Brethren bits: National Youth Sunday, Nigeria delegation, and more.

• Sunday May 2 is National Youth Sunday in the Church of the Brethren. In many congregations, youth will lead the service on the theme, "Seeking, Thirsting, Longing," from Psalm 63:1.
  
  
• On April 28 a delegation of Church of the Brethren leaders left for Nigeria with plans to meet with leaders of Ekklesiyar Yanuwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and to view EYN programs in action. Participants included Stan Noffsinger, general secretary; Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships for the General Board; Robert Krouse, who will begin as the board's mission coordinator for Nigeria this summer; and David Sollenberger, who will film the trip for a videotape related to this fall's mission offering emphasis. Noffsinger is on his first trip to the West African nation and will preach at a church in Yola on Sunday May 2. The group will return to the US on May 8.
  
  
• The Mission and Ministries Planning Council (MMPC) held a consultation on Haiti in Miami, Fla., April 19, bringing together more than a dozen invited guests to tell about their involvements in Haiti. Some of the involvements connected back to former General Board ministries to Haiti in the 1970s. Eglise des Freres Haitiens, a Haitian Church of the Brethren congregation in Miami, hosted the gathering. "Participants expressed deep passion and commitment for mission efforts of evangelism and service to Haiti," noted Stan Noffsinger, general secretary and MMPC chair. In the coming weeks, MMPC will reflect on the insights and enthusiasm shared during the event and will shape a recommendation on mission efforts in Haiti.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a full-time director of Information Services. Responsibilities will cover a technology system, management of day-to-day operations, and hardware and software systems. Knowledge and experience with an information system, skills in programming and systems analysis, and progressive administrative and leadership skills are desired. Minimum requirements are a bachelor's degree in information sciences or related field and five years' information services experience including systems analysis and design and programming involving networks. The position will be based in Elgin, Ill., or New Windsor, Md. Deadline for applications is May 19. Call Mary Lou Garrison at 800-323-8039.
  
  
• On Earth Peace (OEP) and the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office seek a full-time volunteer coordinator for Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) efforts in the Church of the Brethren. The position is offered through Brethren Volunteer Service and a two-year commitment is preferred, beginning in August or earlier. Location is negotiable. DOV is a World Council of Churches-sponsored initiative with roots in the Historic Peace Churches, supporting congregations around the world to seek reconciliation and peace. Responsibilities include encouraging congregations in efforts to reduce violence and build peace, nurturing a network of congregations, planning and/or leading events, speaking on the DOV movement, developing and promoting resources, and coordinating communication. Qualifications include a working knowledge of Christian nonviolence, familiarity with the Church of the Brethren, and ability to coordinate a denominational program. Contact Matt Guynn of OEP at 765-962-6234 or e-mail mattguynn@earthlink.net.
  
  
• Brethren Volunteer Service is in need of help. BVS is looking for past BVS unit pictures and name lists. Check the BVS website, www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org, to see if your unit picture or name list is missing. Please send missing unit photos and lists to Samuel Bowman, Brethren Volunteer Service, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694 or e-mail sbowman_gb@brethren.org. Be sure to write your name and address on the back of the photo so that it can be returned, and identify the unit number and names of members.
  
  
• Tearcoat Church of the Brethren in Augusta, W.Va., was the setting of a Level I Disaster Child Care Training Workshop April 16-17. The training was a success with nine people participating. Leadership was provided by Lydia Walker, from Berkley Springs, W.Va., and Bev Abma, from Byron Center, Mich. Another Level I Training Workshop was held April 24-25 at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Ft. Wayne, Ind., with 17 persons registered to attend and leadership by John Kinsel, from Dayton, Ohio, and Patricia Ronk, from Roanoke, Virginia.
  
  
• Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren is hosting a "Church Health and Vitality" workshop and steak supper 4:30-8 p.m. May 6. Duane Grady, a member of the congregation's pastoral team and a staff member of the General Board's Congregational Life Teams, will give an introduction to the Natural Church Development process for church renewal and growth.
  
  
• The Leona Z. Row Eller Peace Lectureship for 2004, "Peacemaking Journeys through Playback Theater," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. May 22 at the Washington (D.C.) City Church of the Brethren. The two groups presenting the improvisatonal piece--Dumbarton Playback, a group from the United Methodist Church, and the Jubilee Troupe, a Church of the Brethren-related ensemble--also will participate in worship at the church at 11 a.m. May 23. "Peacemaking Journeys" invites the audience to recall desires for a peaceable world and share brief personal stories of peacemaking, which will be enacted on the spot.
  
  
• Two districts have new websites: Northern Plains and Virlina. Brian Gumm is working with Northern Plains to develop the site www.npcob.org, which will be linked to ecumenical partners and eventually have the capability for message board work to allow district leaders to have internet discussions. Congregations with a website address have a link to their own page and each congregation is listed with a link to MapQuest, allowing visitors to see where the church is located. "We hope this site will be a good connection between us as well as a communication piece through the web. May God bless our efforts!" said Connie Burkholder, district executive. The Virlina website is www.virlina.org and also is a work in progress, according to a report from the district asking visitors to the site to give suggestions for improvements.
  
  
• The 24th Mid-Atlantic Disaster Auction will be held May 1 at the Agricultural Center in Westminster, Md. The auction begins at 9 a.m. with general items, and the quilt auction will start at 12:30 p.m. Booths will feature everything from crafts to baked goods as well as an assortment of food. Childcare will be provided from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  
  
• The Church Life and Growth Team of Western Pennsylvania District has planned a Minister's Seminar entitled "Transitioning: Leading Your Church Through Change," for June 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Conemaugh Church of the Brethren in Johnstown, Pa. The presenter, Dan Southerland, author and founder of Church Transitions, Inc., co-sponsors events with Purpose Driven Ministries. Registration fees range from $25 per person with four registrations from the same church, to $40 per person for registrations paid after June 1. Call the district office at 814-479-7058 to receive a brochure or for further information.
  
  
• Pacific Southwest District held an "Experiencing Worship Event" April 16-17 at Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, Calif. More than 100 attended over the course of the two days, which included four worship services and nine workshops. At the opening worship, participants filled scallop shells at a fountain, responding to the scriptural invitation, "Let all who thirst come to the waters." Speakers included district executive Bryan Boyer, Imperial Heights pastor Thomas Dowdy, and Ataloa Woodin, pastor of Community Brethren Church in Fresno, Calif. Workshops focused on how to use the arts, music, multimedia, and drama in worship.
  
  
• "Thriving Beyond Boundaries" is the theme for the bi-annual convention of the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests (BMC) on Oct. 9-11 near Buffalo, N.Y. The resource person for the event will be Julia Kasdorf, an author and poet whose creative work is influenced by her Mennonite upbringing. For more information visit the new BMC website, www.bmclgbt.org.

Source: Newsline 4/30/2004 top