'Hunger No More' brings more than 1,500 to Washington National Cathedral.

Some 1,500 people filled the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on June 6, on the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day. "It was an historic event gathering people of many traditions and faiths together with the unifying desire to overcome hunger in our lifetime," said Stan Noffinger, general secretary of the General Board, following the worship convocation titled "Hunger No More." The event surpassed all expectations of the planners, he said.

With sponsorship from the Alliance to End Hunger, Bread for the World, America's Second Harvest, the National Food Bank, Call to Renewal, and the Interfaith Anti-Hunger Coordinators, the convocation brought more than 40 religious leaders of various faith traditions together in a moving service of worship, Noffsinger said. The Church of the Brethren General Board, and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, were endorsers of the event. At least six Brethren were in attendance, including Noffsinger and co-executive director of On Earth Peace Barbara Sayler.

"Participants set aside the differences that tend to divide the faith traditions to address the increasing incidence of hunger in the US," Noffsinger said. Different faith traditions shared leadership of the worship. The keynote speaker was Anglican archbishop Njongonkulu W.H. Ndungane of Cape Town, South Africa, whose life story includes imprisonment as a political prisoner under apartheid law. "I know hunger firsthand," he said, reminding worshipers that in the US, the richest country in the world, hunger is increasing. He called on people of faith to speak loudly and clearly to end hunger, with the goal of food for everyone being a human right. "The promise of heaven is no more hunger," he said. "But...the plight of the hungry must not be left for heaven."

In the last four years, decades of progress in shrinking the numbers of the hungry in the US have been reversed, Noffsinger said. Bread for the World said in its annual hunger report for 2004 that 853 million people worldwide are hungry, he reported. Of that number, 36 million in the US are "food insecure," meaning that they do not always know if they will have access to safe and nutritious food at their next meal, he said.

Just prior to the convocation, faith leaders met in an "upper room" of the cathedral--stories above the streets of Washington--to discuss the issues. A new coalition was formed, Noffsinger said, to bring the plight of the hungry into the awareness of each denomination and faith group represented. The group signed a common letter to the President of the United States, which was delivered by a small delegation which met with White House staff on June 7. The letter encouraged the President to provide strong leadership in "protecting the national nutrition programs from funding cuts and damaging structural changes. We also ask you to use this year's G8 Summit to increase development assistance and debt relief and to forge trade policies that will help to reduce hunger, poverty, and disease in Africa and other poor parts of the world." Participants at the convocation gathered for training June 7 to prepare for a major lobbying effort on hunger issues later that day.

Paul Wolfowitz, the new president of the World Bank, unexpectedly joined the convocation worship service, Noffsinger said, adding that Wolfowitz received "a warm welcome" from the religious leaders and convocation attendees.

For more information and links to the webcast of the convocation, see www.bread.org/nationalgathering/2005/convocation.htm.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Denomination is lead sponsor for Guatemalan food security program.

Guatemala is the setting of a new interchurch project in which the Church of the Brethren is the lead sponsor. Located in Totonicapan in western Guatemala, the three-year project is aimed at developing food security for 570 Mayan families in 20 rural communities.

Components of the project include diversifying food production, introducing greenhouse and patio garden techniques, training in soil and water management, protecting watersheds and the environment, developing local markets, and strengthening indigenous women's organizations. "Given the small parcels of land and lack of alternatives for compensated work, the Totonicapan project strives not only to introduce sustainable agricultural practices but to strengthen the voice of local peasant groups," said Howard Royer, manager of the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund.

A coalition formed by Foods Resource Bank and Church World Service has enlisted several Guatemalan partner agencies, principally the Conference of Evangelical Churches of Guatemala and the National Coordination of Widows of Guatemala. The latter is a grassroots movement of indigenous women widowed during the country's internal armed conflict.

Funding for the first-year grant of $103,500 includes $10,000 from the Brethren account in the Foods Resource Bank, from the proceeds of growing projects. Other partners are Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Evangelical Covenant Church World Relief, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee, United Church of Christ Wider Church Ministries, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The $51,800 contributed by the churches is matched by a grant from US AID.

The work in Totonicapan is the first Foods Resource Bank program for which the Church of the Brethren is a lead sponsor. Through the Global Food Crisis Fund, the General Board became an implementing member of the Foods Resource Bank in 2004. The board has placed volunteers and advocated for peace and human rights in Guatemala for three decades. For information about the Global Food Crisis Fund see www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/gfcf.htm.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Older adult unit completes Brethren Volunteer Service orientation.

Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 264, an older adult unit, completed orientation April 17-29 in New Windsor, Md.

Unit members and their placements are: Kay Billhimer of Monitor Community Church of the Brethren in Conway, Kan., volunteering at Hopewell Inn in Mesopotamia, Ohio; Pauline and Don Hess of Mountain View, McGaheysville (Va.) Fellowship Church of the Brethren, volunteering at the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan; Linda and Steve Hollinger of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, volunteering at the General Board's New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center; Sharon Poff from Lewisburg, Pa., volunteering at the Community Mediation Center in Harrisonburg, Va.; and Sue Wilkinson from Dallas, Texas, volunteering at Su Casa Catholic Worker in Chicago, Ill.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Witness/Washington Office director joins in meeting with Palestinian president.

Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, joined other church leaders in meeting with the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on May 26 in Washington, D.C. The meeting with Abbas followed meetings that been held with a variety of Jewish and Muslim leaders earlier in the day, and meetings with President Bush that afternoon.

Opening remarks at the meeting were given by a variety of Christian leaders including Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Corinne Whitlatch, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Whitlatch facilitated the meeting. Other church leaders represented Anglican, Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian denominations and faith groups.

As a follow up to his meeting with President Bush, a written document was presented to President Abbas by the group, to underscore the following position: "We stand with you as you encourage President Bush to advocate for both Palestinians and Israelis and to take actions that support his expressed commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state that is viable, contiguous, sovereign, independent, and at peace with its neighbor Israel."

"With this in mind," the letter continued, "we support Palestinian leadership in calling for an end to suicide bombings against Israeli citizens, and we applaud Israeli disengagement from Gaza, as first steps toward such a resolution."

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Fellowship of Brethren Homes meets for annual forum.

Representatives from 11 Church of the Brethren retirement centers attended the Fellowship of Brethren Homes Annual Forum, a meeting for CEOs and administrative staff to exchange ideas and discuss the challenges of operating a nonprofit continuing care retirement community. The Fellowship of Brethren Homes is a ministry of the Association of Brethren Caregivers.

In the forum's opening keynote address, Parker Marden, retiring president of Manchester College, spoke about the quality of care provided by Brethren homes. He commented that potential collaboration between the colleges and homes could exist through curricular programs at the schools to train and staff the homes.

Rick Stiffney, CEO of Mennonite Health Services, led a series of discussions ranging from church and board relations, to charitable mission, to attracting and maintaining quality employees. "If you can come up with one or two ‘take aways' from these sessions, then it will have been a successful endeavor," said Stiffney. Several of the CEOs later commented that they had indeed gotten a few "take aways" and plan to implement them in their own organizations.

Don Fecher, director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, spoke about the "Brethren connection" and the future of the fellowship. "The quality of care provided by Church of the Brethren Homes far exceeds the standards that are required by law," he noted. "The type of care provided in a Brethren home is living the words, 'What would Jesus do?'"

The meeting was held at Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home in North Manchester, Ind. Tours of the host facility were an important part of the forum, commented Fecher. He also noted that the gathering's relaxed atmosphere helped attendees to exchange ideas and learn from one another.

For more information about the ministries of the Association of Brethren Caregivers see www.brethren.org/abc/.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Cross-cultural music tour receives warm welcome.

Eight concerts, a Sunday morning special music appearance, and the gift of music for residents and day guests at the Roanoke (Va.) Rescue Mission filled the schedule for a cross-cultural Brethren music group May 14-21. The group visited churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Scott Duffey, Gilbert Romero, and James Washington Sr.--all Brethren pastors--and Carol Yeazell, Congregational Life Team staff for the General Board, took part in the tour.

The tour began in Roanoke at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren where Asha Solanky, chair of the Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee, gave a presentation on the current status of the work being done by the committee. Everyone was encouraged to take and complete a questionnaire that the committee hopes will assist in carrying out its assignment.

Sunday morning the group provided special music at Summerdean Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. That afternoon a concert was held at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, Va., and later that day the group was at Topeco Church of the Brethren in Floyd, Va.

On May 17 the group toured the Roanoke Rescue Mission and then performed during an extended lunch hour with various seatings of guests. "This was seen as a stewardship of time gift, as it was an offering for others not directly connected to the Church of the Brethren," said Yeazell. That evening a concert was held at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Va. The following day the group traveled to Hendersonville, N.C., to sing at a new church plant, HIS Way/Jesucristo El Camino.

Other churches that welcomed the tour were Friendship Church in North Wilkesboro, N.C., Spindale (N.C.) Church of the Brethren, and Trinity Church of the Brethren in Blountville, Tenn., where the final concert of the tour was held.

