FEATURE
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
NEWS
'Hunger No More' brings more than 1,500 to Washington National Cathedral.
Denomination is lead sponsor for Guatemalan food security program.
Older adult unit completes Brethren Volunteer Service orientation.
Brethren Witness/Washington Office director joins in meeting with Palestinian president.
Fellowship of Brethren Homes meets for annual forum.
Cross-cultural music tour receives warm welcome.
Harrisburg First works with other churches against drug, gang violence.
Children's book about Anna Mow wins award of excellence.
Brethren bits: Corrections, remembrance, personnel, and more.
FEATURE
World mission conference discusses healing and reconciliation.
FEATURE
'Hunger No More' brings more than 1,500 to Washington National Cathedral.
Some 1,500 people filled the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on June 6, on the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day. "It was an historic event gathering people of many traditions and faiths together with the unifying desire to overcome hunger in our lifetime," said Stan Noffinger, general secretary of the General Board, following the worship convocation titled "Hunger No More." The event surpassed all expectations of the planners, he said.
With sponsorship from the Alliance to End Hunger, Bread for the World, America's Second Harvest, the National Food Bank, Call to Renewal, and the Interfaith Anti-Hunger Coordinators, the convocation brought more than 40 religious leaders of various faith traditions together in a moving service of worship, Noffsinger said. The Church of the Brethren General Board, and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, were endorsers of the event. At least six Brethren were in attendance, including Noffsinger and co-executive director of On Earth Peace Barbara Sayler.
"Participants set aside the differences that tend to divide the faith traditions to address the increasing incidence of hunger in the US," Noffsinger said. Different faith traditions shared leadership of the worship. The keynote speaker was Anglican archbishop Njongonkulu W.H. Ndungane of Cape Town, South Africa, whose life story includes imprisonment as a political prisoner under apartheid law. "I know hunger firsthand," he said, reminding worshipers that in the US, the richest country in the world, hunger is increasing. He called on people of faith to speak loudly and clearly to end hunger, with the goal of food for everyone being a human right. "The promise of heaven is no more hunger," he said. "But...the plight of the hungry must not be left for heaven."
In the last four years, decades of progress in shrinking the numbers of the hungry in the US have been reversed, Noffsinger said. Bread for the World said in its annual hunger report for 2004 that 853 million people worldwide are hungry, he reported. Of that number, 36 million in the US are "food insecure," meaning that they do not always know if they will have access to safe and nutritious food at their next meal, he said.
Just prior to the convocation, faith leaders met in an "upper room" of the cathedral--stories above the streets of Washington--to discuss the issues. A new coalition was formed, Noffsinger said, to bring the plight of the hungry into the awareness of each denomination and faith group represented. The group signed a common letter to the President of the United States, which was delivered by a small delegation which met with White House staff on June 7. The letter encouraged the President to provide strong leadership in "protecting the national nutrition programs from funding cuts and damaging structural changes. We also ask you to use this year's G8 Summit to increase development assistance and debt relief and to forge trade policies that will help to reduce hunger, poverty, and disease in Africa and other poor parts of the world." Participants at the convocation gathered for training June 7 to prepare for a major lobbying effort on hunger issues later that day.
Paul Wolfowitz, the new president of the World Bank, unexpectedly joined the convocation worship service, Noffsinger said, adding that Wolfowitz received "a warm welcome" from the religious leaders and convocation attendees.
For more information and links to the webcast of the convocation, see www.bread.org/nationalgathering/2005/convocation.htm.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Some 1,500 people filled the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on June 6, on the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day. "It was an historic event gathering people of many traditions and faiths together with the unifying desire to overcome hunger in our lifetime," said Stan Noffinger, general secretary of the General Board, following the worship convocation titled "Hunger No More." The event surpassed all expectations of the planners, he said.
With sponsorship from the Alliance to End Hunger, Bread for the World, America's Second Harvest, the National Food Bank, Call to Renewal, and the Interfaith Anti-Hunger Coordinators, the convocation brought more than 40 religious leaders of various faith traditions together in a moving service of worship, Noffsinger said. The Church of the Brethren General Board, and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, were endorsers of the event. At least six Brethren were in attendance, including Noffsinger and co-executive director of On Earth Peace Barbara Sayler.
"Participants set aside the differences that tend to divide the faith traditions to address the increasing incidence of hunger in the US," Noffsinger said. Different faith traditions shared leadership of the worship. The keynote speaker was Anglican archbishop Njongonkulu W.H. Ndungane of Cape Town, South Africa, whose life story includes imprisonment as a political prisoner under apartheid law. "I know hunger firsthand," he said, reminding worshipers that in the US, the richest country in the world, hunger is increasing. He called on people of faith to speak loudly and clearly to end hunger, with the goal of food for everyone being a human right. "The promise of heaven is no more hunger," he said. "But...the plight of the hungry must not be left for heaven."
