In the News

Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series to open with St. Louis-based dance company

The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series opens is 2016–17 season with St. Louis’ first professional contemporary jazz dance group, Big Muddy Dance Company.

Big Muddy comes to the Krehbiel Auditorium stage in Bethel College’s Luyken Fine Arts Center Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Big Muddy seeks to build a love of dance through fun, experiential and highly entertaining performances.

According to the group’s website, “By engaging both emerging and established choreographers, collaborating across the community through senior outreach and training future performers through our school and trainee program, we constantly strive to invigorate life through dance.”

Founding artistic director Paula David and founding board president James David founded St. Louis Dance Theatre, Inc., in 2010, with nine volunteer dancers and staff members.

Paula David was named one of St. Louis’ “movers and shakers” on ALIVE’s 2011 BUZZ list, and the company premiered in June 2011 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center to a sold-out house and standing ovation.

Since that time, the company has given more than 90 performances and commissioned more than 25 works for its repertoire. Now under the artistic direction of Brian Enos, Big Muddy employs 11 full-time dancers and presents three full theater productions each season to enthusiastic audiences.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch named Big Muddy “Best Local Dance Company,” as “Readers’ Choice” in 2013 and “Critics’ Choice” in 2014.

Big Muddy currently resides at the Marcelle Theater in Grand Center, St. Louis. The organization has developed into three major entities: Big Muddy Dance Company, which presents both major productions and community performances for fellow nonprofits; open classes, which offer instruction for adults as well as training for pre-professional dancers; and Senior Embrace, the company’s senior-citizen outreach program.

Big Muddy will be doing a free educational program and a master class during its visit to the area.

The free program for local schoolchildren is Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium.

The master class is Nov. 12 at the Bethel College Academy for Performing Arts, 400 South Main Street in Newton. There will be two concurrent sessions, Intermediate Contemporary Dance and Advanced Contemporary Dance, from 9:45-11 a.m., at a charge of $20 per student (checks made payable to Big Muddy Dance Company).

HBPA season tickets, as well as reserved seating and general admission tickets for The Big Muddy’s Nov. 11 performance, are available at hesstonbethel.org or by calling 620-327-8158. Single tickets are for sale at the Hesston College bookstore in Erb Hall or in Bethel College’s Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center during regular business hours. Prices range from $12 to $20 with discounts available for students and senior citizens.

The rest of the 2016–17 HBPA lineup is the men’s a cappella ensemble Cantus, Dec. 3 at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus; South Africa’s a cappella men’s group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Feb. 7 in Bethel College’s Memorial Hall; Montréal Guitare Trio, March 4 in Krehbiel Auditorium; and Sybarite5, a string quintet, April 20 at Hesston Mennonite Church.

The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series is funded in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, Excel Industries and Hustler Turf Equipment (Hesston), the Hesston Community Foundation, the North Newton Community Foundation, and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Dr. Joseph Manickam announced as candidate of choice for Hesston College’s ninth president

The Hesston College Board of Directors, following a unanimous vote by those at its October meeting, announces Dr. Joseph Manickam as its candidate of choice to become Hesston’s ninth president. The Presidential Search Committee made the announcement to the campus community on Oct. 28.

“Dr. Manickam is creative, imaginative and visionary,” said Kelvin Friesen, chair of the Hesston College board. “He is a proven leader who is encouraging, team-oriented and empowering. We are in an era of adaptive change, and we believe the experience and qualities Dr. Manickam brings will serve well in leading Hesston College during this time.”

Dr. Manickam is currently director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace and faculty for peace studies at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand — the same city in which he served the previous three years with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada as director of the Central-Southern and Northeast Asia Program. Before his move to Thailand he was director of the MCC Asia Program and associate director of the Center for Anabaptist Leadership in California.

“As I have traveled around the world, I have become increasingly persuaded of the vital role a Mennonite education must play in shaping our world,” Dr. Manickam said. “It is my hope and dream that Hesston College will continue to be that place where students, staff and faculty are continually molded toward Christ’s love.”

