- Annual Conference theme, plans for 2005 announced.
- Anti-racism training, positive financial report highlight On Earth Peace meeting.
- Believers church conference explores Christianity and politics.
- Disaster Child Care opens two new centers in Florida.
- Chiques congregation hosts evacuees of toxic fire.
- Brethren bits: Personnel, October observances, and more.
Friday, October 15, 2004
NEWS
Annual Conference theme, plans for 2005 announced.
"Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus," based on Hebrews 12:1-4, is the theme for Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill., July 2-6, 2005. The Program and Arrangements Committee and Worship Committee met in Elgin, Ill., Aug. 26-27 and Sept. 26-28 respectively, to choose preachers, worship leaders, Bible study leaders, and themes and scriptures.
"The Church has always been in need of a call to remember Jesus," moderator Jim Hardenbrook wrote about the theme. "The book of Hebrews calls a group of Christians to reconsider Jesus. In the midst of their persecution and questions the writer asks them to take another look at Jesus; to consider him. I'm convinced such an exercise would be good for us."
Rosanna Eller McFadden, professional calligrapher and a member of the committee, designed the logo using the theme words. "I wanted Jesus to be central to this logo," she said. "I chose light as the symbol which illustrates where we should fix our eyes.... Our Christian lives depend on being able to see the Light in the darkness. But this is not just any light, and it is not just for Christians; it breaks the bounds of darkness and goes out into the world in the form of the cross."
Hardenbrook will preach Saturday with moderator-elect Ron Beachley leading worship. Galen Hackman, pastor of Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, will preach Sunday with Frances Townsend, pastor of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren, as worship leader. Sandy Bosserman, executive of Missouri and Arkansas District, will preach Monday with worship leader Thomas Dowdy Jr., pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren, Los Angeles, Calif. Gerald and Rebecca Crouse, on the pastoral team at New Beginnings Church of the Brethren, Warrensburg, Mo., will lead worship Tuesday with the preacher to be announced. Chris Douglas, the General Board's director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, will speak Wednesday with a worship team of Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace program coordinator for Peace Witness; Cindy Laprade and Beth Rhodes, coordinators of youth and young adult workcamps; and Nate Polzin, licensed minister from Mount Pleasant, Mich.
McFadden will serve as worship coordinator. Beth and Keith Hollenberg, a pastor at First Church of the Brethren, York, Pa., will coordinate music with Marilyn Mason as organist, Rich Brode on the piano/keyboard, and Joan Fyock Norris directing the choir. Bible study leaders will be Bob Neff, Old Testament scholar; Ruben DeOleo, director of Hispanic Ministry for Atlantic Northeast District; Levi Ziegler, ordained minister from Manheim, Pa.; and Pearl Rohrer, Bethany Theological Seminary student. Debbie Eisenbise, pastor of Skyridge Church of the Brethren, Kalamazoo, Mich., will lead theological studies.
The Program and Arrangements Committee includes the moderator, moderator-elect, McFadden, Judy Epps, Joanna Wave Willoughby, secretary Fred Swartz, treasurer Judy Keyser, and Lerry Fogle, executive director. The Worship Committee comprises the Program and Arrangements Committee plus music coordinators and choir director. For more information and to view the logo, see the Annual Conference web pages at www.brethren.org.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
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"Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus," based on Hebrews 12:1-4, is the theme for Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill., July 2-6, 2005. The Program and Arrangements Committee and Worship Committee met in Elgin, Ill., Aug. 26-27 and Sept. 26-28 respectively, to choose preachers, worship leaders, Bible study leaders, and themes and scriptures.
"The Church has always been in need of a call to remember Jesus," moderator Jim Hardenbrook wrote about the theme. "The book of Hebrews calls a group of Christians to reconsider Jesus. In the midst of their persecution and questions the writer asks them to take another look at Jesus; to consider him. I'm convinced such an exercise would be good for us."
Rosanna Eller McFadden, professional calligrapher and a member of the committee, designed the logo using the theme words. "I wanted Jesus to be central to this logo," she said. "I chose light as the symbol which illustrates where we should fix our eyes.... Our Christian lives depend on being able to see the Light in the darkness. But this is not just any light, and it is not just for Christians; it breaks the bounds of darkness and goes out into the world in the form of the cross."
Hardenbrook will preach Saturday with moderator-elect Ron Beachley leading worship. Galen Hackman, pastor of Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, will preach Sunday with Frances Townsend, pastor of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren, as worship leader. Sandy Bosserman, executive of Missouri and Arkansas District, will preach Monday with worship leader Thomas Dowdy Jr., pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren, Los Angeles, Calif. Gerald and Rebecca Crouse, on the pastoral team at New Beginnings Church of the Brethren, Warrensburg, Mo., will lead worship Tuesday with the preacher to be announced. Chris Douglas, the General Board's director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, will speak Wednesday with a worship team of Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace program coordinator for Peace Witness; Cindy Laprade and Beth Rhodes, coordinators of youth and young adult workcamps; and Nate Polzin, licensed minister from Mount Pleasant, Mich.
