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

VOL. XXXVIII No. 3 NANCY GARRISON, Executive Director May-June 2013

Praise in Spring*

Amid the beauty of the spring Our gratitude and thanks we bring

For the return of each growing thing, With hearts rejoicing let us sing.

Abundant life is ours today, May it be shared along life’s way.

Your will be done in this your world, O God, we pray. Amen

–Juanita M. Kelly, former resident

*May be sung to the tune “Open My Eyes”

From Our Administrator-- Happy Spring to all ofyou, and happy it is here aswe started the seasoncelebrating an Earth Dayplanned by June Fischer. Everyone talked about what

a great experience it was. We had two residents who celebrated their

90th birthday, Beth Griffin and Betsy Ewing. Ofcourse as you know 90 is now the new 70, andbelieve me here at Brooks-Howell it couldn’t betruer. I think most of these people drank from the“Fountain of Youth” along the way, and only intheir late 90’s are they considered to be getting alittle age on them. United Methodist Women from the BethlehemUnited Methodist Church in Statesville brought abirthday party to Rosemary Scheuerman. In early April we were pleased to have a visitfrom the new director of Scarritt-Bennett Center,Dr. Joselin Briddell. We welcomed Dr. Briddelland our old friend Joanne Reich, also fromScarritt-Bennett ,with a reception in the chapel. We now have the funds to purchase a new bus;in fact, it has been ordered and is being built to fitour safety specifications and will seat nineteenpassengers, or eleven passengers and fourwheelchairs. We would like to thank Mrs. HelenFrye for getting this ball rolling with contributionsfrom her friends and family. She told them shewould match their funds, which really got all of usexcited, so with that and lots of prayers we nowhave A NEW BUS! It is with deep sadness that we tell you of theloss of several of our residents. Mrs. FayeHackney-Lance, Missionary to India; Miss IloStewart, Deaconess serving in Puerto Rico; long-time local community residents Mrs. DorothyWeyhenmeyer (Mother-in-law of Ginger Hazelton,who was United Methodist Women Staff in New

York); Mr. William Marberger, and Mrs. WilmaSharpe. New to our community are Jack and RenieMiner, Jack Smith, Phyllis Young, Betty Williams,John Baker, and Jane Mitchell. Remember that you too may be eligible to livewith us here at our wonderful Brooks-Howell. Giveus a call for details. As we all think about and with much prayer forthe people of the recent tragedies across thecountry, may the beauty of this Spring season shinethrough our shadows. Nancy GarrisonExecutive Director

Nancy Garrison with Dr. Joselin Briddell

Rosemary’s Party (Photo Ann Janzen)

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In Memory-- Faye Hackney-Lance

July 18, 1926 March 22, 2013

Eula Faye Hackney-Lance was born, the eldestof nine children, on a farmnear High Point, NorthC aro lina, to Fred E.Kennedy and Sally BrewerKennedy. From grammar schoolthrough college, teacherstook an interest in Faye, and she developed acapacity to respond energetically and creatively tothat interest and love. When she was 13, aMethodist church was established about five milesfrom the farm and she started walking to SundaySchool. She soon had a conversion experience. The Methodist women took her under their wing,applied for college scholarships, and helped herfinancially in other ways. She also worked on atobacco farm to raise money for college. Shereceived a nurse’s training scholarship from theRotary Club, and after three months knew that wasto be her calling. She went to Pfeiffer College andthen to Presbyterian hospital and Queens College,where she received her RN and BS in Nursing. She then worked for two years at PresbyterianHospital.

Faye married the Rev. Edwin A. Hackney,and the couple had four sons–Mark, John, Paul andJames. In one of the churches they served theHackneys taught a mission course, using the bookSouth of the Himalayas and became convincedthey were called to mission. They went to India in1959. After language school they were sent toPatalia, Punjab. While her husband served asDistrict Superintendent Faye did village medicalwork among persons with leprosy and latermedical and educational work and evangelism. The Hackneys worked themselves out of a job in

twenty-four years and turned their many jobs overto nationals.

They returned to the States, and after ten years ofpastoring in the Western North CarolinaConference, Rev. Hackney died in 1991. In 1997Faye married Bishop Joseph R. Lance in Pune,India. They returned to live in Charlotte until 2001,when they moved to Brooks-Howell. Bishop Lancedied Mary 18, 2003.

Faye was a member of Biltmore United MethodistChurch. She had been very active in the life ofBrooks-Howell, using her nursing skills and hercreativity, especially in gracing the chapel eachweek with lovely flowers.

