centuries after 1800, the German Seventh Day Church experienced a long, slow decline. Today its demise is near. At the core of this tragedy is a loss of purpose, leadership and passion in successive generations. What might the Ephrata story say to the Churches of God, or to any local congregation? Although I do enjoy returning to Ephrata with all its serenity, it is after all a museum which the church must never be or become. Our task as the embodiment of Christ is to make Him known whenever, wherever in the most effective way we can. Then, we shall be the house of bread where all may eat and live. (John 6:35)

                                                                  Ed

Indian Head Church Searching for Senior Pastor

The Indian Head Church of God is searching for a Senior Pastor to be their shepherd. We are located in the beautiful mountains of Southwestern Pennsylvania, near Seven Springs Ski Resort. Average worship attendance is around 240. We do have an Associate Pastor. If you feel that the Lord is leading you to speak with our Pastoral Search Committee or if you know of someone that we should speak to, please contact Dave Bruner at dave@brunerinsurance.com or the Conference office.

Thank you.