- Remembrance: John D. Metzler Jr., 89, a former treasurer for the
Church of the Brethren General Board who also served for a few years as
executive of the General Services Commission, died on Dec. 1 in Goshen,
Ind., after a short illness. He began as treasurer for the denomination
in the spring of 1981, when he also was named one of three associate
general secretaries. By the time he retired in the spring of 1985 he had
served the Church of the Brethren or related ecumenical organizations
in various capacities for almost 40 years. He first worked for the
denomination in 1947 as staff for Brethren Service, working in publicity
and then in relief efforts. In 1949 he went to Puerto Rico to become
director of education at a private high school run by the Brethren
Service project in CastaƱer. Returning to the US in 1952, he began 28
years with CROP, then the constituency education and fundraising unit of
Church World Service (CWS) based in Elkhart, Ind. At CROP/CWS he began
as a printer, and progressed eventually to serve as associate national
director and financial officer, with responsibilities over the years
ranging from printing to communications, fundraising, and financial
management. In volunteer roles, he was a member of the General Board and
chaired the World Ministries Commission in the late 1960s. He was born
March 15, 1923, in Payette, Idaho, and grew up in Bourbon, Ind. He was a
long-time member of Nappanee (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. He held a
degree from Manchester College (now Manchester University) and had
studied for a year at Bethany Theological Seminary. He was married to
Anita Flowers Metzler, who passed away in 2004. She had served as a
district program coordinator for Northern Indiana District. He is
survived by six children: Margaret (Bill) Warner, Nappanee; Susan
(Frank) Chartier, Columbia City, Ind.; Michael (Marcea) Metzler, Dexter,
Mich.; Patt (Tom) Cook, W. Lebanon, Ind.; Steven Metzler, Dexter,
Mich.; and John (Fei Fei) Metzler, Ann Arbor, Mich.; grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Nappanee Church
of the Brethren on Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. Memorials are received to
Manchester University, Greencroft Retirement Community in Goshen, Ind.,
and Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, S.D.
- Ruby Sheldon died on Nov. 28, reports Pacific Southwest District. A
member of Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren, she is remembered as a
noted woman pilot who in 2010 at age 92 was “only” 70 years older than
the younger pilots in the 34th annual "Air Race Classic" in which some
100 women pilots flew 2,000 miles in four days from Fort Myers, Fla., to
the Mississippi River and back to Frederick, Md. After many years as an
Air Race Classic Director, she was made an Air Race Classic Honorary
Director by her peers. She was one of the top 10 finishers of the race
in 2008, 2005, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995(when she won first place),
and many more years. An aviation pioneer, flight instructor, and charter
pilot, she was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2009.
“We have also experienced Ruby as an active member of Papago Buttes
Church of the Brethren,” said the district note. “Attending and helping
at past District Conferences. Encouraging all of us. Hosting District
Board members in her home. Thank you Ruby for being a light on our
path.”
- Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., is inviting
applications for faculty positions in Brethren Studies and in
Reconciliation Studies.
A full-time, potential tenure-track faculty position in Brethren
studies begins fall 2013. Rank: open; PhD preferred; ABD considered. The
appointee will be expected to develop and teach the equivalent of an
average of five graduate courses per year, including at least one online
course per year, and offer one Academy-level course biennially. Some of
these courses may include introductory offerings in the history of
Christianity or theological reflection. Other duties include student
advising, supervision of MA theses in the area of Brethren studies as
needed, serving on at least one major institutional committee annually,
participating in the recruitment of new students through interviews and
informal contacts, and regular participation in faculty meetings. The
area of expertise and research may come from a variety of fields such as
historical studies, theological studies, Brethren heritage, or
sociology and religion. Commitment to the values and theological
emphases within the Church of the Brethren is essential. Bethany
specifically encourage applications from women, minorities, and persons
with disabilities. The application deadline is Jan. 11, 2013. The
appointment begins on or before July 11, 2013. Send a letter of
application, CV, and names and contact information for three references
to Brethren Studies Search, Attn: Dean’s Office, Bethany Theological
Seminary, 615 National Road West Richmond, IN 47374; deansoffice@bethanyseminary.edu . Find the full position announcement online at www.bethanyseminary.edu/sites/default/files/docs/admin/Brethren-Studies-Descr.pdf.
A half-time faculty position in Reconciliation Studies begins fall
2013. Rank: open; PhD preferred; ABD considered. The appointee will be
expected to develop and teach two graduate courses per year (one in
conflict transformation offered annually), including at least one online
course per year, and offer one Academy-level course biennially. Other
duties include student advising, supervision of MA theses in the area of
reconciliation studies as needed, serving on at least one major
institutional committee annually, participating in the recruitment of
new students through interviews and informal contacts, and regular
participation in faculty meetings. Commitment to the values and
theological emphases within the Church of the Brethren is essential.
