NEWS

• Ballot is announced for Annual Conference 2005.
  
• Church of the Brethren, American Baptist leadership teams meet.
  
• On Earth Peace gives peace resource to ministry students.
  
• Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, and more.

PERSONNEL

• Grace Mishler completes term of service in Vietnam.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Health Promotion Sunday explores impact of uncompensated care.
• Early registration for Bethany worship conference due soon.

RESOURCES

• Believers Church Bible Commentary on Proverbs is published.

FEATURE

• 'Tenderness Tours' leave a trail of awe, appreciation.

SPECIAL REPORT

• Brethren congregations, individuals, and groups continue tsunami relief efforts.

Ballot is announced for Annual Conference 2005.

The Annual Conference Office has announced the ballot for Annual Conference July 2-6 in Peoria, Ill. The Nominating Committee of Standing Committee developed a full slate of candidates in January. Standing Committee then voted to create the ballot that will be presented to the Conference delegates.

Nominees on the ballot, by position, are:

• MODERATOR-ELECT:
  • Ruthann Knechel Johansen,
  • Belita D. Mitchell;
• ANNUAL CONFERENCE COUNCIL:
  • Earle Fike Jr.,
  • James F. Myer;
• PROGRAM AND ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE:
  • Sonja Pauline Griffith,
  • Kristi A. Kellerman;
• PASTORAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
  • Jill I. Loomis,
  • David Shoup;
• REVIEW AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE:
  • Dale W. Brown,
  • Wanda Will Button,
  • Michaela Camps,
  • Rebecca Baile Crouse,
  • Craig L. Gandy,
  • Paul Hoffman,
  • Brian Mackie,
  • James Edward Martinez,
  • Janet Ober,
  • Orlando Redekopp;
• ASSOCIATION OF BRETHREN CAREGIVERS:
  • Brian S. Black,
  • Tammy (Craig) Kiser,
  • Patrick R. Liley,
  • Heather L. Neff;
• BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TRUSTEE--MINISTRY:
  • John David Bowman,
  • Craig Alan Myers;
• BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TRUSTEE--LAITY:
  • Ted Flory,
  • Mary Patterson Wysong;
• BRETHREN BENEFIT TRUST:
  • Sally A. Brubaker,
  • Carol Ann Jackson Greenwood;
• ON EARTH PEACE:
  • Janice Dull Eller,
  • Sarah Quinter Malone;
• COMMITTEE ON INTERCHURCH RELATIONS:
  • Ilexene Alphonse,
  • Rene Quintanilla.

On March 4 the Annual Conference Information Packet on CD including registration and housing information will be mailed in a Source packet to each congregation; on March 10 the Information Packet will be available on the Annual Conference website at www.brethren.org/ac/. This year, housing registration will be made by mail only and will begin March 11. Online registration for the Conference will be available on the website.

The 2005 registration fee schedule for adult non-delegates is $75 for the whole conference if pre-registered, $85 onsite; $40 pre-registered for the weekend only, $50 onsite; and $25 for daily registrations. For more information about children's rates, rates for Brethren Volunteer Service workers, and group discounts, see the website. The Conference hotel price range this year is $70-$92 with an 11.5 percent hotel room tax.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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Church of the Brethren, American Baptist leadership teams meet.

Leadership teams from the Church of the Brethren General Board and the American Baptist Churches USA met Feb. 7 at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center, following up a similar meeting a year ago at American Baptist headquarters in Valley Forge, Pa. The two denominations have had an associated relationship since 1973 and have been renewing connections over the last two years.

The meeting began with worship and then noted the variety of ways in which the two denominations are interacting. Among newest developments: the American Baptists were pleased by a request that an American Baptist be appointed to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference committee studying ways to become a more multicultural church, and have made an appointment to that committee; the president of American Baptist-affiliated Judson College in Elgin, Ill., attended a Church of the Brethren consultation on church-college connections Feb. 10-12 at Manchester College; and Belita Mitchell, chair of the Church of the Brethren Committee on Interchurch Relations, attended the American Baptist Committee on Christian Unity.

