NEWS

• Church of the Brethren membership falls again in 2004.
  
• Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center board approves incorporation.
  
• Seminary board approves advancement for faculty, candidates for graduation.
  
• Conference brings 85 youth and advisors to Manchester College.
  
• Vital Pastor program sponsors three 'immersion retreats.'
  
• Brethren represented at 'Beyond Iraq: Building the Beloved Community.'
  
• Brethren bits: Job openings, Cover the Uninsured, and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Cross-cultural tour visits churches in Virginia, N. Carolina, Tennessee.
  
• On Earth Peace helps sponsor peace conference in September.

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NOTE TO READERS: April has been a month of special meetings for the Brethren. Next week look for a Special Report covering the "Hebrews 12:28--Brimming with Worship" conference at Bethany Theological Seminary, the Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration, and the Christian Citizenship Seminar focusing on conscientious objection.

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Church of the Brethren membership falls again in 2004.

Overall Church of the Brethren membership continued to decline in 2004, according to year-end figures collected by the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook," published by Brethren Press. The denomination reported a net loss of 1,280 members last year, down just under one percent from the previous year. It is, however, a smaller decline than in 2003, when the Church of the Brethren had a net loss of 1,363 members.

Reported membership for the Church of the Brethren in the US and Puerto Rico is now 131,201. The figure does not include membership of Brethren bodies in other countries, including Nigeria, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.

In the US, seven districts reported a net increase in 2004, while 16 saw a decrease. Atlantic Southeast District had the largest percentage increase, up 2.3 percent (a net gain of 44 members). Mid-Atlantic District had the largest numerical gain, with a net increase of 57 members (0.57 percent). The districts of Idaho, West Marva, Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Oregon/Washington also reported gains.

The middle and western parts of the denomination reported the biggest declines, with Missouri/Arkansas District down a net 12.9 percent, Southern Plains down 8.62 percent, and Pacific Southwest down 5.17 percent. All four Pennsylvania districts and both Indiana districts also reported declines, however, some exceeding 2 percent. Atlantic Northeast, the denomination's largest district, had the largest reported numerical decline, with a net loss of 217 members (1.44 percent).

The number of full congregations decreased by one, to 1,024, but the number of fellowships and projects increased from 37 to 44, suggesting a burst of new church plants. Total reported average worship attendance remained nearly steady from a year earlier, at 67,591 per week.

"Yearbook" figures are based on data provided by congregations that turn in updated statistical reports; 71 percent did so for 2004. Denominational membership has declined every year since 1974, and has been on a downward trend since the early 1960s.

The "Church of the Brethren Yearbook" lists contact information and statistics for the congregations, districts, and agencies of the denomination, as well as related Brethren organizations and church staff. The 2005 edition will be available soon from Brethren Press—call 800-441-3712.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center board approves incorporation.

The governing board of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center—formerly the Susquehanna Valley Satellite—approved articles of incorporation at its April 6 meeting. The action completed a nine-month process of changing the name and structure of the center, which is affiliated with Bethany Theological Seminary. The center now meets the requirements for operation of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the state in which it is located, reported Marcia L. Shetler, the seminary's director of Public Relations.

The process brings the center's structure in line with its governance and strengthens the ties with the seminary, said Ed Poling, a member of Bethany's Board of Trustees and representative to the center's board. To meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Higher Education, the seminary is required to approve and accredit all graduate-level courses offered by the center. Certificate-level courses must be endorsed by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a joint program of the seminary and the General Board. Bethany president Eugene Roop represented the center to the department of education in the approval process.

Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center is located on the campus of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. Along with the seminary, five Church of the Brethren districts in the northeast are partners in its operation. Warren Eshbach serves as the center's dean, Donna Rhodes as dean of Certificate and Continuing Education Programs, and Mary Schiavoni as program coordinator and registrar. Bob Neff is chair of the center's governing board.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Seminary board approves advancement for faculty, candidates for graduation.

The Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees gathered for its semiannual meeting April 1-3. The board approved tenure and advancement for three faculty members, approved 13 candidates for graduation pending fulfillment of their academic requirements, and received reports from its committees including a report that gifts for Bethany's financial campaign Inspired by the Spirit—Educating for Ministry now exceed $13.6 million. The Board approved a 2005-06 fiscal year budget of just over $2.1 million.

Advancement was approved for faculty members Scott Holland, for tenure in Peace and Cross-Cultural Studies; Tara Hornbacker, for tenure and advancement to associate professor of Ministry Formation; and Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, for tenure and advancement to associate professor of Preaching and Worship.

The Academic Affairs Committee discussed ways to increase the number of fulltime graduate students, learned that the Advanced Foundations for Church Leadership program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has enrolled a new cohort group of ten people, and has received several proposals for the Vital Pastor Program. The committee also heard a report on plans for an Exploring Your Call Event for high school youth, administered by the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults, which will take place Aug. 4-7.

The Institutional Advancement Committee reported that the seminary's centennial celebration is continuing with the "Hebrews 12:28--Brimming with Worship" music and arts in worship conference April 8-10; events at Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill., this summer; and Homecoming Weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Members of the Institutional Advancement staff reported beginning work on a "graphic standards" project, including possible logo and publication development and implementation.

The Student and Business Affairs Committee reported that additional office space has been created in the seminary building's lower level for Brethren Academy personnel.

In other business, vice-chair Ray Donadio reported on the visit of several board members to Bologna, Italy, for a meeting of representatives of the seminary and Church of the Brethren-related colleges to discuss the international components of their educational programs.

The board welcomed new member Elaine Gibbel of Lititz, Pa. , and expressed appreciation to Ed Poling of Hagerstown, Md., and Ron Sink of Blue Ridge, Va., who are completing their terms of service. The board's new officers are chair Anne Reid of Roanoke, Va.; vice-chair Ray Donadio of Greenville, Ohio; secretary Ted Flory of Bridgewater, Va.; Academic Affairs Committee chair Ron Wyrick of Harrisonburg, Va.; Institutional Advancement Committee chair Connie Rutt of Quarryville, Pa.; and Student and Business Affairs Committee chair Jim Dodson of Lexington, Ky.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Conference brings 85 youth and advisors to Manchester College.

Eighty-five senior high youth and advisors met on the campus of Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., April 16-17 for the Midwest's Regional Youth Conference.

On Earth Peace staff member Matt Guynn served as keynote speaker for the weekend, leading three sessions on the national youth theme, "Seeing God." Joseph Helfrich and Brett Clark provided music leadership.

Guynn focused on ways one moves from blindness to sight, handing out symbolic blindfolds that youth carried with them during the conference. "What are those forms of blindness you're ready to release so that you can see God more clearly?" Guynn asked the group. He also wrote an upbeat chorus used in a moving evening worship: "No longer blind, let me see, Christ in you, Christ in me."

Participants could choose from a variety of workshops Saturday afternoon, followed by time to enjoy campus "Peace Week" activities or other recreation options. Several members of the band Mutual Kumquat gave a concert Saturday night.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Vital Pastor program sponsors three ‘immersion retreats.'

Three groups of Church of the Brethren pastors are currently experiencing 'immersion retreats' through the Vital Pastor program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. The academy is a joint program of Bethany Theological Seminary and the General Board. The Vital Pastor experience is a self-selected group of pastors who determine their own study focus for a two-year venture. The experience begins with an immersion retreat that takes the form of travel, including international travel.

One group left April 17 to visit early Brethren sites in Germany and Switzerland. The group included Eddie Edmonds of Moler Avenue Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg, W.Va., Daniel Johnson of Brownsville (Md.) Church of the Brethren, John Weyant of Dranesville Church of the Brethren in Herndon, Va., and Mark Godfrey of Nokesville (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Over the next two years this group will study the question, "What was the original Brethren vision of the church and Christian life, and how can it guide us to be uniquely Brethren in the 21st century and beyond?"

