NEWS

• Annual Conference Council reviews, implements 2004 actions.
  
• National Older Adult Conference inspires new journeys with God.
  
• Disaster programs care for children, give grant.
  
• Brethren Volunteer Service summer unit completes orientation.
  
• Brethren bits: Remembrance, job openings, and more.

PERSONNEL

• Jo Young Switzer called to Manchester College presidency.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Organizers announce plans for Mission Alive 2005.

RESOURCES

• Lectionary readings posted on website, 'Guide' topics announced.

Annual Conference Council reviews, implements 2004 actions.

The Annual Conference Council, meeting Aug. 28 in Elgin, Ill., welcomed two new members, took next steps with regard to actions of the 2004 Conference, and reviewed minutes of a conversation held at the Conference on the 2003 "Query of Clarification of Confusion," according to report by Conference secretary Fred Swartz.

New members are Ronald D. Beachley, moderator elect and executive minister for Western Pennsylvania District; and Joan Daggett, associate executive minister for Shenandoah District. Continuing members are chair Earl K. Ziegler, a past moderator; Jim Hardenbrook, 2005 moderator; Christopher Bowman, immediate past moderator; Swartz; and Lerry Fogle, executive director.

The council discussed next steps with regard to two study committees named by the 2004 Conference: the Doing Church Business Study Committee and the Multi-Ethnic/Cross Cultural Study Committee. The Committee on Interchurch Relations was to be asked to assist in naming the member of the Multi-Ethnic/Cross Cultural Study Committee who will be ex-officio from the American Baptist Churches USA. The council also decided to seek the assistance of the General Board's Congregational Life Team staff who serve as liaisons to the Cross-Cultural Ministries Team, to develop a form for use by agencies, districts, and congregations in assessing their ethnic ministries and relationships.

In a follow-up report, Fogle announced that the Doing Church Business Study Committee--comprising Joe Detrick, Matt Guynn, Verdena Lee, Dale Posthumus, and Dave Shetler--will meet Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The Multi-Ethnic/Cross-Cultural Study Committee--comprising Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff, Nadine Monn, Ruben DeOleo, Neemita Pandya, Gilbert Romero, and Asha Solanky--will meet Oct. 17-18. Fogle also announced that this committee elected Thomas Dowdy, pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren, Los Angeles, Calif., as the African-American member of the group at the direction of Annual Conference. "The Annual Conference Office extends much gratitude to others who were on the ballot to fill that additional position," Fogle said.

A new committee to update the 1988 Conference statement, "A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues," will be named by the council following recommendations from the denominational name study committee that reported in 2004. The three-member committee will consist of a member of the council, a member of the study committee, and a person with skills in conflict resolution.

The papers "Functions and Qualifications of the Local Church Moderator" and "Resolution on Iraq" will be posted on the Conference website at www.brethren.org. The paper on moderators will be sent to districts with the request that it be reproduced for congregations. The council also will remind districts of the paper on "Congregational Disagreement with Annual Conference Decisions" as a resource.

Swartz reported that the council "carefully read the recorded minutes of the 'conversation' sponsored by the council, held during Annual Conference on July 4, 2004." The conversation was held on the "Query of Clarification of Confusion," which referred to the response of the 2002 Conference to the query "Licensing/Ordination of Homosexual Persons to the Ministry in the Church of the Brethren." The conversation also covered theological and ministry-related issues.

The council recorded the following minute with regard to the July 4 conversation:

"The council's good intention in holding this meeting was to hear the ideas, suggestions, and concerns of persons across the denomination in an effort to gather as much information and assistance as possible toward answering the questions about ministry raised in the 2003 query, 'Clarification of Confusion.' From comments made by persons in attendance at the meeting, and from communications received by the council since Conference, it is evident to the council that the word 'conversation' in the session title conveyed a meaning other than that intended by the council. Questions were asked of the council, both in the query and in the Charleston meeting, that its members feel inadequate to answer without having dialogue with the denomination. The council sees as its task the responsibility to see that these questions are answered, but does not feel that its members alone have the definitive answers. So the Council is endeavoring to take steps to see that the questions are addressed.

