Thursday, May 31, 2012

Brethren bits.

  • Correction: The Ministry Excellence Project referred to in the Newsline of May 16 is a joint program of both Church of the Brethren districts in Indiana under a grant from Lilly Endowment: Northern Indiana District and South Central Indiana District.
  • The National Council of Churches (NCC) has elected a new transitional general secretary: nationally known change management consultant and active Congregational laywoman Peg Birk. She is president and CEO of Interim Solutions, Minneapolis, Minn., a former City Attorney of St. Paul, former adjunct faculty member of the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, and a former interim president for the Fund for Theological Education, among other positions. She is a member of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The transitional general secretary will be in place for 18 months to work with the NCC board and staff to seek a new vision and clarity of mission for the NCC, according to a release.
  • Rebekah Houff, May 2012Rebekah Houff has been named coordinator of outreach programs for Bethany Theological Seminary, to begin June 1. She is a 2012 graduate, having earned a master of divinity degree with an emphasis in youth and young adult ministry. In this one-year position, she works with Russell Haitch, associate professor of Christian education and director of the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults, to expand the institute’s current programs, explore implementation of pilot projects for future programs, and assess ways for Bethany to strengthen outreach in youth and young adult ministry. Her responsibilities include facilitation of educational opportunities for congregations, current Bethany students pursuing a youth and young adult ministry emphasis, and leaders in this ministry field, as well as events for youth and young adults themselves. A key responsibility is to plan and facilitate the 2013 Exploring Your Call, a 10-day seminar for high school students finishing the sophomore, junior, or senior year to consider how faith, vocation, and God’s call intersect in their lives. Exploring Your Call is held June 15-25 at the seminary campus in Richmond, Ind. Houff has previously served in the denomination’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry, coordinating national conferences and workcamps, and has provided youth ministry leadership in several districts and congregations.
  • Francine Massie began May 22 as administrative assistant for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, working out of the academy offices on the campus of Bethany Seminary in Richmond, Ind. She holds an associate’s degree in applied business from Bowling Green State University and has 20 years of experience in a variety of office settings. She has served as a marketing secretary at Friends Fellowship Community and a secretary at First Christian Church, both in Richmond, and as office manager/secretary at KC Creations in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Most recently she was an administrative assistant for the Area 7 Workforce Investment Board in Springfield, Ohio, where she coordinated support for the central office and 43 county sites.
  • Sarah Long, a member of Grottoes (Va.) Church of the Brethren, has accepted the part-time position of financial secretary and clerical assistant in the Shenandoah District office. She began her work on May 7, succeeding Jennifer Rohrer, who is working in North Carolina.
  • Brethren Village, a Church of the Brethren retirement community in Lancaster, Pa., has announced that Bethany Seminary student Mary Alice Eller is its summer intern with the pastoral ministry.
  • The 2013 national workcamp assistant coordinators will be Katie Cummings and Tricia Ziegler. Cummings is a recent graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College, where she majored in sociology and minored in peace studies. She comes from Shenandoah District. Ziegler, a 2011 graduate of Bridgewater College, hails from Atlantic Southeast District. She graduated with a biology major and has been pursuing a secondary teaching certificate this year. Both women will begin their work to plan the denomination’s 2013 workcamp season in August.
  • Congregational Life Ministries is welcoming J. Curtis Dehmey as an intern this summer, serving at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Dehmey is a student at Lancaster (Pa.) Theological Seminary. He has already participated in the New Church Planting Conference and will attend National Young Adult Conference and Annual Conference, assisting in a variety of capacities.
  • Brethren Disaster Ministries continues to seek skilled volunteer electricians to work in Minot, N.D., where flooding last year damaged or destroyed thousands of homes. A shortage of local licensed electricians has created a backlog of work that threatens to hinder the recovery. The need is immediate, with dozens of homes waiting for wiring to be completed before reconstruction can continue. Volunteers will work under the direction of the disaster recovery organization in Minot. Specific criteria for volunteer electricians: needed immediately and through the next several months; must have Journeyman’s or higher license; must be willing to serve for a minimum of two weeks. Through Brethren Disaster Ministries’ partnerships, selected individuals will be provided with round-trip transportation, food, and lodging. Call the Brethren Disaster Ministries office at 800-451-4407 or e-mail BDM@brethren.org for details.
Vivek and Shefali Solanky, May 2012
Photo by Jay Wittmeyer
  • The church’s Global Mission and Service staff congratulate India Brethren member Vivek Solanky on his recent graduation from Bethany Theological Seminary. Solanky attended the seminary with support from the denomination’s Global Mission office, accompanied by his wife Shefali Solanky. He completed his studies at the campus in Richmond, Ind., with a master of arts degree with a concentration in Brethren Studies. His presentation was titled, “History of the Conflict Between the Church of the Brethren-India and Church of North India: A Possible Step Toward Conflict Resolution.” Solanky’s path to seminary began when he attended the Historic Peace Church meeting in Asia in 2007, where he became curious about peacemaking and was encouraged to pursue studies at Bethany by American Brethren leaders. He currently is applying to a doctor of ministry program to continue his theological studies in the United States.
  • Jay A. Wittmeyer, executive director for Global Mission and Service, has been appointed as the Church of the Brethren representative to the Board of Directors of Heifer International. Wittmeyer will represent the founding denomination of Heifer, which began as the Church of the Brethren’s Heifer Project.
  • Advance registration ends June 11 for the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo. The Annual Conference will be held July 7-11 at America’s Center in St. Louis. Both online registration and hotel reservations end Monday, June 11, at 10 p.m. (central time). The nondelegate registration fee of $105 per adult for the whole Conference goes up to $140 after June 11, when registration will only be available onsite. For advance registration go to www.brethren.org/ac.
  • The Brethren Historical Library and Archives has posted a list of used books for sale online at www.brethren.org/bhla . The list includes more than 1,500 titles ranging from minutes of annual meetings, to histories of Brethren congregations and districts, to books of theology and biblical study, to old Brethren Press titles, and more. Contact the BHLA staff for more details, including pricing, at brethrenarchives@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 368.
Students at work at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology
Photo by Robert and Linda Shank
  • Harvey E. Good, professor of Biology emeritus at the University of La Verne, Calif., has been instrumental in providing a shipment of 20 boxes of scientific instruments and laboratory supplies to Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) in North Korea. The donated materials support the teaching effort of Robert and Linda Shank, Church of the Brethren members who serve on the PUST faculty with support from the church’s Global Mission and Service office. Robert Shank is dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences at PUST and reported that his students were “ecstatic” about the new opportunities they will receive through the donated supplies. He added that he and others on the faculty count on the new equipment sent by Good and the university “to provide the next step in stocking our labs and supporting grad student thesis research.” In his e-mail to announce that the shipment had left La Verne, Good wrote to the Shanks: “We sincerely hope that the donation of this equipment will in some small way will help to alleviate the famine and lack of nutrition in North Korea.”
  • During the recent NATO meetings in Chicago the Red Cross asked Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) to put five teams of volunteers on “high alert,” according to associate director Judy Bezon. The request for five teams meant 20 volunteers had to be recruited. “I received many responses and the teams were placed on alert,” Bezon reported via e-mail. “One volunteer told me that she was available and would be staying with her daughter in the area, but there would not be any room for others as her daughter had planned for a long time to have a houseful of guests that would be protesting the NATO meetings. One man lived nearby, but would be in Pennsylvania (at the time). He said he considered that to be within driving distance and...offered to take his travel trailer to our work site for a place to get away for breaks and to house six volunteers if necessary.... I truly have phenomenally thoughtful and generous volunteers.”
  • Bear Run Church of the Brethren in Mill Run, Pa., celebrated 90 years on March 25.
  • Plumcreek Church of the Brethren in Shelocta, Pa., is having a 150th anniversary celebration and homecoming on June 3 with morning worship at 10:30 a.m., followed by a meal, and a 2 p.m. anniversary service. RSVP to smlongwell@windstream.net or 724-354-4108.
  • Crest Manor Church of the Brethren in South Bend, Ind., recently finished a project of creating 38 Clean Up Buckets for Church World Service (CWS). The disaster kids of give gallon buckets filled with cleaning supplies are warehoused and distributed through the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. “In all, we collected the materials for these buckets, one item per week, through Lent and finally finished, blessed them a few weeks ago and sent them off,” reports pastor Bradley Bohrer.
  • Richard Yowell, pastor of Cedar Run Church of the Brethren in Broadway, Va., is raising money for Special Olympics by demonstrating his block-breaking strength, according to the Shenandoah District newsletter. On June 6, at SunTrust Bank in Harrisonburg, Va., he will attempt to break six stacks of five patio blocks each in 30 seconds, as the Special Olympics torch arrives in Harrisonburg. Yowell also will join in the Special Olympics torch run.
  • Milledgeville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren is hosting a 3.16 mile run/walk on June 9 in place of the usual 5K. Think John 3:16. “While the event celebrates scripture, it promotes a healthy lifestyle,” said the Illinois and Wisconsin District newsletter. Pastor Rick Koch is a devoted runner. Proceeds will send children to Camp Emmaus and support disaster relief.
  • During the Pacific Southwest District Youth Retreat at Camp La Verne in April, the entire cast and crew of the “Grey's Anatomy” television show was onsite filming the season finale. “It involves a plane crash,” reported district youth advisor Dawna Welch. “It was very exciting!” Camp La Verne is located at an altitude of 6,900 feet, in the mountains above San Bernardino, Calif. The show aired earlier this month on ABC.
  • The Shenandoah District Disaster Ministries Auction has published preliminary results: estimated proceeds of $195,000 (with additional income anticipated), 1,121 diners served at the Friday evening oyster-ham dinner, 311 people enjoyed omelets and 197 chose pancakes at the Saturday morning breakfast, 219 people were served lunch on Saturday, the blood drive collected 27 units. “Thanks again to everyone for a great effort on behalf of Brethren Disaster Ministries!” said the district newsletter.
  • McPherson (Kan.) College has given its annual Citation of Merit awards to alumni. This year’s recipients are Harold and Lynda Connell, Eldred Kingery, and John Ferrell. Since their retirement, the Connells have volunteered in a number of venues especially the Red Cross, Civitan, and Brethren Volunteer Service, and have given time on more than 95 national-scale disasters. Kingery is president and CEO of Calvin Community, a Presbyterian retirement community in Des Moines, Iowa, and has been a member of the McPherson College Board of Trustees and former staff at the Cedars, a Church of the Brethren retirement community in McPherson. Ferrell has been principal, registrar, dean of students, director of admissions and vice-president of advancement and admissions at Central Christian College, and was named “Hometown Hero” in 2002 by the McPherson County United Way and Chamber of Commerce.
  • Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., has received a $1 million research grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to implement and integrate a Genomics Leadership Initiative into the curriculum. It combines and expands Juniata's existing teaching and research in genomics with a developing curriculum designed to provide a solid foundation in the ethical, legal, and societal issues surrounding discoveries in genomics. Juniata is one of 47 colleges and universities nationwide to receive more than $50 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
  • World Council of Churches general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit has condemned the violence in Syria. “I express my deep pain over the massacre of innocent people and especially children that took place last Sunday in Taldou village, in the area of Houla, near Homs, in Syria,” said Tveit in his recent statement. “We, as churches, cannot but condemn this inhumane act and manifest our feelings of solidarity with the families of the victims, mourning their beloved ones.” Tveit expressed grave concern over the cycle of violence that has been continuing in Syria for more than a year. Find the statement at www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/statements/statement-on-violence-in-syria.html.
  • The “Brethren Voices” community television show produced by Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren features Brethren author, historian, and storyteller Jim Lehman in the second of a two-program series this month. Lehman, a member at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., is author of “The Old Brethren” and a number of children’s books, among other writings. In “Brethren Voices” he discusses writing and storytelling and tells one his favorite stories about how Brethren Volunteer Service was begun by young adults at the 1948 Annual Conference. In June, “Brethren Voices” features the youth of Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren who were instrumental to the beginnings of the community’s Caring Cupboard. Contact producer Ed Groff at groffprod1@msn.com for copies. “Brethren Voice” is available for use as a Sunday school resource as well as for distribution on community access cable.
  • Church of the Brethren ordained minister Sam Smith is in his eighth year of organizing a peace recruitment booth at the Cornerstone Music Festival, a summer Christian music festival held in Bushnell, Ill. The festival takes place July 2-7. Smith reports that “we need your help both financially and through your physical presence in running the booth. We’ve averaged 75 young people every year signing the ‘I Will Not Kill’ statement,” which is promoted through the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Contact Smith at 630-240-5039 or FORchicago@comcast.net.
  • Shawn Kirchner, pianist/organist/composer-in-residence at La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, has been named Swan Family Composer in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. “The Los Angeles Master Chorale has often presented Kirchner's choral pieces in their concerts at LA's Walt Disney Concert Hall, and commissioned his 2007 setting of the Pablo Neruda sonnet, Tu Voz and his most recent concert suite, Behold New Joy: Ancient Carols of Christmas,” said an announcement on the chorale website. A tenor with the chorale, Kirchner also sings regularly with the LA Philharmonic. His TV/film credits includes music director for the Church of the Brethren’s 2004 Christmas Eve Special on CBS, and singing on feature film soundtracks including “Avatar” and “Horton Hears a Who,” among others. He was music coordinator for several National Youth Conferences and has led music at Annual Conference.
Source:5/31/2012 Newsline
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Credits

Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. Contributors to this issue of Newsline include eff Boshart, Chris Douglas, Mary Jo Flory-Steury, Ed Groff, Virginia Harness, Julie Hostetter, Herman Kauffman, Donna Kline, Debbie Noffsinger, Robert Shank, Jonathan Shively, Becky Ullom, John T. Wall, Jenny Williams, Jane Yount, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Newsline: May 16, 2012

NEWS PERSONNEL UPCOMING EVENTS RESOURCES BRETHREN BITS
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Bethany Seminary grants 16 degrees at 107th commencement.

Bethany Seminary graduates at 2012 commencement
Photo by: courtesy of Bethany Seminary
Bethany Theological Seminary held its 107th commencement on May 5, 2012, with some 150 people present to celebrate the achievements of 16 graduates. The graduating class and their degrees include: (front from left) Jeanne Davies (MDiv), Linda Waldron (CATS), Jiae Paik (MA), Rebekah Houff (MDiv), Katie Shaw Thompson (MDiv); (standing from left) Aaron Shepherd (MA), Andrew Duffey (MDiv), Benjamin Harvey (MA), Dennis Webb (MA), Vivek Solanky (MA), Nicolas Miller-Kauffman (MA), Parker Thompson (MDiv), Jerramy Bowen (MA), Matthew Wollam-Berens (MDiv), Brandon Hanks (MDiv); (not pictured) Diane Mason (CATS).
Bethany Theological Seminary held its 107th commencement the morning of May 5, in Nicarry Chapel on the Bethany campus in Richmond, Ind. Approximately 150 were present to celebrate the achievements of 16 graduates.

Nadine S. Pence, director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion in Crawfordsville, Ind., gave the commencement address. Pence also previously held the position of professor of theological studies at the seminary. Entitled “Border Crossings,” her comments drew on the scripture texts John 21:1-14 and Acts 10:34-48, recounting the period between Christ’s resurrection and Pentecost.

“You are a border crosser...someone who stands between the places of your life--in the gaps and interstices of life--and who will work to know the people and contexts to which you are called, and the vocation you are to serve among them,” she said. “We are called, as Christians, to live as border crossers, testifying to the presence of the Spirit, to the presence of the Christ when he appears among us.”