A 1987 graduate of Hesston College, he also served five years as Hesston’s associate director of admissions early in his career.

“He was the strong consensus choice by the search committee because he is a deeply committed Anabaptist in addition to having a strong track record as an innovative and collaborative leader,” search committee chair and Hesston College board vice chair Ken G Kabira said. “Dr. Manickam brings unmatched global and cross-cultural competencies to the role. He has personally experienced the transformative Christ-centered education at Hesston College and has a deep love for the institution.”

The decision came after 10 months of a “careful and intentional process of recruitment and discernment, prayerfully vetting candidates through their strengths, fit and motivation,” Kabira said. “The Lord has always led the right kind of leader at the right time to Hesston College in its century-plus history.”

Dr. Manickam will be formally introduced to the Hesston College community when he visits the campus Nov. 7 to 8. The search committee will gather feedback during the visit and make a final recommendation to the Hesston College board and to the board of Mennonite Education Agency (MEA).

“The search committee has followed a rigorous and very thoughtful process,” MEA executive director Carlos Romero said. “As Dr. Manickam is announced as the candidate of choice, we look forward to the next steps, which will include the candidate spending several days on campus to interact with the Hesston College community. I believe we all look forward to the successful completion of the process and the appointment of the ninth president.”

Dr. Manickam earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, Calif.), his bachelor’s degree in communications from Goshen (Ind.) College and an associate degree in automotive technology from Hesston. He did his early schooling in India and Thailand before graduating from Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio. His doctoral dissertation focused on “A Study of Race, Culture and Ethnicity in the Mennonite Church, USA.” He has served on the boards of The Mennonite and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

MEA board chair Dr. Judy Miller called Manickam “a visionary leader with proven administrative experience and a deep desire to serve Hesston College, the Mennonite church and the broader community. His educational and life experience will serve the institution, its constituents and future students well.”

The search process is a joint effort of Hesston College’s Board of Directors and the MEA Board of Directors. MEA, the education agency of Mennonite Church USA, supports six higher education institutions including Hesston and provides counsel and staff support in presidential transitions.

A joint release of Hesston College and Mennonite Education Agency

Photo caption – Dr. Joseph Manickam speaks at Hesston College’s 2012 Commencement.

Joseph A. Manickam, Ph.D.

Joseph was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand to Paul and Mano Manickam, missionaries sent by the Church of South India to Thailand in 1958. The youngest of six children, he grew up in a family deeply committed to seeing God’s love translated into the local context crossing social barriers of many forms. During these formative years, cultural swinging was an assumed way of life for the Manickam family as they continually swung between a South Indian home, a western school system and living among the Thai people.

Joseph’s high school years began at a boarding school in South India named Kodaikanal International School. These years marked a return to some of his familial roots in South India where much of his extended family still reside. He completed his high school at Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio, where he earned a certificate in their automobile mechanics program.

In 1985, Joseph attended Hesston College where he encountered an Anabaptist perspective on the biblical narrative for the first time. Though he majored in automotive technology, his greatest transformation during these academic years was a spiritual transformation toward a deeper understanding of God’s love as demonstrated by his instructors and classmates. The years at Hesston College proved to be time when a Gospel ethic of nonviolence took root in his worldview. This perspective would be further crafted and tested during his years at Goshen (Ind.) College as the United States entered into its first Iraq War.

After completing his studies at Goshen College, Joseph returned to Hesston College to join their admissions department. This appointment offered him the opportunity to travel the country where he encountered the larger Mennonite church in the United States in its various shapes and forms. In particular, his encounter with urban Mennonites and Mennonites living on the margins of society captured his imagination of the power of the Anabaptist story to transform broken relationships.

Joseph and Wanda Wyse were married in 1994 in Yoder, Kansas. At the time, Wanda was working with the Sedgwick County Health Department. In 1996, they moved to Southern California where he began his graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. Joseph joined the staff at the Center for Anabaptist Leadership which provided him a platform to connect with Anabaptist minded congregations in the Pacific Southwest. These encounters further shaped his understanding of diversity within the Mennonite churches as the vast majority of members were first generation Mennonite. These transformative relationships were foundational to his doctoral studies and continue to shape his thought and faith today. It was also during this chapter in Southern California that Wanda and Joe’s daughter, Faith, and son, Matthew, were born.