In the last four years, decades of progress in shrinking the numbers of the hungry in the US have been reversed, Noffsinger said. Bread for the World said in its annual hunger report for 2004 that 853 million people worldwide are hungry, he reported. Of that number, 36 million in the US are "food insecure," meaning that they do not always know if they will have access to safe and nutritious food at their next meal, he said.
Just prior to the convocation, faith leaders met in an "upper room" of the cathedral--stories above the streets of Washington--to discuss the issues. A new coalition was formed, Noffsinger said, to bring the plight of the hungry into the awareness of each denomination and faith group represented. The group signed a common letter to the President of the United States, which was delivered by a small delegation which met with White House staff on June 7. The letter encouraged the President to provide strong leadership in "protecting the national nutrition programs from funding cuts and damaging structural changes. We also ask you to use this year's G8 Summit to increase development assistance and debt relief and to forge trade policies that will help to reduce hunger, poverty, and disease in Africa and other poor parts of the world." Participants at the convocation gathered for training June 7 to prepare for a major lobbying effort on hunger issues later that day.
Paul Wolfowitz, the new president of the World Bank, unexpectedly joined the convocation worship service, Noffsinger said, adding that Wolfowitz received "a warm welcome" from the religious leaders and convocation attendees.
For more information and links to the webcast of the convocation, see www.bread.org/nationalgathering/2005/convocation.htm.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Denomination is lead sponsor for Guatemalan food security program.
Guatemala is the setting of a new interchurch project in which the Church of the Brethren is the lead sponsor. Located in Totonicapan in western Guatemala, the three-year project is aimed at developing food security for 570 Mayan families in 20 rural communities.
Components of the project include diversifying food production, introducing greenhouse and patio garden techniques, training in soil and water management, protecting watersheds and the environment, developing local markets, and strengthening indigenous women's organizations. "Given the small parcels of land and lack of alternatives for compensated work, the Totonicapan project strives not only to introduce sustainable agricultural practices but to strengthen the voice of local peasant groups," said Howard Royer, manager of the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund.
A coalition formed by Foods Resource Bank and Church World Service has enlisted several Guatemalan partner agencies, principally the Conference of Evangelical Churches of Guatemala and the National Coordination of Widows of Guatemala. The latter is a grassroots movement of indigenous women widowed during the country's internal armed conflict.
Funding for the first-year grant of $103,500 includes $10,000 from the Brethren account in the Foods Resource Bank, from the proceeds of growing projects. Other partners are Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Evangelical Covenant Church World Relief, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee, United Church of Christ Wider Church Ministries, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The $51,800 contributed by the churches is matched by a grant from US AID.
The work in Totonicapan is the first Foods Resource Bank program for which the Church of the Brethren is a lead sponsor. Through the Global Food Crisis Fund, the General Board became an implementing member of the Foods Resource Bank in 2004. The board has placed volunteers and advocated for peace and human rights in Guatemala for three decades. For information about the Global Food Crisis Fund see www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/gfcf.htm.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Guatemala is the setting of a new interchurch project in which the Church of the Brethren is the lead sponsor. Located in Totonicapan in western Guatemala, the three-year project is aimed at developing food security for 570 Mayan families in 20 rural communities.
Components of the project include diversifying food production, introducing greenhouse and patio garden techniques, training in soil and water management, protecting watersheds and the environment, developing local markets, and strengthening indigenous women's organizations. "Given the small parcels of land and lack of alternatives for compensated work, the Totonicapan project strives not only to introduce sustainable agricultural practices but to strengthen the voice of local peasant groups," said Howard Royer, manager of the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund.
A coalition formed by Foods Resource Bank and Church World Service has enlisted several Guatemalan partner agencies, principally the Conference of Evangelical Churches of Guatemala and the National Coordination of Widows of Guatemala. The latter is a grassroots movement of indigenous women widowed during the country's internal armed conflict.
Funding for the first-year grant of $103,500 includes $10,000 from the Brethren account in the Foods Resource Bank, from the proceeds of growing projects. Other partners are Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Evangelical Covenant Church World Relief, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee, United Church of Christ Wider Church Ministries, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The $51,800 contributed by the churches is matched by a grant from US AID.
The work in Totonicapan is the first Foods Resource Bank program for which the Church of the Brethren is a lead sponsor. Through the Global Food Crisis Fund, the General Board became an implementing member of the Foods Resource Bank in 2004. The board has placed volunteers and advocated for peace and human rights in Guatemala for three decades. For information about the Global Food Crisis Fund see www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/gfcf.htm.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Older adult unit completes Brethren Volunteer Service orientation.
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 264, an older adult unit, completed orientation April 17-29 in New Windsor, Md.
