- The General Board has announced that L. Eric Miller of Carol Stream, Ill., will begin Sept. 6 as customer service specialist in Brethren Press. He has worked 20 years with ChurchMart, a mail-order Christian bookstore, most recently serving as director of sales and marketing. He has a master's degree in management from National-Louis University and a bachelor's degree in Christian education from Messiah College.
- Significant revisions have been made to the Annual Conference website, following the Conference in Peoria, Ill. The changes include a new leadership structure, a biography of Conference moderator Ronald Beachley, updates to the Doing Church Business Study Committee page, and a complete list of all recorded Conferences. New features include the Conference's strategic plan mission, vision, values, and objectives; a moderator's challenge that will be updated monthly; and new pages for the Review and Evaluation Committee and the Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee. Go to www.brethren.org/ac.
- "Since 1985, annual workcamps to Nigeria have sought to build relationships between our churches and kindled faith through the experience of working together," reports the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships. "Literally hundreds of persons have participated over the years. If you have missed out on this rich experience, you have another opportunity!" The 2006 workcamp will be offered Jan. 16-Feb. 11. David Whitten, pastor of Moscow Church of the Brethren in Mount Solon, Va., and former mission staff to Nigeria, will lead the event. Projected cost is $2,200. Applications are due by Oct. 3. See www.brethren.org for more information. Contact Mary Munson, Global Mission Partnerships, at mmunson_gb@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 230.
- "Archeology and the New Testament," a Brethren Academy course offering two continuing education units for pastors, will be taught by Jonathan Reed, professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at the University of La Verne, Calif., and "an extraordinary archeologist," as one reviewer describes him. The two texts for the course, focusing on Jesus and Paul, were co-authored with John Dominic Crossan. The course will be held Sept. 22-25 in Boise, Idaho. Meals will be provided and also housing on a first-come, first-served basis. Course fee is $150. For more information contact the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership at 765-983-1824 or academy@bethanyseminary.edu.
- A New Church Development Retreat at Camp Bethel, Fincastle, Va., Sept. 23-24, will inspire, motivate, and encourage church planters and those interested in developing congregations for the Church of the Brethren from Maine to Florida. Although it began as an annual gathering for fellowship and sharing among new church core groups in Virginia and North Carolina, the retreat is currently sponsored by the New Church Development Committee of Shenandoah District and the Church Extension Committee of Virlina District. Leadership will be provided by denominational and district staff and church leaders. The event will include sharing stories, progress reports, and a commissioning service for new church planters. Cost including lodging and three meals will be $65. Registrations are due by Sept. 9. A brochure is available from Virlina District. For more information e-mail nuchurch@aol.com.
- Jeters Chapel Church of the Brethren, Vinton, Va., will celebrate its 130th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. To contact the church call 540-890-7891.
- Living Faith Church of the Brethren in Concord, N.C., will be consecrated as a full congregation on Sept. 11. Jim Hardenbrook, past moderator of Annual Conference, will preach at a consecration service at 4 p.m. To contact the church call 704-782-3641.
- Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren in Scottsdale, Ariz., started meeting in a new building Aug. 7. The building, which the congregation says is the first "green" or environmentally conscious commercial building in Scottsdale, will be dedicated Sept. 18. Contact the church at 480-946-9822 or see www.pbcob.org.
- Idaho District will hold its District Conference Sept. 3-4 at Camp Wilbur Stover in New Meadows, Idaho. Stephen McPherson will be moderator.
- South/Central Indiana District gathers for District Conference Sept. 9-10 with moderator Ed Jackson, at Beech Grove Church of the Brethren in Pendleton, Ind.
- Manchester College has scheduled dedication of its new Science Center on Sept. 16 with a symposium of science presenters and tours; and inauguration of President Jo Young Switzer on Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Cordier Auditorium, following 9:30 a.m. morning worship at Manchester Church of the Brethren. For more information see www.manchester.edu/atimeforcelebration/index.htm.
- September events at Bridgewater (Va.) College include convocations and a fall spiritual focus. Convocations will take place at Cole Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 with Robert Stutman, former special agent in charge of New York's Drug Enforcement Administration, sponsored by the W. Harold Row Endowed Lecture Series; Sept. 15 with jazz drummer, percussionist, and composer Robert Jospe and Inner Rhythm; Sept. 22 with David Kaczynski, sponsored by W. Harold Row Endowed Lecture Series; Sept. 28 with NASA astronaut Patrick G. Forrester; and Sept. 29 with Robert Graetz, civil rights activist, sponsored by the Anna B. Mow Endowed Lecture Series. The Fall Spiritual Focus Sept. 27 will feature performance artist Al Staggs performing "A View from the Underside: The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer" at 9:30 a.m. at Cole Hall, and "Clarence Jordan and the God Movement" at 7:30 p.m. at Cole Hall. Events are free and open to the public. For more information call 800-476-4289 or see www.bridgewater.edu.
- "Together in Toronto: Claiming an Open Spirit," will be held July 27-30, 2006, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, sponsored by the Brethren and Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests (BMC) along with two other faith-based groups, Affirm United's/Affirmer Ensemble and Lutherans Concerned/North America. It is the first-ever joint meeting of such groups from Brethren, Mennonite, Lutheran, and United Church of Canada backgrounds, according to a release from BMC. The conference will feature speakers, plenary sessions, worship, workshops, and entertainment. The three welcoming movements of Reconciling in Christ, the Supportive Congregations Network, and Affirming Ministries, as well as people from other faith traditions in North America will be welcomed. For more information contact co-chairs Ralph Carl Wushke at rwushke@interlog.com or Shannon Neufeldt at slneufeldt@yahoo.com.
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