Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Children's Disaster Services helps staff CJ's Bus.
A certified team of care givers from Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) on June 16 relieved the exhausted volunteers who have staffed CJ’s Bus since the recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding began in Indiana. CJ’s Bus volunteers had been working to care for children of families affected by the disasters since June 6 in Indianapolis, and then in Martinsville after flooding there.
Kathryn Martin, founder of CJ’s Bus, knew of Children’s Disaster Services’ expertise and volunteer base because CDS provides training for CJ’s Bus volunteers. The board members of CJ’s Bus also are required to become CDS certified.
When Martin realized that CJ’s Bus would have to close down due to the lack of volunteers, she called CDS offices in Maryland. Could a team from CDS staff the bus so it could stay open for children whose parents were using harsh chemicals to clean up after the flooding?
"It is not a safe environment for the children," Martin emphasized.
Judy Bezon, associate director for Children’s Disaster Services, agreed. "Since we already had a team in the area working with the Red Cross and additional volunteers ‘on alert’ for the entire midwest, it is no problem to deploy a team," she said.
The team of Children’s Disaster Services volunteers was working at CJ’s Bus within 24 hours of the request. The team will stay for up to two weeks, then be replaced with a fresh team of new volunteers. With a volunteer base of 500 certified volunteers, CDS can assure that child care be provided to children of disaster victims for as long as it is needed.
Children’s Disaster Services is a Church of the Brethren ministry and the oldest and largest nationwide organization specializing in children’s disaster related needs. Since 1980 CDS has maintained a nationwide volunteer base. To be certified with CDS, volunteers require 27 hours of training and a rigorous certification process.
Go to www.childrensdisasterservices.org to learn more about Children’s Disaster Services or for more about becoming trained as a volunteer.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
A certified team of care givers from Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) on June 16 relieved the exhausted volunteers who have staffed CJ’s Bus since the recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding began in Indiana. CJ’s Bus volunteers had been working to care for children of families affected by the disasters since June 6 in Indianapolis, and then in Martinsville after flooding there.
Kathryn Martin, founder of CJ’s Bus, knew of Children’s Disaster Services’ expertise and volunteer base because CDS provides training for CJ’s Bus volunteers. The board members of CJ’s Bus also are required to become CDS certified.
When Martin realized that CJ’s Bus would have to close down due to the lack of volunteers, she called CDS offices in Maryland. Could a team from CDS staff the bus so it could stay open for children whose parents were using harsh chemicals to clean up after the flooding?
"It is not a safe environment for the children," Martin emphasized.
Judy Bezon, associate director for Children’s Disaster Services, agreed. "Since we already had a team in the area working with the Red Cross and additional volunteers ‘on alert’ for the entire midwest, it is no problem to deploy a team," she said.
The team of Children’s Disaster Services volunteers was working at CJ’s Bus within 24 hours of the request. The team will stay for up to two weeks, then be replaced with a fresh team of new volunteers. With a volunteer base of 500 certified volunteers, CDS can assure that child care be provided to children of disaster victims for as long as it is needed.
Children’s Disaster Services is a Church of the Brethren ministry and the oldest and largest nationwide organization specializing in children’s disaster related needs. Since 1980 CDS has maintained a nationwide volunteer base. To be certified with CDS, volunteers require 27 hours of training and a rigorous certification process.
Go to www.childrensdisasterservices.org to learn more about Children’s Disaster Services or for more about becoming trained as a volunteer.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
New Windsor Conference Center experiences new life.
The New Windsor Conference Center is experiencing new life since the decision of the General Board to develop and implement new programming in support of the Brethren Service Center mission. The conference center is located on the campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
The New Windsor Conference Center offers a variety of services to groups and individuals, including lodging, dining services, meeting rooms, event planning, and communication services. In recent months, it has been full enough on a regular basis to issue a new requirement that reservations be made at least two weeks in advance. This represents a significant influx of new business and increased advance bookings, with some advance bookings already made through the year 2013.
A recent staff report said that the conference center is "consistently rated ‘Excellent’ by lodgers and visitors. Prayers have been answered as the New Windsor Conference Center is called to offer the gift of hospitality to greatly increased numbers in 2008 and beyond."
"When new groups visit the campus, many will schedule another meeting before departure," said Cori Hahn, conference coordinator. "On the weekend of April 18, we had seven separate groups on campus, with every lodging room booked--and this is not unusual."
The conference center also is negotiating with the Arc of Carroll County, Md., to work together on internships to train developmentally disabled adults in work at the center. The trainees may engage in tasks such as housekeeping and food preparation, in a program that may begin this fall.
The staff report noted that the conference center is readying itself for even more significant growth in the coming year, through improvements in facilities and resources and outreach through partners and others in the region.
To find more information about the New Windsor Conference Center go to www.brethren.org/genbd/nwcc or contact chahn_gb@brethren.org or 410-635-8700.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
The New Windsor Conference Center is experiencing new life since the decision of the General Board to develop and implement new programming in support of the Brethren Service Center mission. The conference center is located on the campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
The New Windsor Conference Center offers a variety of services to groups and individuals, including lodging, dining services, meeting rooms, event planning, and communication services. In recent months, it has been full enough on a regular basis to issue a new requirement that reservations be made at least two weeks in advance. This represents a significant influx of new business and increased advance bookings, with some advance bookings already made through the year 2013.
A recent staff report said that the conference center is "consistently rated ‘Excellent’ by lodgers and visitors. Prayers have been answered as the New Windsor Conference Center is called to offer the gift of hospitality to greatly increased numbers in 2008 and beyond."
"When new groups visit the campus, many will schedule another meeting before departure," said Cori Hahn, conference coordinator. "On the weekend of April 18, we had seven separate groups on campus, with every lodging room booked--and this is not unusual."
The conference center also is negotiating with the Arc of Carroll County, Md., to work together on internships to train developmentally disabled adults in work at the center. The trainees may engage in tasks such as housekeeping and food preparation, in a program that may begin this fall.
The staff report noted that the conference center is readying itself for even more significant growth in the coming year, through improvements in facilities and resources and outreach through partners and others in the region.
To find more information about the New Windsor Conference Center go to www.brethren.org/genbd/nwcc or contact chahn_gb@brethren.org or 410-635-8700.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
Brethren bits: Personnel, job opening, Annual Conference, more.
- Mary Miller has begun work as office assistant in the Material Resources program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Material Resources is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Miller's most recent position was as a supervisor at Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville. She and her family live in Union Bridge, Md.
- Western Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren has announced the calling of Abby R. Mader of Windber, Pa., to the newly created position of district children/youth ministries coordinator. She will guide, counsel, and encourage district and local church workers in matters of children and youth ministry; will work at creating programs for the children and youth of the district; and also will work closely with staff at Camp Harmony in Hooversville, Pa. Mader is a 2005 graduate of Grove City College with a bachelor’s degree in history education. She also is a licensed minister in the district.
- The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (NCPTF) is seeking an executive director. The NCPTF, located in Washington, D.C., lobbies for passage of the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill, to establish in law the right of conscientious objection to military taxation. NCPTF is seeking an executive director to begin on Oct. 1, 2008, to lead lobbying, administration, and fundraising activities of the NCPTF, and the Peace Tax Foundation (a 501c3 educational organization). Contact searchcommittee@peacetaxfund.org for detailed requirements and salary information, and to submit a resume. The deadline for applications is Aug. 15. Additional information is at www.peacetaxfund.org or call 888-PEACETAX.
- June 20 is the deadline for making housing reservations for Annual Conference, according to an announcement from the Annual Conference Office. Hotel rooms are still available to anyone who has not yet obtained housing for the 2008 Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., on July 12-16. Housing reservations in the Church of the Brethren hotel block can be made up until June 20. Go to https://hr.idssasp.com/home.aspx?XSHvr1xsjof5M1Ieqj3FQuwFotvLtyWMr2nmo
MLO37P2hfArZ80ia2aU0gIph8ZmTsTz4M53Hv*OBkWcdpywaw to obtain housing reservations online. After June 20, call 804-783-7490 to contact the housing bureau in Richmond for assistance with finding housing. - A video report about a youth workcamp to clean up the historic John Kline home in Broadway, Va., has been posted by WHSV Channel 3 in Harrisonburg, Va. The report interviews Paul Roth, who has been instrumental in the effort to preserve the homestead, and youth who volunteered to clean it up in preparation for those who are expected to visit on their way to and from the 2008 Annual Conference. A total of 27 high school students from across the country came together for the workcamp. Go to http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/20098664.html and click on the picture box at the right of the story to find the video report.
- The Association of Brethren Caregivers has announced a "Walk for the Well-Being of School Children in Nigeria," to take place at the National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) in September. The non-competitive "Well Walk" will raise money to help supply water for the Comprehensive Secondary School at the headquarters of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), with a fundraising goal of $5,000. The $10 per person registration for the walk will go to the water project. NOAC is being held on the theme, "Come to the Water," from Sept. 1-5 in Lake Junaluska, N.C. The Well Walk is planned for Sept. 4. Go to www.brethren-caregivers.org for more information.