Unit members and their placements are: Kay Billhimer of Monitor Community Church of the Brethren in Conway, Kan., volunteering at Hopewell Inn in Mesopotamia, Ohio; Pauline and Don Hess of Mountain View, McGaheysville (Va.) Fellowship Church of the Brethren, volunteering at the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan; Linda and Steve Hollinger of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, volunteering at the General Board's New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center; Sharon Poff from Lewisburg, Pa., volunteering at the Community Mediation Center in Harrisonburg, Va.; and Sue Wilkinson from Dallas, Texas, volunteering at Su Casa Catholic Worker in Chicago, Ill.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 264, an older adult unit, completed orientation April 17-29 in New Windsor, Md.
Unit members and their placements are: Kay Billhimer of Monitor Community Church of the Brethren in Conway, Kan., volunteering at Hopewell Inn in Mesopotamia, Ohio; Pauline and Don Hess of Mountain View, McGaheysville (Va.) Fellowship Church of the Brethren, volunteering at the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan; Linda and Steve Hollinger of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, volunteering at the General Board's New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center; Sharon Poff from Lewisburg, Pa., volunteering at the Community Mediation Center in Harrisonburg, Va.; and Sue Wilkinson from Dallas, Texas, volunteering at Su Casa Catholic Worker in Chicago, Ill.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Brethren Witness/Washington Office director joins in meeting with Palestinian president.
Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, joined other church leaders in meeting with the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on May 26 in Washington, D.C. The meeting with Abbas followed meetings that been held with a variety of Jewish and Muslim leaders earlier in the day, and meetings with President Bush that afternoon.
Opening remarks at the meeting were given by a variety of Christian leaders including Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Corinne Whitlatch, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Whitlatch facilitated the meeting. Other church leaders represented Anglican, Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian denominations and faith groups.
As a follow up to his meeting with President Bush, a written document was presented to President Abbas by the group, to underscore the following position: "We stand with you as you encourage President Bush to advocate for both Palestinians and Israelis and to take actions that support his expressed commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state that is viable, contiguous, sovereign, independent, and at peace with its neighbor Israel."
"With this in mind," the letter continued, "we support Palestinian leadership in calling for an end to suicide bombings against Israeli citizens, and we applaud Israeli disengagement from Gaza, as first steps toward such a resolution."
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, joined other church leaders in meeting with the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on May 26 in Washington, D.C. The meeting with Abbas followed meetings that been held with a variety of Jewish and Muslim leaders earlier in the day, and meetings with President Bush that afternoon.
Opening remarks at the meeting were given by a variety of Christian leaders including Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Corinne Whitlatch, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Whitlatch facilitated the meeting. Other church leaders represented Anglican, Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian denominations and faith groups.
As a follow up to his meeting with President Bush, a written document was presented to President Abbas by the group, to underscore the following position: "We stand with you as you encourage President Bush to advocate for both Palestinians and Israelis and to take actions that support his expressed commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state that is viable, contiguous, sovereign, independent, and at peace with its neighbor Israel."
"With this in mind," the letter continued, "we support Palestinian leadership in calling for an end to suicide bombings against Israeli citizens, and we applaud Israeli disengagement from Gaza, as first steps toward such a resolution."
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Fellowship of Brethren Homes meets for annual forum.
Representatives from 11 Church of the Brethren retirement centers attended the Fellowship of Brethren Homes Annual Forum, a meeting for CEOs and administrative staff to exchange ideas and discuss the challenges of operating a nonprofit continuing care retirement community. The Fellowship of Brethren Homes is a ministry of the Association of Brethren Caregivers.
In the forum's opening keynote address, Parker Marden, retiring president of Manchester College, spoke about the quality of care provided by Brethren homes. He commented that potential collaboration between the colleges and homes could exist through curricular programs at the schools to train and staff the homes.
Rick Stiffney, CEO of Mennonite Health Services, led a series of discussions ranging from church and board relations, to charitable mission, to attracting and maintaining quality employees. "If you can come up with one or two ‘take aways' from these sessions, then it will have been a successful endeavor," said Stiffney. Several of the CEOs later commented that they had indeed gotten a few "take aways" and plan to implement them in their own organizations.
Don Fecher, director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, spoke about the "Brethren connection" and the future of the fellowship. "The quality of care provided by Church of the Brethren Homes far exceeds the standards that are required by law," he noted. "The type of care provided in a Brethren home is living the words, 'What would Jesus do?'"
The meeting was held at Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home in North Manchester, Ind. Tours of the host facility were an important part of the forum, commented Fecher. He also noted that the gathering's relaxed atmosphere helped attendees to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
For more information about the ministries of the Association of Brethren Caregivers see www.brethren.org/abc/.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Representatives from 11 Church of the Brethren retirement centers attended the Fellowship of Brethren Homes Annual Forum, a meeting for CEOs and administrative staff to exchange ideas and discuss the challenges of operating a nonprofit continuing care retirement community. The Fellowship of Brethren Homes is a ministry of the Association of Brethren Caregivers.
