www.lancastermennonite.orgSPRING 2008

LLAANNCCAASSTTEERRLLAANNCCAASSTTEERR MMEENNNNOONNIITTEEMMEENNNNOONNIITTEE SSCCHHOOOOLLSSCCHHOOOOLL

Merle Good discusses LMSendowment, page 2

Educating in a digital age, page 4

New facility goes green, page 8

Alumna of the Year, page 14

Centered in Christ Transforming Lives Changing our World

My wife, Phyllis, and Iapparently made the

first donation to beginLMS’s Endowment Fund. Itwas a small donation, I’msure, more than half a life-time ago.

We were both teaching atLMS at the time so, knowingwhat teachers got paid inthose days, it couldn’t havebeen very much. Certainly itwas less than $1,000.

So why did we do it? Andwould we do it again?

Perhaps. First, I shouldexplain my understanding ofan Endowment Fund.

Educational institutions,like other non-profit organi-zations, receive donations intwo main forms:

Operating Funds Donations are made on a con-tinuous basis toward the ongo-ing operations of theinstitutions. Depending on the organiza-tion, these Operating Funds may be forany expenses which are part of the day-to-day costs of operating the work ofthat institution.

For educational institutions, dona-tions to the Operating Fund often helpsubsidize tuition and support thesalaries of staff and faculty, and otherongoing costs of the institution.

Capital FundsDonations to Capital Funds are nor-mally for buildings, major improve-ments (renovations, landscaping, etc.),or major equipment purchases. Whereasinstitutions need Operating Funds con-tinually, they request Capital Funddonations primarily when they arelaunching a capital program.

So what is an Endowment Fund? AnEndowment Fund takes the long view.Its intention is to support the long-termhealth and stability of a non-profit insti-tution or organization.

While Endowment Funds may beoperated differently from institution toinstitution, in general they function by

the same principle. Donations to theEndowment Fund are generally intendedto stay in the Fund permanently.

Those donated funds are placed insafe, secure investments and/or interest-bearing instruments. That interestand/or earnings are made available forthe operations of the institution. But theprincipal is not touched except in asevere emergency.

For example, a $1 million principalamount in an Endowment Fund mayearn as little as $15,000 a year or asmuch as $100,000 a year for the institu-tion. The money goes on earning, yearafter year.

The hope is always that the principalamount in an Endowment Fund willkeep growing. An Endowment Fundrequires donors who believe in an insti-tution long term and are willing to seetheir donations create less immediaterelief for the sake of long-term reliefover many years.

Sorry for the long explanation!Why were we interested in starting

an Endowment Fund for LancasterMennonite School? We were partly

2 Endowment for the long view

4 Making disciples in a digital age

12 Alumni news

14 Alumna of the year

15 Homecoming 2008

16 From the superintendent

Large cover photo: The academic build-ing at the Lancaster Campus will includeclassrooms for math, science, business,and family and consumer science, alongwith offices for system personnel. Smallerphoto: The Kristin L. Palazzo Galleryconnects Kraybill’s auditorium/gymna-sium to the rear of the middle schoolwing and art room. See page 8 for infor-mation on both projects. GALLERY PHOTO:GARY HILLER.

cont

ents

Bridges is the quarterly magazine ofLancaster Mennonite School, sent toalumni, parents and friends. LMSexists to transform students so theycan change our world throughChristlike love, peacemaking andservice. The school welcomes stu-dents without regard to sex, race,nationality or ethnic origin.

Lancaster Mennonite School has four campuses:

Kraybill, grades PreK–8598 Kraybill Church RoadMount Joy, PA 17552(717) 653-5236

Lancaster, grades 6–122176 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA 17602(717) 299-0436

Locust Grove, grades PreK–82257 Old Philadelphia PikeLancaster, PA 17602(717) 394-7107

New Danville, grades PreK–6393 Long LaneLancaster, PA 17603(717) 872-2506

Address alumni and school news tosprungerdl@lancastermennonite.org.

Editor: Fern Clemmer clemmerfe@lancastermennonite.org

Volume 35, No. 4

2 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

Why I favor supporting an Endowment Fund

By Merle Good

TAKING THE LONG VIEW

Merle Good, 1964, and Phyllis Pellman Good, 1966,are owners of Good Enterprises Ltd., Intercourse.

BRIDGES • SPRING 2008 3

influenced by our experience in gradschool in New York City.

I was a student at Union TheologicalSeminary. Phyllis worked part time inthe business office of the seminarywhile she was completing her master’sdegree at New York University down-town. Her job was assisting a staffmember who oversaw the investmentsfor the seminary’s rather large Endow-ment Fund. That experience of hersimpressed both of us about the long-term benefits of an Endowment Fundfor a religious educational institution.

So a year or two later, when wemoved back to Lancaster and bothbegan teaching English, writing, anddrama at LMS, we made a small dona-tion to get an Endowment Fund startedat LMS.

In closing, let me add that Phyllis andI still believe strongly in EndowmentFunds. But we do have a few cautions.

Sometimes an institution’s Endow-ment Fund can become too large in pro-portion to its Operating Fund. This iscertainly not a danger at this point forLMS’s Endowment Fund.

So how big is too big? We have thisbelief that non-profit organizationsshould be a little “hungry.” Schools thatneed to raise donations and cultivateprospective students are stronger thanthose whose endowments make itunnecessary for them to nurture donors,parents, students, and other supporters.

We recommend a middle position

where a healthy Endowment Fund helpsto support operations, especially inyears when donations and enrollmentmay be down a bit. But the EndowmentFund should not get so large that

administrations and staff feel self-suffi-cient enough that they stop cultivatingdonors, parents and students.

We encourage increased support forLMS’s Endowment Fund. n

IRA and other retirement plan assets areoften a major component in individual

investment portfolios. The increase in per-sons planning for their retirement future isgood news, but there are potential estateplanning implications.

IRA assets may be subject to two, andpossibly three, types of taxes. While mostpeople are aware that IRA withdrawals aresubject to income tax, many have not con-sidered the impact of estate taxation onretirement assets as part of their overallfinancial plan.

If you're considering making charitablegifts at death, you can increase your overall

tax benefit (and reduce the cost to yourheirs) by naming Lancaster MennoniteSchool in your beneficiary designation. This would be a wonderful way to supportthe LMS Endowment Fund.

