Four cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed at the Peter Becker Community in Harleysville, Pa. The community reports that all those diagnosed with the disease are now at home or have returned to the community. Peter Becker Community is a Church of the Brethren retirement facility.
Legionnaires' disease is a pneumonia-like caused by bacteria. It was named in 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia occurred during an American Legion convention in Philadelphia.
J. Edward Burleigh III, interim chief executive officer for Peter Becker, has taken a proactive approach to the situation. "As a precaution the entire facility is being inspected and treated," Burleigh said. "Sanitizing of water systems and ventilation systems has been ongoing since the initial report of the first diagnosis. We are taking every precaution to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of each member of the community as well as our employees and volunteers. We plan to continue to communicate our findings and do everything with in our power to eradicate the bacterium within the facility."
Montgomery County Health Department environmental services and water quality personnel have been at the facility conducting tests. "Legionnaires' disease is not passed from person to person," the department said. "It is most commonly contracted by breathing mists from a water source--such as air conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas, and showers--where the bacterium can grow." Legionnaires' can have symptoms like other forms of pneumonia including a high fever, chills, a cough, muscle and headaches.
The community has brought in outside consultants to perform testing and sanitizing including Tim Keane, of Legionella Risk Management Inc., and Terry Bartley from Water Chemical Services Inc. The community is working with Montgomery County Health Department's C. Michael Baysinger, division director for Communicable Disease Control, and is following all protocol outlined through the Centers for Disease Control, the releases said.
First diagnosis of the cases at Peter Becker Community was made by a local hospital after a resident was hospitalized. Following diagnoses came as a result of aggressive clinical testing of residents with pneumonia-like symptoms, according to the community. The "Morning Call" newspaper reported that this brings to eight the number of cases in Montgomery County in 2005.
Those who have been diagnosed include a 74-year-old resident who has been released from hospital and has returned to the community, a 94-year-old resident who developed a high fever but was not hospitalized, an 85-year-old resident of the personal care unit, and a volunteer who is now home recovering. Ten residents were tested; three tests returned with positive results. There have been no other residents or employees showing symptoms, the community reported.
The health department recommends that the very old, the very young, and those with compromised immune system refrain from visiting the community until the matter is resolved.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Annual Conference unveils logo for 2006.
The logo for the 2006 Annual Conference has been unveiled. Rosanna Eller McFadden, a member of the Program and Arrangements Committee and worship coordinator for the Conference, is the artist. The logo will be used as a centerpiece at Annual Conference on July 1-5, 2006, in Des Moines, Iowa, and illustrates the theme, "TOGETHER: Exercise Daily in God."
"Spiritual disciplines are an indispensable part of the Christian walk," McFadden said in an artist's statement. "But these disciplines aren't merely for us as individuals; when we practice these together in community with other believers, we not only exercise our own privilege as Christians, we build up the body of Christ. I wanted to represent each of the five disciplines which will be topics of the Conference worship services, but also show that they are held together, and that they hold us together."The logo uses images from quilting as well, McFadden said. "Beautiful quilts thoughtfully incorporate a wide variety of color, and make use of contrasting, as well as complementary color. If we are to be a vibrant denomination, we need to affirm diversity in our midst, and see that each piece works together to form a whole which honors Jesus Christ."
"In keeping with the 2006 Annual Conference theme, this logo design was a collaborative effort," said McFadden. "The artwork for the word 'Together' was borrowed with permission from Debbie Noffsinger's logo for 'Together: Conversations on Being the Church.' This is also the first time that I have executed a Conference logo in Spanish, and I would like to thank Nadine Monn for the translation which made that possible."
McFadden also thanked a member of her congregation, Jean Mann, craftswoman behind a series of quilted chancel cloths McFadden designed for the Conference worship services, and Rachel Brown and other members of the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren who contributed their time and skills to make the quilts.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Emergency Disaster Fund grants send $167,000 for disaster relief.
Four grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund are sending a total of $167,000 to continue response to Hurricane Katrina, provide clean up buckets following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, respond to the destruction caused by tropical storm Stan in Central America, and support Disaster Child Care volunteers preparing to respond to Hurricane Wilma.
