Wednesday, November 22, 2006

NEWSPERSONNELUPCOMING EVENTSFEATURENEWSLINE EXTRA
Association of Brethren Caregivers tours Advocate Bethany Hospital.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers’ Executive Committee and Wellness Ministry cabinet toured Advocate Bethany Hospital in Chicago, prior to the ABC Board’s fall meetings Sept. 29-30 in Elgin, Ill.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers has some connections to the former Bethany Hospital, which began in conjunction with Bethany Theological Seminary when the school was located in Chicago. The tour allowed executive committee members to view the hospital’s transition to providing acute longterm care, from providing general health and emergency care.

The hospital received widespread publicity when it announced the move last January. At the ABC Board’s previous meeting in March, Church of the Brethren representatives who serve on the Governing Council of Advocate Bethany Hospital met with the board to report on the hospital’s reasons for moving to acute longterm care and how it might better serve its surrounding community.

In other business during its fall meetings, the ABC Board also approved holding National Older Adult Conferences (NOAC) in 2008 and 2009, ensuring that NOAC and National Youth Conference will no longer fall in the same year; received a written report titled “Stem Cell Research Report and Study Guide” from a task force created jointly by ABC and the Church of the Brethren General Board; heard reports about its ministries and events; and discussed the work of the denomination and ways agencies work together with Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board. Noffsinger was invited to the meetings as part of the ABC Board’s ongoing review of the Vision Statement it approved and released to the denomination last fall.

The board also took part in a board development session to evaluate its current make-up, vision, and focus. The session included a component that encourages the board to rethink its future goals and work.

These were the last board meetings for John Wenger of Anderson, Ind., who moves off the board Dec. 31. He will continue to serve on the Wellness Ministry. The board also accepted Gayle Hunter Sheller’s resignation and approved the appointment of Chris Whitacre of McPherson, Kan., to complete her term and represent the western districts.

For more about ABC go to www.brethren.org/abc.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Disaster leadership training provides unique experience.

October was a month of excitement, anticipation, and new beginnings, reported Jane Yount, coordinator of Brethren Disaster Response for the Church of the Brethren General Board. The month represented a new beginning for leadership in the program, as 26 people from 13 states participated in two disaster project leadership trainings in Pensacola, Fla., and Lucedale, Miss.

These were the first trainings of their kind to be offered by Brethren Disaster Response, featuring real-life experience at actual disaster response project sites. Each two-week training was filled with instruction and skill development sessions, as presenters from local disaster recovery groups, Disaster Response staff, and current project leadership provided special training in their field of expertise. The training focused on topics such as construction management, safety, volunteer management, meal planning, hospitality, and more.

In addition to staff, trainers included Bob and Marianne Pittman, Larry and Alice Petry, Brethren Volunteer Service workers Phil and Joan Taylor, and safety expert Steve Hollinger.

Participants found it beneficial to immediately put into practice what they were learning, Yount reported. “We aren’t here by accident, we’re here by blessing. We’ve learned from everybody here,” commented Eddie Motley, trainee from Southeastern District of the Church of the Brethren.

The trainings have come to a close, but the journey for these volunteers has just begun. They will continue their training by working with the leaders of current disaster response projects to hone skills and become comfortable in leadership roles.

In other disaster response news, three grants have been made from the Emergency Disaster Fund of the Church of the Brethren General Board: an additional allocation of $25,000 continues support of the Brethren Disaster Response rebuilding site in Lucedale; an additional allocation of $3,000 completes funding for Disaster Child Care and other volunteers in Florida after Hurricane Wilma; an additional allocation of $1,500 completes funding for a Brethren Disaster Response clean-up project in Alabama following Hurricane Katrina.

A new Hurricane Katrina clean up and rebuilding project opened in Tammany Parish, La., on Oct. 15. Katrina caused devastation for the parish on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Brethren Disaster Response opened the project in Pearl River, a small town outside of Slidell.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Counter-recruitment event challenges Anabaptist peace witness.

On the weekend eve of national elections, Brethren, Mennonites, and others gathered in San Antonio, Texas, to explore national issues of conscience on Nov. 3-5. Meeting on the weekend eve of national elections, the group realized that the time is now for peacemakers of conscience to speak with a clear voice in regards to war and its costly impact to society, said Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

Organized by Mennonite Central Committee, under direction of MCC staff Titus Peachey, the event focused on the impact of military recruitment in communities of color and communities impacted by poverty, and was initiated by the people of color caucus from the Anabaptist Consultation on Alternative Service in March 2005. Participants were hosted by San Antonio Mennonite Church, and were given opportunities for networking and relationship building around the issue of countering military recruitment.