The group spent time discussing Brethren approaches to working at reconciliation in situations of conflict. The session was led by Annie Clark, program coordinator of Conflict Transformation for On Earth Peace. In other conversations the group shared experiences about specific areas of denominational work, including long-range planning, new church planting, and overseas mission. A tour of the Brethren Service Center gave the American Baptists the opportunity to see the warehousing and distribution work of Church World Service and Interchurch Medical Assistance, as well as their own "White Cross" program.

American Baptists attending the meeting were Roy Medley, general secretary, and members of the executive leadership council: Sumner Grant, Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board; Margaret Cowden, National Ministries; and Charles Jones, International Ministries. From the Church of the Brethren General Board leadership team, participants were Stan Noffsinger, general secretary, and executive directors of the General Board's ministry areas: Judy Keyser, Centralized Resources; Merv Keeney, Global Mission Partnerships; Wendy McFadden, Brethren Press; Roy Winter, Brethren Service Center; and Del Keeney, Congregational Life Ministries.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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On Earth Peace gives peace resource to ministry students.

On Earth Peace is giving a copy of Dale Brown's book "Biblical Pacifism" to each ministry student and minister-in-training in the Church of the Brethren. With a concern for pastoral leadership well-grounded in the scriptural basis of the teachings of the church, On Earth Peace is donating copies of the book to students at Bethany Theological Seminary and its Susquehanna Valley Satellite, and all participants in the nondegree ministry training programs TRIM and ACTS. In addition, the book will be available to students in district-based ministry training programs.

On Earth Peace also has offered to provide leadership for seminars or Bible studies focused on the book by Brown, a retired Bethany professor who continues to teach as adjunct faculty for the seminary's satellite program.

Leaders of ministry training programs were appreciative. "Let me express deep gratitude for this generous gift to the students. Dale's book is timeless and important," said Amy Gall Ritchie, director of student development at Bethany.

The gift of hundreds of books is made possible by a donation from longtime supporters of On Earth Peace. "We deeply appreciate the initiative and generosity of these donors," said Bob Gross, co-executive director. "We are always glad for this kind of partnership with other denominational institutions, and with committed individual members who care about the faithfulness and vitality of the church."

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, and more.

• Florence (Flossie) Miller Royer, a longtime mission worker with the Church of the Brethren, died Feb. 25 in Ft. Wayne, Ind. She and her husband, Ralph, served with the church in Niger and Nigeria for 35 years. Royer began her mission work in Nigeria 1951-55 as a nurse in the mission-run leprosarium. She received her nursing degree from the nursing school at Swedish Covenant Hospital. In 1957 the Royers returned to Nigeria where she continued to work as a nurse in hospitals and dispensaries and her husband worked as an educator. Royer also served as a houseparent at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria, and was a leader in Girl's Brigade, a Christian organization for Nigerian girls similar to Girl Scouts. In 1976 the couple moved to Niger during a time of drought and famine to do community development work on behalf of the church. There in 1980 Flossie began a six-year term as a nurse in a Peace Corps medical unit while Ralph helped develop appropriate technology and then led the work of Church World Service in Niger. The Royers also served with Church World Service in Liberia. The Royers spoke three African languages--Margi, Bura, and Hausa--as well as French. Since 1987 the Royers have lived in Claypool, Ind., where they farmed and built an energy-efficient home. They have been active in Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, Ind. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 4, at the church.
  
  
• Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing Network, which are jointly sponsoring the new Gather `Round Sunday school curriculum, have secured two additional staff for the project. Amy Gingerich of Washington, D.C., has begun as fulltime managing editor. She has a master of divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion and writing and editing experience with newspapers in Indiana and California. Terry Stutzman Mast of Lodi, Calif., has begun as half-time associate editor. Mast is a graduate of Bluffton College in Ohio, a degree in writing from Illinois State University, and background in writing, design, and editing for a variety of magazines and projects. Gingerich and Mast join Gather 'Round project director Anna Speicher on the curriculum staff.
  
