Brethren bits

• Correction: The editor apologizes for omitting the full name of Common Spirit Church of the Brethren fellowship, when it was welcomed into the denomination at Annual Conference. “Being identified as part of the Church of the Brethren is very important to us as a fellowship and we appreciate our full name being used,” wrote church board chair John Willoughby. “Most of the membership are life-long members of the Church of the Brethren and all of our members value our heritage and place within the Church of the Brethren.”

Anne Haynes Price Fike

• Remembrance: Anne Haynes Price Fike, a psychotherapist with the Saddleback Pediatric Medical Group in Mission Viejo, Calif., and a leader with the Church of the Brethren program Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), died on July 17. She passed away at her home at Brethren Hillcrest Homes, a Church of the Brethren retirement community in La Verne, Calif. The only child of George Nash and Mildred Haynes, she was born May 31, 1936, in Bassett, Va. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Bridgewater (Va.) College, a master’s degree in community clinical psychology at California State University at Long Beach, and a doctorate in psychology from the University of California, Irvine. She met Stan Price in 1961 at the Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif., and they were married in 1962. Their nearly 50 years of marriage ended when he died on Dec. 24, 2010. She was a licensed marriage and family therapist, and practiced with Saddleback Pediatric Medical Group for 15 years as an adjunct psychotherapist in parenting, learning disability evaluations, and primary intervention. Early in her career she served at La Verne Church of the Brethren as Christian education director, and as dean of women at La Verne College, which is now the University of La Verne. She volunteered for many years providing leadership in training and childcare response for Children’s Disaster Services. One of her most significant cases involved working with the children of 9/11 as a critical incident responder. In 2006, she was presented the West-Whitelow Award from the Bridgewater College Alumni Association acknowledging her tireless dedication and commitment to humanity. She is survived by her husband of two years, Earle Fike, Jr., and her two sons Doug and Mike Price, and grandsons. A service to celebrate her life was held July 26 at La Verne Church of the Brethren. Memorial gifts are received to Children’s Disaster Services, c/o La Verne Church of the Brethren, 2425 E Street, La Verne, CA 91750.

• The Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District seeks a district executive to fill a full-time position available Jan. 1, 2015. Pacific Southwest District includes 26 congregations and 1 church plant in California and Arizona. It is geographically, ethnically, and theologically diverse, with several Spanish-speaking congregations. In addition to a district executive, the district staff also includes a youth advisor, an administrative assistant, and a secretary. The district office is located in La Verne, Calif., 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Responsibilities of the district executive include collaborating with the District Board of Administration in shaping, articulating, and promoting the vision of the district; administering and overseeing the work of the district office; overseeing and supporting the Ministerial Leadership Program of the district; uplifting the vision and mission of the congregations and nurturing relationships with congregational leaders; upholding and promoting the core values of faith and practice of the Church of the Brethren in areas of ministry, congregational life and relationships, and practices of the church. Qualifications include a clear commitment to Jesus Christ demonstrated by a vibrant, mature spiritual life; a commitment to New Testament values; a commitment to Church of the Brethren faith and heritage; passion about the potential of the Church of the Brethren and openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit; 10 years of pastoral experience; administrative, management, and budget skills; staff and team management skills demonstrating flexibility working with staff, volunteers, pastors, and lay leadership; experience dealing with the dynamics of growth and change; ability to listen and build relationships across cultural, theological, and geographical diversity. A master of divinity or equivalent theological degree is preferred. English and Spanish bilingual skill is advantageous. Apply by sending a letter of interest and a resume via e-mail to OfficeofMinistry@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three or four people to provide letters of reference. Upon receipt of resume a Candidate Profile will be provided, which must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete. The application deadline is Sept. 22. Learn more about the ministries of Pacific Southwest District at www.pswdcob.org.

• Resources for a week of prayer and fasting for Nigeria on Aug. 17-24 will be made available soon at www.brethren.org . In the works is a webpage offering ideas and guidance for the spiritual discipline of fasting, renewed links to Nigeria prayer resources in English and Spanish as well as Haitian Kreyol, and a survey for congregations, groups, and individuals to register their commitment. The survey also will offer a way to share prayers and encouragement with others who are taking on this commitment, and to find a congregation or group near you with whom to join in prayer and fasting. The call to fasting and prayer for Nigeria comes from the 2014 Annual Conference resolution in solidarity with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) as the Nigerian Brethren endure turmoil in their country. Among other things, the resolution commits the church to a week of fasting and prayer on Aug. 17-24, and invites the worldwide community of the Brethren to join in that commitment. Find the resolution at www.brethren.org/news/2014/delegates-adopt-nigeria-resolution.html. Check back in to www.brethren.org later in the week for helpful resources.

