Quilts bring to life memories of women’s work in China.

"Archival research and collective memories from close at hand and afar are bringing an intriguing story to life--a kind of SERRV project a decade or two ahead of SERRV, a hunger action program 50 years ahead of the Global Food Crisis Fund," reports Howard Royer.

Earlier this fall Royer--who manages the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund--was loaned two unique quilt pieces by Marjorie Morse Kauffman of Lancaster, Pa.: a bed quilt and a quilted runner. The quilts were made of white cloth, appliqued with blue fabric in a floral pattern.

All that Kauffman knew about them were that the tops had been sewn together and appliqued by women in China as part of the former Brethren mission program there, prior to World War II. The quilt tops were then made available to churches in the US. Kauffman had found the two quilt tops in a trunk of things owned by her grandmother, and had the pieces quilted in Elgin, Ill.

Royer asked Ken Shaffer, director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, and his assistant Denise Kettering to find out more about the origin of the quilts.

"Denise and I have spent a couple blocks of time this week looking for documentation of teaching embroidery/sewing/etc. in China," Shaffer reported back by e-mail. "We found this sentence in a June 1931 report written by Emma Horning: ‘Sis. Bright continues to conduct the beautiful sewing of women of Ping Ting, the returns of which support a number of budgets on the field.’ Also we found a photo labeled ‘Mrs. Bright and Chinese helper planning needle work.’"

The same picture appeared in an old issue of the denominational magazine, accompanying a story titled "The Hungry Are Fed" by Minnie Bright. Mentioned in the story was a "Woman's Industrial." A sentence read, "From among the 60 women who are at present doing needlework to support themselves, about 25 have been brought to new life through this means."

Shaffer continued: "In an issue of ‘The Star of Cathay’ (no date but about 1934 or 1935) we found this statement: ‘The industrial needlework in Ping Ting is making it possible for more then [sic] 60 women to provide food for more than 200 mouths. All these women are given class work in reading, hygiene, maternity welfare, and Gospel teaching.’"

Royer found out more after sharing the story of the quilts with Joe Wampler of Santa Cruz, Calif., who grew up in China, the son of missionaries Ernest and Elizabeth Wampler. He pursued the topic with heirs of former China missionaries and reported that embroidery work "was encouraged by many missionary denominations as a way for widows to earn a living in feudal China. In the old days, if a woman’s husband died the widow was practically without resources. So the mission women would set up a cottage industry for these women and then promote their handcrafts in the big cities and also in America.

"In the Church of the Brethren mission the center for embroidery was in Ping Ting and was run by Minnie Bright," Wampler continued. "Homer and Minnie Bright were in China from Sept. 1911 until Feb. 1938.... Marie Oberholtzer remembers it as a major cottage industry run by Minnie in the 1930s. She said that the Chinese women usually embroidered onto linen and made table cloths, bed covers, etc."

The quilt pieces have been displayed at the Church of the Brethren General Offices and at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill. The church’s Global Mission Partnerships hopes to display the quilt pieces at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Pittsburgh next July.

An online photo album offers several pictures of the quilts, go to www.brethren.org/site/PhotoAlbumUser?view=UserAlbum&AlbumID=9907. Those with more information about the women’s handcraft ministries that were part of the Church of the Brethren’s China mission are invited to contact Royer at hroyer@brethren.org or Shaffer at kshaffer@brethren.org.


Source: 12/17/2009 Newsline

Personnel, new BVS project site, Haiti workcamp, and more.

• The New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center is welcoming Sarah Robrecht as a first-time volunteer host. She is on furlough from missionary work with Wycliffe Bible Translators, based in Orlando, Fla., and will volunteer in Windsor Hall from January through May.
  
  
• Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is seeking a volunteer to serve with a new project partner in Prijedor, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bread for Life is a Christian humanitarian association founded by Protestant churches in Serbia, with an office in northwest Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1996. It is developing programs to promote income-generation, long-term employment, and self-sustainability such as a trial project of interest-free loans and other support to dairy farmers, and low-cost English and computer courses at an education center. BVS is seeking a volunteer co-worker/assistant for the income-generation projects. Duties will include assisting the director and program manager with writing and implementing income-generating projects, assistance with fundraising for new projects, contact with donor organizations, and assistance with creation or development of capacities of the organization. Requirements include preferred experience in the non-governmental sector in a developing country or eastern Europe, ability to adjust to new environments and cultures, expertise in the field of economics or agriculture, willingness to learn the local language. For more information about the project go to www.breadoflifesite.com. To express interest in this BVS opening, contact the BVS Office at 800-323-8039.
  
  
• The Material Resources distribution center at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., is getting low on all types of relief kits, and invites donations (for instructions about how to assemble kits, visit www.churchworldservice.org/kits). In other news from Material Resources, staff are shipping 250 lightweight and 270 wool blankets and 540 hygiene kits to the Disabled Veteran Foundation. Homeless persons in Topeka, Kan., are receiving 50 lightweight and 90 wool blankets through Doorstep Inc., donated by Church World Service. CWS also has donated 100 lightweight blankets to be shipped to Pottstown, Pa., for the Homeless Shelter Cooperative. Two 40-foot containers have been loaded with Lutheran World Relief quilts, school kits, layettes, and health kits and shipped to the Philippines. Two containers of CWS school kits and IMA World Health Medicine Boxes have been loaded for Pakistan. One 40-foot container of Lutheran World Relief quilts, sewing kits, and school kits has been sent to Armenia.
  
  
• The Haiti workcamp sponsored by Youth and Young Adult Ministries has changed its date to June 1-8 to avoid a conflict with the Young Adult Conference next year. "Now young adults can attend both events!" said a note from the workcamp office. For more information, contact cobworkcamps@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 286.
  
  
• "Creation Care: Stewards of the Earth" is a weekend event co-sponsored by the Church of the Brethren, Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, and Mennonite Mutual Aid. The event takes place Feb. 12-14, 2010, in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., with the goal of "equipping leaders to guide the church to care for Creation." Worship services and presentations will be led by David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project, and Luke Gascho, executive director of the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College. A number of workshops are offered with leaders including Carol Bowman, coordinator of the Church of the Brethren’s Stewardship Formation and Education. Registration includes lodging and meals, materials, and continuing education units, and ranges from $154 to $295 depending on the choice of cottage or guesthouse and number of roommates. Student scholarships and a reduced commuter fee are available. Register by Dec. 31 for a reduction of $10 in the final price. A registration brochure can be downloaded from www.brethren.org/site/DocServer/CreationCareEventFlyerRegistrationForm.pdf?docID=5801 or contact program@laurelville.org.
  
  
• In an update on the Brethren rebuilding project in Haiti, coordinator Jeff Boshart has reported that six more homes are nearly complete, bringing the total to 78. The goal for the project is to completely rebuild 100 homes. In addition, "there are two well projects in the works," Boshart added. One will serve a worksite with 22 homes, and the other will serve a Haitian Church of the Brethren church building and its immediate neighborhood. The Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund is accepting gifts for these two well projects. A third Brethren Disaster Ministries workcamp in Haiti in the last week of January has already been filled with applicants.
  
  
• Children’s Disaster Services is offering a Volunteer Workshop at La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren on Feb. 27-28. Children’s Disaster Services volunteers set up and operate child care centers in disaster locations. The workshop will train volunteers to understand and respond to children who have experienced a disaster, learn how child-led play and various art mediums can start the healing process, experience a simulated shelter, sleep on cots and eat simple meals. Once the training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteers by providing two personal references and a criminal and sexual offender background check. The workshop is open to anyone over 18 years old. Registration costs $45 ($55 after Feb. 6). Contact coordinator Kathy Benson at 909-593-4868 or the Children’s Disaster Services office at 800-451-4407 ext. 5 or cds@brethren.org.
  
  
• SERRV has announced a special offer "to make your holidays sweeter!" A free Divine Milk Chocolate bar will accompany orders of $50 or more. "And if you order at least $75 we'll also send you a Divine fruit and nut dark chocolate bar," said the announcement. Orders of $75 or more that are made by noon (Eastern time) on Dec. 18 receive free ground shipping. SERRV, which was started by the Church of the Brethren, is a nonprofit organization providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. Its Divine Chocolate is produced by cocoa farmers in Ghana, and supports, among other things, school for children, access to basic medical care, clean water wells, and income projects for women. Place orders at www.serrv.org or visit the SERRV Store at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
  
  
• "Pastors at the Community Church of the Brethren are praying for whoever vandalized their place of worship," according to the "Times-News" of Twin Falls, Idaho. The church pastored by Mark and Kathryn Bausman was vandalized last weekend. Cost of the damage came to about $9,600, including destruction of an electric organ, the newspaper said. Intruders also defaced children’s books, sprayed a fire extinguisher around the building, and did other acts of vandalism. The church continues plans to offer three live Nativity shows with free hot cocoa this Saturday evening.
  
  
• Fellowship in Christ Church of the Brethren in Fremont, Calif., has announced a "Celebration of Ministry at Our Closing" in the Pacific Southwest District newsletter. The closing celebration of the congregation takes place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 30.
  
