Church of the Brethren hurricane survivor located at home in Punta Gorda.
A Church of the Brethren member who had not been heard from since Hurricane Charley has been located in her home in Punta Gorda, Fla. "Viola Aldrich was in an area without any phones and could not leave or communicate," reported the General Board's Emergency Response director Roy Winter. "Pastor Jim Longnecker drove to Punta Gorda, finding Viola OK but in need of supplies." She had gone to stay with friends during the storm.
On Aug. 20 Longenecker, pastor of the Arcadia congregation, visited Aldrich's home and found her well, and her house relatively undamaged."That's the power of God," said Longenecker, who with Atlantic Southeast District executive Martha Beach had issued e-mail prayer requests for Aldrich. She is still without telephone, water, or electricity, he said, and is communicating by writing letters. The church youth group plans to help clean up around the house, which lost just a few shingles in an area where many homes were marked with an x as uninhabitable, he said.
Longenecker added that Punta Gorda was "just devastation from one end to another. Arcadia was just as bad." The Arcadia church building received structural damage and will have to be rebuilt. The congregation is working with district and denominational disaster coordinators to plan the rebuilding project, he said.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source.
Source: Newsline 8/23/2004
Monday, August 23, 2004
Friday, August 20, 2004
NEWS
- Brethren affected by Hurricane Charley, take part in relief effort.
- Logo and writers selected for "Gather 'Round" Brethren and Mennonite curriculum.
- Northern Ohio District meets on the theme, "Grace Alone."
- SERRV International changes its name to "A Greater Gift."
- Brethren bits: Remembrances, personnel, and more.
Brethren affected by Hurricane Charley, take part in relief effort.
Hurricane Charley, which cut a swath of destruction across Florida Aug. 13, was the state's worst disaster since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, according to the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries (ER/SM). Atlantic Southeast District reported that two Churches of the Brethren sustained structural damage and one church member has not been heard from since the storm. Brethren responses to the disaster include a first grant from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund, a shipment of relief supplies, and the dispatching of Disaster Child Care volunteers and an assessment team of denominational and district leaders.
"We covet your prayers and concerns," said Atlantic Southeast district executive Martha Beach. She and pastor Jim Longenecker, of the Arcadia congregation, called for prayers for member Viola Aldrich. "She is from Punta Gorda, and there is no communication in that area," wrote Longenecker in an e-mailed prayer request distributed to many across the denomination. "Please pray she is OK."
The damaged churches were Arcadia, which sustained severe damage and lost one-third of its roof, and Community Church of the Brethren in Orlando, which lost part of its roof causing the drywall inside the building to collapse. Other churches and Camp Ithiel had trees or large tree limbs come down, and many lost water and electric service. In a Sebring trailer park where several Brethren live, including Sebring pastors Cecil Hess and C. Wendell Bohrer, eight homes were completely destroyed and many others severely damaged. One couple from the Sebring congregation had a large tree fall in the middle of their home, Beach reported.
ER/SM staff were in touch with district leaders and other partners in disaster relief since before the storm made landfall. A shipment of relief supplies was made from the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Aug. 19, including 32 cartons of Health Kits and 185 cartons of Cleanup Kits. A first grant of $5,000 was made from the Emergency Disaster Fund. Disaster Child Care project managers were dispatched Aug. 18 and 12-15 child care volunteers have been sent to a staging area in Brandon, Fla., to be deployed from there once it is determined the exact location where they will be serving. An assessment visit was made Aug. 19-20 by Beach, Emergency Response director Roy Winter, and district moderator and disaster coordinator John Mueller, starting in Fort Myers and Arcadia then traveling to Orlando to the Community church and Camp Ithiel.
Winter issued a call for volunteers to help with what he called "a significant Brethren clean up" effort. "It'll be a long time before we start the rebuilding effort, months and months," he said, adding that there will be a need for patience with the pace of work required by the extensive destruction. To volunteer, call the Emergency Response office at 800-451-4407 ext. 3.
The Brethren effort will be made despite what Winter called "huge problems with housing for volunteers and survivors." The Red Cross is considering the need for longterm shelters for thousands of people, he said. Winter also expressed a concern of ecumenical agencies—Church World Service and the National Council of Churches—for "more vulnerable populations" such as migrant workers and farm laborers.
Brethren also are invited to respond to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal for "Gift of the Heart Emergency Clean Up Buckets." The five-gallon buckets with resealable lids are filled with supplies to enable survivors to begin the job of cleaning up after a disaster. Value of each bucket and contents is $45. Buckets are being collected at the Brethren Service Center. For bucket contents and requirements see www.churchworldservice.org, click on "How to Help," then click on "Gift of the Heart Kits."
The ER/SM office issued a list of other appropriate responses, including a call for able-bodied people who live in or near affected areas to participate in organized clean-up efforts, warning that "volunteers must be connected with a bona fide disaster response agency"; a request not to send unsolicited donations of materials; a call to support the relief effort with cash donations to the Emergency Disaster Fund, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; and a call for Brethren to "pray constantly" and "lift up all concerned, the victims, the volunteers, the emergency personnel on site, and the ER/SM staff."
In other news, a Disaster Child Care center was opened in Upper Darby, Pa., Aug. 9, after severe storms brought heavy rain to several counties in the southeast of the state. The storms caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Approximately 30 childcare contacts have been made by ten volunteers.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Hurricane Charley, which cut a swath of destruction across Florida Aug. 13, was the state's worst disaster since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, according to the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries (ER/SM). Atlantic Southeast District reported that two Churches of the Brethren sustained structural damage and one church member has not been heard from since the storm. Brethren responses to the disaster include a first grant from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund, a shipment of relief supplies, and the dispatching of Disaster Child Care volunteers and an assessment team of denominational and district leaders.
"We covet your prayers and concerns," said Atlantic Southeast district executive Martha Beach. She and pastor Jim Longenecker, of the Arcadia congregation, called for prayers for member Viola Aldrich. "She is from Punta Gorda, and there is no communication in that area," wrote Longenecker in an e-mailed prayer request distributed to many across the denomination. "Please pray she is OK."
The damaged churches were Arcadia, which sustained severe damage and lost one-third of its roof, and Community Church of the Brethren in Orlando, which lost part of its roof causing the drywall inside the building to collapse. Other churches and Camp Ithiel had trees or large tree limbs come down, and many lost water and electric service. In a Sebring trailer park where several Brethren live, including Sebring pastors Cecil Hess and C. Wendell Bohrer, eight homes were completely destroyed and many others severely damaged. One couple from the Sebring congregation had a large tree fall in the middle of their home, Beach reported.
ER/SM staff were in touch with district leaders and other partners in disaster relief since before the storm made landfall. A shipment of relief supplies was made from the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Aug. 19, including 32 cartons of Health Kits and 185 cartons of Cleanup Kits. A first grant of $5,000 was made from the Emergency Disaster Fund. Disaster Child Care project managers were dispatched Aug. 18 and 12-15 child care volunteers have been sent to a staging area in Brandon, Fla., to be deployed from there once it is determined the exact location where they will be serving. An assessment visit was made Aug. 19-20 by Beach, Emergency Response director Roy Winter, and district moderator and disaster coordinator John Mueller, starting in Fort Myers and Arcadia then traveling to Orlando to the Community church and Camp Ithiel.
Winter issued a call for volunteers to help with what he called "a significant Brethren clean up" effort. "It'll be a long time before we start the rebuilding effort, months and months," he said, adding that there will be a need for patience with the pace of work required by the extensive destruction. To volunteer, call the Emergency Response office at 800-451-4407 ext. 3.
The Brethren effort will be made despite what Winter called "huge problems with housing for volunteers and survivors." The Red Cross is considering the need for longterm shelters for thousands of people, he said. Winter also expressed a concern of ecumenical agencies—Church World Service and the National Council of Churches—for "more vulnerable populations" such as migrant workers and farm laborers.
Brethren also are invited to respond to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal for "Gift of the Heart Emergency Clean Up Buckets." The five-gallon buckets with resealable lids are filled with supplies to enable survivors to begin the job of cleaning up after a disaster. Value of each bucket and contents is $45. Buckets are being collected at the Brethren Service Center. For bucket contents and requirements see www.churchworldservice.org, click on "How to Help," then click on "Gift of the Heart Kits."
The ER/SM office issued a list of other appropriate responses, including a call for able-bodied people who live in or near affected areas to participate in organized clean-up efforts, warning that "volunteers must be connected with a bona fide disaster response agency"; a request not to send unsolicited donations of materials; a call to support the relief effort with cash donations to the Emergency Disaster Fund, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; and a call for Brethren to "pray constantly" and "lift up all concerned, the victims, the volunteers, the emergency personnel on site, and the ER/SM staff."
In other news, a Disaster Child Care center was opened in Upper Darby, Pa., Aug. 9, after severe storms brought heavy rain to several counties in the southeast of the state. The storms caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Approximately 30 childcare contacts have been made by ten volunteers.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Logo and writers selected for Gather 'Round Brethren and Mennonite curriculum.