"Questions identified as needing answers include the following: What are the denominational requirements or qualifications for calling and maintaining persons in ministry? Is the church consistent in its 'list' and perceptions of the gifts and qualifications of ministers? What is the nature and parameters of the authority given districts in the calling, licensing, ordaining, and disciplining of ministers? What is the Brethren understanding of the relationship of baptism to the set-apart ministry? What mechanisms, processes, assumptions can be established to provide for creative dialogue on issues on which Brethren strongly disagree?

"The council noted that the General Board Office on Ministry has agreed to review the denominational policies on ministry. The council also continues to seek a dialogue with the Council of District Executives concerning the questions raised by the query 'Clarification of Confusion.' The council continues to give attention to this item in its meetings, noting progress and information gathered. Finally, the council has reported its work to Standing Committee and it continues to keep the District of Michigan apprised of its progress toward responding to the questions of the query."

A complete summary of the council's meeting can be obtained from the Annual Conference office, 800-323-8039 or e-mail annualconference@brethren.org. For the "Query of Clarification of Confusion" and the council's response go to the Annual Conference pages at www.brethren.org, click on Conference Statements.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

National Older Adult Conference inspires new journeys with God.

More than 1,150 attendees were welcomed to the seventh National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) by Scott Douglas, conference planner and Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) director of Older Adult Ministry, on Sept. 6. The event continued through Sept. 10 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Speakers and preachers inspired attendees to continue their journeys with a new life brought by God, reported ABC communication director Mary Dulabaum.

At opening worship, Kurt Borgmann, senior pastor of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, Ind., described how after surviving a night of wrestling with God, Jacob received God's blessing and his life changed. He called on those who may think their life's work is complete to continue on a new journey with God's blessing. During the service, Joyce Person created clay pots as a metaphor for being crafted by God's hands.

Tom Mullen, retired from Earlham School of Religion, encouraged participants to give gratitude to God even during difficult times. In the closing service Deanna Brown, pastor of Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Fort Wayne, Ind., used the New Testament story of the wedding feast to illustrate how all are called to put on garments of a new day. Attendees put on strips of cloth from the first conference of the Historic Peace Churches in Africa representing new clothes for their lives' work following NOAC.

Keynote speaker Deforia Lane, music therapist at Ireland Cancer Center and University Hospitals of Cleveland, brought home the healing power of music. Pam Brubaker, professor of religion at California Lutheran University, used the gathering of manna and Jesus' feeding of 5,000 as examples of how God has provided for everyone if people take only what they need. Other presenters included Bible study leader Stephen Reid, academic dean at Bethany Theological Seminary; ventriloquist Steve Engle; and Tex Sample, who talked about generational differences. More than 25 people attended an Older Adult Ministry Training Seminar led by Sample, held concurrently with NOAC.

Brethren favorites such as "Blessed Assurance" and "He Lives" were sung in four-part harmony during a hymn festival led by Wil Nolen, president of Brethren Benefit Trust. The event featured the 100-member NOAC choir.

Conference planners had much to be grateful for during a week of rain brought by Hurricane Frances, which wreaked havoc in surrounding low-lying areas. Despite the weather, attendees participated in early morning exercises and devotions, afternoon interest groups and handcrafts, and late afternoon entertainment from local artisans. More than 60 turned out for a walk/run around the lake sponsored by the Fellowship of Brethren Homes.

"Perhaps what helped attendees most were the daily doses of humor provided by the infamous 'video guys' during morning and evening announcements," Dulabaum said. "Many people gave of their time and talents by coordinating events and volunteering throughout the week," she added. Participants donated seven boxes of eyeglasses and collected 574 Gift of the Heart kits onsite--another 139 are being completed by Harry and Gerry Graybill, coordinators of the service projects. Attendees gave generously to caring ministries of the church through offerings totaling $23,540 for ABC. The next NOAC will be Sept. 4-8, 2006.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Disaster programs care for children, give grant.

"Hurricane Charley, Frances, and now Ivan. Things are happening so fast it's hard for me to give you an accurate and complete report on the current situation," wrote Helen Stonesifer in a Sept. 14 update. She coordinates Disaster Child Care for the General Board.

As Hurricane Ivan was expected to hit western Florida, two teams of child care volunteers were evacuated for a second time. Hurricane Frances caused the evacuation of three of four childcare teams at work in Florida following Hurricane Charley. Volunteers had returned to work in Kissimmee, Orlando, Englewood, and Wauchula by Sept. 8. Since the project opened Aug. 22, 31 volunteers have made contact with over 750 children. FEMA has requested additional child care volunteers to staff more centers scheduled to open as a result of Frances and Ivan.