  
• York (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren is one of several congregations contributing to chaplain Dan Lehigh’s annual Christmas cookie ministry to truckers. The congregation’s Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study packed 245 bags of cookies for the Truck Stop Chaplaincy Ministry in Carlisle, Pa. Last year, the ministry gave 12,300 bags of cookies to truckers. This year’s goal is 13,000 bags.
  
  
• Belita Mitchell, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., and a former Annual Conference moderator, is one of the religious leaders speaking out in response to the Dec. 6 shooting of a police officer by a gunman on parole for weapons violations. The incident took place in Penn Hills, near Pittsburgh. Mitchell contributed to a statement from the Heeding God’s Call campaign to prevent gun violence, joining Isaac Miller, rector of the Church of the Advocate (Episcopal) in North Philadelphia, and Rabbi Carl Choper, chair of the Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania. She said, in part: "We do not know exactly where the Penn Hills shooter got his guns, and may never know, but we can say with confidence that he did not walk into a gun shop, pass a background check, and proceed with a legal gun purchase. It’s infinitely more likely he obtained his guns through an illegal street purchase, from a gun trafficker.... So, while others may focus on a parole system that failed to adequately keep the gunman from committing criminally violent acts, Heeding God’s Call decries the illegal gun trade and gun dealers who look the other way and allow straw buyers to make bulk purchases at their stores."
  
  
• West Branch Church of the Brethren in Polo, Ill., was one of the destinations for an annual "Christmas in the Country House Walk" on Dec. 5. Proceeds went to the American Cancer Society. West Branch, organized in 1846, was the first Church of the Brethren in Ogle County, Ill. The stone church building was completed in 1862.
  
  
• Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., will host a "Community Forum on Immigration" with guest speaker Rachel Heuman on Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice. Heuman has founded an Immigrant Advocacy Project and helped promote a city resolution in favor of immigration reform in her hometown of Evanston, Ill.
  
  
• Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in Adel, Iowa, has challenged churches in Northern Plains District to fill "quarter tubes" so that the district may purchase a Heifer International "ark." In November, the district board sent its first $5,000 to Heifer in honor of the two Panther Creek women, Lois Banwart and Marilyn Hoy, who helped initiate the project.
  
  
• "Who are your Brethren heroes?" asks Camp Bethel, the Virlina District camp near Fincastle, Va. The camp is seeking stories of Brethren heroes to flesh out its 2010 summer camp curriculum titled, "Be a Hero: Living Like Jesus." During each camp day this summer, campers will study the story of a biblical hero and a Brethren hero. An online response form is available at www.campbethelvirginia.org/Because_Heroes.pdf.
  
  
• The McPherson (Kan.) College football team won nine games this year "for the first time in its history," reports director of campus ministry Tom Hurst. The college team also was invited to its first football playoff game ever, he added. "The team ended the year with a 9-2 record."
  
  
• The Global Women's Project has received a gift from Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis, in memory of late co-pastors Phil and Louise Rieman. The gift will purchase machines for a sewing cooperative in southern Sudan, said an announcement. Photos of the Narus Women's Sewing Cooperative can be viewed at www.globalwomensproject.org.
  
  
• "We have only one world, this world, if we destroy it, we have nothing else," said Archbishop Desmond Tutu at an ecumenical event for climate justice in Copenhagen on Dec. 13. His remarks were reported in a press release from the World Council of Churches (WCC). The ecumenical community is suggesting an agreement that would entail developed nations committing to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 40 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 (as compared to 1990 levels), and to contribute funding to assist developing nations to reduce emissions. Tutu also delivered a clock representing over half a million signatures for climate justice to Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. A recording of speeches by Tutu and de Boer is at http://bit.ly/DesmondTutuAndYvoDeBoerCOP15.
  
  
• Palestinian Christians from a variety of churches have issued a prayerful call for an end to the occupation of Palestine by Israel. The call, issued at a Dec. 11 meeting in Bethlehem, is being referred to as "The Kairos Palestine Document," according to a release from the WCC. It echoes a similar summons issued by South African churches in the mid-1980s at the height of apartheid. The document is addressed to Christians around the world and decries "the emptiness of the promises and pronouncements about peace in the region," highlights current problems such as the separation wall erected on Palestinian territory and the blockade of Gaza, declares the occupation of Palestinian land a sin against God and humanity, and mentions signs of hope such as "numerous meetings for inter-religious dialogue." It concludes, "We believe that God's goodness will finally triumph over the evil of hate and of death that still persist in our land."
  
  
• Illinois and Wisconsin District is inviting volunteers to help prepare a new building to house the Chicago offices of Christian Peacemaker Teams. "Is there a group from your church who will donate time?" asked an announcement. The move-in date was scheduled for December, but work will continue into January. Contact 708-445-1998 or 630-606-5670.
  
  
• A 3rd Annual Bethlehem Prayer Service has been announced by Churches for Middle East Peace, of which the Church of the Brethren is a member. The event takes place on Dec. 19 as a joint simulcast with the people of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Chapel of the Washington (D.C.) National Cathedral. The gathering begins at 9:30 a.m. and the service begins at 10 a.m. (Eastern time). Prayers, readings, and hymns will alternate between Washington, D.C., and Palestine. Watch the service live at www.nationalcathedral.org.
  
  
• The Brethren Revival Fellowship has published a commentary on Genesis by Harold S. Martin. The book is part of the "Brethren Old Testament Commentary" series, which has the stated aim of giving a readable explanation of the Old Testament text with loyalty to Anabaptist and Pietist values. Suggested donation is $20 for the 304-page volume. Send requests and donations to Brethren Revival Fellowship, P.O. Box 543, Ephrata, PA 17522-0543; or go to www.brfwitness.org/?page_id=268&category=3&product_id=23.
  
  
• A book by Jeffrey Kovac, "Refusing War, Affirming Peace: A History of Civilian Public Service Camp No. 21 at Cascade Locks" tops the list of titles for holiday shoppers recommended by "The Oregonian" newspaper. The book tells the story of the Cascade Locks camp for conscientious objectors during World War II, which was sponsored by the Church of the Brethren. Kovac’s father-in-law, Charles Davis, was assigned to the Cascade Locks camp and assisted his research. For "The Oregonian" recommendation, go to www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2009/12/new_pacific_northwest_titles_f.html.

Source: 12/17/2009 Newsline

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Jeanne Davies, James Deaton, Kristin Flory, Audrey Hollenberg, Jeri S. Kornegay, Emily LaPrade, LethaJoy Martin, Wendy McFadden, Nancy Miner, John Wall, Loretta Wolf, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.

NEWS

• National Council of Churches issues messages supporting nuclear disarmament, health care reform.
  
• New Fire young adult movement dreams, takes action.
  
• Bethany Seminary announces new pastoral presence programs.
  
• Board approves new mission and vision statements for seminary.
  
• Grants give $105,000 for hurricane recovery in Haiti, Louisiana.
  
• Committee increases emphasis on ecumenism at the local level.

PERSONNEL

• Schild to direct financial operations at Brethren Benefit Trust.

BRETHREN BITS

• Correction, personnel, job openings, end-of-year giving, more.

National Council of Churches issues messages supporting nuclear disarmament, health care reform.

The annual General Assembly of the National Council of Churches (NCC) and Church World Service (CWS) was held in Minneapolis on Nov. 10-12. "Rejoice Always, Pray Without Ceasing, Give Thanks in All Circumstances" (1 Thess. 5:16-18) was the theme.

Major agenda items included a resolution calling for nuclear disarmament, and a related message urging international reductions in military spending be used to reduce child mortality and poverty. Also high on the agenda was a message on the urgency of health care reform.

Brethren representatives included elected delegates Elizabeth Bidgood Enders, J.D. Glick, Illana Naylor, and Ken Miller Rieman, with Mary Jo Flory-Steury, executive director of the Ministry Office, participating as church staff. Three Church of the Brethren young adults also participated and attended the pre-assembly "New Fire" event (see story below): Jordan Blevins, assistant director of the NCC’s Eco-Justice Program; Bekah Houff, who was a head steward for the assembly; and Marcus Harden, who served as a steward.

The assembly resolution titled, "Nuclear Disarmament: The Time Is Now," calls for a goal of "the total disarmament of nuclear weapons." The following resolution section concludes the document:

"THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the member communions of the NCC and CWS, speaking together through their respective governing boards, hereby reaffirm the goal of the total disarmament of nuclear weapons and commit themselves: 1. To ask for commitments toward this end from national, state, and local governmental and ecumenical representatives and agencies. 2. To engage in international anti-violence advocacy efforts including the programs and events of the World Council of Churches such as the Decade to Overcome Violence. 3. To encourage appropriate working groups/committees to designate nuclear disarmament as a central theme for the 2011 Ecumenical Advocacy Days. 4. To develop measurable outcomes that inform faith-based educational materials. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President and the General Secretary of the NCC and the Chairperson and Executive Director/CEO of the CWS communicate this commitment to the President of the United States and congressional leaders. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President and the General Secretary of the NCC and the Chairperson and Executive Director/CEO of the CWS report regularly to the General Assembly regarding their actions toward the end of nuclear disarmament." (For the full text go to www.ncccusa.org/ga2009/ga2009nuclearresolution.pdf.)

