- On Earth Peace board elects new officers, meets with Standing Committee delegation.
- Church of the Brethren joins in message to Congress on re-opening government.
- Manchester president Switzer to retire, university leader McFadden named successor.
- Ventures in Christian Discipleship training events offered through McPherson College.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Newsline: October 19, 2013
NEWS
On Earth Peace board elects new officers, meets with Standing Committee delegation.
By Madalyn Metzger
The On Earth Peace board and staff gathered at Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa., for their fall board meeting, Sept. 19-21.
One major item of business was the election of new board officers for 2014. Madalyn Metzger (Bristol, Ind.), who has served as the On Earth Peace board chair for five years, is stepping down from that role, but will continue on as a board member. In addition, Robbie Miller (Bridgewater, Va.) and Ben Leiter (Amherst, Mass.) will not continue on as board vice chair and board secretary (respectively), due to their terms of service ending.
“Over the past five years, On Earth Peace has taken important steps in expanding its mission and ministry,” Metzger said. “It has been my honor and privilege to help lead this work during that time, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the organization.”
For 2014, the board has called Jordan Bles (Lexington, Ken.) as board chair, Gail Erisman Valeta (Denver, Colo.) as board vice chair, and Chris Riley (Luray, Va.) as board secretary.
The board of directors and staff also welcomed a second delegation from the Church of the Brethren Standing Committee to continue dialogue regarding On Earth Peace’s statement of inclusion. Standing Committee had requested this in its meeting prior to the 2013 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C. The two groups considered various questions, such as how agencies, committees, districts, congregations, and individuals in the denomination may walk in love together in the face of differing interpretations of scripture and Annual Conference statements and decisions. The two groups agreed to continue the conversation in the coming months.
Other items of business included discussion of next steps in On Earth Peace’s elimination of racism training and audit--an initiative by the board and staff to continue addressing issues of institutional racism both within and outside of the organization. The board approved a budget for the 2014 fiscal year, and received updates on the “3,000 Miles for Peace” campaign, activities surrounding Peace Day 2013, and updates on other programmatic areas.
During the meeting, the board welcomed new members John Cassel (Oak Park, Ill.) and Chris Riley. The group recognized outgoing board members Robbie Miller, Ben Leiter, Joel Gibbel (Lititz, Pa.), and Lauree Hersch Meyer (Durham, N.C.) for their service.
As an agency of the Church of the Brethren, On Earth Peace answers Jesus Christ’s call for peace and justice through its ministries; builds thriving families, congregations, and communities; and provides the skills, support, and spiritual foundation to face violence with active nonviolence. On Earth Peace conducts discussion and decision-making by consensus.
-- Madalyn Metzger is concluding her term of service as chair of the On Earth Peace board.
Source: 10/19/2013 Newsline
The On Earth Peace board and staff gathered at Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa., for their fall board meeting, Sept. 19-21.
One major item of business was the election of new board officers for 2014. Madalyn Metzger (Bristol, Ind.), who has served as the On Earth Peace board chair for five years, is stepping down from that role, but will continue on as a board member. In addition, Robbie Miller (Bridgewater, Va.) and Ben Leiter (Amherst, Mass.) will not continue on as board vice chair and board secretary (respectively), due to their terms of service ending.
“Over the past five years, On Earth Peace has taken important steps in expanding its mission and ministry,” Metzger said. “It has been my honor and privilege to help lead this work during that time, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the organization.”
For 2014, the board has called Jordan Bles (Lexington, Ken.) as board chair, Gail Erisman Valeta (Denver, Colo.) as board vice chair, and Chris Riley (Luray, Va.) as board secretary.
The board of directors and staff also welcomed a second delegation from the Church of the Brethren Standing Committee to continue dialogue regarding On Earth Peace’s statement of inclusion. Standing Committee had requested this in its meeting prior to the 2013 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C. The two groups considered various questions, such as how agencies, committees, districts, congregations, and individuals in the denomination may walk in love together in the face of differing interpretations of scripture and Annual Conference statements and decisions. The two groups agreed to continue the conversation in the coming months.
