Wednesday, September 28, 2005

NEWSUPCOMING EVENTSRESOURCESUpdate on Hurricane Response

NEWSFEATURENOTE TO READERS: For the most recent developments in the Church of the Brethren denominational hurricane relief effort, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/NewsUpdates.htm. New information will be posted on this website each business day. For stories of hurricane relief efforts of Brethren congregations, districts, colleges, and other organizations, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/HurricanePosting.htm. This page also will be updated regularly.
Annual Conference Council reviews plans for Annual Conferences.

The Annual Conference Council met Aug. 24-25 in Elgin, Ill. Jim Hardenbrook, past moderator of the Conference, will chair the council for 2005-06, reported secretary Fred Swartz in a summary of the meeting. Hardenbrook was chosen for the task by the members of the council in their annual reorganization meeting last month. The council also named Joan Daggett as vice chair, a position not designated before by the council.

Two new members were welcomed: Jim Myer was elected by Annual Conference to serve in the capacity of a past moderator, succeeding Earl Ziegler whose term expired with the 2005 Conference, and the new moderator-elect Belita Mitchell, who joined the council for the next three years. Myer will serve a four-year term.

The council reviewed the revisions to the Annual Conference Strategic Plan that were suggested by Standing Committee. It was decided that the Annual Conference Council shall be the group responsible for keeping the plan updated and implemented. The council will report annually to Standing Committee on the status of the plan's use and recommend any changes deemed necessary. Standing Committee will give final approval to changes in the Strategic Plan. The plan will be available on the Annual Conference website.

The council is drafting a contingency plan for Annual Conference, not only to deal with events that may interfere with the holding of a Conference, but also provision for handling a disaster that may bring destruction to the Annual Conference offices. The plan is considered to be good stewardship, rather than fear that a disaster may happen, reported secretary Fred Swartz.

Another plan in the making is a marketing plan for Annual Conference. A committee consisting of laypeople, a pastor, a district executive, a member of the Program and Arrangements Committee, and members of the business community is being recruited for the purpose of looking at the image and information about Annual Conference, and why only half of Brethren congregations send delegates.

Other items of business included a review of Annual Conference actions of the past two years and the progress of Conference committees that are currently working. The Council hopes to have an up-to-date draft of the Manual of Organization and Polity available this fall on the Conference website.

The council also is not yet satisfied that the 2003 query to Annual Conference entitled "Clarification of Confusion" has been completely answered. The council asked Hardenbrook to compile a document that chronicles all that the council has done in its attempts to get answers and/or clarification to the questions in the query. The council will review this document in December to see if it is sufficient to take back to the 2006 Annual Conference.

The council expressed appreciation to Lerry Fogle for his effective and efficient management of Annual Conference since coming to that position in 2002. The council's policy calls for a three-year review of the Conference executive director, and plans are underway to effect that review.

The Annual Conference Council acts as the executive committee for Annual Conference and Standing Committee. Council members are Ron Beachley, Belita Mitchell, Joan Daggett, Jim Myer, Jim Hardenbrook, Fred Swartz, and Lerry Fogle.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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On Earth Peace board meets on the theme, 'Seeking.'

The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met Sept. 6-7 at Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, with the Advancement, Personnel, Finance, and Executive Committees meeting during the day Sept. 6. The devotional theme focused on "Seeking." The board, led by chair Bev Weaver, continued its use of the Formal Consensus process for discussion and decision-making. Members of the Anderson church hosted the board members in their homes and provided meals.

Committee reports included the Advancement Committee's new ideas for donors, such as day sponsorship and finding ways to include younger donors; the Finance Committee's note that contributions from congregations and individuals are above last year; the Personnel Committee sharing of an updated Personnel Policy Manual, and welcoming of new staff member Susanna Farahat; and the Nominating Committee's highlight of the re-election of Debbie Roberts and Ken Edwards to the board, as well as the election at Annual Conference of Sarah Quinter Malone. Nominating Committee also reported an initiative to identify additional roles people could play in the organization to make a clear contribution although not serving on the board itself, such as educational, spiritual, fundraising, and other roles.

Staff reported upcoming events and program initiatives: an increased number of congregations involved in or considering intervention or mediation services; new ideas for projects in the Peacemaker Formation program; co-sponsorship with Christian Peacemaker Teams of a delegation to Israel/Palestine in January; coordination of a nationwide network on countering military recruitment in schools; and the Ministry of Reconciliation workshop "Advanced Reconciliation Skills: The Polarity Principles" Nov. 16-18 at Camp Mack in Indiana. The board and staff also took time to brainstorm ideas for upcoming "Living Peace Church News and Notes."

The staff reported on work with consultant Erika Thorne on becoming an anti-racist organization. Goals emerged including building relationships with non-mainstream congregations and leaders in the church; developing a working relationship with the Cross-Cultural Ministries Team; providing resources that are accessible and useful for all segments of the church; sharing what the staff have learned with the larger church; taking a closer look at racial and economic violence in our communities and incorporating that into the peace witness program; and working to make the Youth Peace Travel Team a more multicultural ministry in both participation and service. The board welcomed Duane Grady, a member of the General Board's Congregational Life Teams and the primary staff liaison to the Cross-Cultural Ministries Team, as a guest.

A morning was spent reviewing responses from a survey conducted at Annual Conference during the On Earth Peace report. Strong themes that emerged were the importance of making a connection to scripture and Christian faith in the work of peacemaking; the call for peace work to be done in the family, community, and church contexts, with domestic violence, church conflict, and communities needs mentioned most often; responses deeming Christianity as supporting and defending American culture, while others seeing Christianity as counter-cultural; a priority for the church to work at reducing violence through immediate and close-to-home, practical applications. "When naming visions for peacemaking within the Church of the Brethren, responses were overwhelming hopeful and positive," a report from the meeting said.

The board also heard that for fiscal year 2005, which ends Sept. 30, income will be sufficient to cover expenses with both income and expense ahead of projections. The board approved a balanced budget of $502,000 for fiscal year 2006.

Other topics of discussion included financial aid for draft non-registrants; Church of the Brethren investments in the Caterpillar Corporation, whose products are being used as military weapons in Israel/Palestine; and a new peace game designed by board member Verdena Lee, entitled "C.O.D.E.," which has been produced and is available for sale. The game helps participants think about their beliefs and whether they are conscientious objectors.

A reorganization of the board called a new executive committee: Bev Weaver, chair; Ken Frantz, vice-chair; Lauree Hersch Meyer, secretary; Doris Abdullah, treasurer; and Verdena Lee and Robbie Miller, at-large members. The board recognized board member Eugene Lichty for his long service, excellent leadership, and faithful witness.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Brethren hold a Cross-Cultural Round Table.

To the question, "Are we here because we are committed to a multicultural church?" came the resounding answer, "Yes!" This emphatic response arose from a group of Church of the Brethren members and leaders convened first on April 24-26, and then in a follow-up session Aug. 30-31, in Richmond, Ind., by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.

The underlying concern was how to train leaders and assist congregations in being a multicultural church in which biblical life, theological integrity, and spiritual vitality reside, said Sonja Griffith in her report from the meetings. Griffith is pastor of First Central Church of the Brethren in Kansas City.

Participants included many who have been working at cross-cultural issues for years. At the meeting were pastors from non-dominant groups in the Church of the Brethren, a representative from the Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee, persons on the Cross-Cultural Steering Committee, the Annual Conference moderator and moderator-elect, several district executive ministers, General Board Congregational Life Team and Office of Ministry staff, and Bethany Seminary faculty and administrators.

The multicultural church vision has been a long time in the making, Griffith reported. The group at the round table recounted the history of efforts toward this vision. From separate associations representing the interests of various ethnic groups, to these groups beginning to coalesce under the banner of urban ministry, to the present time when the cross-cultural movement has become a sign of hope, the whole movement has been guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit, she wrote.

The unfolding story includes the pain of unfortunate instances when the church does not welcome or even, wittingly or unwittingly, drives away people whose skin color and language and ways are "different." The story also includes confession, healing, forgiveness, and recently a joy and fellowship expressed in the worship and work of the yearly Cross Cultural Consultations and Celebrations, which have been held from 1999-2005. At the most recent celebration April 20-22, more people attended and worshipped together than ever before.

Round table participants posed a number of questions regarding the needs of the church for training leadership in cross-cultural work. These were on topics including perceptions of pastoral authority; educating for cultural and ethnic differences; developing ongoing self awareness of those differences and how they affect all aspects of church life; educational resources sensitive to language, ethnicity and cross cultural uniquenesses; gifts, skills, and spiritual formation; ongoing nurture for pastors of multicultural churches; networking, partnering, and shared teaching in multicultural churches; and responsibility for leadership formation. Small groups considered responses to these questions.