  
• Mark Hartwig will begin March 28 as computer and programming specialist for the General Board in Elgin, Ill. His background includes positions as computer coordinator/trainer and Information Services manager. He also holds a master's degree in pastoral studies and is a spiritual director.
  
  
• Diane Graefen of East Dundee, Ill., has begun as Annual Conference registration coordinator, a temporary position through June 10. Her primary responsibilities are registration for delegates and non-delegates attending the Conference July 2-6 in Peoria, Ill.
  
  
• On Earth Peace, an agency of the Church of the Brethren with responsibility for peace and reconciliation ministries, seeks a program coordinator for Peacemaker Formation to work at its office at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The position plans and coordinates overall peace education program including retreats for youth and peace resource programs, interpretation, and cooperative projects. Qualifications are commitment to Christian peacemaking; experience with faith-based education; understanding of conflict resolution, justice issues, nonviolence, and the scriptural basis of peacemaking; ability to work independently and in a team; communication and computer skills and organizational ability; willingness to travel; familiarity with the Church of the Brethren; and a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. For position description see www.brethren.org/oepa/PeacemakerFormationCoordinator.html. The position is available Aug. 15. Review of applications begins April 30 until the position is filled. Send resume, letter of application, and contact information for three to four references to both On Earth Peace executive directors: Barbara Sayler, bsayler_oepa@brethren.org, 502-222-5886; and Bob Gross, bgross@igc.org, 260-982-7751. E-mail with attachments is the preferred form of application. If applying by post or fax send to: Search Committee, On Earth Peace, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776-0188; fax 410-635-8707.
  
  
• The General Board seeks a part-time (15 hours per week) promotions specialist for "Messenger" magazine, location negotiable. The position is available spring of 2005, with funding available for two years. The promotions specialist will work with congregations and small groups to increase subscriptions to "Messenger." The ideal candidate has abilities in the areas of marketing or promotions and strong knowledge of the Church of the Brethren including familiarity with "Messenger"; is skilled in oral and written communication and is proficient in Word, Quark Xpress, other graphic design tools, and Internet use; and has a minimum of an associate's degree or equivalent, with a bachelor's degree preferred. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Mary Lou Garrison, Director of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. Application deadline is April 15.
  
  
• Today the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships hosted Church World Service regional director Janet Young and a delegation of eight church leaders from Argentina at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The group is visiting the US to observe church ministries responding to hunger, homelessness, and poverty. They visited Elgin's Interfaith Food Pantry and met with Elgin Cooperative Ministries, PADS (a cooperative organization of churches providing shelter to the homeless), and the Community Crisis Center. The delegation will spend about two weeks in Illinois and Nebraska and conclude the trip at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., will host a by-invitation-only Anabaptist Consultation on Alternative Service March 4-5. The meeting will bring together more than 85 people from the historic peace churches--Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, Brethren in Christ, and Friends (Quakers)--and other peacemaking traditions to do contingency planning in case of a military draft, discuss increased military recruitment, and highlight the tradition of service. The Council of Moderators and Secretaries, a group of leaders from Anabaptist denominations, is sponsoring the consultation.
  
  
• Two more 2005 Level 1 Disaster Child Care Training Workshops have been announced, in addition to those listed in the Newsline of Feb. 2. The additional workshops for those interested in becoming child care volunteers following disasters will be held Sept. 16-17 at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., and Nov. 11-12 at Brook Park (Ohio) Community Church of the Brethren. For more information call Helen Stonesifer at 800-451-4407 (option 5) or see www.disasterchildcare.org.
  