Other items of business included discussion of next steps in On Earth Peace’s elimination of racism training and audit--an initiative by the board and staff to continue addressing issues of institutional racism both within and outside of the organization. The board approved a budget for the 2014 fiscal year, and received updates on the “3,000 Miles for Peace” campaign, activities surrounding Peace Day 2013, and updates on other programmatic areas.
During the meeting, the board welcomed new members John Cassel (Oak Park, Ill.) and Chris Riley. The group recognized outgoing board members Robbie Miller, Ben Leiter, Joel Gibbel (Lititz, Pa.), and Lauree Hersch Meyer (Durham, N.C.) for their service.
As an agency of the Church of the Brethren, On Earth Peace answers Jesus Christ’s call for peace and justice through its ministries; builds thriving families, congregations, and communities; and provides the skills, support, and spiritual foundation to face violence with active nonviolence. On Earth Peace conducts discussion and decision-making by consensus.
-- Madalyn Metzger is concluding her term of service as chair of the On Earth Peace board.
Source: 10/19/2013 Newsline
Church of the Brethren joins in message to Congress on re-opening government.
Earlier this week, as the US Congress continued to wrangle over the
impasse that closed the government for more than two weeks, scores of
religious leaders descended on Capitol Hill on Oct. 15 to call the
government back to work.
The Church of the Brethren was one of 32 denominations and faith-based organizations to endorse an accompanying message to Congress calling for the re-opening of the government. Ecumenical organizations participating included the National Council of Churches (NCC), and Church World Service (CWS).
The “pilgrimage” of faith leaders that took place Oct. 15 visited offices of members of the House of Representatives, and included prayer for the members and prayer to immediately end the government shutdown, an NCC release said. “At each office the group prayed for the member and left a letter endorsed by religious organizations,” reported an NCC release on the event. “Simultaneously, people of faith delivered over 32,000 petitions to Congressional offices around the country calling on House Members to end the government shutdown. The petition signers are members of Faithful America,” the release said.
The full text of the message delivered to members of Congress follows:
The Church of the Brethren was one of 32 denominations and faith-based organizations to endorse an accompanying message to Congress calling for the re-opening of the government. Ecumenical organizations participating included the National Council of Churches (NCC), and Church World Service (CWS).
The “pilgrimage” of faith leaders that took place Oct. 15 visited offices of members of the House of Representatives, and included prayer for the members and prayer to immediately end the government shutdown, an NCC release said. “At each office the group prayed for the member and left a letter endorsed by religious organizations,” reported an NCC release on the event. “Simultaneously, people of faith delivered over 32,000 petitions to Congressional offices around the country calling on House Members to end the government shutdown. The petition signers are members of Faithful America,” the release said.
The full text of the message delivered to members of Congress follows:
Calling the Government Back to WorkSource: 10/19/2013 Newsline
Dear Member of Congress:
As people of faith and conscience, we urge you to place shared democratic values above short term political expediency, exercise the courage to fund our nation’s government, raise the debt limit without preconditions, and get back to work on a faithful budget that serves the common good.
Shuttering the federal government and propelling the United States into financial default to achieve narrow political objectives is short-sighted and self-destructive. The danger for all who value democracy--regardless of party affiliation--is apparent. One only needs to consider this precedent being applied to other policy concerns of a minority in Congress who are powerful within their own party but unable to create legislative change within the bounds of due process.
Blocking routine but essential functions of government to extract specific policy concessions could destroy America’s democratic process.
To take such rash and destructive action in order to prevent further implementation of the Affordable Care Act--which addresses the needs of 50 million people without health insurance--is a grave moral failure. While the ACA has its limitations, it implements a market-based model with a history of bi-partisan support. Repealing or defunding it will hurt millions of people and many small businesses. We urge all members of Congress to stand up for our democracy and reject this futile and harmful effort.
