Brethren Bits

• IMA World Health has announced the appointment of Richard "Rick" Santos as the organization’s new president and CEO. IMA World Health has its main offices and warehouse space at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and the Church of the Brethren is a member denomination. Santos begins working with IMA World Health on Oct. 12 as president-elect, to assume full duties after a short transition with retiring CEO Paul Derstine. Santos brings more than 15 years of experience in international development, joining IMA from International Relief and Development, where he was director of Communications and Advocacy, and prior to that Church World Service, where he held a series of positions including coordinator of Strategic Planning and Evaluation, coordinator of Technical Resource, country director for Indonesia, and program officer in Bangladesh and Vietnam.
  
  
• Nathan and Jennifer Hosler departed for Nigeria on Sept. 18, to take up their new positions as mission workers. They will be serving as teacher of peace and reconciliation at Kulp Bible College and peace and reconciliation worker with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). "Please include them in prayers," asked Karin Krog, director of the Church of the Brethren’s Human Resources department.
  
  
• Grace Mishler has returned to Vietnam as a mission worker and program volunteer for the Church of the Brethren. She has worked in Vietnam previously, in a placement jointly sponsored by the Church of the Brethren and Eastern Mennonite Missions, when she was a teacher and social worker at National Vietnam University in Ho Chi Minh City and counted among her accomplishments the creation of a course on Social Awareness of People with Disabilities. In an e-mail to the Global Mission Partnerships office dated Sept. 11, Mishler reported on her first week back at work at the university. "They want me to help in social work curriculum development in teaching students, disabilities, and English Social Work Practice Skill." She also has begun teaching an English Bible study class for the Foreign Language Department.
  
  
• Don Knieriem has joined the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) team as staff volunteer. His primary responsibilities will be to assist Callie Surber, the orientation coordinator. Knieriem just completed his first volunteer term as disaster project assistant with Brethren Disaster Ministries, based in New Orleans assisting with work following Hurricane Katrina. He is a member of Wilmington (Del.) Church of the Brethren and a graduate of the University of Delaware.
  
  
• The New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center is thanking volunteer hosts Ric and Jan Martinez, who hosted for the Old Main building in August and September, and Ed and Betty Runion, who hosted for Windsor Hall in September. Both couples will depart for home on Sept. 30. The Conference Center welcomes back Mike and Barb Hodson of Troy, Ohio, as hosts for Old Main in October.
  
  
• SERRV is welcoming longterm volunteers Valetta and Roland Kesler of Quinter, Kan., who will be in their 20th year of volunteering on the Brethren Service Center campus in New Windsor, Md.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren is still accepting applications for the position of director of Brethren Identity and Relations, who holds responsibility to communicate the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren to those affiliated with the church and to those outside who seek information about the church. A major responsibility is oversight of the denominational website, along with responsibility for annual reports, connections with district conferences, and meeting other communication needs. Candidates should have proven experience in communication and website development; a deep understanding of the Church of the Brethren; active membership in the Church of the Brethren; experience with the denominational scope of the church’s life and work; superior skills in writing, editing, and public speaking; and the technical and relational skills to manage a complex website and collaborate with others. The position is located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and is part of the Brethren Press communication team. Applications are being accepted until the position is filled. Request a position description and an application from Karin Krog, Office of Human Resources, at kkrog@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 258.
  
  
• Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., seeks a fulltime campus pastor. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating weekly chapel services and other regular worship services; participating in planning activities for Focus on Faith Week, Peace Week, and other programming that facilitates religious life, promotes understanding of different faith traditions, and helps integrate faith and learning in the campus community; overseeing religious life groups; participating on a number of committees; organizing special services such as Baccalaureate and the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration; attending department meetings; supervising student workers; serving on the counseling staff; maintaining relationship with the Church of the Brethren; developing a congregational communication program with the director of church relations; managing a budget and other administrative functions. Qualifications include minimum of a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree; appreciation for the religious diversity of a college campus; experience in conducting worship services; training and experience in personal counseling; presentation skills; proficiencyt in spoken and written English; organizational and administrative skills; team orientation; ability to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and respond to students’ legitimate needs in a timely manner; ability to work with students of all backgrounds; ability and willingness to perform clerical work as necessary; leadership, financial, and supervisory skills; proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Internet use. Ordination in the Church of the Brethren preferred. Some weekend and evening work required, 10 months per year, August through May. Submit a cover letter, resume, and completed application ( http://www.manchester.edu/OHR/application.pdf ) by Oct. 8 to Human Resources, Manchester College, 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962; ajjudy@manchester.edu; fax 260-982-5449. Manchester College is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who further diversify faculty and staff are warmly welcomed.
  
  
• The Gather ’Round curriculum seeks freelance curriculum writers to write for the 2011-12 year. Gather ’Round is a project of Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network. Writers are needed for Preschool (ages 3-4), Primary (K-grade 2), Middler (grades 3-5), Junior Youth (grades 6-8), and Youth (grades 9-12). All writers will attend an orientation conference in April 2010 and begin writing thereafter, with deadlines staggered quarter by quarter. Writers prepare weekly materials for teacher’s guides, student books, and resource packs. Compensation varies according to the age group and the number of weeks (12-14) in a given quarter. For more information and to apply, visit the "Contact us" page at www.gatherround.org. Deadline for applications is Nov. 30.
  
  
• Jan Eller has resigned as administrator of the Womaen’s Caucus of the Church of the Brethren, after more than six years in the role. She is an ordained minister, living in Portland, Ore. The Womaen's Caucus seeks a part-time administrator to begin work in January. The Caucus administrator is responsible for arranging Steering Committee meetings, coordinating Annual Conference activities, sustaining denominational relationships, maintaining organizational correspondence and records, and serving as Caucus treasurer. The successful candidate will be a Church of the Brethren feminist who is familiar with church structure, possesses strong administrative and secretarial skills, and is eager to take the initiative and articulate Caucus goals to the Caucus community and wider church. Qualified candidates will have strong writing skills and be fluent in using e-mail, the Internet, and appropriate computer programs for communication, database management, and financial management. Attendance at two multi-day meetings per year, one in late January and the second at Annual Conference, is required. The contract is renewable in two-year intervals. The position is estimated to require an average of 25 hours per month at $10 per hour plus expenses. Applications are due by Nov. 30. A downloadable application, full job description, and more information are available online at www.womaenscaucus.org or by contacting Audrey deCoursey at womaen@gmail.com.

Source: 9/25/2009 Newsline Extra