More Brethren bits: SVMC notice, job openings, nominations sought.

• Mary Schiavoni, program coordinator of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, will leave that position on Nov. 15. She has served in the role since July 2001, has managed day-to-day operations in the center’s office, and has been a passionate spokesperson for its mission and ministry. She is a licensed minister currently enrolled in the Training in Ministry (TRIM) program and will be relocating to Richmond, Ind. Amy Milligan will assume the role of program coordinator on Nov. 15. Milligan is a 2004 graduate of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, a 2007 graduate of Duke University with a master’s degree in Theological Studies, and while at Elizabethtown served as a student assistant and event planner at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center is a center for theological, ministerial and leadership education related to the Church of the Brethren, and a partnership between Bethany Theological Seminary and five Church of the Brethren districts: Atlantic Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. The center’s offices are located on the campus of Elizabethtown College.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks an executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, to serve in a fulltime position located in Elgin, Ill. The starting date is Feb. 1, 2008, or as negotiated. A position description and application form are available on request. Responsibilities include seeking to discern the needs of the larger church, articulating the vision of the General Board through collaborative work with districts and congregations in conjunction with General Board staff, developing a plan of oversight and assisting the three units in Congregational Life Ministries--Congregational Life Teams, Workcamp Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, overseeing networking and training for church plants and coaches for new church development, providing executive leadership and management of centralized and deployed staff. A master of divinity degree and ordination in the Church of the Brethren are strongly preferred. Other qualifications include active membership in the Church of the Brethren; five years of experience in work with congregational life, program development, mentoring, supervision, team development, and administration; a minimum of 10 years of pastoral ministry; interest areas in church renewal, revitalization, evangelism, youth and young adult ministries. Applications will be received through Nov. 30, interviews will take place at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., in November and December. Qualified candidates are invited to 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; kkrog_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a coordinator of e-generation development to fill a fulltime position in stewardship and donor development, located in Elgin, Ill. The starting date is Jan. 1, 2008, or as negotiated. A position description and application form are available on request. Responsibilities include promoting and securing online gifts that will support ministries of the General Board; working with multiple areas to develop and follow a comprehensive plan for e-community building and online giving; working with outside contractors for e-mail communication systems, site design, and/or online giving; working with the coordinator of Stewardship Formation and Education on printed and electronic media messages; developing and maintaining a Stewardship and Donor Development website and related pages, blogs, and other web-based donor communication and gift invitation activities. Qualifications include public relations or customer service experience, a leadership position with a Church of the Brethren congregation, computer skills, commitment to the denomination and ecumenical objectives, a positive and affirming collaborative style of leadership. Education and experience requirements include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. Qualified candidates are invited to 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; kkrog_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The Mutual Aid Association for the Church of the Brethren (MAA) seeks a president/general manager. Location is Abilene, Kan., some two-and-a-half hours west of Kansas City. The president/general manager serves as principle administrator of the organization, with responsibilities to plan, direct, and coordinate programs and staff to assure that board objectives are attained, policyholder needs are met, and effective internal and external relationships are maintained; demonstrate leadership skills and office management; and direct the organization’s vision, cooperatively with the Board of Directors. Qualifications include holding Church of the Brethren values, being trustworthy and reliable, having a positive attitude toward change, demonstrating effective communication skills and people skills, insurance and marketing experience, managerial or supervisory experience, and a minimum education of a bachelor’s degree. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include pension and medical benefits, vacation and other leave. Start date is March 1, 2008, or negotiable. Send a letter of interest, a one-page resume, and minimum salary requirement to the Chair, MAA Board of Directors, c/o 3094 Jeep Rd., Abilene, KS 67410; fax 785-598-2214; 785-598-2212; maa@maabrethren.com.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board has an opening in its Archival Internship Program. The program develops interest in vocations related to archives, libraries, and Brethren history. The program provides work assignments in the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) and opportunities to develop professional contacts. Work includes processing archival materials, writing descriptive inventories, preparing books for cataloguing, responding to reference requests, and assisting researchers. Professional contacts may include archival and library conferences and workshops, visits to libraries and archives in the Chicago area, and participation in Annual Conference and the Brethren Historical Committee meeting. The BHLA is an official repository for Church of the Brethren publications and records with a collection of more than 10,000 volumes, 3,100 linear feet of manuscripts and records, 40,000 photographs, plus videos, films, DVDs, and recordings. BHLA is located in Elgin, Ill. The term of service is for one year, beginning July 2008 (preferred). Compensation includes housing, a monthly stipend of $1,050, health and life insurance. A graduate student is preferred, or an undergraduate with at least two years of college. Other requirements include an interest in history and/or library and archival work, willingness to work with details, accurate word processing skills, ability to lift 30-pound boxes. Apply by Feb. 29, 2008, by sending a resume, college transcript (can be an unofficial copy), three reference letters from people who can comment on the applicant’s learning ability, research and writing skills, ability to complete projects, interests, and character (no immediate family members). Send to Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; kkrog_gb@brethren.org. For more information contact the Brethren Historical Library and Archives at 800-323-8039 ext. 294 or kshaffer_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Nominations for elective offices open in 2008 in the Church of the Brethren are sought by the Nominating Committee of Standing Committee. The Nominating Committee is actively seeking nominations and encouraging participation of church members in this process. District offices and Church of the Brethren agencies were supplied election procedures and nomination forms in late August. Nomination forms also are available at www.brethren.org/ac, click on the tab "Online Form" in the list in the right-hand column, and select "Nomination form for elective offices" (www.brethren.org/ac/forms/standing_nom.html). Nominations may be entered online, keeping in mind that the person being nominated needs to have given permission. Also available at the website are election procedures and a list of open offices in 2008 (www.brethren.org/ac/forms/electionprocedures2008.html). All nominations must be received by Dec. 1 in the Annual Conference Office, P.O. Box 720, New Windsor, MD, 21776-0720.

Source: 11/08/2007 Newsline Extra