Brooks-Howell Home 266 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-1218 Phone: (828) 253-6712 Web-Site: http://www.brooks-howell.org

VOL. XXXIX No. 4 NANCY GARRISON, Executive Director Sept-Oct 2013

Autumn Quotes

“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” -- Albert Camus

“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.” -William Cullen Bryant

“Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.” – Faith Baldwin

From Our Administrator--Many years ago at Lake Junaluska during my deaconess discernment event, I satbeside a beautiful Pakistani girl. Before the formal class started we all sat andvisited with each other. Nazgul William told us where she was from originally andabout her family. As she spoke she had that twinkle in her eyes that we all haveheard about but rarely see in someone-- a twinkle that we all came to know waspart of beloved Naz. As I listened to her speak, she had such a sweet voice (albeitwith a funny little accent which we also loved about Naz) and everyone was drawn

to her like a magnet. I was sitting next to Naz . As we went around the room introducing ourselves, I toldmy name and Naz said “Oh you are Nancy Garrison; I have a gift for you. My roommates are Karen andRuth Predente and they sent you this purse.” [Karen had been my previous New York contact and in chargeof Brooks-Howell Home.] Naz and I became instant friends and spent the remainder of our time getting toknow all about each other. Through the years Naz and I did some traveling together, mostly speaking atUnited Methodist Women meetings, where as you can imagine Naz stole the show. Many times theprogram would involve the entire church where Naz would perform her famous Pakistani dances. (In theirfellowship halls of course; Naz always wanted to be very respectful and reverent in God’s House) No onewas spared. When the dance began everyone had to get up and dance with her, including our Bishop andprobably many other Bishops as she traveled around the country promoting United Methodist Women.

Those of you who never knew Naz missed a true Angel. She always put the needs of others before herown, as was evident on the day she gave up her life to go to the aid of another. Naz will forever be in ourhearts and I know she is now watching over us as our Guardian Angel, just as she did while on this earth.

We also lost Francis Burns and Samuel Mohansingh, and from our local community, Willard Hutchins.

We welcome the return of Doug and Carol Wingeier, who moved to their home in Lake Junaluska for afew years. We also welcome new local community residents Swinta “Alberta” Mazat, Patricia Finley,Denise Palas, and Louise Cate.

May God Bless and Keep You

Nancy GarrisonExecutive Director

************************************************************************* Have you discovered that the Serendipitor may be seen on line–in color? Find the Brooks-Howellwebsite at http://www.brooks-howell.org. You will find it every two months by the end of the first week,starting in January. Or, subscribe for the Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women’snewsletter. Look at the bottom of the first list on the left, and you will see “Brooks-Howell Serendipitor.” If you decide to stop the paper subscription, please inform the editor (Esther Megill) atesthermegill453@gmail.com and your name will be removed from the mailing list. You will help save thetrees, and the cost of printing and postage

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We are including in this issue a Memoriam for NazWilliam. Although she was not a resident, for at ime she was on the staff, and is a deaconessknown–and missed–among the United MethodistCommunity.

In Memory-- By Myka Kennedy StephensJuly 19, 2013

She was knownfor her smile andvivacious love oflife. Her laughterwas infectious,and when shed a n c e d y o ucouldn’t help butj o i n h e r .D e a c o n e s sNazgul William,“N az” to he rfriends, dedicatedhe r l i f e t o

ministries of care and compassion and was lookingforward to sharing what she had learned aboutwomen’s issues and gender inequality in Asia,having just completed a two-month course in thePhilippines.

Her life abruptly ended July 17, 2013, in Beijing,China. While out for an afternoon walk near ashopping center, she was one of two peoplestabbed by a young man in what was reported as arandom act of violence due to mental illness. Shewas visiting Beijing after attending the WorldDiakonia conference in Berlin, Germany.