The conference drew more than 70 participants from across the US. Brethren in attendance included San Antonio residents, Brethren volunteers, denominational staff Jones and Matt Guynn of On Earth Peace, Brethren members from Ohio and Pennsylvania, and a large youth delegation from Haitian First Church of the Brethren in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ertell Whigham, associate pastor of Norristown New Life Church, spoke for the opening session. He shared from his broad military experiences and involvements, including six years in the Marine Corps with a combat unit in Vietnam 1968-69, and as a recruiting sergeant 1973-74. He challenged the conference to seek the truth that lies beneath many military promises and expectations.

Other presenters included J.E. McNeil of the Center on Conscience and War in Washington, D.C.; Dick Davis, pastor of Peace Mennonite Church in Dallas, Texas, who had served as an army chaplain and resigned his commission in 1992 as a conscientious objector; and a three-member panel of former military personnel who were able to leave the military as an act of conscience. They recounted stories of heavy military recruitment, unfulfilled promises from the military, and the growing understanding that their initial choice of the military was one that they could no longer honor.

Workshops were offered on topics such as counter recruitment in schools, racism in the military, peace as worship, alternatives to the military, and seeing counter recruitment as a social movement. Guynn presented a workshop on the theological basis of counter recruitment.

In Sunday morning worship with the San Antonio Mennonites, the Brooklyn Brethren group offered leadership through drama and music. Peachey gave the closing sermon, “Countering Recruitment with Gospel Nonviolence” from Luke 9:51-56, reminding the group that many influences affect the choices we make. Peachey encouraged all to understand that “our own internal work can transform things around us, a greater, more powerful step than dismissing things in anger.”

(Reflections on the conference from the Haitian Brethren youth will follow in the Dec. 6 issue of Newsline.)


Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Mid-Atlantic District conference incorporates learning centers.

The 40th Mid-Atlantic District Conference was held in Manassas, Va., on Oct. 6-7, incorporating a new approach to business as well as new “learning centers.”

The event began with a Pre-Conference Clergy Workshop with Mennonite comedians Ted and Lee, who brought their “theater works” to help clergy explore biblical stories from a unique perspective and to open eyes to the humor in the stories. Ted and Lee also added an unusual experience to worship Friday evening, with theater and humor transmitting a message on stewardship, “It’s Going to Cost How Much?”

Saturday’s session began with Bible study with Ted and Lee continuing the theme of stewardship. Manassas pastor and conference moderator Jeff Carter led the 281 conference-goers--representing 52 congregations--through the business. A new approach to business was used, as delegates were provided detailed information on each item of business in the morning, with a question and answer period following each explanation, and final decisions made in the afternoon.

Acting on a recommendation from the district’s Leadership Team, the conference decided to provide for an annual district audit in the form of a review by an outside CPA. Financial records of the Outdoor Ministry Facilities will be performed in accordance to its financial guidelines.

In other business, delegates approved accepting Community of Joy as a member congregation, along with a constitution change that affirms District Conference as the final authority to charter member congregations. The 2007 district budget was passed with an appeal for congregations to increase their stewardship and contribution to district ministries. The 2007 leadership slate was affirmed and three members for the Leadership Calling Team were selected. Dale Posthumus was called as moderator-elect for 2007.

The new format also included learning centers on the topics of worship, evangelism, and vital congregations, led by a combination of lay leadership and congregational and denominational staff. Ideas presented in the learning centers were steeped in personal experience and in research gleaned from a variety of resources, and provided attendees with at least one or more ideas to try in their respective congregations.

During lunch, Jim Benedict, author of the six-week curriculum “Together: Conversations on Being the Church,” answered questions and provided information to a small group of delegates. At least one small group from each congregation is encouraged to utilize the Together materials and report back to the denomination by April 2007.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, and much more.
  • Correction: In the Newsline of Nov. 8, a “Brethren Bit” giving information about a new option for tax-free giving for retirees omitted the names of all the agencies of the Church of the Brethren that may receive donations. Those agencies are the Association of Brethren Caregivers, the General Board, Bethany Theological Seminary, and On Earth Peace.

