NEWS

• PBS to feature Civilian Public Service on 'History Detectives.'
  
• Young adults are called to experience transformation.
  
• IMA supports Brethren response to Katrina and Rita disasters.
  
• Mid-Atlantic Disaster Auction sets record.
  
• Young Center announces Donald F. Durnbaugh Legacy Endowment.
  
• Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, personnel, jobs, more.

PERSONNEL

• Nadine Pence Frantz resigns from Bethany Theological Seminary.
  
• Bradley Bohrer hired as director of Sudan initiative for General Board.
  
• McPherson College hires Thomas Hurst as campus minister.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Brethren leader Thurl Metzger to be honored by Heifer International.

FEATURE

• Spiritual directors are called to 'listen with the heart.'

PBS to feature Civilian Public Service on 'History Detectives.'

An episode of the television series "History Detectives" featuring the Church of the Brethren and Civilian Public Service (CPS) will air on PBS stations on Monday, July 10, at 9 p.m. eastern (check local listings).

The show was filmed with the help of research done by Church of the Brethren archivist Ken Shaffer, who was contacted in Nov. 2005 by the production company's staff as they were tracking down the history of a Brethren Service Committee certificate. The Brethren Historical Library and Archives and Shaffer provided background information, photos, and film. The archives is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

The giving of Brethren Service Committee certificates and stamps was among several methods used by Brethren to raise funds to support CPS camps and the conscientious objectors who worked in the program during World War II. The certificates and stamp cards indicated the amount of the donation and stated that the donation was to be used for CPS.

As World War II neared, the Church of the Brethren along with the other historic peace churches worked with the US government to establish Civilian Public Service as an alternative service program for conscientious objectors to war. While CPS was under the authority of the government, it was organized, administered, and funded by the churches.

The Church of the Brethren was responsible for 33 CPS camps and special projects. Responsibility included funding, and the Brethren donated over $1,300,000 plus large amounts of food and clothing to support CPS.

The Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., hosted the cast and film crew of "History Detectives" on Feb. 24-25 when they interviewed Harry Graybill, a CPS worker who served four years in the program. "History Detectives" staff also did filming and interviews at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College and other locations.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Young adults are called to experience transformation.

The annual Young Adult Conference took place May 26-28 at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pa. Drawing 99 young adults and leaders from around the nation, the conference focused on Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect."

"Only when we allow ourselves to be transformed are we able to recognize, accept, and respond to what God wants from us," noted coordinator Emily Tyler.

Bob Etzweiler and Hannah Serfling were the featured young adult speakers. Etzweiler opened the weekend with a challenging assessment of the ways in which Christians as the Body of Christ must transform daily lifestyle choices into faith statements in order to continue living. Serfling focused on the transformation that takes place by seeking forgiveness from sin.

Other speakers included Marlys Hershberger, pastor of Hollidaysburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, who spoke about the idea that each of us is called to be a "reflector" of the love of Jesus Christ. Craig Smith, executive minister of Atlantic Northeast District, spurred conference-goers to "go and do likewise" after a message describing what transformation looks like in individuals and the church. Worship services also included communion and anointing.

When not worshiping, young adults participated in several other activities. Padare (workshop) sessions were held on topics ranging from storytelling to Bible study to immigration reform. "Joyful Noise" sessions gave participants a chance to sing favorite hymns while learning a few new tunes. Small groups, called Community Groups, met several times throughout the weekend.

A Coffeehouse affirmed that the Church of the Brethren has been given many talented young adults. Musical numbers included driving rhythms, rich guitar chords, and lyrics in at least two languages. Humor was a frequent guest in the room as well; participants had a hard time taking seriously the musician who wore an over-sized orange foam cowboy hat.

In addition to providing information on its services, Mutual Aid Association held a free ice-cream social and a drawing for door prizes.

The weekend ended with hugs and goodbyes to new and old friends. Hopefully, many will re-unite next year over Memorial Day weekend at Camp Harmony in Hooversville, Pa. Also, young adults are encouraged to begin making plans now to attend the second National Young Adult Conference, June 9-13, 2008, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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IMA supports Brethren response to Katrina and Rita disasters.