"The two comments that the group heard after each worship time were, 'We wish more people had come,' and, 'When are you coming back?'" Yeazell said. The concerts were arranged and sponsored by Congregational Life Team staff to help congregations gain a broader understanding of what it means to be a cross-cultural church. Musicians offered their talent as a free gift, with only their expenses covered by the board, Yeazell said. For more about cross-cultural ministry in the Church of the Brethren, see photographs and coverage of the recent Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration at www.brethren.org/pjournal/2005/CrossCultural.html.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Harrisburg First works with other churches against drug, gang violence.

Pastors at First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., recently received "a touching letter" from a young man who used to attend the Hispanic congregation at the church, located in the South Allison Hill neighborhood. The letter was written from prison. Repentant for his involvement in gangs and drugs after he read news reports of prayer vigils for peace by pastors of the South Allison Hill churches, the young man expressed gratitude for efforts of those taking a stand. The vigils were begun after shooting deaths on a nearby street corner.

Knowing that people are praying for peace in the neighborhood where his infant daughter lives with her grandmother touched the writer's life to the point that he wants to become a counselor for those still involved in gangs, said Belita Mitchell, First church pastor.

That change in one young man is emblematic of the kind of transformation she is seeing in the neighborhood because of the combined prayers for peace, she said. "It's just another way in which the vigils have touched the community."

The area has seen an increase in police activity and at least three drug busts since the vigils began five months ago. "The Patriot News" reported that the busts broke the grip of the gang that reportedly has had control of South Allison Hill since the mid- to late-1990s. Members of the gang that were involved in the drug busts were as young as 10 or 11, the newspaper said.

In addition, police officers have asked if they can surveil an alley adjacent to the church, where drug deals have been frequent, said Mitchell. She said she is receiving the news of more police activity "as an answer to prayer, giving God praise and glory."

Because of the changes that are beginning to be seen in the neighborhood, the weekly prayer vigils are being held monthly at different church locations in the community. The first monthly vigil was hosted May 3 by First Harrisburg in its parking lot. The second was held June 7 at the Peace Garden at the Capitol City Church. "Moving to different locations in the community is increasing the awareness among residents and widening the circle of influence," Mitchell said. "I anticipate continued strong support and increased evidence of God's faithfulness."

The neighborhood churches also plan ecumenical outdoor rallies for the summer that will combine evangelism with the continued work for peace on the streets, and neighborhood prayer walking by church leaders. Mitchell said the events will "let the community know...we are praying on their behalf."

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Children's book about Anna Mow wins award of excellence.

"The Something Else Lady," a children's book about Anna Mow, has received Best in Print Award of Excellence from the Printing Industries of Virginia. The book was written by Earle Fike Jr. of Bridgewater, Va., and illustrated by Yolanda Wegner, Mow's great-granddaughter. It was published as part of Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial celebration.

Mow was a professor at Bethany, a missionary to India, and a well-known pastor, author, and speaker in the Church of the Brethren. Harriet Beahm Kaylor, Mow's niece, comments, "The infectious laugh of Anna Beahm Mow as well as her generous and spiritual outlook on life are told perfectly in 'The Something Else Lady.'"

The book includes a CD with the song "Sister Anna, Beauty Queen," written for Mow by Andy and Terry Murray. The book/CD combo is available from Brethren Press for $12.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Corrections, remembrance, personnel, and more.

• Corrections to the Newsline of May 25: In "Emergency Response director sees tsunami response in India," Church World Service has helped build a temporary facility for water treatment in Meulaboh, Indonesia. In "Committee seeks information on barriers to intercultural ministries," the committee's recorder Nadine L. Monn was not identified in full. In the May 11 issue, "ABC announces Caregiver Awards," the Woodbury Church of the Brethren is located in Woodbury, Pa.
  
  
• Mary Dadisman, a former mission nurse and teacher for the General Board, died June 5 at Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne, Calif. She was 92. She received nursing training at Bethany Brethren Hospital in Chicago; was a graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.; and studied midwifery at the Frontier Nursing School in Kentucky. A May 2004 "Messenger" story about her reported that she was inspired to serve in Africa by her good friend Grayce Brumbaugh, a fellow nurse. Dadisman was a nurse with the Brethren mission in Nigeria 1941-79, although one of her first jobs was to establish a school for mission children--Hillcrest School in Jos--now a joint venture with several Christian mission groups. In 1947 she became nursing superintendent at Garkida General Hospital. Over the years she also taught village health workers in the Lafiya program, directed a scholarship program for medical workers, was an acting principal at Waka Schools, was active in women's work, and did relief work during the Biafra civil war. She also delivered many of the babies born to Brethren missionaries during her tenure. "To a host of Nigerians, she is the beloved 'Sister,' the traditional British term for the head nurse of a hospital. To her fellow American missionaries, she is known affectionately as 'Mary D,'" wrote Raymond R. Stayer in the "Juniata College Bulletin" in 1974. Following retirement, Dadisman continued to promote the church's mission efforts and served on the board of quality assurance for Woods Hospital at Brethren Hillcrest Homes. A memorial service is tentatively planned to take place at Brethren Hillcrest Homes on July 9.
  
  
• The board of directors of the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, announces the appointment of Tim Hissong as president and chief executive officer. Hissong brings a strong financial background and expertise in management to the position, having served for the past 13 years as vice president of Finance and treasurer of the Brethren Retirement Community. He holds an MBA in management from Wright State University and is a registered housing professional, as well as a licensed nursing home administrator. He is chair of the board of the Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren and also sits on the boards of A Learning Place; Happy Corner Church of the Brethren in Clayton, Ohio; Woodland Altars, the camp of Southern Ohio District; and the Business Technologies Division of Sinclair Community College, where he is an adjunct instructor.
  
  
• Camp Swatara is accepting applications and resumes for the position of program coordinator. The camp is located in Bethel, Pa. A job description may be requested by contacting the camp office at 717-933-8510. Questions about the position should be addressed to camp administrator Marlin Houff. The deadline for applications is July 15; the camp hopes to fill the position by Sept. 1. The position has been vacated by Michele Gibbel, who served for 12 summers on the camp staff, the last five as fulltime program coordinator. She has resigned the position to return to graduate school. For more information about the camp, see www.campswatara.org.
  
  
• The Annual Conference Anniversary Committee has extended the deadline to Aug. 31 for composers to submit hymns, anthems, folk songs, praise songs, children's songs, or other musical compositions that interpret the 2008 tricentennial theme, "Surrendered to God, Transformed in Christ, Empowered by the Spirit." The committee also seeks submissions of drama and worship resources related to the theme, both with a deadline of Dec. 31. All submissions become the property of the Anniversary Committee for use in tricentennial activities. The name, address, and phone number of the writer or composer should not appear on submissions but should be included on a separate page. Music, drama, and worship resources should be sent to the Annual Conference Office, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
  
  
• The Stewardship of Property Committee met last week in listening sessions with General Board employees and Annual Conference agencies and ecumenical partners (the Mid-Atlantic District Office, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, Brethren Benefit Trust, On Earth Peace, Interchurch Medical Assistance, and A Greater Gift/SERRV) that are located on or participate in programs located at the board's properties in New Windsor, Md., and Elgin, Ill. "The interviews were productive, meaningful, and most helpful to the task the committee has to accomplish," said Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board. The committee will seek additional responses during interviews of General Board deployed staff on Friday evening July 1, before Annual Conference begins in Peoria, Ill., as well as through an insight session planned for Sunday evening July 3 at 9 p.m. at the Conference. In addition to these face-to-face sessions, a questionnaire will be included in delegate packets at Annual Conference, and can be found at the General Board display at the Conference for any attendee to participate in the process. The questionnaire also will be available online at www.brethren.org following Annual Conference. The next meeting of the Stewardship of Property Committee will be Sept. 8-9 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor. Evaluation of the gathered data and preparation for the committee's time with the General Board in October will be on the agenda.
  
  
• Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) and the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries hosted a visit by Sushant Agrawal, executive director of Church's Auxiliary for Social Action in India. The May 18 visit was coordinated by Lutheran World Relief and provided an opportunity to tour the distribution center at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and meet with Emergency Response director Roy Winter and IMA vice president for International Program Development Daniel Aukerman. Much of the church-sponsored material resources shipped to India for tsunami relief was packed by Service Ministries staff at the center.
  
  
• Forty-five Christian educators from across the denomination's Area 1 in the northeast, attended a seminar May 21 at Carlisle (Pa.) Church of the Brethren to examine a teaching and learning approach based on hospitality at the table. The event was a collaborative effort of the General Board's Congregational Life Team for Area 1, Atlantic Northeast District, Mid-Atlantic District, Middle Pennsylvania District, Southern Pennsylvania District, and the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center of Bethany Theological Seminary. Cheryl Magrini, minister of Christian education at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago (Ill.) Temple, led participants through a teaching process based on the biblical story of the five loaves and two fish. Magrini teaches that fellowship at the table and "meal stories" have special significance in her teaching and learning approach with children in the Christian setting. A copy of the outline of the event is available from Jan Glass King, coordinator for Area 1; e-mail jking_gb@brethren.org. Find more specific information on the hospitable teaching and learning approach in the fall 2005 issue of "The Seed Packet" Christian education newsletter published by Brethren Press. The newsletter will be sent in the Source packet to all Church of the Brethren congregations, and may be ordered from Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.
  