McFadden will serve as worship coordinator. Beth and Keith Hollenberg, a pastor at First Church of the Brethren, York, Pa., will coordinate music with Marilyn Mason as organist, Rich Brode on the piano/keyboard, and Joan Fyock Norris directing the choir. Bible study leaders will be Bob Neff, Old Testament scholar; Ruben DeOleo, director of Hispanic Ministry for Atlantic Northeast District; Levi Ziegler, ordained minister from Manheim, Pa.; and Pearl Rohrer, Bethany Theological Seminary student. Debbie Eisenbise, pastor of Skyridge Church of the Brethren, Kalamazoo, Mich., will lead theological studies.
The Program and Arrangements Committee includes the moderator, moderator-elect, McFadden, Judy Epps, Joanna Wave Willoughby, secretary Fred Swartz, treasurer Judy Keyser, and Lerry Fogle, executive director. The Worship Committee comprises the Program and Arrangements Committee plus music coordinators and choir director. For more information and to view the logo, see the Annual Conference web pages at www.brethren.org.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
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Anti-racism training, positive financial report highlight On Earth Peace meeting.
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met Sept. 24-25 at New Windsor, Md., with the theme "Living God's Peace—Together." The agency's Advancement, Personnel, Finance, and Executive Committees met Sept. 23. Led by chair Bev Weaver, the board continued use of the "Formal Consensus" process for discussion and decision-making.
"The group took time to reflect on bringing together our passionate concern for all people, our covenant of service, our need to forgive and be forgiven as a part of reconciliation, and our recognition to remember and represent the Body of Christ in the work that we do to answer Christ's call to peace," said co-executive director Barb Sayler. Highlights of the meeting were a training with the General Board's Anti-Racism Training Team, a positive financial report, calling of new leaders, and a case study.
Board and staff spent a morning and part of an afternoon with Barbara Cuffie, Torin Eikler, and Sharon Reich of the Anti-Racism Training Team. The training recognized the tendency to assign privilege according to class, power, and ethnicity, and examined On Earth Peace's institutional practices through the lens of race. "The training allowed the group to see more clearly how On Earth Peace, in its programs and projects, is affected by white privilege," Sayler reported. Next steps include planning for changing the effects of privilege and racism in the work of On Earth Peace, and dialogue among board and staff to propose projects not oriented to white, middle- and upper-middle-class people. Also at the meeting was Orlando Redekopp, pastor of First Church of the Brethren, Chicago, Ill, and a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams Steering Committee, who challenged On Earth Peace "to go deeper in its peacemaking," she added.
The financial report, given just days before the end of the fiscal year, showed a positive balance of income to expense, with a drop in congregational giving and an increase in individual giving. A budget of $440,000 was adopted, "reflecting the program expansion anticipated in the coming year in response to requests and rising expectations from the denomination," Sayler said. The Advancement Committee is developing a program for the fundraising role of the board and introduced "Talking Points" for board members.
It was announced that the next round of organizational evaluation will be accomplished in a larger assessment of the Church of the Brethren as a Living Peace Church. Time was spent on a case study of how to respond in situations in which the peace testimony of the church is not supported. After working in small groups, the board shared ideas about dialogue, building relationships, and speaking the truth in love.
The board welcomed new member Verdena Lee, who is filling an unfinished term. Other new members are Henry Pierre, also filling an unfinished term, and Robbie Miller, elected by Annual Conference. Bev Weaver and David Jehnsen were re-elected by constituents.
The process of calling a new Executive Committee included naming responsibilities and qualities needed for each position, a time of silence and prayer, opportunity to name those who may be able to serve well, and time to be in prayer about the decision overnight. Executive Committee members are chair Bev Weaver, vice-chair Ken Frantz, treasurer Phil Miller, secretary Lauree Hersch Meyer, and at-large members Doris Abdullah and Dena Gilbert. Vice-chair Tom Leard Longenecker, who led the process, was recognized for completing a five-year term on the board.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met Sept. 24-25 at New Windsor, Md., with the theme "Living God's Peace—Together." The agency's Advancement, Personnel, Finance, and Executive Committees met Sept. 23. Led by chair Bev Weaver, the board continued use of the "Formal Consensus" process for discussion and decision-making.
"The group took time to reflect on bringing together our passionate concern for all people, our covenant of service, our need to forgive and be forgiven as a part of reconciliation, and our recognition to remember and represent the Body of Christ in the work that we do to answer Christ's call to peace," said co-executive director Barb Sayler. Highlights of the meeting were a training with the General Board's Anti-Racism Training Team, a positive financial report, calling of new leaders, and a case study.
