European trip to Brethren roots Six members of the First Brethren Church of Burlington traveled to Europe with other Brethren to visit sites connected with the roots of the Brethren church. They visited the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany, where the first baptisms of the Brethren took place. A plaque commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Brethren tradition was placed near the river. Pictured on the banks of the river, l-r, are Allen and Cynthia Stout, Peter and Phyllis Roussakis, and Drs. Marilyn and Don Wagoner. Photo provided A delegation from the First Brethren Church of Burlington has returned from a heritage trip to Europe. They joined others in celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Brethren church tradition by traveling to the place of its European roots.

The Burlington group included Dr. Peter E. Roussakis, First Brethren pastor; his wife, Phyllis; Allen and Cynthia Stout, and Drs. Don and Marilyn Wagoner.

"The Brethren churches of this area have a common heritage dating back to August 1708 in the little village of Schwarzenau, Germany," said Dr. Roussakis. "There, eight persons, under the leadership of a miller named Alexander Mack, were baptized by believers' immersion in the Eder River which runs through the town."

The tour took the group to Schwarzenau and to other towns in Germany related to early Brethren history, such as Schriesheim, the birth town of Alexander Mack. They visited Heidelberg and surrounding towns, which were centers of Brethren heritage and activity.

"Not far from Cologne is the Julich fortress where six Brethren were imprisoned," Dr. Roussakis said.

"Our travels took us to Berne, Switzerland, where Brethren and Mennonites were imprisoned, and to Zurich, where Anabaptists were executed. The tour concluded in Holland where many Brethren came in 1720. They remained there until 1729 when most of the Brethren left for Pennsylvania."

Also in commemoration of the 300th anniversary, The Brethren Church and the Church of the Brethren held a joint convention in Richmond, Va., in July. Dr. Roussakis and Mrs. Roussakis, who is national president of the Women's Missionary Society, took part in planning and conducting the convention. Around 6,500 Brethren attended.

The European tour followed the convention.

Local celebration

This fall the Burlington Brethren will observe the 300th anniversary and the 125th anniversary of their local church by holding a number of special events.

The events include: Oct. 5, an old-fashioned Brethren communion service, called a Love Feast; Oct. 12, an allchurch birthday party; and Nov. 2, an Anniversary Day worship service with Burlington native Rev. Kurt Stout preaching, as well as activities throughout the day.