The first-ever domestic disaster response by Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) has provided $19,500 for rebuilding work coordinated by the Emergency Response program of the Church of the Brethren General Board, according to a release from IMA.

Created in 1960 to support overseas church-based health development and emergency response activities, IMA had never been called on to assist with a domestic disaster until Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf states, the release said. Just hours after the hurricane struck, donors began sending contributions to IMA, many of them repeat donors who had appreciated the effectiveness of IMA's assistance for the tsunami disaster in South Asia.

As the extent of the damage became evident in the days immediately following the hurricane, IMA's member relief and development agencies called on IMA to provide Medicine Boxes of emergency medicines and supplies. The boxes were placed in shelters for use by medical personnel treating the everyday health needs of displaced people. Over the course of about four months, IMA coordinated five shipments of medical products with a total value of $89,476.

As relief efforts moved into the longterm phase, medicines and medical supplies were no longer needed. But IMA's emergency fund for the Katrina disaster had not been depleted, and IMA began discussions about longterm recovery projects that needed funding.

IMA announced early this month that the remaining $19,500 in Katrina disaster relief funds will assist rebuilding activities under the leadership of Emergency Response. The financial support offered by IMA will help pay for building materials and their transport to the affected areas.

The Brethren response to both hurricanes collectively included deploying 128 Disaster Child Care volunteers who interacted with 3,027 children affected by the disaster; coordinating 183 volunteers who helped to clean up or repair the homes of 188 families in Alabama and Louisiana; facilitating shipments of material aid valued at $2.1 million from the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., in collaboration with Church World Service; and providing grants totaling $257,000 for the disaster response activities.

"The disaster response work of the Church of the Brethren is well respected on all fronts," said Paul Derstine, IMA president. "IMA is diligent about staying faithful to our donors' wishes, so we're happy to be able to use their contributions for longterm recovery activities in response to the Katrina and Rita hurricane disasters. Having IMA's headquarters located at the Brethren Service Center enables us to maintain a close working relationship with Emergency Response."

IMA is a nonprofit association of 12 Protestant relief and development agencies providing assistance for overseas health programs of partner churches, faith-based development and relief organizations, and public and private agencies with similar goals. See www.interchurch.org.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Mid-Atlantic Disaster Auction sets record.

The 2006 Mid-Atlantic Disaster Auction held May 6 at the Agricultural Center in Westminster, Md., set a record high total net income of $77,860.50, according to a report from committee member Roy Johnson. The record proceeds from the auction were announced at the May meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Disaster Response Auction Committee. The previous high income from an auction was $70,000.

Of this year's total net income, the amount of $4,500 was given to the Mid-Atlantic District to provide for transportation costs of disaster volunteers working in distant locations such as New Orleans; the amount of $73,000 was sent to the Emergency Disaster Fund of the Church of the Brethren General Board, to be used to fund disaster services.

Theme baskets were a new offering at this year's auction. The theme baskets contributed an income of $829.

In totals from a quilt auction, 161 quilts brought in $34,167.50 representing an increase of 20 pieces and $6,235 over last year's totals. Six quilt tops and one wall hanging purchased for the 2007 auction already have sponsors and quilters. A balance of some $5,000 was kept back for start-up costs for next year.

The 2006 auction booklet was again a great success as well, bringing in a profit of $13,899.97. More than 3,000 of the booklets were printed. Debbie Noffsinger served as the graphic artist for the booklet. "We congratulated her for the great job she has done," Johnson said.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Young Center announces Donald F. Durnbaugh Legacy Endowment.

The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, located at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, is honoring the outstanding scholarship of the late Donald F. Durnbaugh by creating the Durnbaugh Legacy Endowment. Durnbaugh passed away in August last year.

Contributed funds will help meet a $2 million challenge by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The endowment will support the collection of reference materials, will support teaching, will create an academic chair at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, and will support many other activities of the center. Some of Durnbaugh's papers and books, contributed by his family, will be used to support the center's program of research and scholarly publications in Anabaptist and Pietist studies.

