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

• Herbert Dale Zeiler Sr. passed away at his home in Loveland, Colo., on April 18. He served as executive minister for Southern Plains District in 1987-88, where he also managed the district’s Camp Spring Lake. An ordained minister for more than 50 years, he served pastorates in Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and was a charter member of Northern Colorado Church of the Brethren in Windsor, Colo. Zeiler was born in Osceola, Mo., where he grew up and graduated from high school. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Eunice Simmons, in 1950. The couple then moved to Kansas where Zeiler graduated from McPherson (Kan.) College. He later attended Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, and was ordained by Middle Missouri District. His career spanned several professions in addition to ministry, including mechanics, maintenance, technical work, and counseling. He retired from Hewlett-Packard in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Helen Eunice; their children, Dale Zeiler and Kathy Brungardt; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter Cheryl K. Watson. Memorial services were held at the Northern Colorado church on April 28, and at Osceola (Mo.) Church of the Brethren on May 5. Memorial gifts may be made to Northern Colorado Church of the Brethren.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board has welcomed new staff members Aaron and Becky Johnston, a husband and wife team from Salisbury, Md., who are serving with Global Mission Partnerships through Brethren Volunteer Service. They began an assignment as human rights observers at Union Victoria CPR, Guatemala, on April 1.
  
  
• Rebekah Houff, a 2006 graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College and member of Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, has been called as coordinator of the 2008 National Young Adult Conference. She will begin this Brethren Volunteer Service position on May 21, and continue through August 2008. The conference will take place Aug. 11-15, 2008, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., and is open to all young adults ages 18-35.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board is seeking an associate director of Children’s Disaster Services (formerly Disaster Child Care). This newly created, fulltime salaried position provides oversight and administration of Children's Disaster Services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Located in New Windsor, Md., this individual will be responsible for ensuring program growth, while expanding Church of the Brethren, ecumenical, and secular relationships that enhance responding to children affected by disaster. This position works closely with the director of Brethren Disaster Ministries on program development, volunteer deployment, and training. Required experience includes disaster response; making effective presentations or adult education; management of staff or volunteers; working directly with at-risk children (i.e. teaching, counseling, providing programs). A related undergraduate degree is required, advanced degree preferred. Some travel is required. Application deadline is July 15. Candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: Office of Human Resources, Brethren Service Center, 500 Main St., P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776; fax 410-635-8789; jmcgrath_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board is seeking a teacher of Bible and theology for Kulp Bible College in Nigeria, as a part of the denominational mission effort led by Global Mission Partnerships. Candidates should bring a seminary degree and the ability to articulate Brethren beliefs and practices. This is a salaried position for a two-year term, open to renewal. An August start date is preferred. The deadline for applications is June 15. Further information is at www.brethren.org/genbd/GeneralSecretary/Elgin.htm#ToB or call Karin Krog at 800-323-8039 ext. 258.
  
  
• Annual Conference this year will include two new options for worship and music, responding to calls for more worship opportunities and for more ethnic diversity. On Sunday and Monday nights, July 1 and 2, from 9-10:30 p.m., there will be Extended Worship and Music in the main auditorium. On July 1 the host will be Gilbert Romero, pastor of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, and the focus will be Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and contemporary Christian music, utilizing the services of the "Bittersweet Gospel Band." On July 2 the host will be Thomas Dowdy, pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, and the focus will be on African-American music, utilizing the services of "Best Friends," as well as African and Haitian music. "There is a hope to stretch the offerings even broader, but it depends on who attends Conference," reported coordinator Scott Duffey. "Everyone is welcome to gather and praise God together!" Church musicians who will be attending and who can contribute to this musical diversity are asked to be in touch with Duffey at scottduffey@westminstercob.org or 410-848-8090.
  
  
• The 27th annual Mid-Atlantic Disaster Response Auction sponsored by Mid-Atlantic District was held at the Carroll County (Md.) Agricultural Center and Arena on April 28, a cooperative venture joining more than 60 Church of the Brethren congregations from five states and Washington, D.C., according to a report in the Frederick (Md.) "News Post." Three separate auctions featured antiques, handmade quilts, collectibles, and many more items, with more than 1,000 items up for bid. The proceeds support disaster relief work of the church. Last year, the district raised some $73,000, and has raised more than $1 million over the past 26 years. It is one of three major fundraisers for the denomination’s Emergency Disaster Fund.
  