In a related action, the assembly sent a message to the US Congress and member communions urging support of the Global Security Priorities bill and commending the legislation's sponsors. The bill, House Resolution 278, calls for deep reductions in US and Russian nuclear arsenals, saving at least $13 billion annually. The money saved would be used to reduce child mortality and eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

"There wasn’t a lot of discussion" of the resolution on nuclear disarmament, reported Bidgood Enders. "There seemed to be a tone among the body of general agreement. For the Church of the Brethren, of course we will be supportive," she added.

A message on the urgency of health care reform was approved as a joint action of the NCC and CWS. Precedent for the statement came from a health care policy originally adopted in 1971 and reaffirmed in 1989, said Bidgood Enders. The new document includes current statistics on the numbers of Americans without insurance and those underserved by health care, she said.

The assembly also gave a lot of attention to immigration reform and gun violence, according to Bidgood Enders, who remarked that "those were probably the items that got most discussion." In support of the CWS Immigration and Refugee Program, the assembly adopted a message urging proper treatment of immigrants and heard a presentation on immigration reform including the status of bills in Congress. Information was shared about a Holiday Postcard Campaign by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition to send messages to Congress calling for humane treatment of immigrants and concern for "families that are being torn apart," Bidgood Enders said (see www.interfaithimmigration.org).

On the issue of fire arms, a panel presentation about gun violence included some sharing from the work of the Heeding God’s Call movement in Philadelphia. Heeding God’s Call is an initiative against gun violence begun at a gathering of the Historic Peace Churches in January. "Everyone in the room received a Heeding God’s Call pin," along with statistics on deaths by gun violence, reported Bidgood Enders.

In other actions, the assembly voted the Apostolic Catholic Church into membership, affirmed a statement by the West Virginia Council of Churches condemning the removal of mountain tops as a mining practice, issued a message on the tragedy at Fort Hood, installed Peg Chemberlin as NCC president and Kathryn Lohre as president-elect, issued a message of appreciation for the recent visit of Orthodox leader Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and gave ecumenical awards.

The NCC’s Women’s Ministries announced the launch of a "Circles of Names" Campaign to celebrate the historic contributions of women leaders in member churches and out of concern about cutbacks in gender justice and women's ministries among denominations. Donors will help support ongoing and future ecumenical work by honoring women who have made a difference in the church and in individual lives.

The next General Assembly on Nov. 9-11, 2010, in New Orleans will mark 100 years since the birth of the modern ecumenical movement. The theme will be, "Witnesses of These Things: Ecumenical Engagement in a New Era."

(Sections of this report are excerpted from NCC press releases.)

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

New Fire young adult movement dreams, takes action.

With a prayer of thanksgiving and guidance, the participants of New Fire 2009 left Minneapolis having dreamt dreams and implemented action plans for a vision of a revitalized young adult ecumenical movement.

The prayer asked for "the work of the Spirit in expanding our communications...the gift of prudence as we lay organizational foundations...the gift of discernment as we pilot our New Fire seed grant project...a Spirit-filled outpouring of glad and generous hearts as we expand our circle of New Fire."

A vision statement declaring, "New Fire is movement-building work to call the Church to re-imagine its mission to live out the God-given mandates of love, justice, unity, and peace on a global, regional, and local level," was given backing with the launching of an "Ecumenists of All Ages" fundraising initiative. All of the young adults present made their commitment to the movement by donating at least the amount of money equivalent to their age. A collection of more than $650 laid the foundation of their work together.

A set of goals also was adopted, including goals to form a New Fire Task Force, expand diversity and representation, finalize a concept paper and grant proposal, fund a New Fire event next year, start a seed grant pilot program and leadership training to empower local ecumenical possibilities among young adults, involve at least 100 people under age 35 and 100 over age 35 in the Ecumenists of All Ages Campaign, and develop a logo, tagline, and promotional materials.

All of this was the result of a weekend full of worship, conversation, relationship building, and issue education. The event concluded as participants gave concrete ways to take their experience with them--committing to financial support, spreading the word, and taking ecumenical action at home. Prayer partners were picked to help sustain one another in the journey.

-- Jordan Blevins is assistant director of the NCC Eco-Justice Program.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Bethany Seminary announces new pastoral presence programs.

Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., has announced two new programs to encourage continuing education for pastors. The "Pastoral Presence Programs" provide the opportunity for Church of the Brethren pastors to avail themselves of Bethany facilities and participate in seminary life.

The purpose of these programs is to encourage direct conversations between Brethren pastors and the seminary. Pastors can make important contributions to the life and educational context at Bethany, and Bethany can provide a space for pastors for continuing education and retreat.

A Pastor-in-Residence track and a Pastoral Sabbatical track will be offered. Both will provide a setting for focused, purposeful study through meeting with professors and students, attending classes, pursuing research and writing projects, and participating in chapel services, forums, lectures, and other campus events. The Pastor-in-Residence will be expected to spend significant time interacting with students and attending classes and program opportunities. Those in the Pastoral Sabbatical track may choose more time for personal reflection, research, and writing.

Participants will complete a formal application, including an 800-1,000 word description of the intended research project, activities, and purpose of the time spent in the program; reside at Brethren House (the seminary’s guest house) for at least two weeks; preach or make a presentation at a chapel service or forum; and complete an evaluation of the program. For more details and an online application go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/bethany-announces-new-pastoral-presence-programs.

-- Marcia Shetler is director of Public Relations for Bethany Theological Seminary.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Board approves new mission and vision statements for seminary.

The Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees gathered at the Richmond, Ind., campus on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Continuing work from its Spring meeting, the board spent considerable time discussing a proposed new mission and vision statement for the seminary and refining specific goals and action plans for a strategic direction paper.

The new mission and vision statements were approved and can be viewed at www.bethanyseminary.edu/about/mission. Objectives in the strategic direction paper were compiled into a three-year completion plan and assigned to groups or individuals. The board also approved funding for a marketing study and communications audit.

The Academic Affairs Committee reported that a comprehensive curriculum review is in progress, with a simultaneous examination of the master of divinity and master of arts curricula. "As we consider how curriculum will support Bethany's new mission and vision, we want to emphasize the importance of the seminary both for training congregational leaders and for Brethren scholarship," said president Ruthann Knechel Johansen.

The board approved proceeding with the development of an MA Connections program proposal, a distributed education track for the master of arts degree. The proposal will be presented to the Association of Theological Schools, an accrediting agency, for approval. Academic dean Steven Schweitzer and Malinda Berry, instructor in theological studies and director of the MA program, are developing the proposal. The number of students in the MDiv Connections program continues to grow with 32 students currently enrolled.

The Academic Affairs Committee heard that faculty have approved several standards and resources for writing, to improve the quality of student writing and scholarship. The committee also heard a report from Donna Rhodes, executive director of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center that enrollment there has been more successful for classes offered at a nongraduate level than at the graduate level. SVMC and seminary staff continue to explore ways to strengthen the relationship and synergy of their work together.

The Institutional Advancement Committee reported that annual giving in fiscal year 2008-09 was less than the previous year. Although gifts from congregations have been declining slowly for more than a decade, there was a greater drop in gifts from individuals in the past fiscal year. The total also was affected by the receipt of fewer estate gifts than usual. The committee presented several reports that examined giving from specific constituencies in greater depth, including congregations and alumni/ae. The board approved a recommendation to conduct a feasibility study for a new financial campaign. The staff has developed a plan for making donor contacts utilizing four institutional advancement staff: Lowell Flory, Marcia Shetler, Fred Bernhard, and Dan Poole.

The board approved recommendations from the Student and Business Affairs Committee related to tuition and financial aid. Tuition for the 2010-11 academic year will be $1,260 for a three credit hour class. A new financial aid plan will be implemented in 2010-11 with a primary goal of meeting student financial needs and addressing seminary priorities relating to the makeup of the student body, financial goals, and support from congregations and districts.

In the new financial aid plan, registration and technology fees will be eliminated. All students will pay a flat amount that will vary each year, based on the annual income needed to keep the financial aid program viable. As in previous years, students' congregations and districts will be invited to make a gift to Bethany in support of financial aid. The plan will offer generous scholarships for students with high academic standing and those who plan to pursue a vocation that serves the church.

The committee shared encouraging admissions and student development reports: 26 new degree-seeking students and two new occasional students began taking classes this fall, a 12-year record high. Reasons cited by new students for choosing Bethany include the quality of faculty, academic reputation, and financial aid.

A celebration marked completion of the restoration of the seminary's special collections project. The special collections contain portions of the libraries of three donors: the William Eberly Hymnal Collection, the Ora Huston English Bible Collection, and more than 4,000 titles from the Abraham Cassel Collection. A grant of nearly $150,000 from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations provided for restoration of most of the very valuable volumes and the enclosure of each item in acid-free clamshell or hinge boxes. Murray Wagner, emeritus professor of historical studies, directed the project. The project team has posted more than 300 digital images of title pages and other illustrations at www.bethanyseminary.edu/specialcollections.

