Brethren bits: Remembrances, personnel, job openings, and more.

• Veteran Brethren missionary Olive Wise, 86, has died. She was a member of First Church of the Brethren in Johnson City, Tenn., and a resident of John M. Reed Home. A native of Rockford, Ill., and a former nurse and midwife, Wise served from 1948-59 as a missionary of the Church of the Brethren in Bulsar, India. The funeral was held Oct. 2 at First Church of the Brethren in Johnson City. Graveside services took place Oct. 3.
  
  
• In an issue of the "BRF Witness" from earlier this year, the Brethren Revival Fellowship expressed sympathy and prayers following the death of Murray P. Lehman, one of the five original members of the BRF Committee. He passed away on Feb. 12, 2006, at age 91. He was a fruit farmer and non-salaried minister and former moderator of New Fairview Church of the Brethren and Belvidere Church of the Brethren in York, Pa. He also helped begin the Lehman Center of York, a temporary shelter for women and children in distress. Lehman helped to launch the BRF along with Linford Rotenberger, W. Hartman Rice, Ralph Jones, and John Geary.
  
  
• Jeannette W. Patterson, who served for 38 years as staff in the Virlina District Resource Center and at Camp Bethel, retired on Aug. 10 as director of support services for the district. She will be honored with a reception at Williamson Road Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 3-5 p.m. Highlights of the reception will be a program at 4 p.m., presentation of a gift and a plaque by Cathy S. Huffman, chair of the District Board, and remarks by L. Clyde Carter, David K. Shumate, and Owen G. Stultz.
  
  
• Carla Gillespie has begun a short-term assignment with the General Board, on a contractual basis, to support preparations for the denomination's Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration next year. The event will be held April 19-22 at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center. Gillespie's responsibilities will include giving oversight to a Youth Overnight retreat in conjunction with the consultation, to be held April 20 at Union Bridge Church of the Brethren, and coordinating the worship services for the consultation. She will work with Duane Grady of the General Board's Congregational Life Team staff. Gillespie is a student at Bethany Theological Seminary and a member of Eastwood Church of the Brethren in Akron, Ohio.
  
  
• The Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board seeks two couples or families as the lead team to begin the new ministry in Sudan, seeking to rebuild and heal the communities after decades of war. The effort will include the formation of churches. A complimentary team that includes people bringing one or more of the following skill sets will be preferred: peace and conflict transformation, health care, church planting and Christian education, community development preferably with experience in the "two-thirds world," dealing with trauma, and literacy and adult education. Candidates should bring relevant education and experience in their areas of specialty, previous experience in international cross-cultural settings, be well grounded in Church of the Brethren identity and practice, and have a team orientation. Secondary skills in repair and maintenance of computers, buildings, or vehicles will be useful. Team members will participate in raising their own support under General Board oversight. Applications are due Nov. 25. The proposed timetable is for interviews and decisions to be made before the end of the year, with placement possibly by the end of the first quarter of 2007. Request applications from Karin Krog, Office of Human Resources, by telephone at 800-323-8039 ext. 258.
  
  
• The Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) has an opening for an archival intern beginning July 1, 2007. This is a one-year internship located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The program is designed for young people to develop interest in vocations related to archives, libraries, and/or Brethren history. This program provides the intern with work assignments at BHLA and opportunities to develop professional contacts. Housing, a monthly stipend of $877, and health and life insurance are provided. A graduate student is preferred, or an undergraduate with at least two years of college. Other requirements include willingness to work with detail, accurate word processing skills, and the ability to lift 30-pound boxes. To apply, submit a resume, letter of application, college transcript (can be an unofficial copy), and three reference letters to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1696. For additional information about the program, contact Ken Shaffer at kshaffer_gb@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 294.
  
  
• Nov. 5 is Junior High Youth Sunday in the Church of the Brethren. The theme is "Transformed" based on the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25-27. Resources available at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/YouthSundayJ.htm include an introduction, a Bible study by Robert Neff, worship ideas from the new Sunday school curriculum "Gather 'Round," and an outline for a junior high retreat.
  
