An icon created by Eastern Mennonite Seminary alumnus Derek Yoder ’23, M.Div., graces the cover of the latest issue of Anabaptist World magazine. Yoder designed the digital artwork, titled “Christ of the Wheelchair,” for his master’s of divinity capstone project in 2022. For his project, Yoder searched through Scripture, art and ecclesial history for symbols that display the image of God revealed in persons with intellectual disabilities, people who are central to his ministry. In the absence of such symbols, he developed an icon that serves as a “celebration of and blessing for my community, who bear the image of God.” “When you meet someone with intellectual or developmental disabilities, do you recognize the image of God?” Yoder asks in an article in the issue. “‘Christ of the Wheelchair’ is a prayer for me, my community and the church. It emerged from the recognition that the church rarely considers people in my community when it contemplates the Image of Dei (image of God). Yet, in my community I encounter Jesus every day.” Read the "Christ of the Wheelchair" article online here. Anabaptist World began as a print magazine in 2020 from the merger of The Mennonite and Mennonite World Review, starting with a circulation of 8,200 paying subscribers. It seeks to be “the flagship Anabaptist publication, in print and online — the place where a diverse community comes together to explore and strengthen Anabaptist values and encourage one another to follow Christ faithfully,” its website states. In addition to the cover image, another article in the magazine issue mentions Yoder and Faith & Light, an inclusive worship gathering he leads for people with intellectual disabilities. The article follows the process of baptizing someone with an intellectual disability and the work that goes into ensuring it's done in a way that reflects their relationship with God. Read the article, "A baptism just a bit unpredictable," online here. “I am glad that Anabaptist World’s most recent issue celebrates the gifts and contributions of persons with disabilities in the Church,” Yoder said. “In my communities (at Pleasant View and Faith & Light in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County), my friends with intellectual disabilities constantly lead me to Christ. I’m grateful that Eastern Mennonite Seminary provided the chance to deepen my ministry in those communities.” Yoder lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with his wife Laurie, a chemistry professor at EMU. He is the pastor at Pleasant View, an organization that supports people with intellectual disabilities in living out their goals for meaningful work, relationships and spiritual development. Pleasant View is a conference-endorsed ministry of Virginia Mennonite Conference. He worships at Shenandoah Valley Faith & Light and Community Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg. ... read more about In the News: Icon by Derek Yoder ’23 graces cover of Anabaptist World magazine from Anabaptist World
In The News
In the News: EMU alumna Marcia Zook teams up with friend to write children’s book
Author Marcia Zook '99, who earned a liberal arts degree from EMU, was featured in the Daily News-Record on Feb. 21. She worked with illustrator Kathleen Johnston on a book, "Look up, Patito!" about downtown Harrisonburg's bronze duckling family. Read the article here. Story by Harleigh Cupp; contributed photo. ... read more about In the News: EMU alumna Marcia Zook teams up with friend to write children’s book from The Daily News-Record
In the News: Furniture maker, EMU alumnus carves craft in tradition
Furniture maker Landon Heavener '15, who graduated EMU with a bachelor's degree in English, dabbled in several careers — including middle school teacher — before finding his place at the woodworkers' table. Read the article in the Daily News-Record here. Story and photo by Harleigh Cupp / DN-R ... read more about In the News: Furniture maker, EMU alumnus carves craft in tradition from The Daily News-Record
In the News: 31st Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival set to launch ‘The Next Opus’
EMU’s 31st Annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival runs June 11–18, 2023. Check out the exciting lineup of both free and ticketed events! ... read more about In the News: 31st Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival set to launch ‘The Next Opus’ from The Daily News Record
In the News: Merle Good ’69, Phyllis Good receive Lifetime Tribute from Center for Mennonite Writing Journal
Merle Good '69 and his wife Phyllis Good received a Lifetime Tribute from the Center for Mennonite Writing Journal. Read the article here. ... read more about In the News: Merle Good ’69, Phyllis Good receive Lifetime Tribute from Center for Mennonite Writing Journal from Center for Mennonite Writing Journal
New York Times features alum Jason Lentz, timbersports icon
'Maybe it was Jason Lentz’s genetic destiny — though he certainly fought against it — to become one of the world’s best lumberjacks.' Read more about the #1 lumberjack in the world. ... read more about New York Times features alum Jason Lentz, timbersports icon from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/28/magazine/competitive-lumberjack-timbersports-jason-lentz.html?smid=em-shareHi
DiGennaro’s research into millenials and spirituality informs ‘Baptist News’ exploration
Instructor Debbi DiGennaro offers insights about millenials and their church experience in this exploration of how organizations adapted successfully to post-COVID audience needs. ... read more about DiGennaro’s research into millenials and spirituality informs ‘Baptist News’ exploration from Baptist News
‘Thinking Pacificism’ blog: Why did Christianity move so far away from the message of Jesus?
Professor Emeritus Ted Grimsrud discusses the Bible's message of peace. ... read more about ‘Thinking Pacificism’ blog: Why did Christianity move so far away from the message of Jesus? from Thinking Pacificism
Former Phillie Erik Kratz returning to alma mater as head coach at Dock
Former Philadelphia Phillies catcher Erik Kratz, who spent 11 seasons in the majors, is taking over as the head baseball coach at his alma mater, Dock Mennonite Academy, the school announced Thursday. Kratz, 42, is a 1998 Dock Mennonite (formerly Christopher Dock) graduate and a 2002 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University. ... read more about Former Phillie Erik Kratz returning to alma mater as head coach at Dock from Bucks County Courier Times
WMRA: Harrisonburg engineer helps build hurricane resilience in Puerto Rico
Johann Zimmermann, a member of EMU's engineering program advisory committee, and employees with his company JZ Engineering spend time volunteering domestically and internationally. Zimmermann recently hosted an internship for an EMU engineering student who helped to build a bridge in West Virginia. ... read more about WMRA: Harrisonburg engineer helps build hurricane resilience in Puerto Rico from WMRA