Brethren bits: Personnel, Annual Conference, and much more.

• Cyndi Fecher started Sept. 22 as Gather 'Round project assistant, in a three-quarter-time position located in Elgin, Ill. "Gather 'Round: Hearing and Sharing God's Good News" is the new Sunday school curriculum published jointly by Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network. Fecher worked for the last year as a paralegal for Visser and Associates, PLLC, a law firm in Grand Rapids, Mich., and interned with Brethren Press in the summer of 2003.
  
  
• Terry Riley has accepted the position of office coordinator for the Service Ministries program of the Church of the Brethren General Board, located at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Riley had been employed as a finance representative at Kelly and Associates Insurance Group. Riley began in the fulltime position on Sept. 14.
  
  
• Hannah Kliewer, a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker from Powell, Wyo., has joined the BVS office in Elgin, Ill., as assistant to the orientation director.
  
  
• The Annual Conference Office will have an open house on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 2-4 p.m., at their new location in New Windsor, Md. All are invited to see the new office, talk to the staff, and have some refreshments. Conference executive director Lerry Fogle and Conference assistant Dana Weaver will host the event. The office is located on the lower level of the Blue Ridge Building, 500 Main Street, New Windsor, Md., 21776-0720. Further information or directions can be obtained by calling 800-688-5186.
  
  
• Annual Conference moderator Belita D. Mitchell has written to Church of the Brethren congregations expressing "deep appreciation to the delegates and other persons in attendance at the 220th Recorded Annual Conference, held July 2-5," and highlighting the offerings amounting to $47,440 as "a wonderful expression of support for the value of Annual Conference to the life and work of our denomination." The letter called on congregations to send delegates to the 2007 Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 30-July 4, and to encourage other members to attend as well. The letter is being sent to congregations in the monthly "Source" packet.
  
  
• Church of the Brethren representatives are traveling to Sudan during the last week of September and early October to renew connections with the New Sudan Council of Churches and other organizations. The group will engage in reflection about possibilities for the Church of the Brethren mission in Sudan. The Brethren representatives are Merv Keeney, executive director of the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships; Bradley Bohrer, who began Sept. 11 as director of the Sudan mission initiative; and former Brethren mission worker Louise Rieman. "This new effort is requiring shaping new systems and models, a process that we want to do in conversation with long-time Sudan church partners," said Bohrer in an announcement of the trip on the initiative's web page. The conversations will be critical to define next steps for the Sudan mission, he added. After the group's return, staff anticipate announcing first openings for mission workers, with the hope of having new staff at work in Sudan by the end of the first quarter of 2007. By the end of the second quarter of 2007, the Sudan initiative may have identified the region in which work will be centered, the announcement said. "Part of the timing of placement will depend on how quickly we can raise support" for mission workers, Bohrer said. "We will be soliciting churches to 'adopt' part or all of the support for these families through a new program, asking for not only financial support, but also prayer support or even relational support. . . . Raise the Sudan initiative in your churches as a prayer concern and celebration," he requested. For resources about the Sudan mission contact Janis Pyle, coordinator for mission connections, at 800-323-8039 ext. 227 or jpyle_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The Association of Brethren Caregivers has rescheduled next year's Caring Ministries Assembly. The assembly is now planned for Sept. 6-8, 2007, at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, on the theme, "Being Family: Reality and Renewal."
  
  
• Registrations are being accepted for Bethany Theological Seminary's six-week workshop, "Introduction to On-Line Teaching." The workshop, to be held completely online Oct. 23 to Dec. 8, will equip participants with the awareness and skills needed to successfully facilitate online learning as a course instructor. For more information, see www.bts.earlham.edu/~enten/IntroOnlineTeaching.htm or contact Enten Eller, Bethany Theological Seminary's director of Distributed Education, via e-mail at Enten@BethanySeminary.edu, or by phone at 765-983-1831 (800-287-8822 x1831).
  