  • Atlantic Southeast District is requesting prayer for the family of Bryan Pata, a University of Miami football star who was shot outside his apartment on Nov. 8. Pata was a member of Eglise des Freres Haitiens (Haitian Church of the Brethren) in Miami, Fla. His death has been ruled a homicide. Pastor Ludovic St. Fleur conducted the memorial service.

  • Marin O’Brien has begun work in Guatemala as a Brethren Volunteer Service and Global Mission worker for the Church of the Brethren General Board. She will work with Red Ecumenica of Totonicapan. O’Brien is from Newton, Mass.

  • The Brethren Witness/Washington Office seeks Brethren members interested in serving as representative to the board of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). Cliff Kindy of Liberty, Ind., and Orlando Redekopp of Chicago, Ill., are concluding their terms of service as Church of the Brethren representatives on the CPT board of directors. Phil Miller continues to serve as a board member appointed by On Earth Peace. “A sincere thank you to Cliff and Orlando for their service to the church through their work with Christian Peacemaker Teams,” said the office in an Action Alert. Contact Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, at pjones_gb@brethren.org or 800-785-3246.

  • “Life to the World: Devotions for Advent Through the Baptism of Our Lord,” by Christopher D. Bowman, is available from Brethren Press. The small booklet of daily devotions, scripture, and prayer for the 2006 Advent and Christmas season may be ordered for $2 plus shipping and handling from 800-441-3712.

  • Materials for an annual Christmas Offering for the work of the Church of the Brethren General Board are available for the suggested date of Dec. 3. Free materials on the theme “Come Walk with Us in the Ways of Peace,” include a bulletin insert, offering envelope, sheet of stewardship practices, sermon thoughts, music suggestions, and worship resources. Some are available in Spanish and English. Order from Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.

  • The website of the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is offering a new link for congregations wanting emergency disaster preparedness information for members with disabilities. The link sends congregations to a resource from the National Organization on Disabilities titled "Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Disabilities." This and other resources can be accessed by going to the link at www.brethren.org/abc or by going directly to www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1549&.

  • The Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren has announced the disbursement of funds from the quilt auction at the 2006 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. The group has disbursed a total of $11,500 as follows: $5,700 to the Global Food Crisis Fund, a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board, to help fund a bakery in Sudan and micro-loans in Latin America; $4,000 to the Washington (D.C.) City Food Pantry; $1,000 to the Pump House Ministry; and $800 to the New Community Project to help fund development for women in Nepal.

  • Barry and Carol Haller of East Cocalico Church of the Brethren in Reamstown, Pa., are again organizing annual Thanksgiving dinners for their community, this year expecting close to 1,000 guests at two locations. The dinners are served with the help of many other community volunteers. An article in the “Intelligencer Journal” of Lancaster, Pa., tells the story. Find the piece titled “Feeding bodies and spirits,” at http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/27985.

  • A new resource from the National Council of Churches (NCC) Eco-Justice Program titled, "At the Lord's Table: Everyday Thanksgiving," gives churches tools to talk about how faith may influence food choices, to engage in progressive food buying practices, and to advocate for a better farm bill in 2007. The NCC hopes people of faith this holiday season will remember the chain of God's creatures and creation that brings food to their family's table, said a release. “From farmers, farmworkers, rural communities, land, water, air, and soil that was necessary to produce their meal, all deserve to be lifted up as families say their prayers of thanks this holiday season,” the NCC said. The resource addresses justice, economic, and environmental issues related to food production and distribution. It can be downloaded for free from the Eco-Justice Program's Network at www.nccecojustice.org/network (sign in to access the resource downloads).

  • Virlina District reports that a “Brethren Christian Peacemaker Team” is sending four representatives to eastern Tennessee from Nov. 24-28, to the area of the Aerojet plant in Telford to hold meetings and discussions about the production of weapons using depleted uranium. The Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) group is working to educate about the effects of depleted uranium weaponry on the local community, the military, and people around the world. The schedule for the visit includes a potluck supper at Jackson Park Church of the Brethren in Jonesborough, Tenn., followed by a discussion about “Agent Orange and Depleted Uranium--How Do Good Citizens Respond to These Tragedies for Our Soldiers?” with representatives of the VFW’s local “Rolling Thunder” chapter, on Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; a discussion at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City on Nov. 25 at 2 p.m.; worship at Jackson Park Church of the Brethren on Nov. 26, at 11 a.m.; a discussion with Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, at Aerojet in Telford, on Nov. 27 at 1 p.m., pizza and discussion with First Tennessee Progressives at Rivers Edge Restaurant in Erwin on Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.; and a meeting with Congressman-elect David Davis in Johnson City on Nov. 28 at 8:45 a.m.