Board and staff spent a morning and part of an afternoon with Barbara Cuffie, Torin Eikler, and Sharon Reich of the Anti-Racism Training Team. The training recognized the tendency to assign privilege according to class, power, and ethnicity, and examined On Earth Peace's institutional practices through the lens of race. "The training allowed the group to see more clearly how On Earth Peace, in its programs and projects, is affected by white privilege," Sayler reported. Next steps include planning for changing the effects of privilege and racism in the work of On Earth Peace, and dialogue among board and staff to propose projects not oriented to white, middle- and upper-middle-class people. Also at the meeting was Orlando Redekopp, pastor of First Church of the Brethren, Chicago, Ill, and a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams Steering Committee, who challenged On Earth Peace "to go deeper in its peacemaking," she added.
The financial report, given just days before the end of the fiscal year, showed a positive balance of income to expense, with a drop in congregational giving and an increase in individual giving. A budget of $440,000 was adopted, "reflecting the program expansion anticipated in the coming year in response to requests and rising expectations from the denomination," Sayler said. The Advancement Committee is developing a program for the fundraising role of the board and introduced "Talking Points" for board members.
It was announced that the next round of organizational evaluation will be accomplished in a larger assessment of the Church of the Brethren as a Living Peace Church. Time was spent on a case study of how to respond in situations in which the peace testimony of the church is not supported. After working in small groups, the board shared ideas about dialogue, building relationships, and speaking the truth in love.
The board welcomed new member Verdena Lee, who is filling an unfinished term. Other new members are Henry Pierre, also filling an unfinished term, and Robbie Miller, elected by Annual Conference. Bev Weaver and David Jehnsen were re-elected by constituents.
The process of calling a new Executive Committee included naming responsibilities and qualities needed for each position, a time of silence and prayer, opportunity to name those who may be able to serve well, and time to be in prayer about the decision overnight. Executive Committee members are chair Bev Weaver, vice-chair Ken Frantz, treasurer Phil Miller, secretary Lauree Hersch Meyer, and at-large members Doris Abdullah and Dena Gilbert. Vice-chair Tom Leard Longenecker, who led the process, was recognized for completing a five-year term on the board.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Believers church conference explores Christianity and politics.
Questions about the response of Christians who live in a democracy that is the world's only superpower resulted in an election-season conference on "God, Democracy, and US Power." The 15th Believers Church Conference, held Sept. 23-25, was co-hosted by Bridgewater (Va.) College and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), with sessions divided between the two campuses.
Speakers from varying traditions discussed issues such as political behavior, biblical pacifism, economic justice, and justice for oppressed minorities. Traditions associated with the Believers Church include Adventists, Baptists, Brethren, Discipleship of Christ, Mennonites, Methodists, Pentecostals, Plymouth Brethren, and Quakers—denominations that view membership in the church as a voluntary act of faith.
A highlight of the conference was an address by Robert Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches. As the world becomes more burdened with violence, hate, and injustice, Edgar emphasized the active role Christians must play for change. "Questioning our government and its leaders' actions doesn't mean that we don't love our country," he said, "We live in a global village. God transcends national boundaries, and God calls us to be shapers, shakers, and remakers of this fragile planet Earth."
Echoing Edgar's themes, Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, assistant professor of preaching and worship at Bethany Theological Seminary, gave a sermon on the parable of the widow confronting the unjust judge in Luke 18:2-8. She challenged the audience to call for justice in America, "the largest single superpower the world now knows—and resents."
Mwizenge Tembo, a Zambian native and associate professor of sociology at Bridgewater, brought an international perspective. Chatting with neighbors on a recent visit to Zambia, Tembo heard a man praising Osama bin Laden for engineering the Sept. 11 attacks. Friends were surprised to hear Tembo reply, "I could have been on those planes. I live there. I saw the suffering." Tembo saw the man's remark as a mirror image of the attitudes of many Americans who are unaware of the effects of US government and business on people across the world.
"Contrary to popular opinion, and we don't want to say it too loudly, we are only as good and as precious as everyone else in this world in God's eyes," said speaker David Radcliff of the New Community Project in Elgin, Ill. Asked whether Christians should seek persecution or hardship, Radcliff responded, "Those things come naturally if you live out the heart of your faith."
J. Daryl Byler, director of the Mennonite Central Committee Washington Office, spoke of Jeremiah's prophesy of a long, hard exile in Babylon. Notwithstanding easier circumstances, he said Christian pacifists in America face an exile in which pacifism becomes less tolerated. "We must find ways to both love and resist the empire," Byler said.