  
• Brochures and registration forms are available for the Retreat for Clergy Women Nov. 14-17, sponsored by the General Board's Ministry Office. The retreat in East Troy, Wis., is for licensed and ordained clergywomen in the Church of the Brethren. Leadership will be provided by Jan Richardson, an artist, writer, and ordained United Methodist minister. Registration is $175 before June 1, $200 before Aug. 1, with a discount for fulltime seminary or TRIM students. Contact Myrna Wheeler, 608 Santa Cruz Ct., San Dimas, CA 91773-3332.
  
  
• Members of Hope Church of the Brethren in Freeport, Mich., combined talents on Feb. 12 to produce a show called "Love Blooms on Hopeful Prairie," in the vein of Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion." James Kinsey, a member of the General Board's Congregational Life Teams, organized the show to celebrate the area served by the church, according to an article in the "Lakewood News." The show benefited Habitat for Humanity. Contact Kinsey for a copy of the script, which is available for use by anyone who is interested; e-mail jkinsey_gb@brethren.org
  
  
• Williamson Road Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., will host "Awakening 2005" on March 10-12. Bridgewater (Va.) College will provide leadership for the event with Robbie Miller, director of Religious Life and college chaplain, speaking Thursday evening; the college's Concert Choir, Chorale, and Bell Choir performing Friday to begin their spring concert season; and William Abshire, associate professor of Religion, bringing the message Saturday evening. The Thursday and Saturday services will begin with a hymn sing at 7 p.m., with the services and the Friday concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. Child care will be provided and rides are available for residents of Friendship Manor. For more information call the church at 540-366-0291.
  
  
• Beatrice Biira of Uganda will be the featured speaker at a Heifer International information forum and fundraising banquet 6 p.m. March 14 at Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren, Quarryville, Pa. Biira will explain how the gift of a goat helped her fulfill her lifelong dream of going to school. She is a freshman at Connecticut College. Cost is $135 for a table of eight. For more information e-mail wjb@paonline.com.
  
  
• Eighteen Brethren congregations met together for a service to benefit York (Pa.) Habitat for Humanity Feb. 27. The hymn and praise service was at First Church of the Brethren in York.
  
  
• Twenty two people gathered in Wonder Valley in the foothills below Sequoia National Park for a retreat for licensed ministers in Pacific South West District Feb. 5-6. The retreat was planned to offer encouragement, educational experiences, and opportunities for ministers to support each other, reported R. Jan Thompson. "Spouses were invited to attend so they could also learn to know others who are seeking to fulfill a call into some form of ministry," he said. Del Keeney, the General Board's executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, provided leadership, drawing upon his years of experience in the pastoral ministry. Planning Sunday morning worship as a group was a highlight of the weekend. Bryan Boyer, district executive, also led the group in a full love feast. For a few attendees, it was the first time to participate in feetwashing. Licensed ministers traveled as far as 740 miles because of the large geographic size of the district.
  
  
• Southern Pennsylvania District is holding its First Annual Missions Dinner at 6 p.m. March 5 at Chambersburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The featured speaker is Irvin Heishman, General Board mission staff in the Dominican Republic. Cost is $10. An offering will be taken to support the denomination's work in the DR. For more information see www.cob-net.org/church/sopa_dinner.htm.
  
  
• Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio, is hosting "Cherry Lodge Get-Away: Peace Skills for the Family" March 11-12, with leadership from On Earth Peace and Northern Ohio District's Peace Task Team and district Peace/Conciliation worker Russ Veal. Overnight charge is $15 per person. For more information call 419-945-2327 or 330-484-1106, or e-mail djparker@bright.net or vealrev@aol.com.
  