President Ruthann Knechel Johansen addressed the gathering with appreciation for both the contributions of faculty and staff to the success of the graduates and the graduates’ own personal and academic gifts. “I mention with gratitude an amazing array of attributes that our faculty and
ministry placement supervisors have identified in the students we honor today: deep thinking, compassionate hearts, impressive scriptural knowledge, self-confidence, wonderful wit and humor, humility, strong relationality, teachable spirits, and commitments to social justice.”

Professional accomplishments by the faculty also were noted, among them the promotion of Tara Hornbaker to professor of Ministry Formation; the completion of a doctor of ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary by Amy Gall Ritchie, director of Student Development; and the promotion of Julie M. Hostetter to executive director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.

Special music was performed by Community of Song, a men’s ensemble from the Richmond, Ind., and Dayton, Ohio, areas. Music for the ceremony consisted of organ-piano duets by Nancy Faus-Mullen and Jenny Williams.

An afternoon worship service, planned and led by the graduates, also took place in Nicarry Chapel. Class members Andrew Duffey, Rebekah Houff, and Jeanne Davies reflected on the themes in the scripture text Ephesians 4:1-16: unity in the Spirit through the bond of peace, the bestowing of spiritual gifts, and the contributions of all to the body of Christ. Each new graduate was given a blessing by members of the faculty to mark the conclusion of their years at Bethany.

Seven graduates received master of divinity degrees: Jeanne Davies of Elgin, Ill.; Andrew Duffey, Westminster, Md.; Brandon M. Hanks, Hatfield, Pa.; Rebekah L. Houff, Palmyra, Pa.; Katie Shaw Thompson, Grundy Center, Iowa; Parker Ammerman Thompson, Grundy Center, Iowa; Matthew Wollam-Berens, Middlebury, Vt.

Seven graduates received master of arts degrees: Jerramy D. Bowen, West Milton, Ohio; Benjamin Wil Harvey, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Nicolas Miller Kauffman, Goshen, Ind.; Jiae Paik, Seoul, South Korea; Aaron Russell Shepherd, Richmond, Ind.; Vivek A. Solanky, Valsad-Gujarat, India; Dennis John Richard Webb, Naperville, Ill.

Two students received certificates of achievement in theological studies: Diane E. Mason, Unionville, Iowa, in absentia; Linda S. Waldron, Clayton, Ohio.

Graduates’ future endeavors include pastoral and congregational ministry, further graduate study, and social service. Bethany Theological Seminary was founded in 1905 and is the graduate
school and academy for theological education for the Church of the Brethren.

-- Jenny Williams is director of communications and alumni/ae relations for Bethany Seminary.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Annual Conference ‘Witness to Host City’ will be school collection.

Pencils collected as part of a kit donation by the youth at Annual Conference
Photo by Sarah Kovacs
Delegates to the 2008 Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., processed an item of business entitled “Query: Conference Witness to the Host City.” The query acknowledges that because Annual Conference is held in various cities, it would be good to give witness to a shared faith in Jesus Christ in these places. Delegates in Richmond adopted the concern of the query and referred it to Program and Arrangements Committee for implementation.

The Annual Conference witness to the city of St. Louis, Mo., will involve the collection of school supplies for the St. Louis Public School system. During the 2012-13 school year, the St. Louis Public Schools will serve approximately 28,000 students in 72 different schools.

Several Church of the Brethren congregations around the denomination have learned recently that a significant part of urban revitalization involves a strong public school support system. Churches, including Churches of the Brethren, are providing leadership in their local communities through their involvement with the local school system. Through these ministries, the churches are finding renewed life in Christ as well.

The list of school supplies was provided by the St. Louis Public Schools, and includes the following: 2 pocket letter size portfolios, glue sticks, ball point pens--medium tip, highlighters, washable markers--10 pack, rulers--12-inch plastic, colored pencils--12 pack, protractors--6-inch plastic, pencils #2, crayons--16 pack, paper filler--3 hole college rule, erasers, primary writing paper, backpacks (black only). (This list also is posted online at www.cobannualconference.org/StLouis/ConferenceWitnessToTheHostCity.pdf.)

Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey recently went to a local store and purchased the entire list of supplies--not including the backpack--for under $18. The color of the backpacks was requested by the St. Louis school staff, and may be difficult to find at this time of year.

Conference attendees who participate in this outreach are invited to bring their donations of supplies to the Sunday morning worship service at Annual Conference on July 8, where they will be received during the offering. Representatives from the St. Louis Public Schools will receive the supplies during the afternoon business session on Tuesday, July 10.

The latest “Moments with the Moderator” video highlights the school collection. Go to www.cobannualconference.org/StLouis/ModeratorMoments.html.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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EDF grants support disaster rebuilding in Alabama, food crisis in Africa.

Brethren Disaster Ministries has received an Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant for $17,000 to continue its work in Arab, Ala., following an EF 4 tornado that hit the town on April 27 last year. In another recent EDF grant, $8,000 has been given to aid food security in the Sahel region of north Africa.

In other news from Brethren Disaster Ministries, associate director Zach Wolgemuth has been elected to the board of National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).

At the rebuilding project site in Alabama, in the area of Arab, more than 200 volunteers have given more than 1,400 days of service to build two new homes and repair 20 others. Brethren Disaster Ministries’ current case load includes one additional new home and approximately six home repairs. The grant will underwrite operational expenses related to volunteer support including housing, food, and travel expenses incurred onsite as well as volunteer training, tools, and equipment needed for rebuilding and repair. Previous EDF allocations to the project total $30,000.

The allocation of $8,000 responds to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal following unusually low rainfall, low crop production, and food insecurity in the Sahel region of north Africa. Also a factor in the food insecurity is political strife/violence in north and west Africa. This complex humanitarian crisis affects more than 15 million people. The Church of the Brethren grant supports CWS as it leads a response to the emergency working with partner organization Christian Aid in providing emergency food assistance, seeds, and other emergency assistance to more than 83,000 people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Brethren disaster volunteer Steve Keim receives awards.

Brethren volunteer project director Steve Keim receives awards
Photo by Gene Borochoff, NECHAMA
Steve Keim, a volunteer project director for Brethren Disaster Ministries, received awards at the 2012 National VOAD conference on May 8. He was named Volunteer of the Year by National VOAD, and received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. He is shown here (at left) with Daniel Stoecker, executive director of National VOAD.


Steve Keim, a volunteer project leader for Brethren Disaster Ministries, was named Volunteer of the Year by National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) on May 8, during the 2012 Annual VOAD Conference in Norfolk, Va.

A second and completely unexpected award, the President’s Volunteer Service Award, was facilitated by Points of Light and presented to Keim by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Then, to top off the award-giving, FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes) presented him with tickets to Disney World.

The National VOAD Team selected Keim “for exemplifying the core values of the VOAD movement: Coordination, Cooperation, Communication, and Collaboration,”--known as the four Cs. Brethren Disaster Ministries executive director Roy Winter reported that Keim had a standing ovation from the 500-plus people present at the awards ceremony.

The ovation was well deserved. Since the beginning of last year, Keim has served 349 days at Church of the Brethren disaster recovery projects in Indiana, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Alabama. While serving in his leadership role with Brethren Disaster Ministries, he consistently embodies the “4 Cs” of National VOAD in his relations with clients, partner agencies, local businesses, building inspectors, local churches, and disaster volunteers.

“Steve understands the value of volunteers, and he always ensures that each volunteer, regardless of skill level or background, is made a part of the team,” said Zach Wolgemuth, associate director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. “He makes safety a priority and provides proper training, directions, and appropriate work.”

Building inspectors have been impressed by the quality of work done by volunteer crews under Keim’s leadership. “Inspectors would comment about how great it was to work with groups that constructed to code and wanted homes to be built correctly,” said Wolgemuth.

Lisa Warren, who is president for the Marshall County VOAD and recently worked with Keim in Arab, Ala., said she “has heard nothing but good things from all the clients he had been working with. Steve goes out of his way to do extra things for the clients and treats them all with the utmost respect possible.” One disaster survivor affirmed Keim is an “instrument of God’s hands for the edification of the church and the betterment of the world.”