Durnbaugh is considered the preeminent scholar of the Brethren experience in Europe and America, said the announcement of the endowment. His narrative history, "Fruit of the Vine, A History of the Brethren, 1708-1997," is the standard in the field of study, the center said. Durnbaugh also authored "The Believers' Church: The History and Character of Radical Protestantism," and edited the multi-volume "Brethren Encyclopedia."

He was a long-time supporter and friend of the Young Center. In 1987, he earned the distinction of delivering the first public lecture at what would become the center. Two years later, he was appointed the first Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religion and History at Elizabethtown College, a position he held until 1993. That same year, he was named the first Young Center Fellow. During his tenure at the center, he furthered the study of Anabaptist and Pietist faiths by presenting papers at academic conferences, writing scholarly articles, and preparing book reviews. He also played a major role in planning the 1991 meeting of the International Communal Studies Association and the first Brethren World Assembly in 1992, both held at the Young Center. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a member of the Young Center Advisory Committee.

Associated with the Durnbaugh Legacy Endowment, several naming opportunities have been established that reflect the heritage of the Believer's Church. For more information about these opportunities or for more information about the endowment, contact Allen T. Hansell, director of Church Relations at Elizabethtown College, at 717-361-1257.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, personnel, jobs, more.

• Correction: Beth Gunzel is not a volunteer with Brethren Volunteer Service, as was incorrectly reported in Newsline on June 7. She is staff for Economic Development in the Dominican Republic for the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
  
  
• June Swann Hoal, aged 79, of Roanoke, Va., died on Saturday, June 10. She served Virlina District as a former co-manager of Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Va. Hoal was a lifetime member of First Church of the Brethren in Roanoke where she was a deacon and served in many other leadership capacities including as a member of the Outdoor Ministries Committee and a volunteer at the Virlina District Resource Center. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Laura Hoal Heptinstall and Kevin L. Heptinstall, her son and daughter-in-law Alan Eugene Hoal and Carol B. Hoal, and four grandchildren, among other family members. Services were held at First Church of the Brethren in Roanoke on June 13. Memorials are made to First Church of the Brethren or to Virlina District's Church of the Brethren Pilgrimage Scholarship Fund.
  
  
• On June 8, Jake Blouch joined the General Board's communications area working with "Messenger" magazine. Blouch, who is from Hershey, Pa., will work with the magazine for the summer through the Ministry Summer Service program. He is a member of Spring Creek Church of the Brethren in Hershey and a student at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he is majoring in acting.
  
  
• Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) seeks a director of Employee Benefit Plans. The position is fulltime and salaried, based in Elgin, Ill. Functions include administration of the insurance and retirement benefit plans, flexible spending and health savings accounts, clergy consultation services contract, Church Workers Assistance Plan, and wellness ministry partnership with the Association of Brethren Caregivers. Responsibilities include strategic planning and services development, Pension Plan Trust and legal plan description, employer agreements, members' handbook, actuarial support services, insurance contracts and third party administrator arrangements, plans and systems operations and member services management. Qualifications include membership in the Church of the Brethren and active participation in a Church of the Brethren congregation, at least an undergraduate degree and/or certification as an Employee Benefits Specialist, and at least five years of experience in employee benefits plan management, legal and medical practice, human resources administration, or related management experience. Send a letter of interest and a resume with salary range expectation to Susan Brandenbusch at 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; sbrandenbusch_bbt@brethren.org.
  
  
• BBT seeks a director of the Brethren Foundation Inc. The position is fulltime and salaried, based in Elgin, Ill. Functions include administration of four basic services of the foundation: aset management, deferred gifts management, deferred gifts technical assistance and client services, and enlarging of the base of the participation in foundation services. Responsibilities include strategic planning and services development, client development and service, systems knowledge and operations oversight, investment and social responsibility staff team, and financial, estate, and gift planning. Qualifications include membership in the Church of the Brethren and active participation in a Church of the Brethren congregation; at least an undergraduate degree; one or more professional credentials related to foundation management, financial planning, planned giving, or investment management (may be attained on the job); and at least five years of experience in a related management position. Send a letter of interest and a resume with salary range expectation to Susan Brandenbusch at 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; sbrandenbusch_bbt@brethren.org.
  