In the forum's opening keynote address, Parker Marden, retiring president of Manchester College, spoke about the quality of care provided by Brethren homes. He commented that potential collaboration between the colleges and homes could exist through curricular programs at the schools to train and staff the homes.
Rick Stiffney, CEO of Mennonite Health Services, led a series of discussions ranging from church and board relations, to charitable mission, to attracting and maintaining quality employees. "If you can come up with one or two ‘take aways' from these sessions, then it will have been a successful endeavor," said Stiffney. Several of the CEOs later commented that they had indeed gotten a few "take aways" and plan to implement them in their own organizations.
Don Fecher, director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, spoke about the "Brethren connection" and the future of the fellowship. "The quality of care provided by Church of the Brethren Homes far exceeds the standards that are required by law," he noted. "The type of care provided in a Brethren home is living the words, 'What would Jesus do?'"
The meeting was held at Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home in North Manchester, Ind. Tours of the host facility were an important part of the forum, commented Fecher. He also noted that the gathering's relaxed atmosphere helped attendees to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
For more information about the ministries of the Association of Brethren Caregivers see www.brethren.org/abc/.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Cross-cultural music tour receives warm welcome.
Eight concerts, a Sunday morning special music appearance, and the gift of music for residents and day guests at the Roanoke (Va.) Rescue Mission filled the schedule for a cross-cultural Brethren music group May 14-21. The group visited churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Scott Duffey, Gilbert Romero, and James Washington Sr.--all Brethren pastors--and Carol Yeazell, Congregational Life Team staff for the General Board, took part in the tour.
The tour began in Roanoke at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren where Asha Solanky, chair of the Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee, gave a presentation on the current status of the work being done by the committee. Everyone was encouraged to take and complete a questionnaire that the committee hopes will assist in carrying out its assignment.
Sunday morning the group provided special music at Summerdean Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. That afternoon a concert was held at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, Va., and later that day the group was at Topeco Church of the Brethren in Floyd, Va.
On May 17 the group toured the Roanoke Rescue Mission and then performed during an extended lunch hour with various seatings of guests. "This was seen as a stewardship of time gift, as it was an offering for others not directly connected to the Church of the Brethren," said Yeazell. That evening a concert was held at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Va. The following day the group traveled to Hendersonville, N.C., to sing at a new church plant, HIS Way/Jesucristo El Camino.
Other churches that welcomed the tour were Friendship Church in North Wilkesboro, N.C., Spindale (N.C.) Church of the Brethren, and Trinity Church of the Brethren in Blountville, Tenn., where the final concert of the tour was held.
"The two comments that the group heard after each worship time were, 'We wish more people had come,' and, 'When are you coming back?'" Yeazell said. The concerts were arranged and sponsored by Congregational Life Team staff to help congregations gain a broader understanding of what it means to be a cross-cultural church. Musicians offered their talent as a free gift, with only their expenses covered by the board, Yeazell said. For more about cross-cultural ministry in the Church of the Brethren, see photographs and coverage of the recent Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration at www.brethren.org/pjournal/2005/CrossCultural.html.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
top
Eight concerts, a Sunday morning special music appearance, and the gift of music for residents and day guests at the Roanoke (Va.) Rescue Mission filled the schedule for a cross-cultural Brethren music group May 14-21. The group visited churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Scott Duffey, Gilbert Romero, and James Washington Sr.--all Brethren pastors--and Carol Yeazell, Congregational Life Team staff for the General Board, took part in the tour.
The tour began in Roanoke at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren where Asha Solanky, chair of the Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee, gave a presentation on the current status of the work being done by the committee. Everyone was encouraged to take and complete a questionnaire that the committee hopes will assist in carrying out its assignment.
Sunday morning the group provided special music at Summerdean Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. That afternoon a concert was held at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, Va., and later that day the group was at Topeco Church of the Brethren in Floyd, Va.
On May 17 the group toured the Roanoke Rescue Mission and then performed during an extended lunch hour with various seatings of guests. "This was seen as a stewardship of time gift, as it was an offering for others not directly connected to the Church of the Brethren," said Yeazell. That evening a concert was held at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Va. The following day the group traveled to Hendersonville, N.C., to sing at a new church plant, HIS Way/Jesucristo El Camino.
Other churches that welcomed the tour were Friendship Church in North Wilkesboro, N.C., Spindale (N.C.) Church of the Brethren, and Trinity Church of the Brethren in Blountville, Tenn., where the final concert of the tour was held.