Additional damage accrues each day the government remains in partial shutdown:
- Federal funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program may not be able to cover all benefits. Some states have already closed WIC offices, and many participants are terrified that they won’t be able to find nourishment for themselves or their infants and toddlers.
- An estimated 19,000 impoverished children are without preschool because of the shutdown, which left more than 20 programs across 11 states without funding on the heels of devastating sequester cuts. Those previous cuts had already shut out 57,000 at-risk children who lost their Head Start slots.
- Many low-wage workers are losing their paychecks or seeing their earnings dwindle even further. Examples include government mailroom clerks, many of whom are people with disabilities, who work for government contractors. Even if furloughed federal employees are eventually paid, many others who work for contractors have no such assurance.
- The Administration for Children and Families, which cares for children in abusive and violent family situations, announced that certain child welfare programs will not be funded during the shutdown.
- Our environmental wellbeing is suffering and our citizens are at risk as health inspectors, EPA inspectors and a myriad others who enforce important laws are unable to do their jobs.
You hold a key to doing what is right for the American people, and we pray for you to act in the best interest of our nation. Once this unnecessary and dangerous stalemate is over, we count on you to act on behalf of all of our people and enact a Faithful Budget. Stop the partisan paralysis and uphold what our Constitution refers to as the “general welfare”--the common good of all.
- In addition, a failure to raise the debt limit on spending that Congress has already approved will undermine our still fragile economy and harm the global economy, especially the most vulnerable.
With hope and a belief in the ultimate goodwill and good sense of Members of Congress, we hold you in our hearts and prayers.
ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS:
Am Kolel Jewish Jewish Renewal Community (Md., D.C., Va.)
Center of Concern
Church of the Brethren
Church World Service
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of Christ)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Washington Office
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Justice and Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Shalom Center
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society
American Friends Service Committee
Center on Conscience and War
Church Women United
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Disciples Home Missions, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice
Franciscan Action Network
Interfaith Moral Action of Climate
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Office of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
The National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA
Pax Christi USA
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Institute Leadership Team
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Women
Manchester president Switzer to retire, university leader McFadden named successor.
By Jeri S. Kornegay
Manchester University president Jo Young Switzer has announced her plans to retire June 30, 2014, contributing a legacy of strategic and mission-focused leadership that has transformed the university’s academic breadth, financial strength, enrollment, and visibility. The Board of Trustees accepted her retirement today with deep respect and admiration for a job well done.
Trustees also acted on their succession plan, naming executive vice president and dean of the College of Pharmacy Dave McFadden to the presidency, effective July 1, 2014.
As its first female president, Switzer has led her alma mater to critical successes and exciting community collaborations. “President Switzer has led Manchester at a pace and with a strategic focus unprecedented in the history of Manchester,” said Marsha Link, chair of the Board of Trustees. “She has led from within and has also risen to great respect across higher education as a dynamic and thoughtful leader.”
Among the transformations at Manchester during the past nine years:
In anticipation of her retirement, the Board of Trustees appointed a special Succession Planning Committee last spring. Modeling best practices in higher education for succession planning, the ten-member committee of Trustees, faculty and staff began a two-stage approach for selecting the University’s next president. The element of confidentiality was considered essential by the committee primarily to protect the identity of an internal candidate. As a result of the committee’s due diligence and subsequent recommendation, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted this this morning to appoint Dave McFadden to become president of Manchester University, effective July 1, 2014.
A member of the president’s leadership cabinet, McFadden is executive vice president and dean of the College of Pharmacy. He has deep roots in Manchester University and the Church of the Brethren, which founded the school more than 124 years ago.
“Dave is an outstanding selection as Manchester’s next president” said Switzer. “He is prepared, has exceptional leadership skills and most importantly, the commitment and desire to see Manchester University do great things.”
As executive vice president and MU’s former enrollment expert, Dave McFadden spearheaded the Fast Forward three-year degree and Triple Guarantee programs that brought more students to Manchester and garnered national attention. “Dave has helped people see that Manchester has always been a place of affordable excellence. These programs have been in place for many years and have served as a model for other schools to insure the investment cost of a college degree,” Switzer said.
