300th Anniversary update: Bits and pieces.

• There is a new e-mail contact address for the 300th Anniversary Peace Fest in Marburg, Germany, in early August: myrnajef@heartofiowa.net.
  
  
• A third set of Tercentennial Minutes, covering June, July, and August 2008, is available from the Tercentennial Committee of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The Tercentennial Minutes are available free to all congregations and may be read aloud in worship, posted on websites, or included in bulletins or newsletters. They are written by Frank Ramirez. In addition, a play written by Ramirez and requested by the Everett youth for use on youth Sunday, "Never Too Young," about Julia Gilbert's teen years, also is available. E-mail Connie Steele, administrative assistant at Everett Church of the Brethren, at ecob@yellowbananas.com.
  
  
• The John Kline Homestead Trust has received approval from the IRS as a nonprofit organization, reported Paul W. Roth, president of the John Kline Homestead Board of Directors, in a recent update. "This allows us to make application for several large grants to support the purchase and development of the John Kline Homestead." Roth said that total gifts received by the trust are over $92,500, and in addition pledges for $12,500 bring the total for the project to over $105,000. Nine congregations have given $57,935 of the total. The trust is preparing to receive nearly 30 youth and advisors for a Church of the Brethren senior high workcamp at the John Kline Homestead on June 16-22. The workcampers will stay in the 1822 John Kline house while they paint, clear debris from the fields, prune and remove shrubbery, replace rail fence, plant herbs, and clean antiques. The John Kline Homestead Trust will have more information available at a heritage exhibit at Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., this July. Linville Creek Church of the Brethren will host tours of the John Kline homestead for those attending Annual Conference; call 540-896-5001 to plan a tour. Individuals and congregations may make contributions to the preservation effort through the John Kline Homestead, P.O. Box 274, Broadway, VA 22815.
  
  
• The 13 congregations of the Church of the Brethren in Floyd County, Va., are planning a 300th Anniversary Celebration sponsored by Red Oak Grove Church of the Brethren. The event will be held June 14, starting at 10 a.m. at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren's new social hall. Virlina District executive minister David Shumate will be the guest speaker. Others will share local Brethren history. Music will include the Archie Naff Family, the Floyd County Ministers Choir, and a congregational hymn sing. Participants are invited to bring food for a potluck meal. For more information contact 540-745-2401 or hdquesen@swva.net.
  
  
• The Historical Committee of Atlantic Northeast District is working on a Historical Marker project, and recently announced that the financial goal has been met. The group has submitted applications to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for two markers, one denoting the Germantown Meetinghouse in Philadelphia, and one for the Christopher Saur printing establishment. "We hope to...celebrate our 300th anniversary with some enduring markers which will inform many about our Brethren heritage," the committee said.
  
  
• Bridgewater (Va.) College observed the 300th Anniversary the first week of April, with a panel discussion to share the values of Brethren heritage and how they relate to contemporary society, and a special commemorative worship service featuring the college's chorale group.

Source: 5/07/2008 Newsline Extra