Creators of the forthcoming Sunday school curriculum, "Gather 'Round: Hearing and Sharing God's Good News," have announced a logo and a team of writers for the first curriculum year.
Those selecting the logo appreciated the bold, clear rendering of the title words along with the warmth and energy of the circular, hand-in-hand figures, said Anna Speicher, project director. "We wanted to convey the invitational tone of the curriculum in a style attractive to both children and adults."
Writers for the first curriculum year are Carol Duerksen, Susan Fuentes, Sarah Pinnell, Frank Ramirez, Rebecca Seiling, Dianna Ullery, and Tim Wiebe-Neufeld. These individuals are writers, pastors, and educators. Three are Brethren, four are Mennonites. They hail from Kansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Alberta, and Ontario.
Additionally, Bible background pieces will be written by Old and New Testament scholars Robert W. Neff, Alexandria, Pa., and Michael McKeever, Elgin, Ill.
The curriculum writers will attend a conference at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind., Sept. 19-23, during which they will be oriented to the project, worship together on the first quarter Bible theme, "Creation and First Families," and begin writing sessions in a collaborative setting. A unique Internet tool will allow them to continue the collaboration by posting their sessions for each other to read and respond to during the rest of the writing process.
"Gather 'Round" is a curriculum project of Brethren Press, publishing house for the Church of the Brethren, and Mennonite Publishing Network, which represents Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. The curriculum, which begins in 2006, will be for children and junior youth, ages 2 through 8th grade, and parent/guardians. For more information contact Anna M. Speicher, project director, at 800-323-8039.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Creators of the forthcoming Sunday school curriculum, "Gather 'Round: Hearing and Sharing God's Good News," have announced a logo and a team of writers for the first curriculum year.
Those selecting the logo appreciated the bold, clear rendering of the title words along with the warmth and energy of the circular, hand-in-hand figures, said Anna Speicher, project director. "We wanted to convey the invitational tone of the curriculum in a style attractive to both children and adults."
Writers for the first curriculum year are Carol Duerksen, Susan Fuentes, Sarah Pinnell, Frank Ramirez, Rebecca Seiling, Dianna Ullery, and Tim Wiebe-Neufeld. These individuals are writers, pastors, and educators. Three are Brethren, four are Mennonites. They hail from Kansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Alberta, and Ontario.
Additionally, Bible background pieces will be written by Old and New Testament scholars Robert W. Neff, Alexandria, Pa., and Michael McKeever, Elgin, Ill.
The curriculum writers will attend a conference at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind., Sept. 19-23, during which they will be oriented to the project, worship together on the first quarter Bible theme, "Creation and First Families," and begin writing sessions in a collaborative setting. A unique Internet tool will allow them to continue the collaboration by posting their sessions for each other to read and respond to during the rest of the writing process.
"Gather 'Round" is a curriculum project of Brethren Press, publishing house for the Church of the Brethren, and Mennonite Publishing Network, which represents Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. The curriculum, which begins in 2006, will be for children and junior youth, ages 2 through 8th grade, and parent/guardians. For more information contact Anna M. Speicher, project director, at 800-323-8039.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Northern Ohio District meets on the theme, 'Grace Alone.'
"Grace Alone" was the theme for the Northern Ohio District Conference, held Aug. 6-8 at Ashland University. Over 400 registered for the weekend event.
The conference included deacon training sessions led by Association of Brethren Caregivers director of resources Scott Douglas, a conscientious objection workshop led by On Earth Peace Conflict Transformation Program coordinator Annie Clark and district peace/conciliation worker Russ Veal, an update on Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial celebration and campaign led by director of Public Relations Marcia Shetler, and a presentation on a proposed joint Brethren Volunteer Service/Northern Ohio District project focusing on evangelism led by BVS director Dan McFadden and the district's General Board representative Doug Price.
Senior High Performing Arts Camp members presented a musical entitled "Because We Believe" at the opening worship service and following Saturday's business session. District executive minister John Ballinger preached on "Gracious Words from a Gracious Savior," from Luke 4:16-22, at an evening worship service.
Sunday morning activities also included the Junior Performing Arts Camp musical "Tale of Three Trees," and a closing worship service message on the conference theme from Ephesians 2:8-9, given by moderator Bruce Jacobsen, pastor of Bethel Church of the Brethren in New Middletown, Ohio. The service included a celebration of communion and consecration of 2005 moderator Terry Baldwin, pastor of Silver Creek Church of the Brethren in Pioneer, Ohio, and moderator-elect Andy Hamilton, pastor of Center Church of the Brethren in Louisville, Ohio.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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"Grace Alone" was the theme for the Northern Ohio District Conference, held Aug. 6-8 at Ashland University. Over 400 registered for the weekend event.
The conference included deacon training sessions led by Association of Brethren Caregivers director of resources Scott Douglas, a conscientious objection workshop led by On Earth Peace Conflict Transformation Program coordinator Annie Clark and district peace/conciliation worker Russ Veal, an update on Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial celebration and campaign led by director of Public Relations Marcia Shetler, and a presentation on a proposed joint Brethren Volunteer Service/Northern Ohio District project focusing on evangelism led by BVS director Dan McFadden and the district's General Board representative Doug Price.
Senior High Performing Arts Camp members presented a musical entitled "Because We Believe" at the opening worship service and following Saturday's business session. District executive minister John Ballinger preached on "Gracious Words from a Gracious Savior," from Luke 4:16-22, at an evening worship service.
Sunday morning activities also included the Junior Performing Arts Camp musical "Tale of Three Trees," and a closing worship service message on the conference theme from Ephesians 2:8-9, given by moderator Bruce Jacobsen, pastor of Bethel Church of the Brethren in New Middletown, Ohio. The service included a celebration of communion and consecration of 2005 moderator Terry Baldwin, pastor of Silver Creek Church of the Brethren in Pioneer, Ohio, and moderator-elect Andy Hamilton, pastor of Center Church of the Brethren in Louisville, Ohio.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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SERRV International changes its name to 'A Greater Gift.'
Beginning Aug. 10, SERRV International has changed its program name to "A Greater Gift," according to a release from the organization's marketing team.
The new name comes with a new logo and a new tagline, "Hope and justice with every purchase." The logo is loosely based on a West African symbol that radiates energy and represents the seven seas and seven continents, and can be viewed at www.agreatergift.org.
"You can see our new look in our 2004-2005 Catalog, which will be arriving in your mailboxes soon!" said the release. "Our stores, handcraft marketing program, and website will all carry the new name. We feel the new identity will reach a broader audience, which will help us increase our impact on world poverty."
While the stores, handcrafts, and website will change names, SERRV International will remain the legal name of the organization. SERRV was formerly a Church of the Brethren denominational program. For more information contact A Greater Gift at 888-243-4423 or e-mail marketing@serrv.org.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Beginning Aug. 10, SERRV International has changed its program name to "A Greater Gift," according to a release from the organization's marketing team.
The new name comes with a new logo and a new tagline, "Hope and justice with every purchase." The logo is loosely based on a West African symbol that radiates energy and represents the seven seas and seven continents, and can be viewed at www.agreatergift.org.
"You can see our new look in our 2004-2005 Catalog, which will be arriving in your mailboxes soon!" said the release. "Our stores, handcraft marketing program, and website will all carry the new name. We feel the new identity will reach a broader audience, which will help us increase our impact on world poverty."
While the stores, handcrafts, and website will change names, SERRV International will remain the legal name of the organization. SERRV was formerly a Church of the Brethren denominational program. For more information contact A Greater Gift at 888-243-4423 or e-mail marketing@serrv.org.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Brethren bits: Remembrances, personnel, and more.
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- J. Roy Valencourt, a former General Board staff member, missionary, seminary professor, and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, passed away March 20 in Goshen, Ind. Valencourt first served the General Board as adult curriculum editor 1966-69, editing the "Brethren Adult Quarterly" and teacher resources published in "Leader" magazine and serving on the editorial board of "Brethren Life and Thought." From 1969-75 he and his wife Carol and family were called to Ecuador where Valencourt worked in curriculum development at the Theological Training Center in Quito. He also helped complete legal steps that closed out the Ecuador mission. From 1984-86 the Valencourts returned to mission work at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria. He was active in the Civil Rights Movement and represented the Church of the Brethren in a program in which hundreds of college students registered voters in Mississippi in the summer of 1964. Valencourt also taught a year at Manchester College, North Manchester, Ind., and a total of 24 years at Livingstone College and Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, N.C. He was a pastor at Lakeview Church of the Brethren, Brethren, Mich.; Trinity Church of the Brethren in Detroit; and an A.M.E. Zion church circuit. He was a member of New Paris (Ind.) Church of the Brethren and a graduate of Manchester, Bethany Theological Seminary, and Vanderbilt University.