The Emergency Disaster Fund allocated $15,000 to support the child care, fund clean up, and help establish a rebuilding project. The Disaster Response office is sending Larry Williams, a disaster project director from Frederick, Md., to Florida to evaluate areas of need for a rebuilding project. He will work with Atlantic Southeast District disaster response coordinator John Mueller to determine project sites and volunteer housing options, and to meet with other disaster programs, reported Emergency Response director Roy Winter.

Winter already is assessing the next storm to come through the Caribbean. "As Hurricane Ivan unleashes rain and destruction on gulf coast states, now hurricane Jeanne strengthened while over Puerto Rico," he said. "I have reports of a foot of rain in Puerto Rico with more coming. At this point I have not been able to reach anyone in Puerto Rico, but expect there will be a lot of flooding."

The Emergency Response office issued guidelines for those wanting to donate relief materials. "It is vitally important that people wishing to donate material goods go through the proper channels and donate only those items that are specifically requested by authorized relief agencies," disaster response coordinator Jane Yount said. She asked those wanting to donate to Florida to see www.volunteerflorida.org or call 800-FL HELP-1. Donations will go to a partnership of disaster relief organizations and the Tampa Fair authority, to be distributed to local relief agencies for those in need. Another option for material donations is Gift of the Heart kits, particularly Emergency Clean-up Buckets and Health Kits, Yount said. For more information visit www.churchworldservice.org/kits.

In other news, Disaster Child Care has been requested to provide child care at the Lummi Indian Totem Poles Ceremony Sept. 19. A team of four will staff the child care center. The Lummi Nation from Washington State, with other tribes and intertribal organizations, is delivering a final pair of totem poles to help the country heal from the events of Sept. 11, 2001. A 2002 Healing Pole and a 2003 Honoring Pole commemorated the tragic events in New York and Shanksville, Pa. Now Liberty and Freedom Totem Poles will be placed at the Pentagon. For more information visit www.lummihealingpole.org.

The program also is providing child care at the Disaster Relief Auction at the Lebanon (Pa.) Area Fairgrounds Sept. 25. Trained volunteers who are available to help are asked to call 717-665-6416 or email gsfaus@juno.com.

A Level I Disaster Child Care Training Workshop will be offered Sept. 18-19 at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren. Currently 32 people are registered. For more information visit www.disasterchildcare.org or call 800-451-4407.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Brethren Volunteer Service summer unit completes orientation.

Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 260, which completed orientation July 25-Aug. 13 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., has entered into service at projects across the US and in Europe.

Unit members, their congregations or hometowns, and their projects are: Matthew Bahn, Codorus Church of the Brethren, Loganville, Pa., to the Greenhill YMCA in Northern Ireland. Kat Beirne, Davis, Calif., to the San Antonio (Texas) Catholic Worker House. Rachel Bell, Columbia City, Ind. Martin Bleisteiner, Frankfurt, Germany, to the Oakland (Calif.) Catholic Worker House. Allison Bryan, Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Fort Wayne, Ind., to the Peace and Reconciliation Group, Northern Ireland. Matt Clemens, Harrisonburg, Va., to Brot und Rosen, Hamburg, Germany. Catherine Detweiler, Salem, Va., to the Brethren Nutrition Program, Washington, D.C. Lauren Eby, York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard, Ill., and Robyn Holl, University Park Church of the Brethren, Hyattsville, Md., to Mladi Most, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ryan Henry, York (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren, to Hopewell Inn, Mesopotamia, Ohio. Natalie Hershberger, Roaring Spring (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren, to Camp Stevens, Julian, Calif. Sarah Huffman, Mill Creek Church of the Brethren, Port Republic, Va., to the Center for Environmental Public Advocacy, Slovakia. Adrian Lubkowitz, Egelsbach, Germany, to the Tri-City Homeless Coalition, Fremont, Calif. Gayle McMenamy, Chicago, Ill., to the Brother David Darst Center, Chicago. Sarah Mertz, Omaha, Neb., to School Of Americas Watch, Washington, D.C. Jenn Morris, North Manchester, Ind., and Neemita Pandya, Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, to the Tri-City Homeless Coalition, Fremont, Calif. Stephan Pickl, Munich, Germany, to CentrePeace, Bellefonte, Pa. Pascale Reinke, Ahnatal, Germany, to Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos, Houston, Texas. Amy Robandt, Salt Lake City, Utah, to Gould Farm, Monterey, Mass. George Stiff, Dallas, Texas, to the Center for Ecology and Energy, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Tim Verni-Lau, Rockford, Ill., to Samaritan House, Atlanta, Ga. Matt Whitten, Moscow Church of the Brethren, Mount Solon, Va., to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office. Katie Yoder, Goshen, Ind., to the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Germany.



Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Brethren bits: Remembrance, job openings, and more.

• Mary Beth Bieber, a missionary in Nigeria along with her husband, Charles, from 1950-63, died July 20 at her home in Lancaster, Pa. Originally from the Pottstown, Pa., area, she grew up in Royersford Church of the Brethren. The couple had marked their 60th wedding anniversary in June. The two met while both attended Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. Bieber graduated from Juniata in 1943. As a missionary, she was a teacher and school principal and helped develop a district-wide organization for women. Two of the couple's five children were born in Nigeria. Her legacy lives on in that country: 10 different phone calls of sympathy came from Nigeria in the two days after her death.
  
  
• The Brethren Home Community, New Oxford, Pa., is seeking to fill two job openings. The retirement community seeks a Public Relations/Communications Director who will be responsible for a program designed to build and strengthen its reputation and role as a leader in the healthcare industry. The community also seeks a Marketing Manager who will be responsible to establish objectives, organize, and manage the marketing functions of the organization. Both positions require a bachelor's degree in a related field and 3-5 years of related work experience. Send resumes by Sept. 30 to The Brethren Home Community, Attn: Christine Daoularis, Human Resources, 2990 Carlisle Pike, P.O. Box 128, New Oxford, PA 17350.
  
  
• A wrap-up video of National Young Adult Conference 2004 is available. The video runs about 20 minutes and gives viewers a taste of the NYAC spirit, according to Becky Ullom, who served as coordinator. To order your copy, contact David Sollenberger at lsvideo@comcast.net. A DVD or a VHS tape costs $15.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren's next Cross Cultural Consultation and Celebration will be held April 21-24, 2005, in Richmond, Ind. A preliminary schedule for the meeting begins with worship at Richmond Church of the Brethren the evening of April 21, said organizer Duane Grady, Congregational Life Team staff of the General Board. April 22 will be spent at Bethany Theological Seminary interacting with students and faculty and in conversation with the Multi-Ethnic/Cross Cultural Study Committee. Participants will worship with the community at Bethany and adjacent Earlham School of Religion. Stephen Reid, Bethany's academic dean, will preach. On April 23 Fumitaka Matsuoka, former academic dean at Bethany, will address the meeting and there will be sharing with the Cross Cultural Steering Committee. Congregations in Indiana and Ohio will be invited to the evening worship service, which will feature the choir of Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren. The consultation will end with a 9:30 a.m. service at the Richmond church on Sunday April 24. For more information call 800-505-1596 or e-mail dgrady_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Haruun Ruun and Emmanuel LoWilla of the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC), and Phil Jones of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, completed a first week of lobbying and visits on Capitol Hill. In a meeting with David Smock of the US Institute of Peace they learned of the Institute's support of NSCC work in interfaith dialogue. A significant grant was offered by the Institute. In State Department meetings Charles Snyder, special director for Sudan Affairs, confirmed recent developments in regard to the signing of the Southern Sudan Peace Accords and reassured the NSCC leaders that all efforts were being made to move the final signing forward. Meetings with Senator Brownback (R Kan.) and other congressional staff afforded opportunities to express thanks for resolutions naming the violence in Darfur, Sudan, as genocide. Ruun encouraged members of Congress to continue to keep pressure on Sudan to bring the genocide to an end through targeted sanctions on the Khartoum leadership. The three will spend next week in New York at the United Nations and ecumenical agencies. Ruun and LoWilla will conclude their US visit at the Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Md., Sept. 23 when Brethren are invited to a program beginning at 7 p.m.
  