  
• Brethren Volunteer Service is having a potluck supper on Saturday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. at Union Bridge (Md.) Church of the Brethren. BVS invites any former Brethren Volunteer Service workers and Civilian Public Service workers, and anyone who has a connection to either program. "We see this potluck as a wonderful opportunity for the 'volunteers in training' from BVS Unit 265 to be able to connect with people that have done similar service," said Sam Bowman of the BVS office. "We hope to see you there." Bring a covered dish to share, or other food for the potluck. There will be a short informal time of introduction and sharing.
  
  
• On Earth Peace is holding a conference call on counter-recruitment strategies for this fall, to take place at 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow June 9. Participants will hear from each other about plans for next steps in countering military recruitment, and brainstorm about how to move forward. The call will feature Chuck Fager of Quaker House in Fayetteville, N.C., as a resource person. For more information call Matt Guynn at 765-962-6234 or e-mail mattguynn@earthlink.net.
  
  
• Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren is marking its 150th anniversary on the fourth of July weekend. The church invites those going to and from Annual Conference to stop in to help celebrate, beginning on Friday evening July 1 through Sunday morning July 3. For more information call the church at 630-355-7171.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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World mission conference discusses healing and reconciliation.

By Carol Spicher Waggy

"Come, Holy Spirit, heal and reconcile." This prayer of invitation was the theme for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Conference on World Mission and Evangelism held near Athens, Greece, in May. As the Church of the Brethren representative, I was excited to participate in this international gathering of Christians to discuss mission in relation to healing and reconciliation, and to worship with ecumenical brothers and sisters.

The conference was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Greece, and the influence of orthodoxy was evidenced in the many flowing black robes, the liturgy and songs, and, sadly, the inability for participants to share together in the bread and cup. In addition to the WCC member church representatives, there were invited delegates from Pentecostal churches and from the Roman Catholic Church.

I delighted in the rainbow of human diversity--skin color, languages, cultures. Every day was scheduled full of worship, plenary sessions, workshops, and "home group" meetings. I led my home group in the morning lectio divina exercise. The scripture was read slowly three different times by different people, and followed each time by silence. After the first reading we shared words or phrases from the text that stood out for us. After the second reading we shared how the text related to us personally. Following the third reading, we shared a prayer or reflection.

My home group included a Romanian Orthodox priest, a theologian from Norway, a Swedish theological professor, a retired nurse from the Lesotho Evangelical Church, a Greek Orthodox layman, a Syrian Orthodox female physician from India, a Disciples of Christ seminary dean from St. Louis, and a Romanian orthodox seminary student. The relationships in this group became very important to each of us. One shared, "I thought I would become homesick, but I did not because I came back to my home group every evening."

Unlike previous conferences on world mission and evangelism, this conference did not spend much of its time hammering out the wording of an official statement. We did try to agree on a message to the churches, but there was insufficient time to come to consensus on exact wording so the message was sent to a WCC commission for final wording on behalf of the delegates. Delegates were each able to make their suggestions in writing to the commission.

This year is the halfway point of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV), and the youth delegates assisted with a short drama to introduce the DOV report. DOV is a commitment, a choice, and an invitation to all Christian churches to refuse violence as a way of life. We were encouraged to go beyond naming, analyzing, and unintentional promotion of violence, to overcoming it. The unhelpful confusion of violence and conflict, often by the media, was noted. As one who works in conflict resolution I had to agree. Whereas violence in all its forms is not good, conflict is a given and can be used profitably to move a group or relationship forward.

I am grateful to the Church of the Brethren for offering me this experience. I return with a renewed vision for the ecumenical church and for the need for healing, reconciliation, and peacemaking to be part of our work of carrying out God's mission in the world.

--Carol Spicher Waggy is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, and served on the steering committee for the Church of the Brethren mission conference, Mission Alive 2005.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on every other Wednesday with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Sam Bowman, Kathleen Campanella, Mary Dulabaum, Phil Jones, Stan Noffsinger, Ed Poling, Sue Sawyer, Marcia Shetler, and Carol Yeazell contributed to this report.

Newsline Special Report
Church of the Brethren Leaders To Take Part In Delegation To Sudan

A small interfaith delegation of spiritual leaders from the United States will visit the Darfur region of Sudan, where many thousands of black Sudanese have been killed or forced into refugee camps by what many are calling a genocide. The delegation is being sponsored by leaders of the National Black Leadership Roundtable and the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation.

Two Church of the Brethren leaders have been invited to join the delegation: Jim Hardenbrook, Moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference; and Phil Jones, Director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board. The delegation also includes Jewish, Muslim, and Roman Catholic participants, and will be led by the Hon. Walter E. Fauntroy, President of the National Black Leadership Roundtable.

The trip is planned for June 6-15. In addition to Darfur, the delegation also will visit officials of the Sudan government in Khartoum, and attend the first few days of an African Union peace meeting on Sudan, to be held in Lagos, Nigeria.

Hardenbrook, who is pastor of Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, said he hopes the trip will allow him to "be a real advocate for the people of Darfur." Facing people who are responsible for the deaths of thousands is going to a spiritual battle for him, he shared. "We need boldness in speaking to power, but also ears ready to listen. We need to learn, and learn a lot, I hope," he said. Hardenbrook visited southern Sudan in 2002 on a Faith Expedition trip sponsored by the Church of the Brethren General Board. His congregation financially supports a school in southern Sudan.

Jones has been an advocate and activist for the people of Sudan over recent years. He traveled to southern Sudan in the fall of 2003 and has hosted leaders from the south for numerous State Department, governmental, and nongovernmental meetings. In the summer of 2004, Jones participated in an organized four-month campaign designed to bring attention to the genocide in Darfur. This action included nonviolent witness and his arrest in July 2004.

"In a small way, we hope this interfaith delegation will offer support and encouragement to the suffering people of Darfur, allowing them to see that there are those who recognize the evils of this genocide," Jones said. "In embracing their pain and hearing their stories, we hope to renew our strength and deepen our passion to be a stronger voice here in the US."

Goals for the June delegation include supporting an opportunity for an African solution to the crisis in Sudan and addressing the genocidal campaign that continues to be waged in Darfur, according to the National Black Leadership Roundtable. The delegation also will support the peace accord signed between leaders of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army of southern Sudan, and the Khartoum government of the north of Sudan. In addition, the trip is made to support Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, chairman of the African Union, who is holding a peace meeting with all of the warring parties in Sudan. The three-week long meeting in Lagos is called "unprecedented" by the National Black Leadership Roundtable, and will include those working out the north-south Sudan accord as well as the warring parties in Darfur.

"Leaders on both sides believe that the presence...of an interfaith delegation of respected spiritual leaders such as we are putting together will be very helpful to the deliberations," said Fauntroy in his invitation to delegation members.

In Darfur, the delegation will be hosted by a Muslim nongovernmental agency, Islamic Relief USA, which is administering two refugee camps in Darfur for the United Nations.

On Friday, June 3, before leaving for Sudan, delegation members including Hardenbrook and Jones plan to meet in New York with members of the Darfur Justice Movement and United Nations officials. Other members of the delegation plan a brief meeting with the US Department of State and members of Secretary Condoleezza Rice's staff.

Source: 06/02/2005 Newsline
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Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on every other Wednesday with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source.

NEWS

• Emergency Response director sees tsunami response in Indonesia.
  
• Plane intercepted over Washington was piloted by Brethren.
  
• Bethany Theological Seminary celebrates 100th commencement.
  
• Theological students graduate in Dominican Republic.
  
• Committee seeks information on barriers to intercultural ministries.
  
• Emergency Disaster Fund gives $20,000 in two grants.
  
• Disaster Child Care trains project managers, critical response volunteers.
  
• Brethren bits: Personnel, action alert, and more.

RESOURCES

• Growing Faithful Disciples resource now available to congregations.

Emergency Response director sees tsunami response in Indonesia.

Areas of Indonesia affected by the tsunami are "very much still a mess," said Roy Winter, the General Board's director of Emergency Response. "This is going to be a five-to-six-year response." In mid-April Winter was one of seven representatives of US denominations in a Church World Service delegation to two major tsunami response areas: Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.

The Church of the Brethren is supporting CWS's tsunami relief effort. To date, the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund has given $320,000 to CWS for tsunami relief in Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka.

Winter and the men in the delegation visited Meulaboh, south of Banda Aceh along the coast of Sumatra. Some 13,000 people died or disappeared in the 314 villages in the area, Winter said. Before the tsunami, the area was closed to tourists or foreign visitors because of the civil war, but now foreigners are allowed to visit. Winter was impressed by the work of local officials, especially a Muslim sub-district head who obviously had the wellbeing of his people at heart. Most of Indonesia is Muslim, Winter explained.