"The two comments that the group heard after each worship time were, 'We wish more people had come,' and, 'When are you coming back?'" Yeazell said. The concerts were arranged and sponsored by Congregational Life Team staff to help congregations gain a broader understanding of what it means to be a cross-cultural church. Musicians offered their talent as a free gift, with only their expenses covered by the board, Yeazell said. For more about cross-cultural ministry in the Church of the Brethren, see photographs and coverage of the recent Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration at www.brethren.org/pjournal/2005/CrossCultural.html.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Harrisburg First works with other churches against drug, gang violence.
Pastors at First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., recently received "a touching letter" from a young man who used to attend the Hispanic congregation at the church, located in the South Allison Hill neighborhood. The letter was written from prison. Repentant for his involvement in gangs and drugs after he read news reports of prayer vigils for peace by pastors of the South Allison Hill churches, the young man expressed gratitude for efforts of those taking a stand. The vigils were begun after shooting deaths on a nearby street corner.
Knowing that people are praying for peace in the neighborhood where his infant daughter lives with her grandmother touched the writer's life to the point that he wants to become a counselor for those still involved in gangs, said Belita Mitchell, First church pastor.
That change in one young man is emblematic of the kind of transformation she is seeing in the neighborhood because of the combined prayers for peace, she said. "It's just another way in which the vigils have touched the community."
The area has seen an increase in police activity and at least three drug busts since the vigils began five months ago. "The Patriot News" reported that the busts broke the grip of the gang that reportedly has had control of South Allison Hill since the mid- to late-1990s. Members of the gang that were involved in the drug busts were as young as 10 or 11, the newspaper said.
In addition, police officers have asked if they can surveil an alley adjacent to the church, where drug deals have been frequent, said Mitchell. She said she is receiving the news of more police activity "as an answer to prayer, giving God praise and glory."
Because of the changes that are beginning to be seen in the neighborhood, the weekly prayer vigils are being held monthly at different church locations in the community. The first monthly vigil was hosted May 3 by First Harrisburg in its parking lot. The second was held June 7 at the Peace Garden at the Capitol City Church. "Moving to different locations in the community is increasing the awareness among residents and widening the circle of influence," Mitchell said. "I anticipate continued strong support and increased evidence of God's faithfulness."
The neighborhood churches also plan ecumenical outdoor rallies for the summer that will combine evangelism with the continued work for peace on the streets, and neighborhood prayer walking by church leaders. Mitchell said the events will "let the community know...we are praying on their behalf."
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Pastors at First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., recently received "a touching letter" from a young man who used to attend the Hispanic congregation at the church, located in the South Allison Hill neighborhood. The letter was written from prison. Repentant for his involvement in gangs and drugs after he read news reports of prayer vigils for peace by pastors of the South Allison Hill churches, the young man expressed gratitude for efforts of those taking a stand. The vigils were begun after shooting deaths on a nearby street corner.
Knowing that people are praying for peace in the neighborhood where his infant daughter lives with her grandmother touched the writer's life to the point that he wants to become a counselor for those still involved in gangs, said Belita Mitchell, First church pastor.
That change in one young man is emblematic of the kind of transformation she is seeing in the neighborhood because of the combined prayers for peace, she said. "It's just another way in which the vigils have touched the community."
The area has seen an increase in police activity and at least three drug busts since the vigils began five months ago. "The Patriot News" reported that the busts broke the grip of the gang that reportedly has had control of South Allison Hill since the mid- to late-1990s. Members of the gang that were involved in the drug busts were as young as 10 or 11, the newspaper said.
In addition, police officers have asked if they can surveil an alley adjacent to the church, where drug deals have been frequent, said Mitchell. She said she is receiving the news of more police activity "as an answer to prayer, giving God praise and glory."
Because of the changes that are beginning to be seen in the neighborhood, the weekly prayer vigils are being held monthly at different church locations in the community. The first monthly vigil was hosted May 3 by First Harrisburg in its parking lot. The second was held June 7 at the Peace Garden at the Capitol City Church. "Moving to different locations in the community is increasing the awareness among residents and widening the circle of influence," Mitchell said. "I anticipate continued strong support and increased evidence of God's faithfulness."
The neighborhood churches also plan ecumenical outdoor rallies for the summer that will combine evangelism with the continued work for peace on the streets, and neighborhood prayer walking by church leaders. Mitchell said the events will "let the community know...we are praying on their behalf."
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Children's book about Anna Mow wins award of excellence.
"The Something Else Lady," a children's book about Anna Mow, has received Best in Print Award of Excellence from the Printing Industries of Virginia. The book was written by Earle Fike Jr. of Bridgewater, Va., and illustrated by Yolanda Wegner, Mow's great-granddaughter. It was published as part of Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial celebration.