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Ms. William became thefirst Pakistani deaconess of The United MethodistChurch at her commissioning in 2005. From ayoung age she felt God’s call to dedicate her life to

love, justice and service. Her call was affirmedthrough encounters she had with Americanmissionaries to Pakistan and later in therelationships she built with deaconesses in theUnited States. Quoted in a 2006 issue of responsemagazine, Ms. William said of her call, “I wantedto do something until the day I die. In Pakistan, ifyou say to someone, ‘You are my brother or sister,’then it’s for your lifetime.”

Her deaconess ministries included working at theBrooks-Howell Home in Asheville, N.C., andtranslating materials from the United MethodistWomen’s Bible Women Program into Urdu, thenative language of Pakistan.

Most recently, she was on a leave of absence fromactive service while she sought additionaleducational and professiona l deve lopmentopportunities. She graduated from a two-monthintercultural course on women and society at St.Scholastica College’s Institute of Women’s Studiesin Manila, Philippines, in early June 2013. As aparticipant in this course, Ms. William learnedabout issues facing women in Asia and the Pacificand developed practical skills to address genderconcerns on personal and organizational levels. Shewas looking forward to sharing her new skills andknowledge through workshops and volunteeringwith Chosen Ministry in Haiti, where she promoteda women’s prison ministry and micro-commoditiesprogram.

Ms. William was a member of Christ ChurchUnited Methodist in New York, N.Y., where sheheld the office of president of United MethodistWomen. She was also social action coordinator forthe New York Conference United MethodistWomen.

She is preceded in death by her mother and fatherand survived by a brother and seven sisters. Shewas close to the Prudente family of New York, (Continued p. 4)

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Naz William (Continued from p. 3)N.Y., who are assisting Ms. William’s birth familywith arrangements. Memorial services are beingplanned in Pakistan, New York, and at theBrooks-Howell Home in Asheville, N.C. (The service at Brooks-Howell will be held onSeptember 12 at 3:30 p.m. in the MemorialChapel.)

Myka Kennedy Stephens is a United Methodistdeaconess appointed as an independentinformation professional in the Northern IllinoisAnnual Conference.

This material is used with the permission of SelbyEwing, Director of Communications, UnitedMethodist Women

Frances Adelaide Burns

Sept. 6, 1913 Aug. 8, 2013

Frances Burns was bornon September 6, 1913, inWoodland, California, toHal Augustus and OliveWest Burns. Two brotherswere older and a sister,Roberta, was born in 1915. Her father was a Methodistminister. By the timeFrancis was four, however,he had decided to give upthe active ministry because

of throat problems, and they moved to Texas, andeventually settled in Fort Worth. There shereceived her education from kindergarten throughhigh school.

In 1934 she graduated with a B.A. fromTexas Woman’s College (now Texas WesleyanUniversity). For the next four years she taughthigh school English in the small town ofGrandview. By going to summer school each yearshe received a MA from Texas Christian

University and immediately began seven years ofteaching mathematics and other subjects atWeatherford College, a Methodist junior college.

From childhood Frances felt the call to full-time Christian service, and wanted to be amissionary. She never gave up the dream, anddiscovered unlimited opportunities for Christianservice as a teacher both in high school and juniorcollege. In the summer of 1940 she had courses atScarritt College, and in 1944 at Garrett. Duringother summers she served as a counselor for youthcaravan teams and at conference youth camps.

In 1945 she began full-time Christian serviceas the Director of the Wesley Foundation at EastTexas University in Commerce. She found her fouryears there most challenging, but she did not forgether dream of becoming a foreign missionary. Bythe spring of 1949 she was accepted by theWoman’s Division of Christian Service of theBoard of Missions of The Methodist Church. Thatsummer she attended a training seminar in Hartford,Connecticut for outgoing missionaries and wasconsecrated in New York City.

In September of that year she sailed fromNew York for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The nexttwenty years were spent in the state of Sao Paulo,the first nine months in Campinas studyingPortuguese. She then taught at the MethodistInstitute, a training school for Christian workerslocated in Sao Paulo. Here young women fromthroughout the nation received both formaleducation and practical training in churches orsocial projects throughout the city.