Generally, the maximum overall tax sav-ings can be achieved by leaving part or all ofyour IRA or retirement plan to LMS atdeath. This is accomplished by naming LMSas the beneficiary of your retirement plan orIRA. Alternatively, the gift can be structuredso that a non-charitable beneficiary such as afamily member can benefit (for life) fromthe assets after your death, with the remain-der going to LMS at the death of the benefi-

ciary. Naming Lancaster Mennonite Schoolas the beneficiary of tax-deferred assetsupon your death can help you avoid bothincome and estate taxes on the giftedamount. You will also be touching the livesof students by helping to give them a Christ-ian education.

Many donors have found that a charitablegift of retirement assets can address taxissues as well as satisfy the desire to leave alegacy to LMS.

Please consult your financial planningadvisor as you consider the benefits of sucha gift. n

Touching lives with your IRA can also boost endowment

JERE

MY

HES

S PH

OTO

GRA

PHER

S

The Endowment Fund makes it possible for Lancaster Mennonite School to offer a Christ-centered education that transforms lives—pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Today’s children are growing up in a culturethat could produce electronic nomads, Shane

Hipps told his audience at this year’s biennialMennonite Educators Conference. These nomads,he explained, are physically in one place but elec-tronically elsewhere. They are at risk of becominga “cotton candy community”—one that fails togenuinely connect or nourish its members in anymeaningful way.

Over 600 educators from 31 Mennonite schoolsmet in Pittsburgh January 31 through February 2to hear Hipps’ perspective on “Discipleship in theDigital Age: Forming Followers of Jesus in aHyper-Media Culture.” Hipps, a pastor at TrinityMennonite Church in Phoenix, Arizona, is authorof the book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Cul-ture: How Media Shapes Faith, the Gospel, andthe Church.

In his four keynote addresses, Hipps stressed theimportance of being alert to the power of media toshape ourselves and our culture. “Bring awarenessinto the picture,” he said. “The moment you do,everything changes. Awareness gets us 90 percent

of the way there.” Hipps is convinced that theforms of media and technology, regardless of theircontent, are extremely powerful forces.

Hipps approached his topic by unpacking thethinking of theorist Marshall McLuhan, who in the1960s and 1970s said that when methods of tech-nology or forms of media change, the messageautomatically changes as well.

“Learn to think the way McLuhan thought,”Hipps told his audience, who seemed fascinatedwith the theories, but even more interested in get-ting to questions about what awareness andresponse is needed in the hallways and classrooms.

The teachers weren’t disappointed, as Hipps dis-cussed new tasks, habits and assumptions for edu-cating young people, and interacted with teacherson their how-to questions. “The best way to teachtechnology is not ‘how to’ because they know howbetter than you,” said Hipps. “What we need is aclass on how the internet serves you and changesyou.”

“Shane’s message was very relevant,” said LynnLongenecker, technology integration coordinatorfor LMS. “Electronic communication is rapidlychanging the way we communicate, network andsocialize. That has both positive and negativeeffects which we might be blind to unless we stopand reflect—especially younger students who aregrowing up with this and don’t have the perspec-tive of life without cell phones, Facebook, onlinephoto and video sharing, etc.

“Electronics can connect us more widely thanever but can also isolate us from those close by.For example, we can be texting or talking on cellphones ... while ignoring the people right besideus.” According to Hipps, paradoxical habits likethese can lead to “intimate anonymity.”

Doug Ehst, middle school teacher at the Lan-caster Campus, says that when people ask if theinternet is good or bad, the answer often is, “Itdepends on how you use it.” But Ehst doesn’t stop there.

“I want my students to understand that themedium is the message,” he said, borrowing fromMcLuhan. To help his eighth grade technologyeducation class understand that, he encourages the students to take an optional day off from usingelectronic communications. If students choose tounplug for the day, they write about the experi-ence—what they liked, what was frustrating. Ifthey choose not to participate, they write their rea-sons for that choice.

4 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

MENNONITE EDUCATORS CONFERENCE INVITES AWARENESS

Forming followers of Jesus in a hyper-media cultureBy Dorcas Lehman, LMH Campus Pastor

Guest speaker Shane Hipps addresses educators during the recent Mennonite Educa-tors Conference in Pittsburgh. Panelists are, L-R: Mary Jane Smith, fourth gradeteacher at the Kraybill Campus; Joy Thomas, librarian at Penn View Christian; andDon Thomas, social studies teacher at Central Christian. PHOTO: PAUL BRUBAKER

BRIDGES • SPRING 2008 5

Before listening to Hipps, Locust Grove middleschool music and Bible teacher Jan Stauffer usedto encourage her students to only choose TV pro-grams and music that were worthwhile and posi-tive. “But now, I try to help them think about theinfluence of both the medium and the message,”she said.

Brenda Bare, math teacher and director of cur-riculum and instruction, also believes in raisingawareness. She has used news stories to talk to herstudents about the long-term ramifications of com-ments they write on-line. “Middle school studentsstill write notes to each other,” she said, “but theyalso regularly use Facebook and texting, whichthey see as private communication, when in factthat communication can actually be very public.”She has woven comments about online etiquetteinto classroom conversations and believes more of that kind of guidance is needed throughout the curriculum.

Geoff Groff appreciated the conference’s in-depth discussion of the role of technology in edu-cation. He plans to create more space for reflectionin his tenth grade health class. During the chapteron communication, he will give students an oppor-tunity to think about their own use of electronicmedia. He plans to ask questions such as, Howdoes your cell phone help you? How does it holdyou back? What do you gain by using it? andWhat do you lose?

“Cell phones can make us feel more connected,yet, at the same time, more alone,” says Groff,noting the dramatic increase of cell phone use overthe last few years.

Staying connected in meaningful ways seemedto be foremost in the minds of teachers. Thatcomes at a cost. Real community is profoundlyinvasive, and sometimes painful, Hipps remindedus, and most of us are not prepared for it, espe-cially when there is conflict.

Hipps cited a Stanford study which found thatnegotiations break down most often in this order:e-mail, phone, person to person. We might showan e-mail to a friend and ask, “What does thismean?” That is hard to tell when there is no into-nation to hear or body language to see. And that is why Hipps never tries to resolve conflict by e-mail. All of us, especially young people, needhelp with how to have constructive, redemptiveconflict, Shane says, and that happens face to face,not via the internet.

Like all of us, Hipps uses media everyday. Noone at the conference proposed doing away withany of it, but rather, to become what Hipps callserror-detectors and interpreters of this media-drenched culture. And that is part of what it takesto be followers of Jesus and to call our students todiscipleship in this digital age. n

Dorcas Lehman has been been aguidance counselor at LancasterMennonite High School for 13years. The past seven years shealso has served as campus pastor.She and her husband, Glenn,class of 1962, live in Leola andattend East Chestnut Street Men-nonite Church. They are parentsof two LMH graduates—SarahLehman Schrock, 1999, and JoelLehman, 2002.