An additional allocation of $100,000 continues support of the Church World Service response to Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. The funds will continue to help deploy Disaster Response and Recover Liaisons; distribute Tools of Hope, blankets, and Gift of the Heart Kits; support longterm recovery organizations; provide spiritual care and care for caregivers; and support a relocation program for 500 displaced Americans.
A grant of $42,000 supports the purchase, assembly, and shipment of 1,000 Clean Up Buckets by the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries. The buckets were assembled for Church World Service following a request to assist in the clean-up efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The sum of $20,000 goes to Church World Service for relief work following the destruction caused by tropical storm Stan in Central America. The funds will help provide food and medical and non-food relief supplies to people in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
The fund has given $5,000 for Disaster Child Care volunteers preparing to respond in southern Florida following Hurricane Wilma. The money also will help with other related volunteer and staff expenses.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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New tax law for 2005 is an opportunity for generous givers.
The series of natural disasters this year has elicited an unprecedented response from people wanting to help the survivors. Now Congress has acted to encourage additional charitable giving for relief and to traditional charitable interests during this critical time, reported Ken Neher, director of Funding for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
"Of particular note is the KETRA (Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act), which includes special new incentives for those who wish to make charitable gifts of cash before the end of 2005," reported Neher. "In it Congress has suspended previous limits on deductions for gifts of cash to qualified not-for-profits for the rest of this year." For example, the General Board, On Earth Peace, and Bethany Seminary are among those that will qualify, Neher said. Donors may now deduct qualified charitable gifts in amounts up to 100 percent of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), instead of the more common 50 percent for most tax payers, Neher said.
"There are just so many ways a donor can use this bill to maximize their charitable giving," said Robert Sharpe, who has become a national town crier on giving issues and tax laws according to Neher. "The suspension of the 50 percent of AGI limit creates a short window of opportunity for larger gifts by donors that could otherwise cause them to exceed the amount they could normally deduct," Sharpe said.
An additional benefit is the possibility for donors over the age of 59 ½ to fund larger gifts with funds drawn directly from their IRAs and many other types of retirement accounts on a relatively tax-free basis, Neher added.
If you have questions, talk with your tax advisor or call Neher at 509 665-0441.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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New endowment supports Church of the Brethren mission work.
The Church of the Brethren General Board has created a unique mission endowment through the donation and solicitation efforts of Gerald and Eleanor Roller of Roanoke, Va.
The "Established Mission Endowment" was designed initially to support the Lafiya or Rural Health Program in Garkida, Nigeria, for the next five years, after which it can more broadly support existing Church of the Brethren mission efforts.
The Rural Health Program was begun by Church of the Brethren mission staff and has been highly acclaimed internationally. The village-based program serves a large population in the rural areas of northeast Nigeria, from where Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) emerged. The program uses village-based health workers to offer basic health education and immunizations. Now operated by EYN, the program generates some income but requires supplemental support to adequately serve rural communities.
The Rollers have served repeatedly with the Rural Health ministry through the Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board, and plan to return to Nigeria to serve again later this year.
To support this new endowment, earmark checks to the Church of the Brethren General Board with the designation, "Established Mission Endowment"; mail to 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. For more information about Global Mission Partnerships and the mission work of the Church of the Brethren see www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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The Gathering brings a 'fresh breeze' to Western Plains District.
A congregational transformation movement was launched Oct. 28-30 by Western Plains District after two years of preparation. The movement launched at an event called "The Gathering" has brought a "fresh breeze" to the district, according to a report from Dale Minnich, one of the leaders at the event. Western Plains is a geographically widespread district of 38 predominantly small congregations in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico, with an average district-wide worship attendance of about 1,800.
"For this event 312 persons from 26 congregations, representing nearly 20 percent of all who regularly worship, gathered at an outdoor education center in Salina, Kan.," Minnich reported. The Gathering focused on "hope, a fresh vision of the church, spiritual enrichment, and training for children, youth and adults," he said.