The Manickam family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2005 where Joseph took up a position with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) as their area director for East Asia Program in their International Program department. This position would later morph into the area director for Asia Program. During these years in Pennsylvania, Joseph’s travel throughout Asia connected him to the pulse of the global church which often found itself in a complex religious environment – an environment where a person’s vibrant faith could manifest itself with unimagined colors. He also discovered that it was in this context that a genuine Gospel ethic of peacebuilding was relevant and could flourish.

In 2012, following the administrative restructuring of MCC, the Manickam family moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where for three years Joseph and Wanda took part in establishing the MCC Asia Regional Office. Joseph is currently the director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace (IRCP) at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He is also on faculty with the Peace Studies department where his academic interests include race/ethnic studies and interreligious engagement.

Bib Lit impacting in the classroom and beyond

How do you appropriately celebrate the 30th year of a college course that has had a significant impact on the life and faith of nearly 6,000 students who have put in hours of hard work and come away with a broader worldview and greater biblical understanding?

A brand new, first-time-ever textbook for the course seems like a great start.

This fall, students in Hesston College’s famous Introduction to Biblical Literature class received copies of the first print run of The Bible as Story: An Introduction to Biblical Literature as their textbook. Fittingly, the book is co-authored by former and current Hesston College faculty members Marion Bontrager, Michele Hershberger and John Sharp, who have more than 45 years of combined experience teaching the course.

From its start in 1986 to August 2016 when the book first came off the press, Bib Lit students remember the course manual as loose-leaf sheets of paper contained in three-ring binders. That content was rich with biblical insight and a unique way of presenting the biblical story and its inspiring concept of Heilsgeschichte – salvation history, which is more than just history “but a kind of confession of faith and proclamation of Yahweh and salvation,” as Bontrager writes in the book’s introduction. The book contains the same wisdom and innovation, just in a different format.

“The binder was more notes, and our lectures filled in the gaps,” said Hershberger. “We took what was in the notebook and refined it into this single resource, which better solidifies for our students this very unique method of teaching the Bible. We took the time and effort needed to really make this a fine, well-researched book that ties together well what Bib Lit is.”

A Bib Lit book had been an aspiration for the faculty authors for several years, but the time needed to make it a reality was difficult to find with already busy teaching, speaking and other writing commitments for each of them.

It was the encouragement from fellow faculty member, published author and owner of the independent Workplay Publishing, André Swartley, that inspired them to move ahead. The fact that it was published in time for the 30th anniversary of the course was coincidence.

“One of my motivations for getting [the authors] together to do the book was as an academic advisor to the international students who have to take Bib Lit to graduate,” said Swartley, who teaches English as a Second Language courses at Hesston. “Many of them have never even seen a Bible and Bib Lit is difficult for them, so I thought, ‘How can we make a more user-friendly resource for these students, which will, in turn, benefit everyone?’”

In his role at Workplay, Swartley helped walk the authors through the process of writing, editing and publishing the book, which was published in cooperation with Hesston College.

Bontrager’s brainchild, Bib Lit was started as a way to ensure that students would receive biblical teaching from an Anabaptist perspective as part of their core curriculum. It is now an iconic part of the Hesston Experience as well as a required class for graduation.

The approach to teaching the Bible is unique when compared to many other Bible classes, and consists of three parts: story, method (inductive study) and hermeneutics (interpretation). It reveals the Bible as a narrative of God and the people of God instead of a compilation of stories.

“Bib Lit is focused on story rather than on book,” said Bontrager, who retired from teaching in May 2014. “It’s not so much about the Bible as the content of the Bible. It is Christo-centric with Jesus connected to the Old Testament story, and with a historic Jesus who is integral to daily life. It provides foundational context. It also builds a foundation for critical thinking and analysis when studying the Bible or in any area of life or academics.”