What does Keim make of all the excitement? He admits, “I don't deal well with fussing, especially about me.” He prefers to be an “invisible force behind things,” adding that “it’s all about the volunteers.”
Nonetheless, “Steve is a truly deserving candidate for the National VOAD President’s Award,” said Wolgemuth, who had nominated Keim for the award. “He has proven to be an invaluable volunteer with an unquenchable passion and dedication to service.”

-- Jane Yount is coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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BVSers in Hiroshima help organize peace concert with Brethren singer.

Mike Stern gives peace concert in Hiroshima, Japan
Photo by JoAnn Sims
Brethren folk singer Mike Stern (center, at microphone) gave a peace concert in Hiroshima, Japan, at the invitation of the World Friendship Center. WFC directors JoAnn and Larry Sims, who work at the center through Brethren Volunteer Service, helped organize the event that also featured the WFC Peace Choir and other Japanese musicians.
Brethren Volunteer Service workers at the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan, recently helped organize a concert for peace given by American Brethren folk singer Mike Stern on April 13.

“Congratulations!” was the comment of one participant after over 400 people attended the concert on a rainy April evening in Hiroshima. BVSers JoAnn and Larry Sims, who are volunteer directors of the World Friendship Center, wrote in an e-mail report on the event: “Surely the spirit of Peace is gaining strength!”

The World Friendship Center sponsored and organized the concert. Steve Leeper, chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of the World Friendship Center, served as Stern's translator. The Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation is the city organization that directs all events at the famous Peace Park and directs the Peace Memorial Museum and the International Peace Conference Center.

In addition to Stern, the concert featured Asaka Watanabe, World Friendship Center Peace Choir director, and Japanese musicians sharing songs of peace. The concert was held in the Memorial Cathedral for Peace to an audience of over 400.

The World Friendship Center’s office manager has put together an online “peek” at the concert at https://picasaweb.google.com/worldfriendshipcenter/MikeSternOneWorldPeaceConcertInHiroshima2012413?feat=email#slideshow/5737007319381758690. Photography and editing are by Naomi Kurihara.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Manchester College executive vice president will lead School of Pharmacy.

Ending a nationwide search, Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., is turning to executive vice president Dave McFadden as its new dean for the School of Pharmacy. McFadden, who was influential in establishment of the professional Doctor of Pharmacy program in Fort Wayne, Ind., has served as interim dean for five months. Founding dean Phil Medon resigned in November for health reasons.

“Dave was at the forefront in our thinking and planning for the Pharmacy School and has immersed himself in learning about pharmacy for the past five years,” said president Jo Young Switzer in announcing the appointment, effective May 4. “He worked with the core team that developed the successful $35 million grant proposal for the School of Pharmacy to Lilly Endowment Inc.”

Pharmacy classes begin Aug. 13 on the new campus in north Fort Wayne. Working from a national pool of 470 applicants, Manchester is close to filling its first class of 70 students for the four-year program.

McFadden has more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience. At Manchester, he has led enrollment, strategic planning, and marketing initiatives, as well as the name change to Manchester University scheduled for July 1. He has served as interim dean of academic affairs and assistant professor of political science. He is a 1982 graduate of Manchester College and holds a Ph.D. from Claremont (Calif.) Graduate School.

A search committee reviewed a strong pool of applicants and brought two finalists to the campuses. Afterward, both the committee and Manchester’s national pharmacy consultant recommended McFadden for the position. McFadden will continue as executive vice president, retaining an office on the North Manchester campus but spending the majority of his time in Fort Wayne. For more about the Manchester School of Pharmacy, visit www.manchester.edu/pharmacy.

-- Jeri S. Kornegay is director of Media and Public Relations for Manchester College.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Young Center holds conference on legacy of Alexander Mack Jr.

The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College is holding a conference June 6-8 titled, “Pietist and Anabaptist Intersections in Pennsylvania: The Life and Influence of Alexander Mack Jr.”

This study conference commemorates the 300th birthday of Mack, an important Brethren leader, minister, weaver, and writer of poetry, doctrinal, and devotional works. He was born in Germany, the son of Alexander Mack Sr.--founder of the Brethren movement--and then moved to the Netherlands and then to Pennsylvania, where he eventually became minister of the Germantown congregation.

“Scholars from multiple disciplines will use various methodologies to illumine Mack’s career and writings,” said the flier for the conference. “Some of the presentations will invite reflection on the lasting legacy of Mack in the Brethren context and beyond.”

Speakers include Dale R. Stoffer of Ashland Theological Seminary; Carl Desportes Bowman of the University of Virginia; Stephen Longenecker of Bridgwater (Va.) College; William Kostlevy of Tabor College; Hedda Durnbaugh of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.; Michael Showalter, museum curator of the Ephrata Cloister; Bethany Theological Seminary faculty Russell Haitch, Scott Holland, Denise Kettering Lane, and Daniel Ulrich; Frank Ramirez, pastor and frequent contributor Brethren Press publications and “Brethren Life & Thought”; Karen Garrett, business manager of “Brethren Life & Thought”; and Young Center director Jeff Bach, among others.

In addition, the preliminary agenda for the event includes preconference tours to Germantown and the Ephrata Cloisters, an evening hymn festival, and daily times of devotion. Those who attend the full conference are eligible for 1.85 continuing education units. Registration costs $120, or $135 after May 18. Student and single day rates are available. The tour and housing are additional costs. For more information and a registration form go to www.etown.edu/centers/young-center/files/mack-conference/Mack_conference_brochure.pdfcall or call 717-361-1443.

As a special event during the weekend, Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA) will celebrate its 50th anniversary, “BCA Study Abroad: 50 Years 1962-2012.” The anniversary dinner is June 8 immediately following the close of the conference, with speaker Robert Johansen, fellow at the Joan Kroc Institute of Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. BCA also will honor its longest serving president, Allen Deeter. Cost is $30. BCA is a cooperative organization begun by the Church of the Brethren-related colleges, currently sending nearly 400 students to study in 15 countries around the world and bringing international students to study at BCA partner colleges in the US.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Brethren World Assembly planned for July 2013.

A Brethren World Assembly, consisting of constituents and friends of the Brethren groups descended from the German Anabaptist/Radical Pietist religious leader Alexander Mack in the early 1700s, will be held in the Dayton, Ohio, area Thursday-Sunday, July 11-14, 2013.

The meetings will be hosted by the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio, with evening worship services at Salem Church of the Brethren and Brookville Grace Brethren Church.

Utilizing the theme “Brethren Spirituality: How Brethren Conceive of and Practice the Spiritual Life,” the program will include daily plenary addresses, workshops, and panel discussions on such topics as “Brethren Hymnody,” “Separation from the World and Engagement with the World,” “Brethren Devotional Literature and Poetry,” and more. Friday and Saturday afternoon tours will be offered to historic Brethren sites in the proximity of Brookville and southern Ohio.

A planning committee for the event has been meeting regularly and is being led by Robert Alley, immediate past moderator of the Church of the Brethren. Other groups participating in the event include the Brethren Church, the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International, Dunkard Brethren Church, Old German Baptist Brethren Church, and Old German Baptist Brethren Church, New Conference.

The Brethren movement had its origin in Schwarzenau, Germany, in late summer of 1708 when reformer Alexander Mack and seven others participated in believer’s baptism in the Eder River. According to Alley, the purpose of the gathering is to provide an opportunity for all who value the Brethren heritage to join together in conversation around a common theme. He said, “We would seek to balance study and worship, to enhance dialogue among our Brethren bodies, and to acquaint Brethren with their historic roots. Hopefully, there will be international guests from some of our Brethren bodies.”

Registration will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2013, and the assembly will conclude with Sunday worship services at congregations of the various Brethren groups. Further details regarding lodging, registration costs, and specific program details will be released as the event draws closer. Updates will be available through www.brethrenencyclopedia.org and through the Brethren Heritage Center at www.brethrenheritagecenter.org.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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‘Joshua’ is newest Believers Church Bible Commentary.