- A new deacon resource will be available at the 2008 Annual Conference. For more than 25 years, Fred Swartz, Annual Conference Secretary and retired pastor, has been writing about the caring work of deacons. Recently he put together some of his best writing on deacons and added discussion questions. This new free resource titled "Essential Servants: Reflections on the Caring Ministries of Deacons," will be available online at www.brethren-caregivers.org after July 1, and at Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., this summer. The Association of Brethren Caregivers will have 100 copies available at the Conference. There also will be a display at the ABC exhibit explaining how to download the resource to make your own free copy.
- "Treasure in Earthen Vessels: A Women's Celebration of Body, Mind, and Spirit" is being offered by the Association of Brethren Caregivers as a retreat for women who are seeking to develop balance, a sense of wellbeing, and fullness of spirit. The weekend will be led by Deanna Brown and Anita Smith Buckwalter, and will be held at the Leaven Retreat Center in Lyons, Mich. The event begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 and continues through 11 a.m. Sept. 28. The registration deadline is July 25, but space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Contact Mary Lou Garrison at the ABC office at mgarrison_abc@brethren.org or 800-323-8039.
- On Earth Peace has announced the date for the next observation of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, scheduled for Sept. 21, 2008. Last year, more than 100 groups and congregations associated with the Church of the Brethren planned events as part of the International Day of Prayer for Peace. "How about 300 in 2008?" asked an invitation from On Earth Peace. For more information visit www.onearthpeace.org/prayforpeace or contact IDOPP.2008@gmail.com or 410-635-8704.
- Northern Indiana District is seeking volunteers to help replace a ceiling that is collapsing in the fellowship hall at La Porte (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. The work will include removing old ceiling panels and replacing them with a new dropped ceiling, according to board chair Ruth Blake. She expressed appreciation for the help of district disaster coordinator John Sternberg in coordinating the effort. "It's a big issue for us because we don’t have much funds," she said.
- Virlina District has begun a new evangelistic and service-oriented outreach project called "Mision Agua Vida--Water of Life Mission," according to a recent district newsletter. The project is for congregations, Vacation Bible Schools, Sunday school classes, youth and young adult groups, and men’s or women’s fellowship groups searching for a project to sponsor. Two fellowships in the district have developed the concept of passing out bottled water to soccer players, primarily Hispanic in origin, as an act of hospitality and an evangelistic means of establishing relationship. Sponsoring groups provide funds to purchase the water. The District Resource Center houses and sees to the distribution of funds or bulk water. The two fellowships are Siguiendo Los Pasos de Jesus in Roanoke, Va., and Living Faith in Concord, N.C.
- Twenty-four members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) who are attending Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., also will be visiting in Virlina District on July 16-19. The group is made up of Christian business people who are part of BEST (Brethren Evangelism Support Trust). The district is searching for hosts willing to offer a place to stay for members of the group, contact Carol Mason at 800-244-5896.
- The Church of the Brethren's Oregon and Washington District is a contracting denominational partner of the Institute for Ecumenical Theological Studies (IETS) at the School of Theology and Ministry of Seattle University. According to a report from John Braun, a district appointee to the IETS Board, the School of Theology and Ministry has drawn international respect for its success in building ecumenical participation with sensitivity to each denomination’s unique gifts and requirements. His report appeared in the Oregon and Washington District newsletter in May. "The school is so young that it must clearly be seen as still evolving," Braun wrote. "But the quality of graduate education, the hundreds of students enrolled, and the growing community of alumni serving in area churches make me proud and excited to be a small part of this venture." The school is working toward an even deeper commitment to its interfaith vision, he said, including unifying its two advisory boards--the school also has an Institute for Catholic Theological Studies--and continuing an emphasis on disciplined interreligious conversation. In addition, the school is building new dual degree programs between theology and other professional disciplines. Braun reported, "Our first such venture with a dual degree will occur with the law school and a new program on conflict mediation and peacemaking."
- The Northwest Brethren Arts Gathering will be held Aug. 15-17 at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum, Wash. The weekend will feature arts, music, and Brethren fellowship. More information in available from Oregon-Washington District, call 509-662-3211.
- Four employees have successfully completed the Certified Nursing Assistant class started recently at Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, a Church of the Brethren continuing care retirement community in Boonsboro, Md. Those completing the class are Tiffany Waters of Waynesboro, Pa.; Misty Shifflett of Williamsport, Md.; Trina Hammond of Martinsburg, W.Va.; and Samantha Shry of Boonsboro. Stephanie Alexander, assistant administrator at Fahrney-Keedy, created the course curriculum, which includes 164 hours of instruction over 12 weeks. Each day’s session lasts for up to six hours. While taking the course, each student spends a day working in each of several departments: laundry, maintenance, housekeeping, and dietary. Passing a final exam means the student is a Certified Nursing Assistant. Then, successful completion of an optional state exam is necessary for a person to become a Geriatric Nursing Assistant. All four recent graduates plan to take the GNA exam. Alexander thanked the Fahrney-Keedy Auxiliary for helping with funding and in making the class a reality.
- COBYS Family Services, an agency affiliated with Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren, has signed up to be a beneficiary of GoodSearch.com. For every Internet search done by COBYS supporters using GoodSearch, COBYS earns about a penny. The agency also earns money for online purchases made through the site. Go to www.goodsearch.com for instructions to designate COBYS as a recipient. For more information contact Don Fitzkee, development and interpretation coordinator for COBYS, at don@cobys.org or 717-656-6580.
- Two more graduates of Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., have received Fulbright scholarships. This brings the total from the college to 25--the most per capita of any university or college in Indiana, according to the release from the college. Andrew F. Haff, a history major is from Westminster, Md., and is a member of Westminster Church of the Brethren; and Timothy R. Polakowski is a social work and Spanish major from Rockton, Ill. Polakowski will teach English in South Korea; Haff will teach English in Vietnam. Go to www.manchester.edu for more.
- Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., presented five alumni-related awards on June 7 during Alumni Weekend 2008. Stamford, Conn., resident Carol McFate, chief investment officer for Xerox Corp., was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award. West Grove, Pa., resident Charlie Goodale, a retired sales manager with DuPont Corp., received the Harold B. Brumbaugh Alumni Service Award. Reading, Pa., resident Nicholas Bower, president of Physicians for Humanity and currently a family practice resident at St. Joseph Medical Center, received the Young Alumni Achievement Award. David Orth-Moore, a country representative for Catholic Relief Services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was awarded the William E. Swigart Jr. Alumni Humanitarian Award. Hummelstown, Pa., resident Thomas Terndrup, professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, received the Health Professions Alumni Achievement Award.
- The "Brethren Voices" program for July interviews Annual Conference moderator James Beckwith, pastor of Annville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Brethren Voices is a community-access cable television project for Church of the Brethren congregations and groups, sponsored by Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren. Beckwith will preside over the Conference during the historic 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren. Brent Carlson of Peace Church of the Brethren hosts the program. The August edition of "Brethren Voices" celebrates three years of community television programing with a trip to the Amazonian Rain Forest of Ecuador with the New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit. New Community Project has just announced the purchase of a 137-acre parcel of Ecuadorian rain forest adjacent to the Cuyabeno Ecological Reserve. Copies of these programs are available from Peace Church of the Brethren for a donation of $8. For more information contact producer Ed Groff at Groffprod1@msn.com or 360-256-8550.
- Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has announced the release of the new book "118 Days: Christian Peacemaker Teams Held Hostage in Iraq." The book tells the story of the hostage crisis endured by the organization and its team members in Iraq, beginning in Nov. 2005. Editor Tricia Gates Brown has compiled chapters written by members of CPT and CPT sympathizers actively involved with securing the release of Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney, Tom Fox, and Norman Kember, as well as by family, friends, and others affected by the crisis. The book contains first-hand accounts of what led the four men to Baghdad, where their paths crossed with armed militants who did not understand their mission; provides insight into the daily lives of CPT delegations and teams; and describes the daily sacrifices of the four hostages. In particular, readers will learn about the life of Tom Fox, the hostage who was killed. Go to www.cpt.org/118days for more. An initiative of the historic peace churches--the Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers--Christian Peacemaker Teams seeks to enlist the whole church in organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict.
- A new documentary is being recommended to congregations interested in starting a conversation about history and race. The recommendation is passed along by Valentina Satvedi, an ordained Church of the Brethren minister serving with Mennonite Central Committee’s anti-racism program. "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North" will air on PBS in the P.O.V. series on June 24. Filmmaker Katrina Browne tells the story of a troubling discovery--that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in US history. She retraces the "Triangle Trade," from the family’s old hometown in Rhode Island to slave forts in Ghana and sugar plantation ruins in Cuba. "Traces of the Trade" is being released in 2008 on the occasion of the Bicentennial of the US Abolition of the Slave Trade, which took place Jan. 1, 1808. To find out more, visit www.tracesofthetrade.org and check local PBS station listings for exact dates and times of broadcast.
- Janice Holsinger, founder and owner of U-Gro Learning Centres and a member of Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, in May was honored as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business for 2008. A report in the "Lebanon Daily News" quoted Holsinger as saying, "The areas I stress as owner and founder are treating each child as a special person and developing a strong self-image and self-confidence in each child." Holsinger also is a musician, a graduate of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, and a member of the board of directors of the college.
Nigeria workcamp is announced for 2009.