  • In other news from Christian Peacemaker Teams, a team returned to Iraq in early November after taking a short break out of the country. CPT requested prayer for the team, as it reported that the security situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate.

  • A Greater Gift/SERRV is holding a Holiday Overstock sale through Nov. 26 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., in the Blue Ridge Building 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The sale will be closed on Thanksgiving. Discounts include 60 percent off all first-quality crafts, some with greater discounts. For more go to www.greatergift.org.

  • The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has expressed “deep and abiding sorrow and regret for the persecution and suffering visited upon the Anabaptists during the religious disputes of the past.” The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council acted because past statements have become problematic for the ELCA's present-day relationships with the Mennonite Church USA and others who trace their heritage to 16th century Anabaptist reformers, which group includes the Church of the Brethren. The council declared that the ELCA "repudiates the use of governmental authorities to punish individuals or groups with whom it disagrees theologically"; rejected arguments of Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon, two 16th century church reformers, "in which they hold that governmental authorities should punish Anabaptists for their teaching”; and repudiated similar statements in the Formula of Concord and Augsburg Confession.

  • The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) seeks nominations for 2007 fellowships, including Undergraduate Fellowships for rising juniors and seniors, Ministry Fellowships for divinity students, matching grants for Congregational Fellowships for students entering the first year of a divinity program, and Doctoral and Dissertation Fellowships for African-American doctoral students. University and seminary faculty and administrators, campus pastors, and clergy are invited to nominate candidates. For details go to www.thefund.org/programs.

  • In a follow up to the report about Brethren trees (see “Brethren bits” in the Aug. 30 Newsline), the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., has two “Big Tree Champions” on its grounds with awards from the State of Maryland, reports Linda Hollinger, a former Brethren Volunteer Service worker at the center. “The Big Tree champion of species is the biggest documented occurrence of that species in the state,” she said. “The purple beech near the entrance to the Zigler Building (dining hall) measures over 14 feet in circumference. It, and the hinoki cypress on the grounds listed as the biggest in the state can be found by searching the following website http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/forests/bigtreelist.pdf.” (The Brethren Service Center trees are listed on pages 4 and 5.) Ed Palsgrove, director of Buildings and Grounds at the center provided more information. “We have been aware that the purple beach is a unique specimen for quite awhile and have made it a priority to keep it in good shape over the last 25-plus years,” he said. “We have had it trimmed, cabled, fertilized, and applied other longevity efforts. The hanoki cypress was nominated by a local arborist about five years ago and we have taken a few similar measures since then to maintain its health.”
Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Jim Kinsey retires from Congregational Life Teams staff.

Jim Kinsey, a member of the Congregational Life Team for Areas 2 and 4, has announced his retirement from fulltime ministry through the Church of the Brethren General Board, effective Jan. 2, 2007.

Kinsey began work for the General Board in 1994, beginning fulltime work for the board in 2000. He has done a wide variety of work for Congregational Life Ministries, with a particular passion for small church and rural ministries and for building healthy congregational systems.

He also has served in several other roles denominationally. Prior to his current position, he shared the role of interim co-director of Ministry for the board, and for a time, both those positions coincided with the 17 years of service he provided as executive minister of Michigan District. In earlier years, he served as a pastor in Church of the Brethren congregations in Michigan and Ohio.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Kevin Kessler called as executive of Illinois and Wisconsin District.

Kevin L. Kessler has been called to serve in a half-time position as executive minister of Illinois and Wisconsin District, effective Jan. 1, 2007. Since 1993, he has served as pastor of Canton (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, where he will continue to pastor on a half-time basis.

Kessler completed the Education for a Shared Ministry (EFSM) program at Canton and was ordained in 1997. He is working towards an associate degree in Science at Spoon River College. He also has 17 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, prior to his calling to ministry. In volunteer work for the church, he has served as a District Board member, including a term as chair, and has chaired the District Transition Team.

The Illinois and Wisconsin District Office will continue to be located at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Tim Button-Harrison begins as interim executive for N. Plains District.

Tim Button-Harrison has been named interim executive minister in Northern Plains District, effective Nov. 13 through at least Dec. 31, 2007.

