Deacon/caregiver ministry training events scheduled for the spring.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) will hold three Deacon/Caregiver Ministry Training events this spring, with each event exploring the theme "Healing Balm." These day-long training sessions will help church caregivers learn about what it means to be a church deacon or caregiver, and how to extend the healing balm of Jesus to those in need.

The Deacon/Caregiving Ministry Training events will be held on March 10 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren, with a registration deadline of March 2; on April 21 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne, Calif., registration deadline April 6; and on June 9 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Cedars in McPherson, Kan., registration deadline May 25.

Bernie Fuska's keynote presentation for the Bridgewater event will explore the theme, "Portrait of a Christ-like Heart." Fuska is pastor of Timberville (Va.) Church of the Brethren and has served on the General Board and Standing Committee. He is a resource person for Conflict Transformation for Shenandoah District and a member of the Ministry of Reconciliation Practitioners network.

At Hillcrest and the Cedars, Wallace Landes will give the keynote address titled "Anoint Us, Lord." Landes is pastor of Palmyra (Pa.) Chruch of the Brethren and chair of the ABC Board. He is an adjunct member of the Religious Studies faculty at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College.

Each event will include Bible study, keynote presentation, workshops, and worship. Workshops will address practical issues that regularly confront deacons in their ministry. A $15 registration fee includes the cost of lunch for attendees who register by the appropriate deadline. Registration materials will be mailed to Church of the Brethren congregations and district offices, and are available at www.brethren-caregivers.org. Please contact the ABC office at 800-323-8039 with questions.

Source: 1/31/2007 Newsline