A special call has been issued for skilled carpenters and plumbers for the 2009 annual Nigeria workcamp, jointly sponsored by the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board, Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), and Mission 21 (formerly Basel Mission).
Those willing to do general manual labor are also welcome for event scheduled for Feb. 8-March 8, 2009. Workcamp leader will be Dave Whitten, Nigeria mission coordinator for the Church of the Brethren.
At EYN Headquarters, the group will help construct a teacher’s house for the Comprehensive Secondary School and complete the HIV/AIDS office building started in 2008. On the work project, American and European participants will work together with Nigerian Christians. Workcampers also will have opportunities to worship in EYN churches and be hosted in the homes of church members.
Former workcamper Kathleen D. Brinkmeier, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Rockford, Ill., encourages participation from personal experience: "Before going on my first journey I had believed that workcamp missions were for the young and energetic believers, but I found that age and energy are not directly related. Our workcamp was diversified in age and in country of origin, and every participant was encouraged to use their individual gifts--and we did that and worked as a huge team. I urge anyone that has ever felt God tug at the strings of your heart and whisper, ‘Go into all the world, making disciples,’ to take this opportunity and walk in faith."
Approximate cost of $2,200 includes round-trip travel from the closest airport in the continental US, and living expenses while in Nigeria. Participants must be of age 18 or older. Those age 14-17 may participate if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is participating in the workcamp.
For information and an application go to www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/workcamp/index.html or contact Justin Barrett at the Global Mission Partnerships Office, jbarrett_gb@brethren.org 800-323-8039 ext. 230. The deadline for applications is Oct. 10.
--Janis Pyle is coordinator of mission connections for the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission Partnerships.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
A special call has been issued for skilled carpenters and plumbers for the 2009 annual Nigeria workcamp, jointly sponsored by the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board, Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), and Mission 21 (formerly Basel Mission).
Those willing to do general manual labor are also welcome for event scheduled for Feb. 8-March 8, 2009. Workcamp leader will be Dave Whitten, Nigeria mission coordinator for the Church of the Brethren.
At EYN Headquarters, the group will help construct a teacher’s house for the Comprehensive Secondary School and complete the HIV/AIDS office building started in 2008. On the work project, American and European participants will work together with Nigerian Christians. Workcampers also will have opportunities to worship in EYN churches and be hosted in the homes of church members.
Former workcamper Kathleen D. Brinkmeier, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Rockford, Ill., encourages participation from personal experience: "Before going on my first journey I had believed that workcamp missions were for the young and energetic believers, but I found that age and energy are not directly related. Our workcamp was diversified in age and in country of origin, and every participant was encouraged to use their individual gifts--and we did that and worked as a huge team. I urge anyone that has ever felt God tug at the strings of your heart and whisper, ‘Go into all the world, making disciples,’ to take this opportunity and walk in faith."
Approximate cost of $2,200 includes round-trip travel from the closest airport in the continental US, and living expenses while in Nigeria. Participants must be of age 18 or older. Those age 14-17 may participate if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is participating in the workcamp.
For information and an application go to www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/workcamp/index.html or contact Justin Barrett at the Global Mission Partnerships Office, jbarrett_gb@brethren.org 800-323-8039 ext. 230. The deadline for applications is Oct. 10.
--Janis Pyle is coordinator of mission connections for the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission Partnerships.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
Brethren denominations have a history of cooperation.
The cooperative planning for Annual Conference this year between the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church represents the largest such effort since the major division of the Brethren movement in the 1880s.
By the 1880s, three groups had emerged among the Brethren. There were the old orders, who took the name Old German Baptist Brethren. There were the progressives, adopting the name Brethren Church. And there were the conservatives, who are now known as the Church of the Brethren. The conservatives had characteristics of both groups, still plain on the one hand and at the same time adopting progressive methods--just at a slower pace than advocated by the progressives.
Time has changed all of us in some ways, but even as we maintain our separate identities, Brethren at times enjoy fellowship and work together on common projects intended as cooperative efforts rather than steps toward unification.
This year’s Annual Conference has by no means been the only gesture of cooperation. Ministers and members have moved between the Brethren Church and the Church of the Brethren from time to time. There have been numerous times over the years when officers or other representatives from both bodies have brought greetings at each other’s conferences. Queries have been presented at both denominations’ conferences for formally reuniting (in 1925, 1934, 1947, and once in the 1990s to name some of these efforts), but an informal fellowship and occasional mutual project has been the path that we have taken.
Beginning in 1944, a number of Brethren Church missionaries worked in Nigeria in conjunction with the Church of the Brethren mission program. The Brethren Church and Church of the Brethren continued to work together in the Nigerian mission through the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1940s, the two denominations worked together in peace witness and war-time agencies, along with mission and relief programs.
On June 12-13, 1973, a meeting was held at "Tunker House " in Virginia. M.R. Zigler succeeded in gathering 125 members representing the five major Brethren bodies for a gathering to "shake hands." Lectures on Peter Nead and John Kline were presented, and those present also participated in worship. As a follow-up, Joseph R. Shultz of Ashland, Ohio, hosted a study conference in April 1974.
Another study conference among Brethren groups took place at Bethany Seminary in Oak Brook, Ill., in 1976. This was the beginning of many more conferences of Brethren groups, of which this summer’s gathering at Schwarzenau is a continuation. At the Oak Brook meeting, M.R. Zigler made a suggestion that sparked discussion about the development of the Brethren Encyclopedia. Donald F. Durnbaugh then developed a formal proposal for this reference work and presented it to the group before they left Oak Brook. As a result, the Brethren Encyclopedia Board was formed. The encyclopedia board has produced numerous publications and continues to function as an informal cooperative fellowship among Brethren today.
The two denominations had a joint ministry in the form of the Columbus Cooperative Brethren congregation starting on July 1, 1930. This continued until 1980 when the congregation dropped its affiliation with the Church of the Brethren. In southern Ohio, a Brethren Heritage Center has existed since 2001 that involves most of the Brethren groups in the area. It has a board of directors including Brethren from several groups.
In Dec. 2000, Brethren Church executive director Buzz Sandberg extended words of friendship to the Church of the Brethren through the "Agenda" newsletter. In this article, Sandberg expressed regret for the break in the Brethren family and his desire for healing. The Church of the Brethren responded to the gesture with a statement of friendship at Annual Conference the following year.
At about the same time, the Church of the Brethren's 300th Anniversary Committee extended an invitation to the Brethren Church to have conferences at the same time and place in 2008, in order to commemorate the 300th Anniversary and fellowship together. The result is our upcoming gathering in Richmond, Va., which will be attended by some members of other Brethren denominations as well.
--Dean Garrett is a member of the 300th Anniversary Committee. This article was first published in the committee’s newsletter, which he edits. References include Brethren Encyclopedia articles by Dale R. Stoffer, Donald F. Durnbaugh, and other authors, and Annual Conference Minutes.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
The cooperative planning for Annual Conference this year between the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church represents the largest such effort since the major division of the Brethren movement in the 1880s.
By the 1880s, three groups had emerged among the Brethren. There were the old orders, who took the name Old German Baptist Brethren. There were the progressives, adopting the name Brethren Church. And there were the conservatives, who are now known as the Church of the Brethren. The conservatives had characteristics of both groups, still plain on the one hand and at the same time adopting progressive methods--just at a slower pace than advocated by the progressives.
Time has changed all of us in some ways, but even as we maintain our separate identities, Brethren at times enjoy fellowship and work together on common projects intended as cooperative efforts rather than steps toward unification.
This year’s Annual Conference has by no means been the only gesture of cooperation. Ministers and members have moved between the Brethren Church and the Church of the Brethren from time to time. There have been numerous times over the years when officers or other representatives from both bodies have brought greetings at each other’s conferences. Queries have been presented at both denominations’ conferences for formally reuniting (in 1925, 1934, 1947, and once in the 1990s to name some of these efforts), but an informal fellowship and occasional mutual project has been the path that we have taken.
Beginning in 1944, a number of Brethren Church missionaries worked in Nigeria in conjunction with the Church of the Brethren mission program. The Brethren Church and Church of the Brethren continued to work together in the Nigerian mission through the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1940s, the two denominations worked together in peace witness and war-time agencies, along with mission and relief programs.
On June 12-13, 1973, a meeting was held at "Tunker House " in Virginia. M.R. Zigler succeeded in gathering 125 members representing the five major Brethren bodies for a gathering to "shake hands." Lectures on Peter Nead and John Kline were presented, and those present also participated in worship. As a follow-up, Joseph R. Shultz of Ashland, Ohio, hosted a study conference in April 1974.
Another study conference among Brethren groups took place at Bethany Seminary in Oak Brook, Ill., in 1976. This was the beginning of many more conferences of Brethren groups, of which this summer’s gathering at Schwarzenau is a continuation. At the Oak Brook meeting, M.R. Zigler made a suggestion that sparked discussion about the development of the Brethren Encyclopedia. Donald F. Durnbaugh then developed a formal proposal for this reference work and presented it to the group before they left Oak Brook. As a result, the Brethren Encyclopedia Board was formed. The encyclopedia board has produced numerous publications and continues to function as an informal cooperative fellowship among Brethren today.