The official showed the delegation the need to rebuild boats for fishermen, who are among the poorer members of the community, before rebuilding homes for the relatively wealthy landowners. He was very respectful of the CWS response to the disaster, Winter said. "He was also supportive and cooperative of using good disaster response and development principles."

The official took the delegation to view the mosque where he and other worshipers were caught by the tsunami when it hit. The building filled completely and many in the congregation survived by holding on to ceiling fans for an hour before the water subsided. Then the bodies of those who did not survive were carried into the mosque--only to be swept away again by a second wave. That personal story--and the high-water marks on the walls--brought home the extent of the destruction, Winter said. "We were on holy ground," he said.

In Meulaboh, Winter saw people living in tents beside their destroyed houses--for some the only way to claim their land after government records were lost in the disaster. Indonesia has declared a "green zone" from the coast to 500 meters inland, in which rebuilding will not be allowed, Winter reported. The government is to buy property in other locations for those who lived in the green zone. "This means whole communities are waiting for the government to relocate them, when the government does not have the funds to buy the land," he said. Tents provided by CWS and others are considered temporary, but Winter fears many will live in them for a long time. Rebuilding of homes has already begun in areas that have received a lot of international attention, he said, therefore CWS plans to begin its rebuilding program in "forgotten villages" where other agencies are not at work.

CWS has helped rebuild a water treatment plant in Meulaboh, where clean water has been a major issue. The plant serves 300 households and some 5,000 refugees in tent cities. CWS also is cleaning wells contaminated by the tsunami, digging new wells, and providing latrines and communal bathrooms. "While I was there I heard nothing about disease outbreaks," Winter said, citing this as a major achievement of the emphasis on clean water and good sanitation. The CWS response in Indonesia also has included material aid distribution and medical teams carrying Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) Clinic Boxes to remote villages to do medical care and to offer counseling services.

CWS had 100 staff--mostly Indonesians--working in Indonesia before the tsunami hit. Since that time, some have been reassigned to tsunami response, and some new staff have been hired to respond to the need, Winter said. Other CWS staff continue ongoing development programs throughout the rest of the country. "I cannot say how impressed I am with what they do," Winter said. Many are taking months away from their families to do the work, he added.

Winter encourages Brethren to send letters or cards of appreciation to the CWS staff in Indonesia. Send cards and letters to: CWS Staff--Indonesia, Emergency Response, Brethren Service Center, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776-0188.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Plane intercepted over Washington was piloted by Brethren.

The pilots whose small plane entered restricted air space over Washington, D.C., on May 11 causing the evacuation of the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court, are Brethren. Pilot Hayden "Jim" Sheaffer of Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and student pilot Troy Martin of Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, were on their way to an air show.

"Both Troy and Jim sought the church for support" following the incident, said pastor Bob Kettering of the Lititz congregation. "They are salt of the earth people. I feel very badly about it." He said the men received "gracious and kind" treatment by the authorities, including the FBI and Secret Service, after their plane was escorted away from Washington, D.C., by F-16 fighter jets.

In worship the next Sunday, pastor Galen Hackman at Ephrata asked his congregation to be in prayer for the pilots and their families. He also requested church members not to ask Martin about the event, explaining that the men were not yet at liberty to talk publicly for legal reasons. The pastors reported that the press "camped out" at the men's homes, and even contacted the church for comment.

Since then, Sheaffer has appeared on the "Today" show on NBC with his lawyer on May 23. "I thought we were going to get shot out of the sky," he said.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Bethany Theological Seminary celebrates 100th commencement.

Bethany Theological Seminary celebrated its 100th commencement on May 7 in Richmond, Ind. A ceremony for conferring degrees was held at Bethany's Nicarry Chapel and a worship celebration at Richmond Church of the Brethren.

President Eugene Roop welcomed graduates, family, and friends to the noteworthy commencement. "Please know that as you carry Bethany with you, you have affected Bethany whether that influence be obvious or subtle," he told the graduates. "You join a century-long company of students who have shaped as well as been shaped by Bethany."

Fumitaka Matsuoka spoke at the degrees ceremony, encouraging graduates to ask the question, "How do I live out God's vision?" Matsuoka is professor of Theology and executive director of the Institute for Leadership Development and Study of Pacific and Asian North American Religion at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif, and a 1969 Bethany graduate. He served as academic dean at Bethany from 1987-92. His address, "An Unmasking Experience," was based on Isaiah 6:1-9.

During the ceremony, faculty accomplishments of the past year were noted including the Rohrer Book Award received by Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm for "Believing in Preaching: What Listeners Hear in Sermons" (Chalice Press), which she co-authored; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary to be received by Jonathan Shively on June 11. His dissertation is titled, "Anabaptist and Pietist Foundations for Urban Multicultural Leadership."

Tara Hornbacker gave the message, "Against the Flow," for the worship celebration. She asked graduates to take a fresh look at Romans 12:9-21. "We have at times in our history focused on truncated versions of the Gospel--stopped at the ‘be not conformed' part--without the rest of the story," she said. "The scripture reminds us that transformation has its origin and its goal in God."

Ten students received Master of Divinity degrees: Ann M. Bach of Richmond, Ind.; Kay E. Gaier of North Manchester, Ind.; Evan Benjamin Garber of Weyers Cave, Va.; Tracy Ann Knechel of Dayton, Ohio; Connie M. Maclay of Mapleton Depot, Pa.; Todd Reish of Richmond, Ind.; James Kent Risser of Lewiston, Minn.; Pearl Rebecca Rohrer of Richmond, Ind.; John Sgro of Decatur, Ind.; and James Zerfing of Lancaster, Pa. Risser is Bethany's first graduate to receive both of the seminary's degree emphases of Peace Studies and Ministry with Youth and Young Adults. Maclay was awarded distinction in Biblical Studies. Knechel and Gaier were awarded distinction in Ministry Studies.

Two students received Master of Arts in Theology degrees: Deborah E. Romary of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Lutricia L. Zerfing of New Paris, Ohio. Jon Keller of Greenville, Ohio, received a Certificate of Achievement in Theological Studies.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Theological students graduate in Dominican Republic.

(Note: The editor apologizes for the tardiness of this report.)

On Nov. 24, 2004, the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic celebrated a second graduating class of students in its Theological Program. The Los Toros church hosted the ceremony.

"This class was a special one," reported Guillermo Encarnacion, director of the program. The 22 students who graduated were Cristian Aquino, Felix Antonio Arias, Gloria Elena Beltre, Mariano Cespedes, Maria Altagracia Cespedes, Wander Antonio Cespedes, Bienvenida Cuevas, Odalis Encarnacion, Benito Encarnacion, Miladys Figuereo, Mary Luz Mejia, Josefa Marmolejos, Wilson Nova, Martha Esther Ogando, Maria Mercedes Perez, Alba Nurys Perez, Angel L. Ramirez, Alba I. Rodriguez, David Antonio Reyes, Leonida Vicente Reyes, Ariel de Jesus Rosario, and Viriato Feliz Rubio.

The curriculum of the Theological Program is designed for five years, with emphasis on Old and New Testaments, pastoral care and counseling, preaching the Gospel, church history, Anabaptist and Pietist roots, stewardship, church structure, liturgy and worship, ministry with women, and doctrine, rites, and practices of the Church of the Brethren.

"To implement this curriculum we have been blessed by the collaboration of many excellent teachers and professors in the Dominican Republic and from the United States," reported Encarnacion. He expressed thanks to Allen H. Hansell, former director of Ministry for the General Board; Miqueas Ramirez of the Mennonite Church; Carlos Garcia, professor of the Evangelical University; Bethany professor Daniel Ulrich; Daniel I. de Oleo; Ruben de Oleo; Rebecca and Jerry Crouse; Irvin and Nancy Heishman; Verel Montauban; Cristina Vda. Bobea; Carol and Roger Steffy; and Elias De'Oleo, who serves as the national tutor of the program. Forty-eight students continue in theological training at various stages in the program.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Committee seeks information on barriers to intercultural ministries.

The Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee has met twice this spring: in Richmond, Ind., April 21-24 during the Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration, and via conference call May 9.

The April meeting provided a time to learn about cross-cultural efforts being made on an independent basis throughout the denomination and to discuss barriers that prevent the Church of the Brethren from being more successful in achieving John's vision of the church found in Revelation 7:9. Discussion centered on recommendations in Annual Conference statements and their implementation, current and previous denominational staff and offices that supported ethnic and intercultural ministries, a review of conversations with denominational and district staff and church members, and a denominational resources list.

In a listening session with the Cross-Cultural Consultation, the committee received information on the barriers participants have found in moving forward with intercultural ministries. "The committee heard painful stories on the lack of action at all levels of the denomination, the continuing presence of prejudice and racism within the church, and poor perception and preparation for evangelism and church leadership," Monn reported. The committee also listened to discussion between participants in the consultation and Bethany Theological Seminary on multicultural preparation in seminary education, and spent time with members of the Cross-Cultural Steering Committee.