He coordinated the feasibility study that led to the Board of Trustees’ decision to establish a professional Doctor of Pharmacy program on the Fort Wayne campus. He became dean of the College of Pharmacy in May 2012, after six months as interim dean. The four-year school enrolled its second class this fall, and has achieved candidate accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
McFadden is a 1982 graduate of Manchester and earned a Ph.D. in political science at Claremont Graduate University. He led Manchester’s enrollment initiatives beginning in 1993. McFadden has served as executive vice president throughout Switzer’s presidency and also as an assistant professor of political science, with particular interest in environmental policy.
McFadden also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Bethany Theological Seminary. He is a former chair of the boards of the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Manchester Main Street Inc., HOPE community supported agricultural organization and Manchester Church of the Brethren.
He has served as an enrollment management and accreditation consultant to other colleges and universities and as a visiting evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission.
In his service to the denomination, he was a coordinator of National Youth Conference in 1978 as a young adult, and also served on the staff of the former General Board for a term in the 1980s where he worked in the human resources office to recruit mission and Brethren Volunteer Service workers.
He and his wife, Renee, a retired elementary teacher and Manchester alumna, reside in North Manchester. They have two adult children, Rachel and Sam, both Manchester graduates. To learn more about Manchester University, visit www.manchester.edu.
-- Jeri S. Kornegay is staff for media relations at Manchester University.
Source: 10/19/2013 Newsline
Manchester University president Jo Young Switzer has announced her plans to retire June 30, 2014, contributing a legacy of strategic and mission-focused leadership that has transformed the university’s academic breadth, financial strength, enrollment, and visibility. The Board of Trustees accepted her retirement today with deep respect and admiration for a job well done.
Trustees also acted on their succession plan, naming executive vice president and dean of the College of Pharmacy Dave McFadden to the presidency, effective July 1, 2014.
As its first female president, Switzer has led her alma mater to critical successes and exciting community collaborations. “President Switzer has led Manchester at a pace and with a strategic focus unprecedented in the history of Manchester,” said Marsha Link, chair of the Board of Trustees. “She has led from within and has also risen to great respect across higher education as a dynamic and thoughtful leader.”
Among the transformations at Manchester during the past nine years:
- A 25 percent enrollment increase in enrollment
- A new four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy program on a new campus in Fort Wayne with $35 million in seed funds from Lilly Endowment Inc.
- More than $89 million raised so far toward the $100 million Students First! campaign
- The opening of a $17 million Science Center, $8 million Union, $9 million Academic Center, $1.5 million classroom and locker room addition – all on a greener North Manchester campus
- The transition from college to university, reflecting the growing complexity of the 124-year-old institution
- Enhanced visibility of Manchester, including national recognition for its volunteer programs, workplace quality, three-year degree and affordable excellence
- A collaborator in initiatives to strengthen northeast Indiana
In anticipation of her retirement, the Board of Trustees appointed a special Succession Planning Committee last spring. Modeling best practices in higher education for succession planning, the ten-member committee of Trustees, faculty and staff began a two-stage approach for selecting the University’s next president. The element of confidentiality was considered essential by the committee primarily to protect the identity of an internal candidate. As a result of the committee’s due diligence and subsequent recommendation, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted this this morning to appoint Dave McFadden to become president of Manchester University, effective July 1, 2014.
A member of the president’s leadership cabinet, McFadden is executive vice president and dean of the College of Pharmacy. He has deep roots in Manchester University and the Church of the Brethren, which founded the school more than 124 years ago.
“Dave is an outstanding selection as Manchester’s next president” said Switzer. “He is prepared, has exceptional leadership skills and most importantly, the commitment and desire to see Manchester University do great things.”
As executive vice president and MU’s former enrollment expert, Dave McFadden spearheaded the Fast Forward three-year degree and Triple Guarantee programs that brought more students to Manchester and garnered national attention. “Dave has helped people see that Manchester has always been a place of affordable excellence. These programs have been in place for many years and have served as a model for other schools to insure the investment cost of a college degree,” Switzer said.