The two denominations had a joint ministry in the form of the Columbus Cooperative Brethren congregation starting on July 1, 1930. This continued until 1980 when the congregation dropped its affiliation with the Church of the Brethren. In southern Ohio, a Brethren Heritage Center has existed since 2001 that involves most of the Brethren groups in the area. It has a board of directors including Brethren from several groups.
In Dec. 2000, Brethren Church executive director Buzz Sandberg extended words of friendship to the Church of the Brethren through the "Agenda" newsletter. In this article, Sandberg expressed regret for the break in the Brethren family and his desire for healing. The Church of the Brethren responded to the gesture with a statement of friendship at Annual Conference the following year.
At about the same time, the Church of the Brethren's 300th Anniversary Committee extended an invitation to the Brethren Church to have conferences at the same time and place in 2008, in order to commemorate the 300th Anniversary and fellowship together. The result is our upcoming gathering in Richmond, Va., which will be attended by some members of other Brethren denominations as well.
--Dean Garrett is a member of the 300th Anniversary Committee. This article was first published in the committee’s newsletter, which he edits. References include Brethren Encyclopedia articles by Dale R. Stoffer, Donald F. Durnbaugh, and other authors, and Annual Conference Minutes.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
Brethren Pension Plan members invited to group photo in Schwarzenau.
Members of the Brethren Pension Plan, a ministry of Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), who will be in Schwarzenau, Germany, for 300th Anniversary events at the beginning of August are invited to be part of a historic photo opportunity.
A group photo of all Brethren Pension Plan members and spouses who are in Schwarzenau for the celebration will be taken by BBT communications staff Nevin Dulabaum. The photo session will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the supper area on the grounds of the manor house in Schwarzenau, on the banks of the Eder River.
The group picture will be kept for BBT records and will be used in future publications. Dulabaum also is offering to take individual or couple shots of plan members and spouses. Copies of photos will be available to participants via e-mail following the celebration. For more information, contact Nevin Dulabaum at ndulabaum_bbt@brethren.org or 847-622-3388.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
Members of the Brethren Pension Plan, a ministry of Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), who will be in Schwarzenau, Germany, for 300th Anniversary events at the beginning of August are invited to be part of a historic photo opportunity.
A group photo of all Brethren Pension Plan members and spouses who are in Schwarzenau for the celebration will be taken by BBT communications staff Nevin Dulabaum. The photo session will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the supper area on the grounds of the manor house in Schwarzenau, on the banks of the Eder River.
The group picture will be kept for BBT records and will be used in future publications. Dulabaum also is offering to take individual or couple shots of plan members and spouses. Copies of photos will be available to participants via e-mail following the celebration. For more information, contact Nevin Dulabaum at ndulabaum_bbt@brethren.org or 847-622-3388.
Source: 6/18/2008 Newsline
300th Anniversary bits: More anniversaries in 2008.
- Hammond Avenue Brethren Church in Waterloo, Iowa, is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2008. On January 1, 1993, Waterloo City Church of the Brethren and First Brethren Church of Waterloo merged to form a new congregation. Both congregations share historical roots dating to the arrival of the first Brethren in Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1856. The church continues its dual affiliation with the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church (headquartered in Ashland, Ohio), parent denominations of the two former congregations. Hammond Avenue Brethren Church and White Dale Brethren Church in Terra Alta, W.Va,, are the only two congregations dually affiliated with both Brethren groups who will jointly celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Brethren movement in Richmond, Va, this summer, reports pastor Ronald W. Waters.
- Arlington (Va.) Church of the Brethren is celebrating its 55th anniversary and the 300th Anniversary of the denomination. Arlington Church of the Brethren was founded in 1953 on the remnants of a dairy farm, but now serves a wide variety of cultures and geography, supporting people from Peru, Ecuador, and Mali, among other locations, with its facilities are used by both Cambodian and Hispanic congregations, reports the "Sun Gazette" Go to www.sungazette.net/articles/2008/06/07/arlington/news/nws58a.txt for the full article.
- Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren in Glen Arm, Md., is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The celebration will culminate with a homecoming weekend Oct. 25-26. Frank Ramirez of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren will be the guest speaker.
- West Milton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is holding its 100 Year Celebration on July 5-6. The variety of activities planned include children’s games, a petting zoo, an ice cream social, and Nashville-based singer/songwriter Shay Watson. Contact the church at 937-698-4395.
- The Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, Pa., also celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It commemorated the occasion with a butterfly release and birthday cake on May 3.
- A photo gallery from the 140th anniversary celebration at Ankeny (Iowa) Church of the Brethren has been posted online by the "Des Moines Register." The event was held June 8, with a Celebration Service followed by a potluck lunch. Among those in attendance was Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board, whose father Ross served as minister of the Ankeny area country church. A photo of a group of past ministers pictures Vernon Merkey, Clifford Ruff, Ethmer Erisman, Mary Jane and Tim Button-Harrison, and Lois Grove. Go to
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D2&Dato=20080609&Kategori=COMM&Lopenr=806090809&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1&community=Ankeny to view.
Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Dennis W. Garrison, Jeri S. Kornegay, Nancy Miner, David Radcliff, and Asha Solanky contributed to this report.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Dennis W. Garrison, Jeri S. Kornegay, Nancy Miner, David Radcliff, and Asha Solanky contributed to this report.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Brethren Disaster Ministries responds to storms, flooding in Midwest and Plains.
A rash of severe storms and subsequent flooding has disrupted normal life for thousands of families in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains. For weeks, hardly a day has passed without hearing news of yet another tornado or flood. States on either side of the Mississippi have been hit repeatedly. Already 110 people have been killed by tornadoes, almost twice the 10-year average.
Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services staff are monitoring situations in parts of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. This includes participating in conference calls with other response organizations to share information and to offer our services.
As is typical during the initial response phase of a major disaster, Children’s Disaster Services staff have been in touch with American Red Cross personnel in the hardest hit areas, offering to set up child care projects in shelters or assistance centers. Teams of trained child care volunteers will watch children at the centers or shelters while parents clean up and gather the resources necessary to take care of their basic needs and start recovering from the disaster.
Currently Children’s Disaster Services has two project managers in the field, a team of four child care volunteers at work in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and 18 more volunteers who are ready to respond.
In Iowa, Children’s Disaster Services is responding in the Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids areas. Lorna Grow of Dallas Center, Iowa, is coordinating that response. Children’s Disaster Services also has been invited to set up child care in a combined shelter/service center in Cedar Rapids. Grow has reported that the evacuation of Des Moines may mean there is a need for child care volunteers to work in a shelter there as well.
In Indiana, Ken Kline from Lima, Ohio, will serve as project manager and is assessing the child care needs in the five American Red Cross service centers that are currently open.
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have made contact with the denomination’s district offices to find out whether any Brethren have been affected by the storms and flooding, and to offer support and advice. District disaster coordinators have been continuously gathering data, sharing needs, and making our services known to the disaster-impacted communities.
In Iowa this morning, Northern Plains District’s interim executive minister Tim Button-Harrison took part in a conference call with ecumenical leaders and disaster responders including staff of Brethren Disaster Ministries. He also has been checking in with Church of the Brethren congregations along the flooding Cedar River: First Baptist/Brethren Church in Cedar Rapids, Greene Church of the Brethren which is a yoked parish with a Methodist church, Hammond Avenue Brethren Church in Waterloo, and South Waterloo Church of the Brethren.
Button-Harrison reported that some members of First Baptist/Brethren Church have probably lost homes and businesses, and there are a number of families at South Waterloo Church of the Brethren whose homes have been flooded. One of the South Waterloo families has been unable to get to their house because of flooding and is living in a motel, while other families have flooded basements. The South Waterloo Church is giving funds to church families who do not have a place to stay, to help them through this difficult time, he said.
All of the Church of the Brethren buildings are okay, Button-Harrison said. The South Waterloo Church has some flooding in its basement, he added, and the Methodist church affiliated with Greene Church of the Brethren also has a flooded basement. A flooded basement "is a pretty common thing right now!" he said. "The question is how much. If you’ve got four-to-five feet (of water) you may have lost everything."
Button-Harrison also called attention to the similarities with floods in 1993. "In 1993 they talked about it being a once in a 500 year flood," he said. "It’s like we’re getting a 500-year flood every 15 years."
Meanwhile, two grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund totaling $11,000 have been issued in response to an appeal from Church World Service (CWS). These grants are supporting the work of CWS to supply material aid, deploy staff for trainings, and financially support Long-Term Recovery Groups working in the affected areas.
An appeal for Emergency Clean-Up Buckets for distribution in the Indiana flood area has been issued by CWS. Donors should not ship the buckets to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., for this response. Instead, CWS has established a local collection point in Indiana: Penn Products Warehouse, 6075 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278; 317-388-8580 ext. 298. Drop-off is between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more information contact the office of CWS at Elkhart, Ind., at 574-264-3102. Go to www.churchworldservice.org/kits/cleanup-kits.html for information about what to include in the kits.
--Jane Yount, who serves as coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries; Judy Bezon, director of Children’s Disaster Services; and Zachary Wolgemuth, associate director of Brethren Disaster Ministries, contributed to this report.