Ilo Stewart

November 1, 1919 April 9, 2013

Ilo, the middle child of threegirls, was born in Varina,Iowa, to Ralph and LenaStewart. While she was still ababy, the family moved toLadysmith, Wisconsin, at theedge of a forest. Ilo lovedwoods, flowers and birds.

She gave her life to Jesuswhen she was about nineyears old. Her parents were

active in the Methodist Church and her mother inthe Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. She hadalready decided to become a missionary when shemet her first deaconess at camp.

After high school Ilo attended a two-year normalschool and then taught school for five years. Sheattended River Falls Teachers College duringsummers and received her BS in education in 1945. (Continued p. 4)

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Iolo Stewart (Continued from p.3)She then contacted the Board of Missions and wasoffered a teaching job at Harwood Girls School inAlbuquerque, NM. Two deaconesses thereencouraged her to become a deaconess. After ayear of study at Scarritt College she wascommissioned in 1948. That same year she beganteaching at George O. Robinson School in PuertoRico. She stayed there until 1976.

Doing summer work at Scarritt, she received a MAdegree in Bible, and attended Peabody while onsabbatical, earning a MA in elementary education. Her father died during this time. After returning toRobinson she taught for four years and thenbecame principal of the elementary grades.

Ilo was always interested in music and while atRobinson enjoyed working with a children’s choirthat later grew into an adult choir.

She returned to Wisconsin in 1976 because hermother was ill in a United Methodist retirementhome. To support herself she took a RN course innursing and then worked at the home until 1984. After retirement she stayed in the area and didvolunteer work until coming to Brooks-Howell in2000. Before entering the health unit, Ilo wasactive at Oakley UMC and sang in the Brooks-Howell choir.

News From Resident Services--

Parade of HatsTo officially usher in the season of Spring onMarch 20, Resident Services sponsored a“Welcome Spring Parade of Hats.” The hats weredecorated with a spring time theme of flowers,Easter eggs, and bunnies. Everyone enjoyed seeingthe beautifully adorned hats as many residents wentthrough the halls of Brooks-Howell, welcomingwarmer weather and colorful spring blossoms!

Frances Major

Irma Higgins

(Continued p. 5)

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Parade of Hats (Continued from p. 4)

Ed Ehresman

Frieda Morris

“Spring” at Brooks-Howell

Taken March 28

Brooks Naming Contest

During the month ofMarch, a contest was heldto name the “slow down”signs in our driveway. These signs look like littlegreen turtles, so it wasdecided to give them thelas t na me B r o o k s . However, they also neededfirst names. We had awonderful response from32 residents and staffmembers. The judges(Administration staff) chose the following names:

Bubba Brooks – submitted by Jayne Smith

Burton Brooks – submitted by Christopher Starke(visitor)

Buddy Brooks – named by the judges – We areawaiting his arrival.

Jayne Smith & Naomi Wray (for Burton) receivedEaster baskets full of goodies as their prizes forthe winning entries.

--Tracey Owens, Activities Coordinator

(Photos–Alycia Johnson)

[The photo taken March 28 shows about the thirdsnow we had all year–and it didn’t get much morethan is shown in the picture.]

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I Remember–[This Part II of the article written in the last issueof the Serendipitor.]

–When I Visited Palestine

I was sitting in the Basilica of Dominus Flev(“The Lord Wept”) on the Mount of Olives. Thisis the traditional site of Jesus’ weeping overJerusalem. As I looked over the Old City, with thegolden Dome of the Rock shining in the sun on theTemple Mount, I thought, “How Jesus must weepover Jerusalem today!”

I had arrived in Israel only three days aftertragic events on the Temple Mount. On October 8,1990, at least 20 Palestinians had been killed andhundreds wounded when the Israeli border guardsfired at unarmed civilians gathered in the TempleMount complex after worship at the mosque. Iattended a news briefing by B’Tselem, an Israelihuman rights organization, and the ecumenicalChristian service held in memory of those who haddied in the Temple Mount tragedy.

Two of our United Methodist missionariesbecame personally involved in the sorrow and painof Temple Mount. Romeo del Rosario (commonlyknown as Romy), United Methodist liaison inJerusalem, visited the wounded in the hospitalalong with other pastors. Mission Intern JoanneReich was acting director of the Princess BasmaDisabled Children’s Center, opposite one of thetwo Arabic hospitals. As frantic relatives andfriends of the wounded and dead crowded the streetnear the hospital, Joanne brought buckets of waterfor people to drink.

