Brethren bits: Corrections, remembrances, job openings, more.

• Corrections: The date of Coretta Scott King's death was given as Feb. 31 in the Feb 1 issue of Newsline; the correct date is Jan. 31. Also in the Feb. 1 issue, sabbatical dates for Bethany Seminary's academic dean Stephen Reid were incorrect; correct dates are Dec. 2006-April 2007.
  
  
• Former China and Ecuador missionary Rolland C. Flory, age 93, passed away Feb. 13 at a hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. He had lived at Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home in North Manchester, Ind., since 1989. Flory's work for the Church of the Brethren General Board included service in China during the World War II years, along with his wife Josephine, also deceased. The couple began their work in China in 1940 but in Feb. 1941 moved to the Philippines because of the Japanese occupation of China. By the end of the year they were put in a Japanese internment camp, where they were held until Feb. 1945. During his internment, Flory was one of four missionaries in the camp who suffered beatings and torture while being interrogated. After returning to the US, Flory earned an agriculture degree from Cornell University. The couple then returned to China, spending three years at a Brethren rural mission in Kiangsi Province. After Spanish language study in Costa Rica, they then spent eight years in the Brethren mission in Llano Grande, Ecuador. Returning from Ecuador, the Florys moved to West Lafayette, Ind., where he worked in the Purdue University Grounds Department until retirement in 1978. Flory was raised in China, having traveled there with his missionary parents Raymond C. And Lizzie M. Neher Flory when he was a toddler in 1914, and returning with them to the US in 1927. He attended high school in Grants Pass, Ore., and graduated from Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., in 1938. Flory is survived by son Jim Flory and his wife, Eileen, by son John Flory and his wife, Becky, and by three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the Timbercrest Chapel at a later date.
  
  
• Patricia L. "Pattie" Bittinger Stern, age 75, died Feb. 5, in McPherson, Kan. The memorial service was held Feb. 11 at McPherson Church of the Brethren. She and her husband, Irven, served the Church of the Brethren in pastoral ministry, as mission workers in Nigeria and as district co-executives. She was born in Garkida, Nigeria, on Christmas Day 1930, the daughter of Church of the Brethren missionaries Desmond and Irene Bittinger. After graduating at McPherson College and attending Bethany Theological Seminary, Pattie and Irven worked in Nigeria with the Church of the Brethren General Board from 1954-62. They helped start Kulp Bible College of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), with Pattie teaching and serving as principal of the women's school, and Irven serving as the college's first principal. In 1962 they returned to Kansas, where Pattie taught in the public schools. In 1974 the couple moved to San Diego. They were co-executive ministers of Pacific Southwest District from 1985 until retirement in 1993--the first husband-wife couple to serve the denomination in such a capacity. Her volunteer work for the denomination included service on the Pacific Southwest District Board, as chair, as well as the board of Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne, Calif., the New Church Coordinating Committee, the Program Coordinating Committee, and Annual Conference study committees on Mission Philosophy and Brotherhood Understanding. Ecumenical involvements included the Council of Religious Leaders in Southern California and the Pacific Conference on World Christian Mission, as dean. She was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and, following retirement, the Sterns co-pastored Live Oak (Calif.) Church of the Brethren. McPherson College honored them in 1991 with a Citation of Merit Award as outstanding alumni. Since their move to the Cedars in McPherson, the Sterns have continued to be active in the church and the work of Western Plains District. She is survived by her husband, three children, 6 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Memorial gifts are designated for McPherson Church of the Brethren Building Fund working on accessibility or McPherson College.
  
  
• Stanley Wampler, former district executive minister of Shenandoah District and Tri-District Executive, died on Jan. 31 at age 86. A memorial service was held Feb. 4 at First Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg, Va. Wampler was baptized in 1928 at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Va., and licensed and ordained to ministry at Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, Va. He served pastorates in Virginia and then as a district executive from 1954 until retirement in 1984. He was executive for Northern Virginia District 1954-65, for the Tri-District of Virginia (Eastern, Northern, and Second)1965-67, and for Shenandoah District from its creation in 1967 until 1984. He is remembered for playing a leadership role in recognizing the need for retirement homes in the southeast region of the Church of the Brethren, with a vision that has now become the Bridgewater Retirement Community and two other Brethren-related retirement communities. In volunteer positions Wampler served the denomination on the Council of District Executives as chair, on the Standing Committee of Annual Conference, and on the Committee on Interchurch Relations. He also served on ecumenical committees including the Virginia Council of Churches as president, the Chaplain Services of the Churches of Virginia as president, the Industrial Commercial Ministries and Hospital Chaplaincies Programs, and the Bridgewater Healthcare Foundation Board. In retirement he was minister of visitation and welcome for his congregation. Wampler was a graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College and Bethany Theological Seminary. He was in the army in the European Theater in 1944-45. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mazie Kirby Wampler; two sons, Wayne Wampler and wife, Sue, and Jerry Wampler and wife, Barbie; six granddaughters; and a brother and sister. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Wampler Ferranti, in 2003. The family has designated memorial contributions to the Bridgewater Healthcare Foundation or to First Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a mission coordinator in Nigeria, to work through the Global Mission Partnerships program. This fulltime staff position, located in Nigeria, is responsible to be the Nigeria mission team leader and primary link with leadership of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The preferred candidate brings seminary training and pastoral experience, ability to articulate the identity of the Church of the Brethren, strong administrative and communication skills, and the ability to learn some Hausa language. Qualifications include grounding in Church of the Brethren heritage, theology, and polity; oral and written communication skills; ability to facilitate change and motivate others; ability to function collaboratively with colleagues in a team context. Theological education is an asset and international mission experience and/or pastoral experience is a plus. The position will be open in the summer, preferably in June. A position description and application form are available on request. Applications will be received and the search will continue until the position is filled, with an initial deadline of March 7 for candidates to indicate interest. Qualified candidates are invited to complete the General Board application form, submit a resume and 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. 259; mgarrison_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) seeks a director of Family and Older Adult Ministries. The position is fulltime, located at the ABC offices, starting May 15. Responsibilities include to provide leadership for the interpretation, development, and integration of the missions and resources of the Older Adult Ministry and Family Life ministries of ABC; and to provide program interpretation and resources that will serve the needs of congregations, districts, and conferences within the Church of the Brethren. Qualifications include a minimum education requirement of a bachelor's degree with background in social work, family services, gerontology, or related field preferred. Experience required includes a comprehensive knowledge and experience in resource development, leadership training or teaching; experience working with a variety of ages (children, youth, parents, older adults) on issues impacting family life; communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and within a small team; commitment to and understanding of Church of the Brethren structures, beliefs, and practices. Applications will be received beginning immediately, with a deadline of March 14. A position description and application forms are available on request. Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, application forms, and to request three individuals to send letters of recommendation to Mary Lou Garrison, Director of Human Resources, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; mgarrison_gb@brethren.org. For more information about ABC see www.brethren-caregivers.org.
  
  
• Spanish translation volunteers are needed at the 2006 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Volunteer translators are needed for simultaneous translation during the business sessions and worship services at the Conference that will be held July 1-5. Any interested individuals should contact Nadine L. Monn at nadine_monn@yahoo.com or 215-844-1534 for more information.
  
  
• Resources for Spanish-speaking delegates and guests will be provided at Annual Conference this year. The agency annual reports, worship programs, and new business items will be translated into Spanish for delegate use at the 2006 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. If you are aware of any Spanish-speaking delegates or invited guests or visitors, please contact Nadine L. Monn for resource planning at nadine_monn@yahoo.com or 215-844-1534.

Source: 2/15/2006 Newsline
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