tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4114849513980773570.post5464115808129723399..comments2023-12-22T14:04:55.065-05:00Comments on Ehlers on Everything: John Steinbruck and the Challenge of PeaceMark J. Ehlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410705618925284448noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4114849513980773570.post-14435350944276166642014-10-02T19:56:37.129-04:002014-10-02T19:56:37.129-04:00Mark- this is a wonderful tribute to John’s amazin...Mark- this is a wonderful tribute to John’s amazing life of seeking justice and peace for all. His 27 years of work (along with Erna) at Luther Place and N Street Village was transforming in my life and moved me to continue writing about social justice and to continue to serve the homeless women of DC at N Street Village. Their legacy lives on in our lives and in the lives of so many women who have had life changing experiences at N Street Village. I am happy that on October 26th we will release a book called ‘Breaking Bread’ at Luther Place which documents the stories of Luther Place and N Street Village over these last 40 years with personal reflections by John, the many founders and supporters, and the women whose lives have been transformed at N Street. Peace, GaryGary Maringnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4114849513980773570.post-68416240116526550012014-09-27T12:28:40.670-04:002014-09-27T12:28:40.670-04:00Katie, Ken, and Rochelle,
Thank you for your kind...Katie, Ken, and Rochelle,<br /><br />Thank you for your kind thoughts and reflections on this essay and on the life and service of John Steinbruck. It is people like you that are a testament to how lives and the world can be transformed and made better by those who apply the ethics of Christian love and justice that Steinbruck exemplifies.<br /><br />Peace/Shalom,<br />Mark<br />Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4114849513980773570.post-6380846942698333052014-09-26T16:45:27.845-04:002014-09-26T16:45:27.845-04:00Thank you for this post. I was one of those fortu...Thank you for this post. I was one of those fortunate students taught by John in what I sometimes term "The season of transformation". John was a lightening rod of inspiration, frustration, and self-examination during that semester. He provoked an angst that continues to this day causing me to always question how equipped am I to do what God calls me to, and more importantly, to engage others with the truth of their calling, whether they stand in the pulpit or sit in the pews. Thanks be to the one who lights the darkness. God's blessing be with each.<br /><br />Thank you John, my mentor and friend.<br />RochelleRochelle Lewisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4114849513980773570.post-40792098797676493322014-09-26T07:16:46.507-04:002014-09-26T07:16:46.507-04:00Mark, thank you for this excellent reflection abou...Mark, thank you for this excellent reflection about John, his witness, and ministry. I was privileged to serve with John at Luther Place from 1973 through 1977. The lessons I learned from him about pastoral ministry, hospitality, and peace served me well over my forty years in parish ministry. It was not always easy to translate those concepts in the congregations of rural Maryland and central Pennsylvania, yet it was and is possible to maintain the witness. I remember with fondness the struggles in working to create the Lutheran Volunteer Corp and the model Betty and I tried to create with Bonhoeffer House in the N Street Village. John was very supportive of our efforts in Bonhoeffer House. Erna was also a great support. Although we have not seen each other very much over the past thirty years, I have continued to follow John’s ministry. I wish John and Erna all the best in the days and months ahead as well all pray for and with them.<br /><br />Ken LongfieldKen Longfieldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4114849513980773570.post-57588934285675994342014-09-26T07:13:48.370-04:002014-09-26T07:13:48.370-04:00Thank you, Mark, for posting this. I am immediat...Thank you, Mark, for posting this. I am immediately sending it to my class on The Ethics of Public Leadership tonight. No one has embodied ethics and leadership, inextricably related, more than John. One of the readings for tonight's class is from James MacGregor Burns who wrote about "transformational leadership." These leaders see the bigger picture and pursue higher goals--like justice, liberty, equality. In the process, their followers are changed along the way, coming into a sense of their values (and "higher selves"). Transformational leaders always develop the next generation of leaders, who find, rather than lose, power in following them. That has been our experience of John....<br /><br />John taught my classes on Church and Society a few years back when I was on sabbatical. What lucky students they were! But he's still teaching. This crop of seminarians will get a dose of Steinbruck too.<br /><br />Thank you, John.<br /><br />Katie DayKatie Daynoreply@blogger.com