  
• Lutheran World Relief has announced a change to its Material Resources Program that will affect the work of the Service Ministries program of the Church of the Brethren General Board. For more than 60 years, Lutheran World Relief has shared handmade quilts, kits, soap, and clothing with people in need around the world. As of Dec. 31, the program will no longer collect clothing of any kind for distribution. All other projects*including the collection of quilts, kits, and soap*will continue. The Service Ministries program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., first began packing and shipping for Lutheran World Relief in 1951 and will continue processing and shipping quilts, soap, school kits, health kits, baby kits, sewing kits, and cotton prewashed fabric in three- to four-yard pieces. Service Ministries staff will work closely with Lutheran World Relief as the clothing portion of the program is phased out.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren's Intercultural Study Committee has launched a Spanish version of its web log, "COB Intercultural en Espanol." Spanish-speaking sisters and brothers can learn more about the current work of the committee and contribute to the topic's discussion by visiting http://cobintercultural.blogspot.com. A new, short survey has been posted on the English and Spanish web logs. The English version is available at http://interculturalcob.blogspot.com.
  
  
• El Comité de Estudio Intercultural de la Iglesia de los Hermanos anuncia el lanzamiento de la versión de su web log en espa?ol, titulada "COB Intercultural en Espanol." Hermanas y hermanos hispanoparlantes pueden aprender más sobre el trabajo actual del comité y contribuir a la discusión de este tema al visitar http://cobintercultural.blogspot.com. Una nueva encuesta corta se a?adió a los dos web logs. La versión en inglés se encuentra en http://interculturalcob.blogspot.com.
  
  
• A Disaster Child Care (DCC) Level I Training Workshop is scheduled at La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren Nov. 18-19. Download a brochure and registration form from www.disasterchildcare.org, or call the DCC office at 800-451-4407 ext. 5 to request copies. DCC volunteers who received their original training more than 10 years ago are also encouraged to participate in a Level 1 workshop to brush up on their skills. "Having experienced childcare volunteers in the workshop enhances the experience for new people," said DCC coordinator Helen Stonesifer. DCC volunteers may attend for a reduced fee of $25, as members of the volunteer network. For further information or to reserve a place in the training, contact on-site coordinator Kathy Benson at 909-593-4868 or 814-467-7381, or contact the DCC office at 800-451-4407 ext. 5 or e-mail hstonesifer_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• New Vision Church of the Brethren, a new church development project in Virlina District, has closed. Twenty-eight people from the community and district gathered on Sunday, Sept. 17, for a final worship service of the congregation in Calabash, N.C. The effort began with worship services on April 14, 2002, and was formerly located in nearby Sunset Beach. The Coastal Carolina Steering Committee, which is responsible for Church of the Brethren mission work in the eastern Carolinas, will meet soon to review other opportunities in the area east of I-95 between Wilmington, N.C., and Surfside Beach, S.C., according to the district newsletter.
  
  
• Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va., is hosting the national conference of the Church of the Brethren's Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) on Nov. 17-19. The conference will likely draw about 50 people, according to the camp newsletter. The theme is, "Fill Their Cups: Fostering Leadership." The conference is "for everyone," the announcement said, including church leaders, educators, youth and children's ministry leaders, camp staff, camp boards, Outdoor Ministries Committees or district commissions, and members and leaders from all denominations. More information is available at www.campbethelvirginia.org/OMA.htm.
  
  
• Midland Christian Academy, a school related to Midland (Va.) Church of the Brethren, is being recognized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for raising the most funds for "Pennies for Patients" out of participating schools in Virginia, according to the "Fauquier Times-Democrat" newspaper. A recognition ceremony took place Sept. 20 at the church.
  
  
• Lewiston (Maine) Church of the Brethren celebrated 25 years on Aug. 26-27. The congregation was begun 25 years ago by six families from Pennsylvania, who moved to Maine to be part of the new church plant, according to the "Sun-Journal" newspaper.
  