Conference planners are working with Pandora Press Canada for a forthcoming book in the "Studies in the Believers Church Tradition" series that will continue the conversation of the conference. Jim Bishop, of EMU; Karen Doss Bowman, of Bridgewater College; and freelance writer Chris Edwards contributed to this report.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Questions about the response of Christians who live in a democracy that is the world's only superpower resulted in an election-season conference on "God, Democracy, and US Power." The 15th Believers Church Conference, held Sept. 23-25, was co-hosted by Bridgewater (Va.) College and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), with sessions divided between the two campuses.
Speakers from varying traditions discussed issues such as political behavior, biblical pacifism, economic justice, and justice for oppressed minorities. Traditions associated with the Believers Church include Adventists, Baptists, Brethren, Discipleship of Christ, Mennonites, Methodists, Pentecostals, Plymouth Brethren, and Quakers—denominations that view membership in the church as a voluntary act of faith.
A highlight of the conference was an address by Robert Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches. As the world becomes more burdened with violence, hate, and injustice, Edgar emphasized the active role Christians must play for change. "Questioning our government and its leaders' actions doesn't mean that we don't love our country," he said, "We live in a global village. God transcends national boundaries, and God calls us to be shapers, shakers, and remakers of this fragile planet Earth."
Echoing Edgar's themes, Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, assistant professor of preaching and worship at Bethany Theological Seminary, gave a sermon on the parable of the widow confronting the unjust judge in Luke 18:2-8. She challenged the audience to call for justice in America, "the largest single superpower the world now knows—and resents."
Mwizenge Tembo, a Zambian native and associate professor of sociology at Bridgewater, brought an international perspective. Chatting with neighbors on a recent visit to Zambia, Tembo heard a man praising Osama bin Laden for engineering the Sept. 11 attacks. Friends were surprised to hear Tembo reply, "I could have been on those planes. I live there. I saw the suffering." Tembo saw the man's remark as a mirror image of the attitudes of many Americans who are unaware of the effects of US government and business on people across the world.
"Contrary to popular opinion, and we don't want to say it too loudly, we are only as good and as precious as everyone else in this world in God's eyes," said speaker David Radcliff of the New Community Project in Elgin, Ill. Asked whether Christians should seek persecution or hardship, Radcliff responded, "Those things come naturally if you live out the heart of your faith."
J. Daryl Byler, director of the Mennonite Central Committee Washington Office, spoke of Jeremiah's prophesy of a long, hard exile in Babylon. Notwithstanding easier circumstances, he said Christian pacifists in America face an exile in which pacifism becomes less tolerated. "We must find ways to both love and resist the empire," Byler said.
Conference planners are working with Pandora Press Canada for a forthcoming book in the "Studies in the Believers Church Tradition" series that will continue the conversation of the conference. Jim Bishop, of EMU; Karen Doss Bowman, of Bridgewater College; and freelance writer Chris Edwards contributed to this report.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Disaster Child Care opens two new centers in Florida.
Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne—Disaster Child Care (DCC) volunteers will have responded to each of these disasters with the opening of two new child care centers this week in Vero Beach and Winter Haven, Fla. Two teams of volunteers and a project manager from the General Board program are being deployed to these locations at the request of the American Red Cross, reported coordinator Helen Stonesifer.
Volunteers continue to meet the needs of children in two locations in Pensacola and at the Osceola Square Mall in Kissimmee, Fla. Centers in Gulf Breeze, Wauchula, and Englewood, Fla., have closed, as have those in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Claysburgh, Pa., and in Salem, Va. Since DCC began its response to the hurricanes, some 86 volunteers have made contact with over 1,900 children.
Parents, as well as the Red Cross and emergency staff, have been very appreciative of the service, Stonesifer said. She passed along the comment of a Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency director, that the DCC volunteers' "gift goes far beyond just watching over a child while the parent(s) goes through the tedious application process essential to assisting the family in their recovery.... This contact is often the first real attention many of the children have been able to receive from an adult, and it has served to remind the parents that the children are in need of assistance in this recovery process as well."
An article about the work of DCC at an American Red Cross center in Pensacola, "In Panhandle, a miserable wait," by Susan Kim, can be found at www.disasternews.net/news/news.php?articleid=2442.
A team of three child care volunteers—Laurene Holsinger, John Surr, and Brenda Palsgrove—will serve at the 10th Annual National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation in Arlington, Va., Oct. 16-17. Care will be provided for children of victims' families from the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. The foundation was incorporated in 1995 by air crash survivors and family members of victims. "Disaster Child Care is very honored to have been requested to participate in this event again this year," said Stonesifer.
In other disaster-related news, the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund has provided $20,000 for food relief in Kenya, where a tenth of the people are at risk of famine, reported Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response. "Kenya is suffering a massive crop failure due to irregular rainfall patterns and contamination of grain reserves by afllatoxin, a toxin created by grain mold," he wrote in the grant application. "It is estimated that 3.3 million people need emergency assistance." The grant will support efforts at food relief for 18,722 families.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne—Disaster Child Care (DCC) volunteers will have responded to each of these disasters with the opening of two new child care centers this week in Vero Beach and Winter Haven, Fla. Two teams of volunteers and a project manager from the General Board program are being deployed to these locations at the request of the American Red Cross, reported coordinator Helen Stonesifer.