- J. Irwin Miller, a leader in the ecumenical movement and in industry, died Aug. 16 at his home in Columbus, Ind. He was 95. Miller was the first lay president of the National Council of Churches (NCC) 1960-63 and had served on the executive committee of the World Council of Churches. He also led the Cummins Engine Co. for more than 40 years, overseeing its transformation from a small Indiana firm to a Fortune 500 company. He is noted for leadership of the ecumenical movement on race, peace, and economic issues in the 1950s and '60s, an NCC release said. "Esquire" magazine proposed Miller as the ideal Republican candidate to run against Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Miller also was a close friend of Church of the Brethren general secretary Norman Baugher. A story told of their friendship has Miller flying his friend home in a corporate airplane, when Baugher fell ill at an NCC meeting. "Miller added to the NCC's credibility," remembered Howard Royer, who recently completed 50 years as a General Board staff member. "He was more than a corporate executive; he was a churchman with a social conscience." A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at North Christian Church, a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Miller's home church.
- The General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office has said goodbye to two volunteers and has welcomed a new volunteer. Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker Bryan Lucore finished a term as Legislative Associate working on environmental issues and developing a voter registration and education program. He plans to attend medical school. Ministry Summer Service volunteer Mandy Wampler is returning to college after coordinating the development of a Sudan Study Guide. New BVS volunteer Matthew Whitten will serve for the next year as Legislative Associate focusing on environmental and voting issues and Latin America. He is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., with degrees in political science and French. His home congregation is Moscow (Va.) Church of the Brethren.
- Anna Emrick joined the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) staff in Elgin, Ill., on Aug. 9 for a year of volunteer service with BVS recruitment. She is a member of Lansing (Mich.) Church of the Brethren and spent her first year of BVS at the Human Resource Development Council in Havre, Mont.
- A modified schedule for the General Board's fall meetings was confirmed by the board's Executive Committee in a retreat Aug. 12-13 in Elgin, Ill. The Executive Committee will meet the afternoon of Oct. 15, the board will meet throughout the day Oct. 16 and 17 and the morning of Oct. 18, and board employees and volunteers will hold meetings the afternoon of Oct. 18. In the retreat, the committee also met with the staff leadership team for a day, building community of staff and board, discussing expectations for the work of the board and staff, and considering what God's yearning is for the board as it serves the church. Tara Hornbacker, assistant professor of Ministry Formation at Bethany Theological Seminary, led the group in reviewing the principles of worshipful work. The committee chose "Bound Together, Finely Woven" as the theme for their meetings this year. "It was a discovering and envisioning time," said general secretary Stan Noffsinger.
- Aug. 25 will be observed as "Sudan: Day of Conscience" by the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, joining with the National Council of Churches and Save Darfur Coalition. On that day the office staff will join with the Washington, D.C., Darfur Coalition in front of the Sudan Embassy at 2410 Massachusetts Ave., from 12-1 p.m. "We invite Church of the Brethren members to join with us, and encourage those who cannot be here to plan events in your local community. Please let our office know of your plans as they are scheduled," asked an Action Alert from the office. "Lives are hanging in the balance on a massive scale." Churches are encouraged to plan activities—such as a service or vigil; meetings with local, state, or congressional representatives about the crisis; and support for the Darfur grants made by the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund—to urge "immediate and decisive action to stop the killing, rape, and destruction of villages, and to assure that humanitarian relief reaches all those in need," the alert said. The office has been part of the Darfur Coalition through the summer, and in July director Phil Jones was arrested for nonviolent civil disobedience at the Sudan Embassy. The office has developed a new Sudan Study Guide that will be available soon. For more information and suggestions of activities contact the office at 800-785-3246 or see www.savedarfur.org or www.ncccusa.org/news/04savedarfurcoalition.html.
- Brethren Volunteer Service/Brethren Revival Fellowship orientation unit 261 will hold its training Aug. 22-Sept. 1 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Coordinators John and Ruby Shank hope to have 11 volunteers take part.
- Becky Ullom, director of Identity and Relations, and Katie O'Donnell, a member of Green Tree Church of the Brethren in Oaks, Pa., represented the General Board on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic. They attended the Church of the Brethren national youth/young adult camp where they led two Bible studies focusing on the theme of being obedient to the Lord. In addition to attending the four-day camp they also visited local Church of the Brethren congregations; several micro-loan projects with Jeff and Peggy Boshart, the board's staff for economic development in the DR; and workcampers from Ridge Church of the Brethren, Shippensburg, Pa. Mission coordinators Nancy and Irvin Heishman hosted Ullom and O'Donnell during their time in the DR.
- A work team from Ridge Church of the Brethren, Shippensburg, Pa., spent a week in the Dominican Republic in early August. The group helped to repair the San Luis Church of the Brethren, which has been damaged by sinking due to unstable soil in the entire San Luis area. The group of 16 worked with San Luis members and a small construction crew to lay block, build walls, and form and pour lintels, reported Irvin Heishman, DR mission coordinator for the General Board. The Ridge group also brought gifts of Bibles, clothing, and Sunday school materials, shared in devotions and worship, helped cook meals, and visited the homes of San Luis members. In this rebuilding project—funded by the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund, the Ridge congregation, Southern Pennsylvania District, Brethren World Mission, and the San Luis congregation—engineers were called in and designed a foundation deep and sturdy enough for the region, according to board staff. The San Luis congregation also "provided an enormous amount of sweat equity," Heishman said. His report expressed the gratitude of the San Luis congregation and construction crew for the "tremendous boost" given by the Ridge group.
- A World Hunger Auction was held Aug. 14 at Antioch Church of the Brethren, Rocky Mount, Va., raising $26,000. With funds raised at other events added in, the grand total for hunger relief was around $38,000, according to a preliminary report in Virlina District's e-newsletter.
- On Aug. 28-29 Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, North Liberty, Ind., plans to celebrate 150 years of ministry. Planned activities include a live black-smithing demonstration and a beard judging contest, as well as presentations on Brethren dress and Amish and German Baptist Brethren history and worship styles, a hog roast, and much more. Sunday morning will feature an old-fashioned service with lined hymns and men and women seated separately. For more information call the church at 574-784-2806.
- Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren will celebrate its 90th anniversary and dedicate newly renovated and expanded church facilities on Sunday Oct. 17. The $3.7 million renovation was undertaken with the theme, "Building Together That More May Know Him." The celebration will include worship services with guest preacher Phill Carlos Archbold, a homecoming choir, review of the congregation's history with former pastors, a buffet meal, a community open house, and tours. Contact the church at 717-626-2131, e-mail lititzcb@ptd.net, or see www.lititzcob.org.
- Atlantic Northeast District is sponsoring a work camp to Nigeria, June 13-July 4, 2005. The workcamp is in response to a request from the leaders of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) according to Charles Bieber, secretary of the district's EYN/ANE Ministry Team. Participants will work on a classroom building and a staff house at Gavva, the center for EYN's Literacy Program. Anticipated cost is $2,300. Applications may be made through the district office at 500 Cedar St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022; 717-367-4730; e-mail lwilliams_ds@brethren.org.
- Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, will visit Shenandoah and Virlina Districts with three informal times of conversation scheduled on Aug. 23 and 24. The first conversation will be in Shenandoah District Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. The Aug. 24 conversations in Virlina District will be 2-3:30 p.m. at Central Church of the Brethren, Roanoke, Va., and 7-8:30 p.m. at Antioch Church of the Brethren, Rocky Mount, Va. The agenda will include time to learn about the ministries of the General Board and to share affirmations, concerns, and future direction of ministries.
- Northern Plains District has announced its new website: www.npcob.org. The site offers information on congregations, upcoming events, and youth programs, and gives links to related organizations and Church of the Brethren agencies. The district newsletter can be downloaded from the site as a pdf. Brian Gumm is the webmaster.
- Middle Pennsylvania District's 10th Annual Heritage Scramble Golf Tournament was scheduled to take place Aug. 17 at Iron Masters in Roaring Spring, Pa., with a dinner afterward at Albright Church of the Brethren. The event included a round of golf, prizes, dinner, a chance at Miller Auto's Hole-in-one car, and a $5,000 putt-off, the district newsletter reported.
- Western Pennsylvania District women will meet for a Camp Day Aug. 26 on the theme, "Green, Ripe, and Growing: The Practice of Spiritual Disciplines—John 15." The event will be held at Camp Harmony, Hooversville, Pa., with presenters Cindy Hileman and Pam Zimmerman of Ligonier (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and Sandy Baker, pastor of Plumcreek Church of the Brethren, Shelocta, Pa. The day will feature a Country Store with fresh vegetables, baked goods, and crafts. Cost is $7.25 and includes lunch. Contact the district office at 814-479-7058.
- Camp Bethel, Fincastle, Va., has reported nine weeks of summer activities with 652 campers and counselors. Susan Chapman, program director, explained the theme for the summer, "Be the Change"—"the change God calls us to make in our lives and in the world," she reported in the Virlina District e-newsletter. "Campers felt God's touch in a counselor's hug, smelled God's miracles in the campfire smoke, tasted God's goodness in blueberries found by the trail, saw God's beauty while hiking Horseshoe Bend, and felt the Holy Spirit during singing and worship," she said. The camp has received re-accreditation following a three-year visit by the American Camping Association, receiving a score of 100 percent on all standards of visitor inspection. For more information see www.ACAcamps.org and www.campbethelvirginia.org.