Events included a retreat for 66 youth, a Bible school for 23 children, and seven two-and-a-half hour workshops for adults. Workshops were organized into two tracks, with one for congregations entering a three-year covenant with the district to partner in working toward congregational transformation, and a second track for people from congregations interested in transformation but not entering a covenant. Workshop leaders included Fred Bernhard, Stan Dueck, Duane Grady, Julie Hostetter, Lisa Hazen, Jim Kinsey, Ken Holderread, Glenn Timmons, and Minnich. The keynote speaker for the conference was Susan Boyer, senior pastor of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, preaching on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
The district is inviting congregations to enter a covenant for a three-year transformation journey, Minnich said. The first congregations to enter the covenant were consecrated at the conference including Quinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren; Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in Littleton, Colo.; Holmesville (Neb.) Church of the Brethren; Independence (Kan.) Church of the Brethren; McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren; Eden Valley (Kan.) Church of the Brethren; Wichita (Kan.) Church of the Brethren; and Wiley (Colo.) Church of the Brethren. The district hopes to be in covenant relationship with 25 congregations by the effort's fall 2007 entry date.
A plan of serving the dispersed congregations of the district utilizes nine area ministers coordinated by district executive minister Ken Holderread. This plan initiated in 2003 is significantly increasing district contact with congregations and is integral to the renewal effort, Minnich said. Fifteen people, including the area ministers, have received 10 days of training during 2005 to prepare them as congregational coaches and are assigned to coach either a covenanting congregation or a congregation actively considering a covenant.
Glenn Timmons of Englewood, Ohio, is the district's volunteer guide for the movement. Timmons co-directs the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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South/Central Indiana District focuses on love through service.
The 2005 South/Central Indiana District Conference was held at the Grandview (formerly Beech Grove) Church of the Brethren near Lapel, Ind., on Sept. 9-10. Ed Jackson served as moderator. The theme, "Through Love Be Servants One to Another," was based on Galatians 5:13. The focus of the conference was on worship and fellowship.
The theme was carried in each worship service, the devotional thoughts presented by the Break Makers, and testimonies of service. Phil and Louise Baldwin Rieman from Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis, talked about their service in Sudan; Jennifer and Pat Maier of Anderson Church of the Brethren expressed their joyful service time in China; the Anderson church youth talked about a mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico; and John Bunch challenged the district to become involved in the service mission of the disaster relief effort in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and other areas following hurricanes.
The Friday evening worship was lead by Annual Conference moderator Ronald Beachley, preceded by singing led by Jerry Longenbaugh and a praise band. "The Servant Song" was sung at the opening service and throughout the conference. Saturday worship was lead by Valarie Kline.
During business sessions, delegates received reports from various institutions and agencies throughout the district and denomination including a new multimedia presentation from the five agencies of the Annual Conference. Revisions to the District Constitution were passed by the conference. Other business items included closing of the New Hope Church of the Brethren, name change of the Beech Grove Church of the Brethren to Grandview Church of the Brethren, recognition of pastors and the graduation of Jay Carter from the Training in Ministry program.
An offering of $962.52 will be used for the district's Ministry Scholarship program. Meals and fellowship time with ice cream were provided by various churches in the district.
Pam Princell was installed as moderator for 2005-06, with Jerry Longenbaugh as moderator-elect. A dedication service followed for the members of the District Board.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, job opening, and more.
- Correction: The 2006 budget figure for Atlantic Northeast District should be $612,766, in the report from Atlantic Northeast District Conference in the Newsline of Oct. 26.
- Patricia Kennedy Helman died on Oct. 28 at age 80. She was a frequent writer for the Church of the Brethren "Messenger" magazine and from 1979-82 wrote a regular monthly column, "Pilgrim's Pen," musing on events in life's journey. She was a leader in the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren, a denominational representative to the National Council of Churches, and in the 1980s served as a consultant for spiritual life to the Parish Ministries Commission of the General Board. Her husband of 58 years, A. Blair Helman, was president of Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., for three decades. Most recently, Helman lived at Timbercrest Retirement Community in North Manchester. "Pat's keen intellect, infectious wit, and deep love for the college have touched thousands of people over the years," said college president Jo Young Switzer, who remembered Helman hosting a variety of famous people at the college's presidential residence during her husband's tenure. "She regaled us for years with the story of Eleanor Roosevelt getting locked in the upstairs bathroom. She didn't know a stranger," Switzer said. Helman is survived by her husband and daughters, Bunny Hill and Patty Magaro, and their families. A memorial service took place Nov. 4 at Manchester Church of the Brethren, with the college choir performing among other pieces "Manchester Fair," an anthem that Helman wrote with Gary Deavel, professor emeritus of music. For a more complete obituary see www.manchester.edu.