  
• On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) invite Church of the Brethren peacemakers to join a Delegation to the Middle East Nov. 22-Dec. 4. On Earth Peace co-director Bob Gross will lead the group. The delegation will meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights workers; join the CPT Hebron team in daily street patrols, accompaniment, and documentation; and join in a public witness. CPT, a project of Brethren and Mennonite congregations and Friends meetings, has maintained a team in Hebron since 1995. Cost is $1,800. On Earth Peace will assist Brethren in raising funds. For more information call 260-982-7751 or e-mail bgross@igc.org or see www.cpt.org.
  
  
• The fall orientation unit for Brethren Volunteer Service will take place Sept. 26-Oct. 15 at the Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Md. A total of 27 volunteers will take part from the US and Germany. Ten are members of the Church of the Brethren. During orientation they will explore peace, justice, nonviolence, cultural differences, and other political and social issues facing society. The volunteers also will spend time in Baltimore doing service projects. Following orientation, volunteers will begin one- or two-year terms of service in the US, Europe, and Central America.
  
  
• East Nimishillen Church of the Brethren, North Canton, Ohio, will hold an all-day celebration of its 200th anniversary on Sept. 25. The event will begin with a pancake breakfast and include a historic video, Communion bread-making demonstration, sharing with former pastors, a scavenger hunt, music, and a catered buffet supper among other activities. Northern Ohio District executive John Ballinger will speak in the evening. Events will continue on Sept. 26 with Sunday services and a carry-in dinner.
  
  
• Jackson Park Church of the Brethren, Jonesborough, Tenn., celebrates an 80th anniversary on Sept. 18-19. The weekend will begin with a 7 p.m. service Sept. 18, and will conclude with an old-fashioned ice cream social on the front lawn of the church. The congregation is encouraged to dress in the style of 1924.
  
  
• A Cross Cultural Music Tour in Kansas and Iowa Sept. 29-Oct. 3 will give the flavor of worship in the African-American, Mexican, and Haitian traditions. Tour members are Gilbert Romero, pastor of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren, East Los Angeles, Calif.; James Washington, Sr., pastor of Faith Center Fellowship, Whitehouse, Texas; James Washington, Jr., of Faith Center; Jennie Nichols, of First Central Church of the Brethren, Kansas City, Kan.; Michaela Camps, of First Miami (Fla.) Church of the Brethren; and Duane Grady, General Board Congregational Life Team staff and organizer of the tour. The group will be at First Central in Kansas City on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.; Panther Creek Church of the Brethren near Adel, Iowa, on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.; Eldora State Training School in Iowa, a juvenile detention facility for young men, on Oct. 1 at 3 p.m.; South Waterloo (Iowa) Church of the Brethren Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.; and Ivester Church of the Brethren, Grundy Center, Iowa, on Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m. for worship and love feast. For more information call 800-505-1596 or e-mail dgrady_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Three Church of the Brethren districts meet for conferences this weekend, Sept. 17-18: Northern Indiana at Camp Alexander Mack, Milford, Ind., with Dan Snider as moderator; Southern Pennsylvania at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College with Terry Smith as moderator; West Marva at Moorefield (W.Va.) Church of the Brethren with Dorman Williams as moderator.
  
  
• The 28th Annual Brethren Disaster Auction will be held Sept. 24-26 at the Lebanon (Pa.) Area Fairgrounds, sponsored by Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania Districts. The event raises money for disaster relief with heifer and livestock auctions, a pole barn auction, a quilt auction, and auctions of numerous other goods, as well as the sale of food and arts and crafts. A special feature this year is the blitz-build of a modular house to be donated to a disaster survivor in need. The build starts at 7 p.m. Sept. 23. A Treasury of Great Hymns Festival presented by a several-hundred voice choir and orchestra will conclude the event on Sunday Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit www.BrethrenAuction.org.
  
  
• Elizabethtown (Pa.) College has secured a $500,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, to create an endowment for the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Professor Donald B. Kraybill has been named as the first scholar to hold an endowed faculty chair in Anabaptist and Pietist Studies to be created with the endowment. The endowment will enhance the center's visiting fellows program, expand the collection of books and archival material, and help develop a website. David B. Eller is director of the center. The grant requires a four-to-one match and the college will need to raise an additional $2 million for a total endowment of $2.5 million.
  
