Remembrances, job openings, CDS volunteer workshop, and more.

• Remembrance: The Church of the Brethren’s Caring Ministries has received word that Jefferson Crosby of Lititz, Pa., died on Jan. 5. Crosby was an attorney and a former member of the Association of Brethren Caregivers disabilities ministry group. He received the Caregiving Award from ABC in 2007 for his work related to disabilities. He was recognized for a career spent as an attorney advocating for children and individuals with disabilities, despite battling his own illness--progressive multiple sclerosis. In spite of mobility difficulties, he remained an active member of Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren where he served on various committees and actively participated in Sunday school. He was able to share his knowledge with the congregation when it did a major renovation to make the Lititz church fully handicapped accessible. As his own health deteriorated, he contributed greatly to the "Resolution on the Americans with Disabilities Act" that was unanimously endorsed by the delegates at the 2006 Annual Conference. A memorial service was held on Jan. 9 at Lititz Church of the Brethren.
  
  
• Remembrance: Myrna Long Wheeler, 70, passed away on Jan. 9 at her home in San Dimas, Calif., following several months of struggle with acute myeloid leukemia. Up until her illness in the last half of 2009, she was serving as chair of the board for Pacific Southwest District, and as chaplain for Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne, Calif. She was diagnosed with leukemia on June 29 of last year, and wrote about her experience for the most recent issue of the "Caregiving" magazine of the Church of the Brethren’s Caring Ministries. In an article titled "Dawn Is Coming Soon," she wrote, "This is a magical time--this journey that leads to the next life. To see God and to rest in Jesus’ arms is the most comforting place I can imagine." In her volunteer service to the church, Wheeler twice served as moderator of Pacific Southwest District and also served on Standing Committee as a district delegate. At the time of her illness she had been newly confirmed as an officer of the Ministers’ Association. She preached for the 2006 Annual Conference, mentored Training in Ministry (TRIM) students, served for 25 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of La Verne, served on the planning committee for the National Older Adult Conference, and was a member of the Older Adult Ministry Group. She was a longtime board member with the YWCA of Greater Pomona Valley and the American Association of University Women-Pomona Branch. Her honors include the Centennial Citation of Distinction in 1991 from the University of La Verne, being named ULV "Alumna of the Year" in 1993, and being selected a "Woman of Achievement" by the YWCA of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties in 1995. Hillcrest Homes nominated her as "Philanthropist of the Year" in 2009. In previous work, she had taught in the Covina Valley Unified School District for 37 years, retiring in 2001. She is survived by son Alan Wheeler, daughter Julia Wheeler, and three grandsons. Memorial contributions are being received for the Myrna Wheeler Chaplaincy Fund at Hillcrest Homes, 2705 Mountain View Dr., La Verne, CA 91750. A memorial service will be held on Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at La Verne Church of the Brethren.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren seeks candidates for the position of editor of "Messenger," the official magazine of the denomination. The editor is responsible for planning content, assigning and editing articles, supervising design and subscriptions, working with production, and managing the budget. The editor also works closely with other members of the Church of the Brethren Communication Team to communicate the mission and ministry of the church using all appropriate channels. Those interested in being considered should have proven experience in communications and be comfortable with digital media. They should have superior skills in writing and editing, and the relational skills to collaborate with others. Candidates should have a deep understanding of the Church of the Brethren, be active members of the church, and bring experience with the denominational scope of the church’s life and work. This position, located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is part of Brethren Press. Applications will be received immediately and will be considered until the position is filled. To request a position description and an application contact Karin Krog, Office of Human Resources, at kkrog@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 258.
  
  
• Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village in Boonsboro, Md., seeks an administrator. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of 97 skilled bed and 32 assisted living bed units in accordance with regulations that govern long-term and assisted living facilities. Candidates must hold a current, unencumbered nursing facility Administrator’s License for the State of Maryland. For additional information visit www.fkhv.org. Send resumes or applications to Cassandra Weaver, Senior Director of Administrative Services, 301-671-5014 or cweaver@fkhv.org.
  
  
• Manchester College has opened a nationwide search for a founding dean for its new School of Pharmacy in Fort Wayne, Ind. The dean will lead the accreditation process, faculty hiring, and curriculum development for the four-year doctoral program. The program will offer its first classes in fall 2012 as the first school for pharmacists in northern Indiana. The search committee hopes to interview finalists in late February and hire the new dean as soon as possible afterward. The School of Pharmacy located in the Randallia neighborhood of central Fort Wayne expects to enroll 265 students, with 30 faculty and 10 staff members. The school will work closely with health-care organizations in northeast Indiana, especially in providing practicum experience for the pharmacy students. It is Manchester College’s first doctoral program and first satellite campus. Manchester offers a two-year pre-pharmacy program on its North Manchester campus, a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program. The Manchester doctoral program will welcome students from other pre-pharmacy programs. Fund-raising is under way for the estimated $10 million in start-up costs. Candidates must possess a doctoral degree, preferably in pharmacy, and a record of pharmacy leadership, teaching, scholarship, and service. To apply, go to www.manchester.edu/OHR/facultypositions.htm. More about the School of Pharmacy is at www.manchester.edu/pharmacy.
  
  
• The Brethren Historical Library and Archives has an opening for an archival intern beginning July 2010. The archives, located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is the official repository for Church of the Brethren publications and records. The one-year internship seeks to develop interest in vocations related to archives and libraries and/or Brethren history. Work assignments will include processing archival materials, writing descriptive inventories, preparing books for cataloging, responding to reference requests, and assisting researchers in the library. For more information about the position contact the Brethren Historical Library and Archives at kshaffer@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 294. To request an application packet, contact Karin Krog in the Office of Human Resources at kkrog@brethren.org.
  