Her last four years were spent in Salvador inthe state of Bahia, where she worked at CentralMethodist Church assisting the pastor, especially inevangelistic and social action outreach. Thisincluded cooperation with the medical clinic andmuch visitation. During this time the church gavebirth to three new congregations. During furloughs in the States Frances was ableto have two full semesters of study at Perkins

(Continued p. 5) [Photo Esther Megill]

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Francis Burns (Continued from p. 4)School of Theology, as well as other shortercourses and seminars mostly in the area ofcommunity service.

In 1979 she returned to the U.S. forretirement. From 1980-1991 she served on thestaff of the Oakhurst United Methodist Church inFort Worth, and continued active in thatcongregation until moving to Brooks-HowellHome in September of 1995. She then joined St.Paul’s United Methodist Church.

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, we will celebrate Francis’ life with a memorialservice and a party for her 100th birthday, as wasplanned before her death. This will be held in theMemorial Chapel.

Library Highlights—

The book The ImmortalLife of Henrietta Lacks, byRebecca Skloot can befound on the 2012 UMWReading Program shelf inthe library. If you have

not had occasion to read this amazing story, it iswell worth your time to do so. It chronicles theorigin of the so-called HeLa cells and theirimportance in the scientific developments of ourday. Recent newscasts indicate that the DNAsequence of these HeLa cells has been mapped,positing the possibility that this sequence could(and probably will) become public knowledge. Such public knowledge would threaten the privacyof Henrietta Lacks’ descendants. This one casetypifies the ethical problems society faces as moreand more specific information about personalmedical data is discovered. --Jayne Smith

Diakonia: A Bridge to Reconciliation

DIAKONIA1 was born in the aftermath ofWorld War II when the Federation of Dutchdeaconess houses initiated a meeting of theEuropean deaconesses (with the exception ofGermany) - to renew associations after the isolationthey had suffered during the war. All of thedeaconess houses in Holland and all of the othercountries except Switzerland had suffered too muchunder the years of occupation for there to be anopenness to inviting the Germans. There were“administrative” issues as well. Before WW IImost of the deaconess houses throughout Europehad been under the administration of theKaiserswerth General Conference. Those links hadbeen broken during the War. There was resistanceto losing the independence which had developed. Only the Swiss insisted that “...(a union) on trulyecumenical grounds (can only be) consideredaccording to what Christ said: that they shall allbecome one. And ... the Germans must not beexcluded.”2

Pastor Hoch’s persistence finally won aconcession that the president of KaiserswerthGeneral Conference be invited as a visitor withpermission to bring “two or three non-Nazimembers with him”; however, the delegation wasdenied an entry-permit to Holland. Representativesof Holland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark,France, Scotland, Austria, Czechoslovakia andSwitzerland met in Utrecht, September 2-6, l946. They resolved: to create an internationalconference, “DIAKONIA,” and that at some pointin the future the Germans would be invited tobecome members. Afterward it was stated, “...itmust be said that it was good that it happened as itdid. A participation of the Germans would havebeen too great a strain on everybody - including the (Continued p. 6)

1DIAKONIA: World Federation of DiaconalAssociations and Diaconal Communities

2 Letter from Pastor Hoch to Pastor Wiren, March 12, 1946.

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DIAKONIA (Continued from p. 5)Germans themselves.”3 DIAKONIA was officiallyorganized in Copenhagen, in l947. Again theGerman representatives could not get entry papers,but did attend the Switzerland meeting in 1949,and were admitted as members when DIAKONIAmet again in Holland in 1951. Reconciliation hadtaken a major stride! Methodist deaconesses fromthe U.S. were admitted in 1954.

Diakonia News, published since the firstmeeting in both German and English, serves as ourmajor communication link, carrying reports ofeach Assembly, news from each of the three areas -DIAKONIA Asia-Pacific (DAP), DIAKONIA ofthe Americas and Carribbean (DOTAC); andDIAKONIA Region Africa-Europe (DRAE); plusupdates on our relationship with the World Councilof Churches, and DIAK-AID.