As the round table re-gathered in August, participants felt that naming barriers to cross-cultural leadership and church life was important in the ongoing discussion of leadership development. A long list emerged. "Some of those barriers are the very nature of 'church' as people might conceive of it, how often and easily `culture trumps theology' in church matters, and what systems in church structure, thought patterns, and relationships keep members focused on comfort, tradition, finance, and status quo without recognizing opportunities and imperatives for change, growth and transformation," Griffith reported.

Participants identified essential gifts, skills, and attitudes needed by leaders in a cross-cultural church. They also identified resources needed to develop leadership equipped for moving the church into a cross-cultural vision and reality. Opportunities for action were highlighted: the potential of the TOGETHER conversations and encouragement of diversity in them; development of practical ideas to share with churches and districts; review of the work done by the round table in Bethany faculty curriculum discussion and in shaping alternative training programs; ongoing relationship building with Brethren Press, the 300th Anniversary Committee, General Board staff, and other church agencies; sharing identified barriers with the Annual Conference study committee; and developing resources and networks for cross-cultural training.

"As the round table began and ended, the group's passion had not subsided and the commitment was even stronger than at the beginning," Griffith said. "The cross-cultural church is coming alive with hope for new life and a new day!"

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Lower Miami celebrates a bicentennial.

Lower Miami Church of the Brethren, pastored by Edward Pugh and associate Nan Erbaugh, is celebrating its bicentennial. Founded in Oct. 1805 by elder Jacob Miller, Lower Miami is the oldest Church of the Brethren west of the Great Miami River and the second oldest in Ohio.

Lower Miami is known in the Southern Ohio District as the "Cradle of Religion," the "Mother Church," and the "Parent Church" because 11 congregations can trace their roots back to her, reported Diana R. Wheaton. The churches rooted in Lower Miami are Beaver Creek, Happy Corner, Salem, Good Shepherd, Trotwood, West Milton, Potsdam, Eversole, Brookville, Mack Memorial, and Prince of Peace. Some Old German Baptist Brethren, Brethren Church, Dunkard Brethren, and Grace Brethren congregations also may trace their historic roots to Lower Miami, according to the compiler of the list, Elizabeth Miller Lane. She is editing a new comprehensive History of the Church of the Brethren in Southern Ohio.

Five celebratory services were held in June to mark the centennial. Sisters and brothers from across the country returned to Lower Miami for the momentous occasion and to renew old friendships. They were treated to uplifting messages delivered by the keynote speakers including Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board; Stephen B. Reid, Bethany Seminary academic dean, who grew up at Lower Miami; Mark Flory Steury, executive minister of Southern Ohio District; and former pastors Kreston Lipscomb and Ron McAdams.

"Lower Miami's faith journey is portrayed by its mission and witness," Wheaton wrote. "Over the years, our small interracial congregation (integration began in the mid-1950s) has reached out to people near and far." The church's ministry in the community, district, and denomination includes commitments to the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio; the County Home; the Interfaith Hospitality Network serving the homeless; sanctuary for a variety of refugee families; peace-related causes; mission trips; and projects such as CROP Walk, Heifer International, and the Church of the Brethren Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration. "Since 1989, we have served as a teaching church for Bethany Seminary students," Wheaton added, to date serving as a placement for four students.

In 2004, two members of Lower Miami, Ralph and Christine Dull, founded the Dayton (Ohio) International Peace Museum: A Space to Make Peace. Lower Miami supports the museum's vision to inspire a culture of peace and an educational opportunity for adults and children to learn how to make peace through outreach and volunteers, Wheaton noted.

"Over the centuries, the distinctive lifestyle of Lower Miami has evolved into a faith community composed of like souls from different walks of life, races, and religious backgrounds," Wheaton said. "Elder Jacob Miller, undoubtedly, would be greatly suprised at this modern-day Church of the Brethren; but he would be pleased with the flowering of the seed that he planted 200 years ago."

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Revival Fellowship holds General Meeting.

The Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) held its General Meeting in Northern Ohio District on Saturday, Sept. 10. Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren in North Canton, Ohio, was the host congregation. Moderated by Craig Alan Myers, BRF chairman and pastor of Blue River Church of the Brethren in Columbia City, Ind., the theme of the day was "Jesus Christ and the Church of the Brethren."

Approximately 60 brethren and sisters from 20 congregations in eight districts in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Idaho, and Indiana attended the meeting, with the youngest being 16 months old. An offering was received for the work of BRF. Randy Cosner, pastor of Briery Branch Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Va., declared that "this was an exceptional day."

Fred Keener, pastor of the Bristolville congregation, preached on "The Relevance of Jesus to the Church of the Brethren." Jim Hardenbrook, pastor of Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren and past moderator of Annual Conference, preached on "What Would Jesus Say to the Church of the Brethren," "although he slightly altered the focus without losing sight of the subject," said Myers in his report from the meeting. John Ballinger, Northern Ohio District executive minister, brought devotions for the morning session, and the Keener family from the Bristolville (Ohio) Church of the Brethren congregation presented special music. James F. Myer, BRF vice chairman, presented a brief report of the Peoria Annual Conference.

The assembly also had the privilege of hearing Toma Ragnjiya share the devotions for the afternoon session. Ragnjiya was at one time general secretary of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and is now attending Ashland Seminary in a Doctor of Ministry program.

Charles L. Ilyes, pastor of Midway Church of the Brethren near Lebanon, Pa., and David Wenger, minister on the plural non-salaried ministry team at White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa., received approval as new members of the BRF Committee. Carl L. Brubaker, moderator of the Midway congregation, began another five-year term.

Next year's BRF General Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Brethren Alive 2006 event at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, July 28-30.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Job opening, mission trip, and more.
  • The National Coalition for a Peace Tax Fund (NCPTF) seeks a fulltime executive director and a fulltime development director. Current executive director Marian Franz is stepping down after a tenure spanning 22 years of service to the Peace Tax Fund Campaign. She will continue as a lobbyist for the Peace Tax Fund on a part-time basis. The NCPTF Board of Directors seeks applicants to fill the positions. Working with a small, dedicated staff, the new "head of organization" will be seasoned and skilled in communication, supervision, coordination, organizational development, and networking. At its spring meetings, the NCPTF Board created a new position of development director. The board seeks a seasoned fundraiser to help expand the base of supporters. The successful candidate will have significant experience in development work with small nonprofit organizations, a commitment to the goals of the Peace Tax Fund Campaign, will be able to work independently, and will be able to spend at least some time in the Washington, D.C., office. Initially this is a four-month interim appointment, with the expectation that secure funding will allow continuation and expansion of the position. For more information see www.peacetaxfund.org or call 888-732-2382.

  • Do you have lots questions about how to effectively live faith in our interconnected world? Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board is encouraging participation in "Developing Hearts that Yearn for Justice: Ecumenical Theological Reflection in a Third World Setting for Clergy and Lay Church Workers," Jan. 23-26, 2006 in Tijuana, Mexico. More information can be found at http://bordermatters.net/DHYJ/DHYJ2_Synodflyer.pdf.

  • The registration deadline has been extended to Nov. 1 for "Nourishing the Soul," the Church of the Brethren clergywomen's retreat being held Nov. 14-17 at Timber-Lee Christian Center in East Troy, Wis. Jan Richardson will be the keynote speaker. Inquiries and registrations should be sent to Margie Paris in the General Board's Ministry Office at 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. She can be reached at 800-323-8039 ext. 207 or mparis_gb@brethren.org. Cost including registration, room, and board is $200. Full-time seminary and TRIM students can attend for $125.

  • Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren is celebrating its 110th anniversary. The church is planning a Homecoming for Oct. 9, featuring Sunday school with former pastors and ministerial leaders; morning worship at 11 a.m. led by Chris Bowman, a former moderator of Annual Conference; a carry-in meal for lunch; and afternoon "stations" for children and adults to learn about the congregation's history including a hymn sing, craft, visual display, and church fashion show. For more information call the church at 703-368-4783 or see www.manassasbrethren.org.

  • Bakersfield (Calif.) Community Church of the Brethren is celebrating "three-quarters of a century serving God" in October. A Memorial Service and Brunch will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, and an Anniversary Celebration with a potluck and afternoon program will be held Sunday, Oct. 23. See www.bccob.org or call 661-323-1011.

  • Six districts in the Church of the Brethren are holding conferences the weekend of Oct. 7-9: Atlantic Northeast, Oct. 7-8, at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, moderated by Larry O'Neill; Atlantic Southeast, Oct. 7-8, at Orlando (Fla.) Community Church, moderator by Kevin King; Mid-Atlantic, Oct. 7-8, at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, moderator by John Thompson; Southern Ohio, Oct. 7-8, at Oakland (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, moderated by David Shetler; Pacific Southwest, Oct. 7-9, at Modesto (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, moderated by R. Jan Thompson; and Middle Pennsylvania, Oct. 7-8, at Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa., moderated by Linda Banaszak.