- "The Christian Family—Under the Design of God" served as the theme for the Brethren Alive Conference held at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, July 23-25. As many as 200 people participated in the services, workshops, and the Brethren Revival Fellowship General Meeting. "The theme messages by Garnet Myers, Kenneth Nell, Merv Keller, and Craig Smith were powerful in their delivery, and rich in their content," reported Harold Martin, editor of the "BRF Witness." Eric Brubaker and Walter Heisey were reelected to serve on the BRF Committee for five-year terms. Tapes of the main sessions and each of the workshops are available. Cost is $5 per tape for each session. Contact Kurtis Brubaker, 1269 Woodlyn Dr., Denver, PA 17517.
- Stephen Simons, a member of Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren, South Bend, Ind., is in Athens, Greece, working as a physician for the US Olympic team. Currently he is stationed at the boxing venue, according to his pastor David Hendricks. When track and field events begin—which Simons called his "passion" in an interview with South Bend's Newscenter16—he will be working at the Olympic Stadium. Simons is a specialist on foot problems and works at an orthopedic sports clinic in South Bend, teaches at a medical school, and travels across the country lecturing on sports injuries, Hendricks said. Simons told his pastor that the Olympics are "an experience of a lifetime." His ongoing "Doctor's Diary" from the Olympics, complete with photos, can be found at www.wndu.com. (If Newsline readers know of other Church of the Brethren members with involvement in the Olympic games, please send information to cobnews@aol.com.)
- Sharon S. Burner, a member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., is a 2004 recipient of the "Sunshine Peace Award." The award is a national recognition by the Sunshine Lady Foundation, founded in 1996 by Doris Buffett to recognize individuals "who help to build communities that are intolerant of domestic violence." Burner works at Elgin's Community Crisis Center as coordinator of the Domestic Violence Program. She has developed resources for women and children who are victims and survivors of domestic violence and has participated in initiatives exploring responses to domestic violence by law enforcement, health care systems, and mental health agencies, according to a release from the center. Burner also serves on the Family Violence Coordinating Council for the 16th Judicial Circuit in Illinois. For more information about the award see the foundation's website www.sunshineladyfdn.org.
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Film, monologue celebrate Heifer founder Dan West.
As Heifer International celebrates 60 years since its founding by Brethren leader Dan West, two new resources--a film and a monologue--tell the story of West's life and work. The resources are available through Brethren Press.
"Dan West Peacemaker," a short film on video and DVD, premiered at Annual Conference this year. It reviews West's work on three peace programs begun in the 1940s under the auspices of the Church of the Brethren: "Heifers for Relief," which became Heifer International; the peace studies program at Manchester College; and Brethren Volunteer Service.
Work on the film began almost two years ago when Florence Crago, who volunteers in the Heifer International gift shop, was asked by visitors for a video on Dan West and discovered that none was available. After her husband Glen died, Florence decided to use his memorial fund to create such a resource and contacted Brethren videographer David Sollenberger, who agreed to write and produce it. Dan West's daughter, Jan West Schrock, a former director of Brethren Volunteer Service, assisted with production arrangements. Sollenberger interviewed numerous church members for background insights and stories and the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) provided archival material. Major funding came from Heifer International and the Glen Crago Memorial Fund, with help from Manchester's peace studies department and the General Board's funding office. Order the video (item number 1071) or the DVD (item number 1070) for $15 from Brethren Press, 800-441-3712.
The monologue telling Dan West's story, and the story of Heifer's beginnings during World War II in Europe, was written by Schrock and John Haman, an actor and award-winning playwright with input from the BHLA's Ken Shaffer and Brethren Press editor Nancy Klemm. The monologue can be read as a letter or given as a drama in worship services or other church gatherings. See www.Brethren.org/genbd/BP/LivingWaters, where the piece is offered free of charge for congregational use through Brethren Press's Living Waters Online. The worship resources created by pastors and laypeople in the Church of the Brethren are available for use in congregational settings provided credit is given to authors.
Looking forward to the 60th anniversary of Heifer International, which she called Dan West's most visible legacy, Schrock said of her father, "Peacemaking was all he was really about." Placing the work of Heifer International in a context of peacemaking "lifts up his true legacy," she said.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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As Heifer International celebrates 60 years since its founding by Brethren leader Dan West, two new resources--a film and a monologue--tell the story of West's life and work. The resources are available through Brethren Press.
"Dan West Peacemaker," a short film on video and DVD, premiered at Annual Conference this year. It reviews West's work on three peace programs begun in the 1940s under the auspices of the Church of the Brethren: "Heifers for Relief," which became Heifer International; the peace studies program at Manchester College; and Brethren Volunteer Service.
Work on the film began almost two years ago when Florence Crago, who volunteers in the Heifer International gift shop, was asked by visitors for a video on Dan West and discovered that none was available. After her husband Glen died, Florence decided to use his memorial fund to create such a resource and contacted Brethren videographer David Sollenberger, who agreed to write and produce it. Dan West's daughter, Jan West Schrock, a former director of Brethren Volunteer Service, assisted with production arrangements. Sollenberger interviewed numerous church members for background insights and stories and the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) provided archival material. Major funding came from Heifer International and the Glen Crago Memorial Fund, with help from Manchester's peace studies department and the General Board's funding office. Order the video (item number 1071) or the DVD (item number 1070) for $15 from Brethren Press, 800-441-3712.
The monologue telling Dan West's story, and the story of Heifer's beginnings during World War II in Europe, was written by Schrock and John Haman, an actor and award-winning playwright with input from the BHLA's Ken Shaffer and Brethren Press editor Nancy Klemm. The monologue can be read as a letter or given as a drama in worship services or other church gatherings. See www.Brethren.org/genbd/BP/LivingWaters, where the piece is offered free of charge for congregational use through Brethren Press's Living Waters Online. The worship resources created by pastors and laypeople in the Church of the Brethren are available for use in congregational settings provided credit is given to authors.
Looking forward to the 60th anniversary of Heifer International, which she called Dan West's most visible legacy, Schrock said of her father, "Peacemaking was all he was really about." Placing the work of Heifer International in a context of peacemaking "lifts up his true legacy," she said.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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How can we rejoice when others hurt?
By Glenn Kinsel
Had Hurricane Charley followed the projected path, our modest mobile home in St. Petersburg, Fla., could have been among those pictured in the news media showing immense destruction. Our area was spared.
One part of me wants to praise God for this kind of deliverance. The better part of me tugs at my conscience and asks me to humbly hold the many hurting ones all the closer.
From one vantage point, it is very clear that someone else suffered in my place. That indeed is the New Testament message of the grace that we all proclaim. So I live this day with mingled feelings. I am glad for our good fortune and the good fortune of all our immediate neighbors who can go on living a settled life.
But I can't immerse myself in celebrating my good fortune. I must work harder than ever to place myself at the center of the destruction. I must pray that all people who love others will express that love in active care. I must, indeed, do some suffering—the kind of suffering that will strengthen me to carry out the biblical admonition to carry another's burdens.
May God renew my will and strength to be my brother's and sister's keeper.
—Glenn Kinsel is an administrative volunteer with the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries, and a retired pastor.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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By Glenn Kinsel
Had Hurricane Charley followed the projected path, our modest mobile home in St. Petersburg, Fla., could have been among those pictured in the news media showing immense destruction. Our area was spared.
One part of me wants to praise God for this kind of deliverance. The better part of me tugs at my conscience and asks me to humbly hold the many hurting ones all the closer.
From one vantage point, it is very clear that someone else suffered in my place. That indeed is the New Testament message of the grace that we all proclaim. So I live this day with mingled feelings. I am glad for our good fortune and the good fortune of all our immediate neighbors who can go on living a settled life.
But I can't immerse myself in celebrating my good fortune. I must work harder than ever to place myself at the center of the destruction. I must pray that all people who love others will express that love in active care. I must, indeed, do some suffering—the kind of suffering that will strengthen me to carry out the biblical admonition to carry another's burdens.
May God renew my will and strength to be my brother's and sister's keeper.
—Glenn Kinsel is an administrative volunteer with the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries, and a retired pastor.
Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. John Ballinger, Nancy Klemm, Harold Martin, Pat Patillo, Helen Stonesifer, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. John Ballinger, Nancy Klemm, Harold Martin, Pat Patillo, Helen Stonesifer, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
Friday, August 06, 2004
NEWS
- Dominican Vacation Bible School celebrates 'God in my life.'
- Brethren Witness/Washington Office director arrested at Sudan
embassy. - CoBACE funds make Christian education events possible.
- Western Plains District called to discipleship.
- Vespers at Pleasant Hill focus on turning walls into bridges.
- Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, and more.
- Joan Lowry called to leadership in Southern Plains.
- Kathy Royer will serve as seminary's director of Admissions.