Source: 6/13/2008 Newsline Extra
A rash of severe storms and subsequent flooding has disrupted normal life for thousands of families in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains. For weeks, hardly a day has passed without hearing news of yet another tornado or flood. States on either side of the Mississippi have been hit repeatedly. Already 110 people have been killed by tornadoes, almost twice the 10-year average.
Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services staff are monitoring situations in parts of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. This includes participating in conference calls with other response organizations to share information and to offer our services.
As is typical during the initial response phase of a major disaster, Children’s Disaster Services staff have been in touch with American Red Cross personnel in the hardest hit areas, offering to set up child care projects in shelters or assistance centers. Teams of trained child care volunteers will watch children at the centers or shelters while parents clean up and gather the resources necessary to take care of their basic needs and start recovering from the disaster.
Currently Children’s Disaster Services has two project managers in the field, a team of four child care volunteers at work in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and 18 more volunteers who are ready to respond.
In Iowa, Children’s Disaster Services is responding in the Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids areas. Lorna Grow of Dallas Center, Iowa, is coordinating that response. Children’s Disaster Services also has been invited to set up child care in a combined shelter/service center in Cedar Rapids. Grow has reported that the evacuation of Des Moines may mean there is a need for child care volunteers to work in a shelter there as well.
In Indiana, Ken Kline from Lima, Ohio, will serve as project manager and is assessing the child care needs in the five American Red Cross service centers that are currently open.
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have made contact with the denomination’s district offices to find out whether any Brethren have been affected by the storms and flooding, and to offer support and advice. District disaster coordinators have been continuously gathering data, sharing needs, and making our services known to the disaster-impacted communities.
In Iowa this morning, Northern Plains District’s interim executive minister Tim Button-Harrison took part in a conference call with ecumenical leaders and disaster responders including staff of Brethren Disaster Ministries. He also has been checking in with Church of the Brethren congregations along the flooding Cedar River: First Baptist/Brethren Church in Cedar Rapids, Greene Church of the Brethren which is a yoked parish with a Methodist church, Hammond Avenue Brethren Church in Waterloo, and South Waterloo Church of the Brethren.
Button-Harrison reported that some members of First Baptist/Brethren Church have probably lost homes and businesses, and there are a number of families at South Waterloo Church of the Brethren whose homes have been flooded. One of the South Waterloo families has been unable to get to their house because of flooding and is living in a motel, while other families have flooded basements. The South Waterloo Church is giving funds to church families who do not have a place to stay, to help them through this difficult time, he said.
All of the Church of the Brethren buildings are okay, Button-Harrison said. The South Waterloo Church has some flooding in its basement, he added, and the Methodist church affiliated with Greene Church of the Brethren also has a flooded basement. A flooded basement "is a pretty common thing right now!" he said. "The question is how much. If you’ve got four-to-five feet (of water) you may have lost everything."
Button-Harrison also called attention to the similarities with floods in 1993. "In 1993 they talked about it being a once in a 500 year flood," he said. "It’s like we’re getting a 500-year flood every 15 years."
Meanwhile, two grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund totaling $11,000 have been issued in response to an appeal from Church World Service (CWS). These grants are supporting the work of CWS to supply material aid, deploy staff for trainings, and financially support Long-Term Recovery Groups working in the affected areas.
An appeal for Emergency Clean-Up Buckets for distribution in the Indiana flood area has been issued by CWS. Donors should not ship the buckets to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., for this response. Instead, CWS has established a local collection point in Indiana: Penn Products Warehouse, 6075 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278; 317-388-8580 ext. 298. Drop-off is between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more information contact the office of CWS at Elkhart, Ind., at 574-264-3102. Go to www.churchworldservice.org/kits/cleanup-kits.html for information about what to include in the kits.
--Jane Yount, who serves as coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries; Judy Bezon, director of Children’s Disaster Services; and Zachary Wolgemuth, associate director of Brethren Disaster Ministries, contributed to this report.
Source: 6/13/2008 Newsline Extra
Disaster grant goes to Myanmar cyclone response.
A grant from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund will send $30,000 to support Church World Service (CWS) relief work in Myanmar, following the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis.
The grant is an an additional allocation for CWS-sponsored work in Myanmar. Brethren Disaster Ministries staff report that although much response to the cyclone continues to be delayed, the longstanding work of CWS in Asia and its partnership with several local organizations has allowed for a more immediate response that few other organizations have achieved.
The funds from the Church of the Brethren will help provide food rations, safe water supplies, and temporary shelters. A more detailed and comprehensive longterm response is expected in the future.
In a June 6 report from CWS, the organization emphasized that volunteers from local faith partners in Myanmar are visiting villages affected by the cyclone, distributing much-needed relief items to survivors. They are providing clean water through purification tablets and well cleaning, food, shelter, health care including medical teams of doctors and nurses, clothing, blankets, and psychosocial support.
"In all the places where the churches are providing assistance, the food is fresh--they are cooking and providing fresh food every day," explained a pastor in Myanmar, quoted in a CWS release. The pastor coordinates the relief effort among churches throughout the cyclone-affected areas. Speaking from 28 years of affiliation with CWS, the pastor says, "Churches (in Myanmar) provide support in a non-discriminatory way--this is the witness of the church."
Churches are doing this in various ways, one being transforming church buildings into temporary family shelters--21 in total, CWS reports. Church communities are also addressing the emotional pain caused by the cyclone by organizing teams of 20-30 students to provide psychosocial support for people living in displacement camps. "The first response of the people is just to survive," the pastor noted. "They are fearful."
The volunteers connected with CWS are reporting that all the school buildings in the area are destroyed, making it nearly impossible for children to return to school as planned this month. "While relief work is still going on, we have to already think of rehabilitation," one worker said, adding that there were around 50 days left before the monsoon planting season ends. Rice has to be planted before then, otherwise there will be a serious food shortage within six months.
Go to www.churchworldservice.org/news/myanmar/index.html for more information about the Church World Service response in Myanmar.
CWS also is encouraging people of faith to help get the word out to the media that its relief assistance is reaching people in Myanmar, through local partners. Church World Service has been working through partnerships in Myanmar since 1959. CWS has provided the following the sample letter to the editor:
Source: 6/13/2008 Newsline Extra
A grant from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund will send $30,000 to support Church World Service (CWS) relief work in Myanmar, following the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis.
The grant is an an additional allocation for CWS-sponsored work in Myanmar. Brethren Disaster Ministries staff report that although much response to the cyclone continues to be delayed, the longstanding work of CWS in Asia and its partnership with several local organizations has allowed for a more immediate response that few other organizations have achieved.
The funds from the Church of the Brethren will help provide food rations, safe water supplies, and temporary shelters. A more detailed and comprehensive longterm response is expected in the future.
In a June 6 report from CWS, the organization emphasized that volunteers from local faith partners in Myanmar are visiting villages affected by the cyclone, distributing much-needed relief items to survivors. They are providing clean water through purification tablets and well cleaning, food, shelter, health care including medical teams of doctors and nurses, clothing, blankets, and psychosocial support.
"In all the places where the churches are providing assistance, the food is fresh--they are cooking and providing fresh food every day," explained a pastor in Myanmar, quoted in a CWS release. The pastor coordinates the relief effort among churches throughout the cyclone-affected areas. Speaking from 28 years of affiliation with CWS, the pastor says, "Churches (in Myanmar) provide support in a non-discriminatory way--this is the witness of the church."
Churches are doing this in various ways, one being transforming church buildings into temporary family shelters--21 in total, CWS reports. Church communities are also addressing the emotional pain caused by the cyclone by organizing teams of 20-30 students to provide psychosocial support for people living in displacement camps. "The first response of the people is just to survive," the pastor noted. "They are fearful."
The volunteers connected with CWS are reporting that all the school buildings in the area are destroyed, making it nearly impossible for children to return to school as planned this month. "While relief work is still going on, we have to already think of rehabilitation," one worker said, adding that there were around 50 days left before the monsoon planting season ends. Rice has to be planted before then, otherwise there will be a serious food shortage within six months.
Go to www.churchworldservice.org/news/myanmar/index.html for more information about the Church World Service response in Myanmar.
CWS also is encouraging people of faith to help get the word out to the media that its relief assistance is reaching people in Myanmar, through local partners. Church World Service has been working through partnerships in Myanmar since 1959. CWS has provided the following the sample letter to the editor:
(DATE)--Jane Yount serves as coordinator of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
(YOUR ADDRESS)
Dear editor,
As the death tolls continue to climb from the cyclone that hit Myanmar (Burma) on May 3 aid agencies need additional support for emergency and recovery assistance to survivors. Working in Myanmar (Burma) has been difficult for many aid agencies but those tied to churches have an edge. Through Church World Service my church, the Church of the Brethren, has been able to get assistance to people on the ground in Myanmar (Burma) despite heavy restrictions on international agencies. That’s because most faith-based aid agencies operate by supporting local partners, citizens of the nation in need. The local partners supported by the Church of the Brethren and CWS pre-positioned supplies in advance of Cyclone Nargis and were able to deliver shelter, food, and water soon after the storm. A widespread, international effort will be needed if the people of Myanmar (Burma) are to recover from this disaster. While it is taking time for all agencies to respond, groups based in Myanmar (Burma) are trying to attend to massive needs. It’s important that we, as a community, continue to support relief work in Myanmar (Burma) through our local churches.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
(YOUR AREA OF RESIDENCE)
(PHONE # for news editor's verification only)
Source: 6/13/2008 Newsline Extra
Church of the Brethren congregation takes part in Indiana relief effort.