A second group of pastors from Southern Ohio District will leave soon for England and France. The group includes Todd Hammond of Brookville (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, James Brunk of Bradford (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, James Chronister of Trotwood (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, and Ken Oren of Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, Ohio. Their study question is, "How does contemplative worship inform traditional churches attempting to reach a postmodern world?" Jerramy Bowen of West Milton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren will join the group following the travel experience.

Mark Bowyer of Pleasant View Church of the Brethren in Elida, Ohio, Wes and Sue Richards of Lima (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, Martin Moyer of Sugar Creek, West Church of the Brethren in Lima, and Richard Yeager-Stiver of Marion (Ohio) Church of the Brethren—all in the Northern Ohio District--left for the Dominican Republic on April 19. This group will focus on "What can we, as pastors, do to help identify, nurture, and release leadership gifts within the congregation?"

These groups will meet regularly over two years to study their chosen questions. All the groups that began in a given year will gather in a final retreat to teach each other what they have learned. Most expenses of the program are covered by a grant from the Lilly Foundation Inc.

Similar groups are forming now to start in early 2006. Pastors interested in the program may call the Brethren Academy at 800-287-8822 ext. 1810 or e-mail Glenn and Linda Timmons at pastoralexcellence@bethanyseminary.edu.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Brethren represented at 'Beyond Iraq: Building the Beloved Community.'

On the 37th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., his words echoed once again through the sanctuary of Riverside Church in New York City: "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."

On April 4, voices once again offered similar challenges, echoing the need for a spoken truth for peace in the face of yet another war. James Forbes and the Riverside Church hosted the event "Beyond Iraq: Building the Beloved Community," in cooperation with over 60 sponsoring organizations. Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, represented the Church of the Brethren in a procession into the sanctuary carrying a banner that read, "Church of the Brethren, A Living Peace Church."

Speakers for the evening worship included a Jewish rabbi, a Muslim imam, Christian ministers, and others. Jane Campbell, mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, spoke of the disparity and inequity of military recruitment that preys on minorities and those in economic difficulty. Jesse Jackson reflected on the work of King and admonished worship participants to consider "who we are, and whose we are." Jackson went on to remind the audience that, "As God's creatures of conscience, the sin of silence is abhorrent."

Celeste Zappala and Cindy Sheehan, mothers of soldiers who lost their lives in the Iraq war, also spoke. Sheehan spoke with passion against the violence of the war that had brought death to her son, one year ago on the same date. She called for America to consider its place in the world, and for its leaders to acknowledge the lies and deceptions that brought it into the war. "Not only do I weep," Sheehan said, "but in Iraq the great wail of mothers reverberates across a broken country."

Zappala reported that her son had the tragic honor of being the first National Guard member from Pennsylvania to die in military battle since 1945. "He should not have been there, there was no reason for this war to happen," she said.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Job openings, Cover the Uninsured, and more.

• The General Board seeks a fulltime coordinator for Congregational Life Team Area 3 to start this summer with preferable location in Virginia or West Virginia. Area 3 includes the districts of Atlantic Southeast, Shenandoah, Southeastern, Virlina, and West Marva. Responsibilities include coordination of the team; working collaboratively with district and board staff on congregational consultations, presentations, training, resource development, and referrals; and supporting the core values of the Church of the Brethren and the vision of the board. Qualifications include being well-grounded in Brethren heritage, theology, and polity; ability to work collaboratively; ability to assess congregational needs and consult with congregations; interpersonal skills and ability to work in a variety of settings and cultures; oral, written, and electronic communication skills; and five or more years of pastoral work or congregational resourcing experience. A Bachelor's, seminary, or Master's degree in a related field is preferred. A position description and application form are available. Submit a resume, letter of application, and request three references to send letters of recommendation by May 19 to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; mgarrison_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Experienced freelance writers are sought for the Gather 'Round curriculum. The forthcoming (Fall 2006) curriculum is accepting applications from people interested in writing for the second curriculum year. The curriculum is being produced jointly by the Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church Canada, and Mennonite Church USA. Curriculum units are designed for preschool, kindergarten to grade 2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, youth grades 9-12, multiage (for children from grades K-6), and parent/caregiver. Writers must be able to attend a writers' conference Aug. 2-6, and be able to commit to a writing schedule averaging one session per week (includes teacher's guide, student resource, and classroom material). For an application packet contact Anna Speicher, project director, at the Church of the Brethren General Offices, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323-8039 ext. 209; gatherround@brethren.org. See www.gatherround.org for more information. Application deadline is May 27.
  