Dominican Vacation Bible School celebrates 'God in my life.'
During the week of June 21-25, 19 of the Church of the Brethren congregations in the Dominican Republic held their second annual Summer Vacation Bible School. The theme was "Dios en mi vida" (God in my life). The Los Toros church had the largest attendance with a daily average of 412 children. Over 2,700 children participated in all.
The Los Toros congregation received permission to use the public school in town at no cost. The Peniel church organized a march to announce the event and invite neighborhood children to come. The congregation later "dazzled" the children with clowns who helped teach the Bible lessons, said Irvin Heishman, General Board's mission coordinator, in his report on the event. The church in Tabara Abajo worked with neighboring churches to pool resources for a large ecumenical Vacation Bible School in that community. One church reported 15 youth expressing a desire to accept Christ and be part of the church, and membership classes will be provided as a follow up.
"None of these churches have classrooms or tables and chairs for crafts, or kitchens for preparing snacks," Heishman said. "Yet, limitations can help provide focus on what is really important. The planning committee noted that some things like snacks for the kids are optional and not really necessary for a good Vacation Bible School. Bible lessons and ways to share God's love, on the other hand, are essential."
Heishman said that for many of the children, Vacation Bible School was the only activity organized for them in their community. "Children from the community around the San Luis church returned on the Monday following the week of Vacation Bible School, hoping the activities would continue all summer! The church sends a strong message of God's love to the children by caring enough to provide this exciting experience for them."
Brethren from the United States assisted with games and crafts in eight of the congregations--41 participants of a denominational youth workcamp, a Brethren Revival Fellowship youth workcamp, and a work group from Mount Zion Road Church of the Brethren in Lebanon, Pa.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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During the week of June 21-25, 19 of the Church of the Brethren congregations in the Dominican Republic held their second annual Summer Vacation Bible School. The theme was "Dios en mi vida" (God in my life). The Los Toros church had the largest attendance with a daily average of 412 children. Over 2,700 children participated in all.
The Los Toros congregation received permission to use the public school in town at no cost. The Peniel church organized a march to announce the event and invite neighborhood children to come. The congregation later "dazzled" the children with clowns who helped teach the Bible lessons, said Irvin Heishman, General Board's mission coordinator, in his report on the event. The church in Tabara Abajo worked with neighboring churches to pool resources for a large ecumenical Vacation Bible School in that community. One church reported 15 youth expressing a desire to accept Christ and be part of the church, and membership classes will be provided as a follow up.
"None of these churches have classrooms or tables and chairs for crafts, or kitchens for preparing snacks," Heishman said. "Yet, limitations can help provide focus on what is really important. The planning committee noted that some things like snacks for the kids are optional and not really necessary for a good Vacation Bible School. Bible lessons and ways to share God's love, on the other hand, are essential."
Heishman said that for many of the children, Vacation Bible School was the only activity organized for them in their community. "Children from the community around the San Luis church returned on the Monday following the week of Vacation Bible School, hoping the activities would continue all summer! The church sends a strong message of God's love to the children by caring enough to provide this exciting experience for them."
Brethren from the United States assisted with games and crafts in eight of the congregations--41 participants of a denominational youth workcamp, a Brethren Revival Fellowship youth workcamp, and a work group from Mount Zion Road Church of the Brethren in Lebanon, Pa.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Brethren Witness/Washington Office director arrested at Sudan embassy.
Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, was arrested at the Sudan embassy on July 30, one of several religious and political leaders to commit civil disobedience in a campaign of daily arrests coordinated by Christian Solidarity International to protest the genocide taking place in Darfur, in western Sudan.
Jones was arrested with American Baptist minister Rob Turner while attempting to deliver a letter asking Sudan to "take the bold and necessary steps to curb this violence and bring reform." When denied entry, he and Turner knelt in prayer in front of the doors. They were arrested for "disorderly conduct" and blocking the entrance to a public building, and were held for a few hours and fined $50. Others arrested in the continuing nonviolent protest have included National Council of Churches general secretary Robert Edgar, Congressman Charles Rangel of New York, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, and actor Danny Glover.
An estimated 30,000 to 148,000 people have been killed and more than 1,000,000 have fled the violence in Darfur, which is being carried out by Arabic tribes and militias armed by the Sudan government and pits Arabic nomads against black African farmers and villagers. UN envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk said Aug. 4 that Sudan had stopped militia attacks in Darfur, but Church World Service reported Aug. 3 that violence was continuing or even increasing. Hunger and disease contribute to a CWS estimate of 500 deaths daily of refugees in camps in Sudan and Chad.
In related news, in mid-September the Brethren Witness/Washington Office will host Haruun Ruun and Emmanuel LoWilla, leaders of the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC), in a US visit to draw support for RECONCILE, a program for civil leadership development in southern Sudan. The NSCC leaders will explore funding and partnership development with the Brethren, US AID, the State Department, and others.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, was arrested at the Sudan embassy on July 30, one of several religious and political leaders to commit civil disobedience in a campaign of daily arrests coordinated by Christian Solidarity International to protest the genocide taking place in Darfur, in western Sudan.
Jones was arrested with American Baptist minister Rob Turner while attempting to deliver a letter asking Sudan to "take the bold and necessary steps to curb this violence and bring reform." When denied entry, he and Turner knelt in prayer in front of the doors. They were arrested for "disorderly conduct" and blocking the entrance to a public building, and were held for a few hours and fined $50. Others arrested in the continuing nonviolent protest have included National Council of Churches general secretary Robert Edgar, Congressman Charles Rangel of New York, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, and actor Danny Glover.
An estimated 30,000 to 148,000 people have been killed and more than 1,000,000 have fled the violence in Darfur, which is being carried out by Arabic tribes and militias armed by the Sudan government and pits Arabic nomads against black African farmers and villagers. UN envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk said Aug. 4 that Sudan had stopped militia attacks in Darfur, but Church World Service reported Aug. 3 that violence was continuing or even increasing. Hunger and disease contribute to a CWS estimate of 500 deaths daily of refugees in camps in Sudan and Chad.
In related news, in mid-September the Brethren Witness/Washington Office will host Haruun Ruun and Emmanuel LoWilla, leaders of the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC), in a US visit to draw support for RECONCILE, a program for civil leadership development in southern Sudan. The NSCC leaders will explore funding and partnership development with the Brethren, US AID, the State Department, and others.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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CoBACE funds make Christian education events possible.
Funds from the former Church of the Brethren Association for Christian Education (CoBACE) made it possible for Brethren Press and the General Board's Congregational Life Teams to offer training events on Christian education at Annual Conference this year. CoBACE bequeathed a total of $1,678 to promote Christian education in the denomination when it disbanded in 2001. Over its 21-year career, CoBACE published a newsletter, hosted Annual Conference luncheons and insight sessions on a variety of topics, and provided continuing education activities for professional and volunteer church educators.
Conferencegoers could earn continuing education credit, through the Brethren Academy, for attending a "track" of five insight sessions and a meal event focused on Christian education. CoBACE funds paid for the leadership of Karen-Marie Yust, Christian education researcher and associate professor of Christian Education at Christian Theological Seminary, at two insight sessions and the Brethren Press breakfast. Yust spoke on becoming a dynamic 21st century Sunday school teacher, selecting Sunday school curriculum, and her three-year study of 150 different Sunday school curricula and how congregations nurture their children's spirituality in Sunday school, worship, and children's church.
Three additional sessions in the track were funded by Congregational Life Teams and featured Jacqueline Nowak, Christian educator and director of The Blessing Center at Memorial United Presbyterian Church, Xenia, Ohio, on family prayer time, the spirituality of children, and family faith formation. Fourteen people received continuing education credit, and between 17 and 65 conferencegoers came to each insight session. Julie Hostetter, CLT for Area 3, and Jewel McNary and Anna Speicher of Brethren Press coordinated the events.
The CoBACE bequest also supported insight sessions at last year's Annual Conference led by Judith Myers-Walls, associate professor of Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Funds from the former Church of the Brethren Association for Christian Education (CoBACE) made it possible for Brethren Press and the General Board's Congregational Life Teams to offer training events on Christian education at Annual Conference this year. CoBACE bequeathed a total of $1,678 to promote Christian education in the denomination when it disbanded in 2001. Over its 21-year career, CoBACE published a newsletter, hosted Annual Conference luncheons and insight sessions on a variety of topics, and provided continuing education activities for professional and volunteer church educators.
Conferencegoers could earn continuing education credit, through the Brethren Academy, for attending a "track" of five insight sessions and a meal event focused on Christian education. CoBACE funds paid for the leadership of Karen-Marie Yust, Christian education researcher and associate professor of Christian Education at Christian Theological Seminary, at two insight sessions and the Brethren Press breakfast. Yust spoke on becoming a dynamic 21st century Sunday school teacher, selecting Sunday school curriculum, and her three-year study of 150 different Sunday school curricula and how congregations nurture their children's spirituality in Sunday school, worship, and children's church.