KOINONIA-DIAKONIA and KAIREemerged following seminars held at theEcumenical Center, Bossey, Switzerland, in 1971- the result of a four-year effort to relateDIAKONIA more closely to the World Council ofChurches. The first seminar was especially foryoung deaconesses and sisters from RomanCatholic, Orthodox, Coptic and Protestantcommunities who were not yet in leadershippositions; and the second for “leading sisters” fromthese same groups. Both serve as arenas “wherethe meaning and understanding of diaconal workand the diaconate in all its life forms in thedifferent churches can be explored.”4 At KOINONIA-DIAKONIA members share in thedoing of theology regarding service. Each meetingof KAIRE involves different people who sharespiritual gifts, meditate and pray.

Providing assistance to other deaconessgroups was initiated at the first meeting ofDIAKONIA when reports were received that theconditions of the German deaconesses and theirmother houses were “terrible.” Member groupswere urged to raise money among their owncommunities for the only remaining mother housein Austria. There were some appeals at nearlyevery meeting. DIAK-AID was formed in 1970 asa permanent relief program - to support deaconessesor social work in needy areas. Among projectsrecently funded were a Vacation Bible School inSt. Kitts, a project to overcome violence by Hip-Hop music in Brazil, a dairy project for orphans inKilgali, Rwanda and books for deaconesses inSumatra.

DOTAC (Diakonia of the Americas andCaribbean) was formed in 1969 as representativesfrom nine deaconess orders in Canada and the U.S.came together in order to host the 1972 DIAKONIA Assembly in New York City. Today’sDOTAC extends to the Wesley DiaconalCommunity of the Methodist Church in theCaribbean and the Americas and the LutheranDeaconess order in Brazil. “What Does the LordRequire of You? Do Justice - Give Kindness -Walk Humbly” was the theme for the July 2-6,2006, meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad. As aprophetic voice for ecumenical relations and socialjustice, DOTAC launched in 2007 in New YorkCity a new emphasis - “DOVE (DOTACOvercoming Violence Event) ... designed to buildan international team that will participate in amulticultura l, hands- on, ac t ion- re flectionexperience, related to overcoming violence in theworld.”5

The sites and themes for DIAKONIAAssemblies exemplify the true meaning of thediaconate “those called, identified, prepared, setapart and/or commissioned (or ordained) for

(Continued p. 7)

3 DIAKONIA, Utrecht-Bethel, 1946-l975,Ruth Felgentreff, World Federation of DeaconessAssociations, p. 94.

4 DIAKONIA Challenge and Response,World Federation of Diaconal Associations andDiaconal Communities, p. 30. 5DOTAC leaflet, 2005.

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DIAKONIA (Continued from p. 6)‘public’ ministry of diakonia .”6 AtBethel/Bielefield - “the colony of mercy,” a homefor the handicapped, the theme in l975 was “ToLive the Gospel in a Broken World.” In Manilathe entire Assembly visited the Tondo wherethousands make their living by digging through thetrash. That theme was “The More Excellent Way(I Cor. 13).” In 1966, in Friedrichroda, wheredeaconess sisters from East and West Germanycame together for the first time, the theme was“Bridges of Reconciliation: Hope and Mission.” DIAKONIA assembled in Durham, England, in2005 under the theme “DIAKONIA at theMargins: Challenge and Hope,” just days after thebombing of the London subways when the plightof the marginalized became starkly evident.

Clearly justice oriented diaconal ministryremains committed to changing structures whichoppress and challenge those systems world widewhich exploit, demean and create dependency -“that all shall become one.”

--Betty J. Letzig

[The story of the meeting this year in Berlin will bein the next issue.]

Let’s Celebrate

After two years of fretting because there wasno bus shelter at the corner of Merrimon Avenueand Hillside Street, we received the good news thissummer there would be a bus shelter there. As westood at the corner with residents of SteadfastHouse and other bus riders watching the shelter goup, we decided that this was indeed a time for our neighborhood to celebrate.