Christ Our Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Greenwood, Ind., has been keeping attuned to all of the relief efforts in Johnson County and the state of Indiana, following storms and flooding. Because of their efforts with the Johnson County courthouse and military veterans, through the denomination's Welcome Home Project, the congregation was called upon to help with the relief efforts ministering to victims of the flood of June 7 and beyond.
The church has teamed up with Johnson County Emergency Management, United Way, and the American Red Cross to be an information center, and with FEMA as a processing point for people to sign in for damage assessment and for FEMA assistance to help with recovery.
Christ Our Shepherd Church also is going to team up with a designated Johnson County person to provide staffing to run a free department store for furniture, washers and dryers, and other appliances. The church’s food pantry will continue to be open 24/7 as they become aware of emergency needs. The church also may be open to housing and providing kitchen facilities for cooking or special needs of volunteers on the way to help flood victims.
Volunteers in Indiana are being urged to be patient and wait for the flood waters to recede and for safe conditions before responding in affected areas.
--Jane Yount serves as coordinator of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
Source: 6/13/2008 Newsline Extra
Christ Our Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Greenwood, Ind., has been keeping attuned to all of the relief efforts in Johnson County and the state of Indiana, following storms and flooding. Because of their efforts with the Johnson County courthouse and military veterans, through the denomination's Welcome Home Project, the congregation was called upon to help with the relief efforts ministering to victims of the flood of June 7 and beyond.
The church has teamed up with Johnson County Emergency Management, United Way, and the American Red Cross to be an information center, and with FEMA as a processing point for people to sign in for damage assessment and for FEMA assistance to help with recovery.
Christ Our Shepherd Church also is going to team up with a designated Johnson County person to provide staffing to run a free department store for furniture, washers and dryers, and other appliances. The church’s food pantry will continue to be open 24/7 as they become aware of emergency needs. The church also may be open to housing and providing kitchen facilities for cooking or special needs of volunteers on the way to help flood victims.
Volunteers in Indiana are being urged to be patient and wait for the flood waters to recede and for safe conditions before responding in affected areas.
--Jane Yount serves as coordinator of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
Source: 6/13/2008 Newsline Extra
Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Jon Kobel contributed to this report.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Jon Kobel contributed to this report.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
NEWSLINE EXTRA: ERWIN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN DESTROYED BY LIGHTNING-SPARKED FIRE
The church building of Erwin (Tenn.) Church of the Brethren has been destroyed in a fire after lightning hit the steeple yesterday evening, June 9.
The same severe storm also passed through Bristol, Tenn., where First Church of the Brethren was hit by lightning but the fire there was contained in the steeple area and did not spread throughout the building.
Southeastern District has called for prayer for both congregations. "We appreciate the prayers. Everyone is just so thankful that no one was hurt," said district co-executive minister Martha Roudebush. Southeastern District is starting a fund to aid the two churches, she said.
Roudebush received phone calls about the two fires at almost the same time. "You can’t comprehend it, the fact that it was the same storm, and two churches in the district," she said. "It was just an emotional time."
"The roof exploded with fire" at the Erwin Church, Roudebush said, describing it as an older building with a steep roof. "The fire traveled so fast through the building," she said. However, First Church in Bristol fared much better. There the congregation will have to fix the steeple and a hole in the roof, but the rest of the building received only smoke and water damage.
Both congregations will be able to worship in their fellowship halls while the sanctuary is repaired, in the case of the Bristol church, or rebuilt in the case of the Erwin church. Both congregations are small, with around 25 to 50 in regular attendance, Roudebush said. First Church of the Brethren in Bristol is pastored by Michael Carmody. Erwin Church of the Brethren currently is being served by Phil Graeber, a retired minister who is preaching there part-time.
According to a report by NewsChannel 11 (WJHL) of Johnson City, Tenn., church members were among those from the town of Erwin who gathered to watch firefighters try unsuccessfully to save their 50-year-old church. Firefighters did succeed in saving the fellowship hall building next to the church.
Dramatic video of the Erwin Church fire has been posted by NewsChannel 11, go to http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/lightning_sparks_fire_destroys_erwin_church/10537/ to view it online.
The church building of Erwin (Tenn.) Church of the Brethren has been destroyed in a fire after lightning hit the steeple yesterday evening, June 9.
The same severe storm also passed through Bristol, Tenn., where First Church of the Brethren was hit by lightning but the fire there was contained in the steeple area and did not spread throughout the building.
Southeastern District has called for prayer for both congregations. "We appreciate the prayers. Everyone is just so thankful that no one was hurt," said district co-executive minister Martha Roudebush. Southeastern District is starting a fund to aid the two churches, she said.
Roudebush received phone calls about the two fires at almost the same time. "You can’t comprehend it, the fact that it was the same storm, and two churches in the district," she said. "It was just an emotional time."
"The roof exploded with fire" at the Erwin Church, Roudebush said, describing it as an older building with a steep roof. "The fire traveled so fast through the building," she said. However, First Church in Bristol fared much better. There the congregation will have to fix the steeple and a hole in the roof, but the rest of the building received only smoke and water damage.
Both congregations will be able to worship in their fellowship halls while the sanctuary is repaired, in the case of the Bristol church, or rebuilt in the case of the Erwin church. Both congregations are small, with around 25 to 50 in regular attendance, Roudebush said. First Church of the Brethren in Bristol is pastored by Michael Carmody. Erwin Church of the Brethren currently is being served by Phil Graeber, a retired minister who is preaching there part-time.
According to a report by NewsChannel 11 (WJHL) of Johnson City, Tenn., church members were among those from the town of Erwin who gathered to watch firefighters try unsuccessfully to save their 50-year-old church. Firefighters did succeed in saving the fellowship hall building next to the church.
Dramatic video of the Erwin Church fire has been posted by NewsChannel 11, go to http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/lightning_sparks_fire_destroys_erwin_church/10537/ to view it online.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
NEWS
- Church of the Brethren continues annual drop in membership.
- Annual Conference moderator visits with Brethren in Nigeria.
- Virlina District joins friend-of-the-court brief on church property.
- United Church of Canada endorses Gather 'Round curriculum.
- Rates drop for charitable gift annuities.
- Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, disaster response, and more.
Church of the Brethren continues annual drop in membership.
First the good news: Membership in the Church of the Brethren dropped by a smaller amount in 2007 that in either of the previous two years, down a net 1,562 members to a total of 125,964 in the US and Puerto Rico. And the denomination’s smallest district, Missouri/Arkansas, had the largest percentage gain, adding a net of six new members to grow to 555 (up 1.09 percent).
Three other districts--Shenandoah (net gain of 46 members), Middle Pennsylvania (31), and West Marva (22)--reported smaller gains in the past year.
The overall decline of 1.22 percent, however, continues a trend dating to the early 1960s. Most "mainline" denominations in the United States have experienced similar trends.
Statistics are from data collected annually by the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook" published by Brethren Press. The figures do not include Church of the Brethren membership in other countries, including Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Brazil, and India.
Of the other 19 US districts, the largest losses came elsewhere in Pennsylvania and the west. Western Plains had the largest numerical decline, with a net loss of 307 members. Five other districts--Western Pennsylvania (down 182), Oregon/Washington (174), Illinois/Wisconsin (172), Atlantic Northeast (149), and Southern Pennsylvania (121)--had triple-digit net losses.
As a percentage, Oregon/Washington’s decline was the largest, at 13.4 percent, followed by three other western districts: Western Plains (a net loss of 8.53 percent), Idaho (6.92 percent), and Northern Plains (3.11 percent).
Atlantic Northeast, which covers eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, and Maine, is the largest district in the denomination, with 14,711 members at the end of 2007, followed by Shenandoah District and Virlina District.
The numbers of congregations, fellowships, and projects were all lower at the end of 2007. Congregations decreased by four, to 1,006; fellowships dropped from 39 to 37; and projects from 15 to 12. Total reported average weekly worship attendance fell by nearly 2,500 from the year before, to 61,125, and the number of baptisms in 2007 dropped sharply, to 1,380.
But in another bit of good news, reported giving to most agencies and programs was up, with average per capita giving of $43. Of the major funds, only the General Board’s Core Ministries Fund saw a slight decrease in actual giving; donations to Bethany Theological Seminary, On Earth Peace, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and special-purpose funds all increased.
Updated "Yearbook" figures are based on data provided by congregations that turn in statistical reports. In 2007, 64.5 percent of the congregations reported, slightly less than in most previous years; 68.7 percent reported in 2006.
The "Yearbook" also lists contact information and statistics for congregations, districts, and agencies of the denomination, as well as related Brethren organizations. The 2008 edition is available from Brethren Press; to order call 800-441-3712.
--Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren's "Messenger" magazine.
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
First the good news: Membership in the Church of the Brethren dropped by a smaller amount in 2007 that in either of the previous two years, down a net 1,562 members to a total of 125,964 in the US and Puerto Rico. And the denomination’s smallest district, Missouri/Arkansas, had the largest percentage gain, adding a net of six new members to grow to 555 (up 1.09 percent).