Three additional sessions in the track were funded by Congregational Life Teams and featured Jacqueline Nowak, Christian educator and director of The Blessing Center at Memorial United Presbyterian Church, Xenia, Ohio, on family prayer time, the spirituality of children, and family faith formation. Fourteen people received continuing education credit, and between 17 and 65 conferencegoers came to each insight session. Julie Hostetter, CLT for Area 3, and Jewel McNary and Anna Speicher of Brethren Press coordinated the events.
The CoBACE bequest also supported insight sessions at last year's Annual Conference led by Judith Myers-Walls, associate professor of Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Western Plains District called to discipleship.
"Called to Be and to Make Disciples" was the theme for Western Plains District conference, held at McPherson (Kan.) College and McPherson Church of the Brethren July 30-Aug. 1. Moderator Irven Stern led 76 delegates representing 32 congregations in business sessions that received reports from related organizations, Church of the Brethren agencies, and the district board; revised the district's constitution and by laws; and adopted a balanced budget of $151,995 for 2005. Registered attendance was 255.
Special events included the installation of executive district ministers Ken and Elsie Holderread. Moderator Stern and Bethany Theological Seminary dean Stephen Reid preached. A troupe from the McPherson congregation presenting "Cotton Patch Gospel," directed by Shane Kirchner.
A Renewal Steering Committee gave an initial report of work that the committee is doing using the book "Reclaiming the Great Commission," by Bishop Claude Payne as a basis and guide. Several testimonies were given of what is already happening in church renewal in Western Plains. "The mood of the conference was positive, with a high degree of enthusiasm for the efforts of the work of the Renewal Steering Committee," reported Ray Glick, the General Board's counselor for Deferred Gifts, who attended the conference to lead an Estate Planning Seminar.
The conference also viewed a slide show prepared by Don Vermilyea, Brethren Volunteer Service worker engaged in a "Walk Across America." Vermilyea, currently in Northern Plains District, had visited most congregations in Western Plains on his walk. He donated a pair of "well worn" shoes to the annual Projects Unlimited auction that brought in $5,248 for a variety of charities. A children's playhouse sold for $800, which will go to disaster relief. The playhouse was built on-site at the conference, coordinated by disaster response team members Bill Winter and Byron Frantz.
The next Western Plains District conference will be held Aug. 5-7, 2005, with Parsram Venkatsammy as moderator and LeRoy Weddle as moderator-elect.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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"Called to Be and to Make Disciples" was the theme for Western Plains District conference, held at McPherson (Kan.) College and McPherson Church of the Brethren July 30-Aug. 1. Moderator Irven Stern led 76 delegates representing 32 congregations in business sessions that received reports from related organizations, Church of the Brethren agencies, and the district board; revised the district's constitution and by laws; and adopted a balanced budget of $151,995 for 2005. Registered attendance was 255.
Special events included the installation of executive district ministers Ken and Elsie Holderread. Moderator Stern and Bethany Theological Seminary dean Stephen Reid preached. A troupe from the McPherson congregation presenting "Cotton Patch Gospel," directed by Shane Kirchner.
A Renewal Steering Committee gave an initial report of work that the committee is doing using the book "Reclaiming the Great Commission," by Bishop Claude Payne as a basis and guide. Several testimonies were given of what is already happening in church renewal in Western Plains. "The mood of the conference was positive, with a high degree of enthusiasm for the efforts of the work of the Renewal Steering Committee," reported Ray Glick, the General Board's counselor for Deferred Gifts, who attended the conference to lead an Estate Planning Seminar.
The conference also viewed a slide show prepared by Don Vermilyea, Brethren Volunteer Service worker engaged in a "Walk Across America." Vermilyea, currently in Northern Plains District, had visited most congregations in Western Plains on his walk. He donated a pair of "well worn" shoes to the annual Projects Unlimited auction that brought in $5,248 for a variety of charities. A children's playhouse sold for $800, which will go to disaster relief. The playhouse was built on-site at the conference, coordinated by disaster response team members Bill Winter and Byron Frantz.
The next Western Plains District conference will be held Aug. 5-7, 2005, with Parsram Venkatsammy as moderator and LeRoy Weddle as moderator-elect.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Vespers at Pleasant Hill focus on turning walls into bridges.
"Walls into Bridges" was the theme of a June 27 vesper service at Pleasant Hill (Ohio) Church of the Brethren. Over 40 people gathered in the early evening to explore the walls that separate and how to transform walls into bridges.
The area where worshipers sat was divided by a wall of bricks that prohibited people on one side from seeing those on the other side. Each brick had a message that could build a wall between people. "I don't like the way you dress," "I hate anyone who doesn't share my religion," and "You could lose weight if you'd only try" were some of the messages.
Pastor Nick Beam challenged worshipers to examine how they feel when they meet strangers who look different or come from different faiths or cultures. Joseph Helfrich interspersed thought-provoking and inspirational songs including "When I'm Gone" and "In These Times," from his most recent album entitled "While I'm Here." Sharon Bledsoe told of her parents' trip though the Berlin Wall and Rick Polhamus shared stories from his Christian Peacemaker Teams experiences.
Bledsoe then invited worshipers to remove bricks from the wall while reflecting on how words and actions can build bridges as well as walls. The bricks were used to build a bridge to unite the group, reminding all of Jesus' teaching to love God, neighbors, and even enemies.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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"Walls into Bridges" was the theme of a June 27 vesper service at Pleasant Hill (Ohio) Church of the Brethren. Over 40 people gathered in the early evening to explore the walls that separate and how to transform walls into bridges.
The area where worshipers sat was divided by a wall of bricks that prohibited people on one side from seeing those on the other side. Each brick had a message that could build a wall between people. "I don't like the way you dress," "I hate anyone who doesn't share my religion," and "You could lose weight if you'd only try" were some of the messages.
Pastor Nick Beam challenged worshipers to examine how they feel when they meet strangers who look different or come from different faiths or cultures. Joseph Helfrich interspersed thought-provoking and inspirational songs including "When I'm Gone" and "In These Times," from his most recent album entitled "While I'm Here." Sharon Bledsoe told of her parents' trip though the Berlin Wall and Rick Polhamus shared stories from his Christian Peacemaker Teams experiences.
Bledsoe then invited worshipers to remove bricks from the wall while reflecting on how words and actions can build bridges as well as walls. The bricks were used to build a bridge to unite the group, reminding all of Jesus' teaching to love God, neighbors, and even enemies.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, and more.
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- Correction: The General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries has revised the count of Gift of the Heart kits and clinic boxes collected at Annual Conference. A total of 1,551 health kits, 658 school kits, 2 baby kits, and 37 clinic boxes were donated.
- A former General Board staff member instrumental in establishing the SERRV International Gift Shop at the New Windsor (Md.) Service Center has passed away. Wilma Glover Champaygne died July 22 at Manor Care Nursing Home in Dallastown, Pa. She was 88 years old. With her first husband, Elmer Glover, she served with the Brethren Service Commission at New Windsor 1946-66, starting out as a cloth cutter in the program supplying clothing for World War II refugees. She was a member of Hanover (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and is survived by a brother and sisters.
- Publishers of the forthcoming Gather 'Round Sunday school curriculum seek an experienced, fulltime editor to help edit materials, manage scheduling and production of all products, and assist the project director with overall development and administration. Applicants should be well grounded in Mennonite or Church of the Brethren beliefs and practices, have excellent editorial and communication skills, and have high ability to manage detail. Denominational balance on project staff will be a significant factor in selection. Preferred location is Elgin, Ill. Start date is negotiable, but participation in a September writers conference is desired. Contact Gather 'Round project director Anna Speicher at 800-323-8039 ext. 209 or e-mail gatherround@brethren.org. Deadline for applications is Sept. 3.
- In an update appropriate for Aug. 6--the 59th anniversary of the first use of a nuclear weapon--demolition has begun on Building 771 at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons factory in Colorado. Clean up began in mid-July of what was called "the most dangerous building in America" in an Associated Press report. Hundreds of Brethren have taken part in protests as well as prayer and worship services at Rocky Flats. Church of the Brethren youth attending National Youth Conferences in Colorado have witnessed outside its gates, Brethren members have been put on trial for civil disobedience committed there, and Brethren college students have traveled to Rocky Flats to protest the building of nuclear bombs. The plant once handled highly radioactive plutonium used in triggers for nuclear weapons. Part of Building 771 was closed 30 years ago because "radiation levels were off the charts," the AP report said. The plant as a whole was closed in 1989. Decommissioning began in 1994 and may be completed in 2006. The land will be used for a wildlife refuge.
- Becky Ullom, the General Board's new director of Identity and Relations, leaves for the Dominican Republic Aug. 10 to speak at the eighth annual young adult camp of the Dominican Church of the Brethren, which will be held Aug. 13-15. Ullom will deliver two Bible studies in Spanish on the camp's theme, "To meditate and reflect on the obedience and holiness of the Lord." She also will visit Brethren congregations.