The Community Family Practice had agreedto an easment that would allow the City to place

the shelter on their land, and they responded withenthusiasm when we approached them. A PlanningCommittee was formed, which included significantparticipation from Brooks-Howell Home and other neighborhood folks to plan and carry out acelebration party on Saturday, August 31 withdonated popcorn and fresh, cool water forrefreshments. Music was provided by local groups,and there were sidewalk chalking, face painting,balloons and other such activities for the children,while our elders rested in “Soccer Mom” chairsunder the trees.

It was a great experience for all of us. Wejoined with others in ways we had not experienced,made new friends and welcomed those from ourpast during those very special four hours. –Ann Janzen, as told to June Fischer

Preparing for the Party Ann Janzen, Jill Banyai, and Don Turman from B-H

Ann Janzen talking with Todd Brigman, Community Resource Officer of the Asheville Police Department

(Continued p. 8)

6 DIAKONIA’S DIACONALTHEOLOGY. Presentation at DIAKONIA 19TH

World Assembly, St. Chad’s College, Durham,England, 2005.

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Let’s Celebrate (Continued from p. 7)

Mylah Johnson painting the sidewalk

Jill Banyai and Ramona Turman give popcorn to a child

[Photos 1 and 3 by June Fischer; 2 and 4 by DebbiePittman.]

Summer Seminarians

One of the special experiences we have asresidents of Brooks-Howell Home is sharing ourlives with visiting groups, such as the candidatesfor Deaconess or Home Missioner. This summerwe were especially blessed by having sixseminarians from a variety of seminaries. Theylived among us, shared meals and richconversations, and listened with genuine delight toour stories of experiences in the mission field. Now we hold them in our prayers and in ourhearts. They are: Sarah Rossing: Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago Hannah Campbell-Gustafson: University of Chicago Aishnon Kopp: Wesley Seminary in D.C. Melissa Engel: Iliff School of Theology Alyssa Green: Gammon Theological School Ryan Klinck: Texas A&M, Campus Ministry. –Ann Janzen

Ne w s Fr o m R e sid e n t Services-- Celebrating 125 Years of the Deaconess Movement

A Chapel Service planned and implemented by thedeaconess candidates celebrated the 125 t h

anniversary of the deaconess movement. As a partof that service, a special liturgy was used tocelebrate the call and consecration of the 26deaconesses and home missionaries living atBrooks-Howell. Based on the “Order ofRecognition and Celebration of Service forDeaconesses, Home Missioners, and HomeMissionaries” - a liturgy for recognizing thoseindividuals who have served in these capacities--the candidates (persons following a course of studyand preparation toward consecration) led theresidents through the liturgy celebrating thecontributions of all deaconesses and homemissionaries through the years and the service ofthose here at Brooks-Howell in particular.

The altar prepared by Marilyn Benson and Naomi WraySome of the candidates then shared their owncalling to a life of love, justice and service througha lifetime relationship in the deaconess community.Each story showed the level of dedication andinspiration and openness to new opportunities toserve God in this role. Other candidates readliturgy, provided special music and took leadershipin the planning of the chapel service. (Continued p. 9)

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Celebration of Deaconesses (Continued from p. 8)

Early deaconesses Note the garb which was worn at the time.

Our own Tracey Owens, Activities Coordinator atBrooks-Howell Home, was one of the candidateshelping with the service. Deaconess MarilynBenson, with assistance from our Archivist NaomiWray, put together an altar worship centerspanning the 125 years of Love, Justice andService of the Deaconess Movement. --Debbie Pittman and Tracey Owens[The liturgy of celebration mentioned above can befound on http://dhmumc.org.] **********

The annual Ice Cream Social was held on Monday,August 12, in the Activity Building. This event issponsored by the Resident Services Department.