To continue gathering information from across the denomination on the barriers to an intercultural church and actions to overcome them, the committee has developed a questionnaire be sent to districts for dissemination to all congregations. Work is being done to translate the questionnaire into Spanish, Haitian, and Korean. The questionnaire will be posted at www.brethren.org/ac/multiethnic.htm. The website will feature updated contact information for committee members as well.

Committee members also will contact the following ethnic groups with no representation on the committee, in the course of faithfully completing the work charged to them by the 2004 Annual Conference: Korean, Native American, Haitian, and Arab.

In the conference call, the committee made plans for a listening session on Saturday, July 2, at the 2005 Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill. The committee will ask the Conference for an additional year to complete its work.

Committee members are Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff of Peace Covenant Fellowship in Durham, N.C.; Ruben DeOleo of Maranatha Multicultural Fellowship in Lancaster, Pa.; Thomas Dowdy of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, Calif.; Nadine L. Monn of Germantown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Neemita Pandya of Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren; Gilbert Romero of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, Calif.; chair Asha Solanky of West Richmond (Va.) Church of the Brethren; and Glenn Hatfield, ex officio representative from the American Baptist Churches USA. Hatfield pastored a New Jersey congregation with members from 23 nations, during the period when the congregation began an intentional effort to be more multicultural.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Emergency Disaster Fund gives $20,000 in two grants.

The General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) has given $20,000 for a flood recovery program in Ohio and work following spring storms in the Northeast and South.

A grant of $15,000 supports a new Church of the Brethren Disaster Response project in Belmont County, Ohio. The area has been struck repeatedly by severe flooding over the past year. Dozens of homes have been destroyed and 100 heavily damaged. The project begins in June.

A grant of $5,000 supports a Church World Service appeal for severe storm damage and flooding in several states in the Northeast and South. The funds will be used for material resource shipments, seed grants, and support of local longterm recovery efforts.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Disaster Child Care trains project managers, critical response volunteers.

A Disaster Child Care (DCC) Level II Leadership Seminar was held at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center on April 25-27. A DCC Critical Response Child Care (CRC) orientation was held at the Red Cross chapter in Little Rock, Ark., on May 2. DCC is a program of the General Board.

Potential and experienced disaster project managers and a selected group of CRC team administrators were involved in the leadership seminar. Leadership was provided by staff Helen Stonesifer and Roy Winter, and several experienced project managers. "This event was a huge success," Stonesifer reported. Thirty-one volunteers participated from across the country. A highlight of the training was a tour of the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The CRC orientation was led by Stonesifer and Jean Myers. Following the orientation, volunteers participated in a four-day American Red Cross Critical Response Team training at the Clara Barton Center for Domestic Preparedness in Pine Bluff, Ark. "At the completion of this training, all DCC CRC team members will have been prepared to become part of the American Red Cross Critical Response Team which responds to aviation incidents and/or mass casualty disasters," Stonesifer said.

For more information about DCC see www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/dcc.htm.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Personnel, action alert, and more.

• Carol Yeazell has been named interim fulltime coordinator for the General Board's Congregational Life Team (CLT) Area 3. She has been part-time CLT staff for Area 3, which includes the districts of Atlantic Southeast, Shenandoah, Southeastern, Virlina, and West Marva. Her new toll-free number is 800-244-5896.
  
  
• The General Board is welcoming three young adult volunteers. Reid Merryman of Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in South Bend, Ind., will work with the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office as a summer workcamp assistant. Brethren Volunteer Service worker Emily Tyler of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, begins June 1 as one of three coordinators of National Youth Conference 2006. Hannah Edwards, a Ministry Summer Service worker from Jackson Park Church of the Brethren in Jonesborough, Tenn., will serve half-time in General Board communications and half-time at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.
  
  
• Pacific Southwest District is seeking a salaried, part-time director for its Center for Brethren Studies. The director will work with Training in Ministry (TRIM) students and licensed ministers, work to meet the needs of students from varied ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, work on development of an Academy Certified Training School (ACTS) program in coordination with Bethany Theological Seminary, and coordinate continuing education for clergy and laity. Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, good communication skills with Spanish ability a plus, experience in education, familiarity with ministry training needs, and values congruent with the mission and spirit of the Church of the Brethren. Apply by writing or e-mail to Bryan Boyer, District Executive Minister, Pacific Southwest District, Box 219, La Verne, CA 91750-0219; e-mail districtexecutive@pswdcob.org; 909-392-4052.
  
  
• The General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office is encouraging Brethren to contact their representatives in Congress to support the Woolsey Amendment calling for an exit strategy from Iraq. The House of Representatives will consider this amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill 2006 today or tomorrow, May 25 or 26. "Debate of this amendment is critical as members of Congress will be challenged to consider their conscience, and their action, in relation to an exit strategy from US engagement in Iraq," the office said in an Action Alert. Amendment 26, "Withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq," is presented by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Democrat from California. It calls on the president to develop a plan to provide for the withdrawal of armed forces from Iraq. For more information call the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 800-785-3246 or e-mail washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Searching for a different volunteer opportunity at Annual Conference this year? Volunteer to provide English to Spanish translation, helping Brethren from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Hispanic congregations in the US enjoy a fuller understanding of business sessions and worship services. Nadine L. Monn will coordinate the translators pool. To volunteer as a translator, and for information about the resources that will be available at the translators' table, call Monn at 215-844-1534 or e-mail nadine_monn@yahoo.com.
  
  
• The Gather 'Round writer application deadline has been extended, due to rescheduling of the annual writers' conference. The new application deadline for freelance writers interested in contributing to the second curriculum year is July 29. The writers' conference is now tentatively scheduled for the week of Jan. 8, 2006. Application packets are still available from Anna Speicher, project director, at gatherround@brethren.org. See www.gatherround.org for more information about the curriculum.
  
  
• Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, plans to join other heads of faith communities in a first-ever Interfaith Convocation on Hunger at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on June 6. The event will include a call for the president and members of Congress to join with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of other faiths in a new national commitment to end hunger. The convocation takes place on the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day and culminates a gathering titled "One Table, Many Voices: A Mobilization to End Poverty and Hunger" organized by Bread for the World and others.
  
  
• Walt Wiltschek, editor of the Church of the Brethren magazine "Messenger," received an award of excellence from the Associated Church Press for his Nov. 2004 editorial, "Politics and Polarization." He won this top award in the category of editorial and opinion for magazines. Second place went to "The Christian Century." The judge wrote, "This was an extremely effective commentary.... It would be nice if we had more reasoned and civil voices such as his in the expanding media world today." "Messenger" and designer Paul Stocksdale also received an award of merit (second place) for the Dec. 2004 cover and an honorable mention for overall design of the Jan./Feb. 2004 issue.
  
  
• The General Board's Stewardship of Property Committee will meet May 31-June 2 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and June 2-4 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The committee has set aside time to meet with board employees, longterm volunteers, annual conference agency executives, and representatives from Church World Service, Lutheran World Relief, Interchurch Medical Assistance, and the Mid-Atlantic District Office to discuss the board's Elgin and New Windsor properties and to answer questions.
  
  
• The Brethren Historical Library and Archives is trying to contact the following people for a publication project: Chester Burns, Duane Conrad, Bruce Dickey, Willis Kohli, David Koser, Roger May, Gordon Moore, Roland Nobles, Sam Petre, John Warner, and Rodney West. If you know how to contact any of these people, please e-mail Kenneth Shaffer at kshaffer_gb@brethren.org or call 800-323-8039 ext. 294, or write to the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
  
  
• "Hurry, there's a BVSer waiting for you!" says the Brethren Volunteer Service office. BVS is looking for individuals, Sunday school classes, churches, or families to help support volunteers. Through the Adopt-A-BVSer program, you can be matched up with a volunteer in the field. Adopting can mean anything from letter writing to sending care packages, sending e-mail or making a phone call, and is a way to support those serving and to connect them to the wider denomination. For more information call Elizabeth Waas Smith at 800-323-8039 ext. 418 or e-mail ewaassmith_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• On May 14, Daleville (Va.) Church of the Brethren hosted a Global Women's Project benefit concert with Brethren folk singer Peg Lehman. The Global Women's Project was created in 1978 and seeks to educate Brethren about the global poverty, oppression, and injustice that women suffer. The project advocates a reduction in consumption and the collection of a self-imposed "luxury tax," which is used to fund women's development projects. Current grants made by the project are funding a New Sudan Council of Churches soap-making project in Tambura, Sudan; a rural health clinic in Mulukuku, Nicaragua; a sewing machine training program in El Salvador; and an education center in Uganda.
  
  
• Lower Miami Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio will celebrate its 200th anniversary on June 5, 12, and 19. The congregation is known in Southern Ohio District as the "mother church," the first Brethren church west of the Miami River. For more information call 937-263-5111.
  
  
• Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Va., celebrated its 151st year on Sunday May 22 with a Brethren Heritage Day. The guest speaker was Earl Fike Jr. of Bridgewater, Va. The day included a covered dish picnic and a "Remember When" program.
  