  
• BBT seeks a manager of Publications. The position is fulltime and salaried, based in Elgin, Ill. Functions include daily editorial oversight of BBT publications--newsletters, press releases, annual report, website, and other special projects--and serving as senior writer. Responsibilities include managing a publication schedule, content for publications and website, creation of writing assignments and photo assignments, working with a production coordinator and contracted designers, assisting with marketing and promotional efforts. Qualifications include membership in the Church of the Brethren and active participation in a Church of the Brethren congregation; at least an undergraduate degree preferably in communications, English, or related field; and experience or expertise in writing, copyediting, project management, and corporate communications. Send a letter of interest and a resume with salary range expectation to Susan Brandenbusch at 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; sbrandenbusch_bbt@brethren.org.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a fulltime director of Marketing and Sales for Brethren Press in Elgin, Ill. Responsibilities include setting, monitoring, and meeting annual sales goals; developing and implementing a marketing plan; supervising customer service and shipping and warehouse functions; overseeing creation and release of promotional materials; managing marketing aspects of the Brethren Press Bookstore at Annual Conference and other events; networking and working collegially with General Board staff in developing new products and marketing. Qualifications include proven skills in marketing or sales, ability to represent Brethren Press favorably in denominational and ecumenical settings, oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills, ability to balance independence with collaboration, grounding in or an interest in learning Brethren heritage, theology, and polity. Required education and experience include a bachelor's degree in a related field and experience working in a religious setting. Candidates with prior successful marketing experience are given priority. A position description and application form are available on request. Application deadline is July 14. Complete the General Board application form, submit a resume and a letter of application, and request three references to send letters of recommendation to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; mgarrison_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• "Ring in Remembrance" will mark the tragic milestone of 2,500 US soldiers killed in the Iraq War, on the weekend of June 24-25. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office issued an action alert publicizing the interfaith initiative for religious congregations to ring bells, especially the bells of their houses of worship, to remember all the casualties of the war and their hurting families. The effort is organized by FaithfulAmerica.org, an interfaith program of the National Council of Churches. "Bell ringing has historically been used to call communities together in times of joy, sadness, or crisis," said Vince Isner, director of FaithfulAmerica.org. "We believe this is not only a time of sadness, but an opportunity to ring in a new season of peace." Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 337 N. Carolina Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003; 800-785-3246; washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• On Earth Peace on June 16 called for remembrance of the 1976 Soweto student uprising in South Africa. "Thirty years ago today, Black South African students walked out of high school in Soweto to resist the enforced instruction of the Afrikaans language. By the end of the day, at least 95 students and as many as 500 students had been killed by police in Soweto and across South Africa," wrote Matt Guynn, coordinator of Peace Witness, in an e-mail to a Peace Witness Action List. Others remembering the event included World Council of Churches general secretary Samuel Kobia, who paid tribute to the Soweto uprising by saying it "triggered the final end to apartheid in South Africa." South Africa held a day of special events in Soweto and has named June 16 "Youth Day." The All-Africa Council of Churches has named June 16 the "International Day of the African Child," according to Ekklesia, an online religious news site.
  
  
• Pastor Doug Wantz of Chippewa Church of the Brethren in Creston, Ohio, is one of several pastors competing in the "Faster Pastor" race series at Wayne County Speedway in Ohio on June 24. Wantz was last year's Finale Winner, according to an article on www.whowon.com. For more information go to www.waynecountyspeedway.com.
  
  
• A new volume of lectionary resources on food and justice includes a reflection by Jean Lersch, of First Church of the Brethren in St. Petersburg, Fla. Lersch has been a Bread for the World member since the 1970s and is active in the Peace Team of Atlantic Southeast District. Her reflection appears in "Bread for the World, Hunger for the Word: Lectionary Reflections on Food and Justice, Year C" (order at www.breadstore.org). The volume provides weekly biblical reflections, children's sermons, and music for the lectionary readings for Year C, which begin this fall with Advent. Many authors from various denominations contributed to the volume.
  