He coordinated the feasibility study that led to the Board of Trustees’ decision to establish a professional Doctor of Pharmacy program on the Fort Wayne campus. He became dean of the College of Pharmacy in May 2012, after six months as interim dean. The four-year school enrolled its second class this fall, and has achieved candidate accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
McFadden is a 1982 graduate of Manchester and earned a Ph.D. in political science at Claremont Graduate University. He led Manchester’s enrollment initiatives beginning in 1993. McFadden has served as executive vice president throughout Switzer’s presidency and also as an assistant professor of political science, with particular interest in environmental policy.
McFadden also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Bethany Theological Seminary. He is a former chair of the boards of the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Manchester Main Street Inc., HOPE community supported agricultural organization and Manchester Church of the Brethren.
He has served as an enrollment management and accreditation consultant to other colleges and universities and as a visiting evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission.
In his service to the denomination, he was a coordinator of National Youth Conference in 1978 as a young adult, and also served on the staff of the former General Board for a term in the 1980s where he worked in the human resources office to recruit mission and Brethren Volunteer Service workers.
He and his wife, Renee, a retired elementary teacher and Manchester alumna, reside in North Manchester. They have two adult children, Rachel and Sam, both Manchester graduates. To learn more about Manchester University, visit www.manchester.edu.
-- Jeri S. Kornegay is staff for media relations at Manchester University.
Source: 10/19/2013 Newsline
Ventures in Christian Discipleship training events offered through McPherson College.
McPherson (Kan.) College is offering a series of courses and webinars
for the purpose of training and supporting small congregations, under
the title “Ventures in Christian Discipleship.” Campus minister Steve
Crain and Ken and Elsie Holderread from Western Plains District are
co-coordinators for the series.
Leaders for the events are Joshua Brockway, director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship for the Church of the Brethren; Barbara Daté, an educator and trainer working in Eugene, Ore., for the Center for Dialogue and Resolution; Donna Kline, director of the Church of the Brethren’s Deacon Ministry; and Deb Oskin, a clergy tax expert who is also an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren;
Following is a list of the events, some offered as online webinars and others as classroom workshops:
Source: 10/19/2013 Newsline
Leaders for the events are Joshua Brockway, director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship for the Church of the Brethren; Barbara Daté, an educator and trainer working in Eugene, Ore., for the Center for Dialogue and Resolution; Donna Kline, director of the Church of the Brethren’s Deacon Ministry; and Deb Oskin, a clergy tax expert who is also an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren;
Following is a list of the events, some offered as online webinars and others as classroom workshops:
- “Making Sense of Church Finances,” a webinar led by Deb Oskin on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m.-noon (central time). Cost is $15.
- “Clergy and Non-clergy Employees in the Small Congregation,” a webinar led by Deb Oskin on Nov. 9 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. (central time). Cost is $15.
- “Building Healthy Relationships: Tools for Harmony Within Diversity,” a workshop led by Barbara Daté at McPherson College on Jan. 25, 2014, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $50.
- “Deep Compassionate Listening,” a workshop led by Barbara Daté at McPherson College on Jan. 26, 2014, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $25.
- “Spiritual Direction and a Life of Prayer,” a webinar led by Josh Brockway on March 8, 2014, from 9-11 a.m. (central time). Cost is $15.
- “Are You a Person of Prayer?” a webinar led by Josh Brockway on March 8, 2014, from 1-3 p.m. (central time). Cost is $15.
- “Deaconing in Small Congregations,” a webinar led by Donna Kline on April 12, 2014, from 9-11 a.m. (central time). Cost is $15.
- “The Gift of Grief,” a webinar led by Donna Kline on April 12, 2014, from 1-3 p.m. (central time). Cost is $15.
Source: 10/19/2013 Newsline
Brethren bits.
