How appropriate that Menno should be marching with students protesting the Iraq war! I spotted him on the grass just below the “We Mourn the Dead” poster!
    How wonderful also to see how the nursing enrollment has jumped and that a Masters' program is now available. I continue to be blessed by people I've met in my varied nursing career.


A GC Bulletin cover emblazoned with an American flag? I almost missed the symbol of peace (dove) and did a double-take! It took a bit of reflection to get the intended message but Graber Miller’s thought provoking essay is convincing. He is correct in his reasoning. We are citizens of a great country (countries - USA and Canada) and we do owe a loyalty to our native lands where we enjoy many freedoms! However if we have our priorities in the right order, that allegiance does not overshadow our faithfulness to Jesus Christ!
    As Graber Miller has stated “...conscientious Christians can be good citizens by giving our first allegiance to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace”.
    The flag on the Bulletin cover design is very bold and almost overpowers the dove of peace! Perhaps that is a realistic portrait of the contrast between shouting patriotism and the still small voice of peace crying in a political wilderness. Graber Miller’s six points give us direction as Mennonite Christians to continue our non-violent posture with hopes of inspiring our communities and fellow citizens to act for peace – also suggesting to governments there are alternative responses to conflict! Thank you to Keith Graber Miller for a great essay – it is right on the mark!!


I found myself agreeing with Keith Graber Miller's opening and closing comments: affirming pacifist humility and service to fellow humans in need. But he does not yet see why many pacifists deliberately wave their nation's flag in gratitude for being granted exemptions from practicing war. These quiet flag-wavers are seen as grateful citizens and not as disgruntled elite. Further, Mr. Graber Miller still assumes that armies only make war. As MCC and missionaries abroad have seen, armies render many peacemaking services: as when rescuing hostages, when Christians kill Muslim mothers in Kosovo, when supplies need to be flown into isolated disaster areas, when we plead for military peacemaking in Darfur.
    Mr. Graber Miller's article reflects the current zeitgeist in American Mennonite academia. For four hundred years Mennonites saw government in the “third person” (He that sitteth in the castle on the hill whom we petition for privileged exemptions.) Then, fifty years ago the “Concern Group” of academics promoted more direct witnessing to government. Mennonites would become politically prophetic. Like Old Testament prophets they would walk into the palace, tell the “king” what to do and then retreat to their cave. They were not responsible for implementing their counsel. They saw government in the “second person”: (Thou shalt do this....). And many resolutions were passed by church conferences telling government what to do. Even statements of faith included paragraphs on how pacifists should witness to government. Mr. Graber Miller is in this mental format of government in the “second person”. He is prophetic but does not wish to carry the burden of state.
    Most global Mennonites, however, have already moved into seeing government in the “first person” (I, we will participate by voting and taking responsibilities for building a more peaceable kingdom here on earth.) This level of responsibility is especially seen among Mennonites in Indonesia, Paraguay and Canada. Mennonites abroad are senior government officials, are sitting in national parliaments, are members of governing cabinets and by taking on official responsibilities are able to influence national policies.
    Indiana Mennonites, traditionally hesitant to assume responsibilities for their country, are beginning to dip toes into political waters. They are already sitting in city and state governments. They now face the realities of collective sin. They see the limits of isolated perfection when dealing with multi-ethnic multi-cultural values in the public square. A peaceable earthly kingdom must occasionally use official restraints on people of evil intent. These novice politicians now commend police for their service and salute the national guard for its valor. Even Goshen College hires security guards to protect earthly possessions.
    American Mennonite academics are now reluctantly joining their blue-collar brothers in assuming “first person” political responsibilities for the nation. In due course they will raise the flag in humble recognition of their fellow citizens who carry the burdens of state. And they will be engaged in “just war” decisions knowing that national and UN armies will never disappear but that they can be directed toward many useful humanitarian interventions by pacifist decision-makers. In another generation American Mennonite academics will be directly engaged in matters of state; and will be more effective in their peace witness.


I found Menno on the inside of the back cover of the Summer 2007 Bulletin.
    Too bad, Menno appears to be getting “kicked around” by one of the war protesters. Oh well, he knew what pain may result from dissent, and that is good for us all to contemplate. It often goes along with the numbered points Keith Graber Miller makes in his article that you printed, which I believe is excellent. He says in an effort to be creatively Christian and creatively American, we should:
    1. Maintain our humility as we talk with our neighbors and speak to national     leaders.
    2. Listen to those who believe differently than us. ...
    3. Challenge our nation to end its reliance on violence to solve problems and call     for more international awareness and creativity.
    In doing these things, we may very well get kicked around. Keith makes so many good points about how we can be good Americans, but still be peaceful. Thanks for printing the article. And I like your flag with the dove inserted in one stripe. To me it looks somewhat like the real situation – the dove is a bit overwhelmed by the “patriotism” surrounding it, but offering its olive branch regardless.
    What a fine job you folks are doing in the Bulletin with a variety of topics/interests, old and new. It is a pleasant, and in parts thought provoking, read from cover to cover. Pass along my appreciation to all who put it together.