Residents Dana Tyson and Renie & Jack Miner enjoy the ice cream

Betty Letzig looks over the choices [Assisted by Jeannette Byrd & Mylah Johnson]

Frieda Morris

Jorie Ruegger

&

Ramona Turman

[Photos by Debbie Pittman]

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From Our Chaplain – Grieving Our Losses

In July I celebrated my 75th birthday and wassurprised by the relief I felt on reachingthree-quarters of a century. I woke up that daythinking, "I made it!!" I think Ifelt relieved because as thatbirthday approached, I thoughtabout the many persons I haveknown and loved who have died.These include my grandparents,parents and parents-in-law, aunts,uncles, cousins, close friends,members of the churches I haveserved, and a large number ofresidents of Brooks-HowellHome. Many of them died much younger than 75.

Each one of us who is older can name many losses. It can be overwhelming to think of all of our lossesunless we have previously dealt with each death ina healthy way. When my father died in 1993,Ramona and I were in Sumatra, Indonesia, andwere not able to come home for his funeral. As Idealt with his death from a distance, I decided tomake a written list of the qualities of his life andwhat he actually meant to me. Doing that helpedme to more deeply feel the loss and value his life. I have tried to continue that healing exercise eachtime a loved one dies.

I have discovered that when I grieve in a healthyway, I can more fully appreciate those persons andam more aware of the ways my life has beenenriched by knowing them. Their deaths haveindeed brought an end to earthly relationships butmuch of who they were lives on in my memoryand in the contribution that each has made inshaping my life. Grieving in this way helps me tovalue the gift of each day and to live it as fully as Ican. It also forces me to think about the influencethat I will leave behind in the lives of those Iknow. –Don Turman, Chaplain

A Trip to Lincolnton

Not everything ofi n t e r e s t t oS e r e n d i p i t o rreaders happens inthe confines ofBro o ks- HowellHome. As a partof a tour fors e n i o r s o fBiltmore UMC,J a y n e a n d

LeGrand Smith and Naomi Wray visitedLincolnton, North Carolina. The special concernwas to learn about the United Methodist AdultRehabilitation (UMAR) facility at that city, one ofseveral such institutions in the state.

Under the able direction of Director AmyVaughn many adults of limited capabilities gatherduring the week. The ample facilities permitseveral different venues for art related projects,such as painting, sculpture, jewelry making and soforth.

The participants are eager tooffer their handiwork, so, as isonly due, we left some moneyand came away with a diversityof inspiring objects d’art.

We thoroughly recommend avisit to UMAR, Lincolnton, forwomen’s groups, young folk,and so forth. As you can see, asan added bonus, Lincolntonshows off its town potteryworks with the ingenious huge

jars about town.

–LeGrande Smith

[Photos taken by LeGrande, and with his camera.]

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[Serendipitor is published six times during the year. It is sponsored by the Brooks-Howell Home and is written byand for residents, staff and friends. It focuses on people and current happenings here, features past and coming events,and points the way to creative Christian living. EDITORIAL STAFF: Esther Megill, editor; Ann Janzen, Gail & JimHipkins, Marcia Knight, Tracy Owens, Nancy Garrison. Mailers: Barbara Markham & Virginia Miller. RATE: $10.00PER YEAR; SEND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO SERENDIPITOR, checks made payable to Serendipitor. Check your label foran expiration date. The Serendipitor is also available on the Brooks-Howell website (see the note on the front page). Ifyou decide to stop your paper issue, please inform the editor.

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BROOKS-HOWELL HOME

266 MERRIMON AVENUE

ASHEVILLE, NC 28801-1218

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUEST

Congo Missionary Reunion: Lake Junaluska, July 19-21

Celebrating the Past: Missionary families and Congolese residing in the United States totaled sixty-five. Weremembered good times past, and what could have or should have been accomplished.

Thanks for the Present: The United Methodist Church today in Congo, entirely Congolese and growing.

Trusting God with the Future: The people of Congo going forward with the leading of God’s love. TheCongolese present hoping to plan future reunions and invite the families of the missionaries.

–Vera and Everett Woodcock

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U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 396 NONPROFIT ASHEVILLE, NC

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