The meeting was preceded by installation of new academic dean Steven Schweitzer. The board also welcomed new member David Witkovsky of Huntingdon, Pa., representing the Church of the Brethren colleges. Other returning members elected or affirmed by the 2009 Annual Conference included Rhonda Pittman Gingrich representing alumni/ae; Jerry Davis of La Verne, Calif.; and John D. Miller Jr. of York, Pa.

-- Marcia Shetler is director of Public Relations for Bethany Theological Seminary.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Grants give $105,000 for hurricane recovery in Haiti, Louisiana.

Grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund have given $105,000 for rebuilding and recovery following hurricane damage in Haiti and Louisiana.

An allocation of $75,000 supports a Church of the Brethren program in Haiti. The grant will support the building of eight new homes and a simple road to the Gonaives area, provide a drinking water well, support a third Brethren workcamp in Jan. 2010, and support continued oversight and management of the program including travel expenses. Previous grants to this project have totaled $370,000.

An allocation of $30,000 continues funding for Brethren Disaster Ministries’ Hurricane Katrina rebuilding site 4 in Chalmette, La. The grant supports the repair and rebuilding of homes, and volunteer support including travel expenses, leadership training, tools, equipment, food, and housing.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Committee increases emphasis on ecumenism at the local level.

The Church of the Brethren’s Committee on Interchurch Relations (CIR) met in Elgin, Ill., on Sept. 24-26. The fall meeting is the annual launch to the CIR’s realm of responsibilities. The committee also participates in three conference calls throughout the year, and has responsibilities at Annual Conference including written and oral presentations to the delegate body.

In light of new denominational structure and the changing face of ecumenism, the group reviewed the continuing viability and purpose of CIR. The committee agreed that it is time to re-cast the vision of CIR by shifting energy to giving voice to ecumenical efforts at the congregational level. This includes calling out congregational stories of interfaith dialogue and activities, validating risks and commitments of congregations, encouraging congregations to be more outwardly focused, and working with the Office of Ministry and Congregational Life Ministries to provide resources for ecumenical activities.

From the list of CIR priorities for the upcoming year, three areas were highlighted: to anticipate engagement in conversations with Evangelishe Kirche von Westphalia in Germany regarding the apology given to Brethren bodies at the anniversary event in 2008; to examine and identify the ongoing relationship of CIR activities with the membership of the church; and to celebrate local ecumenical relationships already formed and flourishing, while inspiring the development of additional opportunities.

The committee also received a report from Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger, who is serving the final months of his second year as vice-president of the executive committee of the National Council of Churches; and a report on the history of the Baptist movement--recognizing the 400th anniversary of the earliest Baptist churches--given by ex-officio member Jerry Cain, president of Judson University in Elgin.

Members of the committee are Melissa Bennett, Jim Eikenberry, Jim Hardenbrook, Steve Reid, Paul Roth, and Melissa Troyer. Roth and Eikenberry were named as co-chairs.

-- Melissa Troyer is a CIR member from Middlebury, Ind.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Schild to direct financial operations at Brethren Benefit Trust.

Sandy Schild has accepted the position of Director of Financial Operations for Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT). She will begin her duties on Dec. 14. She lives in Barrington, Ill., and is an active member of Barrington United Methodist Church.

Most recently Schild has served as controller for her husband’s company, Schild Consulting Inc. Previously she was a management company controller and directed a department that provided accounting, reporting, and cash management services for 15 foreign and domestic companies supporting multiple hedge funds. In addition, she has worked in tax planning, both domestic and international.

She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Illinois and holds several degrees including a master of science in taxation from DePaul University in Chicago, a master of business administration in accounting and a bachelor of business administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She currently is involved in post-graduate study in environmental sustainability through the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Correction, personnel, job openings, end-of-year giving, more

• Correction: An incorrect post office box number was given for the John Kline Homestead Preservation Trust in a recent issue of Messenger magazine. The correct address is John Kline Homestead Preservation Trust, Linville Creek Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 274, Broadway, Va 22815.
  
  
• The Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc., has announced that James C. Gibbel has accepted the responsibility of assistant treasurer, filling a position formerly held by Ronald G. Lutz. Lutz had served as a volunteer for 32 years, as the primary contact person for the Brethren Encyclopedia receiving book orders and payments, managing financial matters, and reporting to the board. Gibbel is a member of the Church of the Brethren and president of Gibbel Insurance Agency in Lititz, Pa. In other volunteer leadership positions in the church he has served on the board of Brethren Benefit Trust, has been a district delegate to the Standing Committee of Annual Conference, and was chair of the Brethren Peace Fellowship Coordinating Committee. Also joining the board of the Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. is Isaac (Ike) V. Graham, pastor of Orrville (Ohio) Grace Brethren Church and a member of Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International.
  
  
• The New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center is thanking Alene Campbell for her service as volunteer hostess in the Old Main building for the month of November.
  
  
• Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) seeks a manager of Pension Operations to fill a full-time salaried position based at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Functions include to manage the daily operations of the Pension Plan and assist the director of the Pension Plan and Employee Financial Services with plan administration. The scope of duties includes managing the daily operations of the Pension Plan, assisting and coordinating activity with staff associated with the pension department as needed, developing proficiency with pension software, overseeing and maintaining integrity and functioning of electronic and hardcopy records, providing direct customer service, reviewing and maintaining administrative policies and practices that support regulatory compliance. The Pension manager travels to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, BBT Board meetings, and other denominational events as assigned. BBT is seeking a candidate with excellent communication skills who has an undergraduate degree in human resources or business. The ideal candidate will have experience and expertise in compensation and employee benefits management, with human resources and employee benefits certifications/designations a plus. Active membership in the Church of the Brethren is preferred, active membership in a faith community is required. Salary and benefits are competitive with Church Benefits Association agencies of comparable size and scope of services. A full benefits package is included. Send a letter of interest, resume, three references (one or two supervisors and one or two colleagues), and salary-range expectation to Donna March, 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 or dmarch_bbt@brethren.org. For questions about the position, call 847-622-3371. For more information about BBT visit www.brethrenbenefittrust.org. Interviewing will begin by Dec. 17, and the position should be filled on or after Jan. 2, 2010.
  
  
• Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) is seeking a manager of sales for health and welfare benefits. This is a full-time salaried position in Insurance Services. The primary responsibility is to sell insurance plans and services to agencies and groups of the Church of the Brethren and to similar organizations. The scope of duties includes working with staff to develop a progressive strategic plan for the sales of all insurance products. Critical to the role is developing and maintaining relationships with those whom BBT exists to serve, which includes providing insurance consultations to both employers and employees. Sensitive to these consultations, the manager will collaborate with staff for the creation of resources and implementation of procedures to support BBT’s insurance ministry. The manager is expected to spend significant time traveling. BBT is seeking a candidate with an undergraduate degree in business, economics, or a related field of study. At least five years working in the health and welfare benefits insurance industry is expected. Willingness to develop an understanding of church insurance plans is important. The successful candidate will be a licensed Life and Health Insurance Agent or willing to become licensed. Current and active membership in the Church of the Brethren is preferred; current and active membership in a faith community is required. Salary and benefits are competitive with Church Benefits Association agencies of comparable size and scope of services. A full benefits package is included. The position will be filled as soon as possible. Send a cover letter, resume, three references (one supervisor, and two colleagues or work associates), and salary expectation to Donna March, 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 or dmarch_bbt@brethren.org. For questions about the position, call 847-622-3371. For more information about BBT visit www.brethrenbenefittrust.org.
  
  
• The Gather ’Round curriculum seeks freelance curriculum writers to write for the 2011-12 year. Gather ’Round is a project of Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network. Writers are needed for Preschool (ages 3-4), Primary (K-grade 2), Middler (grades 3-5), Junior Youth (grades 6-8), and Youth (grades 9-12). All writers will attend an orientation conference in April 2010 and begin writing thereafter, with deadlines staggered quarter by quarter. Writers prepare weekly materials for teacher’s guides, student books, and resource packs. Compensation varies according to the age group and the number of weeks (12-14) in a given quarter. For more information and to apply, visit the "Contact us" page at www.gatherround.org. Deadline extended to Dec. 18.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren’s finance staff are reminding donors to postmark 2009 gifts to the church by Dec. 31. Donations must be dated and postmarked by Dec. 31 in order for the donor to receive 2009 charitable gift tax credit.
  
  
• On Earth Peace staff member Marie Rhoades is one of the panelists at a fall program of the United Nations Sub-Committee for the Elimination of Racism of the NGO Committee on Human Rights. Rhoades is program coordinator for Peace Education for On Earth Peace. Joining her on the panel will be Sasha Simpson, a graduate of the Agape Satyagraha program of On Earth Peace and First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa. "On Earth Peace is a participant because the sub-committee found their Agape Satyagraha (program) to fit this year's theme on ‘making a difference,’ " reported Doris Abdullah, the Church of the Brethren’s UN representative and a member of the sub-committee. The panel presentation is open to the public. It will take place Dec. 3, at 1-3:30 p.m. in the Boss Room at the UN Church Center in New York City.
  
  
• The reverse offering from National Junior High Conference has now topped $7,000, reports Becky Ullom, director of the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Each participant in the conference received $10, made possible through a $4,000 grant from the church’s Core Ministries Fund and the office of Stewardship and Donor Development, and were invited to take the money home and increase the investment.
  