“We are realizing that even our Christian students come in not really understanding ‘the Big Story,’ added Sharp. “They know individual stories, but they do not understand the big story and how all the stories work together to create the big story. That’s what makes this a very unique class.”

While the book was created as a teaching tool, the authors are hopeful and expectant that it will have an impact beyond the Hesston College classroom. Both Bontrager and Hershberger have presented the Bib Lit curriculum in congregations across the United States for several years. The advent of the book will make the presentations more convenient and succinct and offer the opportunity for congregations, small groups or individuals to explore the content on their own.

In summer 2016, Hershberger used an early print version of the book to present Bib Lit at Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust in Philadelphia, Pa., to 15 people from 10 congregations throughout greater Philadelphia.

“That Philly class was the inaugural class with the book, and it went really well,” said Hershberger. “We know it works with an adult audience, and they really appreciated it. I think what they will do now is they’ll take it and adapt it to their own context in their Sunday school classes and in their preaching.”

While the many possibilities with the new text remain to be more fully realized, it’s clear that Bib Lit will continue to be foundational and impact the lives and faith journeys of students in the college classroom and beyond.

“It’s so rewarding to see students make new connections with the Bible,” said Bontrager. “If it also contributes to more storytelling in the church, that will be a very nice spin off.”

The Bible as Story is available for purchase through the Bookstore.

Vocalists invited to sing in 2016 Thanksgiving Masterworks concert

Local musicians are invited to join student choirs for the annual Thanksgiving evening Masterworks concert at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 24, at Hesston Mennonite Church. The 2016 concert will be A Downton Abbey Christams and will consist of holiday music by English composers themed around the popular British television show, along with full orchestra accompaniment.

Rehearsals will be on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus, beginning Oct. 20. A detailed list of music and the complete rehearsal schedule can be found online. Community choir participants are asked to contribute $20 to cover the cost of music, payable at the first rehearsal.

To participate or for questions, contact Russell Adrian at russell.adrian@hesston.edu or 620-327-8143.

Hesston College to present a fall performance filled with laughter

The Hesston College Theatre Department will present four public performances of the fable “Fools,” directed by Rachel Jantzi, Oct. 27 to 30, in the Helmuth Studio Theatre in Keim Center on the Hesston College campus.

“Fools,” by Neil Simon, set in the small village of Kulyenchikov, Ukraine, during the late 19th century, tells the story of schoolteacher Leon Tolchinsky who accepted an assignment to instruct the village doctor’s daughter. He quickly discovers Kulyenchikov is a village noted primarily for the stupidity of its residents, due to a curse placed on the villagers generations earlier.

The village has grown accustomed to the unintelligent events, like not knowing how to open a door, but change is imminent when the young Leon arrives at the Zubritsky home and carries out his first lesson with Sophia.

The 2016-17 theatre lineup is centered on “a season of laughter,” and the cast of 11 students, with a tech crew of eight additional students, will be sure to have the audience full of laughter.

“The best comedy is taken very seriously,” says director Rachel Jantzi. “I want our student-actors to experience the challenge of pulling off a comedic show, and not just comedic, completely ridiculous. We are all witnessing a different breed of ridiculousness right now as we watch this current political circus. I thought it would be nice to engage in some foolishness without risk or the maliciousness that we have been exposed to recently. I want the audience to feel free to laugh together and enjoy a show with no real agenda, other than to entertain.”

Show times are at 7 p.m. Oct. 27, 28 and 29, and 2 p.m. Oct. 30. The play is rated G, running 90 minutes excluding intermission, and is suitable for the whole family.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased through the Hesston College Bookstore in person, by phone at 620-327-8105 or online. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Tickets will also be available at the door 45 minutes prior to show time and are subject to availability.