Tips for parents

Limit your children’s TV watching at an early age, especially until read-ing develops. (Hipps reminded teachers that, while we know there are read-ing disabilities, there is no such thing as a TV watching disability.)

Nurture error-detection. Help your children evaluate what they see on theweb, and how the internet serves or changes us.

Ask good questions such as, What kind of encounter does this mediumevoke? In what ways does it limit our experience of God? In what wayscould this undermine our intended message? Are we imitating culture? Howare we welcoming the artist in our midst? What are we called to as personscreated in the image of God?

Dorcas Lehman

Shane Hipps. PHOTO: PAUL BRUBAKER

Kraybill Campus, grades PreK–8 Principal John Weber, (717) 653-5236

Lancaster Campus, grades 6–12(717) 299-0436, ext. 311

Locust Grove Campus, grades PreK–8 Principal Judi Mollenkof, (717) 394-7107

New Danville Campus, grades PreK–6 Principal Judi Mollenkof, (717) 872-2506

ASK FOR OUR NEW SCHOOL VIDEO! Our new school video is available for you to give to someone you care about. We have a youth-oriented video for those considering high school and a parent-oriented version forfamilies considering LMS as a whole. Contact any campus for your copy!

This kind ofeducation is a giftfor life.

Lancaster Mennonite School is committed to work with all families who desire these benefits for their children.

Refer a family or student to one of our four campuses or provide us with information so that we may contact them.

Alumni Dining Hall Lancaster Campus

1:00–3:00 p.m.Representatives and displays for all 4 campuses

OPEN HOUSE

MAY 18

Pass along the benefits of an LMS education!

• An excellent holistic education,centered in Christ with faith-infused classroom instruction and co-curricular programs

• A diverse, accepting community that prepares graduates to live faithfully with others in the Kingdom of God

• A warmly ecumenical school rooted in Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture, personal faith and commitment to following Jesus

• A safe environment that values the innocence of childhood and that nurtures growth appropriate to the student’s developmental level

• A committed faculty of positive rolemodels called to educate and care for students in the name of Christ

• A supportive campus community that connects home, church and

school and that builds lifelongfriendships

This story first appeared in The Latest News, anewsletter of Project E.A.R.T.H. International. It is reprinted here with permission. FikeveniKhulekani Dlamini (Fika) and Mbongeni SydneyBhembe (Bo), both from Swaziland, are seniors at Lancaster Mennonite High School.

Afew days ago I was thinking about all the redtape and struggles I went through to try and

make the arrangements for Fika and Bo to come to the USA. There were days so complicated andfrustrating I was reduced to tears. On Easter 2005I got the news that my Uncle Dave had gone to bewith the Lord. While driving out to Oklahoma forhis funeral I had a conversation with Dave Maston my cell phone. I was sharing with him aboutmy struggle. During that conversation Dave sug-gested that I contact Eliza Booth at LMH. What ajoy it was talking with Eliza and finding out thatLMH could make the process so simple. (And they did!)

LMH provides a quality education, but it’s notfree. It was a leap of faith financially. A leap thathas been backed up with a great deal of prayer.Though we’ve been behind in our payments 90 per-cent of the time, LMH has never given us a momentof worry. They have joined us in praying for God’sprovision and God has provided. (Though we aretrusting God for the current year’s tuition, we areconfident that the Lord will provide.)

I’ve been so impressed and blessed by theteachers and their dedication to education

and their commitment to Christ.They have inspired Fika and Bo

and challenged them tolearn and grow. The mis-

sion statement at LMHis “Centered in Christ,Transforming Lives,Changing our World.”I can respond with an

enthusiastic “mission accomplished!”Dorcas Lehman is the campus pastor. How awe-

some is that? Does your kid’s high school have acampus pastor? Jon Heinly is a new addition to thestaff. He’s the campus youth minister! Each day ofschool begins with chapel. Every student is a partof a small group that meets in place of chapel mostWednesdays. On Friday mornings at 7:00 studentscan attend the student-led Bible Study. (Fika andBo are a part of the leadership this year.) On anymorning before school look around and you canfind a small group of students gathered for prayer.I could go on and on. “Centered in Christ” are notjust words in the mission statement. That phrase isa huge part of what happens at LMH.

Lives are being transformed in and out of theclassroom. The faculty at LMH is second to none.I would be here for days if I shared with you aboutthose who have stood out during Fika and Bo’sthree years there. I must mention Kris Horst andDan Dietzel (English teachers) who have beensuch a blessing in a variety of ways. Their lives aresuch a testimony. They show the love and grace ofChrist in their interaction with students. JohnMiller inspired the guys with music. Dean Sauderdid an amazing job with the Jesus Story (Bible)class. Karen Diffenbach challenged the guys withgeometry. Oh how I wish I could mention every-one. Let’s just say: Thanks for inspiring us to“Change our world!” n

Chris Cote is international mission director for ProjectE.A.R.T.H. International, based in Ephrata. He is “dad”to Fika and Bo. Chris first met Fika in 2001 when hewas in Swaziland. After learning that Fika’s Christianmother supported Fika’s vision to become a doctor andreturn to Swaziland to serve his people, Chris agreed tohave Fika and friend Bo come live with him. Bo alsowould like to return to Swaziland as a physician. TheLMH seniors plan to attend Eastern Mennonite Univer-sity in the fall.

The journey at LMHBy Chris Cote

CENTERED IN CHRIST, TRANSFORMING LIVES, CHANGING OUR WORLD

I’ve been soimpressed andblessed by theteachers and theirdedication toeducation andtheir commitmentto Christ.

Chris Cote

Above, Fikeveni KhulekaniDlamini (Fika), left, andMbongeni Sydney Bhembe(Bo). At right, LMS stu-dents participate inNational Day of Prayer.PHOTOS: CHRIS COTE

6 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

Kraybill Campus, grades PreK–8 Principal John Weber, (717) 653-5236

Lancaster Campus, grades 6–12(717) 299-0436, ext. 311

Locust Grove Campus, grades PreK–8 Principal Judi Mollenkof, (717) 394-7107

New Danville Campus, grades PreK–6 Principal Judi Mollenkof, (717) 872-2506

ASK FOR OUR NEW SCHOOL VIDEO! Our new school video is available for you to give to someone you care about. We have a youth-oriented video for those considering high school and a parent-oriented version forfamilies considering LMS as a whole. Contact any campus for your copy!

This kind ofeducation is a giftfor life.

Lancaster Mennonite School is committed to work with all families who desire these benefits for their children.