  
• Bridgewater (Va.) College's 45-voice Concert Choir will perform at Brethren congregations during its spring tour: 7:30 p.m. March 11 at the Roanoke Valley Churches of the Brethren Awakening Service at Williamson Road Church of the Brethren; 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Antioch Church of the Brethren, Rocky Mount, Va.; 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 13, at Peters Creek Church of the Brethren, Roanoke; 3 p.m. March 13 at Charlottesville (Va.) Church of the Brethren; 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Waynesboro (Va.) Church of the Brethren; 7:30 p.m. April 1 at Somerset (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; 7:30 p.m. April 2 at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; 10:40 a.m. Sunday April 3 at Waynesboro (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; and 11 a.m. Sunday April 10 at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Concerts will feature, in addition to the choir, the 23-voice Chorale and student-directed Handbell Choir. The choir and chorale are directed by Jesse E. Hopkins, the Edwin L. Turner Distinguished Professor of Music who was choir director for the 2004 Annual Conference. Repertory includes requiem movements from works by Brahms, Durufle, Faure, and Mozart, as well as works by contemporary composers.
  
  
• Church World Service (CWS) is working with WorldManna.org on an interfaith initiative to persuade the food industry to donate one percent of proceeds to hunger. Established in June 2004, WorldManna.org is an interfaith program initiated by SocialAction.com of Jewish Family & Life. Proceeds will go to international nonprofits. "By amassing the collective purchasing power of consumers, faith-based organizations are sending a clear message to food manufacturers to compel them to join us in the worldwide effort to alleviate and prevent world hunger," said CWS executive director John L. McCullough. Consumers visit www.worldmanna.org to sign a pledge indicating how much they spend on groceries each month. With this collective purchasing power, WorldManna.org hopes to persuade food companies to exchange one percent of profits for permission to put the WorldManna.org seal on their products, as a sign that the purchase directly fights hunger. WorldManna.org estimates that the 7,900 who have signed the pledge already represent a purchasing power of more than $1.3 million.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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Grace Mishler completes term of service in Vietnam.

Grace Mishler of Union Center Church of the Brethren, Nappanee, Ind., has completed a four-year term of service in Vietnam on Feb. 28. She was jointly sponsored by the General Board and Eastern Mennonite Missions. While serving in Ho Chi Minh City at National Vietnam University, she networked and empowered people with disabilities.

Mishler developed a course titled, "Social Awareness of Persons with Disabilities." She not only opened doors for those with disabilities to take a greater role in Vietnamese society, but also began a grassroots movement that has given people with disabilities an authentic voice, reported the board's Global Mission Partnerships Office.

After a period of settling back in to the US, Mishler will share her experiences in Vietnam with congregations and other groups. Contact Janis Pyle, coordinator for Mission Connections, at 800-323-8039 ext. 227.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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Health Promotion Sunday explores impact of uncompensated care.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) invites Church of the Brethren congregations to consider "Exploring the Impact of Uncompensated Care" on Health Promotion Sunday May 15.

The Fellowship of Brethren Homes, a ministry of ABC, has brought the issue to the attention of church leaders and the denomination through a booklet titled "The Burden of Uncompensated Care in Brethren Retirement Centers and the Church." The booklet will be included in the Health Promotion Sunday packet from ABC. Other materials will discuss when to consider different levels of care and long-term care insurance, and offer worship and sermon ideas.

"When older adults are encouraged to gift away their assets and rely on federal programs to cover their care expenses, there are moral implications," said ABC in a release about the event. Federal and state programs have severely curtailed reimbursement for this kind of care, causing Brethren retirement centers to provide as much as $14 million annually in uncompensated care rather than moving out residents who can no longer pay for their care, ABC said.

Health Promotion Sunday resources are available at www.brethren.org/abc/. A printed version can be requested at no charge by calling ABC at 800-323-8039. ABC sponsors Health Promotion Sunday for the Church of the Brethren each year.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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Early registration for Bethany worship conference due soon.

March 8 is the early registration deadline for "Hebrews 12:28--Brimming With Worship," a conference celebrating music and the arts in worship April 8-10 in Richmond, Ind. A late registration fee of $30 will be added after March 8. The conference is part of Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial celebration and is funded by the Rosenberger Memorial Recital Series and the Stephen I. Katonah Endowment for Faith and the Arts.