Mow was a professor at Bethany, a missionary to India, and a well-known pastor, author, and speaker in the Church of the Brethren. Harriet Beahm Kaylor, Mow's niece, comments, "The infectious laugh of Anna Beahm Mow as well as her generous and spiritual outlook on life are told perfectly in 'The Something Else Lady.'"
The book includes a CD with the song "Sister Anna, Beauty Queen," written for Mow by Andy and Terry Murray. The book/CD combo is available from Brethren Press for $12.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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"The Something Else Lady," a children's book about Anna Mow, has received Best in Print Award of Excellence from the Printing Industries of Virginia. The book was written by Earle Fike Jr. of Bridgewater, Va., and illustrated by Yolanda Wegner, Mow's great-granddaughter. It was published as part of Bethany Theological Seminary's centennial celebration.
Mow was a professor at Bethany, a missionary to India, and a well-known pastor, author, and speaker in the Church of the Brethren. Harriet Beahm Kaylor, Mow's niece, comments, "The infectious laugh of Anna Beahm Mow as well as her generous and spiritual outlook on life are told perfectly in 'The Something Else Lady.'"
The book includes a CD with the song "Sister Anna, Beauty Queen," written for Mow by Andy and Terry Murray. The book/CD combo is available from Brethren Press for $12.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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Brethren bits: Corrections, remembrance, personnel, and more.
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- Corrections to the Newsline of May 25: In "Emergency Response director sees tsunami response in India," Church World Service has helped build a temporary facility for water treatment in Meulaboh, Indonesia. In "Committee seeks information on barriers to intercultural ministries," the committee's recorder Nadine L. Monn was not identified in full. In the May 11 issue, "ABC announces Caregiver Awards," the Woodbury Church of the Brethren is located in Woodbury, Pa.
- Mary Dadisman, a former mission nurse and teacher for the General Board, died June 5 at Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne, Calif. She was 92. She received nursing training at Bethany Brethren Hospital in Chicago; was a graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.; and studied midwifery at the Frontier Nursing School in Kentucky. A May 2004 "Messenger" story about her reported that she was inspired to serve in Africa by her good friend Grayce Brumbaugh, a fellow nurse. Dadisman was a nurse with the Brethren mission in Nigeria 1941-79, although one of her first jobs was to establish a school for mission children--Hillcrest School in Jos--now a joint venture with several Christian mission groups. In 1947 she became nursing superintendent at Garkida General Hospital. Over the years she also taught village health workers in the Lafiya program, directed a scholarship program for medical workers, was an acting principal at Waka Schools, was active in women's work, and did relief work during the Biafra civil war. She also delivered many of the babies born to Brethren missionaries during her tenure. "To a host of Nigerians, she is the beloved 'Sister,' the traditional British term for the head nurse of a hospital. To her fellow American missionaries, she is known affectionately as 'Mary D,'" wrote Raymond R. Stayer in the "Juniata College Bulletin" in 1974. Following retirement, Dadisman continued to promote the church's mission efforts and served on the board of quality assurance for Woods Hospital at Brethren Hillcrest Homes. A memorial service is tentatively planned to take place at Brethren Hillcrest Homes on July 9.
- The board of directors of the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, announces the appointment of Tim Hissong as president and chief executive officer. Hissong brings a strong financial background and expertise in management to the position, having served for the past 13 years as vice president of Finance and treasurer of the Brethren Retirement Community. He holds an MBA in management from Wright State University and is a registered housing professional, as well as a licensed nursing home administrator. He is chair of the board of the Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren and also sits on the boards of A Learning Place; Happy Corner Church of the Brethren in Clayton, Ohio; Woodland Altars, the camp of Southern Ohio District; and the Business Technologies Division of Sinclair Community College, where he is an adjunct instructor.
- Camp Swatara is accepting applications and resumes for the position of program coordinator. The camp is located in Bethel, Pa. A job description may be requested by contacting the camp office at 717-933-8510. Questions about the position should be addressed to camp administrator Marlin Houff. The deadline for applications is July 15; the camp hopes to fill the position by Sept. 1. The position has been vacated by Michele Gibbel, who served for 12 summers on the camp staff, the last five as fulltime program coordinator. She has resigned the position to return to graduate school. For more information about the camp, see www.campswatara.org.