Photo release - Campus comes together for Cultures Fair 2016

Hesston College sophomore Kaho Yanagidaira (Chino-shi, Japan) (right) and English faculty member Donovan Tann (left) give a lesson on using chopsticks to sophomores Morgan Leavy (Telford, Pa.) and Emily Griffioen (Belmond, Iowa) at the college’s annual Culture’s Fair Oct. 10. After learning to use chopsticks, participants test their new skills by moving peas from one bowl to another. The Culture’s Fair is a chance for international students to share their customs, culture, music and food with the campus community. This fall, 39 international students representing 16 countries are part of the Hesston College community.

Photo release - Author of 2016 community read speaks at Hesston Mennonite Church

Joshua Davis, author of the fall 2016 community read “Spare Parts,” shared with about 500 people the process of writing his book and immigration in the United States.

Photo release - Home Sweet Hesston homecoming 2016

Adele Hofer (sophomore, Greenwood Village, Colo.), performs a soprano solo from Mozart’s “Regina Coeli, KV 108,” along with the Hesston High Singers, the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers and the Gala Concert Orchestra Saturday evening.

(left) Troy Jantz (Hesston), Hesston High 1999, Hesston College 2001 and 2002. Jantz, a pilot with Executive Airshare, spoke along with two other aviation presenters Sept. 30; (right) Former Bible faculty member Marion Bontrager and current faculty members John Sharp (Bible and history) and Michele Hershberger (Bible) sign a copy of their book “The Bible as Story” for alumnus Andrew Horst (1997).

(left) Lonnie Voth, Jane Litwiller, Karen Terry and Beth Hostetler review a yearbook at their Hesston College class of 1976 gathering; (right) Noted conflict transformation author and international conflict negotiator, Notre Dame professor and peace practitioner John Paul Lederach ’75 presents the keynote address on the topic “Compassion and integrity in an age of fragmentation.” Lederach arrived to homecoming weekend off a plane from Colombia where he oversaw the peace deal between Colombia and FARC rebels.

(left) Several inflatables and face painting was available to community members for entertainment as part of Kids Fest on Saturday evening, Oct. 1. Kids Fest was part of a full evening of free activities that included a picnic dinner for alumni and Hesston community members, men’s and women’s soccer games and a Gala Concert featuring musicians from Hesston High School and Hesston College as well as community members; (center) Dr. Andrea (Weaver) Herrera responds to an audience member’s question during a Go Everywhere seminar. Herrera, a family practice physician at Great Plains Family Medicine (HHS 1995, HC 1997) presented along with Dr. Greg Sawin (right), program director for the Tufts University Family Medicine Residency at Cambridge (Mass.) Health Alliance (HHS 1991, HC 1993) and Dr. Josh Suderman (center), private clinic pain management specialist (HHS 2001, HC 2003); (right) Goalkeeper Luke Hertzler (freshman, Harrisonburg, Va.) warms up for the Larks match with Garden City Community College.

Bel Canto singers to perform at Hesston Mennonite Church

A 21-voice mixed chamber choir, Bel Canto Singers, under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian, will perform at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus.

The group’s fall tour program, “Mend the Sky,” is inspired by the college’s 2016-17 theme verse from Jeremiah 29:11-13: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord…” and the Hesston community read Spare Parts by Joshua Davis.

Bel Canto, Hesston College’s premier choral ensemble, is part of a rich tradition of performing arts at Hesston College where students access an assortment of venues including biennial tours to Europe. The 2016-17 academic year marks the group’s 33rd season. While combining high artistic standards with unique performance opportunities, Bel Canto Singers provide first and second-year college musicians an experience typically reserved for third and fourth-year students.

The group’s home concert is a prelude to a fall break tour to Colorado Oct. 14 to 17. Tour stops include:

• Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. – Rocky Mountain Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale, Rocky Ford, Colo.
• Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. – Peace Mennonite Community Church, 13601 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora Colo.
• Oct. 16, 4 p.m. – Beloved Community Mennonite Church (at Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church, 6724 S. Webster St., Littleton, Colo.)
• Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. – Liberty High School, 8720 Scarborough Dr., Colorado Springs
• Oct. 17, 7 p.m. – Beth-El Mennonite Church, 3625 Ranch Dr., Colorado, Springs