  
• Only a few days remain to purchase the commemorative calendar for the 300th Brethren Anniversary at "early bird" rates. The price increases by one dollar on Nov. 2. The calendar will be a unique keepsake as well as useful for teaching about Brethren history and tradition. It will include 18 contemporary feature photos of historical sites and items, 20 inset photos, 6 pages of information about Brethren history, and sidebars entitled "This Month in History." Order forms may be downloaded from www.brethrenanniversary.org.
  
  
• The Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) slide show presented at National Youth Conference this summer is now available for download at www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/Slideshow.html. The show is in PowerPoint format, and for copyright reasons does not including the music used with it at NYC, "What are you waiting for?" by Natalie Grant-Awaken. The slide show is suitable for use by congregations and others interested in BVS.
  
  
• Elk Run Church of the Brethren in Churchville, Va., celebrated its 125th anniversary on Oct. 22. Member Doris E. Smith has written a history of the church, and was one of the members interviewed for an article in the "News Leader" newspaper.
  
  
• Chiques Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa., recognized J. Becker Ginder for 50 years of ministry on Oct. 22. He was called to the ministry in 1956 on a team of nonsalaried, bi-vocational ministers, ordained in 1957, and served as moderator from 1974-85.
  
  
• Ridgeway Community Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., is being presented with the "Outstanding Program Partner of the Year Award" from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Central Pennsylvania Chapter. The church for the past 10 years has supplied space to the Multiple Sclerosis Society for various events, including the currently held weekly Tai Chi classes. The award presentation will take place on Nov. 8 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, with a reception at 5 p.m., and the awards presentation and other agenda at 6 p.m.
  
  
• The COBYS Family Services Bike and Hike on Sept. 10 at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren included a 55-mile motorcycle ride, 25-mile and 10-mile bicycle rides, and a 3-mile walk. The event raised pledges and donations exceeding the $60,000 goal. Some 520 people participated including 316 motorcyclists, 75 bicyclists, and 131 walkers. Two church youth groups raised $1,250 or more, from Little Swatara Church of the Brethren in Bethel, and Chiques Church of the Brethren in Manheim. Proceeds benefited COBYS Family Services, a Church of the Brethren-related agency offering adoption and foster care services, counseling, family life education, and a teen mother and child group home.
  
  
• The Brethren Disaster Relief Auction sponsored by Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania Districts has given a grant related to the shooting of Amish school children. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, families, and the community of those affected by the tragedy at the Amish School house," said a release from the auction. The event's Executive Board and many committee members work closely with many of the affected Amish families to help make the auction a success, the release said. The auction and the United Relief Fund unanimously approved the grant, committing to providing substantial support for the rebuilding of lives affected by the shooting, specifically the rebuilding of an Amish school, ongoing medical expenses, and continuing care of all those affected. For more information contact Treasurer, Brethren Disaster Relief Auction, Inc., 164 Vinegar Ferry Rd., Marietta, PA 17547.
  
  
• District conferences are in full swing in the Church of the Brethren. Over the past couple of weeks four districts have held their annual meetings including Atlantic Northeast on Oct. 13-14 (see story above); Oregon and Washington on Oct. 13-15 at Peace Church of the Brethren in Portland, Ore.; Idaho on Oct. 20-21 at Mountain View Church of the Brethren in Boise; and Middle Pennsylvania on Oct. 20-21 at Roaring Spring (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Four more districts plan upcoming conferences including Pacific Southwest on Oct. 27-29 at Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Western Pennsylvania on Oct. 28 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Illinois and Wisconsin on Nov. 3-5 at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill.; and Shenandoah on Nov. 3-4 at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Western Plains District is holding its 2nd Annual Gathering focused on congregational renewal on Oct. 27-29 in Salina, Kan., on the theme "Come and See the Transforming Work of Jesus."
  
  
• The University of La Verne held homecoming on Oct. 13-15, including class reunions for the decades ending in 6, an all-alumni dinner and dance, sports events, a music and theater department festival, and a worship service at La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, among many other activities. For more about the university go to www.ulv.edu.
  
