Friday, November 18, 2005

NEWSUPCOMING EVENTSRESOURCESFEATURE
TODAY'S NEWSLINE APPEARS EARLY because of the Thanksgiving holiday next week. The following Newsline is planned for Dec. 1 or 2.

NOTE TO READERS: The Newsline on-line page will feature stories from Brethren Disaster Response on the Gulf coast over the upcoming holiday week. Find the series at www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/index.htm. For photos of the Brethren Disaster Response work in Louisiana and Alabama go to www.brethren.org/pjournal/.
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Speakers for National Youth Conference 2006 are announced.

The line-up of speakers for National Youth Conference 2006, to be held in Fort Collins, Colo., July 22-27, will feature nationally known Christian activist and Sojourners community leader Jim Wallis, among a number of Church of the Brethren leaders, a comedy duo, a recipient of aid from Heifer International, and a leader against child slavery.

Wallis will speak on Sunday evening, July 23. The Mennonite comedy team Ted & Lee will perform on Sunday morning July 23. Craig Kielburger, who at the age of 12 helped organize the "Free the Children" network aimed at eradicating child slavery, will speak Monday evening July 24. Beatrice Biira, heroine of the children's story "Beatrice's Goat" and a Heifer International recipient from Uganda, will speak on Tuesday evening July 25.

Church of the Brethren speakers include Jeff Carter, a pastor at Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, on Saturday evening July 22; peace studies leader and Juniata College professor emeritus Andy Murray on Wednesday morning July 26; Bethany Theological Seminary professor Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm on Wednesday evening July 26; and David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project, on Thursday morning July 27.

On Monday morning July 24 the speakers will be the winners of a Youth Speech Contest. In addition, a Church of the Brethren Connections Service will highlight the work of the church around the world. The service will use multi-media to both inform and inspire youth by allowing them to see, hear, and feel what the church does both nationally and internationally, said a release from the NYC coordinators. "The hope for this service is that it will encourage the youth to make the work of the church a permanent part of their lives." Coordinators for the event are Cindy Laprade, Beth Rhodes, and Emily Tyler.

Follow up at the NYC website, www.nyc2006.org, which soon will offer more information about each of the speakers.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Review and Evaluation Study Committee begins work.

The Review and Evaluation study committee, elected at Annual Conference in Peoria this summer, held its initial meeting Nov. 11-12 in Elgin, Ill. Paul Hoffman of Western Plains District was selected as chair; Michaela Camps of Atlantic Southeast District was selected as recorder. Other members of the committee are Rebecca Baile Crouse of Missouri/Arkansas District, Craig Gandy of Middle Pennsylvania District, and James Martinez of Pacific Southwest District.

In addition to organizing, the committee explored reasons for the study, what research needs to be done, and what dialogue is needed with the denomination. Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle reported that the committee will study existing structure and programs, looking at the goals and purpose of each Annual Conference agency and how they relate to each other and the mission of the Church of the Brethren, being mindful of the spirituality, balance, and effectiveness of the denomination.

A general timeline was established and committee member assignments were made as well. Vehicles for communicating with the Review and Evaluation Committee include interviews with denominational leaders, online surveys, questionnaires for all congregations and church member distributed through the Source packet, and listening sessions at Annual Conference 2006. Comments, affirmations, and suggestions for the committee may be sent to annualconference@brethren.org.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Fund sends aid to survivors of earthquake and other disasters.

The 51st disbursement of the year has been made from the Emergency Disaster Fund of the Church of the Brethren General Board: a grant of $150,000 to aid survivors of the massive earthquake in southern Asia and Pakistan. Other grants also have been announced for a flood recovery project in Ohio, recovery efforts following Hurricane Wilma in Florida, and work following the recent series of tornados.

Gifts and donations to the Emergency Disaster Fund this year have now exceeded two-and-three-quarter million dollars, totaling $2,766,034 as of Nov. 16.

The grant for earthquake continues Church of the Brethren support of the Church World Service (CWS) response and will help with emergency needs of food and shelter along with preparation for longterm work of reconstruction, sanitation, and psycho-social support.

An allocation of $20,000 continues support of a Brethren Disaster Response project in Belmont County, Ohio. The area has been struck repeatedly by severe flooding, destroying many homes and heavily damaging others.