- The Association of Brethren Caregivers is calling attention to a unique seminar offered in conjunction with National Older Adult Conference (NOAC): "Effective Ministry For, By and With Older Adults" Sept. 6-8 at Lake Junaluska, N.C., for district executives, pastors, chaplains, and lay leaders. Author and lecturer Tex Sample, coordinator of the Network for the Study of US Lifestyles, will provide leadership. The seminar will give a vision for older adult ministry that includes four key partners: congregations, retirement communities, districts, and denominational agencies. Participants will learn "tools" to establish an older adult ministry. Continuing education credit is available for Brethren clergy and EFSM/TRIM students. The student fee is $285, cost for others is $175 excluding accommodation and meal expense. Registration includes participation in NOAC. Visit www.brethren.org/abc/ or call 800-323-8039.
- Northern Plains District and Northern Ohio District will hold conferences this weekend, Aug. 6-8. Northern Plains will meet at the University of Northern Iowa with Beth Cage as moderator. The conference will include a blood drive, an auction with proceeds going to Heifer International, old Brethren style worship, and the Mennonite duo Ted and Lee. Northern Ohio will meet at Ashland University with Bruce Jacobsen as moderator, on a theme from Ephesians 2:8-9, "Grace Alone." The conference will include performing arts musicals, messages from the moderator and executive minister John Ballinger, installation of moderator-elect Terry Baldwin, a variety of insight sessions, and a silent auction for the District Peace Endowment Fund.
- Michigan District will hold its conference next weekend Aug. 12-15 at the Wesleyan Conference Center in Hastings, where Bill Raymor, Jr., will serve as moderator. The theme will be, "Renewing Our Vision: Of God and His Word, Of His Church, Of Our Mission." The event will include a workshop on "Peace and Unity" and a workshop with Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook, a Love Feast, and worship services led by James Myer of the Brethren Revival Fellowship.
- Casa de Modesto (Calif.), a Church of the Brethren-related retirement center, has begun a "Tribute Gift Program" as a meaningful way to celebrate a person's life or to mark a special occasion. Donors can direct gifts to a specific purpose or to the center's general fund. For more information call 209-529-4950 or e-mail cdm@casademodesto.org.
- Bridgewater (Va.) College has announced several upcoming events, beginning with the Aug. 31 opening convocation featuring Phillip C. Stone, Bridgewater's president, 9:30 a.m. at Nininger Hall. Also beginning Aug. 31 is an art exhibit of "Sfumato: Italian Landscape Monotypes" at the Cleo Driver Miller Art Gallery on campus. Charles Goolsby, chair of the art department at Emory and Henry College, will exhibit prints drawn from the most ancient sites of Rome. A reception with the artist will be held 5-7 p.m. Sept. 6.
- Bill Davidson, of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and Sarah Bellak, a recent graduate of Juniata (Pa.) College, are taking international assignments through the New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit organization. Originally from Lebanon, Pa., and Annville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, Davidson recently arrived in Narus, Sudan, where he will teach at Blessed Bakhita School for Girls. Bellak is in a summer assignment at the Christian Commission for Development in Honduras, serving as a translator and coordinator for visiting delegations.
- Voices for an Open Spirit, a grassroots Church of the Brethren organization, will hold its third annual Fall Gathering in Portland, Ore., Oct. 1-3 with speakers Nancy Faus, professor emerita of Bethany Theological Seminary, and Tom Mullen, professor emeritus of Earlham School of Religion, on the theme "Weaving Story and Celebration." Participants at the meeting also will be asked to think about the accomplishments of the organization and adjustments or changes that need to be made to look to the future. For more information or to register, see www.voicesforanopenspirit.org.
- Christian and Muslim leaders have denounced the Aug. 1 bombing of churches in Iraq. At least 11 people died and 50 were injured. Half of those killed were Muslims who lived nearby, according to Religion News Service (RNS). The Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, leader of the Shiite Muslims in Iraq, condemned the attacks as "hideous crimes" and asserted the importance of respecting the rights of Christians. "This action further undermines efforts to rebuild Iraq as a democratic society where all religious communities and peoples can live in harmony," said Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the bombings as a perversion of Islam. The attacks were coordinated to target Sunday evening services. Bombs struck three Catholic churches, an Armenian Catholic church, and a Chaldean seminary. Another bomb was disarmed before it detonated. Officials blamed an al-Qaida ally and said the bombings were meant to drive Christians out of the country. An estimated 800,000 Christians live in Iraq, about 3 percent of the population.
- Fifteen-passenger Ford vans are the subject of a lawsuit by families of young adults killed or injured in a 2003 accident in California, according to Religion News Service (RNS). "The vehicles are often called 'church vans' because of their popularity with church groups," RNS said. In 2001 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a "Consumer Advisory" that 15-passenger vans transporting ten or more occupants had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that was nearly three times the rate of those that were lightly loaded, and that such vans need to be driven by experienced drivers. In 2002 the National Transportation Safety Board informed Ford that "fully loading or nearly loading a 15-passenger van causes the center of gravity to move rearward and upward, which increases the vehicle's rollover propensity and could increase the potential for driver loss of control in emergency maneuvers." The government prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from transporting students in 15-passenger vans. Settlement money from a fatal accident in Mexico involving a 15-passenger van has been used to create "Van Angels," a nonprofit program to help churches and schools retrofit vans to prevent rollovers by adding two rear tires.
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Joan Lowry called to leadership in Southern Plains.
Joan Lowry has been called as executive minister of Southern Plains District, effective immediately. The position is part time. She will maintain the district office in her home in Norman, Okla.
Lowry had served in the position of district administrative secretary for the past year while the Southern Plains board evaluated district staff options. She has served pastorates in Southern Plains at Thomas (Okla.) Church of the Brethren for eight years and Waka (Texas) Church of the Brethren for a year and a half. She is a graduate of the district's three-year reading course for ministry education and a member of Big Creek Church of the Brethren near Cushing, Okla., the congregation through which she and her husband first entered the denomination in 1991.
Joan Lowry has been called as executive minister of Southern Plains District, effective immediately. The position is part time. She will maintain the district office in her home in Norman, Okla.
Lowry had served in the position of district administrative secretary for the past year while the Southern Plains board evaluated district staff options. She has served pastorates in Southern Plains at Thomas (Okla.) Church of the Brethren for eight years and Waka (Texas) Church of the Brethren for a year and a half. She is a graduate of the district's three-year reading course for ministry education and a member of Big Creek Church of the Brethren near Cushing, Okla., the congregation through which she and her husband first entered the denomination in 1991.
Kathy Royer will serve as seminary's director of Admissions.
Bethany Theological Seminary has announced the appointment of Kathy Royer as director of Admissions in the Office of Student and Business Services. Her work for the seminary, located in Richmond, Ind., will begin Sept. 20.
For the past nine years Royer has served in various roles at Hospice of Miami County, Ohio, most recently as staff development coordinator. She is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and served for two years as pastor of spiritual formation at Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, New Paris, Ohio. She is a graduate of Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa, received a master of divinity degree from Bethany, and is working on a doctorate at the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Ind.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Bethany Theological Seminary has announced the appointment of Kathy Royer as director of Admissions in the Office of Student and Business Services. Her work for the seminary, located in Richmond, Ind., will begin Sept. 20.
For the past nine years Royer has served in various roles at Hospice of Miami County, Ohio, most recently as staff development coordinator. She is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and served for two years as pastor of spiritual formation at Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, New Paris, Ohio. She is a graduate of Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa, received a master of divinity degree from Bethany, and is working on a doctorate at the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Ind.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Faith Expeditions will tour the South, Guatemala, Nigeria, Iraq.
Faith Expeditions sponsored by the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office and Global Mission Partnerships Office will take Brethren on a "Nonviolent Tour of the South" as well as to Guatemala, Nigeria, and Iraq.
The tour of the South will take place Sept. 2-5 led by Bernard LaFayette, Jr., director of the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island and a colleague of Martin Luther King, Jr. Participants will travel in the footsteps of King through Tuskegee, Montgomery, Selma, Hayneville, and Birmingham, Ala., and will visit the King Center Complex in Atlanta, the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, and the Edmund-Pettus Bridge in Selma. Cost is $290, excluding airfare. A $100 nonrefundable deposit is due Aug. 13.
An Oct. 28-Nov. 5 expedition to Guatemala will visit poor communities where grassroots development is taking place. Participants will learn about threats to God's people and creation, study the roots of poverty and injustice, and view environmental degradation as well as efforts to restore the earth. The expedition will be led by Tom Benevento, Latin American/Caribbean program volunteer for the General Board. Cost is $850.
The first quarter of 2005 is the tentative time period in which a Faith Expedition will be made to Nigeria. Participants will visit communities that make up Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and explore what peace and nonviolence mean for the Nigerian and US cultures. Cost is approximately $2,000.
A tentative date for a tour to Iraq will be Spring of 2005. The tour will visit the Al Khuraish school in Baghdad, rebuilt with funds from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund, and dialogue with people of different faiths and cultures on the search for peace and healing. The expedition will be hosted by the Middle East Council of Churches and may include visits to Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel and Palestine. Approximate cost is $1,800.