Suddenly the boys on either side of her wereshot with rubber bullets. (Rubber bullets are largesteel balls covered with a thin coat of rubber. Although not usually fatal, a closeup shot causesvery painful bruising and sometimes brokenbones.) Tear gas was also sprayed upon the peoplein the street and even into the maternity ward.

During the twenty days I was in Israel I saw anumber of sites that are holy to Christians. Thanksto Romy del Rosario I also met some Palestiniansand saw the unjust treatment with which they dealconstantly. For example, after a visit to thePalestine Human Rights Information Center,several of us were given a guided tour of theJewish settlements around Jerusalem, built on whatwas Arabic land. At that time the ring ofsettlements nearly surrounded Jerusalem, andtoday they have occupied much of the Old City ofJerusalem and the West Bank, though suchconstruction in occupied territories is a violation ofthe Geneva Convention. Since 1948 thousands ofPalestinian homes have been destroyed and manythousands killed, many of them women andchildren.

In my visit there we visited a Palestinian manand his son who had refused to leave their land,and were living in a tent and an old bus. We sawpictures of their house as it had been. After that,the son served us cold drinks and cake that he hadmade for us. When we left, we were filled withpain over the injustice done not only to this familybut to thousands of other dispossessed Palestinians.

Another concern was (and still is) the crisisin the water supply. Israel took at that time aboutone-third of its water from underground reserves inthe occupied West Bank, and restricted Palestinianaccess to water. Since that time as settlementshave increased, with many swimming pools andgreen lawns, the water allowed to Palestinians is even more limited. And Israel at will stops thesupply of water, especially to Gaza.

Palestinians were not accepting the situationpassively. In December 1987 an Israeli trucksmashed into cars carrying Arab workers homefrom Israel. Four Palestinians were killed andseven seriously injured. The incident set off anexplosion of demonstrations, and became theuprising, or intefada, which had the aim ofestablishing a Palestinian state. Many Palestiniansparticipated in acts of mass disobedience -- (Continued p. 7)

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When I Visited Palestine (Continued from p. 6)including strikes, tax revolts, and the boycott ofgoods. The emphasis was on Palestinian self-sufficiency at all levels.

In a visit to the YWCA in East Jerusalem wesaw a nursery school for four-six-year-olds, andbusiness and homemaking courses for women. From there we went to visit the Anglican St.Luke’s Hospital in Nablus. Our guide was the then Bishop Samir Kafity of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and the Near East. Whilethere we visited with Salwa, a second-generationrefugee in a refugee camp. She had three childrenwho were growing up as refugees. She was trainedin social work, but had only recently found work,after seven years without. She told of the frequentcurfews enforced by the Israelis, sometimes lastingas long as 30 days. During curfew a person cannotleave the house. Even opening a window or doorinvites gunfire from the soldiers. Palestiniansunder curfew cannot go out to buy food. Freshfoods cannot be kept for two weeks or a month. Even if it could, most people cannot afford to buyfood in large quantities. Salwa also told of howsoldiers often enter Palestinian homes at any time,day or night. Sometimes they destroy the housesand their contents. The soldiers attack, and oftenarrest, Palestinian men and boys. Is it any wonder,I thought, that the boys and young men arethrowing stones at the soldiers? It is the only waythey have to retaliate–even though they often go toprison for it. In prison they can be subjected tosolitary confinement, even torture.

We went with Bill Warnock, area director ofWorld Vision, to another private hospital. He waslooking for a friend who, he had heard, had beeninjured by Israeli soldiers. The man was in a wardwhere young men wounded in the intifada weretreated. There, we learned his story.

Warnock’s friend was a nurse. He had beengoing to work during the recent curfew. (Medicalpersonnel carried passes allowing them passage.)He was hurrying so as not to be late when someIsraeli soldiers told him to stop. He didn’t hearthem, so they shouted, “Stop, or we’ll shoot!”

The nurse showed the soldiers hisidentification card (which all Palestinians in theoccupied territories must have). He also showedhis special pass. “The soldiers threw them on theground,” he said, “and began to beat me around thehead and arms. Finally, they shot me three timesin my leg at close range with rubber bullets. It willbe months before I will be able to work.” He wasin obvious pain. Even so, with true Arabhospitality, he offered us candy bars that someonehad given him.

