- In a correction to "Churches Begin Planning for Consultation on Alternative Service" (Newsline Jan. 21), Dan McFadden was not identified. He is director of Brethren Volunteer Service for the General Board and the Church of the Brethren representative on the consultation planning group.
- J. Richard Butler, 74, executive director of Church World Service (CWS) in the 1980s, died at his home in New York on Jan. 25. "During his years at the helm of Church World Service, Dick focused on flexibility and excellence," said CWS executive director John L. McCullough. "He is quoted as saying, `If we are to do God's work, we must do it well.' These are without doubt fitting watchwords as we continue a ministry Dick helped to shape." Butler became CWS associate executive director in 1978 and executive director in 1985. In the 1960s and `70s he worked on Middle East assignments for CWS, the Near East Council of Churches, and the World Council of Churches. During the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979, Butler arranged for the hostages to have a pastoral Christmas day visit by three US clergy. A member of the United Church of Christ, Butler grew up in Akron, Ohio, and was a conscientious objector during the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 26 at The Riverside Church followed by a reception at Union Theological Seminary.
- The General Board seeks a PC and programming specialist for a fulltime hourly position in Elgin, Ill. Position description and application form are available on request. Application deadline is Feb. 9. Responsibilities include troubleshooting problems with software and hardware, developing and modifying programs and applications, assisting users, and installing new software, upgrades, and hardware. Qualifications include familiarity with AS/400, networks, personal computers, current Windows versions, and Office Suite; expertise in programming languages, particularly RPG III or RPG IV; ability to work with minimal supervision and a variety of people; minimum of an associate degree, equivalent experience, or certification; and a strong background in programming, operations, networks, and personal computers. Submit the General Board application form, a hard copy resume, and a letter of application to Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; or e-mail mgarrison_gb@brethren.org.
- The General Board is seeking a fulltime customer service resource specialist to work in Elgin, Ill. The position is available March 1. The position provides Brethren Press resource information to congregations and individuals, handling telephone, mail, and internet orders as well as processing accounts receivable, monthly statements, and reports. The ideal candidate has demonstrated abilities in customer service, word processing, intermediate accounting, and general office skills. Experience in a church or service organization and some college credit is preferred. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Mary Lou Garrison, Director of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. Application deadline is Feb. 16.
- Spurgeon Manor, Inc., a non-profit multi-level care facility affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, is seeking an administrator for its facility in Dallas Center, Iowa. Located 25 miles west of Des Moines, Spurgeon Manor currently operates 42 nursing facility beds, 30 residential care beds, 7 independent apartments, and 19 townhouses. An Iowa Nursing Home Administrator's license is required. Send resume and salary history to Spurgeon Manor, Inc., Karl Eby, Chair, 2437 U Ave., Dallas Center, IA 50063. Resume and salary history can be e-mailed to eby-erickson@worldnet.att.net or faxed to 515-992-4070.
- Dana and Nelda Snider of Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren led two "Conversation Café" workshops at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., Jan. 25-26 at the invitation of the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC). Conversation Cafe is a communication model for discussing difficult or controversial issues in small groups, creating an environment where people can safely share their views and focus on listening to one another. A total of 14 people took part, including pastors and members of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin and York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill. ABC staff may use the model in workshops or when facilitating small groups.
- Bethany Theological Seminary's Mid-Winter Open House for college students will be held Feb. 26, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on the campus in Richmond, Ind. There will be opportunities for conversation with faculty, staff, and students, a class visit, and a campus tour. "Come join in a day of exploring theological education and its possibilities in your life," invited Kathy Royer, director of Admissions. For more information e-mail her at enroll@bethanyseminary.edu.
- The General Board's program to recycle used ink jet cartridges is expanding to offer cell phone recycling through AAA Environmental, Inc. Call Amy Heckert at 800-323-8039 ext. 257 or e-mail aheckert_gb@brethren.org for free recycling envelopes to take part in the program and for instructions. "Our recycling efforts are paying off," she reported on Jan. 26. "We received yet another check in the amount of $10.81 for the 'If a Tree Falls' program. This money will help plant 10 fruit trees and 8 forest trees. To date we have contributed $127.97."
