- "The Church of the Brethren extends its condolences to the Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. family at the loss of this extraordinary leader in civil rights activism," said Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Coretta Scott King died Tuesday, Feb. 31, following a stroke in Aug. 2005. She was "an individual determined to bring about a better world in which all of us will live together as equals. We will certainly miss her leadership and her example," Noffsinger said. Other Christian leaders worldwide joined President Bush and political figures in remembering King this week. The president of the National Council of Churches USA, Michael E. Livingston, said that "she was an unwavering advocate of civil and human rights and a champion of nonviolence. Her strength and fortitude are to be admired and emulated. We will forever be grateful for the legacy that she leaves behind." The World Council of Churches issued a tribute from general secretary Samuel Kobia, "Coretta Scott King was an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life during an extraordinary time.... After Dr. King's assassination, Mrs. King became a leader in the movement for nonviolent social change, insisting that Dr. King's legacy not be forgotten."
- The Annual Conference Council, charged with the responsibility for maintaining Annual Conference polity, has completed a revision of the "Manual of Organization and Polity" that is current with Annual Conference decisions to date. This revision of the 2001 edition is available on the Annual Conference website at www.brethren.org/ac, click on the "Polity, Policies, and Guidelines" tab. This revision is an interim version of the polity manual that will be updated again following reviews by some Annual Conference agencies and upon adoption in 2007 of the report of the Review and Evaluation Committee.
- Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is publicizing its Older Adult Program providing volunteer opportunities for older adult volunteers. "We ask you to bring your lifetime of experience and values of faith into volunteering," said an announcement from BVS. While older adults are welcome in any of the orientation units offered throughout the year, BVS provides a special orientation unit for older adults age 50 years and older. This unit is offered this spring in New Windsor, Md., April 24-May 5. The deadline to complete the application process is March 12. The Older Adult program is slightly different from the customary BVS experience in a few ways, including a shorter orientation period--10 days compared to the usual three weeks; older adults are not required to take an assignment immediately following orientation; older adults are asked to commit to a six-month term of service with the option of extending their term; and the date to begin service is negotiable depending on the needs of the volunteer and the project. Contact the BVS office for more information at 800-323-8039 or visit www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/olderadult.htm for a bulletin insert about the program.
- Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren and member James Groff are producing a half-hour community television program each month, shown on Channel 21 in Portland, and on Channel 11 in Portland and Vancouver, Wash. The effort began in July 2005. "The format is `magazine style' with stories about things which Peace Church is involved," said Groff. "It's one way to let the community know who we are and what we stand for." Featured stories have highlighted Camp Myrtlewood, Christian Peacemaker Teams, a local emergency food program, and being an open and affirming congregation. The February program will feature the Song and Story Fest family camp sponsored by On Earth Peace and others.
- The view has changed at the Pinecrest Community campus in Mount Morris, Ill., according to a press release from the Church of the Brethren retirement community. Passers-by can now see into 20 acres of construction work preparing for a $15 million development to be called Pinecrest Grove. The layout will contain 42 single and duplex cottages. A $3.5-million Community Center will offer a pharmacy, bank, general store, restaurant, a wellness area with exercise classes, and a 200-seat theater. "Pinecrest is happy to open up this building for such a wide array of uses," said CEO Carol Davis. "It's great when we can give back a little to the folks who have always been so generous to us over the 112 years this campus has existed."
top
No comments:
Post a Comment