  
• Bridgewater (Va.) College is hosting a "Gay Marriage Debate" on Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Hall, sponsored by the Anna B. Mow Lecture Series. Cheryl Jacques, six-term Massachusetts State Senator and president of the Human Rights Campaign, will debate John H. Rogers, the House Majority Leader for the Massachusetts House of Representatives. For more about the college go to www.bridgewater.edu.
  
  
• Manchester College professor James R.C. Adams unveiled new artwork in the Physicians Atrium of the college's Science Center on Oct. 26. For the past 18 months, he has been working on paintings to celebrate the $17 million Science Center, dedicated Sept. 16, 2005. Each of the three interrelated paintings depicts a natural science, underlined in a symbolic color--blue for physics, green for biology, and magenta for chemistry. Mathematics unites the triptych with formulas, words, symbols and equations. Adams was recognized by Congress as the 2002 US Professor of the Year, a release said. For more about the college go to www.manchester.edu.
  
  
• Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA), whose offices are hosted by the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., has been awarded $40 million for a health care project in the Democratic of Congo (DRC). An estimated eight million adults and children in the DRC will have access to improved health care through Project AXxes, a three-year program designed to deliver basic health care services and rebuild the health system. IMA has been named as the lead agency for the project, which will be managed and implemented in collaboration with the DRC Ministry of Health, the Protestant Church of Congo, World Vision International, Catholic Relief Services, and Merlin, and funded by US AID. The Church of the Brethren is one of the network of faith communities affiliated with IMA. For more information go to www.interchurch.org.
  
  
• Voices for an Open Spirit (VOS) plans its Fall 2006 Gathering for Nov. 10-12 at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind. "Spiritual Vitality: Sharing, Sampling, and Savoring" is the theme for a conference exploring a variety of spiritual styles, based on Jesus' promise, "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry" (John 6:35). The imagery of a pie will inform the gathering, said the brochure for the event. "During the weekend we will sample, savor, and share pieces of pie (both spiritual and physical)." Leaders are Tracy Knechel, pastor at Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio; Tim Button-Harrison, who has completed 10 years as pastor at Ivester Church of the Brethren in Grundy Center, Iowa; and Anita Smith Buckwalter, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Lansing, Mich. Cost is $135. Registration is available at www.voicesforanopenspirit.org. VOS is a network "giving voice to a progressive spirit in the Church of the Brethren."
  
  
• Fall events at CrossRoads Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va., include an installation of federal and state plaques granting historic register status for the Breneman-Turner Mill at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 12; and an annual tour of historic homes on Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., including four homes and Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren.
  
  
• The General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and Church World Service (CWS) holds its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 7-9, on the theme, "For the Healing of the Nations." Brethren delegates will join others from 35 Christian communions for worship, Bible study, fellowship, and to consider business. The NCC's Governing Board is referring resolutions on current events, including the war in Iraq, human cloning, and global warming, to the assembly for action. The subjects of other resolutions reviewed by the Governing Board include Wal-Mart, Christian Zionism, and the 400th anniversary next year of the founding of Jamestown, Va. More information is at www.ncccusa.org/generalassembly/highlights2006.html.
  
  
• Every Church A Peace Church, begun six years ago by an ecumenical group including Church of the Brethren representatives, has received a grant of $500,000 from the Shumaker Family Foundation of Kansas. The foundation cited the organization's interests in spirituality and social justice, and its innovative approach, as factors in awarding the grant. "The donors apparently share our belief that the church could turn the world toward peace if every church lived and taught as Jesus lived and taught," said coordinator John Stoner. Every Church a Peace Church has hired Michael Hardin, director of the School of Peace Theology and member of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion, as education coordinator; and Lorri Hardin as executive administrator. A search for a new national director is underway. Stoner will continue with the organization in a writing and speaking role. Every Church a Peace Church also plans a series of eight conferences in major cities to create a network engaged in just peacemaking, and plans a National Registry of Peace Churches. For more information visit www.ecapc.org.

Source: 10/25/2006 Newsline