- "Pilgrimage--Faithquest for Adults," a spiritual development retreat for adults of any age, will be held March 11-13 at Camp Bethel, Fincastle, Va. The retreat will provide an opportunity to explore relationship with God and to join others on a journey of deepening spirituality and commitment to Jesus Christ. The cost of $125 includes housing and meals. Contact Virlina District at 800-847-5462 or e-mail virlina2@aol.com.
- "Without the Rest, There is No Music" is the topic of this year's Ministry R&R Conference of Atlantic Northeast District, to be held April 27, 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m., at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College for ministers, church leaders, and other interested persons. The retreat leader is Kirk Jones--a pastor, professor, and author of the books "Rest in the Storm" and "Addicted to Hurry." He also teaches preaching and ethics at Andover Newton Theological Seminary and has a website, www.savoringpace.com. Jones will hold sessions on self violence, overcoming over-commitment, and keys to developing a dynamic ministry. His books will be on sale. Lunch hosted by the college is part of the day and continuing education units will be offered. For more information e-mail David Young at davidyoung@churchrenewalservant.org.
- On Jan. 30, representatives of McPherson (Kan.) College's Automotive Restoration Program watched as a 1969 Corvette Stingray Convertible was sold to the highest bidder at the 34th annual Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. The total amount of the sale will be donated to help fund the renovation of Templeton Hall, which houses the restoration program. The sale was arranged by Craig Jackson, president of the "World's Greatest Classic Car Auction" and a member of the college's automotive restoration national advisory board. Jackson recently donated $100,000 from the television reality series "Car Search" to endow two auto restoration scholarships.
- "Damascus and Beyond: Seeking Clearer Sight, Bolder Spirit," an anti-racism conference of the Damascus Road Network and others concerned with racism in the church, will be held March 11-13 in Atlanta, Ga. Mennonite Central Committee's Damascus Road Network has provided training to the Church of the Brethren Anti-Racism Team. The event celebrate ten years of anti-racism organizing in the Mennonite, Brethren in Christ, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren, Episcopal, and Presbyterian denominations. Speakers will be theologian Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz and poet Ewuare Osayande. Anti-racism teams will bring poster displays about their successes and struggles and hold panel discussions of their work in congregations. Bluffton University students plan to offer a session on organizing in colleges. More information is available in English at www.mcc.org/damascusandbeyond and in Spanish at www.mcc.org/damascoymasalla. On-line registration is open.
- "Living Waters: A National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Training Event and Gathering" in Toledo, Ohio, Feb. 25-26, will include workshops on conservation landscaping, a session on reaching out to congregants and organizing a congregation, Great Lakes water issues, and social justice and advocacy. For more information visit www.nccecojustice.org (click on Water Campaigns). To register, e-mail Cassandra Carmichael, Director, Eco-Justice Programs, at cassandra@toad.net or call 202-544-2350.
- Church World Service (CWS), the global humanitarian arm of the National Council of Churches, will hold its annual Leadership Day Conference at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Feb. 5. The one-day event will train Crop Walk leaders to raise money for local hunger-fighting agencies as well as CWS' international relief and development efforts.
- Board members of Habitat for Humanity International have fired founder and president Millard Fuller, saying "several months of differences" over alleged inappropriate conduct led to their decision, reported Religion News Service. The Habitat executive committee announced its decision Jan. 31, prompting almost immediate criticism from Fuller and supporters who want to see him reinstated. The executive committee, acting on the authority of the full board, said the termination followed "divisive and disruptive" comments about the organization by the Fullers since allegations of his inappropriate behavior with a female former employee surfaced. Fuller denied any wrongdoing. President Jimmy Carter will serve as honorary chair of the search committee for a new president. Paul Leonard, Habitat's chief executive officer, will lead the organization until a permanent successor to Fuller is found. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 150,000 houses in 3,000 communities. It expects to build its 200,000th house this summer.
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