  • The University of La Verne (ULV), Calif., is holding an Alumni Weekend Homecoming Oct. 14-16. The weekend will start off with an All Alumni Dinner Dance Oct. 14, at the Sheraton Suites Fairplex in Pomona, honoring distinguished alumni and professors including Marlin L. Heckman, Jeannette Vagnozzi, Wayne Butterbaugh, Anthony Granillo, and Robert T. Neher. Dwight Hanawalt will lead the first dance. Another professor to be recognized at a pre-dinner reception is Thomas Harvey. Weekend events include a 5K Community Fun Run/Walk, a Soccer Team Reunion, an Old Town La Verne Harvest Festival, a ULV Fair, a Theater Department Performance Festival and Comedy Improv, and homecoming games: football against Cal Lutheran, men's soccer against Caltech, and women's soccer against Cal State East Bay. Class reunions also will take place. The weekend will close with a ULV Recognition Day and worship service at La Verne Church of the Brethren on Sunday Oct. 16, and a Golden Alumni Reception honoring the classes of 1935, 1945 and 1955, hosted by Brethren Hillcrest Homes. For more information contact Beth Elmore, Alumni Relations director, at 909-593-3511 ext. 4683.

  • Manchester College, North Manchester, Ind., is welcoming a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence to campus. Jorge Ivan Bula Escobar of Bogota, Colombia, will share expertise on globalization and human rights and Latin American politics, economy, and development. He holds degrees from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium and the University of Manchester in Great Britain, and has served as a vice-dean of Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogota, where he was academic coordinator of the Ph.D. program in economic sciences. He will teach a course on the consequences and outcomes of globalization on Latin America, and a seminar on the conditions behind Latin American human rights problems. He also is available as a speaker to groups, organizations, schools, and churches. To arrange a speaking engagement, contact associate dean Julie Garber at 260-982-5026 or jlgarber@manchester.edu. The Fulbright Scholar's appointment is partially funded by Plowshares, a collaboration of Indiana's three historic peace church colleges: Manchester, Goshen, and Earlham.

  • "Images: Proclaiming Stewardship--Voice and Vision" is the theme for the Ecumenical Stewardship Center's 2005 Leadership Seminar, scheduled Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Daytona Beach, Fla. This year the seminar focuses on generosity and will provide opportunities to see and hear from young adult professionals that are practicing stewardship in their daily lives. Each year outstanding artistic performers are part of the schedule, and afternoons are generally free for sabbath time or discussion groups related to stewardship issues. For further information and registration go to www.stewardshipresources.org. Click on "Events," then "Leadership Seminar" for a menu that includes registration, schedule, and local arrangements. To join a new weblog intended to generate dialogue about images of stewardship in preparation for the seminar, go to www.stewardshipresources.org/blog/Login.aspx. User ID is bloggers and password is lstalk.

  • The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is publicizing a "Not Dead Yet and TASH Disability Rights Rally" at the US Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. ABC has a Disabilities Ministry. There is a limited amount of funding to support the travel expenses of activists with disabilities. Contact Diane Coleman (ndycoleman@aol.com) to apply for travel funds. The Supreme Court has set Oct. 5 as the date to hear oral arguments in an important case to members of the disability community: the Gonzales v Oregon Case related to the Oregon "Death With Dignity Act." In a friend of the Court brief filed on behalf of Not Dead Yet and other disabilities organizations, disability rights attorney Max Lapertosa wrote that, "If a state overtly excluded people with `terminal' disabilities from suicide prevention laws and programs, it would undoubtedly violate federal civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.... Yet that is precisely the design and effect of the Oregon assisted-suicide law." For more information see www.notdeadyet.org or www.tash.org.
Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Ministry of Reconciliation holds fall workshop.

The Ministry of Reconciliation of On Earth Peace announces its fall workshop, "Advanced Reconciliation Skills: Applying the Polarity Principles for Reconciliation in Congregations," which will take place Nov. 16-18 at Camp Mack, Milford, Ind.

"Not every conflict is a problem to be solved," reported On Earth Peace staff member Annie Clark. "Some conflicts are natural polarities. Learn the dynamics of polarities, how to recognize the polarity behind a conflict, and techniques for helping congregations manage, value, and use the positive potential in their differences."

The workshop is designed for church leaders, Shalom Team members, mediators, pastors, and anyone with an interest in advanced reconciliation techniques. Leadership will be provided by Mike Crump, Ministry of Reconciliation practitioner, and Bob Gross, co-director of On Earth Peace. Cost is $195 and includes tuition, materials, and accommodations at Camp Mack. One continuing education unit is available for Church of the Brethren ministers through the Brethren Academy. Registration closes Nov. 1. For more information, see www.brethren.org/oepa/events.html or contact Clark at 260-982-8595 or annieclark@mchsi.com.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Sailing to NYC on a sea of chicken soup.

...At least, that's what Linda K. Williams, of First Church of the Brethren in San Diego, Calif., hopes and prays will happen for the youth in the Church of the Brethren.

Williams has spent more than five-and-a-half years "birthing" the new Chicken Soup for the Soul book--"Stories for a Better World"--which includes more than 101 stories of peacemaking. She now wants to get it into the hands of everyone on the planet, she says, especially Brethren youth. The new book is highlighted in the September issue of the Church of the Brethren "Messenger" magazine. Twenty percent of the stories and four of the 11 cartoons came from people with Historic Peace Church connections.

Williams felt compelled to bring stories of peacemaking into the national consciousness via the Chicken Soup for the Soul venue in response to the murder of an elderly relative, and then the Columbine High School shootings. She has already received evidence that peacemaking can be very effectively promoted by touching the hearts of readers. In one example, a friend had been outspoken about the need for retaliation and revenge after the events of 9/11. When Williams needed volunteer readers to help rate stories for the new book, she felt God urging her to ask this friend if she would be interested. After her friend read and rated several batches of the powerful stories, Williams expressed her appreciation. Her friend replied, "No, I need to thank you; by reading these stories, I've seen there are so many ways to deal with violence!"

Williams now has arranged to offer the book at a substantial discount of more than 50 percent off the $12.95 selling price so that churches and youth groups can use it as a fundraiser for National Youth Conference in 2006. Churches and other nonprofit groups may also do other fundraising using the book. An additional option exists of becoming an "Amazon Associate" with a no-effort way to earn four to 10 percent of the book's sales price by simply putting it on an organization's website and encouraging buyers to order the book from the site.

For more information about fundraising opportunities contact Williams at LKW_BetterWorld@yahoo.com or 619-583-8454.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Update on Hurricane Response
Word is received from Church of the Brethren congregations in Rita’s path.

Word has been received from two of the three Church of the Brethren congregations that were in the path of Hurricane Rita, and whose members lived in areas of Louisiana and Texas under mandatory evacuation orders. The Roanoke (La.) Church of the Brethren considers itself “amazingly blessed” to have been in an area with little destruction from the storm, pastor James Balmer told Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response for the General Board. Similarly, the Falfurrias (Texas) Church of the Brethren sent word to district minister Joan Lowry that they are all fine. Hurricane Rita went north of the Falfurrias area.

No district or denominational staff have yet heard from members of Lake Charles (La.) Community Church of the Brethren. The town of Lake Charles is still closed, Winter said, and no access is allowed. “We don’t know anything, which is frustrating,” he said. As far as anyone knows, he said, all of the Brethren in Lake Charles evacuated before the hurricane hit.

Pastor Balmer and his family were able to return to Roanoke, which is 25 miles east of Lake Charles, on Sunday evening. The small town of about 300 people suffered only minor damage, with many large trees down but none having hit homes. But the disaster is enormous if one travels just five miles in any direction from Roanoke, the Balmers reported to an Emergency Response volunteer.

“Roanoke is certainly amidst the destruction, but amazingly most of it missed the homes,” said Winter. “Powerlines, etc., are all down and maybe out for weeks.” Emergency Response/Service Ministries is working on sending generators to help the Roanoke and Lake Charles congregations. “While generators are difficult to come by, the Western Plains District, specifically Wichita First Church of the Brethren and McPherson Church of the Brethren have been able to locate generators that will be shipped to Louisiana later this week,” reported Winter. Emergency Response also is beginning planning for a partnership with the church to look at meeting needs in the area.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Disaster Response clean-up project expands its work.

A Brethren Disaster Response clean-up project in Citronelle, Ala., in partnership with Southeastern District and Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren, has begun adding home repairs to its clean-up work.

Work has been coming from two sources, reported disaster project director Mike Walker of Glenville, Pa. “The Cedar Creek church has created an active committee which works with us and provides a listing of both members and non-members who need help, and the Mobile VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is providing the balance of our clients,” he said.

“We are a long way from finished with the debris problems,” Walker said of the project that covers a broad area of service across Mobile County and southern Washington County. “Presently, we are still working in the early stages of recovery, which is basically debris removal, tarps, roof repair, and more extensive repairs due to fallen trees on homes.” For example, in Chatom, a tree fell destroying a bedroom that an elderly woman had just left to be with her husband in the living room. No one was injured, but the house is having extensive repair work done.

The volunteers commuting the greatest distance begin their day by leaving at 5 a.m. in order to be on roofs before the heat of the day turns them into slippery slopes of hot tar and shingles, Walker reported. “We start early, we go strong, we are exhausted. But we are happily doing God’s work,” he said. Full volunteer crews will be needed for many months to successfully complete the work at hand, he added.

For more about Brethren Disaster Response see www.brethrendisasterresponse.org.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Disaster Child Care adds new site and new training opportunities.

Norfolk, Va., has been added to the sites where Disaster Child Care volunteers are caring for children evacuated from the hurricanes. The program also has announced new training opportunities.

Volunteer child-care teams have been working in Lafayette and Shreveport, La.; Kingwood, W.Va.; Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Los Angeles and San Bernardino, Calif. Disaster Child Care serves at the request of FEMA and the Red Cross.

The child care team that had begun work at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette before Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf Coast, was evacuated to Shreveport along with the evacuees they were serving. The team then set up child care at the Expo Center in Shreveport. They and the evacuee group were on their way back to Lafayette today, to continue offering child care at the Cajun Dome.

Disaster Child Care has received so many requests to do additional trainings, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, that the program has appointed volunteer coordinator Wilma Ammermann to handle all the requests. Several additional trainings have been scheduled to enlist new volunteers for a response that spans more states than Disaster Child Care has ever served at any one time.

Two additional Level I training workshops have been confirmed: at La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren on Oct. 1-2; and in Norfolk, Neb., on Oct. 22-23. (The training scheduled for Reno, Nev., Oct. 7-8 has been canceled.) A registration fee of $45 is being waived because of the emergency status of these trainings. However, the program will be happy to receive any donations toward training costs. See www.disasterchildcare.org for more information about trainings and registration.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Districts begin reporting collection totals.

Church of the Brethren districts have begun reporting special collections for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In what must represent just a fraction of the donations that have been received across the denomination over the last month, Southeastern and Virlina Districts combined have contributed more than $100,000. In addition, one of the largest annual fundraisers for Church of the Brethren disaster work—the Brethren Disaster Auction in Lebanon, Pa.—brought in more than $500,000 in one weekend for disaster relief including Hurricane Katrina efforts.

As of Sept. 26 congregations and members in Virlina District have given more than $52,000 to a special offering for Hurricane Katrina relief, collected on Sunday Sept. 18. The District Office is still receiving donations to that offering.

Southeastern District collected a love offering on Sept. 25 totaling almost $35,891, with some churches still sending in offerings. Churches in the district also are purchasing items of need for a small community in Mississippi near Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren in Citronelle, Ala.

On Sept. 23-24, more than 10,000 people attended the 29th annual Brethren Disaster Auction, an event co-sponsored by Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania Districts. Auction items have brought in more than $575,000, and organizers expect the total received by year’s end to be over $600,000, said auction co-founder Jay M. Witman. On Saturday, 450 volunteers assembled 30,000 Gift of the Heart Health Kits in just two hours and 25 minutes. In addition to the money and kits collected, a “blitz build” allowed a modular home to be completely constructed in three days. The home will go to an Ohio family as part of the rebuilding work that Brethren Disaster Response is doing around Glencoe, Ohio, following flooding from Hurricane Ivan.

“It was eye-staggering,” Witman said of the health kits assembly line. “There was not a dry eye.” The auction was put on hold at noon on Saturday for a prayer service and hymn sing, he said, as he spoke of the event as the “Lord’s work.” Witman hopes to “pull out all the stops” at next year’s auction, the 30th annual. “I never would have thought 29 years ago we would have had in excess of $10 million to give away to disaster victims. God worked,” he said.

For more stories of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by Church of the Brethren congregations, districts, colleges, and other organizations, see www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/HurricanePosting.htm.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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National Council of Churches creates commission on hurricane response.

Keenly aware of the spiraling effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on millions of Americans, the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) Governing Board formed a commission to work for the “just rebuilding of community” on the Gulf Coast, an NCC release reported today. Global Christian leaders also shared their empathy with US Christians in the wake of the hurricanes. Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board, participated in the meeting that took place in New York on Sept. 26-27.

“Africa’s churches express our solidarity and sadness at the Katrina destruction that has visited the people of this country,” said Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the All African Council of Churches, as reported by “The Christian Post” from a press conference held in relation to the meeting. Dandala added that in Africa, “Our own Katrina is HIV/AIDS.” He said that African countries will be watching the US response to Katrina carefully. “We sense that the response to the fate of the poor, who is in majority of African descent, will reflect how this country responds to the challenges of African countries.”

“These our sister and brothers shared their empathy and concern that Christians in the US seize this moment to share with clarity that what we are doing is in response to human need,” said Noffsinger. He added that the Christian response to the disasters comes “out of a desire for a more just world, and quite simply because it is what we understand Jesus to have us do,” he said.

The NCC Governing Board passed unanimously a resolution to call on the US government to create an independent commission similar to the 9/11 Commission to investigate deficiencies in the response of rescue and relief workers following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and in other devastated areas of the Gulf.

NCC president Thomas L. Hoyt Jr., Christian Methodist Episcopal bishop of Louisiana and Mississippi, said he would appoint Church World Service (CWS) representatives and others with special expertise to the NCC commission on Katrina. Church World Service is the humanitarian and relief agency of the communions that are members of the NCC.

Hoyt said he was also mindful of the hidden human tragedy of Katrina, including the alarming number of suicides of rescue workers and “people who lost everything.” The Governing Board received for a second reading a resolution on “Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Support,” which will be passed on to the NCC General Assembly when it meets Nov. 8-10. The resolution on suicide prevention urges member communions to “study and address the issues related to suicide prevention, intervention and support for those who attempt suicide and survivors of suicide loss.”

In other actions, the Governing Board welcomed publication of the NCC's new curriculum, “For the Peace of the World, A Christian Curriculum on International Relations”; heard a report from Eileen W. Lindner, deputy general secretary for Research and Planning, on the preparation of a policy on human biotechnologies, “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”; and voted to pass on to the General Assembly a resolution to reaffirm provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and a Bill of Media Rights that reaffirms that the public owns the airwaves and has a right to expect local stations will respond effectively to community needs. The board also discussed the withdrawal this summer of the Antiochian Orthodox Church from NCC membership.

The Church of the Brethren is a member denomination of the NCC, which is composed of 35 Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, historic African-American and peace communions representing 45 million Christians in 100,000 local congregations in the US. For more information about the NCC see www.ncccusa.org.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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Church World Service requests donations of Clean-Up Buckets.

Church World Service (CWS) has requested the donation of Clean-up Buckets, one of the Gift of the Heart Kits that are warehoused and shipped from the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. These supplies enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood, hurricane, tornado, or other disaster here in the US. Because of the volatility of the contents, Clean-up Buckets are not shipped internationally. The value per bucket is $45.

Bucket contents are: one 5 gallon bucket with resealable lid; five scouring pads; seven sponges, assorted sizes; one scrub brush; eighteen cleaning towels (reusable, like Easy Wipes ®); one 50-78 oz. box dry laundry detergent; one 12 oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol ®); one 25 oz. bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn ®); fifty clothespins; clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.; five dust masks; two pairs latex gloves; one pair work gloves; one 22-27 count box heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon); one 6-14 oz. bottle of insect repellant (drops or lotion, not aerosol). Purchase all liquids in plastic bottles. Send only new, unopened materials. Put all items in the plastic bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment, and seal lid with packing tape. Place each bucket in a separate box. Buckets may be taken directly to the warehouse in New Windsor, Md., or shipped prepaid to Church World Service, Brethren Service Center Annex, 601 Main St., New Windsor, MD 21776-0188.

Please add $3 per Clean-Up Bucket for processing and shipping. Do not include these funds in the box but send by check, earmarked for processing/shipping, to Church World Service, 28606 Phillips St., P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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‘How did the ducks get out of the water?’: Stories from Disaster Child Care

Disaster Child Care volunteer Patty Henry, who served in Denver, Colo., caring for children evacuated from Hurricane Katrina, shared the following stories from her daily journal:

“I rock a four year old and sing to her. She listens to ‘Five Green and Speckled Frogs.’ Then I sing ‘Five Little Ducks.’ She interrupts, ‘How did the ducks get out of the water?’ I explain that ducks can swim out, or use their wings to fly out of the water. I begin again to sing ‘Five Little Ducks.’ Again she asks, ‘How did the ducks get out of the water?’ and it dawns on me.... I ask her, ‘Were you in the water?’

“She tells me her story: ‘I fell off the roof in the water! Mommy catched me.’ I asked how her baby brother got off the roof. ‘Mommy catched him too. Then we got in a boat and they took us to a basketball game.’ I wonder if this is the Astro Dome? But we only wonder, we don’t ask. We’re not here to interrogate.

“We have a new family here today. A nine-year-old boy’s pants keep falling down. I tell him ‘You’re sagging!’ He replies, ‘Well... my belt is DROWNING!’

“A child from Louisiana is having a difficult time. Age nine, she frequently sits in a corner with her thumb in her mouth. She fights with her siblings and has frequent melt downs, crying. We hold and rock her, sit beside her, and take walks with her. She is very, very angry, and after three days we are still concerned about her ability to cope safely with all of this.”

Source: 9/28/2005 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 every other Wednesday with other editions and updates as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. Carol Bowman, Kelly Burk, Annie Clark, Mary Dulabaum, Sonja Griffith, Phillip E. Jenks, Merv Keeney, Jeri S. Kornegay, Craig Alan Myers Barbara Sayler, Helen Stonesifer, Fred Swartz, Becky Ullom, Diana R. Wheaton, Linda Williams, and Roy Winter, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Newsline Update: Church of the Brethren Hurricane ResponseNOTE TO READERS: For the most recent developments in the Church of the Brethren denominational hurricane relief effort, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/NewsUpdates.htm. New information will be posted on this website each business day. For stories of hurricane relief efforts of Brethren congregations, districts, colleges, and other organizations, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/HurricanePosting.htm. This page also will be updated regularly.
Brethren congregations are in the path of Hurricane Rita.

Three Church of the Brethren congregations in Louisiana and Texas are in the path of Hurricane Rita and are in areas under mandatory evacuation orders: Falfurrias (Texas) Church of the Brethren, Roanoke (La.) Church of the Brethren, and Lake Charles (La.) Community Church of the Brethren. The three churches have a combined membership of 197.

Southern Plains District minister A Joan Lowry encouraged the denomination to be in prayer for the Brethren who are on the road seeking places of safety. She knows where Roanoke pastor James Balmer has evacuated to, but of the rest of the three congregations, she said, "They're on the road somewhere, the church folks as well as those they are helping." The Lake Charles church had been housing four families evacuated from Hurricane Katrina, including about 17-18 people.

Lowry expressed the sadness of the situation, especially for those who are evacuating for the second time. "And now they're displaced again," she said. Each of the evacuated families had already found employment in the Lake Charles area, she said.

"God is good and faithful, and we just have to keep trucking," she said, expressing her deep faith in God to care for the people of the district during this critical time.

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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Disaster Child Care volunteers are evacuated.

A Disaster Child Care volunteer team has been evacuated from the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, La., in advance of Hurricane Rita. The hurricane is headed to the western Louisiana and eastern Texas coastline today, expected to make landfall tomorrow morning. The child care volunteers who were evacuated had been serving evacuees of Hurricane Katrina.

In another Disaster Child Care update, the program expects to offer new Level I trainings soon in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and in Elgin, Ill. The additional trainings have been added to the regular schedule to help meet the high demand for child care for hurricane evacuees. Wilma Ammermann has begun as volunteer coordinator of the additional trainings.

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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Shipments of relief goods continue from Brethren Service Center.

Church of the Brethren staff, on behalf of Church World Service (CWS), sent the first shipment of relief materials to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina on the evening of Aug. 30. The 5,000 blankets and the 5,040 Gift of the Heart Health Kits reached their destination, Baton Rouge, La., and were distributed on Aug. 31.

As of Sept. 19, 18 more shipments from the warehouses at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., have been sent to affected areas. Brethren, along with other CWS partners, are invited to celebrate this outpouring of relief.

Following are summaries of relief materials received, by state:
  • Alabama: 1,035 Health Kits and 1,020 School Kits
  • Arkansas: 540 Health Kits
  • Louisiana: 6,000 blankets, 22,230 Health Kits, 510 School Kits
  • Michigan: 315 Health Kits
  • Mississippi: 6,000 blankets, 19,545 Health Kits, 1,625 Clean-Up Buckets
  • Texas: 1,000 blankets, 7,065 Health Kits, 1,020 School Kits Virginia: 720 Health Kits, 1,830 School Kits, 25 Kids Kits
Totals as of Sept. 19: 13,000 blankets, 51,450 Health Kits, 4,380 School Kits, 25 Kids Kits, 1,625 Clean-Up Buckets

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Disaster Response clean-up project continues in Alabama.

Work at a clean-up project in Citronelle, Ala., continues in cooperation between the General Board's Brethren Disaster Response, Southeastern District, and Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren.

In recent developments at the project, a decision has been made to begin repair work on a number of homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina in the Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren community.

Volunteers are scheduled for the upcoming months; however, more volunteers will be needed for this project as it expands into nearby communities in Mississippi. Please contact your district disaster coordinator of call the Emergency Response office at 800-451-4407 ext. 4.

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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Two more Brethren grants given for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The Emergency Disaster Fund has given two more grants of $50,000 and $15,000 toward the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in addition to several previous grants, bringing the total to $110,000. The fund is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

The $15,000 grant supports the clean-up project in Citronelle, Ala., opened by the Brethren Disaster Response program on Sept. 13. The project is based at Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren and is a cooperative effort with the congregation and Southeastern District.

The $50,000 grant supports a greatly expanded Church World Service appeal of more than $9,500,000 related to Hurricane Katrina. The appeal includes five major areas of response: deployment of Disaster Response and Recovery Liaisons; the distribution of Tools of Hope, blankets, and Gift of the Heart Kits; development and support of longterm recovery organizations; spiritual care and Care-for-Caregivers; and a relocation program for 500 displaced Americans.

To give to the Emergency Disaster Fund go to www.brethrendisasterresponse.org or mail checks made payable to the Emergency Disaster Fund to 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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Local food banks are another way to give to hurricane relief.

Looking at the new numbers of hurricane evacuees, the Church of the Brethren director of Emergency Response has issued a call to support local food pantries as another way to support the hurricane relief efforts. Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response for the General Board, explained that many food banks across the country have contributed food to the hurricane relief effort through America's Second Harvest.

America's Second Harvest is a food bank network that serves as a coordinating organization for most local food banks, and is the largest hunger relief organization in the US (see www.secondharvest.org). Now, local food bank shelves have been depleted by the response to Katrina, and communities need to help restock them, Winter said.

He also explained that the Church of the Brethren response has coordinated with other Christian denominations and nonprofit organizations--such as America's Second Harvest, the American Red Cross, Church World Service, and others--who have developed expertise in particular areas of disaster response. "We are trying not to duplicate the services of other churches and organizations like Second Harvest, because they are doing them well," Winter said. "It helps the whole process to work together."

He and his staff have focused their efforts in areas in which the Brethren have expertise as well. The Brethren four-pronged response includes grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund; warehousing and shipping of relief materials from the Brethren Service Center by the Service Ministries program; Disaster Child Care; and repair and rebuilding efforts by the Disaster Response Program.

Winter also called on Brethren to maintain an understanding of the bigger picture and continue support for survivors of other disasters. "There are other needs out there, some other disasters that need to be responded to," he said, naming in particular the ongoing Brethren rebuilding projects in Florida and Ohio that still need volunteers. There also is a clean-up and repair project in Alabama in response to Hurricane Katrina.

"The main focus of the Disaster Response Program is longterm recovery," said disaster response coordinator Jane Yount, "and 'longterm' can mean months or even years. So, the question is not whether you can go three days after the disaster, but rather can you go three months or a year after the disaster--after the media blitz is over and the survivors start wondering whether anyone still cares."

This weekend, Winter will be at the Brethren Disaster Auction in Lebanon, Pa., where the number of Gift of the Heart Health Kits that organizers expect to assemble throughout the day Saturday has been upped to 25,000 from 20,000. That seems like a lot of health kits, Winter acknowledged. But looking at the situation in the Gulf Coast in anticipation of the arrival of Rita, he said with a sigh, "We'll probably use them all."

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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New phone numbers are in place for volunteering.

The Emergency Response/Service Ministries office of the General Board has published new telephone numbers to call to volunteer for disaster relief work.

To volunteer at the Service Ministries warehouse at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., call 800-766-1553 ext. 1.

To volunteer for the Disaster Response Program, to take part in a clean up or rebuilding project, call your district disaster coordinator or the New Windsor office at 800-451-4407 ext. 4.

For more information on Disaster Child Care, call 800-451-4407 ext 5.

Source: 9/23/2005 Newsline
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Web page features 'What Brethren are doing to respond to Hurricane Katrina.'

A new web page has been created to feature stories of what Brethren across the country are doing in response to Hurricane Katrina. Go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/HurricanePosting.htm, where news and photos of hurricane relief efforts by Church of the Brethren congregations, districts, colleges, homes, and other organizations will be posted.

Stories and photos will be added to this page regularly. Send news, stories, and photos to cobnews@aol.com. Please note that sending news and photos for use on this page also gives permission for the Church of the Brethren General Board to use any of these stories and images.

Source: 9/23/2005 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 every other Wednesday with other editions and updates as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. Kathleen Campanella, Helen Stonesifer, Becky Ullom, Roy Winter, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

NEWSUPCOMING EVENTSRESOURCESFEATURENewsline Hurricane Katrina UpdateNOTE TO READERS: For the most recent developments in the Church of the Brethren response to Hurricane Katrina, see the "Newsline Hurricane Katrina Update" issued today. Or go to www.brethrendisasterresponse.org, click on "Responding to Hurricane Katrina." New information will be posted on this website each business day.
Supreme Court of India decides key case.

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed the claims of the Church of North India (CNI) that it is the legal successor of the First District Church of the Brethren in India. "This decision affirms the continuing legal existence of the church as well as the trusts, and vindicates the position of the Brethren in India," according to Darryl Sankey, communicator for the Church of the Brethren in India. There has been no comment from CNI.

This legal ruling in early May provides clarity that may help to resolve claims to church properties, reported Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships for the Church of the Brethren General Board. The properties have been an ongoing source of tension between the two churches.

The First District Church of the Brethren in India, which emerged from Brethren mission efforts begun in 1895, joined in the movement toward formation of CNI in 1970. Some Brethren members and congregations began leaving CNI in 1978.

The General Board has maintained an official relationship with CNI since its formation in 1970, but re-forming the relationship with the India Brethren is relatively new. Following the split between these segments of the church in India, a review of the India relationships brought an Annual Conference study and response in 1988. More recent review of this relationship led to an action by the 2003 Annual Conference to affirm rebuilding relationship with the India Brethren alongside the relationship with CNI.

"While we might assume that a Supreme Court decision has immediate impact, the situation in India is not as automatic," Keeney said. "It appears that even a ruling by this national court will take time to impact the communities where CNI and the Brethren exist together."

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Global Food Crisis Fund gives $73,000 for microloan program in DR.

A grant of $73,000 has been given from the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund to continue support for a microloan program in the Dominican Republic. In another grant of $10,000, the fund responds to a Church World Service appeal for food security in Niger, at a time when media reports are that the hunger crisis is worsening.

Funds for the microloan program in the DR will cover staffing, administrative and travel expenses, committee capacity development, and capital for loans. The program "goes beyond generating income for borrowers; it stabilizes and strengthens the lives of the working poor," reported fund manager Howard Royer. "Coordinated by Beth Gunzel and closely allied with Iglesia de los Hermanos (the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic), the effort engages 494 participants in 18 communities."

"While not all the small-loan enterprises are of an agrarian or food-related nature, the generation of adequate income is key to improving health and combating chronic poverty in the Dominican Republic," Royer said. "Beyond that, as former coordinators Jeff and Peggy Boshart have observed, this innovative small-loan program in a small part of the world is a powerful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

A strength of the program is its enlistment and training of community development committees in each locality. The committees work with individual borrowers through five cycles of loans. The fund has provided sole support of the small-loan venture since its inception. Last year the program drew on the fund for $94,000. New budget parameters call for a yearly reduction in outside support, moving from $73,000 this year to $36,000 by 2009.

The funds given to Niger will help provide shipment and distribution of food, replenishing seed stock, and teaching better agricultural practices. A matching grant was given by the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund. CNN reported that Doctors Without Borders is finding that one in five children in Niger are suffering from malnutrition, and that more than five children per 10,000 under the age of five are dying each day.

For more on the Global Food Crisis Fund, see www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/gfcf.htm.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Youth Peace Travel Team completes tour.

The 2005 Youth Peace Travel Team has completed its summer tour of eight camps in the east and midwest, and a visit to Annual Conference. The program was first formed in 1991 as a cooperative effort of a number of General Board programs, with a new team fielded each year. Sponsors now include On Earth Peace, the Outdoor Ministries Association, and the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, Brethren Volunteer Service, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Team members for 2005 were Nicole Fowler of First Church of the Brethren, Roanoke, Va.; Rachel McFadden of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, Ind.; Ben Bear of Nokesville (Va.) Church of the Brethren; and Ben Ritchey Martin of Grossnickle Church of the Brethren, Myersville, Md. They began the summer with a Ministry Summer Service orientation at Bethany Theological Seminary and a team orientation at Inspiration Hills in Burbank, Ohio.

The team led peace education for youth at camps including Brethren Heights, Camp Ithiel, Camp Mack, Woodland Altars, Camp Emmaus, Camp Blue Diamond, and Shepherd's Spring, and during Annual Conference. At the camps, the four young adults led workshops, discussions, and activities such as morning watch. They also had the opportunity to get to know campers and the surrounding natural landscape. "They learned about themselves and how they work in groups," said Susanna Farahat of On Earth Peace.

Farahat worked with the team during its debriefing at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Aug. 12-14. "They learned a lot about community," she said. Each week, the team held a "family meeting" to discuss situations that occurred during the week. Those meetings, as well as speaking in front of larger gatherings, helped develop interpersonal communication and leadership skills. "They all got more comfortable in front of groups," Farahat said.

At Annual Conference, the team spoke at an insight session on "Teaching Peace to Youth." They also led workshops for senior high youth, supported various agencies' booths, and talked with Conference guests. The Youth Peace Travel Team spent much of its time on issues of social justice and also learning about the range of beliefs in the Church of the Brethren. "We're all Brethren, and although we all read the Bible, we're all reading it in different ways," noted Farahat. "I think that was new for them."

Young adults age 18-22 interested in being considered for next summer's Youth Peace Travel Team can obtain an application at www.brethren.org/genbd/WitnessWashOffice.html or call 800-785-3246.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Volunteers begin service, BVS announces training unit.

The Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) summer unit 265 completed training Aug. 12 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. BVS also has announced the start of its fall orientation unit, to be held Sept. 25-Oct. 14 in New Windsor.

Congregations or hometowns and places of service for unit 265 follow:

Samuel Baiduc, Wienhaunsen, Germany, to Camp Ithiel, Gotha, Fla.; Nikki D'Adamo, Mechanicsville, Va., to the Junction, Northern Ireland; Jodi Eller, a Church of the Brethren member from Merritt Island, Fla., to Kilcranny House, Northern Ireland; Dean Feasenhiser, Fruitland (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, to the Brethren Historical Library and Archive, Elgin, Ill.; Todd Flory, McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, to the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, Washington D.C.; Stephanie Grossnickle, Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, to the Catholic Worker House, San Antonio, Texas; Christian Harr, Michelbach, Germany, to the Catholic Worker House, San Antonio, Texas; Alexander Kruger, Speyer, Germany, to Tri-City Homeless Coalition, Fremont, Calif.; Rachel Long, Woodinville, Wash., to Women in Black, Serbia/Yugoslavia; Kyle McCord, Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, Adel, Iowa, to the Northern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren, Ashland, Ohio; Monica Rice, Akron (Ohio) Springfield Church of the Brethren, to the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Office, Elgin, Ill.; Julia Rosenblau, Eppelboru, Germany, to Su Casa Catholic Worker House, Chicago, Ill,; Ferne Steckman, Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, to SERRV International, the Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Md.; Emily Tyler, McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, to the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Office; Sanju Walker, Waukegan, Ill., to La Puente Home, Alamosa, Colo.; Stuart Wood, Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, Bridgewater, Va., to Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

The fall training will gather 26 volunteers from the US and Germany, with Brethren members making up most of the group. The training will include a weekend immersion at an inner-city Baltimore homeless shelter. While there, the group will work at soup kitchens and Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers also will have a chance to work at the clothing warehouse and at SERRV facilities at the Brethren Service Center. Another day of service will be spent meeting needs of members of the local community around the center.

A BVS potluck is open to all those who are interested on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Union Bridge (Md.) Church of the Brethren. "Please feel free to come and welcome the new BVS volunteers and to share your own experiences about Brethren Volunteer Service," said Sam Bowman of the BVS office. "As always your prayer support is welcome and needed. Please pray for the unit, and the people they will touch during their year of service."

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Missouri and Arkansas District holds 'healthy and tasty' conference.

Missouri and Arkansas District Conference enjoyed an attendance of 107 despite an average mid-day temperature of 104 degrees at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., July 22-24.

Saturday evening speaker Kathy Reid, executive director of the Association of Brethren Caregivers, shared her hopes for a church that gives and receives care. After delegates recognized the closure and disorganization of Rockingham Church of the Brethren in Hardin, Mo., Stephen Reid, academic dean of Bethany Theological Seminary, challenged the district to double in size in five years in his Sunday morning sermon. "Since we had closed one church, we must start two!" said district minister Sandy Bosserman in her report of the conference.

A concert by Brethren musician Joseph Helfrich "gave cause for laughter that threw some good Brethren nearly out of their seats," Bosserman said. "Paired with Annual Conference moderator Ron Beachley's call for spiritual fitness through daily reading a chapter of the New Testament and joining leadership in fasting on the first day of the month, it made for a healthy conference."

During the district minister's report, delegates were given a sample of "Cherry Mash," a rich candy made in St. Joseph, Mo., and served from the district's booth at Annual Conference. "Add the exhibits, birthday cake from the Mutual Aid Association, and refreshments organized by the Dennisons, and you have a tasty conference 2005!" Bosserman added.

Business highlights included the calling of Gabe Garrison as moderator-elect; Pat Dennison, Sharon Henne, and Irene Miller as lay members of the District Board; Thurman Andrews as a clergy member of the District Board; Barbra Davis to the Church of the Brethren General Board; Luci Landes to Standing Committee; Colleen Estep to Program and Arrangements Committee; and Opal Andrews to the Nominating Committee. The conference passed a 2006 budget of $36,903. A query to Change Method of Calling District Leadership to Slate failed by one vote.

Offerings received $9,124.72 for balancing the district budget in 2006; $5,948.00 for the India Women's Fellowship Center Mission; and $200 in an auction of shoes worn by Don Vermilyea on his Walk Across America, to go to the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund and Emergency Disaster Fund. Over 500 baby quilts and blankets were donated for Bethany Hospital, and will be delivered by Nathan and Pam Betz.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, and more.
  • Richard Bowman, past president of Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home Inc., a Church of the Brethren retirement center in Boonsboro, Md., died at home on Sept. 11 after a three-year battle with cancer. Bowman served as top executive for Fahrney-Keedy for 28 years, starting in 1976 as administrator of the facility. He served as president from 2000 through his retirement in 2003. Bowman saw the expansion of Fahrney-Keedy from a basic nursing home to a full-service program offering assisted living, independent living facilities, and houses in the Fahrney-Keedy Village. He was responsible for the home receiving Continuing Care Retirement Community certification, creation of the home's water treatment system--for which he held a water treatment plant superintendent's certificate for 20 years, and creation of an Alzheimer's unit in 1985, named the Bowman Center in 2003. Also in 2003, Bowman received the Fahrney-Keedy Life-Time Achievement Award. He was a member of Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren, and is survived by his wife, Carolyn. "He will be remembered for his humor and spirit," said staff of the Association of Brethren Caregivers. Memorial contributions may be sent to Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, 8507 Mapleville Rd., Boonsboro, MD 21713. Contributions made in memory of Richard Bowman will be used for the home's Resident Benevolent Fund. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Hagerstown Church of the Brethren at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18.

  • A memorial service for Donald Durnbaugh will take place at Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa., at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Share written remembrances with the family by sending remembrances to Stone Church of the Brethren, 1623 Moore St., Huntingdon, PA 16652 (note on the envelope that it is a Don Durnbaugh remembrance). Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Peacemaker Teams, P.O. Box 6508, Chicago, IL 60680; or Doctors Without Borders, 333 Seventh Ave., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001.

  • In two personnel announcements from Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., David McFadden has been promoted to executive vice president, and Michael Eastman is the new vice president for College Advancement. McFadden will lead enrollment, planning, and marketing, and will carry responsibilities for many operational issues. He is an active member of the Church of the Brethren, and served as vice president for enrollment since 1993. Eastman comes to Manchester from Ball State University, where he was director of Development. He brings a background in fundraising, strategic planning, and alumni administration. He also served as alumni director for the University of Cincinnati, George Mason University, and Anderson University. For more about Manchester, visit www.manchester.edu.

  • Bridgewater (Va.) College has announced the hiring of Mitchell L. Moore as associate vice president for Institutional Advancement. Most recently Moore was senior development officer for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and also has served as vice president for Development and Alumni Relations at James Madison University and vice president for College Relations at Sweet Briar College. For more information about Bridgewater see www.bridgewater.edu.

  • The University of La Verne (ULV) has selected Homa Shabahang at associate vice president for Regional Campuses. She has served as associate dean of the College of Professional Studies at University of San Francisco, associate dean of the School of Business at Chapman University, assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Cal State Fullerton, and chair of the Economics Department at Rochester Institute of Technology. For more see www.ulv.edu.

  • New Brethren Volunteer Service workers with the General Board include Dean Feasenhiser, in the Brethren Historical Library and Archives in Elgin, Ill.; Todd Flory, at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office; and Monica Rice, in Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Feasenhiser, of Fruitland (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, is a 2005 graduate of McPherson College and is serving as an archival assistant processing records, responding to reference requests, preparing books for cataloguing, and filing. Flory, of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, is a graduate of Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., and brings experience as a reporter to his position as legislative associate. Rice, of Springfield Church of the Brethren in Akron, Ohio, and a 2004 graduate of Manchester College, will be coordinating the 2006 youth and young adult workcamps.

  • The Gather 'Round curriculum project still has openings for writers for two curriculum units. Persons wishing to submit an application for the Preschool unit (ages 3-4, with tips for 2s) or the Multi-age unit (grades K-6, with suggestions for older students) may request an application packet from Anna Speicher, project director and editor, gatherround@brethren.org or 800-323-8039. Accepted candidates must attend a writers' conference at Camp Alexander Mack on Jan. 8-12, 2006. Writing will begin in January. Deadline for applications is Nov. 1.

  • The Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the General Board is asking Brethren to support world leaders working on global poverty and hunger reduction at a United Nations summit in New York. The United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed at reducing global poverty and hunger are being attacked by proposed amendments by the US, the office reported. The more than 750 amendments "significantly reduce the focus on global poverty and delete every single reference to the Millenium Development Goals. One of the purposes of the MDGs is to provide a blueprint to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015." While world leaders are gathering at the UN, people of faith will convene for three days of prayer, fasting, and witness Sept. 14-16 in New York's Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. Participants will ask US leaders to increase aid to combat global poverty by one percent of the federal budget--$25 billion over five years. Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, will be at the witness on Sept. 14 and invites Brethren to join him, or to stage vigils in their own communities. A flier about the event is available from 800-785-3246 or washington_office_gb@brethren.org.

  • Help "dig through the roof" (Mark 2:3-5) this October. The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is encouraging congregations to celebrate the month as Disabilities Awareness Month. Resources from the Disabilities Ministry available at www.brethren.org/abc/ include worship resources, Sunday school lessons, materials for children, ideas for raising congregational awareness, an accessibility checklist, information about ABC's Open Roof Award, funding suggestions, and resources for adapting church rituals for those with special needs. The network has a list serve as a way for those interested in disability ministries to communicate with one another. To sign up, visit listserver.emountain.net/mailman/listinfo/disabilitiesministry.

  • Nov. 6 is Junior High Sunday in the Church of the Brethren. The theme comes from Hebrews 10:24, "Provoke One Another to Love and Good Deeds." Graphics, a Bible study, worship resources and ideas, a skit, and more are available at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/YouthSundayJ.htm. Materials will not be mailed to congregations but are in PDF format for printing from the website.

  • The Regional Junior High Conference scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 2 will be the first of its kind in the Church of the Brethren, reported Chris Douglas of the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The conference at New Windsor, Md., is co-sponsored by the General Board and eight districts in the eastern part of the US. Registration already is closed because the maximum attendance of 240 people has been reached. Those who are registered are urged to bring Gift of the Heart Health Kits for the Sunday morning offering, when Annual Conference moderator-elect Belita Mitchell is preaching. An e-mail to conference participants asked them to go to www.brethrenjrhigh.org for information on making kits.

  • Three district conferences will be held Sept. 16-17. Northern Indiana District will meet on the theme, "Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus; Hebrews 12:1-4," at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., with moderator Dan Petry. Southern Pennsylvania District will meet on the theme "Jesus--Worthy of Praise!" at Ridge Church of the Brethren in Shippensburg, Pa., with moderator Kenneth Geisewite. West Marva District will meet at Moorefield (W.Va.) Church of the Brethren with moderator Harold Garber.

  • Two Brethren peacemakers are helping to organize "Camp Casey Across the Country," an effort to call for an end to the war in Iraq, bring the US troops home, and "make lasting lifestyle choices for peace." Cliff Kindy, who has been a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, and Tom Benevento, Latin America/Caribbean specialist for the Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board, are contact people for the project sponsored by CPT-USA Iraq Peace Team and the Bring Them Home Now Coalition. The project invites peacemakers to establish "Camp Casey" nonviolent encampments--modeled after the encampment established by Cindy Sheehan over the summer in Crawford, Texas--at congressional district offices across the country starting Oct. 2. Those who participate are invited to fast at the encampments, and to make "oil-free" pilgrimages to their district offices by walking, bicycling, using a wheel chair, or riding on public transportation. For more information call Kindy at 260-982-2971 or Benevento at 574-534-0942 or e-mail coblatinamerica@hotmail.com.
Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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ABC encourages observance of National Children's Sabbath.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is encouraging congregations to honor the National Observance of Children's Sabbath, to be held Oct. 14-16. On behalf of the Church of the Brethren, ABC is partnering with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) to support the event.

The CDF states that most poor children live in working families. "If poor families knew about and accessed all of the benefits for which they are currently eligible, more than 20 percent of poor children would move out of poverty and extreme poverty would be reduced by 70 percent," states a release from the CDF.

National Observance of Children's Sabbath seeks justice and care for the nearly 13 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 "Putting Our Faith into Action to Seek Justice for Children."

For worship planning and Sunday school resources, order a copy of the 2005 Children's Sabbath Resource Manual (Vol. 14). The manual is 256 pages and available from the Religious Action Division of CDF for $7. Call 202-662-3602 or order from the online catalog at www.childrensdefense.org.

The next National Observance of Children's Sabbath will be Oct. 21-22, 2006. Since resources are not made available to ABC earlier than August, the agency encourages congregations to visit the CDF website for more timely information.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Press revives Covenant Bible Study Series.

Two Brethren Press titles introduced at Annual Conference this year were the first to be published in the Covenant Bible Study Series since 1999. "Romans: Church at the Crossroads" by Virginia Wiles, a Pauline scholar; and "Side by Side," an analysis of Bible stories that sometimes complement and sometimes compete, by Frank Ramirez, signal the renewal of one of the most popular Bible study series published by Brethren Press. More Covenant titles to come include "Voices in the Book of Job" by Bob Neff, to appear this fall; and "Exodus" by Connie Burkholder and "The Exile" by Joel Kline, to be available in 2006.

The original Covenant series was connected with the People of the Covenant small group program run cooperatively by the Church of the Brethren General Board and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The program came to a close in 1997, but Brethren Press continued publishing several titles that were still in the pipeline. The several dozen titles completed by then had sold a combined number of more than 173,400 copies.

"Because of the popularity of the series and the fact that we continued to receive requests, we decided to resume publishing," said Wendy McFadden, executive director of Brethren Press. All 33 Covenant Bible Study titles, including the new ones, appear in a first-ever Adult Resources Catalog produced for Annual Conference this year. Covenant Bible Studies cost $6.95 plus shipping and handling. Each includes 10 sessions appropriate for small group study. To order, call 800-441-3712.

In another new resource from Brethren Press, Daniel M. Petry is the author of this year's daily devotional for Advent, "The Promise of His Coming." The devotional is $2 per copy, or $1.50 for orders received by Oct. 1, plus shipping and handling. Orders received by Oct. 31 will be shipped by Nov. 7. Call 800-441-3712.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Iraq: From bad to worse.

By Peggy Gish

"From bad to worse" is a common phrase Iraqis use when describing what is happening in Iraq. Working here, outside the isolated Green Zone or military bases, we get a different picture from the optimistic depictions released by the US government. I mostly hear from Iraqis that the presence of American military has lowered their quality of life, and set back their progress in building a peaceful and democratic society.

Even from those who say it is necessary for the US military to remain longer in Iraq to prevent greater factional fighting or civil war, we hear despair. They speak of the snail-pace progress in repairing infrastructure, the growing humanitarian crisis, the depressed economic system, and the lack of basic security.

Some brief examples:
  • Of the three million residents of Sadr City, a poor area of Baghdad, 72 percent have hepatitis A or E, because of polluted water. In Sadr City we saw trenches dug along the main streets for sewer system repair. According to leaders of Sadr City, this project does not include replacing the cracked and inadequate pipes along the side streets that connect to the people's homes.

  • Although more manufactured goods are available in the markets of Iraq's cities, poverty is severe, with an estimated 40 percent unemployment, and increasing malnutrition. Cheaper foreign goods flooding the market and the takeover of Iraqi businesses and oil production by US companies continue to erode the economy.

  • Families in Fallujah are slowly starting to rebuild with little help from the US or Iraqi governments. Since the Nov. 2004 attacks, US forces still wage active warfare in many other cities and villages. As of Aug. 14, US and Iraqi forces were surrounding the city of Tellafar, west of Mosul and had used heavy bombs in attacks on the city of Haqlaniyah.

  • Iraqi people live in daily fear of explosions and kidnappings by the violent resistance groups as well as violent house raids, indiscriminate roundups, abusive interrogations, and imprisonment by US and Iraqi forces.

  • They are also worried about corruption in the new Iraqi government and the brutal violence of the newer Iraqi special police commandos, trained by the US and operating under the Ministry of Interior. Some call this "state terrorism." Iraqis tell us about family members being abducted from their homes, tortured, and sometimes found dead by a roadside. Prisoners' families report paying thousands of dollars to prevent the prisoners from being tortured or forced to give confessions on TV of crimes they did not commit.
Meanwhile, most Iraqis are trying to go on with life as normally as possible, caring for their families. Countless Iraqis try to keep hope alive by working with organizations that foster unity, human rights, and local democratic activity. They worry, however, that all the sacrifices and hardships they have endured will not lead them to a freer and safer life.

--Peggy Gish, a Church of the Brethren member working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, wrote this article on Aug. 14. CPT places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict. An initiative of the Historic Peace Churches (Mennonite, Church of the Brethren, and Quaker), CPT enjoys support and membership from a wide range of Christian denominations. See www.cpt.org.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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Disaster Child Care volunteers start work, Brethren begin clean-up project.

The Brethren response to Hurricane Katrina increased in intensity as Disaster Child Care volunteers began working at shelters for survivors, a Brethren Disaster Response clean-up project started in Alabama, and Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response for the Church of the Brethren General Board, made a tour and assessment of needs in shelters across southern Louisiana (see story below). Shipments of relief materials continued from the Service Ministries warehouses at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.

Teams of Disaster Child Care volunteers are caring for children and families in seven shelters or recovery centers across the country, at the request of the American Red Cross and FEMA. In Kingwood, W.Va., a team is serving at the West Virginia Army National Guard Reserve training facility at Camp Dawson, where some 500 displaced people were expected. In Denver, Colo., child care was set up in a dorm on the campus of Lowery Air Force Base where approximately 1,000 evacuees were received. In Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, Fla., child care is being given at two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers for survivors migrating from the Gulf States to Florida. In Los Angeles and San Bernardino, Calif., the child care was requested by the Red Cross after learning that some 168 displaced people were expected. A child care team was on its way to another shelter in Marietta, Ga., as of yesterday.

At least some of the evacuees being served by the Disaster Child Care volunteers across the country were people transferred from the Astrodome in Houston. And some of the child care volunteers were flown to response sites by Angel Flights, a nonprofit organization of pilots and private aircraft available in cases of need. All of the volunteers have undergone training to help meet the needs of children following disasters.

The Disaster Child Care staff led by coordinator Helen Stonesifer is working to fulfill more requests for child care services in shelters in North Fork, Va.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; and Brook Haven, Miss. The DCC Critical Care team--volunteers specially trained for response to aviation disasters--will begin work at Family Assistance Centers in Louisiana serving evacuees who have lost loved ones, as soon as the centers are set up, reported Winter.

"We've never had child care active in this many states before," Winter said. "It's certainly an unusual situation." He emphasized that the child care will be a longterm response, lasting well beyond the several weeks that volunteers usually have worked at previous disaster sites. Disaster Child Care is already seeking to train more volunteers for the lengthy response time expected, and may be working in partnership with Canadian Child Care to response to the unprecedented level of need following Hurricane Katrina. (See the story below for information on how to get the necessary training to volunteer.)

A Brethren Disaster Response clean-up project was started Sept. 13 in Citronelle, Ala. Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren is helping to host the project, in which groups of up to 15 volunteers at a time will clean areas of hurricane damage and do minor repairs on homes to prevent further damage, such as covering roofs with tarps. The church also is assisting with feeding and care for some 250 displaced citizens sheltering at the Citronelle United Methodist Church.

Winter warned volunteers that "the work is very different from our rebuilding projects because we don't have a local recovery group giving us referrals. Instead, volunteers will move out into communities to identify those who need our assistance," he said. "We also have to be careful not to do repairs that will change insurance settlements or FEMA evaluations."

The Southeastern District is coordinating volunteers for the first two weeks of the project and providing a tool trailer for all groups to use, and Winter called for more Brethren to consider volunteering for what will be a longterm project. (See the story below for information on how to volunteer.) "This is a good partnership between the district and the Emergency Response program working together," he said. "We rejoice when we can partner with local churches or districts. As evacuees are being supported by groups in many states, we are open to additional ways the Emergency Response volunteers or the Emergency Disaster Fund can support church response efforts."

In news of other Brethren responses to the hurricane, the 29th annual Brethren Disaster Relief Auction of Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania Districts features an ambitious project to assemble and pack 20,000 Gift of the Heart Health Kits and School Kits onsite. The auction will be held at the Lebanon (Pa.) Expo and Fairgrounds on Sept. 23-24. Value of the kits will be in excess of $100,000. Winter plans to be present for another ambitious project as volunteers build a modular home for Brethren Disaster Response, also onsite. The auction raises money for the two districts' TURF Fund (The United Relief Fund) and the Emergency Disaster Fund of the General Board. All proceeds from the Theme Basket Auction and the Quilt Auction will be earmarked for hurricane relief. Also featured will be auctions of heifers and livestock, a Farmer's Market, the sale of arts and crafts, and lots of food.

For more information about the Church of the Brethren response to Hurricane Katrina, see www.brethrendisasterresponse.org, click on "Responding to Hurricane Katrina." For more information about Disaster Child Care go to www.disasterchildcare.org. For more information about the Brethren Disaster Auction call Duane Ness, chair, at 717-840-8400 or go to www.brethrenauction.org.

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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