Requirements for participants in all Faith Expeditions are willingness to grow in faith, respect for other cultures, openness to adventure, and willingness to endure very basic living conditions. Scholarships are available for Brethren youth and young adults age 22 or younger. Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 800-785-3246 or e-mail washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Faith Expeditions sponsored by the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office and Global Mission Partnerships Office will take Brethren on a "Nonviolent Tour of the South" as well as to Guatemala, Nigeria, and Iraq.
The tour of the South will take place Sept. 2-5 led by Bernard LaFayette, Jr., director of the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island and a colleague of Martin Luther King, Jr. Participants will travel in the footsteps of King through Tuskegee, Montgomery, Selma, Hayneville, and Birmingham, Ala., and will visit the King Center Complex in Atlanta, the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, and the Edmund-Pettus Bridge in Selma. Cost is $290, excluding airfare. A $100 nonrefundable deposit is due Aug. 13.
An Oct. 28-Nov. 5 expedition to Guatemala will visit poor communities where grassroots development is taking place. Participants will learn about threats to God's people and creation, study the roots of poverty and injustice, and view environmental degradation as well as efforts to restore the earth. The expedition will be led by Tom Benevento, Latin American/Caribbean program volunteer for the General Board. Cost is $850.
The first quarter of 2005 is the tentative time period in which a Faith Expedition will be made to Nigeria. Participants will visit communities that make up Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and explore what peace and nonviolence mean for the Nigerian and US cultures. Cost is approximately $2,000.
A tentative date for a tour to Iraq will be Spring of 2005. The tour will visit the Al Khuraish school in Baghdad, rebuilt with funds from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund, and dialogue with people of different faiths and cultures on the search for peace and healing. The expedition will be hosted by the Middle East Council of Churches and may include visits to Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel and Palestine. Approximate cost is $1,800.
Requirements for participants in all Faith Expeditions are willingness to grow in faith, respect for other cultures, openness to adventure, and willingness to endure very basic living conditions. Scholarships are available for Brethren youth and young adults age 22 or younger. Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 800-785-3246 or e-mail washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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ABC encourages National Children's Sabbath observance.
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is encouraging congregations to honor the National Observance of Children's Sabbath Oct. 15-17. On behalf of the Church of the Brethren, ABC is partnering with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) to support the event.
National Observance of Children's Sabbath seeks justice and care for the 12 million US children who live in poverty, and the 8.5 million who do not have health care insurance, according to a release from ABC. The theme for this year's observance is "Say That I'm a Child of God: Assuring Justice and Care to Leave No Child Behind."
The CDF has created a 2004 Children's Sabbath Resource Manual with planning materials and worship resources. The 174-page, interfaith manual is available from the Religious Action Division of CDF for $7. Call 202-662-3589 or order online at www.childrensdefense.org. Next year, Children's Sabbath will be observed Oct. 14-16, 2005.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is encouraging congregations to honor the National Observance of Children's Sabbath Oct. 15-17. On behalf of the Church of the Brethren, ABC is partnering with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) to support the event.
National Observance of Children's Sabbath seeks justice and care for the 12 million US children who live in poverty, and the 8.5 million who do not have health care insurance, according to a release from ABC. The theme for this year's observance is "Say That I'm a Child of God: Assuring Justice and Care to Leave No Child Behind."
The CDF has created a 2004 Children's Sabbath Resource Manual with planning materials and worship resources. The 174-page, interfaith manual is available from the Religious Action Division of CDF for $7. Call 202-662-3589 or order online at www.childrensdefense.org. Next year, Children's Sabbath will be observed Oct. 14-16, 2005.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Peacemaker shares Iraqi Christians' pain and fear.
--by Peggy Gish
Even with occasional sounds of gunshot or mortar fire in the distance, my first four days back on the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) team in Baghdad had been fairly calm. I had been adjusting to the increased precautions the team now took, and still felt emotionally distant from the violence the Iraqis were experiencing. On Sunday, Aug. 1, that changed.
Doug Pritchard and I were taking part in a Chaldean worship service in our Karada neighborhood when we heard the blasts of two bombs, exploding outside two nearby churches. Like the Iraqis around us, we were stunned and shaken. There had been some violence against Christians, but this is the first time Iraqi churches had been targeted since the invasion. Out on the street, we stopped to get information about the other churches and listen to Iraqis share their fear and grief. A woman standing at her gate motioned for us to come in.
Her young adult daughter spoke English, and she told us the story of how her father, a Christian, was recently killed because he sold liquor. They were still mourning his death. They had not attended their church this evening because they were afraid they might be attacked if they went out of their home. "Now our church has been bombed, and I don't know if my friends are dead or alive," she agonized. Her mother added, "Now Christians may have to leave Iraq. There is no safety here now. What are we going to do?" Their world seemed to be crumbling around them.
The mother bravely held her emotions in, but when we kissed each other in the usual farewell manner, she began to cry. I had been feeling sad for them, but now it touched me on a deeper level. I felt more keenly her pain as a wife and mother. We stood there for a short time, hugging and kissing each other and allowing the tears to flow. We embraced as Iraqi and American and as woman and woman.
Earlier in our conversation I had been thinking that at such a time we North Americans had nothing to offer them, and she may have thought the same. But now in this moment, in the midst of violence and feelings of hopelessness, we were given an unexpected gift. I didn't have to know how our team might respond to these new acts of violence. I didn't have to try to do something for her or know what would result from this time together. The protective barriers of our hearts were broken down, allowing us to hold each other closely in our pain and fear.
--Peggy Gish, a member of the Church of the Brethren at New Covenant Fellowship, Athens, Ohio, returned to Baghdad in late July. She has spent 11 months in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams, beginning before the war. CPT is a program of Brethren, Quaker, and Mennonite churches. For more information see www.cpt.org.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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--by Peggy Gish
Even with occasional sounds of gunshot or mortar fire in the distance, my first four days back on the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) team in Baghdad had been fairly calm. I had been adjusting to the increased precautions the team now took, and still felt emotionally distant from the violence the Iraqis were experiencing. On Sunday, Aug. 1, that changed.
Doug Pritchard and I were taking part in a Chaldean worship service in our Karada neighborhood when we heard the blasts of two bombs, exploding outside two nearby churches. Like the Iraqis around us, we were stunned and shaken. There had been some violence against Christians, but this is the first time Iraqi churches had been targeted since the invasion. Out on the street, we stopped to get information about the other churches and listen to Iraqis share their fear and grief. A woman standing at her gate motioned for us to come in.
Her young adult daughter spoke English, and she told us the story of how her father, a Christian, was recently killed because he sold liquor. They were still mourning his death. They had not attended their church this evening because they were afraid they might be attacked if they went out of their home. "Now our church has been bombed, and I don't know if my friends are dead or alive," she agonized. Her mother added, "Now Christians may have to leave Iraq. There is no safety here now. What are we going to do?" Their world seemed to be crumbling around them.
The mother bravely held her emotions in, but when we kissed each other in the usual farewell manner, she began to cry. I had been feeling sad for them, but now it touched me on a deeper level. I felt more keenly her pain as a wife and mother. We stood there for a short time, hugging and kissing each other and allowing the tears to flow. We embraced as Iraqi and American and as woman and woman.
Earlier in our conversation I had been thinking that at such a time we North Americans had nothing to offer them, and she may have thought the same. But now in this moment, in the midst of violence and feelings of hopelessness, we were given an unexpected gift. I didn't have to know how our team might respond to these new acts of violence. I didn't have to try to do something for her or know what would result from this time together. The protective barriers of our hearts were broken down, allowing us to hold each other closely in our pain and fear.
--Peggy Gish, a member of the Church of the Brethren at New Covenant Fellowship, Athens, Ohio, returned to Baghdad in late July. She has spent 11 months in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams, beginning before the war. CPT is a program of Brethren, Quaker, and Mennonite churches. For more information see www.cpt.org.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Mary Dulabaum, Ray Glick, Mary Kay Heatwole, Irvin Heishman, Rick Polhamus, and David Radcliff contributed to this report.
Newsline is a free service sent only to those requesting a subscription. To receive it by e-mail, or to unsubscribe, write cobnews@aol.com or call 800-323-8039, ext. 260. Newsline is available and archived at www.brethren.org. Also see Photo Journal at www.brethren.org/pjournal/index.htm for photo coverage of events. For additional news and features, subscribe to the Church of the Brethren magazine "Messenger." Call 800-323-8039.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Mary Dulabaum, Ray Glick, Mary Kay Heatwole, Irvin Heishman, Rick Polhamus, and David Radcliff contributed to this report.
Newsline is a free service sent only to those requesting a subscription. To receive it by e-mail, or to unsubscribe, write cobnews@aol.com or call 800-323-8039, ext. 260. Newsline is available and archived at www.brethren.org. Also see Photo Journal at www.brethren.org/pjournal/index.htm for photo coverage of events. For additional news and features, subscribe to the Church of the Brethren magazine "Messenger." Call 800-323-8039.
Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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