  
• A conference on "Eco-Justice for All: God's People, God's Planet," featured Church of the Brethren member Shantilal Bhagat as a workshop leader. The event was sponsored by the National Council of Churches in New Orleans on June 1-4. Bhagat is retired from the staff of the Church of the Brethren General Board, and led workshops exploring the connections of ecological, economic, and social justice.
  
  
• More than 50 people from about 13 different congregations of Illinois and Wisconsin District gathered at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren near Roanoke, Ill., on April 29 to paint the church building, repair steps, work on insulation and plumbing, install a water heater and new sink in the kitchen, do electric work, trim weeds in the cemetery, and move a wall between the office and library. "It was suggested to make this an annual event, helping different churches throughout the district, both with work projects and cementing the bonds of friendship and fellowship between churches," wrote Linda Dooly in the district newsletter.
  
  
• The National Council of Churches (NCC) has participated in or made statements on several current political issues. General secretary Bob Edgar was one of 27 religious leaders who signed a statement calling for the elimination of torture as a part of US policy (to endorse the statement go to www.nrcat.org). The NCC renewed a call to close the US Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba following the suicides of three prisoners; as of June 15, more than 10,500 people had signed a petition at FaithfulAmerica.org calling for the facility to be closed (FaithfulAmerica.org is a program of the NCC; for more see www.ncccusa.org/news/060216gitmo.html). The NCC also urged Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour from $5.15 an hour, joining the Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign. "A raise to $7.25 an hour is the least we can do now for minimum wage workers who have gone without a raise for nine long years," the NCC said (for more go to www.letjusticeroll.org).
  
  
• The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Samuel Kobia, has called for action to stop "terminator technology"-- plants that are genetically engineered to produce sterile seeds, preventing farmers from re-planting saved seed. This technology "turns life, which is a gift from God, into a commodity," Kobia said. "Preventing farmers from re-planting saved seed will increase economic injustice all over the world and add to the burdens of those already living in hardship." The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 1.4 billion people depend on farmer-saved seed as their primary seed source, the WCC said. For the full release go to http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/all-news-english/display-single-english-news/browse/1/article/1634/take-action-to-stop-termi.html.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Nadine Pence Frantz resigns from Bethany Theological Seminary.

Nadine Pence Frantz, professor of Theological Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., has accepted an appointment as director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, effective Jan. 1, 2007.

The Wabash Center, located at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., works on issues of teaching and learning with faculties of religion in colleges and universities, seminaries, and theological schools across the country. The center is fully funded by the Lilly Endowment.

Bethany president Eugene F. Roop and dean Stephen Reid accepted Frantz's resignation recognizing the loss that comes with the departure of an excellent teacher and Bethany's senior faculty member, according to an announcement from the seminary. "Dena's passion for excellent teaching has been reflected in the maturity of her own work with students," said Roop. "Those learning to teach religion in seminaries and colleges will be wonderfully served with Dena as director of the Wabash Center."

Frantz first came to Bethany as a student in 1977-80. She completed a doctorate at the University of Chicago and joined the Bethany faculty in 1992. She has focused her research and writing in the areas of christology, theology, the visual arts, and feminist theology. Recently she edited and contributed to the book, "Hope Deferred: Heart-Healing Reflections on Reproductive Loss." In other professional involvements, she has been executive director of the Council for the Societies for the Study of Religion.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Bradley Bohrer hired as director of Sudan initiative for General Board.

Bradley Bohrer begins Sept. 11 as director of the Sudan initiative of the Church of the Brethren General Board. He has most recently served as pastor of Brook Park Community Church of the Brethren in Brookpark, Ohio, for over 22 years.

For the past four years he also has served as an advisor to doctor of ministry students, and as an instructor, at Ashland Theological Seminary. Bohrer also has worked in Northern Ohio District as director of Pastoral Continuing Education for the past two years. In 1995-97 he taught at Kulp Bible College in Nigeria.

