Wednesday, March 28, 2007

NEWSPERSONNELFEATURE
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq is ‘a candle in the darkness.’

A hand holding a candle in the darkness was the central image for the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, which took place in Washington, D.C., on Friday evening, March 16. Some 3,500 Christians gathered to repent of their complicity with the war and to seek the end of the US occupation of Iraq. On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board were among the organizations sponsoring the witness. On Earth Peace staff Matt Guynn and Susanna Farahat provided logistics for a peacekeeper training before the event.

The witness marked the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. It was attended by Church of the Brethren members from as far away as California and as close as Virginia, with Brethren also traveling from Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York, among others. More than 210 Brethren were identified as participating in the weekend including the Christian Peace Witness on Friday evening, a Brethren breakfast the next morning, and a March on the Pentagon on Saturday afternoon, according to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

The Christian Peace Witness began with an ecumenical worship service at the National Cathedral. Candles shone as they were carried into the cathedral's immense stone hall by representatives of 15 denominations and more than 30 partner organizations, including Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office representing the General Board, and Verdena Lee, a physician representing On Earth Peace.

Testimony and messages from US soldiers, Iraqi citizens, Abu Ghraib detainees, and members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were shared. “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches,” was the refrain repeated again and again.

One of the preachers, Raphael G. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., preached that, “Too often, the wrong question is being asked when people say, 'What can we do to keep from losing this war?' The danger is not that America may lose the war, but that America may lose its soul.” In a month when the administration made a case for a temporary surge in US troops in Iraq, Warnock said, “The surge we need is a surge in truthtelling, a surge in the nonviolent army of the Lord.”

In a four-mile candlelight procession down the hill from the cathedral and surrounding the White House, participants expressed support for soldiers, a desire to end the occupation, and a prayer for the just rebuilding of Iraq. In a nonviolence training before the procession, participants spiritually prepared themselves to surround the White House with the light of Christ, and some prepared to risk arrest by entering restricted space around the White House.

At the White House, 222 people were arrested including at least four members of the Church of the Brethren--Esther Moller Ho, Phil Jones, Phil Rieman, and Illana Naylor. Esther Ho later reflected, “I decided to participate in the civil disobedience so that my trip would have the strongest impact against the war. My primary motivation comes from the example Jesus gave us by being arrested and going to the cross in obedience to God. I felt humbled and honored that my congregation initiated the idea of my going to the witness and paid my way.” She is a member of Fellowship in Christ Church of the Brethren in Fremont, Calif.

At least 60 Brethren and friends joined together for breakfast following the witness, organized by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at Washington City Church of the Brethren. Art Gish, recently returned from working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, was the keynote speaker. He and his wife Peggy Gish have rotated in and out of Iraq and Hebron as members of CPT. Brethren at the breakfast collected more than $480 for the work of CPT and $120 in support of the fines given to the four Brethren who were arrested, according to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

While major events like the Christian Peace Witness can be moments of media focus, spiritual formation for nonviolent followers of Jesus requires longterm organizing and prayer at the congregational level. The trip to Washington was the culmination of such a process for Jan Long, pastor for congregational life at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., who accompanied a delegation of 10 members and friends of her congregation.

In the months leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Beacon Heights formed a group called Persistent in Prayer for Peace.“Initially, we were very focused on sharing our own personal commitments and connecting around praying for the situation in Iraq,” Long reported. “We grew into a group that educates itself on the issues, calling ourselves to be faithful and persistent in being involved--from writing letters to actively participating in public witness, a whole variety of things. The group has become a space where we know that we have support and that there are others who are aware of what we are doing for peace. It has been really helpful to know a group of people that are also called to have this (peace commitment) be an ongoing part of our faith journey.”

The Beacon Heights group studied the work of theologian Walter Wink, participated in local groups with witnesses related to the Iraq war, and participated in other community peace events. “All along, it has been my vision to see this group continue to grow in involvement and activity,” Long said. “To have 10 people commit to go to this national witness felt like clearly another step of being persistent for peace.”

Is witnessing in the streets the only way to work for peace? “No,” said Long, but added, “being in the streets is a way of witnessing with our physical presence, where we find our spirits called and engaged,” she said. “It's a way of joining with others to make a call for the awareness of injustice and alternative possibilities in our world. Peace groups and Christians who take that seriously are a megaphone that help to amplify that message for our world.”

--Matt Guynn is coordinator of peace witness for On Earth Peace.

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Vital Pastor program continues to launch and conclude pastor groups.