- The General Board seeks a director for its Sudan Initiative, a fulltime position in the Global Mission Partnerships area of the General Board located in Elgin, Ill. The position arises from recent action to begin a new ministry to respond to opportunities in southern Sudan since the signing of peace accords. Responsibilities include providing leadership for development and implementation of the new mission concept; recruitment, direction, and support of workers; and a new model that involves candidates assisting in raising their own financial support before placement. Qualifications include grounding in Church of the Brethren heritage, theology, and polity; a minimum of three years of international mission/development experience; communication skills; ability to function collaboratively with colleagues in a team context; background in program administration; and a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field. Applications will be received and the search will continue until the position is filled. The deadline to indicate interest in exploring this opportunity is Dec. 6. Starting date is in the winter of 2006. A position description and application form are available. Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume, a letter of application, and to request three references to send letters of recommendation to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; mgarrison_gb@brethren.org. The General Board is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
- Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) workers who recently have begun in positions at the BVS office in Elgin, Ill., include Carolyn Gong of State College, Pa., who is serving as BVS recruiter; Becky Snavely of Lancaster, Pa., serving as BVS orientation assistant; Emily Wampler of Bridgewater, Va., assistant to the BVS director. Outgoing orientation assistant Samuel Bowman is staying on for another year to carry out a special assignment. He will be visiting congregations across the country, doing recruitment for BVS and meeting with pastors to talk about preparedness in the eventuality of a military draft. Bowman will schedule his congregational visits through the district offices.
- The Brethren Witness/Washington Office and On Earth Peace are seeking submissions of Lenten worship resources to be used in the next mailing of "Coming to Life Worship Aids for the Living Peace Church." This edition will focus on inspiration for being a living peace church during the seasons of Lent and Easter. Submissions should be sent by e-mail to Phil Jones at pjones_gb@brethren.org. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 9. "We welcome original pieces or your very favorite from another noted source," Jones said. "Items can include litanies, calls to worship, offertories, sermon starters, children stories, etc." Find the Advent and Christmas edition of "Coming to Life" a www.brethren.org/oepa/2004%20--%20Advent%20Issue.pdf.
- The Ministry of Reconciliation of On Earth Peace has announced upcoming conflict transformation trainings: On Nov. 12 a training on "Ministry with Difficult Behavior" will be held at Carson Valley Church of the Brethren in Duncansville, Pa. On Nov. 16-18 a practitioner workshop titled "Advanced Reconciliation Skills, Applying the Polarity Principles for Reconciliation in Congregations," will take place at Camp Mack, Milford, Ind., led by Mike Crump, Ministry of Reconciliation practitioner, and Bob Gross, co-director of On Earth Peace; cost is $195 and includes tuition, materials, and accommodations; one continuing education unit is available for Church of the Brethren ministers. A Spring 2006 Intensive course on "Conflict Transformation for Pastors" will be held at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Contact annieclark@mchsi.com. For more information about the Ministry of Reconciliation see www.onearthpeace.org.
- Virlina District conference on the theme, "You Matter to God," from Romans 12:4-5, will be held Nov. 11-12 at United Methodist Temple in Beckley, W.Va. Russell Payne will serve as moderator and Shirley Jamison as moderator-elect.
- Manchester College professor Kenneth L. Brown has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Peace and Justice Studies Association. More than 300 colleges and universities are members of the group. For more than 50 years, Brown has been a nonviolent activist and educator for peace and justice. For 25 years, he has directed the peace studies program at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind. An ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, Brown has founded several organizations including the War Tax Resisters' Penalty Fund. Brown assumed leadership of the college's Peace Studies Institute and Program in Conflict Resolution in 1980. With leadership in merging study with action, Brown has served as consultant to peace studies programs across the country and has led study teams to Vietnam, Brazil, Northern Ireland, Haiti, Thailand, India, Jamaica, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Cuba. For more about Manchester's peace studies program, visit www.manchester.edu. For more about the Peace and Justice Studies Association, visit www.peacejusticestudies.org.
- The Womaen's Caucus Steering Committee met Oct. 13-16 at the home of Lucy and Joe Loomis near State College, Pa. In addition to a business meeting, the group met with several caucus supporters, attended worship at University Baptist-Brethren Church, and saw a play put on by Penn State students. Members of the committee are Carla Kilgore, Fort Wayne, Ind., convener; Deb Peterson, Goshen, Ind, "Femailings" editor; Lucy Loomis, Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.; Heidi Gardner, Keyser, W.Va.; Audrey de Coursey, Pacific School of Religion student; and Jan Eller, Portland, Ore., administrator.
