The ways that make for peace are close to the heart… of the Brethren and especially Merle Forney. He was raised in Hanover, PA where his mother taught Sunday School for 39 years at the Hanover Church of the Brethren.

Merle has had an interesting peace journey which included a stint in the army ski patrol unit during World War II. While attending church on a home visit, he was asked by a member of the congregation, “Can a person be a Christian and serve in the Army?” It was a question that he remembers to this day. Upon returning to the unit, he was asked another question by his superior, “Are you willing to accept an honorable discharge?” The unit had too many members. For Merle, that was an easy question to answer.