  
• Lybrook (N.M.) Community Ministries, related to Western Plains District, urgently needs volunteers for a resident directorship position. Volunteers provide the campus with administrative and leadership qualities as well as working directly with community people through community development and organization, organizational programming, the church, and campus maintenance. Requirements include flexibility and adaptability to cultural differences, self initiative, management skills, organizational skills, willingness to participate in worship leading, and a desire to work in a remote, small, rural, mixed-cultural setting. Ideally, volunteers will commit to 1-2 years of service, but shorter terms of service will be considered. The hope is to have two separate family units with overlapping terms. Lybrook Ministries is a not-for-profit organization with a mission "to develop and support Christ-centered community ministries in the Lybrook area that are life sustaining and encourage persons to encounter the redeeming love of God" on the campus of the former Lybrook Navajo Mission in New Mexico. The organization strives to strengthen the community through community organization, development, relations, and outreach, as well as providing Christian presence through Tokahookaadi Church of the Brethren. For more information go to www.lybrookmission.org. Interested persons should contact Ken or Elsie Holderread at 620-241-6930 or elsieken@sbcglobal.net.
  
  
• The On Earth Peace delegation to Israel and Palestine is continuing despite the deportation of its leaders including Bob Gross, executive director of On Earth Peace, who has returned to the United States. The delegation is co-sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), which has had teams in the area for many years. Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger has shared the report of the deportation experience with the executive committee of the National Council of Churches in the USA. The NCC "has distributed the report to all members and communions represented on the executive committee, calling for a prayerful state of mind that peace may prevail," Noffsinger said. The delegation has been blogging about their experience at www.mideastdelegation.blogspot.com. Today’s entry by Shannon Richmond reports on a visit to the Palestinian village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills, where the delegation was "welcomed with kindness, hospitality, and a pride for this land that could not be taken away."
  
  
• Children's Disaster Services is offering a Volunteer Workshop on Feb. 26-27 at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Minn. The local contact for the event is Kristyn Ebert at 612-435-1305 or outreach@haumc.org. Cost is $45 for early registration, or $55 after Feb. 5. Children’s Disaster Services volunteers provide a calm, safe and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos that follows disaster by setting up and operating special child care centers in disaster locations. Once the training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become a certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteer by providing two personal references and a criminal and sexual offender background check. CDS workshops are open to anyone over 18 years of age. For more information contact the CDS office at 800-451-4407 ext. 5 or cds@brethren.org.
  
  
• Shiloh Church of the Brethren near Kasson, W.Va., which lost its church building to a fire on Jan. 3, has sent a note expressing thanks to the denomination. "Thank you for your concern over the loss of our old friend, Shiloh Church. The outpouring of support, love, and prayers has been overwhelming," said the note from deacon Delores Freeman and clerk Sharlene Mills. The church is receiving donations for rebuilding at: Shiloh Rebuilding Fund, c/o Doug Mills, Financial Secretary, Route 1 Box 284, Moatsville WV 26405.
  
  
• Community Church of the Brethren in Twin Falls, Idaho, which was vandalized on Dec. 18, has received the gift of a new organ to replace one destroyed in the incident reports KTRV-TV Fox 12 Idaho. "There's music filling the Community Church of the Brethren in Twin Falls again," the report said. Church organist Delores Humphrey told the reporter that the organ "is in excellent condition and is a blessing for the congregation." For the full report go to www.fox12idaho.com/Global/
  story.asp?S=11801440.
  
  
• New Carlisle (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is hosting an event with Tony Campolo, a popular preacher, educator, and founder of Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education. Campolo will lead a weekend workshop on March 19-20. A release from the church reported that "through EAPE, Dr. Campolo has developed and nurtured elementary and secondary schools, universities, adult and child literacy centers, tutoring programs, orphanages, AIDS hospices, urban youth ministries, summer camps, and long-term Christian service programs in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Africa, Canada, and throughout the USA." For more information about these ventures and about Dr. Campolo himself, visit the EAPE web site at www.tonycampolo.org. Contact the church office for tickets at 937-845-1428 or register at www.ncbrethren.org/campolo. Pre-registration is required.
  
  
• Thirteen Brethren from six states and Singapore are on a Jan. 9-21 Learning Tour to Myanmar (Burma) sponsored by the New Community Project. The group is exploring the social, cultural, and religious dynamics of the country and visiting the southwestern delta area devastated by 2008's Cyclone Nargis, as well as the Inle Lake district and Paloung hill tribe communities. The New Community Project has given grants to assist children in the delta area in returning to school following the storm, with facilitation from Burmese Baptist churches. The delegation is led by director David Radcliff and Nyan Min Din, a Burmese Baptist tour director. Upcoming Learning Tours are planned for El Salvador, the Ecuadorian Amazon, Guatemala, and Denali/Kenai Fjords in Alaska. Go to www.newcommunityproject.org/learningtours.shtml or contact ncp@newcommunityproject.org or 888-800-2985.
  
  
• The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is scheduled for Jan. 18-25. "Christians throughout the world will be listening together to the promise and commission that are part of Christ's final words before his ascension: ‘You are witnesses of these things,’" said a release from the World Council of Churches. The week of prayer is jointly coordinated by the WCC’s Faith and Order Commission and the Roman Catholic Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The theme for 2010 was chosen in Scotland, where churches are preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the 1910 World Mission Conference which marked the beginnings of the modern ecumenical movement. Resources are available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish at www.oikoumene.org/?id=3193.

Source: 1/14/2010 Newsline