  
• "Nourishing the Soul" is the theme for the Church of the Brethren Clergywomen's Retreat Nov. 14-17 at Timber-Lee Christian Center in East Troy, Wis. Jan Richardson will be the keynote speaker. Cost including registration, room, and board is $175, or $200 after June 1. Cost for fulltime seminary and TRIM students is $100, or $125 after June 1. The Pacific Southwest District Board recently voted to pay the registration fee for all licensed and ordained women in the district to attend the retreat, reports Myrna Long Wheeler, who is on the planning committee. "Considering the added cost for west coast women to travel to Wisconsin, this is a great incentive to women clergy and a great supportive response." The retreat is sponsored by the General Board's Ministry Office. A brochure with registration information is available--call 800-323-8039 ext. 207 or e-mail mparis_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Thousands of graduates from more than 100 colleges and universities across the nation are taking the Graduation Pledge and pinning a small green ribbon on their gowns at commencement this year, according to a release from Manchester College. The college has hosted the Graduation Pledge Alliance since 1996, under the direction of professor Neil J. Wollman. The pledge began at Humboldt State University in California in 1987. Seniors take the pledge to declare that in their future jobs their concerns extend beyond how they personally benefit. The pledge reads, "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work." See www.graduationpledge.org or call Wollman at 260-982-5346 or e-mail njwollman@manchester.edu.
  
  
• More than 250 pastors and church leaders attended the New Life Ministries Leadership Training Event April 26 in Telford, Pa. "Renewing the Church--Reclaiming the Gospel" featured nationally known authors and speakers Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo. McLaren challenged the group to help people experience God by helping them learn to pray. Campolo encouraged those in attendance to "declare the Good News--that God is at work in this world, changing the world from what it is into what it ought to be." Workshops included several led by Brethren: "Hospitality and the Vital Church" by Fred Bernhard, "Reaching Young Adults" led by Steve Clapp, "Hosting an Invite-a-Friend Sunday" led by S. Joan Hershey, and "Keys to Positive Change" led by Paul Mundey. For more information see www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org or call director Kristen Leverton Helbert at 800-774-3360.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Growing Faithful Disciples resource now available to congregations.

A new Brethren resource for congregations, called "Growing Faithful Disciples," has been distributed to districts following a two-year pilot run in Middle Pennsylvania District. The resource on CD is by a broad range of writers, including many Brethren, and was developed jointly by staff of Middle Pennsylvania and Congregational Life Team (CLT) Ministries of the General Board.

The resource is available to Brethren congregations at no cost. "Each district may choose to distribute and supplement the material...in the fashion that best serves specific needs and interests," reports Jan Glass King, CLT coordinator for Area 1.

Developed from an idea birthed at a Middle Pennsylvania District Conference, CLT staff responded by creating and compiling resources to help shape and strengthen faithful discipleship. Designed around four areas of discipleship--worship, community, stewardship of God's grace, and missions/outreach--the material includes Bible studies, resources for children and youth, small group studies, tools for implementation, and hands-on approaches for congregations.

"We feel this material, written by a broad spectrum of Anabaptist writers, has some unique distinctions which sets it apart from other commercially published resources," King said. "Because faithful discipleship is an ongoing process, we developed this resource to be a guide for a balanced approach to teaching and modeling faithful living within the community."

Each unit includes a historical perspective, Anabaptist in nature. Congregational process pieces address topics such as worship teams, creating safe spaces in a congregation, building and maintaining small groups, spiritual gifts discernment, the purpose and vision of congregations, and the "missional church" approach. Resources include music for congregations and choirs, Internet resources, ways to be involved in mission, and resources for inviting and welcoming new people. Spiritual formation pieces explore prayer, spiritual disciplines, mentor-driven ministry, and children's resources. Writers include current and former faculty at Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren pastors, and General Board staff, among others.

"Growing Faithful Disciples was not written to be a quick fix but has the potential to be the beginning of an examination of congregational faithfulness in responding to the question: `How are we doing at fulfilling the purpose for which Christ calls us?'" King said. For a preview of the resource contact your district, call 888-411-4275, or e-mail jking_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on every other Wednesday with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Guillermo Encarnacion, Jacki Hartley, Kristen Leverton Helbert, Janice Glass King, Jon Kobel, Nadine L. Monn, Marcia Shetler, Helen Stonesifer, and Roy Winter contributed to this report.

NEWS

• Brethren Benefit Trust board approves Health Savings Accounts.
  
• On Earth Peace checks out 'multicultural pulse' of the church.
  
• ABC announces Caregivers Awards.
  
• Stewardship survey finds 'whole life' approach in some congregations.
  
• Brethren Mission House in the Dominican Republic closes.
  
• Brethren bits: Personnel, job openings, and more.

FEATURE

• Peacemaker calls for 'true Christian witness' in Iraq.

Brethren Benefit Trust board approves Health Savings Accounts.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, the Brethren Medical Plan will feature a new way for members to manage healthcare expenses through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Originally approved in concept by the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) Board in Nov. 2003, the move to offer HSA plan designs in 2006 is another step to stabilize the plan in the wake of escalating medical costs, an aging employee group, and a declining membership base.

HSAs are a pre-tax way to set aside money for medical, dental, and vision care expenses not paid by an insurance plan or flexible spending account. Unused funds in an account carry over from year to year and are not forfeited. The HSA belongs to the employee, so when employment terminates, the employee keeps the account. HSAs must be used in conjunction with high-deductible health plans. These plans must have a deductible of at least $1,000 for an individual or $2,000 for a family; deductibles may not exceed $5,000 per individual, $10,000 per family. The HSAs will be used in conjunction with the existing PPO networks in the Brethren Medical Plan. An indemnity option will be available for those without access to PPO networks.

On April 22, the board approved two HSA plan designs, an option with a $3,000 individual/$6,000 family deductible, and an option with a $4,000 individual/$8,000 family deductible. These were crafted in late March and recommended to the board by the Brethren Medical Plan's Interim Advisory Panel of representatives from the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, the Ministers' Association, the Council of District Executives, the Annual Conference agencies, and BBT.

The board is recommending a minimum annual employer contribution of $500 for employees with individual healthcare coverage, $1,000 for employees with family coverage. The maximum contribution to HSAs allowed in 2005 is the lesser of the deductible or $2,650 per individual or $5,250 per family. Employees 55 and older will be able to contribute an additional $700 in 2006. The board also approved a $300 benefit for preventive care.

The board's approval of the HSA plan came four days after 16 BBT board members and staff representatives met with 35 denominational leaders to discuss the future of the Brethren Medical Plan. Following the board's April 16-17 meetings in Elgin, Ill., where a decision regarding HSAs was temporarily tabled, the BBT contingent met for seven hours on April 18 in Richmond, Ind., with most of the district executives, four of five executives of Annual Conference agencies, Conference moderator and moderator-elect, and representatives of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee.

The meeting came at the invitation of the district executives in response to a decision made by the BBT board that districts with less than 75 percent of eligible congregations committed to participating in the Brethren Medical Plan by Jan. 1, 2007, will no longer be able to participate unless they subsequently meet the participation requirement. The return to the 75 percent requirement, which was in place 50 years ago when congregations and districts first joined the plan, was approved in an attempt to increase the spread of risk and bring claims in line with premiums. In 2003 and 2004 the plan suffered $1.4 million in losses; in 2005 the plan is being subsidized by BBT and Mennonite Mutual Aid.

The April 18 meeting discussed the future viability of the Brethren Medical Plan, BBT's plan to implement HSAs in 2006, the struggle congregations have in balancing their support for the plan with the pressures of stewardship and saving by purchasing their own health insurance, a proposed system to allow some pastors and church staff to have group health insurance while others will not, a concern for those who will be uninsurable without the plan, what the participation requirement will do to the future calling of pastors across the denomination, and the process by which the board adopted the 75 percent participation requirement.

As the meeting drew to a close, many voices did give general support for one plan of action--that a Brethren Medical Plan resolution be taken to the 2005 Annual Conference for discussion and to receive denominational direction regarding the future of the plan, reported BBT.

Following the April 18 meeting, the board reconvened April 22 via conference call to address the items it had tabled. It then approved the new HSA plan designs, the recommended minimum contribution by employers to employees' HSAs, and the preventive care benefit. In a related move, the board during its April 16 meeting approved dropping prescription drugs from its Medicare Supplement Plan effective Jan. 1, 2006. This decision was made because Medicare will offer a prescription drug plan, which means those who do not want to be part of a prescription drug plan should see premium savings within the Church of the Brethren Medicare Supplement Plan.

Because of the complexity of HSAs and the possibility that high deductibles could lead church staff initially to believe that their out-of-pocket costs will be greater than they have been, BBT staff have trained district-appointed Brethren Medical Plan advocates and equipped them with resources and information about HSAs. Some advocates are scheduling district meetings with BBT staff in an attempt to further clarify the benefits of moving to HSAs.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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On Earth Peace checks out 'multicultural pulse' of the church.