Keynote speakers are Sally Morgenthaler, founder of Sacramentis.com--Re-imagining Worship for a New Millennium; James Abbington, professor of Music at Morgan State University and executive editor of the African American Church Music Series from GIA Publications, Inc.; and Nadine Pence Frantz, professor of Theological Studies at Bethany, who is developing reflections around images of Jesus as the Christ and a book using visual art to engage with the theological task. Each speaker, as well as a variety of other leaders, will give workshops. Workshops will be offered on a variety of topics including choral directing, drama, worship centers, banners, technology, organ and piano performance, and storytelling.

Registration including three lunches and three nights' lodging is $229 for the first person from a congregation, $159 for others. Commuter registration (no lodging) is $99 for the first person from a congregation, $69 for others. Participants qualify for 1.5 continuing education units. Registration forms were mailed in the March Source packet to all Brethren congregations. Registration forms also are available at www.bethanyseminary.edu or may be requested from 800-287-8822 or bethanysem@aol.com.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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New Believers Church Bible Commentary on Proverbs is published.

The Proverbs Believers Church Bible Commentary by John W. Miller has been published by Herald Press. The book may be ordered from Brethren Press for $24.99 plus shipping and handling, call 800-441-3712. It is the 19th volume in the commentary series, a cooperative venture of Anabaptist denominations and other groups.

Miller is professor emeritus at Conrad Grebel University College, an affiliate of the University of Waterloo in Canada. The commentary "is unique for its detailed uncovering of evidence for two editions of Proverbs, a first in the time of Solomon and a second in support of King Hezekiah's historic religious reforms," a release from Herald Press said. "In this light heretofore puzzling features of the book's design, purpose, and message are clarified and the book's relevance for its time and ours is greatly enhanced."

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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'Tenderness Tours' leave a trail of awe, appreciation.
By Tom Mullen

Richard Propes likes to travel. Since 1989 he has visited over a hundred cities and towns in Indiana, and many others in Kentucky and Ohio. What makes those visits extraordinary is that Richard is a paraplegic, and all those trips totaling over 3,000 miles were made in his self-propelled wheelchair.

Richard was born with spina bifida and later lost both feet to amputation due to infection. He was also abused as a child, and so he has been riding his wheelchair since 1989 hoping to get our attention and help in the fight against child abuse. We met him when he started attending the Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis and since have become acquainted with his remarkable journey.

Richard calls his wheelchair trips "Tenderness Tours" and how they began and what they've become is a remarkable story. In his own words: "When I began the `Tenderness Tours' in 1989, I never expected it to become a lifelong journey. I had no plan, no agenda, no vision beyond speaking my own truth and healing myself and, hopefully, a few others along the way.... In October 1989, I left Indianapolis from the downtown office of Prevent Child Abuse Indiana with no support team, a backpack on my chair, $20 in my pocket and a few letters proclaiming my mission.... In some way, I must confess, I hoped this tour would be a 'final mission' in my pathetic life.

"Instead, I experienced rebirth after 41 days and 1,086 miles on the roads of Indiana. I traveled by wheelchair the entire way, dependent on the kindness of strangers for my very survival. I was never let down. I came home with a renewed faith in God and humanity, knowing my disability did not define me, my child abuse did not define me.... I came home with a mission for my life."

And how his life has progressed. In addition to his many wheelchair excursions around the Midwest, including one from Indianapolis to Chicago, he has flown to St. Louis, Denver, several cities in Arizona and Orlando, Fla., where he received the Donna J. Stone Award, which recognizes nationally the top volunteer working to prevent child abuse. His efforts have raised something close to $100,000, every penny of which goes to charities that deal with child or domestic abuse.

He accepts donations for his cause, hospitality along the way, and often speaks or meets with sponsoring organizations. Sometimes volunteers escort him or help with logistics and publicity. Some physicians and nurses have provided medical care when needed. Mostly, however, he is self-reliant. One item on a list of needs he showed me demonstrated his modest attitude toward what he does: "Donation of a new/gently used sports wheelchair for use during tour events (a demo model would be acceptable)."

