FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/10/2008

BC Events Celebrate Church Of The Brethren 300th Anniversary

BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Former ambassador and congressman Andrew Young will kick off Bridgewater College's observation of the 300^th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren when he speaks at the College on March 31 at 7: 30 p.m. in Cole Hall. He will speak about the relevance of the Brethren doctrine of non-violence.

The College which was founded as a Brethren school in 1880 by Daniel C. Flory will continue to observe the anniversary in April with a number of events that include conferring Young with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The conferment, which takes place April 1 in the Carter Center for Worship and Music at BC, coincides with the College's celebration of Founder's Day.

Young will speak briefly at the ceremony.

On April 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Bowman Hall, Room 101, a panel of distinguished Brethren will discuss the significance of the Brethren heritage.

"Core Brethren values seem less popular than ever, whether within the Brethren fellowship or in the larger society," said moderator and organizer Stephen Longenecker, professor of history and department chair. "What, then, does the future hold for the Brethren heritage?"

The panel will consist of Mary Cline Detrick, Paul Mundey, Jeff Carter and Bob Gross.

A public worship service commemorating the tri-centennial will take place on April 6 at 3 p.m. in the Carter Center for Worship and Music. The service will feature a sermon by Kelly Burke of Richmond, Ind., and music by the College Chorale.

The Church of the Brethren began in 1708 when Alexander Mack and seven others baptized themselves in a German river. They sought to restore the New Testament Church through faith, Biblical obedience and a community that would sharply contrast with what they considered the sinful world.

Within a generation, the Brethren transplanted themselves to North America, and today Mack's spiritual descendents number approximately 400,000 members in six North American denominations and several overseas fellowships.

Bridgewater College, a private, four-year liberal arts college, enrolls more than 1,500 students. Located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, it was the state's first private, coeducational senior college.

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