Bethany specifically encourages applications from women, minorities, and
persons with disabilities. The application deadline is Jan. 1, 2013.
The appointment will begin July 1, 2013. Send a letter of application,
CV, and names and contact information for three references to
Reconciliation Studies Search, Attn: Dean’s Office, Bethany Theological
Seminary, 615 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374; deansoffice@bethanyseminary.edu . Find the full position announcement online at www.bethanyseminary.edu/sites/default/files/docs/admin/Reconcil-Studies-Descr.pdf .
- The Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM) at the University of Kansas
invites applications for a half-time position as Campus Minister to
begin July 1, 2013. ECM’s corresponding denominations include the Church
of the Brethren. A comprehensive compensation package between $25,000
to $35,000, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and experience,
will be offered. Complete information on qualifications and specific
duties for the position, the history and reviews of current programs,
and additional information about ECM can be found at www.ECMKU.org . The full position listing and how to submit an application can be found at http://ecmku.org/half-time-campus-minister-opening-july-1-2013 . The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2013.
- The new Sunday school curriculum to be produced by Brethren Press
and MennoMedia is accepting applications to write for Preschool,
Primary, Middler, Multiage, and Junior Youth age groups for the
curriculum years 2014-15. The new curriculum will seek to follow the
Gather 'Round curriculum in providing quality Anabaptist/Pietist
materials. Writers produce well-written, age-appropriate, and engaging
material for teacher's guides, student books, and additional resources.
All writers will attend an orientation April 22-25, 2013, in Milford,
Ind. See Job Opportunities at www.gatherround.org . The application deadline is Feb. 9, 2013.
- The World Council of Churches (WCC) is seeking young
communications professionals from its member churches to join the 10th
Assembly communications team. A release said the goal is to offer a
unique opportunity to work with a diverse team of communication
professionals from around the world during the most significant event in
the life of the WCC and the ecumenical movement. By inviting young
professionals, the WCC would like to add their unique perspective in
sharing the story of the assembly to audiences across the globe. The
young professionals will work side-by-side with seasoned communicators.
In addition to gaining valuable experience, these positions also offer
an opportunity for ecumenical formation. Requirements include 3-5 years
or more of professional media and communications experience either for
the church or public media; age between 22 and 30; involvement in
church, youth, or ecumenical activities in the local community; speaking
and writing English fluently unless a member of a specific language
team, then knowledge and ability to speak English preferred; available
to work at the assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), from
Oct. 27-Nov. 10, 2013. To apply, review the job profiles online and
submit a letter of intention and curriculum vitae. In the letter,
explain why you would like to join the WCC communication team and attend
the assembly, and write about your work experience and involvement in
youth and ecumenical work. In the CV list education, training, and work
experience. Those interested in writing, photography, and videographer
positions must be prepared to submit writing samples, photos, and video,
if requested. The application process ends Jan. 31, 2013. Selection of
candidates will be completed Feb. 28. Send letter of intention and CV to
the WCC Communication Dept., c/o Linda Hanna, at Linda.Hanna@wcc-coe.org.
Only those sending a letter of intention and CV will be considered and
responded to. In the letter clearly state the position you are
interested in. Find more information and job profiles at http://wcc2013.info/en/programme/youth/young-communication-professionals .
- Apply now for the WCC Assembly Stewards Program in 2013. Young
Christians from around the world are invited to apply for a three week
hands-on volunteer learning experience at the WCC 10th Assembly on Oct.
23-Nov. 10, 2013, in Busan, Republic of Korea (South Korea). Applicants
must be between 18 and 30 years old. Before the assembly begins,
stewards will follow an online and onsite ecumenical learning program,
exposing them to the key issues of the worldwide ecumenical movement.
During the assembly they will assist in the areas of worship, plenary
productions, documentation, communications, and other administrative and
support tasks. Following the meeting, they will design ecumenical
projects to implement in their churches and communities upon their
return home. The WCC Assembly is the "supreme legislative body" of the
WCC and meets every seven years. Some 150 volunteer stewards help to
make this event happen. Completed application forms are due to the WCC
youth program no later than Feb. 7, 2013. More information and the
application form may be downloaded from www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2012pdfs/Assembly_Stewards_Programme_Application.pdf .