A graduate summa cum laude from Martin University with a degree in counseling psychology, he has supported himself and does not receive disability benefits. At this writing he was waiting for the results of a third vocational interview for a position with a mentoring agency in Indianapolis. Richard lives in a modest northeast home which he purchased, drives his own car, and is considering enrolling in seminary next year.

Many others besides this writer have been impressed by this modest, unassuming, funny man who lives his life with commitment, joy, and--so far as I could tell--total lack of self-pity. If all his awards, keys to cities, plaques, and certificates were laid end to end, including having been named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O'Bannon, well, it would take Richard a long time to wheel past all of them. And to the surprise of no one who is acquainted with Richard Propes, in 1999 he founded the Tenderness Award to recognize outstanding contributions to Indiana's children. He not only wins honors, he honors others as well.

Every so often we meet people whom it is easy to admire because they live exemplary lives. Some prove to be genuinely modest, full of good humor, and living their lives with faith and courage. Richard Propes has been such a person for me. I hope you'll meet him sometime along the way. He'll be driving a four-wheeler with a backpack attached and probably wearing a smile. Say "hi" and tell him thanks.

--Tom Mullen of Richmond, Ind., is an ordained minister, author, and public speaker. This article is reprinted with permission of the "Palladium-Item," where it was originally published Jan. 30.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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Special Report:
Brethren congregations, individuals, and groups continue tsunami relief efforts.

Many Church of the Brethren congregations, individuals, colleges, and other Brethren groups have been raising money and material donations to aid survivors of the Dec. 26 tsunami in Asia, through the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) and Emergency Response/Service Ministries program. Since the beginning of the year the EDF has received $764,521 in donations.

Following is a compilation of the latest of these efforts:

First Church of the Brethren in Wichita, Kan., voted to send $25,000 to the EDF, depleting the congregation's reserves built up from an extended period of time without a pastor, according to the Western Plains District newsletter. "The congregation had been counting on these reserves to match their income to their new budget for the year, which goes beyond their present level of giving," the newsletter reported. "We commend them for their vision and seeking to be faithful to God's claim upon their lives."

Mountain View Church of the Brethren in Boise, Idaho, held a community fair Feb. 12 to raise money for tsunami relief. "God be praised!" reported pastor David McKellip. "We had a great turnout from the community and moved a huge amount of second-hand stuff. Sold over $80 of donuts and chili. The silent auction went very well.... It looks like when everything is in, we will raise over $2,000." Information tables featured Church World Service and its CROP and Blanket Sunday programs, Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, World Relief, A Greater Gift (SERRV), and Ten Thousand Villages.

Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren youth held a Tsunami Fast for 30 hours Feb. 25-26, reported Jody Gunn. The funds raised by sponsorships were donated to the EDF. "Last year the group raised $1,000 for World Vision and decided to change their recipient organization for 2005," Gunn said. The youth began a juice and water fast after lunch Friday and broke it with a light supper Saturday. A work project during the weekend lock-in was assembling Health Kits. "They hope other youth groups in the Church of the Brethren will participate in a fast to aid survivors of the tsunami," Gunn said.

At Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren Jennie Reist, a recent college graduate, asked about the possibility of going to Asia to assist personally with relief efforts. "Since this wasn't an option," reported Lititz moderator Jim Gibble, "she was encouraged to collect relief kits. Jennie delivered the kits to Church World Service at New Windsor. This was her first visit to the Brethren Service Center. Also more than $5,000 has been raised to support the efforts of the General Board." The Lititz congregation and community embraced the project, according to the "Lititz Record Express." Many individuals and families in the church, as well as Sunday school classes, families from the church's Toddler Gym, the Friends Club from the ALIVE program, and even a local fifth-grade elementary school class helped collect and assemble Health Kits for tsunami victims as well as Emergency Clean-Up Kit buckets to help disaster-devastated areas in the US. "It would be wonderful if the kits wouldn't all fit in my car," Reist told the newspaper.