In late 2006 and early 2007, six pastoral cohort groups in the Church of the Brethren were awarded Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) grants that launched a two-year, self-chosen study focus for each group. SPE is administered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a joint ministry of Bethany Theological Seminary and the Church of the Brethren General Board, and is funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Following are the groups of pastors, their congregations, and their questions for study:

Dennis Beckner, Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Linda Lewis, Mansfield (Ohio) Church of the Brethren; Cara McCallister, Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Carol Pfeiffer, North Liberty (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Keith Simmons, Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Mark Stahl, Kokomo (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “How shall the Brethren be grown--what are the pastoral leadership characteristics and skills needed to help congregations grow?”

David Banaszak, Martinsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Dale Dowdy, Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa.; Marlys Hershberger, Hollidaysburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Connie Maclay, Beech Run Church of the Brethren in Mapleton Depot, Pa.; Ken Kline Smeltzer, Burnham (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Dottie Steele, Bedford (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “In light of a dominant North American culture that breeds alienation, what can we learn from our spiritual ancestors (Anabaptists, Pietists, and other Christian traditions) to strengthen our personal and community practices in order to become a more whole and faithful people?”

Ryan Braught, Hempfield Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa.; Dennis Garrison, Spring Creek Church of the Brethren in Hershey, Pa.; Steve Hess, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; John Hostetter, Lampeter (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Bob Kettering, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Phil Reynolds, Mohler Church of the Brethren in Ephrata, Pa. Question: “What leadership skills are needed to pastor disciple-forming communities in a postmodern world?”

Joel Kline, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.; Kreston Lipscomb, Springfield (Ill.) Church of the Brethren; Orlando Redekopp, First Church of the Brethren in Chicago; Christy Waltersdorff, York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill.; Dennis Webb, Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “How can we share the Gospel in ways that will move ourselves (and our congregations) more intentionally toward joyous worship, active peacemaking, passionate faith, and spiritual maturity?”

Paula Bowser, Trotwood (Ohio) Church of the Brethren; Tracy Knechel, Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio; Nancy Fitzgerald, Nokesville (Va.) Church of the Brethren; Kim McDowell, University Park Church of the Brethren in Hyattsville, Md.; Darlene Meyers, Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Silver Spring, Md. Question: “How do image, story, and place create openings for spiritual transformation in us?”

Dennis Lohr, Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Twyla Rowe, Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren; Dick Shreckhise, Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Jim Zerfing, Lake View Christian Fellowship Church of the Brethren in East Berlin, Pa. Question: “What are the insights and skills needed for effective pastoral leadership to minister amid the intersections of our Anabaptist/Pietist identity and the emerging postmodern church/culture?”

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Disaster Child Care provides training workshops.

This year, Disaster Child Care has been offering a series of Level I Training Workshops for child care volunteers, and has named a new training coordinator. The program is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Robert (Bob) Roach of Phenix, Va., will work on a volunteer basis with Disaster Child Care coordinator Helen Stonesifer to coordinate the Level I Training Workshops. He will work with sponsoring organizations to establish dates and locations, and to assign trainers. Congregations interested in sponsoring a training may contact him at 434-542-5565 or phenixva@hotmail.com. “Our goal continues to be to schedule training events in the Gulf Coast states, as well as in other states where there are very few trained volunteers or none at all,” Stonesifer said.

Level I Training Workshops have been held in Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 16-17, with 19 participants; in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 23-24, with 18 in attendance; at Dallas Center (Iowa) Church of the Brethren on March 9-10 with 19 participants; at Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., on March 16-17 with 11 people registered; and at the Martin Luther King Center in Natchitoches, La., on March 23-24.

An upcoming training on April 20-21 will be at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in Littleton, Colo.; contact Judy Gump at 970-352-9091 or Maxine Meunier at 303-973-4727.

Several experienced child care volunteers are receiving American Red Cross (ARC) Critical Response Team Training this week. Eight volunteers are attending the training in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 25-30, including a special Disaster Child Care orientation on March 26. The training will help volunteers understand the roles and responsibilities of a Critical Response Team member and how Disaster Child Care fits into the structure of the ARC Critical Response Team.

In other work, Disaster Child Care has represented the Church of the Brethren in conversations with the American Red Cross and Save the Children, in the process of establishing a “Statement of Understanding” to ensure the wellbeing of children in emergency evacuation shelters for people who have been affected by conflict and disasters. “One of the ways to achieve this is to set up safe play spaces--designed for children ages 4 to 10 to play and participate in recreational activities with other children for several hours each day,” Stonesifer said. “Working together, these agencies plan to provide a ‘Safe Space Kit’ and to secure and train volunteers to work in the areas,” she said.