Three other districts--Shenandoah (net gain of 46 members), Middle Pennsylvania (31), and West Marva (22)--reported smaller gains in the past year.
The overall decline of 1.22 percent, however, continues a trend dating to the early 1960s. Most "mainline" denominations in the United States have experienced similar trends.
Statistics are from data collected annually by the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook" published by Brethren Press. The figures do not include Church of the Brethren membership in other countries, including Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Brazil, and India.
Of the other 19 US districts, the largest losses came elsewhere in Pennsylvania and the west. Western Plains had the largest numerical decline, with a net loss of 307 members. Five other districts--Western Pennsylvania (down 182), Oregon/Washington (174), Illinois/Wisconsin (172), Atlantic Northeast (149), and Southern Pennsylvania (121)--had triple-digit net losses.
As a percentage, Oregon/Washington’s decline was the largest, at 13.4 percent, followed by three other western districts: Western Plains (a net loss of 8.53 percent), Idaho (6.92 percent), and Northern Plains (3.11 percent).
Atlantic Northeast, which covers eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, and Maine, is the largest district in the denomination, with 14,711 members at the end of 2007, followed by Shenandoah District and Virlina District.
The numbers of congregations, fellowships, and projects were all lower at the end of 2007. Congregations decreased by four, to 1,006; fellowships dropped from 39 to 37; and projects from 15 to 12. Total reported average weekly worship attendance fell by nearly 2,500 from the year before, to 61,125, and the number of baptisms in 2007 dropped sharply, to 1,380.
But in another bit of good news, reported giving to most agencies and programs was up, with average per capita giving of $43. Of the major funds, only the General Board’s Core Ministries Fund saw a slight decrease in actual giving; donations to Bethany Theological Seminary, On Earth Peace, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and special-purpose funds all increased.
Updated "Yearbook" figures are based on data provided by congregations that turn in statistical reports. In 2007, 64.5 percent of the congregations reported, slightly less than in most previous years; 68.7 percent reported in 2006.
The "Yearbook" also lists contact information and statistics for congregations, districts, and agencies of the denomination, as well as related Brethren organizations. The 2008 edition is available from Brethren Press; to order call 800-441-3712.
--Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren's "Messenger" magazine.
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
Annual Conference moderator visits with Brethren in Nigeria.
James Beckwith, moderator of the 2008 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, returned on May 12 from a 12-day trip to Nigeria to visit with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
In Nigeria, Beckwith traveled with David and Judith Whitten. David Whitten serves as Church of the Brethren mission coordinator in Nigeria. The group visited with a number of key leaders in EYN. Currently, Filibus Gwama serves as EYN’s president, Samuel Shinggu as vice president, and Jinatu Wamdeo as general secretary.
Beckwith went to a variety of locations important to the Brethren in Nigeria, including the national capital, Abuja, where EYN has a large congregation; the EYN headquarters and Kulp Bible College and Comprehensive Secondary School near the city of Mubi; the city of Jos, and the nearby Theological College of Northern Nigeria; and the village of Garkida, where decades ago the first Brethren worship service in Nigeria was held outdoors under a tamarind tree. Beckwith presented 300th Anniversary calendars, courtesy of Michigan District, everywhere he went in Nigeria, he said.
In Garkida, he had the opportunity to preach at the church where he had worshiped as a youth, when his parents served as Church of the Brethren missionaries. He spoke with a translator on John 12 and the 300th Anniversary theme. "That was special," he said, adding that he spent time with the children of the congregation in Sunday school classes. He also preached in Abuja. Each service lasted about three-and-a-half hours, and hundreds of people attended, with the congregation in Abuja numbering almost 1,000.
In Nigeria, Beckwith found a church faced by "tremendous struggle with financial strain," including a large disparity between members who are wealthy and those in poverty. The church also is facing up to the task of overcoming tribalism--EYN includes members from a wide variety of ethnic groups--and issues related to the education and nurture of church leaders.
At Kulp Bible College, he heard that the school may put a quota on the number of students, because EYN has more trained pastors than positions available. A theological career is "an exciting opportunity" in Nigeria, Beckwith said. At the same time, there have been periods of months when the church has been unable to pay faculty salaries. And the growth in the number of preaching points in EYN also is slowing down, Beckwith said. Pastors and Bible teachers in Nigeria must "be in it for the Lord’s work," he commented.
EYN is putting into place a plan for a centralized system to pay pastors salaries, rather than having local congregations pay their pastors directly, in order to work on the disparity between more affluent and poorer churches. The church hopes to make the plan work through a new requirement for 70 percent of offerings to congregations to be passed on to the denomination. Another hope for the plan is to be able to fund pensions for retired pastors. EYN also is carrying out an impressive pastoral development program, Beckwith said.
While Beckwith was in the country, EYN leaders were involved in a top-level meeting of religious leaders in northern Nigeria, held in Maiduguri where interfaith violence between Muslims and Christians has killed many people and destroyed churches. The president and vice president of EYN attended along with Muslim Emirs and leaders of other Christian bodies.
In visits with staff of Mission 21, a European mission agency that has worked with EYN and the Church of the Brethren for years, Beckwith heard a good report of work toward a solar-powered well digging and water piping system for EYN headquarters. Mission 21 also works with Theological Education by Extension and an HIV/AIDS project.
He also joined in a pastoral visit by mission workers to pray for health for a baby boy named Micah--the new child of a church member who had lost all five of his older children to illness.
"It’s important to maintain brotherly and sisterly ties with EYN," Beckwith said. "I am impressed by the vibrant life and faith they have in the midst of frequent death." The good regard is mutual, he added. EYN general secretary Jinatu Wamdeo "offered a prayer for me and for the Church of the Brethren, that we would experience peace, purity, progress, and power."
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
James Beckwith, moderator of the 2008 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, returned on May 12 from a 12-day trip to Nigeria to visit with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
In Nigeria, Beckwith traveled with David and Judith Whitten. David Whitten serves as Church of the Brethren mission coordinator in Nigeria. The group visited with a number of key leaders in EYN. Currently, Filibus Gwama serves as EYN’s president, Samuel Shinggu as vice president, and Jinatu Wamdeo as general secretary.
Beckwith went to a variety of locations important to the Brethren in Nigeria, including the national capital, Abuja, where EYN has a large congregation; the EYN headquarters and Kulp Bible College and Comprehensive Secondary School near the city of Mubi; the city of Jos, and the nearby Theological College of Northern Nigeria; and the village of Garkida, where decades ago the first Brethren worship service in Nigeria was held outdoors under a tamarind tree. Beckwith presented 300th Anniversary calendars, courtesy of Michigan District, everywhere he went in Nigeria, he said.
In Garkida, he had the opportunity to preach at the church where he had worshiped as a youth, when his parents served as Church of the Brethren missionaries. He spoke with a translator on John 12 and the 300th Anniversary theme. "That was special," he said, adding that he spent time with the children of the congregation in Sunday school classes. He also preached in Abuja. Each service lasted about three-and-a-half hours, and hundreds of people attended, with the congregation in Abuja numbering almost 1,000.
In Nigeria, Beckwith found a church faced by "tremendous struggle with financial strain," including a large disparity between members who are wealthy and those in poverty. The church also is facing up to the task of overcoming tribalism--EYN includes members from a wide variety of ethnic groups--and issues related to the education and nurture of church leaders.
At Kulp Bible College, he heard that the school may put a quota on the number of students, because EYN has more trained pastors than positions available. A theological career is "an exciting opportunity" in Nigeria, Beckwith said. At the same time, there have been periods of months when the church has been unable to pay faculty salaries. And the growth in the number of preaching points in EYN also is slowing down, Beckwith said. Pastors and Bible teachers in Nigeria must "be in it for the Lord’s work," he commented.
EYN is putting into place a plan for a centralized system to pay pastors salaries, rather than having local congregations pay their pastors directly, in order to work on the disparity between more affluent and poorer churches. The church hopes to make the plan work through a new requirement for 70 percent of offerings to congregations to be passed on to the denomination. Another hope for the plan is to be able to fund pensions for retired pastors. EYN also is carrying out an impressive pastoral development program, Beckwith said.
While Beckwith was in the country, EYN leaders were involved in a top-level meeting of religious leaders in northern Nigeria, held in Maiduguri where interfaith violence between Muslims and Christians has killed many people and destroyed churches. The president and vice president of EYN attended along with Muslim Emirs and leaders of other Christian bodies.
In visits with staff of Mission 21, a European mission agency that has worked with EYN and the Church of the Brethren for years, Beckwith heard a good report of work toward a solar-powered well digging and water piping system for EYN headquarters. Mission 21 also works with Theological Education by Extension and an HIV/AIDS project.
He also joined in a pastoral visit by mission workers to pray for health for a baby boy named Micah--the new child of a church member who had lost all five of his older children to illness.
"It’s important to maintain brotherly and sisterly ties with EYN," Beckwith said. "I am impressed by the vibrant life and faith they have in the midst of frequent death." The good regard is mutual, he added. EYN general secretary Jinatu Wamdeo "offered a prayer for me and for the Church of the Brethren, that we would experience peace, purity, progress, and power."
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
Virlina District joins friend-of-the-court brief on church property.