  
• Nathan and Jennifer Hosler, mission workers with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have shared the following prayer requests: prayer for trauma healing for those in Maiduguri and Jos who have experienced violence, loss of life, and property; and prayer for a movement for peace. "The main training school in EYN is implementing a Peace and Reconciliation curriculum in its two programs--Diploma in Theology and Diploma in Christian Ministry--in order to train future leaders with a foundation of peace," the Hoslers report. "Please pray that the curriculum being prepared would be insightful and would equip students to be peacemakers in their contexts. Please pray for young leaders who are concerned with peace." The couple added a request for prayer for strength as they are separated from family this holiday season, and for their own health and safe travel to various events in the next few weeks--including invitations to visit the home villages of students at Kulp Bible College.
  
  
• The SERRV Store at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., is holding a "75 Percent Off Sale" on Dec. 2-6. SERRV is a nonprofit fair-trade organization started by the Church of the Brethren, working to eradicate poverty by buying and selling crafts and food produced by low-income artisans and farmers around the world ( www.serrv.org).
  
  
• Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa., celebrates its 100th Anniversary on Dec. 12-13.
  
  
• The Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) is celebrating its 50th year. "Brethren Revival Fellowship began in 1959 as a loyal concern movement within the Church of the Brethren," report Harold S. Martin and Craig Alan Myers in an article in the "BRF Witness" newsletter. "We have been calling the church to stand firmly for the veracity of the Bible, urging Brethren not to discard her historic doctrines, and pressing for an ‘as it reads’ understanding of New Testament truth." The article goes on to review the beginnings of the movement following the 1959 Annual Conference at Ocean Grove, N.J., the specific concerns of the BRF, current activities such as publishing of the Brethren New Testament Commentary series, the service of the BRF Committee, and more. Go to www.brfwitness.org or contact BRF, P.O. Box 543, Ephrata, PA 17522.
  
  
• The first annual Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA) International Student Conference on Divided Societies and Victimhood took place in Northern Ireland on Nov. 12-14, according to a release from Bridgewater (Va.) College. The conference was co-sponsored by AEGEE-The European Students’ Forum, the Foundation for International Education in London, the University of San Diego, and the University of Ulster. BCA organized the conference as part of its efforts to provide international education and study abroad with a focus on peace, justice and global citizenship. Founded in 1962 as a consortium of seven institutions of higher education with historic ties to the Church of the Brethren, BCA now operates academic study centers around the world for students from hundreds of US institutions of higher education.
  
  
• The Manchester College Spartans tied for second in the Heartland conference, "our highest football conference ranking since 1968!" according to an e-mail note from college president Jo Young Switzer. Senior Chris Cecil was chosen as the conference Most Valuable Special Teams Player, in Manchester’s first-ever Most Valuable Player in football. In other news from the college in North Manchester, Ind., the public is invited to a Dec. 10 celebration of Jerry Sweeten, who has received a national honor as 2009 Indiana Professor of the Year. A program and reception will begin at 5 p.m. in Flory Auditorium.
  
  
• "The Art of the Book," a CBS Religion Special about art and the Bible, will be broadcast on Dec. 6 (check local listings for station and time). The special is produced with the cooperation of the National Council of Churches, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Islamic Society of North America, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the New York Board of Rabbis. Featured experts are Bill Voelkle, curator of the Department of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York, who reviews the 1,400 illuminated manuscripts collected by the financier Pierpont Morgan; and David Kraemer, a librarian and professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at Jewish Theological Seminary. The program also visits the new Museum of Biblical Art.
  
  
• "A Place for All: Faith and Community for People with Disabilities" is an interfaith documentary airing on ABC-TV affiliates nationwide beginning Dec. 6. It is presented by the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, a coalition of Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic faith groups, as part of ABC’s Vision and Values series. "The issue addressed by the program is critical, as it is estimated that one out of five Americans has a disability," said National Council of Churches general secretary Michael Kinnamon, who appears in the documentary. The film features Rabbi Darby Leigh of Congregation Bnai Keshet in New Jersey and one of the handful of deaf rabbis in the world; members of a Lutheran program for "Definitely Abled Youth"; pastor Beth Lockard of Christ the King Deaf Church; and Brandon Kaplan, a boy with limited sight and speech who recently had the privilege of becoming a Bar Mitzvah.
  
  
  
  
• The New Community Project has launched an e-mail campaign to President Obama in preparation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference on Dec. 7-18 in Copenhagen, Denmark. "We are asking folks to make their own commitments to turn down the heat...as a way of supporting a strong US position to reduce greenhouse gases (and) to show that US consumers need to take responsibility for our role in global warming," said a note from director David Radcliff. Participants pledge to take personal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as hanging clothes to dry, or turning down the thermostat this winter. Go to www.newcommunityproject.org/letter_to_president.shtml.
  
  
• The logo for the 2010 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren was released this week by the Conference Office. Designed by Debbie Noffsinger, the logo illustrates the 2010 theme from John 14:15. The Conference takes place July 3-7 in Pittsburgh, Pa. A theme statement from moderator Shawn Flory Replogle is available online, go to www.cobannualconference.org/pittsburgh/theme.html.

Source: 12/3/2009 Newsline

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Charles Culbertson, Melissa Dixon, Kim Ebersole, Mary Kay Heatwole, Kabi Jorgensen, Jeri S. Kornegay, Donna March, Nancy Miner, Brian Solem, Becky Ullom, LeAnn Wine contributed to this report.

NEWS

• Haiti workcamp continues rebuilding, funding needed for 'Brethren phase.'
  
• Mission executive visits churches and Rural Service Center in India.
  
• 'Martyr's Mirror' provides agenda for Brethren Historical Committee.
  
• New REGNUH collection will benefit small-holder farm families.
  
• Emergency Disaster Fund grants go to Pakistan and Sudan.
  
• Apple pickers flee, fearing Turkish bombing in Iraq.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Martin Marty to speak at Bethany Seminary's 2010 Presidential Forum.

BRETHREN BITS

• Personnel, curriculum writers, Ministry Summer Service, and much more.

Haiti workcamp continues rebuilding; funding needed for 'Brethren phase.'

A second disaster relief workcamp visited Haiti on Oct. 24-Nov. 1, part of a joint effort of Brethren Disaster Ministries and the Church of the Brethren Haiti Mission to rebuild homes following four hurricanes and tropical storms that hit Haiti last year.

Participants included Haile Bedada, Fausto Carrasco, Ramphy Carrasco, Cliff Kindy, Mary Mason, Earl Mull, Gary Novak, Sally Rich, Jan Small, and David Young. Leadership included Jeff Boshart, Haiti Disaster Response coordinator; Ludovic St. Fleur, Haiti mission coordinator and pastor of Eglise des Freres Haitiens in Miami, Fla.; Roy Winter, executive director of Brethren Disaster Ministries; and Klebert Exceus, a consultant for the work in Haiti. The group was joined for much of its trip by leaders from the Church of the Brethren in Haiti.

A highlight was the opportunity to attend the dedication and opening worship service of a new church building in Fond Cheval. The church has been built by the local community as a gesture of gratitude to the Brethren for rebuilding homes in the area. Many people gathered for the dedication, including Brethren from congregations in Port au Prince, the newly formed Haiti Church of the Brethren Leadership Team, and members of Exceus's church. "It was standing room only," Winter said. A special donation to the church's Global Mission Partnerships program helped cover church construction expenses that local Haitians did not donate.

"From there we hiked into the mountains and visited the work in the Mont Boulage area. We saw good work there," Winter said. However, the workcamp spent the bulk of its time--most of a week--rebuilding homes in the city of Gonaives. The group accomplished work on latrines for 18 families, painted 20 houses, and wired 20 houses for electricity.

It was "hot work" Winter said, the heat forcing some participants to stop work by noon. Some workcampers also spent time with the children who would gather at the construction sites. "Many children helped or tried to help with the painting," Winter said. "During breaks workcampers would spend time offering love and comfort. Sometimes they would spell names and talk about the alphabet...just being present with the children."

Boshart reported that "the Haitian supervisor in charge of the project was very satisfied and pleased with the work of the workcampers. During a short worship service on Mont Boulage, where Brethren Disaster Ministries has already completed the rebuilding of 21 homes, mission coordinator Pastor Ludovic St. Fleur recalled a Haitian proverb which says, 'If someone sweats for you, you change a shirt for him.' I believe our workcampers felt this hospitality as we were well cared for by the local church members wherever we went."

The group closed its trip to Haiti with a visit to a Brethren congregation in Cap-Haitien. "For some workcampers, visiting the churches was the most important to them," Winter said. He noted that the Church of the Brethren in Haiti has many preaching points that even St. Fleur has not had a chance to visit. "I am somewhat in awe of the church plant there, how much has been accomplished, and how it's growing," Winter said.

A principle function of the rebuilding project is to support the church in Haiti, to "help create synergy for them," he added. "I believe many of the workcampers were surprised by the difficulty of the situation, especially in Gonaives--water on and off, electricity off part of most nights, no fan, unusual food for some. The hardship became in time a way of being in solidarity with the Haitians, many living in even more difficult situations."