Button-Harrison has served as pastor of Church of the Brethren congregations in the Northern Plains District, most recently Ivester Church of the Brethren in Grundy Center, Iowa. He also brings broad district experience to the position, including service as a District Board member, district moderator, district coordinator for Training in Ministry, and Standing Committee member.

He attended Manchester College, majoring in peace studies and religion, and also holds a degree in religion from the University of Iowa. He graduated from Bethany Seminary in 1990.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
“Small Things, Great Love” is theme for 2007 workcamps.
By Amy Rhodes

Mother Teresa’s words, “We can do no great things; only small things with great love,” echoed at National Youth Conference and have been chosen to provide the inspiration for next summer’s Church of the Brethren workcamps.

Workcamps offer week-long service opportunities across the US and Central America for junior high youth, senior high youth, and young adults. Held in June, July, and August, the workcamp program of the General Board provides experiences that unite service, spiritual growth, and Brethren heritage.

The theme for 2007 draws on 2 Corinthians 9:10, “For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”

Workcamps will be offered in 35 new and revisited locations including such as Kansas City, Kan.; Camp Wilbur Stover in New Meadows, Idaho; Reynosa, Mexico; St. Croix, Virgin Islands; Los Angeles; and Phoenix. Six junior high workcamps, 20 senior high workcamps, one combined junior and senior high workcamp, three intergenerational workcamps, two young adult workcamps, and two combined senior high and adult workcamps will be offered.

The program hopes to draw on the excitement generated at NYC and is an opportunity for youth to find out what “Come and See” (the NYC theme) is all about. “Workcamps bring youth together to give a week of service, to go outside of their own hometown and into another community to follow Jesus’ teaching of ‘go and serve,’ ” said Travis Beam, an assistant workcamp coordinator through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS).

The workcamp program organized by the board’s Youth and Young Adult Ministries began in 1988. The number of participants has grown from 46 in 1988 to 622 in 2005. Recognizing this growing interest, the board has responded with plans for expansion. Primary changes in the program are the addition of office positions including a fulltime staff member as coordinator and additional BVS positions. Steve Van Houten is serving as coordinator; Travis Beam, Rachel McFadden, and Amy Rhodes are assistant coordinators. The new positions support the growth of the program and the greater number of workcamps that are being offered.

The General Board also has outlined several ways of broadening the program in coming years, such as offering workcamps during spring break and January term for young adults, in conjunction with the Brethren colleges; providing workcamp opportunities for adults in Sunday school classes and other groups, especially during non-summer seasons; and creating intergenerational workcamps and family workcamps.

Van Houten emphasized that workcampers must anticipate learning as much as they commit to serving. “We learn as much from the people at these places as we share with them,” he said. “We’re joining together and walking alongside the people in the communities.”

Online registration for the workcamps begins Jan. 3, 2007, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/workcamps/index.html. Promotional DVDs and a printed brochure are available on request--call 800-323-8039 or e-mail cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org.

--Amy Rhodes is a Brethren Volunteer Service worker and assistant workcamp coordinator for the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Boca Chica, Dominican Republic: Building a church, block-by-block.
By Nancy and Irvin Heishman

The congregation of Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic is hard at work building a physical house of worship, and at the same time discovering that God is strengthening their spiritual house (1 Peter 1:4-5). The area in which the congregation ministers is east of the capital city of Santo Domingo. While the neighborhood is a very poor area, many tourist hotels and some of the most gorgeous beaches on the island can be found just on the opposite side of the road.

The Boca Chica congregation consists of approximately 120 members, mostly Haitian immigrants. Lively worship is conducted in both Spanish and Creole.

In 2003, the Brethren World Mission Committee, with members in Atlantic Northeast District and Southern Pennsylvania District, made it possible for this growing congregation to move into a rented facility for worship. Prior to this they were crowding into a fragile pavilion with pieces of tin, tarp, and palm branches overhead. When it rained, the people got drenched and they were impossibly crowded in the little space. This yearly support has been a wonderful blessing for this congregation.

Earlier this spring, the congregation felt a need to relocate when the landlord began to butcher pigs in the lot behind the worship space. The foul odor made it practically impossible at times to use the building for worship. God used this unpleasant experience for good, however, inspiring the congregation to begin raising funds to build a church building on property they had purchased themselves.