A grant of $5,000 responds to a CWS appeal in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in southern Florida. The funds will support shipment of Gifts of the Heart kits and blankets, and the development of longterm recovery committees.

An allocation of $3,000 responds to a CWS appeal following tornados that caused massive destruction in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Iowa. The funds will provide support for shipment of relief supplies and help establish longterm recovery work.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Tour group worships across boundaries.

A Cross-Cultural Music Tour visited congregations and other Church of the Brethren facilities in Kansas and Missouri from Oct. 30-Nov. 3.

The tour produced many highlights but none as descriptive as a scene from the Nursing Care Center at The Cedars in McPherson, Kan., according to Duane Grady, tour organizer. "As Marilyn Montauban, Gilbert Romero, and Don Mitchell sang in the hallways, doors opened and people were drawn towards the familiar sound of hymns they knew by heart," Grady said. "Smiles came to faces and tears to eyes as we worshiped together and crossed boundaries of language, race, experience, and age."

"As people came near, many in wheel chairs, I was reminded of how villagers were drawn to Jesus in his travels from place to place," Grady said.

Similar experiences occurred as the team shared music and testimonies with Church of the Brethren congregations in McPherson; Kansas City, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; Cabool, Mo.; and Topeka, Kan. At each location on the tour, the vision of Ephesians 2:12-22 was read.

At Cabool, a special prayer of healing was offered for 40 young men from a juvenile detention center who responded to Romero's invitation. Romero invited the men "to allow Jesus to turn their hearts into open vessels of God's grace," Grady said. Romero, now pastor of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, Calif., is a former gang member who spent much of his youth in a similar facility.

In Iola, Kan., the group was reminded of the changing landscape in many rural communities when they stopped for lunch at a restaurant owned by a Mexican family who has lived in this community for nearly 37 years.

Don Mitchell, husband of Annual Conference moderator-elect Belita Mitchell and a music leader at Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren, brought greetings on her behalf and was asked to share with her many prayers of encouragement and support. Montauban lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a member of First Haitian Church of the Brethren, where her father is pastor. The tour was planned and coordinated by Grady, a member of the Congregational Life Team staff for the General Board.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Witness/Washington Office calls for signatures of death penalty letter.

The Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board is calling for church leaders to sign a letter regarding capital punishment.

"Open Letter from Faith Leaders Regarding the 1,000th Execution in the United States since the Reinstatement of Capital Punishment" says in part: "We, the undersigned faith leaders, reflecting the rich diversity of faith traditions and spiritual practices observed in the United States, stand together in expressing our deep concern that nearly 1,000 executions have occurred in this country since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976. We join with many Americans in questioning the need for the death penalty in our modern society and in challenging the effectiveness of this punishment, which has consistently been shown to be ineffective, unfair, and inaccurate," the letter continues. Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office for a copy of the letter, call 800-785-3246 or e-mail pjones_gb@brethren.org.

Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, will join other faith leaders on Nov. 28 to hold a press conference on Capitol Hill announcing a "united voice of the religious community" on the death penalty. The Church of the Brethren most recently expressed a position on the death penalty in a 1987 Annual Conference statement. For the statement visit www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/87DeathPenalty.htm.

Sign on to the letter by Nov. 27 by sending an e-mail with full name, church title, name of faith community, and home town and state to Kristin Houle at khoule@aiusa.org. A copy of the signed letter may be faxed to 202-546-7142. Copy your intent to sign to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at pjones_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Volunteer Service/Brethren Revival Fellowship unit begins service.

The Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) and Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) training Unit 266 has begun service. Volunteer placements and home congregations follow:

Serving at Good Shepherd Food Bank in Lewiston, Maine, are Ron and Laura Brinton and family members Anna, Ben, and Megan, of New Fairview Church of the Brethren in York, Pa.; Christopher Clayton, of New Paris (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Tonia Little, of Blue Rock Independent Brethren Church; and Dwight Stauffer, of White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa.

Serving at the Maine Home School Project in Lewiston, Maine, is Sonya Little, of Upton Church of the Brethren in Greencastle, Pa.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Historical Committee meets at McPherson College.

The Brethren Historical Committee met Nov. 4-5 at the Miller Library on the McPherson (Kan.) College campus. On the agenda were items related to preservation of Brethren materials.