Brethren Disaster Ministries has now completed 72 homes in Haiti, toward a goal of 100. "We need to do 28 more houses," said Boshart, "By my count, at $4,000 per house and $500 per latrine, we're talking $126,000 to do all 28."

"It is significant to mention that we've tried very hard not to show favoritism towards Brethren families who were victims of the hurricanes," Boshart added. "In Gonaives, of the first 30 homes, none of them were Brethren. We now wish to make the next phase our 'Brethren phase,' which would mean building six homes for those Brethren families. This 'Brethren phase' would be $27,000."

"We still need to raise significant funds to accomplish the goal," Winter confirmed. He also hopes that the undesignated reserve funds already expended on the project through grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund can be replenished, anticipating increased giving as the project comes close to reaching its goal. "We have expensed $370,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund for the work so far. So far we have only received $72,500 (as of the end of September) in donations designated for Haiti--the rest came from undesignated gifts."

From now on, Brethren Disaster Ministries will not be using any more undesignated reserve funds in Haiti, Winter announced. "At this point we will build as we receive designated gifts," he said.

A third Haiti workcamp is planned for January 2010. To express interest, contact rwinter@brethren.org or 800-451-4407 ext. 8.

For more about the Emergency Disaster Fund or to donate to the Haiti project online go to www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=give_emergency_disaster_fund.

For a photo album from the workcamp held in Haiti in October, go to www.brethren.org/site/PhotoAlbumUser?AlbumID=9703&view=UserAlbum.

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

Mission executive visits churches and Rural Service Center in India.

During a trip to India in October, Global Mission Partnerships executive director Jay Wittmeyer visited congregations of both the Church of North India (CNI) and the Church of the Brethren in India. He also visited the Rural Service Center in Ankleshwar, following up on a recent review and evaluation of that program.

Wittmeyer was in India from Oct. 15-25, starting with time in New Delhi, then traveling to visit with and preach at historically Brethren congregations of CNI in the Gujarat area. He also met with the directors and board of the Rural Service Center, visited with congregations and leaders of the Church of the Brethren India, and attended a meeting of the "CBGB Trust" (standing for the Church of the Brethren General Board).

CNI is beginning a year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary year this fall, having been formed in November 1970 by several mission groups including the Church of the Brethren. Among other CNI services and events, Wittmeyer was welcomed to a special gathering of historically Brethren congregations of CNI in Ankleshwar. The gathering featured two worship services and was attended by hundreds of people, including Bishop Vinod Malavia, CNI bishop of the Gujarat diocese, and most of the CNI pastors in the area. The CNI celebration was extravagantly welcoming, Wittmeyer reported. Piles of flower garlands were presented to mark the occasion.

At the Rural Service Center, Wittmeyer met with directors Idrak and Rachel Din and attended the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. He visited several family farms with which the center has worked, as a follow up to a review and evaluation of the center that was made possible through the Global Food Crisis Fund.

Wittmeyer reported that the Rural Service Center is doing basic agricultural education, support, and capacity building for the rural community. The center bridges "between the local farmer and the local government," he said, "motivating people to access government facilities."

Services provided by the center include land leveling, information about improved varieties of crops and farming techniques such as "intercropping," and information about government agricultural extension programs. The center also works at connecting poorer farm families with the more well-to-do, who may demonstrate newer or more expensive technologies. An essential focus is to establish trust and communications with the farming community, and offer new ideas. "If you take poor rural farmers, they don't have the margin of land to take a risk to try out new crops and techniques," Wittmeyer explained.

The Dins also "work with Muslims and Christians and Hindus," he added. "Whenever you have an interfaith group going together to look at a farm plot, that's interesting."

In the Ahmadabad area, Wittmeyer visited the CNI Gujarat Biblical Seminary.

He also visited with trustees and members of the CBGB Trust. The relationship of CNI and the Church of the Brethren India is "sensitive" because of a legal dispute over former mission properties, he explained. "We (in the Church of the Brethren in the US) recognize both. We have relationship to both entities," he said, referring to the two church bodies that have emerged from the former Brethren mission in India.

Wittmeyer said he spent time encouraging the two church bodies to have consideration for their future relationship, to think beyond the dispute over property, and to share a concern to respect all of the people who are affected by the issue.

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

'Martyr's Mirror' provides agenda for Brethren Historical Committee.

The Brethren Historical Committee met at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Nov. 6-7. The committee advises the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA), promotes the preservation of Brethren historical records, and encourages Brethren historical research.

On the agenda was a "Martyrs Mirror" Conference to be held at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College on June 8-10, 2010. "The Martyrs Mirror" is a historic book recounting the stories of Anabaptist and Mennonite martyrs to religious persecution in Europe in previous centuries. Note was taken of the copies of the book that are in the BHLA collection, including a copy of the 1748-49 edition printed by the Ephrata Press.

In action items, the committee reviewed the fee schedule for BHLA and recommended that the fee for copies of obituaries be increased to $4, if staff need to search indexes to locate an obituary. The committee also decided to sponsor an insight session at the 2010 Annual Conference and appointed Denise Kettering to serve as presenter. Reports were received from Brethren Press, the Germantown Trust, the Brethren Digital Archives, and several individuals.

The committee is chaired by Ken Kreider and includes Marlin Heckman, secretary, Denise Kettering, and Steve Longenecker. Also meeting with the committee were Church of the Brethren treasurer Judy Keyser and Ken Shaffer, director of BHLA.

Kreider was thanked for his eight years of service on the committee. Since he is not eligible to serve another term, nominations were made to fill the position. The Executive Committee of the Church of the Brethren's Mission and Ministry Board will receive and act on the nomination.

-- Ken Shaffer is director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives.

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

New REGNUH collection will benefit small-holder farm families.

A new "REGNUH: Turning Hunger Around" collection has been announced by the Church of the Brethren's Global Food Crisis Fund, "for donors who wish to focus their response on tangible aspects of development."

The collection features five items that help the world's small-holder farm families achieve healthy and productive lives:

• $15 purchases a jerry can (water jug) to carry and store water in Myanmar.
  
  
• $25 buys two dozen cashew saplings to replenish orchards in Honduras.
  
  
• $40 provides one bag of high quality seed to rice farmers in North Korea.
  
  
• $100 supports a microcredit loan for a small business in the Dominican Republic.
  
  
• $500 helps construct a deep and safe village well in water-stressed Niger.

The designated gifts will be combined with the contributions of others to reach as many small farm families as possible, GFCF manager Howard Royer reported in a recent newsletter.

Descriptive information on each of the five projects is available. REGNUH notecards may be obtained to inform recipients of alternative gifts given in their name at holidays or on special occasions. Contact Global Food Crisis Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; hroyer@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 264.

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

Emergency Disaster Fund grants go to Pakistan and Sudan.

Recent grants from the Church of the Brethren's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) have been given for humanitarian assistance in Pakistan, and health care in southern Sudan.

An allocation of $40,000 responds to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal for assistance in Pakistan. The grant will assist in providing the basic needs of displaced families, mobile health services, schools for children, vocational training for adults, and special programs for women.

A grant of $7,500 responds to an appeal from IMA World Health, following up on a previous allocation of $10,000 provided in Sept. 2007. IMA received initial funding from a special Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) to develop basic health services in the Jonglei and Upper Nile States of southern Sudan. Additional funding from MDTF has been withheld for unclear reasons, and this grant will continue to support IMA's work in Sudan while efforts are made to restore the MDTF funding.

In other disaster relief news, the church's Material Resources program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., has begun its busy fall season. The program processes, warehouses, and ships relief materials.

"Boxcars containing Lutheran World Relief quilts, kits and soap have started to arrive from Michigan and Wisconsin--six so far," said a recent report. "We also received a piggyback trailer from Spokane, Wash., and several large donations from Pennsylvania." Recent shipments made on behalf of CWS consisted of blankets, school, baby and hygiene kits to Biloxi, Miss., for the homeless; blankets to Marion, Iowa, in response to flooding; and blankets to Pennsylvania for disadvantaged workers. IMA World Health orders of medicine have been packed for Cuba, Honduras, Kenya, Haiti, Nicaragua, Korea, Cambodia, Togo, Bangladesh, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

Apple pickers flee, fearing Turkish bombing in Iraq.

Church of the Brethren member Peggy Gish has returned to her work in Iraq volunteering with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). She is part of a team currently supporting Kurdish villages in northern Iraq that have been threatened by bombings from neighboring Turkey. The following is a report on her work, dated Oct. 24:

"Large clusters of ripe apples weighed down branches as Kaka Najeeb, the leader of Merkajia, a Kurdish Iraqi village near the Turkish border, led members of the Iraq team from Christian Peacemaker Teams through his orchard. 'This is one of the best apple crops we've had,' he said. 'With our hired workers it would take us about a month to complete the harvest. Without help, most of the apples will rot.'

" 'Our workers heard that the Turkish Parliament extended for another year the permission for the Turkish military to continue military strikes against Kurdish rebels in the border mountains,' Najeeb continued. 'So when Turkish military planes flew low over the trees the past three days, the workers believed the planes had come to bomb. They all fled.'