One factor in Boca Chica’s success in reaching its building goal is the motivational gifts of its pastor, Catalice Mardoche, who is constantly encouraging members and keeping a positive momentum alive. In a kick-off campaign for the building effort, members were invited to commit themselves to pledge money for concrete block and other building materials. When even children came forward to make commitments, at first the adults discouraged them thinking that they would not be able to follow through. But the children were insistent. They wanted to make their own pledges! Since then, they have been strong supporters of the project as well as the adults.

The steeply sloped and rocky building lot is a challenge. To create a level foundation, the church members first dug trenches through the rocks and soil for the footer, and then blocks were laid. The next difficult project will be to fill the interior with compacted soil to form a level surface on which to pour the floor. All the labor is done by hand and, of course, out in the blazing hot sun.

But the spirit of cooperation and determination is truly inspiring. Led by pastor Mardoche and an excellent board of leaders, the church truly has a “can do” spirit, with God’s help. They know the meaning of the truth, “With God all things are possible!”

–Nancy and Irvin Heishman are Dominican Republic mission coordinators for the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
DISTRICTS DEAL WITH DIVISIONS OVER SEXUALITY, AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

Divisions over issues of sexuality, the authority of scripture, and other related issues have surfaced in recent months in at least three districts in the Church of the Brethren. The districts of Northern Plains, South/Central Indiana, and Illinois and Wisconsin are dealing with divisions in different ways.

Northern Plains District

In Northern Plains, “our board is trying to deal with this in a way that we actually talk with each other,” said former executive minister Connie Burkholder, in an interview conducted while she was still serving the district. Divisive issues for the district are not just about sexuality, but also the authority of scripture, Jesus Christ as the only savior, and disagreement over use of funds.

Another concern, Burkholder said, is whether new church projects will welcome homosexuals without expecting them to change. Open Circle Church of the Brethren in Burnsville, Minn., the newest congregation in the district, has become a focal point for the concerns.

A factor in the situation was a decision by the district board to give a loan--taken in part from money gained in the sale of Camp Mon-Dak--to Open Circle to pay off its mortgage. Brethren in the area of the camp had relinquished claim to the camp property, although some still felt connected with the camp, said Burkholder.

Six congregations have sent letters to the district on various concerns related to these issues. One was framed as queries for district conference. The district also has received communications from “people at the opposite end of the theological perspective,” Burkholder said, including a letter from Open Circle explaining its viewpoint.

The district board invited congregations to a day of prayer in mid-May, outlining in the invitation the main issues it perceived in the district. The district board also began planning for a district face-to-face conversation.

That gathering took place Oct. 7-8 at Camp Pine Lake. The main focus of discussion related to homosexuality and church leadership, said Tim Button-Harrison, who is currently serving as interim district executive. “The gathering really was giving members of the district an opportunity to be in respectful conversation with one another, and to both listen and share the range of views represented in our district,” he said. More than 150 people attended, representing most of the congregations.

The district has benefited from the gathering “to bring us together as the church and prayerfully listen and share with one another,” Button-Harrison said. Also, the district board has received a 15-page document of participant feedback to the gathering, including individual responses and some group responses from congregations. The feedback ranged from appreciation for the gathering, personal insights gained, and benefits gained for the district, to identification of frustrations and disappointments, hopes for a resolution to differences, and ideas for what the district board’s next steps should be.

Many in the district “desire to work at these issues in a different kind of way that is upbuilding of the church and honors the variety of ways of understanding that are in our churches,” Button-Harrison said. “We feel called to draw from the best of who we are to model another way.”

South/Central Indiana District

South/Central Indiana District also has attempted a process of dialogue in response to Manchester Church of the Brethren, an “open and affirming” congregation in North Manchester, Ind., according to executive minister Allen Kahler. However, district meetings for dialogue and discussion have not healed divisions.

Instead, on Oct. 21, a specially called district conference responded to Manchester’s holding of a same-sex covenant ceremony by deciding to sanction any church that holds a covenant service in the future. The decision was not retroactive, and Manchester is not under sanction at this time.

The action of the district conference, which was recommended by the district board, stated that a congregation “that allows a same-sex covenant service on church property or with the assistance of church ministerial leadership will have a three-year moratorium placed upon their participation in elected and appointed district offices, including seating delegates at district conference.”

It also includes follow-up activities a congregation under sanction will be required to “submit to,” possibly including work with the district board, the Ministry of Reconciliation of On Earth Peace, and the Annual Conference Council; and direction to suspend the holding of covenant services on church property or with the assistance of the church’s ministers.