The committee discussed the microfilming of Brethren periodicals, the preservation of 16 millimeter films, and the creation of an archival policy for materials produced as part of the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren in 2008.

In other business, plans were made for an insight session at the 2006 Annual Conference, the committee decided to increase the cost of obituaries copies, and decided to make a Russian icon available to the public in the archives at the General Offices. The icon was a gift to the Church of the Brethren from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1963. Reports were received from the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, Brethren Press, and the Germantown Trust.

Members of the committee are Bill Kostlevy (chair), Jane Davis (secretary), Marlin Heckman, and Ken Kreider. Ken Shaffer, director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, also met with the committee. Hospitality for the committee was arranged by Susan Taylor, college librarian, and by Elsie Holderread, co-executive minister for Western Plains District.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Pacific Southwest District passes divestment resolution.

Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of you? Do justice, love tenderly, walk humbly with your God," guided business, worship, and fellowship at the 2005 conference of Pacific Southwest District on Oct. 7-9 in Modesto, Calif.

The conference passed a resolution on "Divestment from Companies Selling Products Used as Weapons in Israel and Palestine," according to a report by Janelle Flory. Other business included changes to the district by-laws regarding the Nominating Committee, unveiling of a new church grant process, a 2006 Budget with $400,000 earmarked to support new and growing ministries in congregations, elections, and reports.

The conference delegates passed the divestment resolution from the Fellowship in Christ, Fremont, Calif., on to the Annual Conference Standing Committee. The resolution calls for Brethren agencies to examine the divestment issue.

Four worship services shaped the spirit of the conference, Flory wrote. Moderator R. Jan Thompson, of Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren in Scottsdale, Ariz., opened with the question, Are we there yet? "I have the feeling that the people (of our district) are becoming excited about sharing the good news of the Gospel," he said. "That includes sharing justice in the local community as well as in the global community."

Moderator-elect Joe Schechter of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, introduced the district theme for 2006, "Centered in Jesus," in a following service. The theme is from Acts 17:28, "In Him we live and move and have our being." Junior and senior high youth led a multi-media worship service incorporating elements of drama, dance, chanting, the song "Where is the Love?" from rap artists the Black-Eyed Peas, and a photo and video montage. In place of a sermon, speakers shared briefly about the ministries of their congregations. "It was an extremely moving service," said District Board chair Paul Lovelace, of Pomona (Calif.) Fellowship.

The meeting concluded Sunday morning with a message from Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, on "Mission--Here--Now." He wove together scripture references from Jeremiah 29, the Great Commission, and the theme from Micah to emphasize the importance of establishing ministries that build the kingdom of God here and now. He also led a Friday workshop on "When Micah Meets Matthew." Worship experiences included the commissioning of Schechter and moderator-elect Mary Kay Ogden, also of La Verne.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Correction, remembrances, personnel, and more.
  • CORRECTION: In the Nov. 10 Newsline, the Association of Brethren Caregivers was inadvertently omitted from a list of church agencies that may benefit from new giving incentives included in the Katrina Emergency Relief Tax Act of 2005 (KETRA). Any qualified charity may receive gifts under the new law, including congregations. The act also includes a number of other charitable giving provisions such as tax benefits for businesses that donate food, books, and cash to disaster victims, and special tax accommodations for people who volunteer time and assistance to affected individuals. See a tax advisor to take advantage of benefits for which you may qualify.

  • Glee E. Yoder, 89, of Willow Valley Lakes Manor in Willow Street, Pa., died Oct. 23 in Lancaster, Pa. Yoder served the Church of the Brethren as director of Christian Education for the Western Region in the 1950s and was administrative assistant for the Western Region in the 1960s. She served on the General Board 1977-1981. Yoder also wrote church school and Vacation Bible School curriculum for a variety of denominations from 1958-84, and wrote "Passing on the Gift," a biography of Heifer International founder and Brethren leader Dan West. She was married to R. Gordon Yoder for 66 years as of this August and lived most of her adult life in McPherson and Wichita, Kan. She was a graduate of McPherson College. Most recently she was a member of Lancaster Church of the Brethren. She is survived by her husband, a daughter, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a sister. A memorial service was held Oct. 29. Her family requested that those wanting to contribute a memorial consider giving time to read a book to a child.