- Remembrance: Family physician and former missionary James E. Kipp of Newport, Pennsylvania, passed away on Oct. 7, after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. A family physician with Norlanco Medical Associates in Elizabethtown, Pa., since 1975, Kipp took sabbatical leave for 14 months in 1980 and 1981 to volunteer as medical director for the Rural Health Program of the Church of the Brethren Mission in Nigeria. In the mid-1980s, he served as president of the Church of the Brethren Health and Welfare Association. A memorial will be held to celebrate his life on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Family Life Center in Newport, Pa. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the service starts at 3 p.m. Memorial donations are received to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Sun Home Health and Hospice in Northumberland, and the American Cancer Society office in Harrisburg, Pa. The full obituary can be found at http://lancasteronline.com/obituaries/local/904273_James-E--Kipp--M-D-.html#ixzz2i0X7kmP4.
- The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership seeks a half-time coordinator for the Training in Ministry (TRIM) and Education for Shared Ministry (EFSM) programs. Primary functions of the position are to administer two of the four educational tracks required for set-apart ministry in the Church of the Brethren; work with TRIM students and district coordinators, EFSM students, and supervising pastors; coordinate onsite and online learning options. Candidates should possess the following qualifications and abilities: five years of effective leadership in pastoral ministry; ordination and active membership in the Church of the Brethren; a master of divinity degree; a record of regular continuing education experiences; residence in Richmond, Ind., or the surrounding area preferred. Applications and a more complete job description are available from the executive assistant to the president of Bethany Theological Seminary and will be accepted until the position is filled. Send resumes to: Shaye Isaacs, Executive Assistant to the President, Bethany Theological Seminary, 615 National Road West; Richmond, IN 47374; or by e-mail to isaacsh@bethanyseminary.edu. The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is a ministry training partnership of Bethany Theological Seminary and the Church of the Brethren.
- The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) newsletter featured the Church of the Brethren’s Open Roof Award in its October “Connections” newsletter. Written by Donna Kline, director of the denomination’s Deacon Ministry, the article explains how the Church of the Brethren offers the award annually to congregations that have made efforts to ensure that all may worship, serve, be served, learn, and grow as valued members, and reviews the four churches in Pennsylvania and Indiana that received the award in 2013. Find the October “Connections” newsletter and a link to the article about the Open Roof Award at www.adnetonline.org/resources/newsletter.
- On Nov. 3, Sheldon (Iowa) Church of the Brethren celebrates its 125th anniversary. The congregation was begun on Nov. 3, 1888, with three families in attendance, said an announcement of the celebration. A Sunday morning worship celebration starts at 9:30 a.m., with cake, coffee, and punch served after the service. For those unable to attend in person, the church welcomes any special memories of time spent at the church. RSVP or send special memories by Oct. 27 to Sheldon Church of the Brethren, c/o Linda Adams, 712 6th St., Sheldon, IA 51201.
- Registration is due by Nov. 15 for the Shenandoah District Pastors for Peace conversation on "Why a Peace Church?" The seminar will be held Nov. 23 from 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. at Bridgewater (Va.) College. Jeff Bach, Church of the Brethren historian and director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, will lead the conversation. The cost is $25 for ministers earning continuing education units, $20 for other interested adults, $10 for students. For more information go to http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1110837621104-160/2013WhyAPeaceChurch.pdf.
- “Lybrook Community Ministries is active again!” announced a recent newsletter from Western Plains District. Jim and Kim Therrien of Independence Church of the Brethren in Kansas recently moved to New Mexico to serve the Lybrook community. Jim Therrien has begun work as director of Lybrook Community Ministries and pastor of Tók’ahookaadí Church of the Brethren. Kim Therrien is teaching at the school. The district requests, “Please keep Jim, Kim, and the entire Lybrook community in prayer.” Jim Therrien reported in the newsletter that “we have resumed Sunday morning worship services and have had some attendance. They had not had a service in over a year, so it will take a little time to get the word out. We have been posting flyers and contacted both the Nageezi and Counselor chapter houses. Kim has started the Monday evening craft and fellowship night and has had between four and seven ladies attending. We are started our Wednesday evening Bible study on September 25 and look forward to studying God’s word together. Kim has started the planning phase of opening a thrift store on the mission grounds utilizing the lower level of the bunkhouse.” The grand opening for the new effort at Lybrook is planned for Nov. 5. Contact the Therriens at lybrookmission@gmail.com or Lybrook Community Ministries, HCR 17, Box 110, Cuba, NM 87013.
