Red Rocking Chair

“Why’s that huge rocking chair in front of Shepherd of the Hill? Who put it there? Why? What does it mean? “

SOTH member Bob Giese built  “Jacob’s Rocker” after Minnesota Public Radio aired former pastor Gordon Stewart’s guest commentary on “All Things Considered” following the mass shooting of nine Amish school children near Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania in 2006.  The commentary opened with telling the radio listening audience, “I am not Amish, but I have an Amish rocker made by Jacob Miller of Millersburg, Ohio.”

The radio commentary shined a light on a more peaceful way of life. The Amish parents of the nine children killed in the one-room schoolhouse stood quietly on their front porches, tipping their hats to the “English” shooter’s parents as they and their son’s casket passed by on their way to his funeral.

There was no call for revenge. Only a quiet Amish witness to the faith that was in them – a way of life meant to put flesh on the love ethic of Jesus and the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the merciful…, the meek, the pure of heart, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Shepherd’s rocking chair is its own kind of Amish witness. When it first appeared on SOTH’s front lawn, various messages appeared on it, e.g. Slow down. Sit a spell. Calm your restless heart. Walk more humbly. Rock away that grudge. Love your neighbor as yourself. All are welcome here. Worship Sunday at 10:30. Tuesday Night Dialogue next Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. “Be still and know….”  The “messages” on Jacob’s Rocker were changed frequently to stay fresh and current.

The idea of Jacob’s Rocker came from SOTH members Karen Noren, Judi Giese, and Lynne Niskanen.