  • Southern Pennsylvania District has appointed Lyn Becker as executive director of the Children's Aid Society. She assumed the role in August. She has 25 years of experience in business management in a variety of fields including healthcare, retail sales, and human services. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Business Administration from York College. She also completed CNA training through Harrisburg Area Community College at the Brethren Home and earned the Senior Professional in Human Resource Management designation. Becker has parented both foster and adopted children, with understanding of the many issues with which abandoned, neglected, and abused children must deal. She is a member of Lakeview Christian Fellowship Church of the Brethren in Adams County, Pa.

  • The Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., hosted the Foods Resource Bank's annual meeting on Nov. 14. Events included a chapel service and lunch for 80 to 100 participants including leaders of growing projects, representatives of the 16 implementing member denominations and agencies, overseas partners, and Foods Resource Bank staff and volunteers. Organized six years ago as a Christian response to world hunger, the Foods Resource Bank enables some of the poorest communities in the world to develop sustainable food security, said Howard Royer, manager of the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund.

  • Grants of up to $500 are available for people of faith to host and engage in dialogue on foreign policy issues including the environment; poverty, hunger or health; war and conflict; or weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office is encouraging Brethren congregations to take advantage of this program of Religions for Peace, of which the Church of the Brethren is a member. Deadline for grant applications is mid-December. Visit www.thepeoplespeak.org for more information. Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 800-785-3246 for resource materials and help in the grant process.
Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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New workcamp announced for summer 2006.

Registration for the 2006 summer workcamp season will begin on Dec. 1 at 12 a.m. eastern time. Brochures listing the workcamp options and a listing on the website are available from the Youth and Young Adult Office of the church of the Brethren General Board. The office also has announced that it is jointly sponsoring with the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) a new senior high BRF workcamp option in Puerto Rico for summer of 2006.

Dates for the BRF workcamp are June 17-27. Twenty senior high youth and advisors who identify themselves with the BRF are welcome to join a workcamp that will partner with Puerto Rican congregations in work projects and to build relationships between campers and members of Puerto Rican congregations. "This workcamp will emphasize conservative, evangelical ideals with BRF leadership directing the camp," said workcamp coordinator Monica Rice.

Rice added, "Make sure to get your workcamp registrations in as soon as possible to insure that you receive your first workcamp choice. Just remember that there are many exciting options including five junior high camps, one senior high camp, one young adult camp, and a brand-new junior high/intergenerational camp." Find more information and register at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/workcamps/index.html, or e-mail mrice_gb@brethren.org or call 800-323-8039 ext. 281.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Conference call offered on Medicare Prescription Drug program.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers is inviting anyone interested in helping older adults enroll in the new Medicare Prescription Drug program to participate in an educational conference call on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. eastern time. The call will train volunteers in use of an online resource that the Coalition to Advance Prescription Drug Education (CARxE) is offering to the Church of the Brethren as a tool for enrolling older adults in the Medicare Plan D.

Older adults have until May 2006 to enroll in the Medicare Part D. The conference call will help make this process more understandable and help offer seniors the most economical fit for their prescription drug needs. The call is for people who are assisting older adults with enrollment in the Medicare Plan D, such as social workers or representatives of retirement communities, districts, and congregations. Participants will receive a demonstration of the website offering education and comparisons of various provisions of Part D. The online resource can be accessed from www.brethren-caregivers.org.

Space is limited and only the first 85 people to express interest can participate. To sign up for the call, provide complete contact information and church affiliation to Nancy Miner at 847-742-5100 ext. 300 or nminer_abc@brethren.org.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Documentary on mental illness is recommended to Brethren.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers encourages congregations to view a new documentary about mental illness that will begin airing Dec. 4 on ABC-TV. "Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness" focuses on people's experiences with stigma, recovery, rehabilitation, parity in insurance programs, and how faith communities can better respond to those with mental illness.

"The church has a vital role in showing families experiencing mental illness that they are not isolated," said Mary Dulabaum, staff for Voice: Mental Illness Ministry of the Association of Brethren Caregivers. "This film will educate viewers about issues around mental illness so the church can better respond, just as we respond to physical illness such as heart disease."