  
• May 1 is National Youth Sunday in the Church of the Brethren, on the theme, "Seeing God," from 1 John 4:12-13. On this Sunday, many congregational worship services across the country will be led by the senior high youth. Worship resources, a Bible study, and a children's story can be found at www.brethren.org.
  
  
• Young Adult Conference May 27-29 at Woodland Altars in Southern Ohio still has space available for young adults who wish to register. The Memorial Day weekend conference will be filled with fellowship, workshops, worship, singing, an outdoor campfire, an indoor coffeehouse, and more. For more information call Chris Douglas at 800-323-8039 ext. 297. Registration is available at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/yac.htm.
  
  
• On behalf of the Church of the Brethren, the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has signed on to the Cover the Uninsured Campaign, which focuses attention on the plight of nearly 45 million uninsured Americans. This marks the second year that ABC has joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation campaign that has organized a range of events to educate the public about the social injustice and compounding problems that the lack of health insurance brings to all Americans. ABC encourages congregations to participate in awareness-raising and educational events planned for their areas during the week of May 1-8. To find out more about events in your area, visit www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org. ABC has posted "A Call to Care for People Without Insurance" on its website at www.brethren.org/abc/.
  
  
• ABC has designated May as "Older Adult Month," encouraging Brethren to remember and celebrate the many ways lives and communities are enriched by the contributions of older adults. Resources include a bulletin insert, an activities suggestion list, a service of anointing for older adults, and a needs assessment for older adults in a congregation. See www.brethren.org/abc/.
  
  
• Bethany Theological Seminary will host a concert by organist Marilyn Sexton Mason, who served as organist and children's choir director for the Church of the Brethren Christmas Eve Service on CBS. The concert on Sunday May 1 at 3 p.m. in Nicarry Chapel will include works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Louis Vierne, and John Leavitt, and is sponsored by the Rosenberger Memorial Recital Series. For more information call 765-983-1823.
  
  
• Two California churches will celebrate their 100th anniversaries on Sunday, May 15: Cornerstone Community Church of the Brethren in Reedley, which is planning a special worship service, a lunch, and a Time for Memories (RSVP by May 1 to 559-638-3825; send pages for a "Book of Testimonies" to 18791 E. Livermore Ave., Reedley, CA 93654); and Pasadena Church of the Brethren, which is planning a program of remembrance in the afternoon, after worship and a lunch (send remembrances of the congregation to wvolwin@juno.com or call 909-392-3591).
  
  
• Jonathan Emmons, organist for the 2004 Annual Conference in Charleston, W.Va., and a student at Bridgewater (Va.) College, will present his senior organ recital at 3 p.m. Sunday May 1 at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. He will perform pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frank Bridge, Charles Ives, and Johannes Brahms.
  
  
• Kreston Lipscomb, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Springfield, Ill., was a leader in the dedication of the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. "A House United" was the theme for the Sunday afternoon service April 17 sponsored by the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association, which Lipscomb serves as president. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich joined leaders from six faith traditions in the service including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Baha'i, Unitarian-Universalism, and Buddhism. The diversity represented the facility's ability to be a uniting force in the community, according to a release from the library, "as well as President Lincoln's own belief that our nation could not be a house divided."
  
