Sarah R. Bentley

 

Reverend Sarah Bentley
Iterim Pastor: February 1–August 31, 1989

Sarah Bentley is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She attended James-Dewitt High School in Jamesville, New York, graduating in 1964. Her undergraduate work was done at Smith College in Northampton, MA where she studied sociology and music, graduating in 1968. She earned a Master's of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in 1975, the thesis was entitled, Becoming the Subjects of Our Lives: The Implication of Objectification for the Women's Ethical Consciousness. She also earned a PhD at Union in 1989. Her dissertation was entitled, For Better or Worse: The Challenge of the Battered Women's Movement to Christian Social Ethics.

During her 30+ years in Austin, she has had a varied and creative ministry which has included:

–Educating Central Texas clergy and church people about family violence;
– Interim pastorates in several small churches;
– Spiritual direction
– Associate Pastor at Westlake United Methodist Church for 9 years;
–Chaplain for Hospice Austin.

In 1986, she assisted her husband, Rev. Bob Breihan, in forming New Life Institute, a center for counseling, education and spiritual growth associated with the Austin District of the United Methodist Church. Thirty years later, the Institute continues to serve persons from all walks of life seeking guidance and support for the challenges they face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Breihan was a champion for civil rights and student rights in Austin, Texas. He was well-known for his leadership in the integration of Austin and protest against the Vietnam War. These were among his many activities to advance social justice. Below is his obituary (with some additions by Mel Oakes) and an album of photos from various stages of his eduacation.

Rev. Robert Ernest "Bob" Breihan

Robert Ernest (Bob) Breihan was born January 1, 1925, in Brenham, Texas to Rev. B. E. and Bertha Emma Schroeder Breihan. His father had been born in Industry, Texas and his mother in Cleveland, Ohio. Bob died November 4, 2017 surrounded by love at his home in Austin. He was raised in the Texas Hill Country on a hillside farm in Kerrville along the Guadalupe River and in Fredericksburg. Bob moved to Austin first for college and then for his ministry, his family and his love. In the papers he left behind, he wrote "the life changing spirit of God can bring forth new life." God's spirit sure enough touched Bob and, through him, all those he then touched throughout his nearly 93 year walk on this Earth.

 

Bob graduated from Tivy High in 1942, attended Schreiner Institute and then transferred to the University of Texas. His college years were interrupted with Midshipman School in NYC and a brief naval tour of the Pacific as WWII ended. He returned to the University of Texas and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. While attending UT, Bob had become actively involved as a student in the Wesley Foundation and those roots took hold. Bob answered a call to attend Perkins Seminary in Dallas. The Reverend Bob Breihan emerged from Perkins and returned to Austin first as Director of Youth Work for the Methodist Conference and then as its State Director of Campus Ministry during the late 1950s.

In 1955, Bob married Bobbie Claire Johnson Nueces, Texas. Claire was an administrator at Austin High School from 1974-1996. She and Bob had three children. They later divorced.

In the early 1960s, Bob began serving the University community directly as Director of the Methodist Student Center. During his 20 years in that role, Bob supported and counseled University students and staff with problems great and small. He championed artists, actors and musicians with a stage and the Ichthus Coffee House inside the lively Student Center. Bob was always an advocate for civil, human and gender rights. He protested the Vietnam War and pushed for desegregation of restaurants, theaters and even skating rinks. And, somehow, he found time to raise a family, garden, ski Lake Austin, camp the Rockies, attend many Longhorn sporting events, and enjoy life.

Bob switched gears with another calling in 1981 to begin serving as an associate pastor at University Methodist Church. About that same time, he met and in 1983 married Rev. Sarah R. Bentley in New York City, with whom he spent 34 happy and loving years. In 1986, with the help of Sarah and others, Bob opened the New Life Institute, where he provided Christian, family, career and other counseling services to the Austin community for more than 25 years. Along the way Bob stayed active in many civic and other organizations, including Planned Parenthood of Austin and most recently the Travis County Water Control and Improvement District #18. He always had a heart for growing and healing people and plants.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sarah Bentley; brother Ted Breihan, and wife Frances, of San Marcos; daughter Lauren Breihan, and husband Dave Lang, of Flagstaff, AZ; son John, and wife Katie, of Austin; daughte, Celia Johnston and husband Doug of Austin; grandchildren: Travis, Annie, and Rachel Breihan; Nicole and Jessica Johnston; Ben Lang, and wife Addie Hill; great grand-daughter Maisie Langhill; and many nieces and nephews who regard Bob as a second father. He was preceded in death by his brother Edward Breihan and sister Elizabeth Cotner, his brother-in-law David Bentley and by his grandson, Thomas Lang. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 2:00 PM at University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bob's name to University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705, The Southern Law Poverty Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104.

An interview with Bob is avaialbe at http://www.theragblog.com/category/metro/

 

Sarah Bentley Photos

 

 

Robert Ernest "Bob" Breihan Photos