- The Annual Conference Anniversary Committee has extended the deadline to Aug. 31 for composers to submit hymns, anthems, folk songs, praise songs, children's songs, or other musical compositions that interpret the 2008 tricentennial theme, "Surrendered to God, Transformed in Christ, Empowered by the Spirit." The committee also seeks submissions of drama and worship resources related to the theme, both with a deadline of Dec. 31. All submissions become the property of the Anniversary Committee for use in tricentennial activities. The name, address, and phone number of the writer or composer should not appear on submissions but should be included on a separate page. Music, drama, and worship resources should be sent to the Annual Conference Office, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
- The Stewardship of Property Committee met last week in listening sessions with General Board employees and Annual Conference agencies and ecumenical partners (the Mid-Atlantic District Office, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, Brethren Benefit Trust, On Earth Peace, Interchurch Medical Assistance, and A Greater Gift/SERRV) that are located on or participate in programs located at the board's properties in New Windsor, Md., and Elgin, Ill. "The interviews were productive, meaningful, and most helpful to the task the committee has to accomplish," said Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board. The committee will seek additional responses during interviews of General Board deployed staff on Friday evening July 1, before Annual Conference begins in Peoria, Ill., as well as through an insight session planned for Sunday evening July 3 at 9 p.m. at the Conference. In addition to these face-to-face sessions, a questionnaire will be included in delegate packets at Annual Conference, and can be found at the General Board display at the Conference for any attendee to participate in the process. The questionnaire also will be available online at www.brethren.org following Annual Conference. The next meeting of the Stewardship of Property Committee will be Sept. 8-9 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor. Evaluation of the gathered data and preparation for the committee's time with the General Board in October will be on the agenda.
- Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) and the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries hosted a visit by Sushant Agrawal, executive director of Church's Auxiliary for Social Action in India. The May 18 visit was coordinated by Lutheran World Relief and provided an opportunity to tour the distribution center at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and meet with Emergency Response director Roy Winter and IMA vice president for International Program Development Daniel Aukerman. Much of the church-sponsored material resources shipped to India for tsunami relief was packed by Service Ministries staff at the center.
- Forty-five Christian educators from across the denomination's Area 1 in the northeast, attended a seminar May 21 at Carlisle (Pa.) Church of the Brethren to examine a teaching and learning approach based on hospitality at the table. The event was a collaborative effort of the General Board's Congregational Life Team for Area 1, Atlantic Northeast District, Mid-Atlantic District, Middle Pennsylvania District, Southern Pennsylvania District, and the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center of Bethany Theological Seminary. Cheryl Magrini, minister of Christian education at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago (Ill.) Temple, led participants through a teaching process based on the biblical story of the five loaves and two fish. Magrini teaches that fellowship at the table and "meal stories" have special significance in her teaching and learning approach with children in the Christian setting. A copy of the outline of the event is available from Jan Glass King, coordinator for Area 1; e-mail jking_gb@brethren.org. Find more specific information on the hospitable teaching and learning approach in the fall 2005 issue of "The Seed Packet" Christian education newsletter published by Brethren Press. The newsletter will be sent in the Source packet to all Church of the Brethren congregations, and may be ordered from Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.
- Brethren Volunteer Service is having a potluck supper on Saturday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. at Union Bridge (Md.) Church of the Brethren. BVS invites any former Brethren Volunteer Service workers and Civilian Public Service workers, and anyone who has a connection to either program. "We see this potluck as a wonderful opportunity for the 'volunteers in training' from BVS Unit 265 to be able to connect with people that have done similar service," said Sam Bowman of the BVS office. "We hope to see you there." Bring a covered dish to share, or other food for the potluck. There will be a short informal time of introduction and sharing.
- On Earth Peace is holding a conference call on counter-recruitment strategies for this fall, to take place at 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow June 9. Participants will hear from each other about plans for next steps in countering military recruitment, and brainstorm about how to move forward. The call will feature Chuck Fager of Quaker House in Fayetteville, N.C., as a resource person. For more information call Matt Guynn at 765-962-6234 or e-mail mattguynn@earthlink.net.
- Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren is marking its 150th anniversary on the fourth of July weekend. The church invites those going to and from Annual Conference to stop in to help celebrate, beginning on Friday evening July 1 through Sunday morning July 3. For more information call the church at 630-355-7171.
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World mission conference discusses healing and reconciliation.
By Carol Spicher Waggy
"Come, Holy Spirit, heal and reconcile." This prayer of invitation was the theme for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Conference on World Mission and Evangelism held near Athens, Greece, in May. As the Church of the Brethren representative, I was excited to participate in this international gathering of Christians to discuss mission in relation to healing and reconciliation, and to worship with ecumenical brothers and sisters.
The conference was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Greece, and the influence of orthodoxy was evidenced in the many flowing black robes, the liturgy and songs, and, sadly, the inability for participants to share together in the bread and cup. In addition to the WCC member church representatives, there were invited delegates from Pentecostal churches and from the Roman Catholic Church.
I delighted in the rainbow of human diversity--skin color, languages, cultures. Every day was scheduled full of worship, plenary sessions, workshops, and "home group" meetings. I led my home group in the morning lectio divina exercise. The scripture was read slowly three different times by different people, and followed each time by silence. After the first reading we shared words or phrases from the text that stood out for us. After the second reading we shared how the text related to us personally. Following the third reading, we shared a prayer or reflection.