- Western Plains District is holding a “Meet ’n Greet” for president Jeff Carter of Bethany Theological Seminary on Nov. 1 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cedars Conference Center in McPherson, Kan. The reception with the new Bethany president is held in advance of the district’s popular annual Gathering in Salina, Kan., where Carter will be on the program, said a note from the district office.
- Western Pennsylvania District Conference will be held Oct. 19 at Camp Harmony, Hooversville, Pa. An offering of Church World Service Hygiene, School, Baby Kits, and Emergency Clean-up Buckets will be taken during the conference.
- On Nov. 2, Western Pennsylvania’s 8th Annual District Auction is held at Camp Harmony near Hooversville, Pa. The event is a benefit for district ministries. The auction begins at 9 a.m. Breakfast is served from 7:30-8:45 a.m. The day also includes a lunch, the sale of fresh baked pies, and more. Contact the district office at 814-479-2181 or 814-479-7058.
- Oct. 19 is the Camp Eder Fall Festival. Events take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the camp in Pennsylvania. The festival is free for all to attend. For more information see www.campeder.org/events-retreats/fall-festival.
- Part 2 of the current Spiritual Disciplines Folder from the Springs of Living Water initiative for church renewal is now available. “Called to Serve: Entrusted to Be Servant Leaders” is posted at www.churchrenewalservant.org . The folder includes a description of the theme and focused scriptures connecting the service of footwashing, tub, and towel with mission. A release notes that it is designed for use with the entire congregation to deepen understanding of the central call to serve Christ, and through that to be called into the role of a servant leader. Study questions are written by Vince Cable, pastor of Uniontown Church of the Brethren near Pittsburgh, Pa., and are suitable for individual use or for small group study. The folder is used in the advanced class of the Springs of Living Water Academy as pastors explore the meaning of servant leadership.
- In more news from the Spring of Living Water initiative, enrollment is open for the next class of the Springs of Living Water Academy. Intended for pastors, the class takes place via telephone conference calls. Participants work on the spiritual disciplines together, and members of their congregations walk alongside pastors who take the course. Pastors receive “shepherding” calls between each of 5 sessions spread over a 12-week period. The opening day for the next Springs of Living Water Academy course is Feb. 4. Continuing education units are available. For more information see www.churchrenewalservant.org or e-mail David Young at davidyoung@churchrenewalservant.org.
- The John Kline Homestead in Broadway, Va., is hosting special dinners in November and December, according to an announcement. “Enjoy a home-style candlelight dinner in pre-Civil War house, 223 East Springbrook Road, Broadway, Nov. 15 and 16 and Dec. 20 and 21, 6 p.m.” said an invitation. “Learn about Virginia calvary raids, high inflation and fleeing war refugees which strained community life in the fall of 1863. Hear the struggles of the family in the John Kline home around a traditional meal.” Seats are $40 per plate; seating limited to 32. Call 540-896-5001 for reservations. Groups are welcome. Proceeds support the John Kline Homestead, the family home of Civil War-era Brethren elder and martyr for peace John Kline.
- For the last 10 years, the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program has developed an ecumenical Earth Day Sunday Resource. In the program’s new capacity as Creation Justice Ministries, “we will continue this tradition and look forward to sharing the 2014 Earth Day Sunday Resource with you,” said an announcement. “While our resource is not complete, we are excited to reveal next year's theme: Water, Holy Water.” The Earth Day Sunday Resource will be out at the beginning of 2014 and will include worship resources, activities, and educational information about the gift of water and its important role. For more information contact Creation Justice Ministries at info@creationjustice.org.