Volunteers continue to meet the needs of children in two locations in Pensacola and at the Osceola Square Mall in Kissimmee, Fla. Centers in Gulf Breeze, Wauchula, and Englewood, Fla., have closed, as have those in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Claysburgh, Pa., and in Salem, Va. Since DCC began its response to the hurricanes, some 86 volunteers have made contact with over 1,900 children.
Parents, as well as the Red Cross and emergency staff, have been very appreciative of the service, Stonesifer said. She passed along the comment of a Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency director, that the DCC volunteers' "gift goes far beyond just watching over a child while the parent(s) goes through the tedious application process essential to assisting the family in their recovery.... This contact is often the first real attention many of the children have been able to receive from an adult, and it has served to remind the parents that the children are in need of assistance in this recovery process as well."
An article about the work of DCC at an American Red Cross center in Pensacola, "In Panhandle, a miserable wait," by Susan Kim, can be found at www.disasternews.net/news/news.php?articleid=2442.
A team of three child care volunteers—Laurene Holsinger, John Surr, and Brenda Palsgrove—will serve at the 10th Annual National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation in Arlington, Va., Oct. 16-17. Care will be provided for children of victims' families from the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. The foundation was incorporated in 1995 by air crash survivors and family members of victims. "Disaster Child Care is very honored to have been requested to participate in this event again this year," said Stonesifer.
In other disaster-related news, the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund has provided $20,000 for food relief in Kenya, where a tenth of the people are at risk of famine, reported Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response. "Kenya is suffering a massive crop failure due to irregular rainfall patterns and contamination of grain reserves by afllatoxin, a toxin created by grain mold," he wrote in the grant application. "It is estimated that 3.3 million people need emergency assistance." The grant will support efforts at food relief for 18,722 families.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Chiques congregation hosts evacuees of toxic fire.
Chiques Church of the Brethren, Manheim, Pa., hosted evacuees of a toxic fire that closed 19 miles of Pennsylvania turnpike for nearly 11 hours on Oct. 7. The truck fire involved the toxic chemical potassium cyanide, which was spread by the wind forcing the evacuation of 12 square miles near Mount Gretna and Mastersonville. The evacuation included at least 100 homes, an RV park, an elementary school, and a retirement center.
More than 50 evacuees were sent to the church for shelter. The call to the deacons came very early that morning, with some homes evacuated as early as 5:30 a.m. A deacon's wife—who preferred not to be named in order to give credit to the whole congregation for its hospitable response—happened to have the day off from work. She also had taken Disaster Child Care training and was familiar with emergency response and the needs of those in disaster situations.
She and five other church members opened the building and made the education wing and the library available to the evacuees, as well as toys for the children. "We just tried to make people feel at home," she said, adding that those who sheltered at the church were of all types and ages ranging from an elderly couple to a young mother with three children. As soon the hosts realized that evacuees had not had time to eat, and would need lunch, they also arranged meals.
She gave high marks to firefighters from Lititz who came to the church to give an update on the situation—filling a need for information that the hosts could not provide—and gave credit to Lancaster Church of the Brethren for an offer of help and the Salvation Army for sending a food truck, that unfortunately arrived too late.
The evacuation was covered by local media, with television crews at the church doors asking for access to the evacuees and a call from a radio station. "I'm not used to managing an evacuation center," the deacon's wife said. She struggled with the decision to let the media in, agreeing only after reporters said they would get individuals' permission before filming.
The Chiques church had agreed some time ago to be an emergency shelter, "not thinking it would be necessary," she said. "It was necessary."
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Chiques Church of the Brethren, Manheim, Pa., hosted evacuees of a toxic fire that closed 19 miles of Pennsylvania turnpike for nearly 11 hours on Oct. 7. The truck fire involved the toxic chemical potassium cyanide, which was spread by the wind forcing the evacuation of 12 square miles near Mount Gretna and Mastersonville. The evacuation included at least 100 homes, an RV park, an elementary school, and a retirement center.
More than 50 evacuees were sent to the church for shelter. The call to the deacons came very early that morning, with some homes evacuated as early as 5:30 a.m. A deacon's wife—who preferred not to be named in order to give credit to the whole congregation for its hospitable response—happened to have the day off from work. She also had taken Disaster Child Care training and was familiar with emergency response and the needs of those in disaster situations.
She and five other church members opened the building and made the education wing and the library available to the evacuees, as well as toys for the children. "We just tried to make people feel at home," she said, adding that those who sheltered at the church were of all types and ages ranging from an elderly couple to a young mother with three children. As soon the hosts realized that evacuees had not had time to eat, and would need lunch, they also arranged meals.