The Church of the Brethren’s Virlina District has joined a "friend of the court" brief with other denominations, concerning recent court decisions in Virginia related to church property holdings. The district board made the decision to join the friend-of-the-court brief at its meeting on May 10. The issue was referred to the district by the Virginia Council of Churches.
A Civil War-era law is being used to allow a group of conservative Episcopalians to leave the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia with millions of dollars worth of property, according to a "Washington Times" report. The diocese, the Episcopal Church, and a number of other Christian denominations and districts are arguing that the law is unconstitutional. Splits among Episcopalians are over the election of an openly gay bishop, and biblical authority, and those leaving the Episcopal Church are joining a new Anglican body.
Oral arguments in the trial began May 28 at the Fairfax County courthouse. The case is not expected to conclude for some time.
If the Fairfax County court upholds the Civil War-era law, it will set a precedent for the whole state of Virginia, according to Virlina District executive minister David Shumate. Three other Church of the Brethren districts with congregations in Virginia--Shenandoah District, Southeastern District, and Mid-Atlantic District--will be affected along with Virlina.
The case could have implications for Church of the Brethren congregations in Virginia because under Church of the Brethren denominational polity, the property of congregations is held in trust for the use and benefit of the denomination.
The Annual Conference Polity Manual states, "That if the property ever ceases to be used in accordance with the provisions set forth [in the polity manual], or in cases where the congregation has been closed or the property abandoned, the district conference may, upon recommendation of the district board, assert title to the property and have the same vested in the district board, in trust, for the district."
If a congregation attempts to leave the denomination, Church of the Brethren polity states: "Any property that it may have shall be within the control of the district board and may be held for the designated purposes or sold or disposed of in such a manner as the district board, in its sole discretion, may direct."
However the Virginia law in question, passed in 1867 after the Civil War, during a time of dissension in churches over slavery and North-South issues, holds that "when a denomination or congregation divides, the majority can vote on who is the continuing congregation and who owns the property," said Cathy Huffman, chair of the Virlina District Board. "That’s obviously not how we’ve done it" in the Church of the Brethren, she said.
"The law that’s being referred to in the cases in Fairfax County says it doesn’t matter what the church’s polity is," Shumate explained.
The friend-of-the-court brief contends that the law is unconstitutional in that it inserts the state into church relations, Huffman said. If the law is upheld, "the state can potentially decide what is the church," she said. "The denominations that filed the brief are interestingly diverse, but they have the view that the church is larger than the congregation."
"It’s never fun when you have a fight in the family," Huffman commented. A recent conflict in a congregation in Virlina District has been "a vivid example" of problems faced by the Episcopal Church, she said. When the larger part of the congregation decided to leave, the group that continued in relationship with the Church of the Brethren was recognized by the district, even though it was smaller. The district board was "very cautious to make sure we were following Church of the Brethren polity," which made the Episcopal court case all the more disconcerting, Huffman said.
Huffman emphasized that in making the decision to join the friend-of-the-court brief, the district board was reminded by at least one member that their intent is not to signal that the courts are the way to go in church disputes.
In the 1970s when a Church of the Brethren congregation in Botetourt County, Va., tried to leave the denomination, the courts awarded the property to the district because the Church of the Brethren denominational polity was so very clear, Shumate said. He summarized the Church of the Brethren polity in a succinct sentence: "If you leave the church, you leave everything behind."
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
The Church of the Brethren’s Virlina District has joined a "friend of the court" brief with other denominations, concerning recent court decisions in Virginia related to church property holdings. The district board made the decision to join the friend-of-the-court brief at its meeting on May 10. The issue was referred to the district by the Virginia Council of Churches.
A Civil War-era law is being used to allow a group of conservative Episcopalians to leave the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia with millions of dollars worth of property, according to a "Washington Times" report. The diocese, the Episcopal Church, and a number of other Christian denominations and districts are arguing that the law is unconstitutional. Splits among Episcopalians are over the election of an openly gay bishop, and biblical authority, and those leaving the Episcopal Church are joining a new Anglican body.
Oral arguments in the trial began May 28 at the Fairfax County courthouse. The case is not expected to conclude for some time.
If the Fairfax County court upholds the Civil War-era law, it will set a precedent for the whole state of Virginia, according to Virlina District executive minister David Shumate. Three other Church of the Brethren districts with congregations in Virginia--Shenandoah District, Southeastern District, and Mid-Atlantic District--will be affected along with Virlina.
The case could have implications for Church of the Brethren congregations in Virginia because under Church of the Brethren denominational polity, the property of congregations is held in trust for the use and benefit of the denomination.
The Annual Conference Polity Manual states, "That if the property ever ceases to be used in accordance with the provisions set forth [in the polity manual], or in cases where the congregation has been closed or the property abandoned, the district conference may, upon recommendation of the district board, assert title to the property and have the same vested in the district board, in trust, for the district."
If a congregation attempts to leave the denomination, Church of the Brethren polity states: "Any property that it may have shall be within the control of the district board and may be held for the designated purposes or sold or disposed of in such a manner as the district board, in its sole discretion, may direct."
However the Virginia law in question, passed in 1867 after the Civil War, during a time of dissension in churches over slavery and North-South issues, holds that "when a denomination or congregation divides, the majority can vote on who is the continuing congregation and who owns the property," said Cathy Huffman, chair of the Virlina District Board. "That’s obviously not how we’ve done it" in the Church of the Brethren, she said.
"The law that’s being referred to in the cases in Fairfax County says it doesn’t matter what the church’s polity is," Shumate explained.
The friend-of-the-court brief contends that the law is unconstitutional in that it inserts the state into church relations, Huffman said. If the law is upheld, "the state can potentially decide what is the church," she said. "The denominations that filed the brief are interestingly diverse, but they have the view that the church is larger than the congregation."
"It’s never fun when you have a fight in the family," Huffman commented. A recent conflict in a congregation in Virlina District has been "a vivid example" of problems faced by the Episcopal Church, she said. When the larger part of the congregation decided to leave, the group that continued in relationship with the Church of the Brethren was recognized by the district, even though it was smaller. The district board was "very cautious to make sure we were following Church of the Brethren polity," which made the Episcopal court case all the more disconcerting, Huffman said.
Huffman emphasized that in making the decision to join the friend-of-the-court brief, the district board was reminded by at least one member that their intent is not to signal that the courts are the way to go in church disputes.
In the 1970s when a Church of the Brethren congregation in Botetourt County, Va., tried to leave the denomination, the courts awarded the property to the district because the Church of the Brethren denominational polity was so very clear, Shumate said. He summarized the Church of the Brethren polity in a succinct sentence: "If you leave the church, you leave everything behind."
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
United Church of Canada endorses Gather 'Round curriculum.
The United Church of Canada has become the newest cooperative user of the Gather 'Round curriculum, citing its value for congregations that want to connect with families. Gather 'Round: Hearing and Sharing God's Good News is a project of Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing Network. The curriculum serves children, youth, and parents and caregivers.
"Family, and parents in particular, play an important role in the spiritual development and faith formation of their children," noted Amy Crawford, program coordinator for children, young teens, and youth. "United Church parents and congregations will appreciate the Talkabout, an important component of Gather 'Round, which provides parents with practical ways to talk about faith with their children, and helps congregations and families stay connected."
Crawford also highlighted the way Gather 'Round helps children encounter the Bible stories. "The stories of the Bible speak powerfully about who God is and how God relates to people and all of creation. Gather 'Round provides children with opportunities to encounter biblical stories, interpret their meaning, and make connections so that they can live the story in the world."
Cooperative users are denominations that have officially endorsed the curriculum for their congregations, warehousing inventory and promoting the material as one of their recommended curricula. Other Gather 'Round cooperative users are the Mennonite Brethren, the Moravian Church in America, and the United Church of Christ. Gather 'Round has also been recommended to congregations of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the Brethren in Christ, Friends United Meeting, and areas of the Episcopal Church.
For more go to www.gatherround.org or call Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
The United Church of Canada has become the newest cooperative user of the Gather 'Round curriculum, citing its value for congregations that want to connect with families. Gather 'Round: Hearing and Sharing God's Good News is a project of Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing Network. The curriculum serves children, youth, and parents and caregivers.
"Family, and parents in particular, play an important role in the spiritual development and faith formation of their children," noted Amy Crawford, program coordinator for children, young teens, and youth. "United Church parents and congregations will appreciate the Talkabout, an important component of Gather 'Round, which provides parents with practical ways to talk about faith with their children, and helps congregations and families stay connected."
Crawford also highlighted the way Gather 'Round helps children encounter the Bible stories. "The stories of the Bible speak powerfully about who God is and how God relates to people and all of creation. Gather 'Round provides children with opportunities to encounter biblical stories, interpret their meaning, and make connections so that they can live the story in the world."
Cooperative users are denominations that have officially endorsed the curriculum for their congregations, warehousing inventory and promoting the material as one of their recommended curricula. Other Gather 'Round cooperative users are the Mennonite Brethren, the Moravian Church in America, and the United Church of Christ. Gather 'Round has also been recommended to congregations of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the Brethren in Christ, Friends United Meeting, and areas of the Episcopal Church.
For more go to www.gatherround.org or call Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.
Source: 6/4/2008 Newsline
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