{"id":45468,"date":"2020-04-08T10:48:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T14:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=45468"},"modified":"2020-04-09T16:00:36","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T20:00:36","slug":"in-memoriam-nate-yoder-professor-emeritus-of-church-history-and-university-archivist-helped-many-put-feet-on-their-prayers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2020\/in-memoriam-nate-yoder-professor-emeritus-of-church-history-and-university-archivist-helped-many-put-feet-on-their-prayers\/","title":{"rendered":"In Memoriam: Nate Yoder, professor emeritus of church history and university archivist, helped many \u2018put feet on their prayers\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here my goal is to assist students in naming the way God is calling them to help shape the history they are living. To name such a calling is to put feet on our prayers that His kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. <\/p>Professor Nate Yoder, writing of his Spiritual Formation Class<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who met Professor Emeritus Nate Yoder<\/strong> always came away with strong memories, even those who only shared a Lenten foot-washing ceremony. Tim Worley<\/strong>, who earned a certificate of ministry studies in 2015, never shared the classroom, but their ministry to each other in 2013 led to a well-remembered conversation. \u201cNate made a point afterwards to talk with me and hear my story. Truly a kind and compassionate man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yoder was also a consummate scholar of church history who urged his students towards deep intellectual considerations: \u201cI invite students to engage in critical analysis and to bring considered commitment and worshipful wonder to their study and contemplation of the incarnate Word, the embodied Spirit and the renewed church, \u201c he summarized once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nathan Emerson Yoder leaves behind many memories among those in the EMU and EMS communities and beyond, as a former pastor of Dayton Mennonite Church and a member of Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church. He died Friday, April 3, at his home, after a long journey with Parkinson\u2019s disease and more recently, mantle cell lymphoma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Nate Yoder while researching his book on the Conservative Mennonite Conference at Rosedale Bible College. (RBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Yoder served for more than 20 years as a professor of church history, in that time directing the MA in Religion program and the MA in Church Leadership programs. In addition to church history, he taught courses in spiritual formation. \u201cIn such classes the agenda of discerning what God is initiating and how we as humans choose to respond\u201d is not an echo but the \u201cmain chord,\u201d he wrote. \u201cHere my goal is to assist students in naming the way God is calling them to help shape the history they are living. To name such a calling is to put feet on our prayers that His kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 2005-17, Yoder was also the university archivist, a time that culminated in considerable assistance and support to historian Don Kraybill <\/strong>as he wrote EMU\u2019s centennial history. Yoder\u2019s knowledge of Mennonite history was \u201cvast and impressive,\u201d said special collections librarian Simone Horst<\/strong>. \u201cIt seemed as if he always knew of a book or course that would give deeper context to the topic at hand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Nate and Mim Yoder. (EMU file photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horst knew Yoder as a mentor, colleague and friend, and many in the EMU and EMS community will share her sentiments that sharing the blessing of those different relationships with Yoder was indeed \u201ca privilege.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Facebook post about Yoder\u2019s passing prompted many to share memories — of his gentleness, kindness, compassion, the way he endured his recent suffering, his boundless capacity to live into a life of faith as \u201cthe rare blend of scholar and pastor,\u201d according to Chris Scott \u201895, MDiv \u201811<\/strong>. \u201cWe are crushed by his leaving us, but grateful for his memory. He was a great example of grace and holy living in the journey of suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Heisey,<\/strong> associate dean of the seminary, remembered Yoder as a pastoral presence beyond his teaching responsibilities. \u201cBefore I knew Nate well, I noticed how he reached out to many others at EMU beyond the seminary community. When I learned of his Parkinson\u2019s diagnosis, while I was caring for my husband in declining health, Nate was one of the most gentle and regular colleagues who checked in on how Paul and I were doing. At the seminary, I also benefited many times from his careful supervision of student research, his love for Mennonite history, and his eye for critical details in assessment and curriculum planning. I feel so blessed to have known him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI remember how Nate treated me much more than any lesson he tried to help me learn,\u201d said Melissa Fretwell MDiv \u201815<\/strong>. \u201cI was comforted when I saw Nate and always cherished our encounters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clayton Payne<\/strong> brought his 7-year-old foster son to the seminary at times while he was earning his Master of Divinity degree. Cody knew Nate as the \u201cice cream professor\u201d for his small gifts to the boy. \u201cEveryone needs a little ice cream money,\u201d Nate told Clayton, when Clayton protested. \u201cI could tell you about how he was as a great teacher but what I remember most was how he was as a person. His humility, grace, mercy and kindness to my family will never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"

Professor Nate Yoder presents “Mumaw at Eastern Mennonite: A Case Study in Contexts for Discernment” in 2012 at Eastern Mennonite University. (Photo by Lindsey Kolb)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Michael King<\/strong>, dean and vice president of Eastern Mennonite Seminary from 2010-17, recalls a long friendship with Yoder that began as they made multiple trips to the University of Virginia hospital to visit King\u2019s aunt. Yoder was her pastor at Dayton Mennonite Church. \u201cI  was always grateful for the sharing soul-to-soul and heart-to-heart that he and I were able to do, even across some theological differences. Some of what he told me then helped me grasp later as his dean that even when we disagreed, I could always trust his large mind and spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yoder was on the search committee that eventually brought King to EMS. \u201cOnce I became dean, I treasured the moments when Nate would carefully and judiciously offer perspectives on whatever happened to be the issue at hand, whether involving routine administrative details, major theological decisions, or weighing how history might inform the present,\u201d King shared. Yoder was also \u201can exceptional guide through issues of integrity … so committed to weighing grace, accountability, and the ultimate well-being of the other even if consequences needed to be imposed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Nate and Mim Yoder with son Evan at his 2012 graduation. (Courtesy of Paul J. Yoder)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Born on August 4, 1955 in Meyersdale, PA, Nate Yoder was a son of the late Paul H. and Martha Marie (Miller) Yoder. On April 14, 1979, he married Miriam \u201cMim\u201d (Miller) Yoder who survives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also surviving are Nate\u2019s children and grandchildren, Paul J. and Katrina Martin Yoder with grandchildren Isela Joy and Matias Benjamin, of Harrisonburg; Amelia Marie and Blake Showalter with grandchildren Alex Ty, Amiah Grace, and Aleah Faith, of Dayton, VA; and Evan Jay and Kelsey Miller Yoder of Blacksburg, VA. [Editor’s note: Paul Yoder is a professor of education at EMU.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A private graveside service will be held with Pastor Jim Hershberger officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to pay their respects may visit the Mt. Clinton Cemetery in accordance with social distancing guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center, P.O. Box 1563, Harrisonburg, VA 22803.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com<\/a> or www.caringbridge.org<\/a>. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comments made in the space below will be shared with the family as well.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here my goal is to assist students in naming the way God is calling them to help shape the history they are living. 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