"This is not the first time Merkajia, an Assyrian Christian village, has been attacked. During the Anfal of 1987-88, a genocidal campaign carried out by Saddam Hussein's regime, Merkajia and its surrounding villages were destroyed, and the people scattered to other parts of Iraq. Then after the Kurdish uprising in 1991, the 200 families returned and built a new village uphill from the remains of the old. During the 1990s, Turkish soldiers bombed the villages and kidnapped and tortured the residents. These attacks destroyed homes, farmland, livestock, crops, and displaced hundreds of families.

"In recent years, soldiers at the nearby Turkish base which lies inside Iraq about 12 kilometers from the border, have periodically launched rockets at Merkajia and other villages, usually during the spring or summer harvests. In order to go the nearest town, Kani Masi, residents must pass the Turkish base with its tanks and surveillance equipment. While the people in many of the other Christian and Muslim villages in that region have been afraid to return, a small number of men and a few women continue to stay in Merkajia.

"Turkey claims it is targeting Kurdish rebel fighters who have attacked Turkish soldiers, yet most of their strikes are in these civilian villages and not in the stronghold areas of the rebel group, giving the people reason to believe that one purpose of the attacks is to clear the border areas of residents and destabilize the region.

" 'We are a peaceful people and just want to remain in the village of our ancestors,' another resident told us. 'Turkey does this for military purposes. We are the victims of this war. The US government is supporting Turkey's actions. It doesn't care about the Kurdish people, just about their own purposes and profits. We love the American people, but not the American government and what it does.'

" 'Please raise our voices to the people of the world. Do what you can to stop this bombing,' Najeeb exclaimed. 'Our apples and crops would provide for all we need to be happy here, if we are allowed to live and work here in peace.'"

(Find out more about the work of CPT, originally begun as an initiative of the three Historic Peace Churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers) at www.cpt.org.)

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

Martin Marty to speak at Bethany Seminary's 2010 Presidential Forum.

The 2010 Presidential Forum at Bethany Theological Seminary will feature Martin E. Marty as speaker on the theme, "When Strangers Are Angels: The Spiritual and Social Movement of Brethren, Friends, and Mennonites in a New Century." The event is scheduled for April 9-10 at the Bethany campus in Richmond, Ind.

Marty is well known as a commentator on religion and culture. He is a columnist for "The Christian Century" magazine and edits "Context," a semi-monthly newsletter on religion and culture. He holds the position of distinguished service professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, and continues weekly contributions to "Sightings," an electronic editorial published by the Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

The forum also will feature panelists from the three Historic Peace Churches (Church of the Brethren, Friends, and Mennonites). Online registration at www.bethanyseminary.edu will begin in January.

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

Personnel, curriculum writers, Ministry Summer Service, and much more.

• Juniata College president Thomas R. Kepple Jr. has agreed to extend his current employment contract through May 2013. Juniata is a Church of the Brethren-related school in Huntingdon, Pa. Kepple was scheduled to retire in May 2011. In addition, the contracts of Kepple's senior management team--James Lakso, provost, and John Hille, executive vice president of enrollment and retention--also have been extended. Kepple arrived at Juniata from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., where he was vice president for business and community from 1989-98. Previously, at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., he served as director of administrative services 1975-81, dean of administrative services 1981-86, and provost 1986-89. He holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Westminster College, and a master's degree in business administration and a doctorate in education from Syracuse University.
  
  
• The Gather 'Round curriculum seeks freelance curriculum writers to write for the 2011-12 year. Gather 'Round is a project of Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network. Writers are needed for Preschool (ages 3-4), Primary (K-grade 2), Middler (grades 3-5), Junior Youth (grades 6-8), and Youth (grades 9-12). All writers will attend an orientation conference in April 2010 and begin writing thereafter, with deadlines staggered quarter by quarter. Writers prepare weekly materials for teacher's guides, student books, and resource packs. Compensation varies according to the age group and the number of weeks (12-14) in a given quarter. For more information and to apply, visit the "Contact us" page at www.gatherround.org. Deadline for applications is Nov. 30.
  
  
• Applications for the 2010 Ministry Summer Service program are due Feb. 1. Ministry Summer Service is a leadership development program for college students in the Church of the Brethren. Students accepted into the program will spend 10 weeks of the summer working in the church, either in a local congregation, a district office, a camp, or a denominational program. "Through MSS, God is calling congregations to reach out in the ministry of teaching and receiving. God is calling young adults to explore the possibility of church work as their vocation," said an announcement. Students will receive a $2,500 tuition grant, food and housing for 10 weeks, $100 per month spending money, transportation from orientation to their placement, and transportation from their placement to home. Churches who host a student are expected to provide an atmosphere for learning, reflection, and development of leadership skills; a setting for a student to engage in ministry and service for a 10-week period; a stipend of $100 a month, plus room and board, transportation on the job, and travel of the intern from orientation to the placement site; a structure for planning, developing, and implementing ministry projects in a variety of areas; and financial resources and time for the pastor or a mentor to attend two days of orientation. Students and congregations must apply by Feb. 1, 2010. Go to www.brethren.org/mss for the application form and more information.
  
  
• "The brochure for the 2010 workcamps has arrived!" says an announcement from the Youth and Young Adult Office of the Church of the Brethren. "In a National Youth Conference year, most workcamps offered are for junior high youth but there are still options for senior high youth, including an intergenerational workcamp co-led by On Earth Peace and the 'We Are Able' workcamp co-sponsored by Caring Ministries." In addition, a young adult workcamp in Haiti is scheduled for the end of May. Registration opens Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. central time. For more information or to request a brochure, go to www.brethren.org/workcamps or contact cobworkcamps@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 286.
  
  
• On Earth Peace continues to receive applications for its annual Middle East Delegation, which will travel to Israel and Palestine on Jan. 5-18, 2010. The delegation is co-sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams. "Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?" asks an announcement. "This is not a typical guided tour of the Holy Land. It is a journey in faith and forgiveness. Meet the ordinary Israelis and Palestinians who are seeking to come together for peace." For more information go to www.onearthpeace.org/programs/special/middle-east-peacemaking/delegations.html or contact delegation leader and On Earth Peace executive director Bob Gross at bgross@onearthpeace.org or 260-982-7751.
  
  
• On Earth Peace is inviting young adult artists and graphic artists affiliated with the Church of the Brethren to submit a design for the an annual report poster. Each year, On Earth Peace designs a poster, with the annual report appearing on the back. "However, it is the poster on the front side that (people) tend to look forward to the most!" said the announcement. "Some posters remain relevant and popular for years, encouraging peace." The theme for the 2010-11 poster is taken from Jeremiah 29: 4-7 and 10-11, with a focus on verse 11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Submissions must be high-resolution electronic submissions only; able to be reproduced on a 22 inch by 17 inch poster; with the scriptural theme (Jer. 29:11) written out. Submissions with the additional verses also are welcomed. Submissions should include the artist's contact information (telephone and e-mail). An award/honorarium of $300 is given to the artist of the poster selected. Eligibility: artists age 18-35 years, affiliated with the Church of the Brethren (through a congregation, church-related college, or family connection). Deadline for submissions is Dec. 31. Send submissions and questions to Gimbiya Kettering Lim, On Earth Peace communications coordinator, at gkettering@onearthpeace.org or 202-289-6341. For more information go to www.onearthpeace.org/opportunities/PosterContest.html.
  
  
• Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger was one of more than 40 American faith leaders to sign a letter calling for Congress to do everything in its power to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The letter sponsored by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) states in part, "Guantanamo is the symbol of our country's violation of our deepest values. Regardless of how it is operated now compared to how it was operated in earlier years, it stands, in the minds of hundreds of millions of people in our nation and around the globe, as a place where America broke faith with itself and used torture as an interrogation technique."
  
  
• NRCAT is offering two resources for congregations and clergy this winter: "Advent 2009: Resources for Christian Clergy" gives worship resources for clergy to address the issue of torture during this Advent season, a free download is at www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=288. A "300 in 30" campaign aims to recruit 300 congregations in at least 30 states to view and study a 20-minute video about torture, titled "Ending US-Sponsored Torture Forever," between now and April 1, 2010. The video can be viewed online, ordered for $5 in DVD format, or downloaded as an .m4v file. Discussion guides, online help for facilitators of congregational discussions of torture, and other resources are provided as part of the campaign. Go to www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=384&Itemid=289.
  
  
• New from Brethren Press is the Winter quarter's "A Guide for Biblical Studies," the Brethren Bible study curriculum for adults. "Christ, the Fulfillment" is written by Chris Bowman, pastor of Oakton Church of the Brethren in Vienna, Va. The study focuses on Jesus' coming as the Messiah, and how he fulfills Old Testament prophecies. The study includes a daily scripture and a weekly lesson for the quarter, and questions for individual preparation and classroom use. Order from Brethren Press for $4 per copy, or $6.95 for large print, plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712.
  
  
• "Footprints" (formerly the Eastern Regional Youth Conference) will be held Nov. 20-22 in Chambersburg, Pa. David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project, will be the keynote speaker. "This year it has a brand new look and a new name," said an announcement of the event. "The title comes from the idea that each of us is on a journey. Our footprints are taking us in new and exciting directions as each of us strives, in our own way, to follow in the footsteps of Christ." The event will include workshops and a service project. Cost is $125 for youth and advisors. Contact Karen Duhai at 814-643-0601 or kduhai@hotmail.com.
  