- Odyssey Networks seeks a library intern to help sort and organize
its growing body of work. Odyssey Networks is a nonprofit multi-faith
media organization based in Morning Side Heights, near Columbia
University in New York. Its products include documentary and scripted
programs for major market cable networks, short-form documentary series
and news features for a video-centric website and for other major
Internet outlets. More about Odyssey Networks is at http://odysseynetworks.org
. Key responsibilities of an intern will be to work in the New Media
Department of Odyssey Networks with the network librarian to marry video
educationally appropriate metadata, log in received media and place in
physical storage, e-mail recipients of newly received content, alert
producers of all content received for the mobile application “Call on
Faith” which needs to be reformatted, work on metadata from a resource
library for a clip library (extensive metadata logging). The network
hopes to find someone to work part time, either from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or
from 1-5 p.m. weekdays. Compensation is $20 a day travel and lunch
stipend. Apply by sending a resume to hr@odysseynetworks.org with the subject line “Library Intern.”
- The Church of the Brethren hosted a meeting of the Council of
Moderators and Secretaries of Anabaptist Churches (COMS) and the
Canadian Council of Anabaptist Leaders (CCAL) on Dec. 7-8. The meeting
was at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Member denominations of CCAL
include Brethren in Christ Canada, Mennonite Church Canada, Chortitzer
Mennonite Conference, Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Evangelical
Mennonite Mission Conference, Can. Conf. Mennonite Brethren Churches,
MCC Canada, Sommerfeld Mennonite Conference. Members of COMS are the
Brethren in Christ US, Mennonite Brethren, Church of the Brethren,
Mennonite Church USA, Conservative Mennonite Conference, Missionary
Church.
- An Action Alert on “Pentagon Spending and the Fiscal Cliff” calls
Brethren to help take action on the level of military spending in the
federal budget, as politicians work on agreements as the year-end
deadline nears. The Church of the Brethren’s Advocacy and Peace Witness
Ministry issued the alert noting that “the importance of these ongoing
budget talks cannot be stressed enough. What is and what is not cut will
say a lot about what our nation prioritizes. We've heard both sides of
the aisle plead and preach about what can and cannot be cut, and whether
taxes should be raised, but what we have not heard is a strong voice
that is willing to point out the giant elephant in the room: Pentagon
spending.” An online form is offered to help church members respond to
their representatives in Congress on the issue. Find the alert at http://cob.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=19881.0&dlv_id=23461 .
- Congregational Life Ministries staff are posting additional questions and prayers on the Brethren blog (http://blog.brethren.org/)
related to the Church of the Brethren's Advent devotional, “The Advent
Road” by Walt Wiltschek. The devotional can be purchased at www.brethrenpress.com in print or e-book.
- Online registration has opened or will open soon for church events
in 2013. Unless otherwise noted, find registration links at www.brethren.org/about/registrations.html
. Registration is open now for the Christian Citizenship Seminar for
high schoolers and their adult advisors on March 23-28 in New York City
and Washington, D.C. Registration opens Jan. 4, 2013, for the National
Junior High Conference to take place June 14-16 at Elizabethtown (Pa.)
College (online parental consent form required to register).
Registration opens Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. (central), for the summer’s
workcamps. For 2013 workcamp sites, cost, and more information see www.brethren.org/workcamps .
- English River Church of the Brethren in South English, Iowa, has
received “a big thank you” from Kids Against Hunger for helping package
meals in November, reports the church newsletter. “We packaged 16,416
meals on that one day alone.”
- The Shenandoah District, through the generous support of its
annual Disaster Ministries Auction, has donated an additional $25,000 to
the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund in response to
recent natural disasters and Hurricane Sandy. “This donation is in
addition to the major gift that was forwarded to the EDF this fall after
financial accounts were completed for the 2012 auction,” reported the
district newsletter.
- Southern Ohio District has rescheduled its gathering to assemble
disaster relief kits, due to a delay in receiving a large order of
laundry soap from a supplier. The assembly of Emergency Clean-Up Buckets
is now planned for Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at Eaton (Ohio) Church of the
Brethren. “We have funds to do 400 buckets in the next shipment,” said
the district announcement.
- Florin Church of the Brethren in Mount Joy, Pa., is hosting an
Emergency Clean-Up Buckets assembly on behalf of the Church of the
Brethren Disaster Relief Auction. The assembly takes place Friday, Dec.
14., starting at 6 p.m. Set up will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The group hopes to
complete 1,000 buckets. Contact 717-898-3385 or 717-817-4033.
- Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va., has announced a Winter Camp
Retreat for children and youth on Dec. 29-30. “Give yourself a Christmas
gift and send the kids to Winter Camp,” said the announcement. The
event is for campers in first through twelfth grades led by a reunited
summer staff. Cost is $60 and includes four meals, lodging, and all
programing. Go to www.campbethelvirginia.org/winter_camp.htm .
- Also holding a Winter Camp is Brethren Woods, near Keezletown, Va.
The Winter Camp will be Jan. 4-6, 2013, for fourth through eighth
graders. The fee of $110 includes meals, snow-tubing or ice skating,
transportation, lodging, a T-shirt, supplies, and materials.
Registration and a $55 deposit are due Dec. 15. Contact 540-269-2741 or camp@brethrenwoods.org .
- A student photographer at McPherson (Kan.) College has earned a
landmark award in the 29th annual Five-State Photography Exhibition in
Hays, Kan. Casey Maxon became the first McPherson student to receive any
of the juried exhibition's 12 awards when he took home a Juror's Merit
Award, said a release from the college. The photograph is called "Tucked
In" and depicts an antique vehicle wrapped in a plastic sheet to
protect it for the night, see it at www.mcpherson.edu/news/index.php?action=fullnews&id=2295 .
- The Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative led by Manchester
University has received the 2012 Education and Information Award of the
Hoosier Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
- The US economic blockade against Cuba has forced postponement of
the 6th General Assembly of the Latin American Council of Churches
(CLAI), said a joint release of the World Council of Churches and the
Latin American and Caribbean Agency of Communication. The meeting was
scheduled for Feb. 19-24, 2013, in Havana, until the American branch of
the Ecuadorian bank Pichincha in Miami, Fla., froze a deposit of
$101,000 made by the CLAI headquarters in Ecuador. “The transfer to Cuba
was to cover costs of food and lodging for the 400 delegates and other
participants,” the release said. "This is greatly disappointing to the
member churches of CLAI and to the entire constituency of the World
Council of Churches," said WCC general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit. “It
is simply not acceptable that the US government through regulations of
its banking system has decided to create these obstacles for a
significant Christian body that cannot meet, whether it is in Cuba or
elsewhere. The United States has an obligation and has repeatedly
expressed the commitment to uphold religious freedom.”
- More Advent celebrations have been announced by Church of the
Brethren congregations, districts, camps, retirement communities, and
other groups across the country. Among them:
Wakeman’s Grove Church of the Brethren in Edinburg, Va., presents
“Walk Through Bethlehem” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec.
14 and 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16, from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg, Va., presents
its 11th Live Nativity from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 13 and
14, and 6:30-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15.
Danville Church of the Brethren near Keyser, W.Va., invites everyone
to come and join them in a “Living Christmas” on Dec. 21 and 22, 2012
from 6-9 p.m. at Narrow Gate Farm on Route 220.
On Dec. 16, the Iowa Peace Network holds an Open House and Gift Faire
from 1-3 p.m. at Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren in Des Moines,
Iowa (see a full list of the Advent and Christmas programs in Northern
Plains District at http://nplains.org/christmas ).
The Eshbach Family Railroad in Pennsylvania, presents its Annual
Benefit Show supporting the Children’s Aid Society on Saturday, Dec. 15,
at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. and 5
p.m. Call for reservations, 717-292-4803.
York (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren is one of the Pennsylvania
churches making cookies for the Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry this
Advent. “We had 214 bags for the truckers,” the church newsletter said
(more about this unique ministry is at www.carlisletruckstopministry.org ).
Lacey (Wash.) Community Church, affiliated jointly with the Church of
the Brethren and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), hold its
Christmas Cookie Sale and Alternative Giving Bazaar on Dec. 15 from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring Christmas cookies for sale by the pound,
fair-trade SERRV merchandise, and more.
The McPherson (Kan.) College Choir will give a special performance of
Christmas music on Sunday, Dec. 16. "Christmas at McPherson: From
Darkness to Light" will begin at 7 p.m. at McPherson Church of the
Brethren. A free-will offering will help underwrite expenses.
Something exciting occurs the Sunday before Christmas near Bruceton
Mills, W.Va., thanks to Salem Church of the Brethren. West Marva
District reports that for about 30 years now, the roadway for some two
miles leading up to the Salem Church comes alive with luminaries.
Preparation begins in August when pastor Don Savage brings a flatbed
trailer of sand to the church and members work together to fill the
2,000 paper bags. On the Sunday evening before Christmas, teams place
the luminaries along the road carefully measured with a rope marked with
knots every 10 feet. After candles are lit, a Worship Hour begins in
the church sanctuary.
Source: 12/13/2012 Newsline
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