Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, job openings, and more.

• Correction: An auction referred to in "Brethren bits" on April 26 should correctly be identified as the 26th Mid-Atlantic Disaster Response Auction.
  
  
• William (Bill) Edward Bennett, accounts payable and payroll specialist for the Church of the Brethren General Board, died April 28 at his home in Elgin, Ill. He had returned to work two weeks previously, after a heart attack and surgery in Oct. 2005. "It is with great sadness that we ask for your prayers for the family of Bill Bennett," a statement from the General Board said. An obituary noted that "William very much loved and revered all of his co-workers and friends at the Church of the Brethren General Offices." Bennett was born in Elgin in 1947 and was a respected local consultant in "all things Elgin," well known for his knowledge of Elgin history and the history of McHenry County, his wife's home area. He was the author of a book on Elgin area postcards titled "Wish You Were Here." Bennett also enjoyed genealogical research, gardening, and cooking. He was a graduate of Elgin Community College and of Northern Illinois University, with degrees in accounting. He began his career in 1965 as an accountant with DeSoto Inc. in Des Plaines, Ill., and then worked at Admiral Corp. in Harvard, Ill. He moved back to Elgin after he and his wife, Barbara, were married in 1975. Other positions that he held over the years included accounting and controller positions in companies and corporations such as Howell Company in St. Charles, Ill., Elgin Industries, Elgin Salvage, and Elgin Roofing Company. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, his two sons and their families including two infant granddaughters, his father, and other family members. Burial services were private. A memorial visitation was held for family and friends on May 2.
  
  
• Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., seeks an associate for its Institutional Advancement department. Primary responsibilities include visiting with donors, representing Bethany at conferences and church gatherings, and working with the advancement team to plan and implement constituent relations and fundraising activity. This member of the advancement team will spend at least half-time calling on present and future donors throughout the country. Prior fundraising experience is not required, but best suited candidates will enjoy creative and fruitful interpersonal conversation as well as be comfortable speaking in public settings; will also be prepared to learn about funding approaches and strategies, and to develop skill and astuteness in assessing donor circumstances and matching appropriate approaches with donors. Must be familiar with the Church of the Brethren, be committed to leadership development for a changing church, and have instinctive sensitivity for realities of congregational life and ministry challenges in congregations. Minimum educational preparation is baccalaureate degree, master of divinity preferred. Send resume as soon as possible to Lowell Flory, Bethany Theological Seminary, 615 National Rd. W., Richmond, IN 47374; or florylo@bethanyseminary.edu. Interviewing will begin in early June; applications will continue to be received until the position is filled. Bethany is an equal opportunity employer.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a fulltime accounts payable and payroll specialist, to fill an hourly position. Application deadline is May 11. Responsibilities include accounts payable processing, corporate credit card processing, maintenance of proper records and documentation, preparation of 1099s and other year-end documents, creation and review of payroll process, reconciliation of general ledger accounts, and preparation of audit reports and monthly and quarterly journals. Skills and knowledge required include excellent data entry skills, accuracy and efficiency on a 10-key calculator, orientation to details, spreadsheet applications, word processing, and strong accounting systems knowledge. Human resources and payroll systems knowledge (ABRA) is beneficial. Three to five years of experience in accounts payable or payroll, and computer systems experience is required. A minimum of high school graduation with an accounting emphasis is required; an associate's degree in accounting, finance, or business is preferred. Start date is negotiable. For a position description and application form contact the Office of Human Resources, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 847-742-5100.
  
  
• Young Adult Conference 2006 is planned for May 26-28 at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pa., on the theme, "Transformed" from Romans 12:1-8. Activities will include worship, campfires, "padares" for small group discussion, an open microphone session, community groups, and a coffee house. Register online at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/yac.htm.
  
  
• Robert W. Goodlatte, congressman for Virginia's Sixth Congressional District, will deliver the 2006 commencement address at Bridgewater (Va.) College at 2 p.m. on May 14. Approximately 300 seniors are expected to receive degrees at the commencement exercises on the campus mall. Robert R. Miller, chaplain and director of service learning, will deliver the message at the 10 a.m. baccalaureate service in Nininger Hall. For more information go to www.bridgewater.edu.
  
  
• Former Indiana first lady Judy O'Bannon will deliver the 2006 commencement message and receive an honorary degree at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., on May 21. Some 224 students will receive degrees, according to a release from the college. Graduates with key roles include James B. Hutchings, who will offer reflections at the 2:30 p.m. commencement and will direct the A Cappella Choir in his arrangement of Kwmbaya for 11 a.m. baccalaureate services; Sarah A. Reed and Benjamin G. Leiter, who will offer reflections at the baccalaureate; Meagan E. Harlow, who will call the congregation to worship and deliver the invocation; Kelsey D. Swanson, who will give the benediction at commencement; and Eric M. Strobel, who will read scripture for baccalaureate. A number of graduates and faculty will wear green ribbons to signify that they have taken the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility. The pledge is headquartered at Manchester with more than 100 member colleges and universities, and is a voluntary pledge "to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work." For more see www.manchester.edu.
  