She gave high marks to firefighters from Lititz who came to the church to give an update on the situation—filling a need for information that the hosts could not provide—and gave credit to Lancaster Church of the Brethren for an offer of help and the Salvation Army for sending a food truck, that unfortunately arrived too late.
The evacuation was covered by local media, with television crews at the church doors asking for access to the evacuees and a call from a radio station. "I'm not used to managing an evacuation center," the deacon's wife said. She struggled with the decision to let the media in, agreeing only after reporters said they would get individuals' permission before filming.
The Chiques church had agreed some time ago to be an emergency shelter, "not thinking it would be necessary," she said. "It was necessary."
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
top
Brethren bits: Personnel, October observances, and more.
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- Steve Van Houten has accepted a call to assist as a workcamp coordinator for the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Ministries on a part-time, shared basis for the 2005 program year. He is lead pastor at Akron, Springfield Church of the Brethren in Ohio. He will begin in the position Jan. 2005, and will work with workcamp coordinators Cindy Laprade and Beth Rhodes.
- The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) seeks a director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, a half-time position. Responsibilities include program implementation through the Fellowship of Brethren Homes and personal contact with homes. Qualifications are a Bachelor's degree; grounding in Church of the Brethren and ABC values, history, and policy; background and experience in longterm care; communication and interpersonal skills; administrative skills in a nonprofit, church-related organization. Resumes and letters of references will be accepted until Nov. 20. ABC hopes to fill the position by Jan. 2005 or earlier. A position description and application form are available at www.brethren.org/abc or call 800-323-8039. Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter of application, and to request three references to send letters of recommendation to Kathryn Reid, Executive Director, ABC, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
- The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is encouraging congregations to lift up October as Disabilities Awareness Month, and to observe National Children's Sabbath this weekend Oct. 15-17. Resources for Disabilities Awareness Month created by members of the Church and Persons with Disabilities Network, a ministry of ABC, are available at www.brethren.org/abc/. The theme for the National Children's Sabbath is "Say That I'm a Child of God: Assuring Justice and Care to Leave No Child Behind." For more information visit the Children's Defense Fund website, or order the 2004 Children's Sabbath Resource Manual from the Children's Defense Fund Religious Action Division for $7 by calling 202-662-3589.
- Brethren leaders have signed two letters related to the presidential debates: Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, and Wil Nolen, president of Brethren Benefit Trust, were among 22 leaders of religion, labor, science, and government who signed a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates asking that issues of energy and environment be raised; and the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office joined more than 20 Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic organizations including the National Council of Churches (NCC) posing questions on poverty and health care to the candidates. Noffsinger and Nolen signed the letter to the commission in response to Annual Conference's stated concern for care for creation and in support of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, which BBT supports as a part of its focus on socially responsible investing. The letter to the candidates pointed to US Census Bureau data revealing an increase in poverty in the last two years, asking how the candidates plan to reduce poverty, particularly for children, and decrease the number of people without health insurance. For the letter to the debate commission, see "Announcements" at www.iccr.org. For the letter to the candidates see www.ncccusa.org, click on "NCC News."
- Fall meetings of the General Board will be held Oct. 15-18 in Elgin, Ill. The Executive Committee will meet the afternoon of Oct. 15, the Audit and Investment Committee will meet that evening, and the board will meet the morning of Oct. 16 through the morning of Oct. 18. On the agenda is the role of observers with the American Baptist Churches USA, financial reports and the 2005 budget, a report on the Stewardship of Property Committee, mission in Haiti, a report from the Cross Cultural Ministries Consultation, and polity revisions. The board also will receive several other reports and hold a recognition celebration for employees.
- The Annual Conference study committee that will answer the query "Doing Church Business" convened in Elgin, Ill., Sept. 30-Oct. 2. David Shetler, of Oakland Church of the Brethren, Bradford, Ohio, is chair. Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace staff from Richmond, Ind., is recorder. Other members of the committee are Joe Detrick, Verdena Lee, and Dale Posthumus. The study committee organized, identified research that needs to be carried out, identified individuals and groups to be interviewed, discussed ways of having dialogue with the denomination, and developed a general time schedule for its activities, reported Lerry Fogle, Conference executive director. Contact information for the committee will be available soon on the Conference website. The committee is to bring a report in 2005.
- Nov. 7 is National Junior High Sunday with "Maturing in Faith," Luke 2:52, as the theme. A Bible study, skit, worship resources, and other materials are available at www.brethren.org: click on General Board, search for key words Youth & Young Adults. For purposes of conservation, packets of these materials were not mailed out to each congregation, according to an announcement from Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Instead, junior high advisors received postcards directing them to the website, where all of the materials may be printed out.