Refer a family or student to one of our four campuses or provide us with information so that we may contact them.

Alumni Dining Hall Lancaster Campus

1:00–3:00 p.m.Representatives and displays for all 4 campuses

OPEN HOUSE

MAY 18

Pass along the benefits of an LMS education!

• An excellent holistic education,centered in Christ with faith-infused classroom instruction and co-curricular programs

• A diverse, accepting community that prepares graduates to live faithfully with others in the Kingdom of God

• A warmly ecumenical school rooted in Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture, personal faith and commitment to following Jesus

• A safe environment that values the innocence of childhood and that nurtures growth appropriate to the student’s developmental level

• A committed faculty of positive rolemodels called to educate and care for students in the name of Christ

• A supportive campus community that connects home, church and

school and that builds lifelongfriendships

It is said that we shape our buildings andthen they shape us. We want our stu-

dents to develop creativity, wonder, awe,a commitment to holistic stewardship, andan understanding of the biblical call tocaring for creation. With these valuesguiding the shaping of the academicbuilding, we have chosen to incorporategreen construction. Thus, besides housingrooms for instruction, the building itselfwill instruct and help to shape and chal-lenge future generations to hold theseLMS values. The building will feature:

Geothermal heating and cooling toreduce the use of fossil fuels, save moneyand protect the environment.

Energy Recovery Ventilator. Air needs tobe exchanged six times during a typicalclass period to keep air fresh and clean. Inthe winter the air needs to be heated andin the summer it needs to be cooled. Thisunit makes that process more efficient.

Motion and heat sensors to controlclassroom lighting and cooling systems,thus reducing power usage.

Quartz flooring substantially made ofrecycled products. This will also reducemaintenance.

Natural exterior products that includemasonry and natural stone.

Natural products rather than plasticor imitation marble—slate floor inlobby and granite countertops.

Radiant floor heating in lobby to reduceenergy costs and increase comfort.

Classroom and office furniture purchasedwith consideration for recycled content.

Green roof with plantings for aestheticsand greater insulation value.

Wall insulation at four inches.

Increased roof insulation to an averageR-value of 45.

Increased, upgraded window glass fornatural light and higher insulation value.

8 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

Native Plant Landscaping and Rain Gar-dens. Native plants add natural beautyand provide habitat for insects, birds, andanimals that rely on native plants for foodand cover. Natural landscapes also canimprove our soil, purify our air, protectour waters, and sequester carbon dioxide.Rain gardens, which are depressions in thelandscape unlike traditional beds which areraised, retain surface runoff and areplanted with native varieties that can with-stand periods of wet or dry weather. Byretaining water and letting it slowly perco-late through the soil, the gardens reduceerosion and flooding while rechargingground water. n

The academic building taking shape at the Lancaster Campus is setfor an autumn completion. The facility will include classrooms formath, science, business, and family and consumer science, alongwith offices for system personnel.

Building goes green to conserve and instruct

Gallery dedicated and serving students

In February more than 200 friends and staffgathered to dedicate the Kristin L. Palazzo

Gallery which connects Kraybill’s audito-rium/gymnasium to the rear of the middleschool wing and art room. This created anew rear entrance for better security, appear-ance and accessibility.

Kristin Palazzo, who died in November2006 when she was an LMH junior, was adedicated Christian, gifted artist, and excel-lent student. She attended the Kraybill Cam-pus, kindergarten through grade 8. Fundingfor the project has been completed, thanks to the generosity of many donors, includingseveral leadership gifts.

The school’s strategic plan also calls forimprovements to the main entrance as wellas increased space for pre-kindergarten. Amiddle school common area also is planned. PHOTO: GARY HILLER

BRIDGES • SPRING 2008 9

n Junior Erika Babikow, sophomoreCarli Bowman, and senior Jung GuKim won national awards for artworkthat was submitted to Lancaster’sScholastics Art Show this past winter—Gold Key awards for Babikow andBowman and a Silver Key for Kim.This year, approximately 1,000 youngartists and writers earned nationalrecognition, placing them among thetop one percent of all participants.

n Three LMH juniors participated in the 2008 Pennsylvania Music EducatorsAssociation (PMEA) All State musicfestivals that were held recently at Her-shey. Eric Umble, clarinet, was selectedfor the All-State Band Festival; DevinTroy, violin, was selected for the All-State Orchestra Festival; and MaggieNicholas, first in soprano 1, was selectedfor the All-State Chorus Festival.

n This spring, four Future BusinessLeaders of America (FBLA) membersparticipated in the State Competition at Hershey—Laura Benkendorf, secondplace in Accounting I, plus Chad New-comer, Peter Mickley and Calvin Ruthwho placed second in a group eventcalled Management Decision Making.The four students now qualify for theNational Competition which will beheld in June in Atlanta, Georgia.

n The Kraybillgirls “A” bas-ketball team fin-ished the seasonundefeated andplaced first inthe Common-wealth ChristianAthletic Confer-ence, both forthe third year ina row. KarenRheinheimer isthe coach.

The LMH girls basketball team made school history when they wonthe PIAA District III Championship in February. They also were sec-tion champions and advanced to the second round of state champi-onship play. Their coach is Sheri Gorman. Team members include(front row, L-R) Kelsey Gorman, Erin LaVenice, Katelyn Vanderhoff,Melissa Sauder, (back row) Danielle Zeamer, Mary Poole, KatelynKreider, Stephanie Rheinheimer, Kami Skoloda, Sarah Mentzer andEileen Darby. PHOTO: THOM SWARR

Carli Bowman, left, and Erika Babikow. PHOTO: PAUL BRUBAKER Jung Gu Kim. PHOTO: PAUL BRUBAKER

L-R: Devin Troy, Maggie Nicholas and Eric Umble

FBLA members, L-R: Peter Mickley, ChadNewcomer, Calvin Ruth and Laura Benk-endorf. Verlen Rufenacht, front left, andKirk Benner are FBLA advisers.

Kraybill girls basketball team members, front, L-R: Jessica Rheinheimer, Anne Marie Baer, Lesley Andricks,Janelle Kramer. Back row, L-R: Emily Snyder, ValerieHernley, coach Karen Rheinheimer, Alleyah Myers,Kelsie Ashley. PHOTO: HOWARD RHEINHEIMER

10 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

n Sue Conrad, associate pastor at EastChestnut Street Mennonite Church, willgive the commencement address at thehigh school on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m. The dedication service on Friday,planned by the Senior Class Committee,will begin with a concert by CampusChorale at 6:30 p.m. followed by thededication service at 7:30. Tickets arerequired for Fine Arts Center seatingSaturday morning, (limited to thegraduates and their guests), but Fridayevening’s events are open to the public.

n Locust Grove grade 5 teacher ChrisPeterson was elected Lancaster BibleCollege’s Teacher of the Year for 2008.

n In April, Director of AdvancementHeidi Stoltzfus was named a CertifiedFund Raising Executive (CFRE) byCFRE International. She joins over 5,000professionals around the world who holdthis designation.

n The New Danville, Locust Grove andKraybill campuses all have activitiesthroughout the year that encourage a lovefor reading. At New Danville guests

This year our PreK-8 students have shown many signs ofthinking beyond themselves.

