Brethren bits: Job opening, honors, and much more.

• The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a director of Information Services to fill a fulltime position located in Elgin, Ill. Responsibilities include developing, maintaining, and implementing a technology system to support General Board programs; providing management responsibility for day-to-day operations; maintaining and developing appropriate hardware and software systems; budget development, monitoring, and reporting in information services arena; providing for accurate and efficient support of use of computers to meet user needs. Qualifications include knowledge and experience in planning and implementing an information system; knowledge and experience in budget development and management; strong technical skills in programming and systems analysis; progressive administrative and leadership skills. Education and experience required includes a minimum of a bachelor's degree in information sciences or related field; a minimum of five years of significant information services experience, including systems analysis and design, and programming involving networks. A position description and application form are available on request. Application deadline is Aug. 12. Qualified candidates are invited to complete the application form, submit a resume and letter of application, and 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; kkrog_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren General Board, was among five alumni honored at Alumni Days at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind. Other were former college faculty Allen C. Deeter, William R. Eberly, and Arthur L. Gilbert, and college trustee Melvin L. Holmes. Deeter is professor emeritus of Religion and Philosophy and is known for his leadership in expanding Brethren Colleges Abroad; Eberly is professor emeritus of Biology and author of "The History of the Natural Sciences at Manchester College"; Gilbert is professor emeritus of accounting, who led expansion of the accounting department and the master's of accountancy degree; Holmes is a retired senior buyer at AM General Corporation in South Bend, Ind., and a community leader in intercultural relations. For more go to www.manchester.edu.
  
  
• Matt Guynn, coordinator of peace witness for On Earth Peace, had poems published in a new book, "Becoming Fire: Spiritual Writing from Rising Generations," published by Andover Newton Theological School. The book is an anthology of spiritual writing from Generations X and Y and their mentors, and includes essays, fiction, poems, and sermons. It sells for $12.95, with proceeds benefitting the Faith Youth Institute. For more go to www.ants.edu/about/publications/index.htm.
  
  
• Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) holds its summer orientation July 30-Aug. 18 at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center. This will be the 270th BVS unit, and will be made up of 21 volunteers from across the US and Germany. Half of the group is Church of the Brethren, with the others coming from varied faith backgrounds. A weekend immersion trip to Baltimore is planned with volunteer opportunities at area soup kitchens and outreach centers, as well as at Jonah House. Volunteers also will have a chance to work at the Brethren Service Center for a day, and at several service sites in Carroll County. A BVS potluck is open to all those who are interested on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Union Bridge Church of the Brethren. "Please feel free to come and welcome the new BVS volunteers and share your own experiences," said Becky Snavely of the BVS office. "Don Vermilyea will also be present to share experiences from his Walk Across America. As always your prayer support is welcome and needed," she added. "Please pray for the unit, and the people they will touch during their year of service through BVS." For more information call 800-323-8039 ext. 423.
  
  
• Disaster Child Care (DCC) volunteers have visited five FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Pennsylvania to research the need for child care following the worst flooding to hit the Susquehanna River valley and its tributaries since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Over 200,000 residents were evacuated due to rising flood waters, reported DCC coordinator Helen Stonesifer. The widespread flooding affected numerous rivers, lakes, and communities from upstate New York to North Carolina. Also being researched is the need for child care services in California, where homes have been burned in a large wildfire east of Los Angeles.
  
  
• Community Church of Waterford, a Church of the Brethren congregation in Goshen, Ind., held its Grand Opening Celebration on May 7 with over 400 people in attendance.
  
  
• Jonathan Emmons will present a Benefit Organ Recital at Antioch Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount, Va., on July 29 at 4 p.m. Emmons was organist for the 2004 Annual Conference in Charleston, W.Va. Donations will support the World Hunger Auction, a cooperative venture of 10 congregations in Virlina District. The auction itself is planned for Aug. 12, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Antioch church. For more go to www.worldhungerauction.org.
  
  
• Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has a small team of peacemakers at Bear Butte, S.D., from July 3-Aug. 15 to nonviolently resist continued development and encroachment on land that Native American tribes consider sacred. An Intertribal Coalition of 30 tribes requested CPT's assistance as they oppose a new development including a biker bar and concert venue called the "Sturgis County Line" on 600 acres at the base of Bear Butte. Every year, thousands of Native people travel to pray at the butte. The final week of the encampment will coincide with the 66th annual Sturgis motorcycle rally that brings 500,000 bikers to the area.
  
  
• A Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) women's delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is planned for Oct. 18-Nov. 2. Rape has been a weapon of war among militias in the Congo. Delegates will meet with Congolese women and human rights organizations to witness the effects of the war and to learn about western countries' roles in the conflict. Delegates raise $3,100 to cover costs; financial assistance may be available. Application deadline is July 31. For more information go to www.cpt.org and click on "Delegations."
  
  
• The National Council of Churches (NCC), Church World Service (CWS), and the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a joint statement July 14 urging nonviolent solutions to the violence in Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine. "Is there ever to be an end to violence in the land we call holy? What has violence solved these last 60 years? What has violence solved these past weeks?" the statement asked. The NCC, WCC, and CWS called for an immediate cessation of attacks on all sides and urged the US government and other nations to recognize the success of former peace initiatives, and with the assistance of the United Nations to seek nonviolent solutions for all parties involved. They also urged their member Christian denominations to "pray for all those who have suffered and died as a result of this violence, and their families and communities, and to engage in humanitarian and advocacy actions for peace." For the full statement go to www.councilofchurches.org.
  
  
• Brethren elder John Kline's historic Civil War-era home and farmland will be for put up for sale within the next six months by its Mennonite owners, according to Paul Roth, pastor of Linville Creek Church of the Brethren in Broadway, Va. Roth seeks people within the Brethren bodies who can help plan for purchase of the property and a design for its use. The owners wish to give the Brethren first right of refusal on the property, Roth said. Local developers are eager to buy the 10-acre property and place townhouses on it, he added. "It is important that we act quickly." Contact Roth at 540-896-5001.

Source: 7/19/2006 Newsline
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