Joshua Believers Church Bible Commentary by Gordon Matties"Joshua" by Gordon Matties has been released as the newest volume in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series. The series is a cooperative project of the Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada. The series is published by Herald Press and MennoMedia, and is available to purchase through Brethren Press.

Also new from Brethren Press is the summer quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies.” Written by Kim McDowell, pastor of University Park Church of the Brethren in Hyattsville, Md., the lessons for June-August focus on the theme “God Calls for Justice” and study texts from Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the Kings and Chronicles books, as well as the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

“Joshua” is the 25th volume in the commentary series. In it, Matties calls for “an openness to the unexpected” in the book, and suggests that reading Joshua carefully will open windows into how and why we read scripture at all. “In an age of fear and insecurity, in which ethnic nationalism continues to give rise to conflict and war, we dare not avoid critical engagement with biblical texts that have been used to justify colonialism, conquest, occupation, and ethnic cleansing,” said a publisher’s release. “Building on the idea of scripture as dialogue partner, Matties advocates for the book of Joshua even as he engages in a difficult conversation with it.”

Matties is professor of biblical studies at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Most recently he served as dean of humanities and sciences at CMU, led numerous study tours to Israel/Palestine, and dabbled in film studies. He holds a doctorate in Old Testament from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and is a member of River East Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg where he serves as moderator of the church.

“A Guide for Biblical Studies” may be purchased from Brethren Press for $4.25 per book, or $7.35 for large print--buy one for each member of a study group. “Joshua” may be purchased from Brethren Press for $29.99 plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712 or order from www.brethrenpress.com.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Personnel, NYAC, CCS photo album, Brethren Press consignment sale, much more.

  • Shawn Flory Replogle has accepted the position of district youth coordinator for Western Plains District. The announcement in the district newsletter was made by the Congregational Resourcing Fulfillment Vision Team. He began his work in March participating with the planning team for Regional Youth Conference. Replogle served as moderator of the 2010 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren.
  • The Brethren Service Center, located in New Windsor, Md., is looking for a CDL driver for occasional runs to support worldwide development, relief, and disaster response programs. The driver will be supporting people experiencing poverty, hunger, starvation, famine, violence, or a natural disaster through this ministry. A volunteer is preferred, but a stipend is available for the right driver. Must be at  least 25 years of age with class A CDL and a good driving record. Contact Loretta Wolf at lwolf@brethren.org or 410-635-8795 for more information.
  • June 1 is the deadline to register for National Young Adult Conference (NYAC). This once-every-four-years Church of the Brethren event is June 18-22 at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, on the theme, “Humble, Yet Bold: Being the Church.” Young adults ages 18-35 are invited to register or find more information at www.brethren.org/yac.
  • The New Church Planting Conference on the theme, “Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully,” begins the evening of May 16, hosted at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. “For those of you not able to attend, please continue to uphold this gathering in your prayers,” said a Facebook note from Congregational Life Ministries executive Jonathan Shively.
  • A new online photo album displays pictures from the recent Christian Citizenship Seminar for Church of the Brethren youth in New York and Washington, D.C. Go to www.brethren.org/album/ccs2012.
  • Also new online: statistics from the training workshops held by Children’s Disaster Services last year. In 2011, this innovative Church of the Brethren program trained 156 people to care for children following disasters. This Spring, yet more people have been trained in a 2012 workshop series. Go to www.brethren.org/cds/stats.html.
  • Brethren Press is advertising consignment sales at Annual Conference. Brethren Press makes space available at Annual Conference for individuals and groups to sell items to Conference attendees on a consignment basis. Consignment space must be reserved by June 1. Contact Brethren Press Consignments, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; kstocking@brethren.org.
  • The Church of the Brethren Ministry Advisory Council met May 7-8 at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. A group created by and responsible to Annual Conference, the council brings together representatives from the Church of the Brethren denominational staff, Bethany Seminary, Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, Council of District Executives, and Brethren Higher Education Association. For the last several years, this group has been working diligently to draft new polity for ministerial leadership in the denomination. The paper nears completion as it comes before Annual Conference this summer for a first read. In addition to its work on the Ministerial Leadership Paper, the council heard reports from each represented body and discussed current trends and questions in ministry, education, and placement of ministers.
  • June 10 is the 100th anniversary celebration for Ivester Church of the Brethren in Grundy Center, Iowa. On June 24, Panora (Iowa) Church of the Brethren celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • Trotwood (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is hosting the Manchester College A Cappella Choir on May 21 at 7 p.m. The choir, an auditioned ensemble of 40-50 singers directed by Debra Lynn, tours each spring after May commencement ceremonies. Tours have included performances at Carnegie Hall in New York,  the Vatican in Rome, and other prestigious venues. Trotwood is a stop on this year's tour to other churches in Pennsylvania.
  • Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, Va., hosts the CrossRoads’ spring Civil War bus tour on May 26 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. CrossRoads is a Brethren and Mennonite heritage center. The tour stops at the Widow Pence Farm, Port Republic museum, and other landmarks.
  • At a March 27 meeting, Roann (Ind.) Church of the Brethren voted to leave the denomination, according to a note in the South/Central Indiana District newsletter. Those who voted to remain Church of the Brethren continue to meet weekly at the district office to worship and share. “They would appreciate your prayers as they work through this difficult time,” the newsletter reported.
  • Middle Pennsylvania District Brethren Disaster Ministries is sponsoring a Benefit Dinner/Auction on June 2 at Albright Church of the Brethren in Roaring Spring, Pa. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7. Tickets are $20. Call 814-932-4040 for tickets.
  • “How Can I Afford to Retire?” is the title of a workshop co-sponsored by the South/Central Indiana District Ministry Excellence Project and Timbercrest Senior Living Community. The workshop takes place June 2, 9- 11:30 a.m., in the Assembly Room at Timbercrest in North Manchester, Ind. The workshop is primarily designed for clergy and others who serve the church. More details and registration information can be found at www.ministryexcellenceproject.com/2.html.
  • Virlina District Developmental Disabilities Ministries Committee holds a Potluck Lunch for families of special needs children and adults on June 2, from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. at Summerdean Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va. “Anyone interested in ministry to persons with developmental disabilities are also invited to attend,” said the district newsletter. For additional information, contact Emma Jean Woodard at 540-362-1816 or 800-847-5462 or virlina2@aol.com.
  • Shenandoah District has reported a successful Kit Depot project to collect Church World Service kits for relief. The district newsletter reported that when the truck arrived to load up the several weeks-long collection, “we had at least 1,463 health kits, 315 school kits, 240 emergency clean-up buckets, and six baby kits. In addition, 133 quilts plus other boxes full of quilts and blankets were contributed through Lutheran World Relief. What a blessing that area congregations (not all of them from the Shenandoah District and not all of them Brethren either!) responded with such generosity to those in need both in this country and around the world.”
  • Camp Mt. Hermon’s “Come Along With Me Weekend Camp” has become a tradition and will be offered again this year on June 1-3. “Mark your calendars now, as this is a weekend not to be missed!” said an announcement from the camp in Tonganoxie, Kan. The weekend camp is for children who have finished kindergarten through 2nd grade and an adult over 21 who would like to accompany them. It is a time that the child and adult can worship, learn, play, and work together. For more information contact camp director Dalene Ward at daleneward5555@gmail.com or 402-476-8350.
  • Bridgewater (Va.) College students recognized by the Department of Philosophy and Religion for academic excellence at the annual awards convocation on May 1 included two Church of the Brethren members: Rebekah L. Miller of Bridgewater Church of the Brethren and Jesse Winter of Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren. Miller was presented the Outstanding Senior Award in Philosophy. Winter, a junior, was selected for the Ruth and Steve Watson Philosophy Scholarship Award, receiving a scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year. Also receiving an award from the department was Blake Strother, who received the Outstanding Senior Award in Religion.
  • In more news from Bridgewater, five students including Church of the Brethren member Tyler Goss, are recipients of a 2012 Summer Christian Experience Scholarship and will spend 10 weeks in the summer working at church camps. Each student was awarded $2,500 from the scholarship program, which is funded by the Bridgewater College endowment fund. Goss will serve at Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va. Also receiving the scholarship are Morgan Elkins and Whitney Fitzgerald, who will serve at Shepherd’s Spring in Sharpsburg, Md.; Stina Kang, who will serve at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pa.; and Emily Ridenour, who will serve at Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa.
  • “Jordan’s Stormy Banks,” a theatrical production presented by the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va., will be staged at Eastern Mennonite University’s MainStage Theater in June. A drama in two acts, “Jordan’s Stormy Banks” tells of one Shenandoah Valley family’s struggles during the Civil War and how they reconciled loyalty to family, to country, and to their Lord. “Jordan’s Stormy Banks” is an original production commissioned by the heritage center and written by Elizabeth Beachy Hansen, wrestling with the deep questions of what it means to be true to one’s faith in the midst of extreme trials and challenges. Last performed in 2003, it is being presented as a part of Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration events. Matinee performances are 3 p.m. on June 3, 10, and 17; evening performances are 7:30 p.m. on June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 7-12. Ticket sales and more information can be found at www.vbmhc.org or by calling 540-438-1275.
  • Michael G. Long, associate professor of religious studies and peace and conflict studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, has edited the book "I Must Resist: Bayard Rustin's Life in Letters," a collection of writings by the civil rights activist. According to a college release, the book published on the centennial of Rustin’s birth in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights March on Washington, held in 1963, is Rustin's life story told in his own words. It includes over 150 of his letters, with correspondents including the major progressives of his day, for example, Eleanor Holmes Norton, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Ella Baker, and Martin Luther King, Jr. The book is published by City Lights Publishers, San Francisco. Visit www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100330920 for information about the multiple stop book tour Long is undertaking to promote the book's release.
  • Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., is hosting "Sequential SmArt" on May 18-19, a conference designed for college faculty and secondary school teachers interested in using comics as teaching tools. The conference is the brainchild of several Juniata faculty, said a release: Jay Hosler, associate professor of biology, David Hsuing, professor of history, and Jim Tuten, associate professor of history. Workshop leader is Matt Madden, a comic book author who teaches at Yale University's School for the Visual Arts, with the keynote address by Eric Shanower, author-illustrator of the graphic novel "Age of Bronze," a retelling of Homer's "Illiad." Cost is $75 for the full event or $45 for just the Saturday conference. To register and for more information, go to www.sequentialsmart.com.
  • McPherson (Kan.) College has announced its first graduate-level courses in education starting this Fall. Mark Malaby, director of the graduate courses in education and associate professor of education at McPherson, has spent the last academic year developing the unique curriculum, a release said. McPherson is seeking initial accreditation in fall of 2012 from the regional accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), with the hopes of gaining HLC approval to offer a Master’s in Education degree based on the course offerings. The courses have received the endorsement of the McPherson, Little River, and Smoky Valley school districts, which are encouraging their teachers to enroll in the classes. About half of the classes will be taught by working school administrators and superintendents in the area. The initial graduate level courses are “Issues in Education” and “Foundations of Education.” To apply for the graduate level courses contact Teresa Graham, graduate admissions officer, at graham@mcpherson.edu or 620-242-0485. More information about the program is at www.mcpherson.edu/mastersed.
  • The 39th Annual Brethren Bible Institute, sponsored by the Brethren Revival Fellowship, will be July 23-27 at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. Participants may take one, two or three of nine courses offered during the week. Cost, which includes dormitory housing, meals, and tuition, is $200. The fee for commuting students is $70. Application forms are available from Brethren Bible Institute, 155 Denver Road, Denver, Pa., 17517. Applications must be completed by June 29.
  • The Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio, is making a newly updated book available for purchase: "Roots by the River: The History and Doctrine of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church in Miami County, Ohio,” revised and updated in 2011. The book first published by author Marcus Miller in 1973 covers the history of the very early Brethren moving from the east to the then-wilderness called Ohio, said a release. The book also explains the doctrines and traditions of the early Brethren and their place in local society, with several maps and photographs of early Old German Baptist Brethren leaders. It has expanded and updated to include the story of the latest division in 2009. An index has a large collection of personal and family names, with photographs listed in bold. This first printing was limited to 400 copies. Price is $40 or $36 plus tax for Heritage Friends. Go to http://brethrenheritagecenter.org for more information or to contact the center.
  • Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is holding its 2012 Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., on June 18-19. Participants will enrich their knowledge about the conflict and the work for peace in the Holy Land, said a release. Morning and afternoon workshops will include a variety of topics such as “Jerusalem Update,” “Water in a Dry Land,” and “Middle East Peace and US Federal Elections,” among others. The morning plenary session is on Iran and Middle East peace with Trita Parsi, an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian foreign policy, and the geopolitics of the Middle East. An afternoon roundtable discussion on perspectives for peace will feature, among others, Daniel Kurtzer, former US Ambassador to Israel (2001-2005) and Ambassador to Egypt (1997-2001). The Church of the Brethren is a member denomination of CMEP. For conference details go to www.cmep.org/content/advocacy-conference-2012.
Source:5/16/2012 Newsline
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Credits

Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Robert Alley, Dana Cassell, Joan Daggett, Neal Fitze, Tim Harvey, Mary Kay Heatwole, Nancy Miner, Amy J. Mountain, JoAnn Sims, Karen Stocking, John Wall, Roy Winter, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren.
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Thursday, May 03, 2012

Newsline: May 3, 2012

ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS OTHER NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS BRETHREN BITS
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Business items are announced for the 2012 Annual Conference.

Logo for the 2012 Annual ConferenceThe ten business items to come to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo., on July 7-11 are now available online. Also online is a delegate briefing featuring Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey and secretary Fred Swartz. The series of short videos reviews information that delegates should know before arrival at the Conference. Find videos and links to business items at www.brethren.org/ac/2012-conference-business.html.

The two items of unfinished business are “Query: Guidelines for Implementation of the Congregational Ethics Paper” and “Query: Guidance for Responding to the Changing of Earth’s Climate.”

Eight items of new business will be brought: “Query: Annual Conference Elections,” “Query: More Equitable Representation on the Mission and Ministry Board,” “Church of the Brethren Vision Statement 2012-2020,” a plan for “Revitalization of Annual Conference,” a revision to the denomination’s Ministerial Leadership paper, revisions to denominational polity on districts, updating of the structure for the Program and Arrangements Committee of Annual Conference, and an item related to Church of the Brethren ecumenical witness.

Query: Guidelines for Implementation of the Congregational Ethics Paper

The Congregational Life Ministries staff charged with revising the Ethics for Congregations document requests more time to complete the revision, and offers a timeline. The timeline includes a hearing at this year’s Annual Conference. In 2013 an accountability process will be outlined with the Council of District Executives, a first draft of a revised document will be completed, hearings will be held at Annual Conference, and revision of the document will continue based on that feedback and discussion. In 2014 a revised document will be presented to the Conference for final approval.

Query: Guidance for Responding to the Changing of Earth’s Climate

Peace Witness Ministries and a working group brought together to respond to this query are requesting an additional year to prepare an answer. Since the query was brought in 2011, the working group’s response has included examining the spiritual, ethical, and scientific implications of climate change; initiating a collaboration among Peace Witness Ministries, New Community Project, and the Outdoor Ministry Association to sponsor an exhibit at this year’s Annual Conference; examining ways that individuals, congregations, and the denomination can respond to climate change, and noting actions already being taken. The working group includes Jordan Blevins, Chelsea Goss, Kay Guyer, Greg Davidson Laszakovits, Carol Lena Miller, David Radcliff, and Jonathan Stauffer.