- Registration forms for the Cross Cultural Consultation and Celebration April 21-24 in Richmond, Ind., are available from Duane Grady, Congregational Life Team staff for the General Board and coordinator of the event. There is no registration fee, but advance registration will help the host congregation plan meals. The board will provide travel assistance for one to two participants from each Church of the Brethren congregation. Grady encouraged participants to join travel caravans to share expenses. Housing costs of $59 per night at a motel will be covered by participants, with the option of staying in a private home on a first-come first-served basis. Donations will be "gladly accepted," Grady said, and should be made out to the General Board. Call 800-505-1596 or e-mail dgrady_gb@brethren.org.
- April 23-28, 2005, high school youth and advisors are invited to the 2005 Christian Citizenship Seminar in New York and Washington, D.C. The event will be open to 100 participants on a first-come first-served basis. The topic is "Conscientious Objection." Cost is $350. The seminar is sponsored by the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Brethren Witness/Washington Office. "It is a unique opportunity to visit the United Nations and Capitol Hill, meet with senators and representatives, as we study the questions of how to make life choices based on our Christian discipleship," said Youth and Young Adult Ministry director Chris Douglas. Registration is available at www.brethren.org: click on General Board, keyword Youth & Young Adults. For brochures call 800-323-8039.
- Goshen City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren celebrates 105 years as a congregation during worship Oct. 17. The service will be followed by a hog roast and a concert by Ryan Hirschy and Brad Byerly. For more information call 574-533-1884.
- Selma (Va.) Church of the Brethren will have its 90th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration on Oct. 24 at 11 a.m., with a 2 p.m. Memorial Service. Enos Griffith, a former pastor, will be the guest speaker. A luncheon will be provided.
- Dedication of HIS Way Fellowship in Southeastern District will be Oct. 24 from 4-6 p.m. with a worship service and carry-in meal. Co-pastors Raul and Lidia Gonzalez will be installed. For more information contact the district at 423-378-6027.
- Franklin Grove (Ill.) Church of the Brethren will pray for peace in Iraq and for the safe return of US troops at a Candlelight Prayer Vigil 6-8 p.m. Oct. 17. The vigil will center on lighting over 1,000 luminaries, one for each US soldier killed. Participants will receive information on soldiers including pictures, ages, home states, and how they died. For information call 815-857-3719.
- Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren, Kettering, Ohio, is holding a homecoming on Oct. 23-24. The celebration will include a final "Wahsum Fall Festival" in memory of Leroy Wahsum, who unexpectedly passed away Aug. 29. A worship celebration will include the burning of the mortgage for the sanctuary, built 11 years ago. Guest speaker is Dean E. Wolfe, Episcopal bishop of Kansas, who grew up in the congregation. Call 937-294-0708.
- The 50-member sanctuary choir of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren will present a choral concert featuring the original music and choral arrangements of Shawn Kirchner, the church's minister of music, on Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will be placed in "A Fund for Healing and Rebuilding" to assist victims of the devastating fires in California a year ago. Several church family members and others in the region were affected. Choir director Susan Winckler will conduct, with Kirchner accompanying on organ and piano. The concert will include "Rain Come Down," composed the day after the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999 as Kirchner was driving through rain to his home in Chicago. In 2002 the song received top honors in the University of Oregon's "Waging Peace Through Singing" choral composition contest. Also featured will be excerpts from a Mass that Kirchner is in the process of composing. For more information contact the church at 909-593-1364.
- Two districts will gather for conferences this weekend and next: Western Pennsylvania will meet Oct. 16 at Meyersdale (Pa.) Church of the Brethren with Mildred Hartzell as moderator; Middle Pennsylvania will meet Oct. 22-23 at Dunnings Creek Church of the Brethren, New Paris, Pa., with Sarah Malone as moderator.
- Virlina District congregations continue to receive offerings to assist Brethren disaster work following the hurricanes. As of Oct. 14, the district has received $24,790.10 from 48 congregations and fellowships, including gifts from individual members.
- American participants in the Watu Wa Amani: People of Peace conference in Kenya in August will give a program at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30. The Historic Peace Church conference related to the Decade to Overcome Violence and addressed issues of peacemaking in Africa, hearing stories of violence, conflict, and reconciliation brought by African participants. Bethany's program will share the stories and give the perspectives of presenters Scott Holland, associate professor of Peace Studies and Cross-Cultural Studies; Donald Miller, emeritus professor of Christian Education and Ethics, who convened the Watu Wa Amani planning committee; Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, assistant professor of Preaching and Worship; Ben Richmond, director of North American Ministries of Friends United Meeting; and Aletha Stahl, professor of French at Earlham College. For more information call 765-983-1800.
- Camp Eder holds its 26th Annual Fall Festival Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The event will include dedication of the Miller Meeting House at 3 p.m., as well as an auction, crafts, food, a climbing wall and zip line, and a Pig and Turkey Roast. For more information call 717-642-8256.
