Assembly Resolution No. 471

BY: M. of A. Cahill

MOURNING the death of Pastor Johann Christoph
Arnold, distinguished citizen, religious leader and
devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious
commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render
the wisdom of human understanding; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold passed on Saturday, April
15, 2017, at the age of 76; and

WHEREAS, Fondly remembered by many names, Father, Opa, Pastor,
Senior Elder of the Bruderhof Communities, Chaplain, Author and Speaker,
Johann Christoph Arnold inspired thousands to believe in Jesus, their
own special worth in God's eyes and hope for purpose in life through a
message of love and forgiveness as a power to overcome any obstacle and
trouble; and

WHEREAS, Johann Christoph Arnold's parents, Johann Heinrich and
Annemarie Arnold, were members of the Bruderhof, a Christian Community
founded in Germany by his grandfather Eberhard Arnold; as the Nazi
regime rose to power, his parents and members of the Bruderhof fled to
England; and

WHEREAS, Johann Christoph Arnold was born on November 14, 1940,
during the Battle of Britain; two years later, members of the Bruderhof
were forced to emigrate to Paraguay, South America; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, Johann Christoph Arnold moved to the Woodcrest
Community in Rifton, New York, his primary home for the rest of his
mortal life; he attended Kingston High School where he learned the
English language, ran cross country and picked up a life-long love of
Shakespeare; and

WHEREAS, Johann Christoph Arnold earned his degree in business from
Orange County Community College in 1960; shortly thereafter, he began
working for Community Playthings, the growing business of Bruderhof
Communities and the Plough Publishing House; and

WHEREAS, On May 22, 1966, Johann Christoph Arnold married the love
of his life, the former Verena Meier; together, the couple raised eight
children; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, Johann Christoph Arnold began his lifelong career
of spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the State of New
York; he was ordained as a Pastor, then as an Elder of the Bruderhof
Communities in 1983; he served as a Senior Elder from 2001 until his
passing; and

WHEREAS, Under his luminous leadership, the Bruderhof Communities
expanded from North America back into Europe, Australia, South America
and added many small community houses in urban settings; and


WHEREAS, A man of many interests, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold
wrote 12 books which have been published in 20 languages on various
issues he was passionate about such as marriage, family, raising and
educating children, forgiveness, death and dying, peace and faith; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold worked tirelessly for peace
through forgiveness and reconciliation; this vocation brought him in
contact with thousands of people including hundreds of religious and
political leaders, often in troubled hotspots of war, conflict and
natural disaster such as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria,
Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Nigeria, Chiapas, Mexico, Paraguay, Cuba,
Thailand and Haiti; and

WHEREAS, Concerned for the welfare of today's youth, Pastor Johann
Christoph Arnold helped found Breaking the Cycle, a program aimed at
teaching middle and high-school students, including incarcerated youth,
conflict resolution through forgiveness; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold truly loved all people and
was always willing to help anyone; he enjoyed serving as Chaplain to the
Ulster County Sheriff's Office and Ulster County Police Chiefs
Association; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his daughter Margrit Zimmerman and one
granddaughter, Stephanie Jean, Pastor Johann C. Arnold is survived by
his wife of 51 years, Verena Meier Arnold; five daughters, Emmy Maria
(Michael) Blough, Vreneli (Raymond) Hofer, Annemarie (Tim) Keiderling,
Hanna (Chris) Rimes, and Priscilla (Red) Zimmerman; two sons, Heinrich
(Wilma) Arnold, and Chris (Estelle) Arnold; one son-in-law, Reuben
Zimmerman; 44 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold brought to his ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God always gave guidance and
wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and administered abundantly and
unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold leaves behind a legacy which
will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting
memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the life and accomplishments of Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold and
to express its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends
who mourn his passing; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold.