- General Board gives a positive financial report for 2004.
- Emergency Disaster Fund sends $100,000 for tsunami work.
- Committee plans training, communications for TOGETHER.
- Mutual Aid Association celebrates 120 years of service.
- Stewardship of Property Committee holds first meeting.
- First Vital Pastor cohort group receives grant approval.
- Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, and more.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
NEWS
General Board gives a positive financial report for 2004.
The past year was a very positive one for the Core Ministries Fund of the General Board, reported treasurer Judy Keyser. The fund provides for most ministries of the board and depends heavily on congregational and individual giving. "This type of outcome certainly relieves a bit of pressure and gives us some reprieve," said Keyser.
A welcome turnaround was an increase in congregational giving over budget and over 2003. Congregational giving had shown a downward trend in recent years. In 2004, gifts from congregations to the fund increased to $3,324,300, and gifts from individuals rose slightly to $654,200. "The General Board appreciates this strong support and trust in its ministries," Keyser said. "The board is also grateful for those individuals who provide generously through their estates. For the first time in several years, bequest income met and exceeded the budgeted amount." Investment returns were also remarkably higher than expected, she said.
"These factors, plus careful management of expenses by staff, resulted in income over expense totaling $414,200. This enabled the board to strengthen the financial foundation for ongoing ministries and to expand selected one-time ministries for 2005, resulting in a final net income of $192,200."
Because of the positive year-end report, the board did not need to use $215,000 set aside to cover projected shortfalls in 2004. The money had been redirected from funds the board designated in past years for other projects.
"The economic realities of the last several years prompted the board to take steps to provide better long-term stability in the Core Ministries Fund," Keyser said. All estate gifts will now go directly into the board's Bequest Quasi-endowment, and income budgeted from bequests will be a percentage of a five-year average of the Bequest Quasi-endowment, she said. "This will even out income from year to year without depleting the Bequest Quasi-endowment. Because investment income has also been volatile over the last several years, similar actions were taken with the Endowment Fund and the Gahagen Fund. During the transition year of 2005, a higher percentage of the Bequest Quasi-endowment will be used in order to have fewer budget reductions."
The board also operates several self-funding ministries that receive income through the sale of goods and services. While "Messenger" magazine finished the year with income over expense of $2,800, the other three self-funding units experienced losses: $47,200 for Brethren Press, $67,500 for the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center, and $68,900 for Service Ministries. Lower net assets in some self-funding ministries is a longterm concern, Keyser said. "Each is developing plans to work at sustaining income," she said.
The board manages three special-purpose funds made possible by gifts from donors. Emergency Disaster Fund grants totaled $474,200 in 2004, Global Food Crisis Fund grants totaled $326,000, and the Emerging Global Mission Fund spent $121,400. Complete audited financial information on these funds will be available in June when the General Board audit report is published.
Despite positive results for 2004 and actions to stabilize income, expenses continue to outpace anticipated income, Keyser said. General Board budgets for 2005 were reduced by $248,210.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
The past year was a very positive one for the Core Ministries Fund of the General Board, reported treasurer Judy Keyser. The fund provides for most ministries of the board and depends heavily on congregational and individual giving. "This type of outcome certainly relieves a bit of pressure and gives us some reprieve," said Keyser.
A welcome turnaround was an increase in congregational giving over budget and over 2003. Congregational giving had shown a downward trend in recent years. In 2004, gifts from congregations to the fund increased to $3,324,300, and gifts from individuals rose slightly to $654,200. "The General Board appreciates this strong support and trust in its ministries," Keyser said. "The board is also grateful for those individuals who provide generously through their estates. For the first time in several years, bequest income met and exceeded the budgeted amount." Investment returns were also remarkably higher than expected, she said.
"These factors, plus careful management of expenses by staff, resulted in income over expense totaling $414,200. This enabled the board to strengthen the financial foundation for ongoing ministries and to expand selected one-time ministries for 2005, resulting in a final net income of $192,200."
Because of the positive year-end report, the board did not need to use $215,000 set aside to cover projected shortfalls in 2004. The money had been redirected from funds the board designated in past years for other projects.
"The economic realities of the last several years prompted the board to take steps to provide better long-term stability in the Core Ministries Fund," Keyser said. All estate gifts will now go directly into the board's Bequest Quasi-endowment, and income budgeted from bequests will be a percentage of a five-year average of the Bequest Quasi-endowment, she said. "This will even out income from year to year without depleting the Bequest Quasi-endowment. Because investment income has also been volatile over the last several years, similar actions were taken with the Endowment Fund and the Gahagen Fund. During the transition year of 2005, a higher percentage of the Bequest Quasi-endowment will be used in order to have fewer budget reductions."
The board also operates several self-funding ministries that receive income through the sale of goods and services. While "Messenger" magazine finished the year with income over expense of $2,800, the other three self-funding units experienced losses: $47,200 for Brethren Press, $67,500 for the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center, and $68,900 for Service Ministries. Lower net assets in some self-funding ministries is a longterm concern, Keyser said. "Each is developing plans to work at sustaining income," she said.
The board manages three special-purpose funds made possible by gifts from donors. Emergency Disaster Fund grants totaled $474,200 in 2004, Global Food Crisis Fund grants totaled $326,000, and the Emerging Global Mission Fund spent $121,400. Complete audited financial information on these funds will be available in June when the General Board audit report is published.
Despite positive results for 2004 and actions to stabilize income, expenses continue to outpace anticipated income, Keyser said. General Board budgets for 2005 were reduced by $248,210.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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Emergency Disaster Fund sends $100,000 for tsunami work.
A grant of $100,000 from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) continues Brethren support for Church World Service (CWS) work following the tsunami in south Asia. Other EDF grants have been made for disaster relief in the Caribbean, Sudan, and Nebraska.
Donations to the EDF in 2005 are approaching three-quarters of a million dollars, totaling $678,393. "The response of our members to the efforts of EDF and the needs in southeast Asia has been remarkable," commented Stan Noffsinger, the board's general secretary. "We thank both the many donors who have given so generously, and our staff and the staff of Church World Service for their tireless efforts to care for the needs of people, all of whom are our sisters and brothers in Christ."
A record number of Gift of the Heart kits for disaster relief have been received at the Brethren Service Center warehouses in New Windsor, Md. As of Feb. 7, 81,986 pounds of the kits had been received, sent from every US state but Hawaii, Utah, and Wyoming, reported Jane Bankert of the board's Service Ministries. The program warehouses and ships the kits for CWS.
The $100,000 will start rebuilding efforts following the tsunami, reported Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response. It follows three previous grants, making a total of $180,000 in Brethren funding related to the tsunami. A grant of $19,500 will continue support of a Brethren Disaster Response rebuilding project in Hallam, Neb., a small town devastated by a tornado. EDF also gave $17,500 for shipping canned meat and Gift of the Heart Health Kits and Layette Kits to southern Sudan. The donations to the New Sudan Council of Churches include over 22,000 pounds of chicken canned by Mid-Atlantic and Southern Pennsylvania Districts. An allocation of $10,000 supports CWS work in the Caribbean following the hurricanes of 2004. The funds will be used in Haiti for food assistance, medicine, water and sanitation, and agriculture and livestock recovery. Additional work will include clearing debris, recovery of schools, and income-generating activities.
For more information about Emergency Response/Service Ministries see www.brethren.org. A round-up of Brethren tsunami relief efforts by individuals, congregations, districts, and other organizations is planned for the next Newsline. Send information to News Services, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; or e-mail cobnews@aol.com.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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A grant of $100,000 from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) continues Brethren support for Church World Service (CWS) work following the tsunami in south Asia. Other EDF grants have been made for disaster relief in the Caribbean, Sudan, and Nebraska.
Donations to the EDF in 2005 are approaching three-quarters of a million dollars, totaling $678,393. "The response of our members to the efforts of EDF and the needs in southeast Asia has been remarkable," commented Stan Noffsinger, the board's general secretary. "We thank both the many donors who have given so generously, and our staff and the staff of Church World Service for their tireless efforts to care for the needs of people, all of whom are our sisters and brothers in Christ."
A record number of Gift of the Heart kits for disaster relief have been received at the Brethren Service Center warehouses in New Windsor, Md. As of Feb. 7, 81,986 pounds of the kits had been received, sent from every US state but Hawaii, Utah, and Wyoming, reported Jane Bankert of the board's Service Ministries. The program warehouses and ships the kits for CWS.
The $100,000 will start rebuilding efforts following the tsunami, reported Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response. It follows three previous grants, making a total of $180,000 in Brethren funding related to the tsunami. A grant of $19,500 will continue support of a Brethren Disaster Response rebuilding project in Hallam, Neb., a small town devastated by a tornado. EDF also gave $17,500 for shipping canned meat and Gift of the Heart Health Kits and Layette Kits to southern Sudan. The donations to the New Sudan Council of Churches include over 22,000 pounds of chicken canned by Mid-Atlantic and Southern Pennsylvania Districts. An allocation of $10,000 supports CWS work in the Caribbean following the hurricanes of 2004. The funds will be used in Haiti for food assistance, medicine, water and sanitation, and agriculture and livestock recovery. Additional work will include clearing debris, recovery of schools, and income-generating activities.
For more information about Emergency Response/Service Ministries see www.brethren.org. A round-up of Brethren tsunami relief efforts by individuals, congregations, districts, and other organizations is planned for the next Newsline. Send information to News Services, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; or e-mail cobnews@aol.com.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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Committee plans training, communications for TOGETHER.
The steering committee of the new Church of the Brethren denominational initiative titled TOGETHER: Conversations on Being the Church, met at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., Jan. 20-21. Content for the various elements of the process was further defined in this sixth meeting of the steering committee, which was chaired by Mark Flory-Steury, district executive of Southern Ohio.
The goal of TOGETHER is a denomination-wide conversation on the state of the church. In addition to representatives of the Council of District Executives, where it originated, representatives from denominational agencies and Annual Conference attended along with Ron and Harriet Finney, who will coordinate regional conversations in 2006.
Resource leaders for a training to be held Feb. 2006 in New Windsor, Md., were nominated, with priority given to a well-known authority in the field of church analysis who also is familiar with the Church of the Brethren. The training will bring together some 140 people, primarily named by the districts, who will be prepared to lead conversations in their geographic areas.
Following the training, TOGETHER will be launched at Annual Conference 2006, principally through the use of a study guide at each business session. Delegates and others in attendance will be encouraged to join in 30 minutes of conversation about the church at each session. This plan, along with some other references to the program at the Conference, has been approved by the Conference Program and Arrangements Committee.
The steering committee also dealt with funding for the program. "One note of rejoicing was the announcement that the General Board will donate one of its special offerings to TOGETHER," Swartz reported. "The amount of these offerings usually ranges from $15,000-$30,000, according to general secretary Stan Noffsinger." The committee also developed a case statement to pursue foundation grants for the program.
A communications plan, submitted by Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden, was adopted with immediate priority given to developing a brochure for distribution at the 2005 Conference. Also in the works are advertisements to appear in "Messenger" magazine, a calling card or badge sticker with a "catchy" phrase related to the program, and a website. A logo is being designed by Debbie Noffsinger. Jonathan Shively, director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace program coordinator for Peace Witness, are working on a theme song.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
The steering committee of the new Church of the Brethren denominational initiative titled TOGETHER: Conversations on Being the Church, met at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., Jan. 20-21. Content for the various elements of the process was further defined in this sixth meeting of the steering committee, which was chaired by Mark Flory-Steury, district executive of Southern Ohio.
The goal of TOGETHER is a denomination-wide conversation on the state of the church. In addition to representatives of the Council of District Executives, where it originated, representatives from denominational agencies and Annual Conference attended along with Ron and Harriet Finney, who will coordinate regional conversations in 2006.
Resource leaders for a training to be held Feb. 2006 in New Windsor, Md., were nominated, with priority given to a well-known authority in the field of church analysis who also is familiar with the Church of the Brethren. The training will bring together some 140 people, primarily named by the districts, who will be prepared to lead conversations in their geographic areas.
Following the training, TOGETHER will be launched at Annual Conference 2006, principally through the use of a study guide at each business session. Delegates and others in attendance will be encouraged to join in 30 minutes of conversation about the church at each session. This plan, along with some other references to the program at the Conference, has been approved by the Conference Program and Arrangements Committee.
The steering committee also dealt with funding for the program. "One note of rejoicing was the announcement that the General Board will donate one of its special offerings to TOGETHER," Swartz reported. "The amount of these offerings usually ranges from $15,000-$30,000, according to general secretary Stan Noffsinger." The committee also developed a case statement to pursue foundation grants for the program.
A communications plan, submitted by Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden, was adopted with immediate priority given to developing a brochure for distribution at the 2005 Conference. Also in the works are advertisements to appear in "Messenger" magazine, a calling card or badge sticker with a "catchy" phrase related to the program, and a website. A logo is being designed by Debbie Noffsinger. Jonathan Shively, director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace program coordinator for Peace Witness, are working on a theme song.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
Mutual Aid Association celebrates 120 years of service.
The Mutual Aid Association (MAA) is celebrating 120 years of service to the Church of the Brethren in 2005. "The organization founded by Brethren for Brethren now reaches this historic milestone," MAA said in a release about plans for a celebration at Annual Conference. The organization invites Brethren to join MAA "for its 120th birthday party! We celebrate the spirit of brothers and sisters working together, the idea of the strong protecting the weak, and the commitment that we stand together, so that all may benefit."
MAA was begun in 1885 as the Mutual Aid Society of Northeastern Kansas by church members who "sought an alternative to worldly insurance and wanted to continue the tradition of sharing one another's burdens, typified by the practice known as barn-raising," the release said. "For nearly the first century of its work, MAA operated from the kitchen table of its then-president. The Annual Meeting set simple rates and assessed members accordingly. In the 1970s a functional building was constructed near Abilene, Kan., was eventually remodeled and enlarged, and today serves as the association's home office."
Over the decades, changes at MAA have included opening coverage to small businesses and rental properties as well as to suburban housing, and securing personal liability insurance. As risk coverage amounts increased, MAA cooperated with other small mutuals and purchased insurance for safeguarding its own policies in the event of a catastrophe. MAA also created its own benevolence organization, pledging a company tithe to sustain the MAA Share Fund. The fund is a nonprofit entity making matching grants to insured churches for their ministries with people in unexpected financial need.
"Our service has always been the prevention and sharing of misfortune," according to MAA's Centennial History. Today MAA emphasizes property insurance for homes, farms, and small businesses, and covers seasonal dwellings, personal property for renters, and special collections. It serves individuals in the Church of the Brethren and its historically-related denominations and employees of church colleges, retirement homes, and agencies. Through a specialty company MAA secures coverage for congregations, camps, colleges, districts, and other ministries. For more information see www.maabrethren.com.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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The Mutual Aid Association (MAA) is celebrating 120 years of service to the Church of the Brethren in 2005. "The organization founded by Brethren for Brethren now reaches this historic milestone," MAA said in a release about plans for a celebration at Annual Conference. The organization invites Brethren to join MAA "for its 120th birthday party! We celebrate the spirit of brothers and sisters working together, the idea of the strong protecting the weak, and the commitment that we stand together, so that all may benefit."
MAA was begun in 1885 as the Mutual Aid Society of Northeastern Kansas by church members who "sought an alternative to worldly insurance and wanted to continue the tradition of sharing one another's burdens, typified by the practice known as barn-raising," the release said. "For nearly the first century of its work, MAA operated from the kitchen table of its then-president. The Annual Meeting set simple rates and assessed members accordingly. In the 1970s a functional building was constructed near Abilene, Kan., was eventually remodeled and enlarged, and today serves as the association's home office."
Over the decades, changes at MAA have included opening coverage to small businesses and rental properties as well as to suburban housing, and securing personal liability insurance. As risk coverage amounts increased, MAA cooperated with other small mutuals and purchased insurance for safeguarding its own policies in the event of a catastrophe. MAA also created its own benevolence organization, pledging a company tithe to sustain the MAA Share Fund. The fund is a nonprofit entity making matching grants to insured churches for their ministries with people in unexpected financial need.
"Our service has always been the prevention and sharing of misfortune," according to MAA's Centennial History. Today MAA emphasizes property insurance for homes, farms, and small businesses, and covers seasonal dwellings, personal property for renters, and special collections. It serves individuals in the Church of the Brethren and its historically-related denominations and employees of church colleges, retirement homes, and agencies. Through a specialty company MAA secures coverage for congregations, camps, colleges, districts, and other ministries. For more information see www.maabrethren.com.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
Stewardship of Property Committee holds first meeting.
The Stewardship of Property Committee formed by the General Board gathered at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., Jan. 28-29 for its first meeting. Members are D. Miller Davis of Westminster, Md.; Fletcher Farrar, Springfield, Ill.; Dale Grosbach, Gladstone, Mo.; Wanda Haynes, Seattle, Wash.; Ivan Patterson, Greenville, Ohio; Marianne Pittman, Blacksburg, Va.; Dale Roth, State College, Pa.; and David Sollenberger, Annville, Pa. Staff liaisons are Dave Ingold, director of Buildings and Grounds at the General Offices; Ed Palsgrove, director of Buildings and Grounds at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.; and Stan Noffsinger, general secretary.
The committee discussed the task assigned by the board of "reviewing, evaluating, and offering recommendations to the General Board regarding utilization of the two properties from which the General Board's ministries operate in Elgin, Ill., and New Windsor, Md." An extensive list of questions pertinent to the task was created. Ingold led a tour of the Elgin facility. Roth was called to chair the committee.
The committee's next meeting will be at the Brethren Service Center Feb. 25-26. Additional meetings have been scheduled for June 3-4 and Sept. 8-9.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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The Stewardship of Property Committee formed by the General Board gathered at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., Jan. 28-29 for its first meeting. Members are D. Miller Davis of Westminster, Md.; Fletcher Farrar, Springfield, Ill.; Dale Grosbach, Gladstone, Mo.; Wanda Haynes, Seattle, Wash.; Ivan Patterson, Greenville, Ohio; Marianne Pittman, Blacksburg, Va.; Dale Roth, State College, Pa.; and David Sollenberger, Annville, Pa. Staff liaisons are Dave Ingold, director of Buildings and Grounds at the General Offices; Ed Palsgrove, director of Buildings and Grounds at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.; and Stan Noffsinger, general secretary.
The committee discussed the task assigned by the board of "reviewing, evaluating, and offering recommendations to the General Board regarding utilization of the two properties from which the General Board's ministries operate in Elgin, Ill., and New Windsor, Md." An extensive list of questions pertinent to the task was created. Ingold led a tour of the Elgin facility. Roth was called to chair the committee.
The committee's next meeting will be at the Brethren Service Center Feb. 25-26. Additional meetings have been scheduled for June 3-4 and Sept. 8-9.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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First Vital Pastor cohort group receives grant approval.
The first Vital Pastor cohort group of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership received approval for its grant proposal this week. The group comprises five pastors from South/Central Indiana District: Gale Burkholder, Pleasant View Church of the Brethren, South Whitley, Ind.; Bruce Hostetler, Roann (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Val Kline, Upper Fall Creek Church of the Brethren, Middletown, Ind.; Dan Riccius, Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, Ind.; and Bev Weaver, Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.
The group is exploring the question, "How do we create and sustain a mission heart locally and globally?" For an initial Immersion Retreat, the pastors will meet with Church of the Brethren congregations and pastors in Brazil Feb. 21-March 2. The group will then meet monthly over the next two years.
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is underwritten by a $2 million grant from Lilly Foundation Inc. The program is for "quality pastors to engage in ongoing learning, maintain healthy boundaries, and develop support systems" and is designed to encourage and promote excellence in ministry. The academy is a program of Bethany Theological Seminary and the General Board. To learn more contact Linda or Glenn Timmons at 800-287-8822 ext. 1810.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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The first Vital Pastor cohort group of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership received approval for its grant proposal this week. The group comprises five pastors from South/Central Indiana District: Gale Burkholder, Pleasant View Church of the Brethren, South Whitley, Ind.; Bruce Hostetler, Roann (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Val Kline, Upper Fall Creek Church of the Brethren, Middletown, Ind.; Dan Riccius, Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, Ind.; and Bev Weaver, Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.
The group is exploring the question, "How do we create and sustain a mission heart locally and globally?" For an initial Immersion Retreat, the pastors will meet with Church of the Brethren congregations and pastors in Brazil Feb. 21-March 2. The group will then meet monthly over the next two years.
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is underwritten by a $2 million grant from Lilly Foundation Inc. The program is for "quality pastors to engage in ongoing learning, maintain healthy boundaries, and develop support systems" and is designed to encourage and promote excellence in ministry. The academy is a program of Bethany Theological Seminary and the General Board. To learn more contact Linda or Glenn Timmons at 800-287-8822 ext. 1810.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, and more.
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- Don Snider, 89, died Feb. 1 at his home at Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home in North Manchester, Ind. Interspersed with several pastoral placements in Illinois and Pennsylvania, Snider served as National Youth Director for the Church of the Brethren 1944-51; directed Brethren Service post-World War II relief and rehabilitation work in Kassel, Germany, 1951-54; and directed Brethren Volunteer Service 1961-69. He was a regional secretary in Middle Pennsylvania District 1942-44, interpreting the then-new Brethren Service and serving as recruitment staff for Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., his alma mater. At one time, Snider held the quarter-mile track record at Juniata, time 50 seconds flat. He also held a degree from Bethany Theological Seminary. Snider was a leader in the peace witness of the denomination, was a draft counselor for youth, and was vocal in opposition to the law instituted in 1980 requiring young men to register for Selective Service. He also worked to resettle Vietnamese refugees in the US, and led numerous youth camps. A memorial service was held at Manchester Church of the Brethren on Feb. 12.
- Brenda Hayward has begun as receptionist at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Her work experience includes 18 years in a variety of capacities at Bank One, as well as other customer service settings. She has an early connection with the General Offices through her father, Henry Barton, who worked in the building as a printing press operator for many years.
- The Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, seeks a president/CEO. The community serves 450 residents in independent living, at a satellite campus, and in residential, assisted living, skilled nursing, and dementia care units. The CEO will play a pivotal role in guiding the Brethren Retirement Community through its current five-year strategic planning process. Expectations for candidates include financial and operational management experience, a team style of leadership, community public relations, and effective communication skills. NHA required. Contact Ralph McFadden at 352 Shiloh Ct., Elgin, IL 60120; 847-622-1677; e-mail hikermac@sbcglobal.net; fax 847-742-6103. Resumes and salary histories will be accepted until March 18.
- Southern Ohio District is searching for a part-time director of Outdoor Ministries. The district seeks applicants committed to leading and implementing Christian ministry in a variety of outdoor settings. Applicants may respond by post, e-mail, or fax by March 15 to Southern Ohio District Church of the Brethren, 1001 Mill Ridge Circle, Union, OH 45322; e-mail mfsteury_ds@brethren.org; fax 937-832-6396. In case of questions, please call 937-832-6399.
- Volunteers are needed for Annual Conference in Peoria, July 2-6, especially to work with registration. If you plan to attend and can help, please call the Annual Conference office at 800-323-8039 or e-mail annualconference@brethren.org.
- Information Services staff for the General Board have installed a spam filter on the board's e-mail server. This filter has been effective in reducing spam e-mail arriving in staff e-mail boxes. However, some good e-mail has been blocked. If you have sent an e-mail to General Board staff and have not gotten a timely response, please follow up with a phone call to that staff person. It is possible the e-mail was not received. Information Services continues to work at fine tuning the spam filter for maximum effectiveness.
- "Messenger" magazine editor Walt Wiltschek is serving as the English-language reporter for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 15-22. The General Board is offering his time and talents as a service to the international ecumenical organization, which is covering his expenses, said Wendy McFadden, Brethren Press publisher. Jeff Carter, pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, is the Church of the Brethren observer at the meetings. On the agenda: making consensus the established method of decision-making; planning for the WCC Ninth Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in Feb. 2006; the peoples and churches of the Pacific region; ethical challenges including human sexuality; and a new configuration of the ecumenical movement.
- The General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office invites Brethren to the 2005 Ecumenical Advocacy Days March 11-14 in Arlington, Va. "Making All Things New" is the theme. Participants will examine US policy regarding the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, global economic justice, global security, ecological justice, and US domestic issues. An additional "track" will be offered on "Global Security and Nuclear Weapons Danger" focusing on terrorism, militarism, and nuclear weapons. Registration is $135, not including hotel stay. See www.advocacydays.org or call the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 800-785-3246.
- The Brethren Witness/Washington Office will host a drop-in Feb. 22 for the School of Americas (SOA) Watch Legislative Action Days. The event supports legislation to close the US Army's Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (formerly the SOA). See http://home.maryknoll.org or call the office at 800-785-3246.
- Mary Blocher Smeltzer of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, was one of more than 200 teachers honored by the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Feb. 5. The group taught Japanese American students in internment camps during World War II, and were honored for "extraordinary actions (that) touched and transformed a generation of Japanese Americans," reported the "Los Angeles Times." Smeltzer was invited to a dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel in company with many of the teachers, now in their 80s and 90s, who voluntarily joined Japanese Americans in the internment camps. "We thought they needed help, so we helped," she told the Times. She taught at the Manzanar camp in California with her husband Ralph, now deceased. "Inside the camp, when every public indication was that we had no future, you had these teachers saying, `Yes, you do matter,'" said Glenn Kumekawa, a retired Rhode Island professor who was sent to Topaz camp in Utah at age 14. Some 110,000 Japanese Americans were held at 10 camps and an estimated 30,000 children attended school there. Smeltzer and her husband also helped resettle 1,000 Japanese Americans in Chicago and New York through the Church of the Brethren.
- Bill Puffenberger, a retired Elizabethtown (Pa.) College professor of Religious Studies, is making a collection of Brethren Service Commission Cups in their various shapes, sizes, and wood types for permanent display at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. For a brief history of the cups, or to donate a cup to the collection, contact Puffenberger at 28 Shybrook Ct., Elizabethtown, PA 17022-9200; 717-367-7021; e-mail puffenwv@etown.edu. Include a brief descriptive note with cup donations. "We want to document the age, locality, wood type, and craftsperson of each donated cup if at all possible," Puffenberger said.
- "Lenten Fast from Violence" weekly resource guides are available from the US Committee for the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV), a program of the World Council of Churches. The guides for the six weeks of Lent highlight responses of people of faith to overcoming violence with nonviolent means. Weekly themes include violent media and video games, violence in creation, violence against women, militarism, Iraq, and the violence of poverty. Included are biblical reflections, prayers, educational resources, advocacy tools, and samples of nonviolent responses. See the DOV website www.overcomingviolence.org.
- The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund is offering a sample letter to the IRS that taxpayers concerned for peace may enclose with 2004 returns. The nonprofit campaign advocates for a law allowing conscientious objectors to pay full federal income taxes without funding the military. The letter explains that the sender is not opposed to paying taxes, expresses opposition to war, and supports the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill. It quotes the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not kill," and Matthew 5:44, Jesus' command to "Love your enemies." See www.peacetaxfund.org.
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Kim Stuckey Hissong resigns from On Earth Peace.
Kim Stuckey Hissong, program coordinator for Peacemaker Formation at On Earth Peace, has announced her resignation effective Aug. 24. She has worked with On Earth Peace since Oct. 2001. Hissong plans to pursue a master's degree in social work.
In her three and a half years at On Earth Peace, Hissong coordinated and led educational retreats, training events, and volunteer opportunities for youth and young adults seeking to develop faith-based beliefs and skills as peacemakers. She introduced innovative programs and ideas to Peacemaker Formation and demonstrated commitment to the youth of the denomination.
An announcement regarding the position opening will be released in early March. For more information contact On Earth Peace, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776; 410-635-8704; e-mail oepa_oepa@brethren.org; or see www.brethren.org/oepa.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
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Kim Stuckey Hissong, program coordinator for Peacemaker Formation at On Earth Peace, has announced her resignation effective Aug. 24. She has worked with On Earth Peace since Oct. 2001. Hissong plans to pursue a master's degree in social work.
In her three and a half years at On Earth Peace, Hissong coordinated and led educational retreats, training events, and volunteer opportunities for youth and young adults seeking to develop faith-based beliefs and skills as peacemakers. She introduced innovative programs and ideas to Peacemaker Formation and demonstrated commitment to the youth of the denomination.
An announcement regarding the position opening will be released in early March. For more information contact On Earth Peace, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776; 410-635-8704; e-mail oepa_oepa@brethren.org; or see www.brethren.org/oepa.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
Youth and young adults sought for mission conference.
A special effort is being made to include youth and young adults in the Mission Alive 2005 event on April 1-3 in Goshen, Ind. Evening reflection times for youth and young adults will be led by Chris Douglas, the General Board's director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The reflection time on Saturday evening during the conference also will feature time with general secretary Stan Noffsinger and Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships.
Mission Alive 2005 is planned as a missions challenge for the Church of the Brethren, sponsored by the General Board. Keynote topics include biblical guidance for mission, learnings from mission experience, emerging models of mission, and accepting the call to mission. Other features of the conference include global worship services, workshops, missionary reunions, and ice cream socials.
Planners also hope to draw pastors, board members, Sunday school teachers, prospective missionaries, and mission supporters. This week, all pastors and Witness chairs of Church of the Brethren congregations will receive brochures for the gathering. Each congregation is invited to send a representative and a special offering for new mission, to be received at the Sunday morning service.
Continuing education units are available to attendees (.75 for the entire conference) and can be arranged through the registration process. Registration is $50 before March 15, $60 after. To register online see www.brethren.org. For questions or brochures call Global Mission Partnerships at 800-323-8039 ext. 227.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
A special effort is being made to include youth and young adults in the Mission Alive 2005 event on April 1-3 in Goshen, Ind. Evening reflection times for youth and young adults will be led by Chris Douglas, the General Board's director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The reflection time on Saturday evening during the conference also will feature time with general secretary Stan Noffsinger and Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships.
Mission Alive 2005 is planned as a missions challenge for the Church of the Brethren, sponsored by the General Board. Keynote topics include biblical guidance for mission, learnings from mission experience, emerging models of mission, and accepting the call to mission. Other features of the conference include global worship services, workshops, missionary reunions, and ice cream socials.
Planners also hope to draw pastors, board members, Sunday school teachers, prospective missionaries, and mission supporters. This week, all pastors and Witness chairs of Church of the Brethren congregations will receive brochures for the gathering. Each congregation is invited to send a representative and a special offering for new mission, to be received at the Sunday morning service.
Continuing education units are available to attendees (.75 for the entire conference) and can be arranged through the registration process. Registration is $50 before March 15, $60 after. To register online see www.brethren.org. For questions or brochures call Global Mission Partnerships at 800-323-8039 ext. 227.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
Heartland Song and Story Fest to take place in Indiana.
The annual Church of the Brethren family camp Song and Story Fest will take place near North Manchester, Ind., July 6-12, following Annual Conference. The theme is "Heartland Song and Story Fest--Rooted and Grounded in Love."
On Earth Peace is sponsoring the event and its staff will help provide leadership. Other leaders include Jim Lehman, Jonathan Hunter, Kathy Guisewite, Sue Overman, Barb Sayler, Bob Gross, Cliff Kindy, Bill and Jacob Jolliff, Peg Lehman, Lee Krahenbuhl, Joseph Helfrich, Brian Krushwitz, and LuAnne Harley. The camp will be held at Joyfield Farm at the invitation of Cliff and Arlene Kindy and Rachel and Bob Gross. "We'll cook and eat some of their organic produce, camp in their fields, enjoy concerts and gatherings in a large rented tent and their barn, canoe on the Kenapocomoco River, and generally have a great time being together," said Ken Kline Smeltzer, volunteer director.
Registration includes meals and is $90 for adults, with graduated fees for children to a family maximum of $300. Registration will be available in a few weeks at www.brethren.org/oepa.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
The annual Church of the Brethren family camp Song and Story Fest will take place near North Manchester, Ind., July 6-12, following Annual Conference. The theme is "Heartland Song and Story Fest--Rooted and Grounded in Love."
On Earth Peace is sponsoring the event and its staff will help provide leadership. Other leaders include Jim Lehman, Jonathan Hunter, Kathy Guisewite, Sue Overman, Barb Sayler, Bob Gross, Cliff Kindy, Bill and Jacob Jolliff, Peg Lehman, Lee Krahenbuhl, Joseph Helfrich, Brian Krushwitz, and LuAnne Harley. The camp will be held at Joyfield Farm at the invitation of Cliff and Arlene Kindy and Rachel and Bob Gross. "We'll cook and eat some of their organic produce, camp in their fields, enjoy concerts and gatherings in a large rented tent and their barn, canoe on the Kenapocomoco River, and generally have a great time being together," said Ken Kline Smeltzer, volunteer director.
Registration includes meals and is $90 for adults, with graduated fees for children to a family maximum of $300. Registration will be available in a few weeks at www.brethren.org/oepa.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
The story of a week at a disaster rebuilding project.
By Dwight Butterbaugh
This fall, I received a letter asking for help at the Disaster Response project at Hallam, Neb., which a tornado hit in May 2004. Disaster Response is a program of the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries. The town of Hallam had 170 homes, and only seven were repairable.
The Nov. 14-20 dates fit my schedule and my next thought was of my two brothers, Dean and Duane Butterbaugh, members of Dixon (Ill.) Church of the Brethren. Their answers were "yes," so I knew I had the start of a crew.
We three brothers had never worked on a Disaster Response project together, but all had experience in building and each had served before in disaster work. I next recruited three people from my church: Earl Miller, a retired plumber, and Harold and Carla Goeking, who were interested because Hallam was the area where Harold was raised and his aunt lived near there. There were now six people lined up ready to go, and we received our instructions.
Lincoln, Neb., was our destination as we left on Sunday morning Nov. 14. We were to be housed and fed at Lincoln Church of the Brethren. Six of us used the church annex for sleeping, and it worked out very well with its one bathroom and a 12-gallon hot water heater. Our very good meals were in the church basement. Ken and Lou Ella Imhoff were project coordinators for the week, and Lou Ella was responsible for the good meals. The Mount Morris church had collected $90 for us to take the project coordinators out to eat. We decided Lou Ella's meals were so good, we would donate that money to the Emergency Disaster Fund.
There were two crews working that week, and crews had been at the site since September. We were the second crew from Illinois/Wisconsin District. The house the five of us worked on was for a family of five. We hung sheet rock and taped, and did other small jobs. When I used to build houses as my profession, I hired that work done for me! The family was trying for their third house after being burned out once, then having their house leveled by the tornado.
The Goekings said it was the best "vacation" they ever had. Earl Miller has since become interested in working further in disaster relief. I will remember this experience because we brothers--Dean, Duane, and I--shared a week of fellowship and getting to know the family we were building for. We refused mileage money, and our pay was a feeling of a job well done, memories, and safe travel.
--Dwight Butterbaugh is the Disaster Response contact person at Mt. Morris (Ill.) Church of the Brethren.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
By Dwight Butterbaugh
This fall, I received a letter asking for help at the Disaster Response project at Hallam, Neb., which a tornado hit in May 2004. Disaster Response is a program of the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries. The town of Hallam had 170 homes, and only seven were repairable.
The Nov. 14-20 dates fit my schedule and my next thought was of my two brothers, Dean and Duane Butterbaugh, members of Dixon (Ill.) Church of the Brethren. Their answers were "yes," so I knew I had the start of a crew.
We three brothers had never worked on a Disaster Response project together, but all had experience in building and each had served before in disaster work. I next recruited three people from my church: Earl Miller, a retired plumber, and Harold and Carla Goeking, who were interested because Hallam was the area where Harold was raised and his aunt lived near there. There were now six people lined up ready to go, and we received our instructions.
Lincoln, Neb., was our destination as we left on Sunday morning Nov. 14. We were to be housed and fed at Lincoln Church of the Brethren. Six of us used the church annex for sleeping, and it worked out very well with its one bathroom and a 12-gallon hot water heater. Our very good meals were in the church basement. Ken and Lou Ella Imhoff were project coordinators for the week, and Lou Ella was responsible for the good meals. The Mount Morris church had collected $90 for us to take the project coordinators out to eat. We decided Lou Ella's meals were so good, we would donate that money to the Emergency Disaster Fund.
There were two crews working that week, and crews had been at the site since September. We were the second crew from Illinois/Wisconsin District. The house the five of us worked on was for a family of five. We hung sheet rock and taped, and did other small jobs. When I used to build houses as my profession, I hired that work done for me! The family was trying for their third house after being burned out once, then having their house leveled by the tornado.
The Goekings said it was the best "vacation" they ever had. Earl Miller has since become interested in working further in disaster relief. I will remember this experience because we brothers--Dean, Duane, and I--shared a week of fellowship and getting to know the family we were building for. We refused mileage money, and our pay was a feeling of a job well done, memories, and safe travel.
--Dwight Butterbaugh is the Disaster Response contact person at Mt. Morris (Ill.) Church of the Brethren.
Source: 2/16/2005 Newsline
Top
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 as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Judy Keyser, Janis Pyle, Barb Sayler, Ken Kline Smeltzer, Fred Swartz, and Glenn and Linda Timmons contributed to this report.
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 as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Judy Keyser, Janis Pyle, Barb Sayler, Ken Kline Smeltzer, Fred Swartz, and Glenn and Linda Timmons contributed to this report.
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