- The second annual Plowshares National Student Peace and Justice Conference will be Oct. 22-24 in Richmond, Ind., on the theme, "Bringing Our Pieces Together: Peacebuilding Through Intercultural Dialogue." Presenters include Aaron Miller, president of Seeds for Peace; Mental Notes, of the Movement in Motion arts collective of New York; Jennie Kiesling, professor of history at the US Military Academy; Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X; Funkdesi, a musical ensemble; and Saoud El Mawla, Earlham's Plowshares professor. Plowshares is a collaborative project of Manchester College, Earlham College, and Goshen College, and is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. For more information see www.plowsharesproject.org.
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Ralph McFadden to retire from the Association of Brethren Caregivers.
Ralph McFadden will retire Dec. 31 from the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) as director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, a position he has held since 2001.
McFadden has worked to strengthen the relationship between Brethren retirement centers and districts and congregations, increased the homes' presence at Annual Conference, and led development of a paper on uncompensated care in Brethren retirement centers. He represented the denomination in ecumenical endeavors including the Peace Church Purchasing Group, Center for Faith-Based Leadership, and American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
McFadden has served in the Church of the Brethren as a pastor, a district executive, and executive for the Parish Ministries Commission of the General Board. McFadden also has been chaplain and bereavement counselor at Hospice of Metro Denver, Colo. He is a member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
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Ralph McFadden will retire Dec. 31 from the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) as director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, a position he has held since 2001.
McFadden has worked to strengthen the relationship between Brethren retirement centers and districts and congregations, increased the homes' presence at Annual Conference, and led development of a paper on uncompensated care in Brethren retirement centers. He represented the denomination in ecumenical endeavors including the Peace Church Purchasing Group, Center for Faith-Based Leadership, and American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
McFadden has served in the Church of the Brethren as a pastor, a district executive, and executive for the Parish Ministries Commission of the General Board. McFadden also has been chaplain and bereavement counselor at Hospice of Metro Denver, Colo. He is a member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
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Bethany announces music and arts in worship conference.
"Hebrews 12:28—Brimming with Worship" is the title of a conference celebrating music and the arts in worship April 8-10, 2005. The conference is funded by the Rosenberger Memorial Recital Series and the Stephen I. Katonah Endowment for Faith and the Arts and is part of Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial. It will take place at Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.
Keynote addresses will be given by Sally Morgenthaler, founder of Sacramentis.com; James Abbington, professor of Music at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md.; and Nadine Pence Frantz, professor of Theological Studies at Bethany. Morgenthaler works to move worship beyond presentation to an interactive, sacred experience involving all the arts. Abbington is executive editor of the African American Church Music Series published by GIA Publications, Inc. Frantz is developing a set of reflections around images of Jesus as the Christ, and a book using visual art to engage with theology.
The conference will include workshops and worship. Nancy Faus, professor emerita at Bethany, will preach Friday. The Saturday service in the style of emergent worship will be coordinated by Brian Messler, associate pastor at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren. Abbington will lead worship Sunday.
Cost is $199 for the first person from a congregation, $129 for others from the same congregation, and includes lunches and lodging. Cost for commuters is $99/$69. Participants qualify for 1.5 continuing education units. Registration forms will be available in January.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
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"Hebrews 12:28—Brimming with Worship" is the title of a conference celebrating music and the arts in worship April 8-10, 2005. The conference is funded by the Rosenberger Memorial Recital Series and the Stephen I. Katonah Endowment for Faith and the Arts and is part of Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial. It will take place at Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.
Keynote addresses will be given by Sally Morgenthaler, founder of Sacramentis.com; James Abbington, professor of Music at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md.; and Nadine Pence Frantz, professor of Theological Studies at Bethany. Morgenthaler works to move worship beyond presentation to an interactive, sacred experience involving all the arts. Abbington is executive editor of the African American Church Music Series published by GIA Publications, Inc. Frantz is developing a set of reflections around images of Jesus as the Christ, and a book using visual art to engage with theology.
The conference will include workshops and worship. Nancy Faus, professor emerita at Bethany, will preach Friday. The Saturday service in the style of emergent worship will be coordinated by Brian Messler, associate pastor at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren. Abbington will lead worship Sunday.
Cost is $199 for the first person from a congregation, $129 for others from the same congregation, and includes lunches and lodging. Cost for commuters is $99/$69. Participants qualify for 1.5 continuing education units. Registration forms will be available in January.
Source: 10/15/2004 Newsline
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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. Chris Douglas, Mary Dulabaum, Lerry Fogle, Stan Noffsinger, Marcia Shetler, and Helen Stonesifer 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. Chris Douglas, Mary Dulabaum, Lerry Fogle, Stan Noffsinger, Marcia Shetler, and Helen Stonesifer contributed to this report.
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