The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met April 15-16 at New Windsor, Md., on the theme "Signs of the Present; Hope for the Future." The board's Advancement, Personnel, Finance, and Executive Committees met April 14. Chair Bev Weaver led in continued use of a formal consensus process for discussion and decision-making.

Board members brought reports and reflections from 18 districts. Prior to the meeting, they had been given the assignment to contact districts to check out the "multicultural pulse" of the church at district and local levels. Staff brought the idea of working with a consultant in the ongoing work of being and becoming an anti-racist organization. Amid discernment regarding cost, an outside versus inside-the-church consultant, and who would be most helpful to an all-white staff yet more diverse board, there was growing commitment from the board to support the staff in this decision.

Board members Dena Lee and Debbie Roberts, and staff Kim Stuckey Hissong, reported on the Anabaptist Consultation on Alternative Service held in March in Elgin, Ill. The board discussed creating a contingency plan in case of the resumption of a military draft. Roberts, Lee, and board member Phil Miller will join staff in developing the plan. Hissong also reported on a conference call hosted by On Earth Peace for those interested in countering military recruitment efforts in communities and high schools. Sixteen people participated in the call.

Treasurer Phil Miller shared a positive year-to-date financial report and an increase in both congregational and individual giving. The Finance Committee proposed a revision in the endowment policy, which was adopted by the board. The revision allows undesignated planned gifts to be placed in the endowment, used for current needs, or used for the Program Reserve Fund--a new fund that will hold moneys for specific extra-budgetary projects. The Advancement Committee shared new development ideas, many of which came out of Bob Gross' time of sabbatical. A new video created by Wilbur Mullen about Brethren Service during World War II was reviewed as a potential fundraiser.

In other business, the Personnel Committee shared plans to distribute a survey at Annual Conference during the On Earth Peace report, asking about the importance and priority of peacemaking in the life of the church. The Nominating Committee is exploring using a discernment process to determine a slate rather than a ballot for board members in the future, followed by testing consensus among On Earth Peace constituents rather than holding an election. The Executive Committee will coordinate a review of the organization's experience of having an increase in dispersed staff, and will report at the September board meeting.

Plans for upcoming events were reviewed including the Heartland Song and Story Fest July 6-12; a workshop on "Dealing with Difficult Behaviors," developed and led by Paul Roth; "Seeking Peace: The Courage to Be Nonviolent," a gathering hosted by the historic peace churches in partnership with the Plowshares Peace Studies Collaborative, Sept. 8-11; and a Regional Junior High Conference Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in New Windsor, Md., sponsored by On Earth Peace with eight districts and the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office. On Earth Peace will co-sponsor a Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation again in 2006, probably in January.

The board also welcomed new members Robbie Miller of Bridgewater, Va., and Joe Detrick, executive of Southern Pennsylvania District, who serves as liaison with the Council of District Executives. For more information about On Earth Peace, see www.brethren.org/oepa/.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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ABC announces Caregivers Awards.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) will honor four caregivers at its Annual Recognition Dinner on Saturday, July 2, at 5 p.m. during Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill.

Phyllis Harvey of Modesto (Calif.) Church of the Brethren will be recognized for her lifetime of caregiving. She is a retired nurse and supervisor of nurses. She founded a Senior Ministries Program at Modesto and encourages older adults in the church to stay connected and involved in the church's ministry. She also created a Health and Healing Ministry in the congregation that promotes good health, offers screenings, and sponsors a yearly Health Fair.

Carl and Doreen Myers of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., will receive a caregiving award for their lifetime of giving care to others. Carl is a retired district minister for Illinois and Wisconsin District, and Doreen is a homemaker. Both have been instrumental in developing a caring community at Highland Avenue. On the denominational level, they have served on the Denominational Deacon Cabinet and the planning committee for National Older Adult Conference.

Seventeen-year-old Micah Stapleton of Woodbury Church of the Brethren, Hopewell, Pa., will be recognized for raising funds for drilling wells in Africa. For years, Stapleton's family had been cleaning up litter along a few miles of Route 869. For his senior project, he expanded that service and began recycling aluminum soda cans. To raise enough funds by the deadline for the project, he developed a presentation asking other congregations in his community and district to donate. With the help of the Woodbury congregation and others, he sent a check of $11,666.44 to Life Outreach International.

ABC's second "Open Roof" Award will recognize Black Rock Church of the Brethren, Glenville, Pa., which has focused on accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities. The church formed a Special Needs Ministry Exploration Committee to look at the disabilities issues. Among other education efforts, the congregation installed a ramp, posted a handicapped entrance sign, made pew cuts for wheelchair use at various points in the sanctuary, and has handicapped accessible bathrooms on both floors.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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Stewardship survey finds 'whole life' approach in some congregations.

The results of a Congregational Stewardship Survey conducted by the General Board's Stewardship Formation Team were reported to all Church of the Brethren congregations in a spring mailing. Congregations that had responded to the survey received the results last November. The original survey, sent to all congregations, received 175 responses, a nearly 17 percent return.

"The General Board staff are convinced that stewardship is a deeply spiritual matter," the report said. "We are encouraged by response which told of 'year-long and whole life' approaches to stewardship in some of our congregations."

Eighty percent of Church of the Brethren congregations participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing offering emphasis, the survey found, while only about a third participate in the World Mission or the Christmas Advent offering emphases that support the global mission, peace, justice, and advocacy work of the General Board's Core Ministries Fund.

The survey also revealed some confusion about what Church of the Brethren denominational ministries are, the team's report said. "Congregational support of denominational ministries...was high among those who responded," the team said, but went on to explain that "Habitat for Humanity and Heifer International are not denominational ministries, and the General Board's Core Ministries Fund is a renaming of the 'Brotherhood Fund,' which undergirds ministries of the board that speak to the core of Brethren identity."

Responding congregations also are involved in a variety of local ministries, the survey found. Most frequently named ministries were response to community needs, food banks, housing programs, and ecumenical ministries.

The most frequently reported stewardship success was "an increase in giving and generosity." Building or property improvements ranked second. "Meeting or surpassing the annual budget" also ranked high as a success.

Troubling trends identified by the survey include that "most of our congregations understand stewardship primarily as a financial issue," and many do not link Christian education to stewardship. "Very few congregational stewardship decisions are made by prayerful discernment of God's call or a review of mission and ministry values," the team said, reporting that most respondents said these decisions are made by habit or routine processes in committees. Only 12 percent of respondents reported an intentional decision to "give a tithe or more of income."

The team highlighted stewardship bulletin inserts available at www.brethren.org, in response to input that many congregations do want more stewardship materials. The series will eventually include 24 brief reflections on stewardship; the first 12 are currently available. For more information contact Carol Bowman, stewardship development counselor, at 509-663-2833 or cbowman_gb@brethren.org; or Ken Neher, director of Funding and Donor Development, at 509-665-0441 or kneher_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Mission House in the Dominican Republic closes.

The Brethren Mission House in the Dominican Republic, a joint venture of the General Board and the Brethren Revival Fellowship developed in 1999, is being discontinued. The mission house, with houseparents overseeing young volunteers traveling to communities to teach English, was an effort to respond to the request for language education by the Dominican church. The Church of the Brethren in the DR had emphasized that English fluency increases employment opportunities, reported the board's Global Mission Partnerships. The first houseparents, Barb and Earl Eby, set up the complex of two houses in Azua in 2000.

In their communication to the Dominican church, mission coordinators Irvin and Nancy Heishman quoted Ecclessiastes 3:1-8, and observed a time for beginnings and endings. A major reason for the decision now, according to Merv Keeney, executive director for Global Mission Partnerships, was the call to shift energies and resources toward other ministry needs over the next few years. Keeney also noted longterm difficulty in finding and keeping teachers, security and break-ins at the house, and continuing discussion about other models of responding to the request for English-language instruction.

Current houseparents Laura and Ron Brinton are closing the house and will return from the DR around the first week of June. English teacher Rob Raker and former teacher Jewel Reyes will continue to teach English classes for the Dominican church in a scaled-down effort for the near future.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Personnel, job openings, and more.

• Allen T. Hansell Sr. of Mountville, Pa., has been named director of church relations at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. He will serve as the primary liaison between the college and the Church of the Brethren, including alumni, congregations, districts, and Annual Conference agencies. Hansell has served in a number of positions for the denomination including director of Ministry for the General Board, from which he retired in 2001; chair of the Small Church Task Team; and a member of Standing Committee of Annual Conference. He also has served Atlantic Northeast District as district executive and moderator, and has served pastorates at Mountville; Lancaster, Pa.; and Wilmington, Del., where he is currently interim pastor. He holds degrees from Bridgewater (Va.) College and Bethany Theological Seminary.
  