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Brethren Disaster Response appeals for more volunteers.

“Katrina survivors desperately need your help!” said an appeal from Brethren Disaster Response, a program of the Church of the Brethren General Board. “Now, 19 months after the storm, tens of thousands of families are still living in FEMA trailers or in crowded living conditions with extended family members or friends.”

Brethren Disaster Response volunteers rebuild and repair homes following disasters. The program currently has four active rebuilding projects in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Volunteers are urgently needed this spring and summer: in Chalmette, La., volunteers are needed from May 20-26, May 27-June 2, June 3-9, July 8-14, July 15-21, and August 19-25; in Pearl River, La., volunteers are needed from May 27-June 2, and August 12-18.

The appeal included a testimonial from Adam A., a hurricane survivor from Slidell, La.: “We were severely impacted by Katrina and are receiving amazing help from a group of Brethren from all over the country. I am touched by their service, concern, and compassion. After feeling helpless for such a long time, and seeing these people come from out of nowhere to do the impossible to rebuild the homes and lives of my family, I am simply left speechless by what has happened.... The Brethren that I have met truly are amazing representatives of Christ and stand as the salt of the earth.... This has answered years of daily prayers and lifted a terrible burden from my shoulders.”

To volunteer contact your District Disaster Coordinator or the Brethren Disaster Response office at ersm_gb@brethren.org or 800-451-4407. For more go to www.brethrendisasterresponse.org.

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, job opening, and more.
  • Rae Hungerford Mason, a career missionary for the Church of the Brethren, died Dec. 3, 2006, in Portland, Ore. She was the widow of George Mason, who passed away in 1983, and together with her husband had served in Puerto Rico, China, and India. In Puerto Rico they contributed to the building of the hospital in Castaner. They next served the church in China, until they were forced to leave by the communists. In India they were mission workers for 26 years, from 1952 until they retired in 1978. They worked in rural development, first in Bulsar then in Anklesvar, Gujarat. While raising her children, Rae supported her husband through his work of co-creating and running the Rural Service Center. Her work in India included relief food distribution in schools, hosting international travelers, substitute teaching in music, and serving as a housemother at Woodstock School. The couple retired to Centralia, Wash. Rae Mason had been born in Pullman, Wash., was a 1941 graduate of the University of Washington, and in high school played violin in the Portland Junior Symphony. She was active in peace and justice causes, was a life-long member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, participated in civil rights sit-ins of CORE and NAACP, supported Japanese-Americans during the internment after Pearl Harbor, and participated in anti-nuclear protests during the 1980s. Her activism included supporting the rights of conscientious objectors--she met her husband when he was in alternative service at the Cascade Locks camp for conscientious objectors. She is survived by her daughters Anne Mason and Greta Mason Nelson and husband, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Carol Mason, and by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Ralph Mason, who was a Brethren mission worker in Nigeria.

  • Margaret Drafall began March 26 as customer service resource specialist for Brethren Press, working at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. She brings more than 24 years of experience in office management, including customer service, human resources, and business administration. She is an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin, where she serves on the church council and the worship committee, and is liaison to the Child Development Center.

  • The application deadline for the position of “lead team” for the Church of the Brethren mission in Sudan has been extended. The Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board continues to seek two couples or families to serve as the lead team to begin the new ministry in Sudan, seeking to rebuild and heal communities after decades of war. As a holistic effort, the work will include the formation of churches. A complementary team that includes people bringing one or more of the following skill sets is preferred: peace and conflict transformation, healthcare, church planting and Christian education, community development preferably with experience in developing nations, dealing with trauma, and literacy and adult education. Candidates should bring relevant education and experience in their area of specialty and previous experience in international cross-cultural settings, be well-grounded in Church of the Brethren identity and practice, and have a team orientation. Secondary skills in repair and maintenance of computers, houses, or vehicle mechanics will be useful. Team members will participate in raising their own support under General Board oversight. The application deadline has been extended from previous announcements of this position. The extended timetable is for interviews and decisions to be made during this spring, with placement possibly by the fall of this year. Application forms may be requested from Karin Krog, Office of Human Resources, by telephone at 800-323-8039.

  • Great Harvest Church Planting of Illinois and Wisconsin District seeks individuals who desire to fulfill the biblical mandate of the Great Commission by starting new, multiplying congregations of believers in the district. “Church planting is considered the most effective means of evangelism,” said the announcement from Lynda Lubbs-DeVore, apostle for the district’s New Church Development Board. “Great Harvest Church Planting is working hard to develop systems and strategies in order to equip church planters to launch healthy, missional churches in the district,” she said. Great Harvest Church Planting will offer help to church planters including help with assessment, training and coaching, and grant funds to get started. “We will do all that we can to assist you and your family as you explore and respond to the call to plant a successful, multiplying church,” the announcement said. “If you are not satisfied with ministry that is ‘status quo,’ if you have a heart for lost people and God has given you a desire to live and do ministry in our region, church planting may be what God is calling you to. Don’t ignore that call!” Contact DeVore at Lynda@ncdb.org or 630-675-9740.

  • The Annual Conference Office is listing e-mail addresses for communicating with the Annual Conference Officers. Each Annual Conference officer has an e-mail addresses through which he or she may be contacted on matters related to Annual Conference. Contact moderator Belita Mitchell at moderator@brethren.org. Contact moderator-elect Jim Beckwith at moderatorelect_ac@brethren.org. Contact secretary Fred Swartz at acsecretary@brethren.org.

  • The Service Ministries program of the Church of the Brethren General Board has had a busy beginning to the year, reported director Loretta Wolf. International shipments of relief materials have been sent to Angola, with items from both Church World Service (CWS) and Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) organized through the Church of the Brethren Emergency Response; to Montenegro and Romania, through a cooperative effort of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and CWS; to Serbia, sponsored by Lutheran World Relief and IOCC; to Burkina Faso, on behalf of CWS; to Jordan, on behalf of Lutheran World Relief; and a pending shipment to the Palestinian Territories, for Lutheran World Relief. Domestic US shipments for CWS this year have included blankets to McAlester, Okla., and Austin, Texas, in response to winter storms; blankets to homeless and disadvantaged people in Binghamton, N.Y.; blankets, baby kits, health kits, and cleanup buckets in response to tornados in the area of Orlando, Fla.; blankets to disadvantaged border areas near Brownsville, Texas; blankets to St. Paul, Minn., for the homeless and disadvantaged; baby kits, health kits, and emergency cleanup buckets to Gould, Ark., following the tornados and severe storms that hit the southern US.

  • Westernport (Md.) Church of the Brethren will hold a homecoming on Sunday, Aug. 5, to mark its 50th year of service at its present site, and its 80th year as a church, according to an announcement in the “Mineral Daily News-Tribune.” Pastor Leon Swigart will be the guest speaker. Activities will include morning worship, lunch, and an afternoon program with a “Walk Down Memory Lane,” choir, and open-mike period. Displays will feature memorabilia and photographs of church life through the years. A commemorative church history booklet is planned. For more information and to register contact the church office at 301-359-3762. The deadline to register for the luncheon is April 1.

  • In an update on the Boca Chica church building project in the Dominican Republic (see Newsline of Nov. 22, 2006), Irv and Nancy Heishman, co-mission coordinators in the DR for the Church of the Brethren General Board, report that the congregation recently celebrated building accomplishments, including blocks built up to roof level. More fill will need to be added before the floor is poured. The building will include an extension at the back for bathrooms and stairs, leaving open the possibility of adding a second story as the church grows. In the congregation’s Sunday school offering for the construction project, each of four classes competed to be the highest giver for the month. “The winners for January were the ‘Damas’--the women's class,” the Heishmans said. “These women gained some of their offering money by making sweets and other goodies to sell in the streets.” The Heishmans thanked the Brethren World Mission and the General Board for financial support and coordination, and passed on thanks from the congregation: “The Boca Chica church is grateful for the support they feel from the Global Mission and Brethren World Mission.... Praise be to God for what the Spirit is doing here!”

  • The 6th Annual Shenandoah Disaster Auction Kick Off Dinner will be held March 31, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Kline Campus Center at Bridgewater (Va.) College. Entertainment will be provided by the Sunset Mountain Boys.

  • Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, a Church of the Brethren retirement community near Boonsboro, Md., is remembering resident Charlotte Winters, who died March 27 at age 109. According to Scripps Howard News Service, she was the last living female World War I veteran.

  • In other news from Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, the community is exhibiting its Celebrity Autograph Quilt and Wall Hangings on April 1, from noon to 3 p.m. The exhibit is free to the public and will be held in the lobby of the main building. A total of 92 celebrities of stage, screen, opera, sports, and music took part in the unique fundraiser, including Charlton Heston, Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Lauren Bacall, Hank Williams Jr., and Nascar's Jimmie Johnson, among many others. All items will be offered to international memorabilia collectors on UBID.com internet auction beginning April 9. Proceeds benefit Fahrney-Keedy, and contribute to the Benevolent Fund. For more information, contact Betsy Miller at 301-671-5016 or bmiller@fkmh.org.

  • Manchester College is offering a 150-hour accounting program, after suspending its master of accountancy program following a survey of regional and national accounting firms, according to a release from the college in North Manchester, Ind. Many firms do not pay higher starting salaries for a master's degree, nor do they consider it for promotions, the release said. Janis Fahs, CPA and chair of the Department of Accounting and Business, said the new program positions Manchester students in the job market well-prepared for certification as certified public accountants. The program moves students into the job market six months earlier than the traditional master's degree program, the release said. Students receive a bachelor's degree after completing 128 credit hours; the additional 22 credit hours fulfill CPA certification requirements. For more about Manchester's accounting programs, visit www.manchester.edu.

  • New Life Ministries is sponsoring a Leadership Training Event entitled "Deep and Wide: Expanding Hospitality in the Faithful Church" on May 8 at Franconia Mennonite Church in Telford, Pa. Keynote speakers are Eddie Gibbs and Ron Sider. Registrations received before April 1 qualify for a discount--as well as those registrations with multiple persons attending from the same congregation. For more information visit www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org or contact director Kristen Leverton Helbert at 800-774-3360 or NLMServiceCenter@aol.com.

  • The Brethren Peace Fellowship is encouraging meetings of silent presence to pray for peace throughout the world. A meeting for prayerful presence will take place in front of the Westminster (Md.) branch of the Carroll County Public Library on April 3, between 5-6 p.m. “If you too are longing for a more peaceful world, please come and silently pray with us,” invited Jane Yount, of the Brethren Disaster Response office.

  • The Global Women's Project, a Church of the Brethren women’s organization, is in the process of weighing its future course. A consultation was held at Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind., on Feb. 16-18 by the project’s Steering Committee: Judi Brown, Lois Grove, Nan Erbaugh, Jacki Hartley, and Bonnie Kline Smeltzer. The committee is in a discernment process on the future of the project, which is a grassroots movement that has lifted up lifestyle and justice issues and initiated women-to-women projects in more than a dozen developing countries over the past 30 years. Among the 15 participants in the consultation were representatives from the Church of the Brethren General Board.

  • Resources for Earth Day Sunday, April 22, are available from the National Council of Churches (NCC). The 2007 Earth Day Sunday resource for worship, study, and action, is titled "Our Daily Bread: Harvesters of Hope and Gardeners of Eden." The resource focuses on creating a more sustainable food system in the US by seeking spirit-filled solutions to the root causes of injustice in farm and food policy. The council also is providing an opportunity for direct action with legislators for Earth Day Sunday, encouraging elected officials to “Sow Justice” in the 2007 farm bill. Congregations may also register their Earth Day Sunday celebrations with the NCC’s Eco-Justice Network so that others in the area can locate events. For more information go to www.nccecojustice.org/faithharvestworship.html.

  • Church of the Brethren congregations may take part in a faith-based health care survey being conducted by the National Council of Churches (NCC). This is the first nationwide, in-depth, systematic study of health services provided by religious communities, according to the NCC. The project will survey more than 100,000 congregations to determine the level of health care education, delivery, and advocacy being offered. The study is made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. A comprehensive report will be released at the conclusion of the study. It will help faith leaders and health care providers determine, for the first time, what role the religious congregation is playing, or not, in the delivery of health-related services to communities across the country. Congregations may take part in the survey at www.ncccusa.org/healthsurvey.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Mark Hartwig to direct Information Services for General Board.

Mark Hartwig has been hired to fill the position of director of Information Services with the Church of the Brethren General Board, as of March 27. He has worked for the General Board at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., as a computer and applications specialist since March of 2005.

Prior to joining the General Board staff, he had more than 20 years of experience in the information technology field. His prior experience includes positions as computer coordinator/trainer and information services manager. He also holds a master's degree in pastoral studies and is a spiritual director.

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Carol Yeazell serves as interim director of Congregational Life Team.

Carol Yeazell has been called as interim director of the Congregational Life Team for the Church of the Brethren General Board. She serves as a staff member of the Congregational Life Team, Area 3. The interim position will continue at least through this summer.

In previous work for the church, Yeazell, has served as executive minister for Atlantic Southeast District, and as a pastor in Florida. Other work experience has included a position as executive director of Beth-El Farm Worker Ministry in Florida, a position as executive director of the US/Mexico Chamber of Commerce--Gulf States Region, and operation of a family business.

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
‘I don’t have it all together, but I can try’: A reflection on working for peace.

I admit it. I had a stereotype about people working for peace. I thought “they” had it all together. I am glad I am wrong.

While I was on the January 2007 delegation to Israel and Palestine jointly sponsored by On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams, I heard lots of people’s stories. Some people were in political power, others were in Israel, others in Palestine, and others were just people who were living their lives. I saw a glimpse of what life might be like if I lived under occupation. I saw people’s care for me. And I heard the cry to help carry their stories to my friends, family, and country. I learned that many Palestinians are living peacefully and trying to resist the occupation just by living out their day. Not all is perfect, but they work for peace anyway.

While we were in Jerusalem, we met with Michael Swartz, a representative from Rabbis for Human Rights. This organization brings voice to human rights violations that are happening in Palestine. I not only liked what the organization did, but I found hope in Michael because he didn’t seem to have it all together.

Michael is quite fond of the Wall, quite one-sided on several tension issues that we had previously heard an opposite view, and has some prejudiced attitudes. While I didn’t always agree with his perspective, I really was thankful for him. He was the first person who spoke with the delegation who, in my opinion, didn’t have it all figured out.

He works at a human rights organization and has laid a personal foundation for his social justice perspective--but sometimes other stuff gets in the way. Biases pop up; a brother’s friend gets killed by terrorists; understandings of the real issues get bound up. His realness was refreshing to me. I may want to “grow up” to be other people that I met in Palestine--but I can be Michael now. I don’t have it all together but I can try.

Michael helped me realize the importance of being in the struggle. There will always be the person to look up to, too. Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa come to mind, maybe they really did have it all together. But the average peacemaker, like me and Michael, we have issues, biases, and even are wrong sometimes. We are a part of the process of peace.

Thanks to Michael and others, I realize that I too can work for peace.

--Krista Dutt attends First Church of the Brethren in Chicago and directs DOOR Chicago, a Mennonite and Presbyterian urban education program.

Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Janis K. Fahs, Lerry Fogle, Karin Krog, Glenn and Linda Timmons, Helen Stonesifer, Loretta Wolf, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.

Friday, March 16, 2007

NEWSPERSONNELUPCOMING EVENTSRESOURCES
Brethren attend inaugural meeting of Christian Churches Together.

A consensus on the importance of evangelism and the need to eliminate domestic poverty marked the official formation of Christian Churches Together (CCT), at a meeting in Pasadena, Calif., on Feb. 6-9. This was the sixth annual gathering for CCT, an informally structured organization of 36 churches and national Christian groups that began in 2001 to provide a meeting place all the major groupings of Christian traditions in the US.

A proposal for the Church of the Brethren to join CCT will be brought to this year’s Annual Conference by the Committee on Interchurch Relations and the General Board. Four Church of the Brethren leaders attended as observers: Belita Mitchell, moderator of Annual Conference; Jim Beckwith, moderator-elect; Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board; and Michael Hostetter, chair of the Committee on Interchurch Relations.

CCT was begun when a number of US church leaders discussed the need for an ecumenical gathering that included Christian churches and traditions that were not members of the National Council of Churches (NCC) or the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). The idea was encouraged by NCC general secretary Bob Edgar. By March 2006, 36 churches and organizations had become founding members.

With a focus on praying together and building relationships, the new organization has become the broadest and most inclusive fellowship of Christian churches and traditions in the US. The five "faith families" of the CCT are Evangelical/Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Racial/Ethnic. It is the first time Roman Catholics have formally participated in a broad national ecumenical coalition in the US. Participants also include a number of nondenominational religious groups such as World Vision, Bread for the World, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, and Evangelicals for Social Action.

Evangelism and the need to eliminate poverty in the US were major topics of discussion at the meeting. The theme, "Is Jesus’ Proclamation Our Proclamation?" from Luke 4:18, led participants' discussion of evangelism in their church and faith family contexts. Participants also continued discussions from a 2006 gathering on poverty, when a committee was appointed to find common ground and propose ways to challenge US Christians and the country to address poverty. At this meeting, CCT considered the proposals and approved a statement on poverty.

For more information, see www.christianchurchestogether.org.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program holds ‘Vital Pastors’ retreat.

"Thank you for the re-call to ministry." Those words, uttered by a pastor during a closing circle prayer, capped two years of exploring with colleagues what it means to pastor with excellence. Many of the 18 pastors in the circle might have expressed the same sense of renewal.

Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, an initiative of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership funded by a $2 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant, aims to give at least 200 Church of the Brethren pastors the opportunity for such renewal over a five-year period.

The 18 who gathered in Ellenton, Fla., Feb. 12-15 and joined hands for that prayer were the first group to finish the "Vital Pastors" track of the program. Meeting in small "cohort" groups, the pastors spend two years exploring a critical question related to ministry. The experience includes an immersion trip to a destination, often overseas, that helps investigation of that question.

At the Florida retreat, these groups spent three hours each telling the other groups and Brethren Academy staff what they had learned in the course of their journey. One group studied Brethren heritage; another studied contemplative styles of worship; the others pursued questions related to mission and developing leadership.

John Weyant, a member of the Mid-Atlantic District cohort, said the study of Brethren heritage, including a trip to Brethren sites in Germany, left him inspired. "We need to re-establish that passion," he said in the group’s report, "and it starts right here."

The cohort studying contemplative worship, from Southern Ohio, found inspiration in European churches finding new ways to reach new generations in a secularized atmosphere. "The message is strong enough to survive," cohort member Jerry Bowen said, "but our churches have to find a new vehicle to share that message."

A Northern Ohio group focused on ways to "identify, nurture, and release leadership gifts" in congregations. "God gives the congregation the gifts of leadership it needs," they concluded. "We’re just not always aware of it yet."

A South/Central Indiana group found a heart for mission in Brazil as it looked for ways to develop that same mission spirit back at home. "If you go home the same as you left, you missed it," cohort member Bruce Hostetler said, discussing mission experience, whether near home or abroad.

As these were the first groups to complete the process, they were guinea pigs of sorts, to see how it would all work. They noted the challenges of pulling the cohorts together initially and of scheduling the frequent meetings through the process, but each group expressed that it had been worthwhile. Humor and laughter permeated the reports. Many groups planned to continue meeting together now that the formal program is done, building on the relationships formed.

"This is a week of deep satisfaction now that we’re here," said Jonathan Shively, director of the Brethren Academy. "We have really anticipated this first gathering to learn from you.... This is a turning point in how we understand pastors and parish ministry. What you have done has not been just for you."

Six more cohort groups began their study last year and will have a concluding retreat in November. Another six groups are beginning their study this spring. In all, about 100 pastors have now been involved in Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, most of them in the Vital Pastors track. Another 18 have participated in the Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership track, which brings together cohort groups of eight to 10 pastors for quarterly retreats to study pastoral leadership and pursue self-development.

Shively noted, too, that the Brethren piece of the program is part of a much more extensive web of pastors connected to the Lilly initiative in various denominations and organizations.

Glenn Timmons, who coordinates the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program along with his wife, Linda, encouraged this first Brethren group to spread the message of what they had learned, and to encourage other pastors to seek the renewal and reinvigoration they need. "You are ambassadors now," Timmons told them, "whether you realize it, or want to, or not!"

--Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren’s Messenger magazine.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Funds give $95,000 in grants to relief work.

Two Church of the Brethren funds have given a total of $95,000 in recent grants supporting the work of Brethren Disaster Response in the Gulf Coast, as well as aid to Vietnam, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, and Vietnam. The Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) are ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Two EDF grants of $25,000 each support continuing work by Brethren Disaster Response at Hurricane Katrina rebuilding projects "Site 1" in Lucedale, Miss., and "Site 2" in Pearl River, La. The grants will pay for food, housing, and transportation for Brethren volunteers, as well as tools and materials. Two previous allocations to the Lucedale project total $55,000.

Another EDF grant of $5,000 to the Emergency Response program of the church will underwrite expenses incurred by volunteers and staff for early assessments of possible disaster projects.

An allocation from the EDF of $25,000 responds to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal in the wake of flooding in central and southern Somalia and northern Kenya. The money will help nearly 40,000 people with food assistance, school supplies, seeds and/or blankets, as well as agricultural and irrigation projects.

A grant of $9,000 from the EDF responds to a CWS appeal to provide critical aid to nearly 48,000 persons in Uganda. The need arises after years of conflict in the country, where the situation has been worsened by recent floods and drought. The grant will help supply food, farming equipment, seeds, and health care, as well as education and water sanitation.

A grant of $6,000 from the GFCF will help provide clean water and sanitation for Quan Chu Commune Junior Secondary School in Thai Nguyen province of Vietnam. The school, which enrolls 558 students in grades 6 to 9, has no water supply or sanitary toilets. The project is in partnership with CWS, monies to help cover this grant are expected to be raised.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Brethren Volunteer Service welcomes its 273rd unit.

The eight members of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 273 have begun their terms of service. Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., hosted the orientation unit from Jan. 29-Feb. 16. During the orientation volunteers had the opportunity to serve both the greater Orlando community and to fellowship with the Brethren Haitian community in Miami.