The conflict in the district has been brewing for many years, beginning as early as 1996 when Manchester decided to become “open and affirming.” The congregation’s decision-making process included a lengthy study of sexuality from a biblical and scientific perspective. With 605 members, Manchester is by far the largest congregation in South/Central Indiana District--the next largest having 264 members (statistics from the 2006 “Church of the Brethren Yearbook.”)

In 2002 the district sent a query to Annual Conference, which was answered in 2004 by the paper “Congregational Disagreement with Annual Conference Decisions.” (For the full answer to the query go to www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/2004DisagreeAC.html.)

The district also created an advisory council that included members from Manchester. The advisory council functioned for a year or more, Kahler said, and it attempted to find a way to have conversation between differing groups, helped keep the district board apprised of the situation, and helped care for the situation of conflict while the district board continued to do the regular business of the district.

Then came news of the same-sex covenant ceremony at Manchester in October last year. District leaders met with leaders of the congregation. There followed a series of written communications between the congregation and the district board, and the board also received communications from other congregations about the issue.

A final letter from the district board to the Manchester congregation, sent earlier this year, reportedly was perceived by the district and the congregation in very different ways, according to Kahler: it was perceived by the district board as a statement of last steps in the process Annual Conference has outlined in the event of congregational disagreement, but may have been perceived by the congregation as a threat.

On June 11, Manchester reaffirmed its “open and affirming” position in a congregational business meeting. It communicated that commitment in a letter to the district board, which also requested that the district engage in a process of reconciliation.

The district board, however, responded instead by making its recommendation to sanction congregations, and scheduled the specially called district conference. At that Oct. 21 meeting, attempts to amend the recommendation failed and it passed by a two-thirds majority.

Illinois and Wisconsin District

In Illinois and Wisconsin District, leaders have been working in several ways to hold together congregations that are in very different places on issues of human sexuality. The variety of efforts have included visits to all congregations by the district moderator, an invitation for congregations to respond to a draft of a “District Covenant,” and a time for open prayer for concerns of the district at this year’s district conference.

The district has been in conversation about issues of sexuality for at least two years. The district includes three congregations that are “open and affirming” or have statements of welcome for people of all sexual orientations.

In June 2004, five congregations proposed a query titled “The Church of the Brethren Position on Homosexuality and Lesbianism.” The query was received during a year of transition in the district. The district’s transition team attempted a series of meetings with representatives or members of the five congregations, and then determined that the query was not made in proper form. The five congregations reframed and resubmitted the query, and five more congregations joined the original group.

After several months of study, a district study team determined that the query had already been answered by Annual Conference. The query was returned along with a detailed response providing information that supported the answers to the query, according to Kevin Kessler, who has been named district executive minister to begin in the new year.

In the meantime, Springfield (Ill.) Church of the Brethren announced its position as “open and affirming.”

District leaders are continuing conversation with the 10 congregations, which have not resubmitted the query and have not filed a formal grievance with the district, and with the Springfield congregation. Astoria (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, however, has sent a letter of grievance directly to the Annual Conference officers.

District leaders have tried to be very careful in responding to the query, to the 10 congregations that brought it, and to the Springfield congregation, said former district executive minister Jim Yaussy Albright, interviewed for this article while he was still serving the district. “The study team was balanced, (including) people who think homosexuality is a sin and those who do not,” he said. In its dealings with Springfield, the district has been equally careful, and has tried to follow the latest Annual Conference guidelines.

“Christ made us brothers and sisters,” Albright said. “We didn’t choose it. We are covenanted to deal with each other despite the differences.”

(For relevant Annual Conference statements referenced in this article, see www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/83HumanSexuality.htm for the 1983 “Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective”; www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/79BiblicalInspiration%26Authority.htm for the 1979 “Biblical Inspiration and Authority”; www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/98NewTestament.htm for the 1998 “The New Testament as Our Rule of Faith and Practice”; and www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/2004DisagreeAC.html for the 2004 “Congregational Disagreement with Annual Conference Decisions.”)

--Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford is director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. She is a member of Illinois and Wisconsin District, at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren.

Source: 11/22/2006 Newsline
Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Mary Dulabaum, Jody Gunn, Phil Jones, Linda Kjeldgaard, Nancy Knepper, Jon Kobel, Jeri S. Kornegay, Karin Krog, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.