• In the fall, Kraybill students collected $2,900 so Men-nonite Disaster Service could repair a hurricane-damagedhouse in Texas.

• At Christmas time, New Danville students sent more than100 Christmas cards to prison inmates. This spring theycollected $527 for Mennonite Central Committee’s Pen-nyPower project which is providing clean water for peo-ple around the world.

• During the 50th year of Locust Grove’s Valentines Pro-ject, students raised $3,900 for Heifer International, pur-chasing chicks, rabbits, sheep, heifers, etc., for familiesin need.

• Also, this spring, Locust Grove eighth grade social stud-ies students learned that injustice goes way beyond notbeing able to chew gum in class. They raised $2,561 forLoose Change to Loose Chains, a project of InternationalJustice Mission, a human rights organization that rescuesvictims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery andoppression. That amount will free five oppressed persons.

Growing up with a service attitude

Above, Locust Grove students countmoney that will be used to free slaves.The students are, L-R: Maddie Nathan,Emily Clouser, Natalie Brubaker, NickBybel, Luke Hershey and Logan Kreider.PHOTO: BARBARA JOSEPHIAN. At right, NewDanville students Aleana Glah (left) and KerriRessler count pennies for a project that is provid-ing clean water for communities around the world.

Heidi Stoltzfus

Chris Peterson

included Scott Boyd, a member of the Pa. House of Repre-sentatives (his visit also was part of Read Across AmericaDay, established in 1997 by the National Education Associa-tion); Lancaster Barnstormer’s mascot, Cylo, who introducedthe Barnstormer’s reading program; and SuperintendentRichard Thomas, who read The Little Engine That Could. Inaddition, a book fair invited students to expand their homelibraries, and classes participated in Drop Everything andRead (DEAR) during which teachers for one week inter-rupted classes periodically to read to their students. “Readingis the gateway to the world and their imaginations,” said NewDanville teacher Sarah Fichtner.

Sue Conrad

Scott Boyd reads a Dr. Seuss book to students at New Danville.PHOTO: EDIE HESS

n In early April, a visit to the local jailhelped 98 LMH sociology students put ahuman face to their classroom discus-sions of our prison systems and theirmuch-needed reform. The prison visitwas a real eye opener for students, andmany wrote about their experiences.“Our visit contained a vast amount ofeducational experiences,” juniorRebecca Yoder wrote. “To study theenvironments of our nation’s prisons isone thing, but to walk the halls isanother …. Now, as I pass by the facil-ity, I try to remind myself what is really… within the walls, and how I can beginto process the effects it has on me.” n

BRIDGES • SPRING 2008 11

LMS summer day camps & enrichmentApply by May 30 to avoid late fee

For a brochure and application, go to www.lancastermennonite.org,or call Rachel Denlinger at (717) 299-0436, ext. 310.

BasketballGirls basketball, grades 5–10 ...................................July 7–11Boys basketball, grades 5–10 .................................July 21–25

Field HockeyJr. high field hockey, grades 6–8.............................June 9–13Sr. high field hockey, grades 9–12........................August 4–8

Boys LacrosseAdvanced skills, grades 9–12 ................................June 16–19Learn to play, grades 6–12* ..................................June 16–19

SoccerElem. Coed soccer, grades 1–5 .............................June 23–27Jr. high boys soccer, grades 6–8 ...............................July 7–11Girls soccer, grades 6–12 .............................July 28–August 1Sr. high boys soccer, grades 9–12 ........................August 4–8

TennisIntermediate tennis, grades 4–8 .....................July 28–Aug. 1Advanced tennis, grades 9–12 .................................Aug. 4–8

Girls jr. high volleyball, grades 6–9 .......................July 14–18

Summer enrichment opportunities Coed culinary arts, grades 4–9...............................July 14–18Intro. to Stop-motion animation, grades 6–10** ..July 15–17Intro. to video production (iMovie), gr. 7–10** ....July 14–18Intro. to digital photography, grades 6–10..........July 21 & 22Middle school drama, grades 6–8 ...................July 28–Aug. 1Digital video editing, grades 6–12 ..........................July 23–25Spiritual fitness, grades 10–12..................................June 6–8

*Will be held at the Locust Grove Campus**Will be held at the Kraybill Campus

All other camps will be held at the Lancaster Campus.

May 18 Spring Open House, Lancaster Campus, 1–3 p.m.

May 18 High School Spring Concert, 3 p.m.

May 20 Kraybill Middle School Choral Program, 7 p.m.

May 20 Lanc. Campus Middle School Spring Concert, 7 p.m.

May 30 High School Dedication Service, 6:30 p.m.

May 31 High School Commencement, 10 a.m.

August 18 Lancaster Campus New Student Orientation, 6:30 p.m.

August 20 First day of school

dates

Lancaster County Prison training officer Carl Jones prepares LMHstudents for their prison visit on April 2. To Jones’ right is LMSYouth Minister Jon Heinly. To Jones’ left are another prison staffperson and LMH social studies teacher Sheri Wenger.

MENNONITE SPORTSORGANIZATION

ScheduleFall: Boys soccer, PreK-6

Girls field hockey, grades 1-6

Winter: Boys and girls basketball, grades 2-6

Spring: Girls soccer, PreK-6

Providing Christ-centered sports opportunities for elementary-age children

For more information and toregister, please go towww.mennonitesports.org orcall (717) 394-7107.

Register by June 1 for fall season!

CLASS NOTES

John Buckwalter, 1956, Lititz, recentlyretired as part-time director of gift plan-ning at Landis Homes but will continueone day a week as a planned givingcounselor.

In April Lorraine Murphy, 1960, Sara-sota, Fla., sang with the Lancaster-Fran-conia Choral Singers for their presen-tation of Elijah at Neffsville MennoniteChurch. Lorraine sings with KeyChorale, the official chorus of the FloridaWest Coast Symphony and also with theGloria Musicae, Sarasota’s premierchoral ensemble. Recently, she becameminister of music and adults at St. John’sUnited Methodist Church in Sarasota.

