ABOUT THE POTTER Here is a brief biographical sketch for those of you who want to know more about the pottery and the potter. From the time I was a young boy, my twin brother, Ray, and I always had interest in art and creating things. I still have lots of drawings which I created when in grade school attending the one-room Diehl's school at Bally, PA. When I turned 20 years the US was drafting young men into the military. As a conscientious objector (CO) to war, I served 2 years in "alternate service instead of serving in the military. I entered the Mennonite Voluntary Service program near Phoenix, AZ, where I worked among migrant folks in educational and recreational programs. Making crafts was an important part of my work. I attended Hesston College in Kansas. There Paul Friesen, potter and art professor, introduced me to pottery. At Hesston I made the decision to major in art. Meanwhile, Sandi and I married in 1964. I graduated from Goshen College, Indiana, with a BA in Art Education in 1966. After 4 years of directing Voluntary Service I was led to Seminary studies at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in 1970. Then came a real switch from my original plans! I served as pastor of the Pleasant View Mennonite Church near Goshen from winter of 1970 to spring of 1981. In the mid 1970's I bought a potter's wheel and began to make pottery part-time as a hobby. My interest grew! It was a real challenge and enjoyment to create with clay. In August 1981 my wife, Sandi, and I, along with our two daughters, moved to Bally, PA, where I served for 17 years as pastor of Bally Mennonite Church until December 1998. |