Friday, September 09, 2011

Retirements and resignations announced by Church of the Brethren

The Church of the Brethren is announcing retirements and resignations from employees who are accepting an offer of severance. These departures, effective Sept. 29, come in anticipation of expected layoffs at the end of September that are necessary because of a gap of $638,000 in the 2012 budget.

Mariana Barriga is retiring from her position as administrative assistant in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office. She began her work with the Church of the Brethren in October 1990 as bilingual secretary in the Latin America/Caribbean office of the World Ministries Commission. Her tenure in that position included two years as program coordinator. Following the closure of that office, Barriga joined the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office. Her work among the Brethren has been characterized by a heart for young people, an ability to navigate cross-culturally, detailed organizational skills, a caring spirit, and an understanding of and commitment to the mission of the Church of the Brethren. She is looking forward to spending more time with her family and continuing her volunteer interests.

Ray Glick, coordinator of Donor Visitation and Planned Gifts, is retiring from 19 years of service to the Church of the Brethren. In September 1992, after a 30-year career as a public school teacher, he began as half-time Planned Giving officer and truck driver. Subsequently he has served as full-time Financial Resource counselor, Deferred Gift counselor, and coordinator of e-Community Development. Glick has traveled widely across the denomination to assist donors, supervise volunteer visitors, lead seminars, provide counsel in matters of financial stewardship, and secure deferred gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The relationships he has nurtured have enabled many to continue the work of Jesus through the ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

Kathleen Campanella is retiring from her position as director of Partner and Public Relations at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. She began in 1993 as public information coordinator, responsible for media relations, event planning, and community outreach for ministries and organizations based at the Center. In 2005, her duties also included leadership for the New Windsor Conference Center management team during a time of staff turnover and change. In 2008 her work expanded to include developing new partnerships and program initiatives at the Brethren Service Center. Campanella has traveled to health care facilities in Haiti and Tanzania for IMA World Health, a partner organization on campus. She also represented the Church of the Brethren on the Heifer International board of directors for the past 10 years, serving on the executive committee and a CEO search committee.

Ruben Deoleo has resigned his position as director of Intercultural Ministries. He began in November 2007 as a member of the Congregational Life Team and director for Cross Cultural Ministries, and in 2009 shifted to full-time with Intercultural Ministries. Deoleo has supported the growth of new churches, worked with the Intercultural Advisory Committee to hold the denomination accountable to the 2007 Annual Conference statement "Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Church," planned the annual Intercultural Consultation and Celebration, provided training in cross-cultural competencies, served as a vital link among a growing number of multi-ethnic congregations, and worked with other staff to develop practices consistent with an intercultural community of faith. Deoleo will pursue completion of a master of divinity degree at Bethany Theological Seminary, as well as private employment and additional ministry opportunities.

Jeanne Davies has resigned her position as coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Workcamp Ministry. Since beginning in January 2008, she has overseen the planning and programming of up to 36 workcamps each summer involving hundreds of junior and senior high students, young adults, and intergenerational participants. Focusing on the intersection of spiritual formation and service, Davies ensured that these workcamps shaped young disciples of Jesus. Davies called, mentored, and managed a wide network of volunteers, including Brethren Volunteer Service workers based at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Her plans include completion of a master of divinity degree from Bethany Theological Seminary and a return to pastoral ministry.

Source: 9/9/2011 Newsline