Paul and Judi Horst, 1966, Kauffman,Plain City, Ohio, have accepted a three-year mission assignment in Spain withRosedale Mennonite Missions.

Janet Breneman, 1967, Lancaster, wasordained in January by Linford King,1968, a Lancaster Mennonite Confer-ence bishop. Breneman is a pastor atLaurel Street Mennonite Church.

Aldine Weaver, 1971, Musser,Stephens City, Va., was ordained as aminister of the gospel on November 18,2007, by the Virginia Conference. Sheis co-pastoring with her husband, Jim,at Stephens City Mennonite Church.Aldine is a graduate of Hesston Col-lege, Millersville University, and St.Joseph’s, and is currently attendingEastern Mennonite Seminary. Prior totheir move, Jim and Aldine ministeredat Bethany Birches Camp, Vermont.

Jeanine Pfeiffer, 1983, Maynard,Mass., has joined Earthwatch Institute(www.earthwatch.org) as programdirector for social sciences. Shereceived an MS in International Agri-cultural Development from the Univer-sity of California, Davis, as well as aPh.D. in Ecology. Jeanine founded theEthnobotanical Conservation Organiza-tion for South East Asia(www.ecosea.org ) which works withindigenous peoples and national coun-terparts to research and conserve bio-cultural diversity.

Krista Miller, 1988, Higham, Lan-caster, graduated with a master’s inlibrary science from Clarion Universityin December 2006 and is employed asthe Access Services Librarian atMillersville University Library.

Guillermo DeNovais, 1994, Gladstone,Va., received a National D License fromthe United States Soccer Federation inSeptember of 2007. He is currentlycoaching a youth soccer club inAmherst, Va., while pursuing furthereducation through the USSF andNSCAA.

Dustin Gingrich, 1995, along withwife Sarah and their three children, will return for a second three-year termto Puerto Montt, Chile, where they areserving with Eastern Mennonite Missions.

Ryan, 1997, and Bethany Umble, andtheir two children, are beginning athree-year term of service this springwith Eastern Mennonite Missions inPhnom Penh, Cambodia. In addition tofull-time language study, they will workwith a young Mennonite church, minis-tering to university students and sup-porting church initiatives.

Benjamin Myers, 1999, Arlington, Va.,had his black and white photographsexhibited during January in the HartzlerLibrary, Eastern Mennonite University,Harrisonburg, Va. The exhibit is titled“Beyond Closed Doors: An Insider’sLook at the Nation’s Capitol.” He isphoto editor for The Hill newspaper,published four times a week for law-makers, lobbyists and political staffmembers.

Jana Oberholtzer, 1999, MacKay,Elizabethtown, graduated in May 2007from the Erikson Institute of Chicagowith an MS in Child Development withan administration specialization. Sheinterned as an administrator at the Cam-bridge School of Chicago. Currentlyshe teaches Suzuki flute and Suzukipiano through the Elizabethtown Col-lege Preparatory Division.

Pete Connelly, 2002, LaGrange, Ill.,graduated from Wheaton College inMay 2006. He is a first-year medicalstudent at Loyola University ChicagoStritch School of Medicine.

Matthew Eby, 2003, Washington,D.C., was recently named to the USADeaf National Soccer team. Eby hasbeen participating in USA Deaf Soccersince 2004. The national team willcompete in Greece July 1–12 in theinaugural World Deaf Football Champi-onships. Eby is an assistant coach forGallaudet University’s soccer team. He

was a three-time All-Capital AthleticConference performer when he playedsoccer for Gallaudet.

MARRIAGES

Robert Buckwalter, 1985, and TraceyGilbert, September, 2004. They live inNew York, N.Y., where Bob is a found-ing member and president of the BlueCoyote Theatre Group, Inc., located inlower Manhattan.

Brent Forshey, 1993, and AnamarieBrown, September 8, 2007. They live inIquitos, Peru, where Brett is doing med-ical research in virology. He graduatedfrom Gettysburg College and VanderbiltUniversity with a Ph.D. in virology.

Hans Rauch, 1993, and Karen Miller,1994, October 15, 2005. The live inPhiladelphia.

Kristina Miller, 1997, and JonathanShirk, August 7, 2004. They live inPittsburgh where Kristina works as arehabilitation physical therapist atUPMC Mercy Hospital.

Anthony Siegrist, 1997, and SarahStewart, October 7, 2007. They live inThree Hills, Alberta, Canada, whereAnthony is a lecturer at Prairie Collegeand a Ph.D. student at the TorontoSchool of Theology.

Chris Burkhart, 1998, and KariLefever, 2000, November 24, 2007.They live in Lancaster. Chris received a master’s degree in plant pathologyand works for Little Britain Agri Sup-ply. Kari has a bachelor’s degree inearly childhood education from Milli-gan College and is teaching ESL atNew Holland Elementary.

Christopher, 2001, and Lindsey Frey,July 9, 2006. They are doing commu-nity development in Santa Cruz,Bolivia, with Mennonite Central Com-mittee.

Doug Stoltzfus, 2002, and MandiSmucker, June 24, 2007. They live inGap and own and operate a producestand at Booth Corner Farmers Marketnear Philadelphia.

Jonathan Heinly, 2003, and MeganLeaman, 2004, September 22, 2007.They live in Harrisburg.

Joy Zimmerman, 2003, and ThomasHaller, July 7, 2007. They live in Denver.

12 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

BIRTHS

Kevin, 1981, and Sherry Goss Lapp,Lancaster, third child, second son,David Michael, born July 5, 2006, inSouth Korea, and adopted January 3,2007.

Daryl, 1988, and Jennifer Diener,1990, Hoover, Akron, third son,Jedidiah Lynn, October 25, 2007.

Steve Zook, 1988, and Charity Shenk,1998, Akron, first child, son GavinZook Shenk, March 24, 2008.

Neil and Donna Harnish, 1989, Rein-ford, Smoketown, first child, JoshuaDean, January 7, 2008.

Jay and Linda Livengood, 1993, Brenneman, Lancaster, first child,Ryan Andrew, January 31, 2008.

Thatcher, 1996, and Michele Peter-sheim, 1994, Book, Lancaster, firstchild, Parker John, September 16, 2007.

Ryan, 1997 and Bethany Umble,Atglen, second child, first son, Kai Rea-gan, December 17, 2007.

Jake and Janelle Beiler, 1997, Stoltz-fus, Strasburg, second son, LukeThomas, March 23, 2007.

Scott Stoltzfus, 1997, and AngelaStutzman, 1996, Strasburg, first child,Addalie Joy, October 24, 2007.

