BASIS plans annual breakfast

In Dan Steinman's office in Ephrata, there is a portable photo display called the Wall of Remembrance. The photos are of children who have died. The wall travels to BASIS (Brothers and Sisters in Support) events, and bereaved parents gather around it. "Every time we fold it up and take it (out), its getting fuller," said Steinman, director of BASIS, who added that now the photos are put in a digital format so that they run on a screen at the event. "Last year a dad found his son, and he took his wife over and another couple joined them and they talked. It just brings people together."

The Wall of Remembrance will be on display at the annual BASIS Breakfast, scheduled to be held at Yoder's Restaurant & Banquet Center, 14 S. Tower Road, New Holland, on Saturday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year's speaker Ron Schmidt, will speak on Finding Rest During Times of Unrest. The buffet breakfast is free to attend, but a freewill offering will be received. Those wishing to attend the breakfast must register by Monday, April 19, at http://www.hvmi.org/upcoming-events/basis-breakfast.

Schmidt serves as the lead chaplain at Christ's Home, Warminster and Paradise. He leads a team of seven chaplains for the organization, which ministers to disadvantaged children and senior adults. Schmidt chairs the board of Endure International, an organization working to share the Gospel in the Middle East and to aid persecuted Christians. Schmidt has also been an adjunct professor with the former Philadelphia Biblical University and a Bible conference speaker. He is also a bereaved parent.

Steinman first heard Schmidt speak at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference in New Jersey a few years ago. "(Schmidt's) son had died," recalled Steinman. "I liked the way he spoke." Steinman returned to Harvey Cedars in the fall of 2023 to hear Schmidt again, and after that he contacted the chaplain about speaking at the BASIS breakfast.

Steinman said the event gives attendees plenty of time to converse with others who have experienced the grief of losing a child. "We start with a prayer, and we have the message," he said. "We give (attendees) an opportunity to talk to other bereaved parents." The breakfast is designed for bereaved parents or a parent and a support person.

Support is what BASIS is all about, and the organization hosts several groups around the county, including those that meet in the greater Akron, Mount Joy, Paradise, Strasburg, and Quarryville areas. The newest group meets the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Handi-Vangelism offices, 3261 Rothsville Road, Akron. Steinman explained that the group is for those who would rather not drive at night.

BASIS has recently begun producing quarterly podcasts, which can be found at http://www.hvmi.org/hopeingrief. "People may not be sure whether to take part in a group or not," explained Steinman, "but they hear (the podcast and) they may recognize how they feel and check the group out."