‘This I Believe’ by Chase Snyder
Chase Snyder's "This I Believe" speech
Chase Snyder's "This I Believe" speech
On Oct. 2, 2006, the world was stunned by the killings of five Amish schoolgirls in a small schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pa. Within hours, the Amish community forgave the gunman and rallied around his family. It was an act of compassion and forgiveness so powerful, so unbelievable, and for many, so questionable that it led three authors who know the Amish well to write a book about the role of forgiveness in Amish culture, "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy."
Goshen College Professor Emeritus of Religion J.R. Burkholder's life and work as ethicist, church leader and social change agent spanned and influenced dramatic changes in 20th-century Mennonite peace theology and ecumenical engagements. A collection of 30 of his most insightful essays on pacifism, patriotism, public witness, Mennonite ethics, health care, stewardship, vocation, service and other issues of discipleship have been collected and edited into the new book Prophetic Peacemaking (Herald Press).
As a group of 19 Goshen College students prepared to depart for a semester of study and service in Egypt on Sept. 2 -- the first time the college has sent a group to the Middle East -- President Jim Brenneman offered them words of encouragement: "This is a historic moment. A little over two years ago we had this dream that one day Goshen College students would be able to bridge that great divide between ... the Muslim and the Christian worlds. ... It's an opportunity of a lifetime for you all," he said. "As-salaamu Aleikum (Peace be unto you)." After a second, the group of students replied, "Wa-Aleikum As-salaam (And unto you, peace)."
Goshen College welcomed new and returning students back to campus, as classes began on Aug. 30. Fall 2010 enrollment statistics at Goshen College show a total head count of 960 students attending full or part time and taking courses, seeking graduate degrees or seeking degrees through Goshen's Division of Adult and External Studies (DAES).
Goshen College President James E. Brenneman opened the new school year by calling on members of the campus community to become a Christ-centered college defined by faithfulness, openness, reconciliation and unity.
Goshen College will open the 2010-2011 academic year later this month with many new faces-- and not just among new and transfer students. The college also will be welcoming new employees, some of whom were hired and began their duties earlier in the year.
The annual college rankings have hit the presses, and Goshen College was again included by "U.S. News & World Report" and Forbes magazine on their lists of best U.S. colleges.
More Goshen College students will have the opportunity to learn and thrive in the coming year due to the generosity of supporters. During the 2009-10 fiscal year (which ended June 30) the largest amount of donations was given to the Goshen College Fund in 17 years.
Sometimes you don't have to travel thousands of miles in an airplane over oceans to truly encounter another culture. Sometimes you just have to cross the street.