  
• Bethel Ministries, a nonprofit faith-based program connected with Mountain View Church of the Brethren in Boise, Idaho, helps men leaving incarceration change their lives to become law-abiding, productive members of society. The ministry is holding its 2009 Graduation and Resident Testimonials Banquet on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. at the church. "You are invited to join us for a wonderful evening of celebration and praise!" said the announcement. "A unique opportunity to hear what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ, not only for the graduating Bethel residents but also our community." The guest speaker is Michael Johnson, a deputy warden at Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Contact graduation@bethelministries.net or 208-345-5988.
  
  
• Sunnyslope Brethren/United Church of Christ in Wenatchee, Wash., held its first "Harvest Celebration" on Oct. 11, celebrating a year of sponsoring a growing project with the Foods Resource Bank. The Church of the Brethren participates with the Foods Resource Bank through the Global Food Crisis Fund. The Sunnyslope growing project supports the Totonicapan Program in Guatemala.
  
  
• The John Kline Homestead Preservation Trust has received statements of support from the Broadway (Va.) Town Council and the Shenandoah District Board. Paul Roth, a leader in the effort and pastor of the nearby Linville Creek Church of the Brethren, reported that the district board expressed "unanimous affirmation of support" for raising funds to purchase the homestead. "We hold in the highest esteem your efforts to preserve what may be the most important historical preservation project ever undertaken on behalf of the Brethren," the statement said. "Elder John Kline certainly stood for and lived the very principles that we still hold in highest regard. For that reason alone this undertaking is one that will, Lord willing, provide education to the young and old of our denomination and valley for many years to come." The John Kline Homestead Preservation Trust has been created in hopes of preserving the home of Elder John Kline, a Civil War-era Brethren leader and peace martyr. At the end of October, the trust received a check for $3,250 from the Margaret Grattan Weaver Foundation in Harrisonburg, Va., which supports preservation of the religious heritage of the Shenandoah Valley. Brethren across Shenandoah District are raising funds for the John Kline Homestead at a Spaghetti Supper Extravaganza on Dec. 11 at Briery Branch Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Va. "Momentum is building!" Roth said "We have raised over 50 percent of the money for our goal of $425,000. Gifts and pledges thus far total over $215,000."
  
  
• Shenandoah District senior high youth will participate in a "30-Hour Famine" at Dayton (Va) Church of the Brethren on Nov. 20-21. The event raises awareness of hunger and poverty.
  
  
• Members of Lower Deer Creek Church of the Brethren in Camden, Ind., have been having fun with a food collection project called "Raise the Turkey, Hide the Pastor." The church is collecting food for the Carroll County Food Pantry, and stacking it in front of the pulpit with the goal of eventually hiding pastor Guy Studebaker.
  
  
• South Waterloo (Iowa) Church of the Brethren has a new website: www.southwaterloochurch.org.
  
  
• WFMY News 2 in North Carolina reports that a rural area of about 2,300 acres in southwest Forsyth County with ties to Fraternity Church of the Brethren and Hope Moravian Church is "one step closer to becoming a national historic rural district." The station reports that the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee agreed on Oct. 8 to put the historic rural district application for the Hope-Fraternity area on the North Carolina Study List, a step toward National Register recognition. See the story at www.digtriad.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=132775&catid=57.
  
  
• Virlina District in October delivered about 650 pounds of Gift of the Heart Kits for disaster relief to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The district collects clean-up buckets, hygiene kits, school kits, or other kits donated by congregations at its District Resource Center.
  
  
• The 25th annual Brethren Heritage Day held at Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va., netted $30,769.91 in support of ministries of the camp and Virlina District.
  
  
• Brethren Village, a Church of the Brethren retirement community in Lancaster, Pa., has opened its new Courtyards and Welcome Center, according to the "Lancaster Intelligencer Journal." The new facilities include 120 private rooms in a home-like environment. A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 8 featured Atlantic Northeast District executive minister Craig Smith as the keynote speaker.
  
  
• Brethren Village has announced the appointment of board members F. Barry Shaw of Elizabethtown, Pa., who was appointed chair of the Board of Directors; along with Douglas F. Deihm and Alan R. Over, both from Lancaster, Pa.
  
  
• Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., and Parkview Health Systems have announced a collaboration on the college's new School of Pharmacy campus in central Fort Wayne, Ind. In 2012, the college will assume the Fort Wayne Cardiology building on Parkview Health's Randallia campus, according to a release from the college. The release added that Manchester will now focus on hiring a dean for the new campus, carrying out the extensive pre-accreditation process for a School of Pharmacy, and raising $10 million in start-up costs. Manchester expects to enroll 265 students into the School of Pharmacy, with 30 faculty and 10 staff members.
  
  
• In more new from Manchester, the leader of the college's environmental studies, Jerry Sweeten, will be honored in Washington, D.C., as the 2009 Indiana Professor of the Year on Nov. 19. Sweeten and his family attend North Manchester (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. He is among 38 state winners being honored, along with the 2009 US Professor of the Year. The award is given by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Sweeten is the second member of the Manchester College faculty to receive the award; art professor emeritus James R.C. Adams was the 2002 US Professor of the Year.
  
  
• Nathan H. Miller, an attorney and businessman from Harrisonburg, Va., has been named chair of the Bridgewater (Va.) College Board of Trustees. Miller also is a former representative to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1972-75, and a former state senator from 1976-83. He replaces outgoing chairman James L. Keeler of Moneta, Va.
  
  
• Bridgewater College has announced two major construction projects, one of which will improve two existing student residence halls and another which will provide new village-style student housing. The first phase of both projects will get under way in Feb.-March 2010 and be completed by August, in time for the 2010-11 academic year.
  
  
• The November edition of "Brethren Voices," the monthly community television program offered by Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren, utilized seven photographic sources for the half-hour show about the International Day of Prayer for Peace. Photos and video segments were submitted by congregations from as far away as Philadelphia to San Diego. "This seemed to exemplify the opportunities that exist for this Brethren community television program," said producer Ed Groff in an invitation for other Brethren congregations to submit photos or video. "Brethren Voices is requesting video footage or photographs and stories about your experiences as a volunteer with Brethren Disaster Ministries or your congregation's involvement with Heifer International," Groff wrote. The December show will feature the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries, along with an interview with director Roy Winter. The January program will take a look at the Heifer International Global Village at Camp Shepherd Springs in Maryland. Another program in the works will feature interviews at the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan, where the directors serve through Brethren Volunteer Service. For more information contact Ed Groff at groffprod1@msn.com.
  
  
• Record numbers of Americans are going hungry, according to new data released by the US Department of Agriculture this week. More than one in seven, or 14.6 percent of American households, suffered from food insecurity in 2008. The 3.5 percentage point increase from 2007 is the largest one-year increase since the USDA first began publishing data. However, Bread for the World president David Beckmann commented in a release that the new data "is not surprising," as he commented on skyrocketing unemployment and the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs. "What should really shock us is that almost one in four children in our country lives on the brink of hunger," Beckmann said. According to the USDA report, in 2008, 16.7 million children, or 22.5 percent, were "food insecure"--4.2 million more than the year before. "We must make serious progress against child hunger when Congress renews child nutrition programs next year," Beckmann said. "To end hunger, our leaders need to strengthen nutrition programs and provide steady jobs that allow parents to escape the cycle of poverty and feed their families for years to come."
  
  
• SERRV is announcing new markdowns of more than 150 items from its Fall/Winter Catalog, "just in time for holiday shopping!" The announcement assured shoppers that "while you are getting a great deal, as always, our artisans have been paid fairly and in full." SERRV is a nonprofit fair trade organization with the mission "to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide," and began as a Brethren program. For more go to www.serrv.org.
  
  
• Tana Durnbaugh of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., is the 2009 recipient of the Elgin-South Elgin Church Women United Human Rights Award. Her peace and justice ministry includes activities with Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice and Christian Peacemaker Teams.
  
  
• Paula Worley of Wichita, Kan., received the Young Alumni Award from McPherson (Kan.) College on Oct. 2 during Honors Convocation at homecoming. She is a family physician at GraceMed Health Clinic.
  
  
• Virginia Meadows, director of programs at the Second Mile in State College, Pa., received the 2009 Church College Young Alumni Leadership Award from Juniata College at an Oct. 16 ceremony at the Middle Pennsylvania District Conference. She received the award for her work at Camp Blue Diamond in Petersburg, Pa., where she worked as program director from 2004-07.
  
  
• New at www.brethren.org/ccs is a video about the 2009 Christian Citizenship Seminar. The event was held this spring in New York City and Washington, D.C., for high school age youth to engage the issue of modern-day slavery.
  
  

Source: 11/18/2009 Newsline

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Charles Culbertson, Jeanne Davies, Ed Groff, Shawnda Hines, Jeri S. Kornegay, Nancy Miner, Al Murrey, Anna Speicher, Becky Ullom, and John Wall contributed to this report.