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Haruun Ruun appointed to Sudan government post.
Haruun Ruun, executive secretary for the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) and a shared staff for the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board, has accepted a position as presidential advisor to the government of Sudan as it is being re-formed based on a peace agreement signed earlier this year.
Ruun will have a portfolio as "peace and tolerance advisor." Ruun will assume this important role, based in Khartoum, following the process of handing over his responsibilities with NSCC in Nairobi, Kenya. He has been a part of the Church of the Brethren staff team in Sudan since 1996, jointly supported with the Presbyterian Church USA and the Reformed Church in America.
"Rev. Dr. Ruun has served in this ecumenical leadership role during challenging and difficult times of the Sudan civil war and conflict," said Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships. "He spearheaded the People-to-People Peacemaking Movement that was facilitated by NSCC and which brought reconciliation among warring groups and elevated commitment and hopes for a just and lasting peace." Keeney said the Brethren played a part in the People-to-People Peacemaking Movement in terms of support given by advisors, observers, and funding.
Two other former NSCC staff who worked in the People-to-People Peacemaking Movement have been appointed to the government of Sudan as well: Telar Deng as state minister for Central Government; Mrs. Awut Deng Acuil, who spoke at the Global Mission Partnerships Dinner at the 2001 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, as presidential advisor on Gender and Human Rights for the government of South Sudan.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Carol Mason appointed coordinator of Congregational Life Team Area 3.
Carol Mason has accepted the position of coordinator of the General Board's Congregational Life Team for Area 3, which includes the districts of Atlantic Southeast, Shenandoah, Southeastern, Virlina, and West Marva.
Mason is a former General Board employee and mission worker who served as co-founder and director of the Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) Technical School. Since that time she has taught public school, directed congregational volunteer ministries, and served as moderator for Oregon and Washington District. She has a Master of Education degree from St. Martin's College in Lacey, Wash., and is working toward a Masters in Ministry and Pastoral Skills through the Institute of Ecumenical Theological Study at Seattle University. She also is completing the Training in Ministry program.
Mason will begin her new responsibilities on Dec. 5. She currently lives in Centralia, Wash., and will move to the northern region of Area 3 in January 2006.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Brethren invited to join in helping close the School of the Americas.
The Brethren Witness/Washington Office has issued an invitation to Brethren to join in the School of the Americas (SOA) Watch vigil on Nov. 18-20 in Fort Benning, Ga. Fort Benning is one of the largest military bases in the world and home to the notorious School of Americas/Western Institute for Security Cooperation.
"This is a very important year for the vigil," the office said in an Action Alert. "Since there will be a vote this spring or summer to decide whether or not to close the school, there needs to be a stronger presence at the gates of Fort Benning to send a loud message to Congress to close the SOA." In 1997, the Church of the Brethren General Board passed a resolution calling for the closing of the School of Americas.
Brethren Witness/Washington Office events at the vigil include an information table outside the gates of Fort Benning on Saturday and Sunday, a Brethren Gathering Saturday night at the Howard Johnson Presidential Room from 7-8:30 p.m., and a gathering of Brethren Sunday morning at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office booth to march in the procession together. For more information contact the office at 800-785-3246. A more detailed description of the vigil events can be found at www.soaw.org.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Cross Cultural Celebration 2006 will be held in Lancaster, Pa.
The Church of the Brethren's next Cross Cultural Consultation and Celebration will be held May 4-7, 2006, at Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The theme for the annual gathering will be, "Built Together: The Household of God." Participants are encouraged to read and study Ephesians 2:17-22 as preparation for prayer, worship, and study together.
Register for the event at www.brethren.org, follow the key word link to "Cross Cultural Ministries." A schedule of the event will soon be posted as well. Registrations are due by mid-January 2006. For more information contact Duane Grady, Congregational Life Teams staff for the General Board, at 800-505-1596 or dgrady_gb@brethren.org.
Source: 11/10/2005 Newsline
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Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on every other Wednesday with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. Merv Keeney, Jon Kobel, Jeri S. Kornegay, Dale Minnich, and Ken Neher contributed to this report.
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