The film includes interviews of former first lady Rosalynn Carter, former surgeon general David Satcher, United Methodist minister Susan Gregg Schroeder, and advocates from Nation's Voice on Mental Illness, Hope Haven, FaithNet, and Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship. To find out when the documentary will be aired in your area, visit www.ShadowVoices.com.

The documentary was produced by Mennonite Media in cooperation with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission and the Communications Commission of the National Council of Churches. Copies are available after Dec. 15 from Mennonite Media, 800-999-3534. For information about the Association of Brethren Caregivers' ministry on mental illness, contact mdulabaum_abc@brethren.org or 800-323-8039.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Give a gift that grows through the Emerging Global Mission Fund.

An alternative Christmas gift-giving opportunity has been developed for the Emerging Global Mission Fund of the General Board. When a contribution is made to the fund this holiday season, a "New Birth, New Life" ornament and Christmas card will be mailed to the recipient in the sender's name.

The fund, established in 2001, currently fosters new fellowships in Brazil and supports new church planting in the US. The latest Source packet included fliers about the opportunity and bulk copies have been mailed to congregations on the World Mission Offering standing list. For more information contact Janis Pyle at 800-323-8039 ext. 227 or jpyle_g@brethren.org.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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Welcome Home Project offers e-mail list.

On Earth Peace and the Association of Brethren Caregivers are collaborating on the Welcome Home Project: A Living Peace Church Response for Returning Military Personnel and Others. For nearly a year, a small committee has considered how the Church of the Brethren can respond to soldiers returning home from conflict zones and support their families.

Now an e-mail list has been created for the project. Congregations and individuals are invited to join. The list will provide family members of soldiers the opportunity to support one another as they share thoughts and feelings about their situations; and will provide Brethren with the opportunity to share ideas and network about congregational outreach and ministry ideas.

"As a Living Peace church, our denomination has much to offer people who may be hurting and need a safe place to share their feelings and receive support," said a release from the two agencies.

Subscribe by visiting
http://listserver.emountain.net/mailman/listinfo/welcomehomeproject. For more information about the project visit www.brethren.org/oepa/WelcomeHomeProject.html. Questions may be directed to Matt Guynn of On Earth Peace at 765-962-6234.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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'Camp Casey' makes a witness for peace in Fort Wayne.

By Tom Benevento

We had a steady stream of people coming to visit Camp Casey to think together how to end the war in Iraq. Each day brought 30 to 50 people from early morning to late at night. Many brought food, like homemade cookies or donuts. Others come to sit by the fire and feel the calmness of the camp.

I was amazed at the diversity of people who came. One late afternoon we had a university professor of peace studies, a grandmother from a poor neighborhood, a man who has been living on the streets, two middle school boys, and an army veteran--all sitting together at our camp fire discussing the war. As we talked my eyes rose to see the quarter moon that was lifting above the trees. Its light glistened down on 59 white crosses we set out in honor of the Indiana soldiers killed. Smoke from the fire made its way into the sky, screening the crosses as I listened to the many voices speak.

At that moment it struck me how the dead represented by the white crosses, and the thousands of Iraqis buried now, were being honored in our work together to end the war. It was an unplanned sacred ceremony.

--Tom Benevento, Latin America/Caribbean staff for the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships, and Cliff Kindy, longtime Brethren volunteer for Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), helped organize "Camp Casey" in Fort Wayne, Ind., for two weeks in October. The camp called for the end of the war in Iraq. They invite others to join an "Iraq Public Witness Delegation" in northern Indiana Nov. 26-Dec. 10 to raise awareness about the situation in Iraq through a tent encampment and nonviolent action at sites such as munitions factories and military recruitment offices. Participants should be prepared to spend 14 days camping in arduous winter conditions or in simple accommodations. Participants will raise prayer support and $250 to cover costs, and arrange their own transportation to South Bend, Ind. Apply by Nov. 20; e-mail delegations@cpt.org or see www.cpt.org/.

Source: 11/18/2005 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. Lyn Becker, Tom Benevento, Charles Bentley, Mary Dulabaum, Janelle Flory, Lerry Fogle, Duane Grady, Phil Jones, Jon Kobel, Janis Pyle, Monica Rice, Ken Shaffer, Emily Tyler, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
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