  
• Teachers of English and Spanish are needed for the 2005-06 school year at Hillcrest School in Nigeria. Founded by the Church of the Brethren in 1942, this K-12 fully-accredited Christian school now serves a multinational student body. Teaching certification is required. Contact Mary Munson at the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships office, 800-323-8039 or e-mail mission_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The search for an intern at the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) has been extended until June 15. The internship in Elgin, Ill., is for 11 months beginning Aug. 1. The program is designed for young people to develop interest in vocations related to archives, libraries, and Brethren history. The intern is provided with work assignments at BHLA, opportunities to develop professional contacts, housing, monthly stipend of $822, and health and life insurance. A graduate student is preferred or an undergraduate with at least two years of college. Other requirements include willingness to work with detail, accurate word processing, and ability to lift 30-pound boxes. Submit resume, letter of application, college transcript (can be an unofficial copy), and three reference letters to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1696. For more information contact Kenneth Shaffer at kshaffer_gb@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 294.
  
  
• The Annual Conference Anniversary Committee invites the submission of music, drama, and worship resources representing the 2008 Tricentennial theme, "Surrendered to God, Transformed in Christ, Empowered by the Spirit." Music submissions, due June 30, may include hymns, folk songs, praise songs, anthems, and children's songs. Dramatic writings, due Dec. 31, may be full-length dramas, skits, monologues, and vignettes for adults, children, and/or youth. Worship resources, due Dec. 31, may include calls to worship, prayers, litanies, responsive readings, offertory statements, children's stories, benedictions, worship centers (description and/or drawing), Powerpoint presentations, and interpretive movements. All submissions become the property of the Anniversary Committee for use in tricentennial activities. The name, address, and phone number of the writer or composer should not appear on submissions but should be included on a separate page. Send submissions to the Annual Conference Office, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
  
  
• On Earth Peace invites those thinking about not registering for the draft to a Support and Networking Meeting at Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill., on Sunday, July 3, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 202 of the Peoria Civic Center. "Come to meet others who share your concerns and beliefs, find support from the church and from each other, and learn more about the options and consequences," invites On Earth Peace. The meeting is open to all who are interested, including families of youth who are considering nonregistration. For more information contact On Earth Peace co-executive director Bob Gross at bgross@igc.org or 260-982-7751.
  
  
• On Earth Peace also is working with the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office and the Annual Conference officers to create a time of reporting Living Peace Church stories in an Annual Conference business session on Monday, July 4. The 2003 Conference resolution, "Call for a Living Peace Church," stated that "there will be an opportunity at each Annual Conference...for congregations to report on efforts to seek and develop a living peace tradition, in order to strengthen and encourage one another." This year organizers are asking, What has your congregation been doing to "Fix Your Eyes on Jesus" in answering this call? If you have a story to share during this time please contact Phil Jones at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office (pjones_gb@brethren.org or 202-546-3202) or Barb Sayler at On Earth Peace (bsayler_oepa@brethren.org or 502-222-5886) by June 1. In addition to time during Conference business, a Living Peace Church insight session will feature stories about "Becoming a Testimony of Peace in Our Local Communities," at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5.
  
  
• Daleville (Va.) Church of the Brethren is hosting a Global Women's Project family benefit concert featuring Brethren folk singer Peg Lehman on May 14 at 7 p.m. Contributions will provide grants for community-based, women-led projects, and go toward the Church of the Brethren-related Global Women's Project. A reception follows the concert.
  
  
• Workshops on conscientious objection are being held on Saturday, May 21: 9 a.m.-12 noon at New Covenant Church of the Brethren in Columbus, Ohio, with presenter Phil Jones of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office; and 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill., with presenter Bob Gross, co-executive director of On Earth Peace. For more information about the New Covenant workshop--whose sponsors include Ohio peace groups, Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren, and West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church--call 614-763-0564 or see www.prayers4u.info. For more information about the York First event call 630-627-7411.
  
  
• Former Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder will deliver the 2005 commencement address at Bridgewater (Va.) College at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 15. Wilder was the first African-American to be elected a state governor. Some 285 seniors are expected to receive degrees. The General Board's director of Ministry, Mary Jo Flory Steury, will deliver the message at the 10 a.m. baccalaureate service.
  
  
• A Muslim-Christian delegation from the Middle East brought focus to regional and global relationships between the two faiths during a recent visit to several US cities. Led by Riad Jarjour, former general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, the church, academic, and political leaders from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine reminded audiences that Muslims and Christians had been peacefully living together in the Middle East for more than a thousand years. The delegation was hosted by Church World Service. Merv Keeney, CWS board member and executive director of the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships, joined the delegation for its reflection time with the Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University. For more see www.churchworldservice.org/news/archives/2005/05/288.html.
  
  
• An International Fair Trade Festival will be held at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 14, sponsored by A Greater Gift (SERRV). The festival will feature a Fair Trade Shop, entertainment from many parts of the world, food and craft vendors, and children's activities. Entertainers include African drummer Moziah Saleem, the Celtic music of Wherligig, Port Righ harp and bagpipe performers, the Rock Candy Cloggers, the Westminster Drum Circle, and artisans from Nepal. New Windsor will be proclaimed a "Divine City" by mayor Sam Pierce--Divine Chocolate will be one of many fair trade products sold.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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Peacemaker calls for 'true Christian witness' in Iraq.

"People in Iraq are beginning to understand the Christian message as the bombs that fall from the sky or the abuse of detainees in Abu Ghraib," said Cliff Kindy, a Church of the Brethren member recently returned from working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq. Kindy returned to the US at the end of March. He has been with CPT in Iraq for five months of each of the past three winters, first arriving in Baghdad in October 2002.

In an example of the kind of daily violence that Iraqis are living through, Kindy and the CPT team "often hear about cars run over by tanks for whatever reason," he said. In a visit to Fallujah, they saw a car flattened by a tank--a father and son were killed in the car. "How much good do we have to do to overcome that?" Kindy asked.

He warned that the true witness of Jesus Christ is being overwhelmed by the violence of the US military. Iraqis recognize the US as a "Christian nation," and are beginning to identify the military activities of the US as a reflection of the nature of Christianity, Kindy said. "The most important thing we can do is to make clear what Christianity is, and what it isn't," he said.

Kindy also told of points of hope that he and other CPT volunteers in Iraq have witnessed in the past six months. The CPT team has helped train a Muslim Peacemaker Team, worked with Iraqi Human Rights Watch, and served as election observers--although Kindy said that if the election had been held in the US it would not have been regarded as free and fair.

The Muslim Peacemaker Team (MPT) grew out of the Iraqi Human Rights Watch, which has begun documenting mass graves from the 1991 uprising against Saddam Hussein, Kindy said. The group asked CPT for nonviolence training after members began to initiate nonviolent actions such as attempting an intervention between the US military and the Sad'r militia in the besieged city of Najaf, and creating a combined Sunni and Shi'ite response to the needs of refugees from Fallujah, Kindy said.

A CPT visit to Fallujah--a town the size of Fort Wayne destroyed after a months-long assault by the US military against insurgents--revealed the continuing hopelessness of Iraq, however. "It looked like what Hiroshima would look like," Kindy said. A non-governmental report has said that 40 percent of homes in Fallujah have been totally destroyed, another 40 percent are unlivable, and another 20 percent are damaged, Kindy added. Residents told CPT that they have received no aid and no compensation for their homes from the US military. Although the CPT team saw shops re-opened and people out on the streets, the team also witnessed the fact that residents had no running water, electricity, or telephone service.

The CPT team visited the hospital in Fallujah, which has been rebuilt following destruction by US bombing. It was one of the first targets in the assault, Kindy said. He shared a current Iraqi theory that hospitals, clinics, and doctors are targeted or shut down by the US military because they are the source of reporting of Iraqi civilian casualties. A CPT press release on April 26 said physicians also are targets of the Iraqi insurgency.

While the team was in the hospital, a father brought in his infant daughter, reportedly made sick by depleted uranium left over from US explosives. People in Fallujah talked to the CPT team about illegal weaponry that they suspect was used there, including napalm and other chemical weapons. Kindy also said that CPT received reports in Fallujah of mass burials by the US military, and reports that the official casualty count does not match the numbers of disappeared. "What does all this mean?" Kindy asked. "We don't have a very good handle on that."

Kindy asked Brethren to "keep an eye on" the actions of the US and Iraqi militaries, which may use the tactics that destroyed Fallujah in other places. "We begin to hear about things happening in Baquba, Beiji, Mosul," Kindy said, also mentioning Ramadi and Samarra.

He asked Brethren to be aware of dangers facing the CPT team in Iraq, which varies from three to eight members at any one time. CPT volunteers are among the last nongovernmental foreigners to remain at work in Iraq. Most have left for fear of insurgent kidnappings, suicide bombings, and other threats. Recently one of the CPT team, a British citizen, was warned by his government that he was a high-profile kidnapping target. This has caused the rest of the team some hard heart-searching to decide what is the right thing to do, Kindy said.

"There is no place in Iraq that can guarantee security," he said. "And we're being fed a line that it's just getting better."

For more information about Christian Peacemaker Teams, see www.cpt.org.

Source: 5/11/2005 Newsline
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Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on every other Wednesday with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Carol Bowman, Nevin Dulabaum, Lerry Fogle, Merv Keeney, Missy Marlin, Ken Neher, and Helen Stonesifer contributed to this report.