  
• Manchester College's Chamber Singers and A Cappella Choir begin a spring tour of churches in Indiana and Illinois with a home concert at 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind. The choirs take to the road May 22-28, performing at Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren at 7:30 p.m. May 22; at Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis at 7:30 p.m. May 24; at New Hope Christian Church in Crawfordsville, Ind., at 7:30 p.m. May 25; at Peoria (Ill.) Church of the Brethren at 7:30 p.m. May 26; and for worship at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., at 9:30 a.m. May 28. Debra Lynn, associate professor of music, directs the choirs and has composed some of their music. For more visit www.manchester.edu.
  
  
• The Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) is planning "Brethren Alive 2006" for July 28-30 on the campus of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. The theme is, "The Dynamic Nature of the Church," from Matthew 16:18. Speakers include Charles Ilyes, ordained minister and pastor at Midway Church of the Brethren, Lebanon, Pa.; Allen Nell, ordained minister and moderator serving in the Upper Conewago Church of the Brethren, Abbottstown, Pa.; Julian Rittenhouse, ordained minister in Pocahontas Church of the Brethren in Shenandoah District; and James F. Myer, ordained minister serving in White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa. The event is planned as a national convention of Anabaptist-oriented evangelical Brethren to celebrate life in Christ and encourage one another to spiritual growth and faithfulness. Workshops will focus on various aspects of church life. Activities for children and youth will be offered. Cost for adults staying in campus dormitories includes registration, room, and meals for $50; cost for children ages 5-15 is $25; children under 5 are free. Commuters may attend for free, but are asked to register. A registration form is available at http://www.brfwitness.org/BA2000/register.htm or go to www.brfwitness.org/BA2000/info.htm for more information. Registration is due by June 29.
  
  
• The Annual World Fair Trade Day celebration of A Greater Gift/SERRV is May 13 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The event is organized to show how buying fair trade foods and crafts contributes to peace building and justice around the world. Local craftspeople and world music groups will be joining in the event, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  
  
• Church World Service (CWS), which celebrated its 60th anniversary on May 4, has issued an urgent request for Gift of the Heart kits for disaster survivors. "Needs stemming from the earthquake in southern Asia in Oct. 2005 and the hurricanes that affected the US in the summer of 2005" are prompting the request, according to a release. CWS is asking for Gift of the Heart Baby and School Kits and Emergency Clean-up Buckets. For instructions for packing and shipping the kits and buckets, go to www.churchworldservice.org.
  
  
• "Together in Toronto: Claiming an Open Spirit " is planned for July 27-30 at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. It is the first ecumenical conference for "affirming ministries" from several Christian traditions including Church of the Brethren, Mennonite, United Church of Canada, and Lutheran. Co-sponsored by the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests (BMC), the conference will include worship, theological and biblical reflections, opportunities for spiritual sharing, keynote presentations, and cross-denominational conversation. Keynote speakers are Irene Monroe, African-American theologian at Harvard Divinity School; and Martin Brokenleg, Aboriginal professor and director of Native Ministries Programs at Vancouver School of Theology. Upwards of 400 people are expected. "This is a very important event for BMC," said executive director Carol Wise. "The crossing of national and denominational lines represents the growing broadness of the welcoming movement," she said. Many BMC constituents are serving on conference committees, with BMC board member Shannon Neufeldt serving as co-chair. Registration and information is at www.openspirit.ca.
  
  
• The National Interfaith Cable Coalition Inc. (NICC), doing business as Faith and Values Media, has announced that its board voted to open its membership to groups and individuals from the Islamic tradition. Previously, membership had been limited to groups and individuals related to Jewish or Christian traditions. Inner-Attainment TV Inc., headquartered in Annandale, Va., was welcomed as the first member from the Islamic tradition. The vote followed a year-long study. "One of Faith and Values Media's goals is to expand understanding and cooperation between and among the faith groups within the American experience," said Daniel P. Matthews, NICC board chair. "While we are not of one theology," he said, "we worship one God. Our organization exists to share God's word and presence in our lives through television, the internet, and other media." The Faith and Values Media Association is made up of denominations, organizations, and individuals that encompass the Abrahamic tradition in the US, among them the Church of the Brethren. It provides members with access to a national audience through various outlets, including Hallmark Channel and FaithStreams.com. For more go to www.faithandvaluesmedia.org.

Source: 5/10/2006 Newsline
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