Mennonite Central Committee News Service
(7)
September 3, 1970
FELLOWSHIP GROUP LOCATES IN ATLANTA
Akron, Pa. -- About one and a half
years ago, a small group of Goshen College students started meeting
together to search for what it meant for them to be part of the
"God movement." As the group continued to meet together
for Bible study, worship, and mutual admonition and discernment,
they felt called to stay together as a fellowship and move to
an urban environment rather than split up after they graduated
from college.
Because many of the members came from
Mennonite backgrounds and because much of the impetus for the
formation of the small believer's church-type fellowship came
about as a result of a college seminar on Anabaptism, the fellowship
was interested in continuing to relate to the Mennonite church.
The question of the draft status of the male members of the fellowship
was discussed and members seriously considered the option of
non-cooperation. By last spring, however, most of the men had
registered as conscientious objectors.
In July, representatives of the group
met with the Voluntary Service department leaders of Mennonite
Central Committee to discuss the possibility of the group receiving
the sanction and support of MCC. They had decided to move to
Atlanta and desired a working partnership with a church agency
for those engaged in alternative service.
At the July 24-25 Executive Committee
meeting of MCC the following action was taken concerning the
group: That we (MCC) recognize the group as they make plans to
establish themselves in Atlanta, and that we offer our services
in counsel and help as requested in accordance with our purposes
and ability to assist. MCC will assist those members of the group
seeking alternative service when requested and possible.
In looking for a place to live, the
group chose Atlanta because of the educational facilities available,
the racial and social climate of the city and the city and state
government situations.
The fellowship focuses its life around
the commitment that Jesus is Lord and that this Lordship must
be proclaimed verbally and through life style. The members are
committed to a continual process of discernment with each other
to discover what those commitments mean in their individual lives
and their life together. Mutual discernment directly affects
the process of their decision-making. Instead of each individual
trying to arrive by himself at a knowledge of God's will, the
members counsel together, making decisions by consensus.
Their concerns are those of Christians
everywhere--war and militarism, nationalism, poverty, materialism
and racism--areas in which men and women are oppressed and enslaved.
In response to those aspects of American society which alienate
and place emphasis on materialistic accumulation and extreme
individualism, the fellowship has experimented with a pattern
of living which includes sharing of possessions. They maintain
two households, one for the two married couples and one for the
single men and women.
In Atlanta, initially, fellowship
members will be working in the traditional service occupations
such as teaching, nursing, social welfare, and probation counseling
as well as continuing schooling and theological training. Some
within the fellow- ship also plan to become involved in peace
work, draft counseling, free universities and other experimental
forms of education, community organization and men and women'
s liberation.
At least six members of the group
are ready to move to Atlanta now. More will join them in December
and the rest of the group will move to Atlanta next April.
The fellowship sees the move as a
learning experience as well as an opportunity to serve. Since
urbanization is a part of America, 1970, they are seeking the
answers to several questions--what happens to a person when he
must cope with overcrowding, noise, air pollution and the other
frustrations of inner-city life? Is it possible to live humanely
in the urban situation? What are the humanizing and enriching
aspects of urban culture? and does a Christian communal group
have some distinctive contribution to make to the church ?
- 30-
ly3september70