Query: Annual Conference Elections

The query is brought by La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren and Pacific Southwest District. Citing previous Annual Conference statements upholding gender equality, but a voting record showing men more likely to be elected to denominational office than women, it asks, “How will Annual Conference ensure that our ballot preparation and election process support and honor gender equality in all elections?”

Query: More Equitable Representation on the Mission and Ministry Board

This query was formulated by the Southern Pennsylvania District Board. Citing inequitable representation in relationship to percentage of membership in the five areas of the denomination, it asks, “Should the bylaws of the Church of the Brethren be amended to more equitably apportion Mission and Ministry Board representation with the membership of the church?”

Church of the Brethren Vision Statement 2012-2020

The following Vision Statement is proposed for the Church of the Brethren this decade: “Through Scripture, Jesus calls us to live as courageous disciples by word and action: To surrender ourselves to God, To embrace one another, To express God’s love for all creation.” The full document includes an introduction the statement, an expanded description of each phrase in the statement plus related biblical texts, and a section on “Living into the Vision.” The full Vision Committee has included Jim Hardenbrook, Bekah Houff, David Sollenberger, and Frances Beam, all named by the Standing Committee of district delegates; Steven Schweitzer representing Bethany Theological Seminary; Donna Forbes Steiner representing Brethren Benefit Trust; Jordan Blevins and Joel Gibbel representing On Earth Peace; and Jonathan Shively representing the Church of the Brethren denominational staff.

Revitalization of Annual Conference

A task force creating in 2010 has been charged with making a recommendation about the mission and core values of Annual Conference and analyzing whether the meeting should remain in its present form or recommend alternatives. Based on findings from studies and surveys, four recommendations are made (given here in brief): to maintain the present timing and length of the Conference, release Program and Arrangements Committee from the requirement of holding the event from Saturday evening to Wednesday morning, release polity requirements for a strict geographical rotation to allow focus instead on locations that maximize stewardship and minimize costs, and incorporate by 2015 the recommendations of the 2007 “Doing Church Business” paper regarding management of business sessions and use of discernment groups. A “New Vision” section explains and elaborates on the recommendations and the group’s hopes for increasing the meaningfulness and inspiration of the annual meeting. The task force has included Becky Ball-Miller, Chris Douglas (Conference director), Rhonda Pittman Gingrich, Kevin Kessler, and Shawn Flory Replogle.

Revision to Ministerial Leadership polity

The proposal is to approve this document as a study paper, to come back for final adoption by the delegates in a future year. The paper contains the polity and procedures for calling and credentialing of ministerial leadership for the Church of the Brethren. The proposed revision would replace the 1999 Ministerial Leadership Paper and all previous polity documents. Included is some revision to the categories of ministerial leaders, outlining of several “circles of ministry” emerging from the larger circle of the priesthood of all baptized believers, a new section of “Scriptural Theological Perspective,” new expectations for the continuing support for and accountability of ministers, and a glossary of terms, among others.

Revisions to polity on districts

For several years the Council of District Executives has been working on revisions that will reflect the updating of districts. Revisions relate to a polity document that dates back to 1965, and are relevant to Section I, District Organization and Function of Chapter 3 of the denomination’s “Manual of Organization and Polity.”

Updating structure for Program and Arrangements Committee

This brief item recommends that polity be amended to remove a requirement for the Church of the Brethren Treasurer to be on the Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee.

Church of the Brethren ecumenical witness

This report comes from a study committee that has been reviewing the history of ecumenism in the Church of the Brethren and reviewing the work of the Committee on Interchurch Relations (CIR), in place since 1968 to carry forward conversations and activities with other church communions and encourage cooperation with other religious traditions. The recommendation, “given the changing nature of ecumenism,” is to discontinue the CIR and “that the church’s ecumenical witness be expressed by the staff and the church at large.” An additional recommendation is that the Mission and Ministry Board and denominational Leadership Team appoint a committee to write a “Vision of Ecumenism for the 21st Century.” The study committee includes general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger as chair, Nelda Rhoades Clarke, Pamela A. Reist, and Paul W. Roth.

Go to www.brethren.org/ac/2012-conference-business.html for links to the full text of business items.

Source:5/3/2012 Newsline
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Conference officers invite Ministry of Reconciliation to broader role.

For over 20 years, moderators of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference have invited the Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR) of On Earth Peace to provide observers during business sessions. Seated under the “MoR Observer” signs on the edges of the delegate seating area, their role has been to serve the church by being present and attentive, ready to respond where confusion, conflict, or negative emotions are causing a problem in the gathered body.

This year the Annual Conference officers have invited MoR to expand its presence to include the entire Conference, not just business sessions. Identified by a yellow “Minister of Reconciliation” tag in addition to a Conference name badge, these trained volunteers will be available throughout the Exhibit Hall and other Conference venues throughout the day and evening. They also may be reached at the On Earth Peace booth, the Annual Conference Office, and by telephone at 620-755-3940.

Like the MoR observers, Ministers of Reconciliation will be available to listen, to help make sense of the proceedings, to be a peaceful presence in tense situations, and to mediate conflict, facilitate communication, and help navigate misunderstandings. They also will be trained to respond appropriately in the event anyone is being threatened or harmed, whether verbally, emotionally, or physically.

For more information, contact the Conference Office at 847-429-4364 or annualconference@brethren.org or contact MoR program coordinator Leslie Frye at  lfrye@onearthpeace.org or 620-755-3940.

Source:5/3/2012 Newsline
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Moderator makes trip to Spain, visits new Brethren group.

Moderator Tim Harvey with Spanish Brethren pastor Santos Feliz, pastor Fausto Carrasco and translator Lymaris Sanchez of Nuevo Amanacer
Photo by: courtesy of Tim Harvey
Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey (left) during his visit to Spain poses with Spanish Brethren pastor Santos Feliz, lead pastor in Gijón (center left); pastor Fausto Carrasco (center right) and translator Lymaris Sanchez (right) both of Nuevo Amanecer Iglesia de los Hermanos, a Church of the Brethren congregation in Bethlehem, Pa.
Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey has reported on the annual moderator’s international trip to visit mission points or to meet with international Brethren or ecumenical partners. This year the moderator visited with an emerging Brethren group in Spain:

In February, my wife Lynette and I were privileged to visit the Church of the Brethren in Gijón, Spain. We traveled with pastor Fausto Carrasco and a team from Nuevo Amanecer Iglesia de los Hermanos in Bethlehem, Pa.

The trip was scheduled to provide ministerial and theological training for the three Churches of the Brethren in northern Spain. In considering the options available for my international trip, I was glad to visit the Brethren in Spain because they are so eager to be included among the global community of the Church of the Brethren.

The Church of the Brethren in Spain began as members of pastor Santos Feliz’ family began moving from the Dominican Republic to Spain looking for work. In the global economy, Spain often has been a place for Latin Americans to move for jobs. Generally the women move first, and often are able to quickly find work in domestic trades such as cooking and cleaning. After the women have lived in Spain for a year, it is fairly easy for them to bring the rest of the family to join them.

That was the case with pastor Santos’ family. They (and other members of the family) initially moved to Madrid, where they worked long, unpredictable hours. Eventually, they realized that they were slipping away from church life altogether, so they gathered their family and began meeting as a church. In time the Spanish economy deteriorated and only the women were left with jobs.

After moving to Gijón the work of the church continued. The church there meets in a store-front location in a very nice, commercial part of town. The congregation works very hard at incorporating Latin American immigrants into their community life, helping them get settled, handle necessary paperwork, make new friends and expand the church. They have been very effective at this, and their congregation has members that hail from seven countries. Incorporating native Spaniards has been difficult due largely to the racial prejudice our brothers and sisters encounter.

Throughout the week, and amid very busy and demanding work schedules for those who have jobs, the congregation meets for worship or study multiple times including Saturday and Sunday evenings for worship. While we were there, the Saturday evening worship was led by the women in the congregation, and Lynette was invited to preach. The entire congregation appreciated her sharing; the women were especially grateful when they found out this was her first sermon! I was blessed to preach at the Sunday service.