Denise Hoover, 1998, and NathanOlmstead, Croghan, N.Y., third child,second son, Clay Nathan, January 31,2008.

Vince and Melissa Landis, 1998, Eilenberger, Altoona, first child,Roman Vincent, April 30, 2006.Melissa is a graduate of Grove CityCollege and Lock Haven Universitywith a physician assistant degree.

Amos and Jodi Nolt, 1998, Burkepile,Elizabethtown, first child, KarissaJewel, September 17, 2007.

Geoff, 1998, and Stashia Nolt, Denver,third son, Caden Nathaniel, February15, 2008.

Trent, 2000, and Emily Parmarter,2003, Hess, Lancaster, first child, AnneMargaret, November 2, 2007.

DEATHS

J. Glen Miller, 1957, Lancaster, January29, 2008.

Harold S. Stauffer, 1955, Lancaster,February 13, 2008.

Paul R. Hurst, 1962, Lancaster, March13, 2008.

Carol Martin Hottenstein, 1965,Mount Joy, February 28, 2008.

Mary Frankhouser, 1976, Streetsboro,Ohio, February 16, 2008.

CORRECTION

Phoebe Mae Blank Mellinger, Lan-caster, who died December 5, 2007,was incorrectly identified in the winterissue of Bridges. She attended LMS in1949-50 with the class of 1953. n

BRIDGES • SPRING 2008 13

It’s probably not surprising that a per-son who has worked at the same busi-

ness for 62 years would also be acommitted alumni phonathon caller.Earl Rohrer, 1945, who retired fromP.L. Rohrer & Bro. in January, has beenhelping make phonathon calls at LMSsince 1988. Since volunteering is part

JOHN MILLER DROP-IN FAREWELL

Former music and drama students and/orparents are invited to a drop-in farewell forMr. Miller on Sunday, June 1, 2-6 p.m. inthe LMS music room. Mr. Miller will lead a10-minute hymn sing at 3:00, 4:00, and5:00. RSVP to handwerksa@lancastermen-nonite.org. No gifts, please.

This year Earl and other phonathoncallers told alumni about a ChallengeFund that is matching any givingincreases of $25.00 or more. Matchingfunds are provided by alumni and otherLMS friends. According to Director ofAlumni Relations Jeff Shank, the spe-cial fund makes a huge difference indollars raised—something that is neces-sary, he says, so the school can continueoffering an affordable tuition.

The phonathon ran through mid-March, but gifts, due by May 31, arestill arriving. Please mail your gift in theattached envelope and earmark it for thealumni phonathon. Watch for a fullreport in the summer issue of Bridges. n

Faithful phonathon callerhelps make a difference

of his retirement plans,chances are he’ll continuehis treks back to his almamater.

“I enjoy speaking toalumni, challenging them togive and hearing their inter-est and concerns for theschool,” he said. “Mostalumni ... express theirappreciation of the schooland continue their supporteach year.

“LMS is performing avery important task in the lives of ouryoung people. They are receiving awell-balanced education with a biblicalbasis. I believe LMS teachers andadministrators are challenging ouryoung people to make a difference in their world.”

Earl Rohrer, 1945, enjoys chatting with classmates and other alumni when he helps with the LMH alumni phonathon.

Alumni: Please send informationfor Bridges to Deborah Sprunger atsprungerdl@lancastermennonite.orgor mail to the Locust Grove Cam-pus, 2257 Old Philadelphia Pike,Lancaster, PA 17602.

14 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

When the Harrisburg Rotary Clubnamed Lena Horning Brown the

1986 Volunteer of the Year for herinvolvement in helping Vietnamese andLaotian refugees resettle in theGrantham, Pa., community, Brown’sresponse was, “I wasn’t looking forhonors. I was just doing the work Godcalled me to do.”

A year later Brown became the firstwoman in the Lancaster MennoniteConference to receive credentials forpastoral ministry. Again, Brown wasn’tseeking attention for herself.

“I didn’t think about blazing a trail,”she said. “I just thought about gettingback to work” (Louise Stoltzfus, QuietShouts: Stories of Lancaster MennoniteWomen Leaders, Herald Press, 1999, p. 153).

On Saturday, April 26, during theschool’s annual dinner theatre, Lan-caster Mennonite School celebrated that humble spirit and obedience to God when Superintendent RichardThomas named Brown the 2008 Alumna of the Year.

In a letter of affirmation, LancasterConference Bishop Paul W. Nisly calledBrown, “a most deserving candidate.”

“In her public service at home andabroad, in her extraordinary care forothers, in her gift of teaching, and in hercommitment to her master, she exem-plifies the best that Lancaster Mennon-ite can hope for in her graduates,” hesaid. “Always Lena responded to thecall of the church, but she never alien-ated people through pushing herself for-ward and was, in fact, a model ofChristian grace. A book title, ‘You weregentle among us,’ would be very appro-priate for Lena.”

Vocation and serviceBrown’s 15 years of teaching assign-

ments took her to Weavertown Men-nonite School; Gehman MennoniteSchool; Jamama, Somalia, with EasternMennonite Missions (EMM); and Ross-lyn Academy, Nairobi, also with EMM.

Returning to the States in the mid-1970s, she plugged into Slate Hill Men-nonite Church, where she gave

“but kindhearted Brother Brubakerpulled me aside, explained their mirth,gave me pointers on how to improve,and restored my self-confidence.

“It is not only for LMH teachers thatI am thankful. I am also thankful forour chapel periods, times of prayer, stu-dent programs, Bible classes, andopportunities to build wholesome, last-ing friendships with both students andteachers. Lancaster Mennonite gave mewhat I needed in a very formativeperiod of my life. It helped to reaffirmmy commitment to Christ and thechurch and it gave me the foundation Ineeded to pursue my dreamed-of teach-ing career.

“Perhaps most important, LMH gaveme the foundation and challenge to pur-sue further service for Christ and thechurch. When we graduated, the mottoof the class of 1952 was “He GoethBefore”—a wonderful reminder thatJesus, our Shepherd and guide, leadshis children. I can testify to the truth ofour motto. It is only because of hisgoodness and guidance in my life that I stand here tonight.” n

leadership to helping Viet-namese and Laotian refugeefamilies resettle. Her workranged from finding apartmentsand furniture to all kinds ofsocial service tasks such as get-ting medical assistance cardsand locating jobs. She alsotaught a Lao Sunday Schoolclass. It was in recognition ofher service that Brown wascalled to be deaconess at SlateHill in 1987 and as associatepastor in 1996.