One of the 11 patients in the ward was only13 years old. Another was 17. All had beenbeaten and shot in arms, legs, or stomachs. Therewere several fractures. One young man will neverbe able to bend his elbow or use his right armagain because a nerve was damaged by the beatinghe received. All the patients were young exceptfor one man who had been shot in the head whilepicking his olives. Israeli soldiers were trying toprevent farmers from harvesting olives, their mainand often only source of income. I wept when Ithought of how some of my tax money wassupporting these abuses.

All Israelis do not support their government’spolicies. I met with Roni Ben Efrat, a journalistand activist in the Israeli peace movement. Hernewspaper had reported what was happening in theoccupied territories. As a result, she and othereditors had been imprisoned–one for as long as 30months. Many times they were in isolation andwere psychologically tortured and mistreated. (Arabs, but not Jews, are physically tortured.). Once an Arab friend was tortured when the Israeliprisoners could hear his screams. Then they weretold that they were the cause of their Arab friend’storment–because they would not confess.

Roni was one of the “Women in Black,” aspontaneous, grass-roots movement of Israeliwomen who every Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00p.m., gather at Frances Square in Jerusalem. Theyare dressed in black and they hold signs that say“No to Occupation.” Silently they stand, old andyoung, as a protest against occupation. Every day (Continued p. 8)

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When I Visited Palestine (Continued from p. 7)other people, often dressed in white, come tooppose them. Often the opponents hurl sexistepithets. Sometimes they spit or throw eggs at theprotestors. But the vigil continues each Friday. Atthe time I was there the vigil had spread to 32different places throughout Israel. There were alsogroups standing silently in front of Israeliembassies in other countries and cities. [This movement is now observed in many places in theUnited States, including in Asheville.] The prayersfor peace with justice continue around the world.

In the 23 years since my visit Israel hasoccupied a large portion of Palestine, dividing thecountry so that life is extremely difficult. Gaza iseven worse–a prison from which people canseldom leave, and in which all aspects of life are controlled. Unfortunately, in the U.S. little of thetruth about Palestine appears in the media. Thepossibility of a Palestinian state seems impossible. In spite of our country’s supposed stand for human rights, what is happening in Palestine is ignoredand our government sends billions of dollars eachyear to Israel, and supplies planes and arms whichare terrorizing the Palestinian inhabitants of theunlawful occupied territory. There are books and DVDs in the MissionsArchives Library at Brooks-Howell which willgive residents the truthful story of what ishappening.

–Esther Megill

[Romeo del Rosario was previously a missionaryin Sierra Leone, has also served the UnitedMethodist Church as a missionary not only inPalestine, but in the Philippines, and is now inCambodia. Deaconess Joanne Reich is presentlyserving on the staff of the Scarritt-Bennett Centerin Nashville.]

We Honor Roberta Rice

There are days when members of the Brooks-HowellHome family pause to honor special people. On April 4we honored Dr. Roberta Rice for bringing a specialblend of honesty and humor, mixed well with love andsupport for each resident into our lives.

Dr. Rice came to Brooks-Howell on March 15, 1992. She says with a twinkle in her eyes that she choseMarch 15 because she would not have to think about itto remember that date. She came as a surgeon andteacher from Korea, but she also came to our chapel asan accomplished organist. For this special occasion shechose her favorite hymns, and we joined with her incelebrating her call to Korea and remembering our callsto the mission field.

Patty Higginswas the officialpage-turner forRoberta as sheplayed for theservice, and shehas now becomeour organist. We say, “Thankyou” for a task well done to Roberta and “Welcome” toPatty who will share her love for church music with us. –Ann Janzen

Roberta enjoyed playing for children who visited

(Photos: Debbie Pittman & Don Turman)

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A Missionary Reunion

It was the fall of 1965 when 71 adults and severalchildren met at Stony Point, New York for fivemonths of worship, study and fellowship beforeleaving for points around the world as missionariesof several denominations. Some would never seethese newfound friends again, but in 2010 we hadour first reunion here at Brooks Howell. About 26attended that time. This year in April we hadanother reunion with 15 attending. The group getssmaller as we age. Some are no longer able totravel and 12 have died. We had a great timerenewing old friendships. Two came this time whoweren’t able to come last time, so most of ushadn’t seen them in 48 years. (Of course none ofus look any older!) We spent many hours justvisiting and updating each other on 48 years. WithDon Turman’s help we spent one day in Cherokee. A member of the church talked with us regardingthe culture, past and present, and then we had awonderful Indian lunch. Bud Carroll (whocurrently lives in Hong Kong) preached at chapelon Thursday and Millie Carroll did aninspirational liturgical dance. After dinner atVinnie’s we closed with a beautiful communionservice. Most of us agreed that the five months atStony Point were a turning point in our lives. Where will we meet again? Time will tell. –Jorie Reuger