  
• Oct. 7 is Camp Bethel's Heritage Day celebration, a fundraiser for the ministries of the camp. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by booths and displays opening at 9 a.m. The day features hot foods, baked goods, barbecue, crafts, quilts, wreaths, activities, candies, fresh vegetables, baskets, ornaments, soups, woodcraft, open-kettle apple butter, flowers, pies, tie-dye t-shirts, holiday decorations, Camp Bethel clothing and hats, and much more. Troutville Church of the Brethren's praise band, "Joyful Noiz," will perform. Go to www.campbethelvirginia.org/hday.htm.
  
  
• On Oct. 13, McPherson (Kan.) College will honor three graduates as recipients of the Young Alumni Award for 2006. Honorees include Roy Winter, Vic Ullom, and Dennis Kingery. The awards will be presented during Honors Convocation at 1:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium. Winter graduated from McPherson in 1986 with a degree in psychology, and now serves as executive director of the Brethren Service Center and Emergency Response for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Ullom received his bachelor's degree from McPherson in 1990, followed by a master's degree in '93 from the University of Kansas and a second master's degree in International Studies and a law degree from the University of Denver; since 2002 he has worked for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Kingery graduated from McPherson in 1996 with a degree in accounting and business finance; since 2004 he has directed the Church of the Brethren Credit Union for Brethren Benefit Trust.
  
  
• On Sept. 30, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., CrossRoads Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va., is sponsoring its annual Harvest Day. Activities include music, storytelling, horse-drawn carriage rides, painting pumpkins and gourds, making and tossing darts made from corn cobs, grinding corn and feeding it to chickens, petting barnyard babies, boiling molasses from sorghum cane syrup, pressing cider from apples, sawing logs with a crosscut saw, thread being spun from flax and wool, bed covers being quilted and woven, and nails and clothes hooks crafted by blacksmiths. Homemade food and drink will be available. Entrance fee is $8 per car. For more go to www.vbmhc.org.
  
  
• Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren will host a presentation by John Ruth*historian, storyteller, writer, and filmmaker from Pennsylvania*on the "Migration of Mennonites and Brethren from Pennsylvania to Virginia" on Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited. Donations will support CrossRoads Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center.
  
  
• "NeXt Generation Stewardship," the 2006 Leadership Seminar sponsored by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center, will be held Nov. 27-30 in Saint Petersburg Beach, Fla. The Church of the Brethren is a member of the center. Speakers include Brian McLaren, author of "The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern Matrix"; Diana Butler Bass, author of the upcoming book, "Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith"; and Christian musician Ken Medema, who will serve as worship leader. Early bird registration is $375, due by Oct. 4. First-time attendee and group rates offer further discounts. Registration does not include hotel costs. For more information and to register go to www.stewardshipresources.org.
  
  
• National Council of Churches (NCC) general secretary Robert Edgar has written a new book titled "Middle Church," about "reclaiming the moral values of the faithful majority from the religious right." The book was published by Simon and Schuster on Sept. 5. In a release from the NCC, a review said the book challenges people of "middle America" to speak up about their faith. As the media seeks out the most extreme religious spokespersons, many of them on the far political right, the views of ordinary people of faith are often drowned out, Edgar writes. Along with biblical reflection, the book is also part biography. Read more at www.middlechurch.net.
  
  
• The "season" for CROP walks is beginning, according to Church World Service (CWS). The humanitarian agency has announced the start of its 2006 season of community fundraising events that bring together people of all faiths in an effort to combat hunger. In 2005, more than 2,000 communities across the country*including many Church of the Brethren congregations*participated in 1,708 CROP walks. Over the past 20 years, CROP walkers have raised more than $270 million to fight hunger. Twenty-five percent of the money stays in the local communities to help stock food pantries for emergency assistance to local families; the balance helps CWS efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty around the world. Information about local CROP Hunger Walks is at www.churchworldservice.org/CROP or call 888-CWS-CROP.
  
  
• The School of the Americas (SOA) Watch has announced that this year's witness will be held Nov. 17-19 in Columbus, Ga., at the gates of Fort Benning. On Earth Peace is inviting Brethren to take part. Visit www.soaw.org for more information. The witness is focused on closing the school that has trained military personnel from other countries, many of whom have been connected with human rights abuses in Latin America.