Memories, Flashbacks, Reminiscences

A number of persons who have attended conference regularly for several decades were asked to share some recollections, memories, and/or observations about conference. They were told this could relate to conference programs, sessions or atmosphere, as well as conference as an organization and how it has remained the same or changed during the time of their attendance. These persons were interviewed "on the run" and not in some secluded office after several days advance notice.

One would wish Joe M. Nafziger of Croghan, New York could have been on the grounds to reflect on his years of association with conference. He was born on July 14, 1898 and ordained deacon at Croghan Mennonite Church in 1943 at the age of 45 years. Joe celebrated his 101st birthday on July 14, and next year will usher him into the third century of his life--the 19th, 20th and the 21st. Joe was sixteen when the first session of conference was held in Lewis County, New York in 1914. What a wealth of memories he must have!

Some of the recollections will need to be understood with the following background. It was in 1947 that, for the first time, spouses of ministers were "released" from business meeting attendance through the arrangement of a "Sisters' Program."

It was forty years after the beginning of the conference (1950) before afternoon youth meetings were introduced. In 1955 they were extended to a full day.

Nursery care and children's classes came later.

Fannie Miller (Mrs. Abner): The first thing Fannie talked about excitedly and with emotion was their attendance at the 1951 conference in Kalona, Iowa and learning of the decision of the ministers to approve the opening of a conference winter Bible school for 1952. The first school board selected Pleasant View Church, near Berlin in Holmes County, Ohio as host.

Fannie and Abner were on the local committee to prepare the meetinghouse for the school. The other two couples were Freeman and Mary Hostetler and Joe and Cindy Weaver. Fannie's memories of conference seem to be screened through the lens of the early winter Bible school years and the "scramble" to get things ready and operating.

The Conservative Amish Mennonite Bible School was held at Pleasant View for twelve terms before being moved to its present campus at Rosedale, Ohio.

Freeman Hostetler: Freeman was pastor of Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Berlin, Ohio, for about forty years and is still on the pastoral team. Freeman well remembers the two closed weekends of the Conservative Amish Mennonite Bible School during each of the twelve terms, 1952-1963. The student body was so large that the students occupied all the benches in the auditorium except the rear three rows. Many of the members visited other churches during Bible school. It took several weeks for the congregation to recover from that scattering experience.

After twelve years, chairman of the Bible school board, Eli Miller, of Townline congregation in Indiana, asked Freeman about the congregation's experience. Freeman told Eli about the crowding and the adjustments during and after school. Eli presented the need for larger facilities or a new location at Ministers' Fellowship in Belleville, Pennsylvania. In his dry humor Eli told the ministers, "I guess they don't want us anymore."

Freeman and Pleasant View wanted some help, but they surely didn't think they had quite said that. But having the hundreds of young people in their community and church for twelve terms is a highlight for Freeman.

Eileen Zehr (Mrs. Richard): Eileen, of the Croghan congregation of Croghan, New York, has kept a diary for the many years she attended conference. She didn't have it with her on the conference grounds or she could have selected some choice comments and observations about conference for use here. Her husband, Richard, was ordained in 1952 and they have regularly attended conference. But she expressed some keen interest in knowing what is going on in the business meetings. She is also encouraged by the renewed interest of some of her children and grandchildren in attending conference, and there is already active talk of attendance in 2000.

Miriam Jantzi (Mrs. Elmer): Miriam is the daughter of Nevin and Esther Bender of Greenwood, Delaware. Nevin was a widely traveled minister and bishop who regularly attended conference. Miriam does not recall attending conference regularly as a child, but she did express appreciation for the children's activities provided during conference sessions.

Ray F. Miller: Ray and Clara Miller moved from Alden, New York as pioneers to the new Johnsville, Ohio community. He served as minister and bishop there and also served on the conference Mission Board. As a retired minister, Ray was encouraged by the large number of new ministers in conference, as evidenced in the consecration service. He is more encouraged than ever that CMC is here for a purpose.

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