  
• Greencastle (Pa.) Church of the Brethren will be one of several Franklin County churches to host a "clinic" as part of a quilt documentation project of the Chambersburg Quilt Guild. "This isn't just a group of ladies getting together to talk about quilts," Mim Huffman, president of the guild, told the "Waynesboro Record." "We're really delving into the county's history and learning stories about these quilts that help tell that history." The guild plans to publish a book with the information it gathers. Residents are invited to bring quilted items made before 1950 to the clinics, where they will be analyzed, photographed, and receive a documentation certificate. The clinic at the Greencastle church will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday April 1, 2006.
  
  
• The 24th Mid-Atlantic District Disaster Auction will be held May 7 at the Agricultural Center in Westminster, Md. The auction begins at 9 a.m. with general items, special items at 10 a.m., and a quilt auction at 12:30 p.m. Crafts, baked goods, and an assortment of food also will be available. Childcare will be provided 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  
  
• A series of workshops titled "Imagine," focusing on revitalization of congregations in the Oregon and Washington District, will be held at Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren on May 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Wenatchee (Wash.) Brethren Baptist Church on May 15, 2-5 p.m. Leaders include the General Board's Congregational Life Team staff for Area 5--Carol Bowman, Jeff Glass, and Steve Gregory. Workshops include "Exploring Postmodern Culture and Ministry," "The Singing Congregation," "Reclaiming the Offering as Worship," and "Healthy Churches Naturally Grow... Naturally!" For more information call Steve Gregory at 509-662-3211 or Jeff Glass at 888-826-4951. A donation of $5 per person will be requested to cover costs.
  
  
• Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind., holds its 80th Anniversary Worship on May 1 at 10:30 a.m. The speaker will be Jo Young Switzer, president of Manchester College. The restored Rose Window will be dedicated. Activities for all ages will follow a soup and sandwich luncheon, including displays of photos and memorabilia, opportunities to reminisce with others who may have attended camp during the same decade, a video of people sharing their Camp Mack stories and memories, a panel discussion by current and former camp executive directors, and children's crafts. An ice cream social will be held on top of Vesper Hill. The day will culminate with a 3 p.m. campfire, including kettle popcorn, and vespers at 3:30 p.m. For more information see www.campmack.org.
  
  
• Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa., will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010. The camp seeks stories and pictures for an anniversary book. (Pictures will not be returned--send copies only.) Along with submissions send your name, address, phone number, written permission from all people named in stories, and identification of all pictures. Send submissions to Camp Eder Anniversary Book, 914 Mt. Hope Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320; or e-mail campeder@campeder.org.
  
  
• A Grand Service of Rededication of Camp Bethel, located near Fincastle, Va., will be held Saturday, April 30, at 1:30 p.m. Annual Conference secretary Fred Swartz will speak on the theme, "A Place Apart, a Place of Transformation." Activities will include wagon rides, guided hikes, a gift shop, a historical tour, and a slide show. For more information call 540-992-2940 or e-mail camp.bethel@juno.com.
  
  
• Also at Camp Bethel, an anti-racism workshop will be held Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. "On Earth as in Heaven--Race Relations Then and Now" will be led by the Church of the Brethren Anti-Racism Team sponsored by Virlina District Peace Affairs and Urban Ministry Committees. The workshop will look back at the camp's attempt to integrate summer camping in 1944 and examine the present reality of racism. Registration is free, lunch costs $7. Register by calling Williamson Road Church of the Brethren at 540-366-0291.
  
  
• The Cedars, a Church of the Brethren retirement center in McPherson, Kan., has won the Clinical Care Award from the Kansas Association of Homes for the Aging. The Cedars was given the award for a risk management program of the past two years that has demonstrated improvement for residents in areas of weight, skin integrity, infections, pain, fall prevention, and restraints, the center reported in its newsletter. For more information see www.thecedars.org.
  
  
• Church of the Brethren members who are National Merit Scholarship Finalists this year include Anna Lisa Gross of North Manchester, Ind.; Nick Kauffman, a member of Goshen (Ind.) City Church of the Brethren; and Jonathan B. Keeney, a member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill. Newsline readers are invited to send in the names of other Brethren students who are National Merit Scholarship Finalists this year.
  