There are several steps that need to be taken before the Spanish church is officially recognized as a mission point of the Church of the Brethren. Along the way, their presence with us raises some perspectives that US Brethren would do well to consider.

First, what does it mean to thrive as an immigrant church? During one class of theological training, we were studying Matthew 5:44, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." I asked the group if any of them had ever been persecuted. Everyone raised a hand. They know what it is like to be the victim of racial prejudice.

With this, I told them that they understand this verse better than I. When questioned about this, I raised my own hand and asked, "Does skin color matter?" Everyone's eyes widened with the realization that it does. This opened up a helpful conversation about how the prayers and loving support of the church family are a vital part of enduring suffering. Our brothers and sisters in Spain gain spiritual strength and unity because they turn to Christ and the church in the face of suffering.

Second, in spite of a significant focus on outreach, the Brethren in Spain have not yet had an impact on the Spanish culture where they live. This is partly due to their status as immigrants.  But it is also partly because they are evangelical believers in a predominantly Catholic, yet essentially secular, culture. It is difficult to be taken seriously when you are a persecuted minority.

What might American Brethren learn from our Spanish Brethren on these points? How is our faith encouraged in the face of suffering? Do we suffer for our faith? And, as the dominant culture, how effectively are we impacting the world around us? These are important questions for us to consider.

The presence and faith of the global Brethren can be a great encouragement to our faith in the US. There is a good chance Spanish Brethren will be with us in St. Louis; I pray you will seek them out.

Source:5/3/2012 Newsline
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Christian Citizenship Seminar considers our relationship with carbon

Mural making at CCS 2012Fifty-two Church of the Brethren youth and adult advisors met for the 2012 Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS) on April 14-19 in New York City and Washington, D.C. The theme focused on “Stepping Out: Our Relationship with Carbon.”

The 41 high school youth and 11 advisors came from 11 congregations in eight districts across the denomination. Staffing the event were CCS coordinator Carol Fike, a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Becky Ullom, director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Nathan Hosler, advocacy consultant for the Church of the Brethren and the National Council of Churches, along with past advocacy consultant Jordan Blevins; Jonathan Stauffer, BVS worker in the Advocacy and Peace Witness Office in Washington; and Jeremy McAvoy, BVS recruiter.

The group experienced four sessions on different aspects of the theme. Session 1 addressed the “Personal Carbon Footprint” led by Emma and Nancy Sleeth, a mother/daughter team and authors of “Almost Amish,” “Go Green, Save Green,” and “It’s Easy Being Green.” The Sleeth family have given up a comfortable, wealthy lifestyle to live simply as better stewards of the earth, and shared about the simple things that they are doing in their everyday lives to reduce their personal carbon footprint.

A second session on the “National Carbon Footprint” was led by Tyler Edgar of the National Council of Churches, who works with a variety of environmental issues for the NCC including mountain top removal.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted the CCS group for a session in one of its large meeting rooms in a downtown Washington building. Shakeba Carter-Jenkins and Jonathan Stauffer worked together to set up the meeting. Included in this presentation was Dru Ealons, director of the Office of Public Engagement for the EPA; Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator, Office of Air and Radiation; Jerry Lawson of Energy Star; Marcus Sarofim of Climate Science; and Ullom as the Church of the Brethren representative.

“Many of the advisors said that this (session with the EPA) was the best agency presentation that they had ever been a part of,” Fike reported. She added that others who met with the CCS group were impressed by the level of understanding among the students. “Tyler (Edgar) was blown away by the questions that our youth asked,” she said.

Other CCS activities included viewing the documentary “The Story of Stuff,” and exercises to help youth learn about carbon and its effects in items of daily use, such as foods, and how to calculate a personal carbon footprint. Participants also gathered in congregational groups to come up with three new things they will do on their return home, and one thing they will encourage their church to do, in order to reduce carbon’s effects on the earth’s environment (see listing below).

The event closed with each and every participant visiting and talking with a governmental representative in Washington. The group from California, for example, had breakfast with their senator. Participants from Indiana met with staff of both of their senators, and the group from Illinois and Wisconsin District was able to talk with staff of senators from both states.

Daily worship was an important part of CCS, led by Ullom and Fike, and included an anointing service. Scriptures used for worship included Ezekial 34:17-19, Job 12:7-9, Esther 4:14, Romans 8:18-21, and Matthew 25:25-29.

What are you going to do to be pro-active?

Youth and advisors who attended Christian Citizenship Seminar were challenged to come up with new ideas of things they can do to curb the effects of carbon on the environment--personally and in their churches. The Youth and Young Adult Ministry hopes to offer an insight session at Annual Conference this July reporting back from these youth initiatives:

Black Rock Church of the Brethren, Glenville, Pa.: place timers on air and heat, teach lessons about small things that churches members can do to help the planet, talk about long-term investment in solar panels, go styrofoam free, clean out the kitchen and get rid of appliances that aren’t needed.

Glade Valley Church of the Brethren, Walkersville, Md.: host an Information Sunday, lead a children’s story about carbon, print bulletins on recycled paper.

Goshen (Ind.) Church of the Brethren: install light motion sensors, turn down the water heater.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill.: speak at church, have a dumpster diving event.

La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren: host an eco-friendly worship and lunch on May 20, wash dishes by hand, have some carbon activities, make carbon footprint placemat, change light bulbs at the church.

Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, Ind.: plant prairie grasses at their church, rather than grass that needs mowing.

Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren: the church already hosts community gardens, start a youth garden and donate the food to local pantries, host an Environmental Sunday, host a recycling campaign at church, start a community compost site.

Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren: lead a Sunday school class for adults, hold a fundraiser, sell reusable bags and mugs, have a youth room project to “be more green,” update the church kitchen to install Energy Star appliances.

Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren: hold a Sunday school class for children, with visuals.

-- CCS coordinator Carol Fike contributed to this report.

Source:5/3/2012 Newsline
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MoR works on new network of conflict transformation practitioners.

Two of the participants in the meeting on a new network of conflict transformation practitioners
Photo by Tim Nafziger
Two of the participants in the MoR-hosted meeting on a new network of conflict transformation practitioners were Gary Flory (left) and Barbara Daté (right).
Anabaptists have written the book on conflict transformation and yet living into the full richness of the implications of that work has been elusive at every level--from interpersonal to congregation to district to Annual Conference, from local communities to the global community.

For over 20 years, On Earth Peace through its Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR), has worked to gather and network conflict transformation practitioners in ways that fuel collaboration and support as they serve Christ's church and the world together. How can we encourage new generations to carry forward the vision of faithful, conflict-healthy communities? How do we engage grassroots and congregational level leadership and conflict?

MoR program coordinator Leslie Frye recently invited representatives from Mennonite Central Committee's Office of Criminal Justice, the Kansas Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR), and Anabaptist conflict transformation practitioners with a range of ages, colors, and affiliations to join MoR practitioners in conversation regarding the potential of forming a sustainable network for the continuing work of reconciliation.

Hosted at the KIPCOR offices on the campus of Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., participants took advantage of the rare opportunity to engage with a group of people doing similar work from a common faith perspective.

Over the day and a half together, they worked at articulating the values they share and the way those values inform the work they do as a springboard toward exploring ways they might work together most effectively. They also discussed various potential strategies for connecting, equipping, and utilizing practitioners to best resource faith communities who are facing conflict or change. Before departing, participants assigned working groups to further explore the potential for forming a network.

In the coming months, On Earth Peace will be reporting the ways these working groups will seek to expand the conversation in order to explore interest in defining a vision, mission, and strategic plan that will foster conflict-healthy faith communities by widening the circle of peace-with-justice practitioners (new and seasoned) working from an Anabaptist tradition.

The current thought is that the network could be a place for building relationships and mentoring; enhancing collaboration and support; encouraging reflective practice and skill development; educating and resourcing the wider church. To become involved or for more information, contact Leslie Frye at 620-755-3940.

Source:5/3/2012 Newsline
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