Merry Lea to host ‘Renewing Waters’ conference

GOSHEN, Ind. – Christians enter their faith through an encounter with water. The renewing waters of baptism are a symbol of cleansing and new beginnings. Phrases such as “living water” and “let justice roll down like water” are common theological language in Christian circles. Yet these words have become abstractions for many people in the pew – and behind the pulpit.

“Renewing Waters” is the theme of a weekend conference offered at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College Friday, Sept. 29, 5:30 p.m. to Sunday noon, Oct. 1. Merry Lea’s annual Autumn Hope conference will appeal to Christians who want to explore the links between their faith and the created world.

“Water is both a source of renewal and a resource much in need of renewal,” said program director Dave Miller. “Our conference will recognize both meanings implied in the title.”

“We all live in a watershed, yet many people know little about how their watershed functions or why its health is so vital,” Miller continues. “It is especially important for Christians to make these connections because we believe that God created the world and created it good.”

For guest speaker Doug Kaufman, pastor of Benton Mennonite Church, the language of faith and 21^st century realities suddenly collided when he learned he was baptizing people in water that could harm them. His congregation baptizes new members in the Elkhart River, a body of water that sometimes contains sewer overflows following storms.

Kaufman is now a trained Hoosier Riverwatch volunteer and leads a river steward team at his church. A group of eight members tests the water at the spot where they baptize new members and reports the data to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Kaufman will speak Sunday morning.

The schedule for Renewing Waters includes a mix of reflection, worship and “ecosystem experiences” outdoors, led by scientists and trained naturalists. On Saturday morning, participants will explore a watershed on foot and by canoe, tracing the flow of water on Merry Lea’s property. Alternate experiences are planned for those whose mobility makes hiking difficult. Saturday evening, the group will hear from guest speaker Eric Kurtz of Goshen, Ind. Kurtz is a civil engineer who does master planning for water utilities.

Dialog over home cooked meals is also an important part of the weekend. People who attended previous Autumn Hope conferences say that connecting with other people of faith who share their concern for the environment was important for them.

Luke Gascho, Merry Lea’s executive director says he believes people will leave the Renewing Waters conference with a sense of hope rather than the paralyzing despair that sometimes accompanies discussions on the environment.  “We need to take time to understand how the earth is designed to renew itself,” he said. Gascho will lead participants as they explore the grounds surrounding Rieth Village, Merry Lea’s new collegiate facility. Rieth Village was built to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s most rigorous standards, and its landscape design treats water as a treasured resource. Strategies include cisterns and rain gardens.

“My fantasy is to have a whole baptismal class turn out for this conference,” said Jennifer Schrock, who coordinates public programs at Merry Lea. “Wouldn’t that be a beautiful way to begin a lifelong commitment to a God who loves the whole world?”

The cost of the conference is $60, including meals from Friday night through Sunday noon. Pastors registering with one or more members of their congregation receive a free registration.

Lodging is available for $15/night at Rieth Village. Tent camping ($5/night) is an option. For a schedule of the weekend and to register, e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu or call (260) 799-5869.

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center is a 1,150-acre nature center located in central Noble County and owned and operated by Goshen College. This natural sanctuary for northern Indiana’s plants and animals provides environmental education for people of all ages and a setting to recreate opportunities that benefit the human body and spirit without exploiting the land. Each year over 7,000 children visit Merry Lea on school field trips. Merry Lea was created with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy and the generosity of Lee A. and Mary Jane Rieth. For more information and directions, go to www.goshen.edu/merrylea.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.