  
• Churches worldwide commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide on April 24. The World Council of Churches (WCC) has invited its members to make that day a day of memory of the first genocide of the 20th century, in which one-and-a-half million Armenians were massacred in Turkey and another million were deported from their homeland. The WCC also stressed the need for Turkey to "deal with this dark part of its history," the WCC Central Committee said in its recommendation. The first major Church of the Brethren disaster relief effort was sparked by the genocide. "In the years from 1918-1921, the members of the Church of the Brethren contributed about $267,000 to relief of the Armenians, in the first such effort in the history of the church," according to "The Brethren Encyclopedia." Currently, through a Global Food Crisis Fund grant, the Church of the Brethren is providing housing, livestock, vocational training, and a social base for orphaned youth in Armenia.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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Cross-cultural tour visits churches in Virginia, N. Carolina, Tennessee.

A Church of the Brethren Cross-Cultural Music Group from various parts of the US will present worship concerts in congregations in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee from May 14-21.

The group includes Scott Duffey, pastor of Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren; Gilbert Romero, pastor of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles; James Washington, pastor of Faith Center Fellowship Church of the Brethren in Whitehouse, Texas; and his son James Washington Jr., also of Whitehouse. Asha Solanky of West Richmond (Va.) Church of the Brethren, and Lidia Gonzalez of HIS Way Fellowship will assist in worship leadership.

The kick-off event will be at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., May 14 at 7 p.m. On Sunday, May 15, at 3 p.m. the group will be at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, Va. At 7:30 p.m. on the 15th, a worship concert will be held at Topeco Church of the Brethren in Floyd, Va.

Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Va., will host the group Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. The following night the group will be at HIS Way Fellowship in Hendersonville, N.C., at 7:30 p.m. On May 19 at 7:30 p.m. they will perform at Friendship Church of the Brethren in North Wilkesboro, N.C. On Friday May 20 at 7:30 p.m. they will be at Spindale (N.C.) Church of the Brethren.

The final concert is Saturday May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Church of the Brethren in Blountville, Tenn. For more information call Carol Yeazell at 828-687-1155 or e-mail cyeazell_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 04/27/2005 Newsline
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On Earth Peace helps sponsor peace conference in September.

A Historic Peace Church conference on the theme, "Seeking Peace: The Courage to Be Nonviolent," will be held Sept. 8-11 in Indianapolis, Ind. On Earth Peace is a contributing organization to the intergenerational conference, along with the Plowshares Peace Studies Collaborative that includes Manchester College, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Every Church a Peace Church, Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes, the Peace and Justice Support Network of the Mennonite Church USA, and Quaker House. The meeting also will serve as a regularly scheduled gathering for CPT and Every Church a Peace Church, titled Christian Peacemaker Congress VIII.

Featured speakers are Peggy Gish, a Church of the Brethren member who has been working with CPT in Iraq; Ann Riggs, of the Society of Friends, and an associate general secretary for faith and order at the National Council of Churches; Lisa Schirch, associate professor at Eastern Mennonite University's Masters in Conflict Transformation Program; and Damu Smith, co-chair of Black Voices for Peace and national leader for United for Peace and Justice.

Proposals for peace-related workshops are invited. Workshops, to be 90 minutes long, will give voice to a wide range of approaches to peace witness. Proposals should describe topic, approach, leadership, and relevant affiliations, and should be no more than a page in length. Send proposals by May 30 to Dean Johnson at deanjj@goshen.edu or mail to Plowshares, HPCC, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526.

Cost is $75-$100 for all four days or $18-$25 per day for those representing institutions or individuals of middle- to upper-level income. For students and those with low or fixed incomes, the cost is $40 for all four days or $10 per day. Register at www.plowsharesproject.org.

Source: 04/27/2005 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. Phil Jones, Marcia Shetler, Glenn Timmons, Walt Wiltschek, and Carol Yeazell contributed to this report.