Many other congregations collected Gift of the Heart kits as well, notably Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, which delivered 3,612 Health Kits to the Brethren Service Center as of Feb. 1 and was planning to put together 400 more.

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren in Glen Arm, Md., which usually makes about 700 Gift of the Heart kits every year, by mid-February had assembled 875 kits and delivered them to the Brethren Service Center. After hearing about the tsunami, "money came in, supplies were purchased, and we met three times to assemble kits," reported Marian Bollinger. "One Sunday, folks stayed after worship for soup and salad (contributed money towards kits) and then assembled 200 kits. It was great to see 35 or 40 persons having so much fun working together and helping others around the globe."

The Pathfinders at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren near Adel, Iowa, sent 37 Health Kits and three Medical Kits. "We have a good start to meet pastor Peg's challenge to send 100 more kits by Easter," they reported in the church newsletter.

Among others collecting kits were Staunton (Va.) Church of the Brethren, which placed a notice in the newspaper inviting the community to contribute to its kit collection; Polo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, which worked with several individuals as well as other churches and area businesses to donate 609 kits; Freeport (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, which stationed drop-off barrels for Health Kit donations at two sites in town; and the four Church of the Brethren congregations in the mid-shore region of Maryland--Easton, Denton, Fairview, and Ridgely--which will collect items for Health Kits through April 1, unless the need then is still critical in which case the project will continue.

In Southern Pennsylvania District, Marsh Creek Church of the Brethren in Gettysburg, Pa., responded to a Jan. 2 challenge from pastor Joel Nogle to make and contribute 100 kits. By Jan. 16 the church had donated money and necessary items for 295 Health Kits and delivered them to New Windsor, reported district staff Georgia Markey. The Gettysburg youth also hosted a pancake breakfast to raise a love offering for Medical Kits. In addition, Carlisle (Pa.) Church of the Brethren collected 165 Health Kits; Bermudian Church of the Brethren in East Berlin, Pa., collected 105; Newville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren collected 54; and Shippensburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren collected 47. Mission Central of Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren collected 148 kits and Emergency Clean-Up Kit buckets.

McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren also was challenged to provide 100 Health Kits. After two weeks, the congregation had more than doubled that number, collecting 206 kits. The junior high and senior high youth assembled the kits and donated many of the bandages and ziplock bags, and bought more supplies for incomplete kits. An anonymous donor committed to pay the $1 handling fee for each kit, to go to Church World Service to cover shipping costs.

At least two Church of the Brethren districts have contributed corporately to the denominational effort. Some 60 congregations in Virlina District collected donations totaling $62,210.60 as of Feb. 25. In West Marva District the Disaster and Relief Committee sent $5,000 from local emergency disaster funds.

"The North Manchester community and Manchester College collected an amazing amount in just one month for the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund," reported Jeri S. Kornegay, director of Media and Public Relations for the college. A note from college president Jo Young Switzer said that another round of student donations was held on campus, in addition to that reported in Newsline on Jan. 21. Along with $2,884 from Dexter Axle, a North Manchester company that matched donations from its 220 employees, and gifts from North Manchester neighbors and members of the college community, the effort coordinated by the college came to a total of $9,631. "It's pretty common for the people in the plant to step up and help people when there's a need," noted Dexter Axle plant manager Pat Mulroy. The donations were forwarded to the Church of the Brethren for its support of Church World Service relief work for the tsunami victims.

Please send any further news of Church of the Brethren efforts for tsunami relief to cobnews@aol.com.

Source: 03/02/2005 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 as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Mary Dulabaum, Mary Kay Heatwole, Mary Lou Garrison, Bob Gross, Wendy McFadden, Janis Pyle, Marcia Shetler, and R. Jan Thompson contributed to this report.