Bohrer is a graduate of Manchester College, North Manchester, Ind., with a degree in music performance and sociology. He also holds a master of divinity degree from Bethany Seminary, and obtained a doctor of ministry degree from Ashland Seminary.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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McPherson College hires Thomas Hurst as campus minister.

McPherson (Kan.) College has announced that Thomas Hurst has accepted the position of campus minister, beginning in mid-July. A life-long member of the Church of the Brethren, Hurst currently is Mid-Atlantic Regional Field Manager for AFS Intercultural Programs securing family and school placements for students in international education.

Hurst has worked as executive director for On Earth Peace, as pastor of Downsville Church of the Brethren in Williamsport, Md., and as an area representative for Heifer International.

He received his bachelor's degree from Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., with a degree in sociology; completed a master's degree from Ohio University in American Government and Foreign Policy; completed coursework at Bethany Theological Seminary in 2003-04; and holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Temple University.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Brethren leader Thurl Metzger to be honored by Heifer International.

A new Thurl Metzger Education Center will be dedicated at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 at Heifer Ranch near Perryville, Ark. A Church of the Brethren member, Metzger served Heifer International for some 30 years as executive director, director of International Programs, and senior consultant, beginning in 1953. The Church of the Brethren started Heifer Project in 1944.

Previous to his service to Heifer, Metzger was director of the Polish farm-youth exchange program of the Church of the Brethren Service Commission.

The new building will include "green" features, classrooms, and office space for the Ranch education team and the Volunteer Department team. It will be equipped with handicap accessible trails to accommodate wheel chairs, and will serve as a severe weather and tornado shelter.

For information about accommodations and other arrangements, contact Bonnie Williams at 501-889-5124 or bonnie.williams@heifer.org no later than June 30.

Source: 6/21/2006 Newsline
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Spiritual directors are called to 'listen with the heart.'

By Connie Burkholder

What is the connection between the ministry of being with the dying, and the ministry of being a spiritual director? That question was prompted by the theme for the Church of the Brethren spiritual directors' retreat May 22-24 at Shepherd's Spring, camp and conference center of Mid-Atlantic District. About two dozen Church of the Brethren spiritual directors attended the retreat.

We heard a number of answers to the question through the presentations of Rose Mary Dougherty, a School Sister of Notre Dame who spent many years training spiritual directors at Shalem Institute and who now does hospice ministry. Sharing personal experiences from these two ministries, Dougherty spoke of the importance of being fully present in each moment with a person. She reminded us to trust the holy mystery of the process that is going on in the person with whom we are ministering. Quoting Teilhard de Chardin, she said, "Above all, be patient with the slow work of God."

We considered "the slow work of God" in ourselves through an afternoon in the spiritual discipline of silence. Dougherty invited us to a prayerful exercise of stripping away the roles we play and the masks we wear to be closer to uncovering our true selves. She noted that as we come closer to our true selves and allow God's mercy to touch us, we are able to be present with others without our own agendas getting in the way of hearing, welcoming, and receiving whatever the other person brings.

An evening session in group spiritual direction gave the opportunity for each of us to share our prayer experience in a small group. I found this to be a powerful experience of sharing deeply with people who were willing to be present to me in my journey as I continue discerning God's leading in my life.

I was moved deeply by Dougherty's instruction to cross each threshold with openness to God and to the other person's experience. The threshold may be a physical doorway, as we enter a room to see a person. It may be a moment in time, when we pause to pray and set aside what has happened previously and prepare ourselves to be available and present in the moment.

"Listen with the ear of your heart," said Dougherty, quoting the Rule of St. Benedict. "And listen. Listen. Listen." Such is the calling and task of spiritual directors. The retreat allowed me and others to be refreshed and renewed to follow that calling.

--Connie Burkholder is executive minister of Northern Plains District.

Source: 6/21/2006 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. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Kathleen Campanella, Allen Hansell, Roy Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ken Shaffer, and Becky Ullom contributed to this report.