My home group included a Romanian Orthodox priest, a theologian from Norway, a Swedish theological professor, a retired nurse from the Lesotho Evangelical Church, a Greek Orthodox layman, a Syrian Orthodox female physician from India, a Disciples of Christ seminary dean from St. Louis, and a Romanian orthodox seminary student. The relationships in this group became very important to each of us. One shared, "I thought I would become homesick, but I did not because I came back to my home group every evening."
Unlike previous conferences on world mission and evangelism, this conference did not spend much of its time hammering out the wording of an official statement. We did try to agree on a message to the churches, but there was insufficient time to come to consensus on exact wording so the message was sent to a WCC commission for final wording on behalf of the delegates. Delegates were each able to make their suggestions in writing to the commission.
This year is the halfway point of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV), and the youth delegates assisted with a short drama to introduce the DOV report. DOV is a commitment, a choice, and an invitation to all Christian churches to refuse violence as a way of life. We were encouraged to go beyond naming, analyzing, and unintentional promotion of violence, to overcoming it. The unhelpful confusion of violence and conflict, often by the media, was noted. As one who works in conflict resolution I had to agree. Whereas violence in all its forms is not good, conflict is a given and can be used profitably to move a group or relationship forward.
I am grateful to the Church of the Brethren for offering me this experience. I return with a renewed vision for the ecumenical church and for the need for healing, reconciliation, and peacemaking to be part of our work of carrying out God's mission in the world.
--Carol Spicher Waggy is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, and served on the steering committee for the Church of the Brethren mission conference, Mission Alive 2005.
Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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By Carol Spicher Waggy
"Come, Holy Spirit, heal and reconcile." This prayer of invitation was the theme for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Conference on World Mission and Evangelism held near Athens, Greece, in May. As the Church of the Brethren representative, I was excited to participate in this international gathering of Christians to discuss mission in relation to healing and reconciliation, and to worship with ecumenical brothers and sisters.
The conference was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Greece, and the influence of orthodoxy was evidenced in the many flowing black robes, the liturgy and songs, and, sadly, the inability for participants to share together in the bread and cup. In addition to the WCC member church representatives, there were invited delegates from Pentecostal churches and from the Roman Catholic Church.
I delighted in the rainbow of human diversity--skin color, languages, cultures. Every day was scheduled full of worship, plenary sessions, workshops, and "home group" meetings. I led my home group in the morning lectio divina exercise. The scripture was read slowly three different times by different people, and followed each time by silence. After the first reading we shared words or phrases from the text that stood out for us. After the second reading we shared how the text related to us personally. Following the third reading, we shared a prayer or reflection.
My home group included a Romanian Orthodox priest, a theologian from Norway, a Swedish theological professor, a retired nurse from the Lesotho Evangelical Church, a Greek Orthodox layman, a Syrian Orthodox female physician from India, a Disciples of Christ seminary dean from St. Louis, and a Romanian orthodox seminary student. The relationships in this group became very important to each of us. One shared, "I thought I would become homesick, but I did not because I came back to my home group every evening."
Unlike previous conferences on world mission and evangelism, this conference did not spend much of its time hammering out the wording of an official statement. We did try to agree on a message to the churches, but there was insufficient time to come to consensus on exact wording so the message was sent to a WCC commission for final wording on behalf of the delegates. Delegates were each able to make their suggestions in writing to the commission.
This year is the halfway point of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV), and the youth delegates assisted with a short drama to introduce the DOV report. DOV is a commitment, a choice, and an invitation to all Christian churches to refuse violence as a way of life. We were encouraged to go beyond naming, analyzing, and unintentional promotion of violence, to overcoming it. The unhelpful confusion of violence and conflict, often by the media, was noted. As one who works in conflict resolution I had to agree. Whereas violence in all its forms is not good, conflict is a given and can be used profitably to move a group or relationship forward.
I am grateful to the Church of the Brethren for offering me this experience. I return with a renewed vision for the ecumenical church and for the need for healing, reconciliation, and peacemaking to be part of our work of carrying out God's mission in the world.
--Carol Spicher Waggy is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, and served on the steering committee for the Church of the Brethren mission conference, Mission Alive 2005.
Source: 06/08/2005 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 provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Sam Bowman, Kathleen Campanella, Mary Dulabaum, Phil Jones, Stan Noffsinger, Ed Poling, Sue Sawyer, Marcia Shetler, and Carol Yeazell contributed to this report.
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 provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Sam Bowman, Kathleen Campanella, Mary Dulabaum, Phil Jones, Stan Noffsinger, Ed Poling, Sue Sawyer, Marcia Shetler, and Carol Yeazell contributed to this report.
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