  
• Mid-Atlantic District is holding a men's retreat on the theme, "Sharing the Living Water," from John 4:5-14. The event will take place June 15-16 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Organizers hope that it will offer an opportunity for men "to come together and honestly get to know one another without the facades that we have built up," and will be a place to get in touch with God, refresh spirits, and pave the way for future men’s events in the district. Guest speaker is Bill Caputo, the district disaster coordinator. The schedule also includes worship, small groups, guided meditation, and free time. Closing worship will include a service of anointing. The retreat is sponsored by the Spirituality and Congregational Life Team of the district. Cost is $70 per person including overnight stay, or $47 for commuters. For further information, contact Andrew Sampson at 410-284-7081 or dundalkcob@hotmail.com.
  
  
• The McPherson (Kan.) College campus responded to the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech by holding a special chapel service and by sending a letter of condolence from the campus community signed by college president Ron Hovis, and Tom Hurst, director of campus ministries. The college also sent a scroll with comments by dozens of McPherson students. A thorough review of campus safety issues was undertaken as well, and encouragement was given for the rapid completion of a Campus-Wide Crisis Plan that is currently underway, Hurst reported.
  
  
• Manchester College’s 53-member A Cappella Choir will sing in Martinsburg, Pa., en route to an encore performance in Carnegie Hall. On May 22 the choir will perform at Memorial Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg. The choir will then perform at Carnegie Hall on May 23. The performance will be directed Debra Lynn, director of choral music at the college. The program will include two compositions of Manchester College faculty: "Prayer for Peace" by Debora DeWitt, chair of the music department, and "Earth and All Stars" by Lynn.
  
  
• McDonalds USA and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), an organization of agricultural workers, has come to an agreement similar to one made two years ago with Yum Brands, owners of Taco Bell. Both agreements call for an increase of pay of one penny per pound of picked tomatoes. The Yum Brands-CIW agreement was the first of its kind between a retail food company and a group representing the men and women who pick the food sold in retail restaurants, according to the National Council of Churches. Representatives of the Immokalee workers visited a meeting of the Church of the Brethren General Board in Oct. last year, where they received the blessing of a laying on of hands. The representatives were visiting faith organizations and other groups in the Chicago area to call attention to the wages paid by McDonald's to farmworkers for its vegetables.
  
  
• SERRV/A Greater Gift will hold its Annual International Fair Trade Festival on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. A Greater Gift organizes the event as part of World Fair Trade Day to show how buying fair trade foods and crafts contributes to peace building and justice. Entertainment will include Amerabic Magic, a Middle Eastern dance group; the Rock Candy Cloggers performing Appalachian clogging; Westminster Drum and Dance; and Nada Brahma world music, among others. For the children, storytellers will be in the children’s area, along with alpacas, and face painting, and a kite presentation will take place at New Windsor Middle School. Contact Missy Marlin, festival coordinator, at 410-635-8711.
  
  
• The New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit organization, reports recent program developments: A Partner Community program is linking US congregations with communities in a half dozen countries, for increasing understanding, mutual sharing, and seeking solidarity. A young adult resource has been created to invite this age group to "get organized" around issues of poverty, care for creation, and standing by the marginalized (go to http://newcommunityproject.org/ya.shtml). "Anna and the General," the story of Anna Mow's encounter with General Lewis Hershey, is one of several new dramatic readings offered at http://newcommunityproject.org/creativearts.shtml. A Nepal Learning Tour has been set for Jan. 2008, to focus on women's issues along with poverty, Hindu culture, civil conflict, and the ecological wonders and challenges of this Himalayan country. Director David Radcliff recently represented the organization at the launching of the Religious Environmental Leaders Group, an interreligious association working at collaboration and mutual support related to care for creation. The gathering was held in Manhasset, N.Y.
  
  
• Roy D. Unruh, of South Waterloo (Iowa) Church of the Brethren and a former member of the Church of the Brethren General Board, has been named by the Awards Committee of the Bethel College Alumni Association as winner of the 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award. He is a 1957 graduate, and has served as a science and mathematics educator at the secondary and university levels. He taught science and mathematics at Pretty Prairie and McPherson (Kan.) High Schools from 1957-67. While at the University of Northern Iowa, 1967-2001, he taught physics and was involved in science education. Over the years he was awarded more than 20 grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Education for improving science instruction at the elementary and secondary school levels. Unruh will receive the Bethel award on May 19 at an annual alumni banquet. Bethel College is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA.

Source: 5/09/2007 Newsline