- The University of La Verne, Calif., is holding centennial celebrations for the composer Benjamin Britten. An article in the “Inland Valley Daily Bulletin” notes that ULV’s College of Arts and Sciences is using the to recognize Britten’s pacifist convictions and at the same time recognize the university’s roots in the pacifist Church of the Brethren. The centennial of Britten’s birth is Nov. 22. Provost Greg Dewey told the newspaper: “Since the University of La Verne was founded by and is historically affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, a pacifist denomination, the Britten events provide our community an opportunity to reflect on our origins and the contemporary revelancy and means of promoting peace in an often violent world. We look forward to the vigorous intellectual discussions that will arise because of these events.” Four Britten events at ULV start Oct. 17 with a panel discussion about conscientious objectors and the historic values of the university, held in the University Chapel at 4-5 p.m. with a reception following. On. Oct. 22 a lecture by curator Susanne Slavick titled “Out of Rubble” starts at 4:40 p.m., program coordinated by Dion Johnson, director of university art galleries, with a reception following. On Oct. 27 the concert “Peace in the Heart of War” will feature Los Angeles Opera tenor Jonathan Mack, ULV Music Department associate and soprano Carol Stephenson, and pianist Grace Xia Zhao, ULV’s artist-in-residence; a donation of $20 is suggested for the 6 p.m. concert in Morgan Auditorium.A talk titled “Hot Spots: The Exile of Benjamin Britten” will be given by history professor Ken Marcus at 11 a.m. Oct. 24 in the President’s Dining Hall.
- Five former Bridgewater (Va.) College athletes have been selected for induction into the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame on Nov. 8, a release said. Inductees are: Glen Goad of Bristol, Va., former linebacker and one of the top football players at Bridgewater during the 1970s, who served as team captain and in 1973 was named the Eagles’ MVP; Andrew Agee of Roanoke, Va., who completed his four-year basketball playing career at Bridgewater as one of the top players in the program’s history ranking 13 on the Bridgewater all-time scoring list, and during his senior season was team captain; Shirley Brown Chenault of Broadway, Va., who played basketball and volleyball while at Bridgewater and was one of the top volleyball players in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and at the time of her graduation ranked No. 1 on the Eagles’ all-time assists list; Todd Rush of Chevy Chase, Md., who finished his basketball career at Bridgewater as one of the top players in program history finishing his playing career with 1,784 points to rank No. 4 on the program’s all-time scoring list, and was a three-year team co-captain; and Melissa Baker Nice of Waynesboro, Va., who finished her career as one of the top performers in the women’s track and field program, qualifying for the NCAA championship five times and earning All-America honors twice during the 2001 season, who won a total of 23 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles during her career--16 individual and 7 relay. Nice holds school records in the indoor 400, outdoor 400, outdoor 400 hurdles, and as a member of the outdoor 4x400 relay team, and she still holds the ODAC record in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:01.94. For the full release go to www.bridgewater.edu/news-and-media/releases/1413-five-sports-legends-enter-bc-athletic-hall-of-fame-nov-8.
- “We don’t often get the chance to visit one of our partner projects, but last month, we did. And what a joy it was,” reports Tina Rieman of the Global Women’s Project Steering Committee in a release. The group held its fall meeting in North Manchester, Ind., and had an opportunity to connect with partner project Growing Grounds in Wabash, Ind. “I was particularly moved by the stories that the former inmates, Veronica, April, and Jennifer, shared with us,” Rieman wrote in her report. “They took life skills classes taught by Growing Grounds, and they received loans, rides, and abundant emotional support, both before and after their release from jail. I am keenly aware of how amazing each of these women is...for turning their lives around and accepting the helping hand that was offered to them.” Find her full report at http://globalwomensproject.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/fall-meeting-wrap-up-connecting-with-growing-grounds.
Credits
Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Kendra Flory, Mary Kay Heatwole, Ken and Elsie Holderread, Philip E. Jenks, Nancy Miner, Paul Roth, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren.
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