Brown also served on the boardat Eastern Mennonite Missions1985-97 and on their ExecutiveCommittee 1994-97. Today sheand husband Michael are retired andlive in Denver, Pa. They attend GehmanMennonite Church, Adamstown, whereBrown teaches adult Sunday Schooland in the Released Time ReligiousEducation program. In addition, sheserves on the church’s Outreach Teamand assists in the Book Savers program.The Browns have two children—Miriam and Lowell— who bothattended Lancaster Mennonite. Lowellgraduated from LMH in 1990.

Brown talks about her LMH experience

During the LMS Dinner Theatre,Brown told over 200 guests about her early dreams to become a teacherand credited her own teachers, includ-ing those at LMH, for encouraging that dream.

“It was here that I met ... great teach-ers who modeled for me the masterteacher, Jesus,” she said, “teachers whoshowed concern, who cared for theindividual student, and who took timeto listen.”

“Brother Lester Brubaker was one ofthose,” she continued, describing arecitation assignment in which she pro-nounced “vine” as “wine” in John 15’svine and branches account—much toher embarrassment and to the enjoy-ment of the class.

“I was far too Dutchified to knowwhat amused my classmates,” she said,

A model of Christian grace

ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

Lena Horning Brown, who graduated from LMS in 1952, wasrecently named the 2008 Alumna of the Year. SuperintendentRichard Thomas, right, and Director of Alumni Relations JeffShank presented Brown with a framed fraktur that wasdonated by the artist, Emily Smucker Beidler.

The LMS Homecoming Committee is planning a very special Fall Festival andHomecoming event for Friday and Saturday, September 26 and 27, at the

Lancaster Campus. Here is a taste of what’s planned.

Friday12:30 p.m. ...................................................Linda Ebersole Memorial Golf Tournament

4:30-8 p.m. ........................................................................Pig Roast/Chicken Barbecue

7 p.m. ..................Choraleers/Campus Chorale Reunion Concert with Arnold Moshier

9 p.m. ..................................Coffee House with classmates and former/current teachers

Saturday7:30 a.m. .......................................................................................Blazers Fun Bike Ride

8 a.m. ...................................3 v 3 Brent Nauman Endowment Basketball Tournament

9:30 a.m. ..........................................................................Iron Bridge Benefit Run/Walk

10 a.m.–1 p.m. .........................................Specialty Auction to benefit LMS Annual Fund

11 a.m. ........................................Varsity girls field hockey game on artificial grass field

1–3 p.m. .............................................................................................Alumni reception

3 p.m. .................................................................................Alumni Mens Soccer Game

5–7 p.m. ..............................................................Cookout near new artificial grass field

7 p.m. ..................................................Varsity Boys Soccer Game on artificial grass field

15 BRIDGES • SPRING 2008

Give to the LMS Annual Fund and help students like Eric prepare to follow Jesus in life

Iam so glad I had the opportunity to attend LancasterMennonite School. Being at New Danville for kindergarten

through grade 8 was a great start for me, and then LMHoffered me so many areas where I could continue to grow.

The wide variety of LMH classes helped me discover thegifts and abilities God has given me, and AdvancedPlacement courses helped prepare me for college.Involvement in PALS (Peer Assisted Leaders) helped medevelop my leadership skills. I have terrific memories fromPALS that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

The school also has given me somany opportunities to grow spiritually,including Bible classes, chapels, andFriday morning Bible study.

If I have the chance to send mykids to Lancaster Mennonite, Idefinitely will. I would want themto experience the same awesomeChristian education I have hadthese past 13 years.

- Eric Albrecht, LMH senior

Centered in Christ • Transforming Lives • Changing our World

LANCASTER MENNONITE SCHOOLwww.lancastermennonite.org

Class Reunions

1948 September 27, 2008 1958 June 28, 2008 1963 Sept. 19–20, 2008 1973 October 11, 20081978 September 20, 20081987 June 7, 20081988 June 22, 20081998 August 2, 2008

For more information,go towww.lancastermennonite.orgor call (717) 394-7107.

For a report on the 1972 class reunionand a personal story shared by JuliaSensenig, go to the school web site andclick on Alumni, and Reunion Reports.

Be there!

Fall Festival &HomecomingSeptember 26–27, 2008

Watchfor a special insert in the next edition

of Bridges, complete with full

schedule and registrationmaterials.

In late April the Lancaster Intelli-gencer Journal ran an article with the

headline, “Local construction firm goesgreen.” It was about a business that wasstarted in January by LancasterMennnonite graduates Michael Stonerand Jesse Pellman. In the article thesegraduates talk about stewardship of theenvironment and building for a sustain-able tomorrow.

Stoner and Pellman exemplify thestatement in our graduate profile thatsays that an LMS alum “will practicestewardship of all that God hasentrusted to him/her, including the natural environment.” On page 8 of this issue of Bridges, you can readabout green aspects of the academiccenter under construction on the Lan-caster Campus. We want the building to house instruction, yes, but we alsowant it to be constructed in a way thatmodels the creation care that our faithcalls us to teach and practice. We cele-brate the leadership of these two recentalums to help our local community tobecome more green.

We are pleased to have alumni ofdistinction, like Pellman and Stoner,who embody the LMS Graduate Profilein so many ways. Another example isLena Horning Brown (page 14), teacherand later a Mennonite Church pastor,who graduated from Lancaster Men-nonite in 1952. After accepting the2008 Alumna of the Year Award, shetold a large dinner theatre audience how LMS helped to form her vision and values.

Also, in this issue, alumnus MerleGood reflects on the importance ofgrowing the Lancaster MennoniteSchool endowment to keep tuitionaffordable and programs strong so wecan continue to form alumni of distinc-tion. Lancaster Mennonite senior EricAlbrecht, who started kindergarten atthe New Danville Campus, says that hewould want his kids to experience thesame “awesome Christian education”he has had these past 13 years. A grow-ing LMS endowment will help makethis dream a reality for more persons.

In Bridges we also recognize andcelebrate significant achievements ofcurrent students. It will be exciting tofollow the future of each of these stu-dents as they care for creation, pastorcongregations, and, through their variedcallings, live the LMS Graduate Profilein daily life. May they, and all of us, use our transformed lives to glorifyGod and produce positive changes inour world.—jrt

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDLancaster, PA

Permit No. 2802176 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA 17602

Centered in Christ • Transforming Lives • Changing our World

from

the

supe

rint

ende

nt Transformed lives changing our world

J. Richard Thomas

Parents: If this is addressed to a son or daughterwho has established a separate residence, pleasegive us the new address. Call (717) 394-7107 or e-mail sprungerdl@lancastermennonite.org.