• On Earth Peace has begun sharing plans for the 2014 International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sunday, Sept. 21. “Will you pray with us?” said an invitation and announcement in this week’s Peacebuilder newsletter. “Inspired by the book of Acts, we invite groups to ask God for ‘Visions and Dreams of Building Peace.’ Can we dream of overcoming violence and sharing God's love with all? This is the heart of the Gospel. Will you find a vision of how you and your congregation can build peace with justice? Dream and pray with us!” A Peace Day worship service may include personal sharing, prayers, a topical sermon, special music, and a related children's story, the invitation said. On Earth Peace already is gathering sample plans from congregations and groups who are taking part. For more information or to register a Peace Day event, go to http://peacedaypray.tumblr.com.

• The World Hunger Auction will be held at Antioch Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 9, starting at 9:30 a.m. The event will be a culmination of a year of fund-raising activities to address hunger, and includes sales of crafts, quilts, toys, produce, baked and canned goods, special services, and more. “Come early for the best selection,” said an announcement from Virlina District. The district newsletter adds, “The sale will include a Washington Nationals baseball experience which will include admission to the Diamond Club.” Also to be auctioned: three pieces of antique furniture which are said to have once been in the Virginia governor's mansion. See www.worldhungerauction.org for more information.

• Aug. 9 also is the date of a Camping and Retreat Commission Golf Outing in Southern Ohio District. The event takes place at Beechwood Golf Course, with profits designated for the Camp Scholarship Fund that will be used to help individuals to attend district camping programs in the future. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of golf achievements determined by the Golf Outing Committee. “The committee's goal is to make this a fun day for renewing or creating new relationships. You do not have to be a great golfer to participate. Everyone is invited who desires to support the camping program and campers,” said an invitation. Download a registration form from http://media1.razorplanet.com/share/511272-2452/resources/607673_GolfOutingCRC20141.pdf.

• The Southern Ohio District holds its 8th Ice Cream Social Fundraiser for Brethren Disaster Ministries on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 4-7 p.m. at Happy Corner Church of the Brethren in Clayton, Ohio. “There will be great food, great fellowship, and lots of ice cream!” said a district announcement. “Come enjoy music by Happy Corner, Eversole, and Eaton COB musicians. There will be a silent auction which will include a plaster cast of the Lord's Supper. Bring the coins you've been saving, or pick up a coin collection jar for the upcoming year.”

• Several district conferences will be held in the next few weeks: On Aug. 1-3 Northern Plains District will be meeting at Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Brethren/Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids. On Aug. 7-8, the Southern Plains District Conference takes place at Antelope Valley Church in Billings, Oklahoma. On Aug. 15-17, Michigan District Conference is planned for Camp Brethren Heights, Rodney, Mich.

• The World Council of Churches (WCC) is offering a seminar on migration and theological education, to take place Sept. 1-5 at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey in Switzerland, where the WCC has its headquarters. “How should the growing phenomenon of migration affect training for ministry?” said a release explaining the goals of the seminar, which will focus on evaluating experiences and devising new approaches to theological education that can help churches understand migration as an opportunity of “being the church together.” Titled “Evaluation of Ecumenical Theological Education Programs for Migrant Church Leaders,” it will bring together some 20 participants from migrant churches, Christian organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Participants will come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and from countries such as Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Togo, and Guyana, while they serve Christian ministries in European countries. “Migration constitutes a global reality,” said Amélé Ekué, the seminar organizer and faculty member at the Ecumenical Institute. “People leave their countries of origin due to situations of war, environmental factors, and persecution. Churches have become increasingly aware of these movements, as they call for the protection of migrants’ rights and care for their needs in situations of vulnerability.... The presence of migrant church communities in all parts of the world has given rise to a fascinating new terrain for ecumenical encounters. The time is ripe for reflection on and analysis of different initiatives in ecumenical theological education related to migration.” For more information go to https://institute.oikoumene.org/en.

• Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is requesting prayer for the Christians of Mosul, Iraq, as well as the Turkmen, Shabak, Yeziki, and Shia Muslim people of Mosul, who are being driven from their homes by militants. “ISIS militants have driven them from their homes in Mosul and confiscated their possessions. Give thanks for Iraqi Muslims who are speaking out against this violence and injustice,” said today’s “Epixel” and Prayer for Peacemakers from CPT. Find the full prayer concern and “Epixel” at www.cpt.org/cptnet/2014/07/30/prayers-peacemakers-july-30-2014.

Source: 7/30/2014 Newsline