People come into our lives and walk with us a mile,and then because of circumstance they only stay awhile. They serve a need within the days that moveso quickly by, and then are gone beyond our reach,we often wonder why. God only knows the reasonthat we meet and share a smile, why people comeinto our lives and walk with us a mile." Source Unknown

(Photo was taken by a bystander with Debbie’s camera)

The New Gift Shop

Where do you go if you are a resident of Brooks-Howell, and it’s raining and too cold outside to go lookat the spring flowers? Why, you go to the new giftshop. Where do you go when you have been busy forseveral days with activities and can’t think of whatwould be fun in the half hour before lunch? Why, yougo to the new gift shop. Shopping is fun there, and youmay come out with a new toothbrush or a birthday cardfor a friend or a small something to brighten your room. For sure, you’ll come out with a smile on your facebecause you have had a good time. You are invited todrop in Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. tonoon.. On the first Saturday of the month the Gift Shopwill be open from 10:00 to noon and 2:00 to 4:00.Remember! Shopping is fun.

–Ann Janzen

MS Team Walks for Support

Marilyn Benson, Tracey Owens, Debbie Pittman, Samuel Owens, Alycia Johnson, Mylah Johnson

“Debbie’s Bunch” walk each year in support of allwho have multiple sclerosis. Brooks-Howellresidents and friends have raised over $1500 so farthis year for MS. Our team, Deb’s Bunch, iscurrently the fourth highest team in Western NC inraising money, yet one of the smallest teams. –Information from Debbie Pittman

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From Our Chaplain --

Connections

On a recent trip to South Florida Ramona and Imade our first visit to the Florida Keys, the coralarchipelago running in a southwesterly directionbeginning at a point south of Miami. As we traveled from island toisland, I was aware of how theywere connected by bridges orcauseways that enabled them tofunction as one continuoustransportation link. The exposedislands are also connected by asubmerged ancient coral reef. Theyshare other common "connections"such as the subtropical climatewhich I much welcomed, diverse native flora aswell as nonnative plants like bougainvillea andkey lime, the main ingredient for the key lime piethat we enjoyed along the way. (Source:Wikipedia).

These reflections led me to think of how we areconnected at Brooks-Howell Home. Mostresidents are retired from long careers of ministryin the church and continue to be involved in agreat variety of ministries (called, served, andserving still). We are all growing older so wegive priority to celeb ra t ing b ir thdays ,anniversaries and life in general. We arecollectively inspired by the beauty of our campus. We come together for meals, worship, study andother meaningful activities and have commoninterests such as keeping up with world events andbeing devoted to healthy living, creation care andlifelong learning. Although we came here to live,death is a frequent visitor to our campus so weshare the pain of loss and grief.

The connection that compares to the ancient coralreef which unites the Florida Keys is the solid

ground of our relationship with God which ismanifested in character and actions shaped byGod's love and presence. An attitude that iscommon to us all is a deep gratitude for God's giftsand grace. Indeed we are a connected community. –Don Turman, Chaplain

Celebration of Earth Day

A beautiful and meaningful worship service,planned by June Fischer and the Creation CareTeam, was held on in the chapel on June 17 tocelebrate Earth Day. A number of residents tookpart, emphasizing a healthy life and all aspects of caring for the creation God has given us. Articleswere placed on the altar as we celebrated differentaspects of creation with Scripture, song, andprayer.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfullycommitted citizens can change the world. Indeed,it's the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

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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; Joyce Anderegg, ElaineGasser, Ann Janzen, Pat Riddell, Tracy Owens, Nancy Garrison, Marcia Knight. Mailers: Barbara Markham & VirginiaMiller. RATE: $10.00 PER YEAR; SEND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO SERENDIPITOR, checks made payable toSerendipitor. Check your label for an expiration date. The Serendipitor is also available on the Brooks-Howell website(see the note below) If you decide to stop your paper issue, please inform the editor.[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][[][][][][][[][]BROOKS-HOWELL HOME

266 MERRIMON AVENUEASHEVILLE, NC 28801-1218

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