  
• Alaska was the destination for two Learning Tours in August sponsored by the New Community Project (NCP), a Brethren-related nonprofit. A delegation of 13 people from five districts spent six days in Denali National Park and four days along the southeastern coast of Alaska to explore God's creation and Christian responsibility as stewards of the earth. A second group spent eight days in Arctic Village, a native American community 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where they were hosted by the Gwich'in people and learned about the Gwich'in way of life, including their dependence on the Porcupine Caribou Herd. The 130,000-strong herd's calving grounds are along the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, an area under constant threat of oil drilling. A list of 2005 tours is at www.newcommunityproject.org.
  
  
• Church of the Brethren historian Donald F. Durnbaugh will speak at an event sponsored by the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center, 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Harrisonburg (Va.) Mennonite Church. The title of Durnbaugh's presentation is "Like Precious Faith: Brethren and Mennonites Through Light and Shadow." A reception will follow. The event launches a membership plan the center is offering for individuals and congregations. For more information call 540-438-1275 or see www.vbmhc.org.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Jo Young Switzer called to Manchester College presidency.

The Manchester College Board of Trustees on Aug. 28 appointed vice president and dean Jo Young Switzer as president of the college, effective July 1, 2005. Switzer, a 1969 graduate of the college in North Manchester, Ind., will be Manchester's 14th president and its first woman president. She will succeed Parker G. Marden, who will complete his 11th year as president when he retires on June 30, 2005.

Switzer has led academic affairs at Manchester since 1993. She also has chaired Manchester's Department of Communication and taught at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. Her doctorate and master's degree are from the University of Kansas, in communication studies. She has completed post-doctoral study at Indiana University.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Organizers announce plans for Mission Alive 2005.

Mission Alive 2005, a national missions conference of the Church of the Brethren, is planned as a missions challenge to the entire denomination according to a recent letter from the steering committee. The event will be held April 1-3, 2005, in Goshen, Ind.

The letter, sent to pastors and witness chairs across the denomination, expressed the hope that at least one representative will attend from each congregation. Congregations were encouraged to plan for travel, housing, and registration costs in their 2005 budgets.

Speakers and topics for keynote sessions are Nathan Showalter, Mennonite leader and missiologist in Shanghai, China, on "The Biblical face of mission: Guidance from scripture"; Grace Holland, a Brethren in Christ mission specialist, on "Changing faces of mission: Learnings from mission experience"; Art McPhee, professor of missions at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, on "New faces of mission: Emerging models of mission"; and Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook on "Set your face...toward mission: Accepting the challenge, and going forth to serve!" Other conference features will be a panel discussion with Church of the Brethren leaders, worship services, workshops, and missionary reunions. Registration opens Dec. 1 at www.brethren.org.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Lectionary readings posted on website, 'Guide' topics announced.

"Revised Common Lectionary" readings for 2005 have been posted on www.brethren.org in a joint effort of the General Board's Congregational Life Ministries Office and Brethren Press. The text that is featured on each Living Word bulletin in 2005 is italicized for worship planning.

Topics for 2004-2005 "A Guide for Biblical Studies" also have been announced by Brethren Press. This adult Sunday school curriculum is based on the International Sunday School Lessons and features Brethren writers writing for Brethren. Each lesson includes the popular "out of context..." by Frank Ramirez.

In September, October, and November the Guide will study "The God of Continuing Creation" by John David Bowman and Liz Bidgood Enders. In December and January and February of 2005, the curriculum will focus on "Called to Be God's People" with writers Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford and Melanie Jones. In March, April, and May 2005 Richard Shreckhise and Paula Bowser will write on "God's Project: Effective Christians (Romans and Galatians)." June, July, and August 2005 will feature "Jesus' Life, Teaching, and Ministry (Matthew, Mark, Luke)" by Frank Ramirez and Steve Bollinger.

The Guide is $2.75 per book; $5 for large print. Print copies of the list of lectionary readings are also available. Call customer service at 800-441-3712 or e-mail brethrenpress_gb@brethren.org.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Mary Dolheimer, Mary Dulabaum, Mary Kay Heatwole, Phil Jones, Nancy Klemm, David Radcliff, Fred Swartz, Walt Wiltschek, and Genelle Wine contributed to this report.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top