Volunteers, home congregations or hometowns, and placements are: Martin Anderson of Eisenhuettenstadt, Germany, will serve at the San Antonio (Texas) Catholic Worker House; Juergen Bartel of Rheinfelden, Germany, is serving with Gould Farm in Monterey, Mass.; Marissa Buckles of New Carlisle (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is going to Tri-City Homeless Coalition in Fremont, Calif.; Joel Dillon of Wheaton, Ill., will volunteer for L’Arche community in Tecklenburg, Germany; Mark Holbert of Saugatuck, Mich., is serving at the Oakland (Calif.) Catholic Worker House; Katherine Nichols of Emporia, Kan., is going to Camp Harmony in Hooversville, Pa.; Bethany Walk of State College, Pa., is volunteering with Quaker Cottage in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Laurin Wuennenberg of Twistringen, Germany, also is serving at the San Antonio Catholic Worker House.

For more information call BVS at 800-323-8039 or visit www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, job opening, and more.
  • Rozella M. Lunkley (87), a former Church of the Brethren missionary, died Feb. 23 at Bradner Village Health Care Center in Marion, Ind. She was born on Jan. 1, 1920, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to the late James H. and Jenny (Terrell) Welsh. She married Charles W. Lunkley on May 1, 1939. She was a missionary and a pastor's wife, serving churches and mission fields from Africa to Iowa and Indiana. She also was an accomplished pianist, artist, and seamstress. She is survived by her husband, daughter Carolyn (Hardey) McDaniel, son James (Judith) Lunkley, godson Daniel (Esther) Dibal, and by three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The memorial service was held Feb. 28 at Marion (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, where she was a member. Memorial gifts were designated to Bethany Theological Seminary or McPherson (Kan.) College. Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.

  • Walter Trail has accepted a promotion to managing chef for the General Board at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center. Trail has been with the food service department at the Conference Center since December. His previous experience includes management and food service positions with CI Food Service, Eurest Dining Services, and Sbarro, Inc.

  • Susan Brandenbusch, who has served as administrative assistant to the president of Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) since Nov. 1999, will be terminating her employment on June 15. She will no longer have regular office hours effective March 15. In addition to being assistant to the president, Brandenbusch was in charge of payroll operations, and organized board meetings and the BBT Fitness Challenge at Annual Conference.

  • Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, a continuing care retirement community in Boonsboro, Md., related to the Church of the Brethren, has announced that interim chaplain Judith Clister has been called as permanent chaplain. She works part-time serving the needs of residents, prepares a weekly Vespers and Sunday morning worship service, and leads a monthly Bible study. Clister was licensed to the ministry in 2004 and is currently taking classes to continue her education. Her background includes over 30 years as a teacher and as a school counselor. For more information, visit www.fkmh.org.

  • Palms Estates, a 55 and over independent living retirement community in central Florida, is seeking executive leadership. The organization includes 71 homes and 40 RV sites, founded by the Church of the Brethren. This is an excellent employment opportunity for an experienced husband and wife team, said the announcement. Responsibilities include leadership and management of the total operation of the Palms Estates. Candidates should possess strong organizational, administrative, accounting, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills acquired through training and experience. Knowledge of budgets, financial statements, and computer technology related to all office functions also is required. Qualified applicants need the ability to manage multiple tasks involving residents’ needs and concerns, maintain harmonious relations with related organizations, insure compliance with governmental regulations, and manage a small citrus grove and maintenance staff. Onsite residence and office provided in addition to salary and other benefits. Send a resume and three references by June 15 to The Palms Estates at P.O. Box 364, Lorida FL, 33857.

  • The Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is marking the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War with prayer. The chapel is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for staff to meditate and pray for peace in Iraq. The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) board, which is meeting this weekend, has invited other agency staff to a brief service at 1 p.m. with music, readings, and prayers for peace.

  • On Earth Peace is seeking reflections in the forms of prayers, poems, litanies, and brief meditations from individuals thinking about the following theme: We have been at war for four years with Iraq (longer if Afghanistan is included)--what do you have to say about the war, including theological/scriptural reflections? Submissions may be used in the On Earth Peace newsletter or on its website. Send submissions to bsayler_oepa@brethren.org by April 1.

  • The theme for the March 16-17 Youth Roundtable at Bridgewater (Va.) College is "Humbled by His Presence." Roundtable is one of the annual regional youth conferences in the Church of the Brethren. Jim Hardenbrook, former Annual Conference moderator and pastor of Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, is the guest speaker, with music by "Into Hymn." For more information contact Virlina District at 540-362-1816 or MQT1965@aol.com.

  • Cliff Kindy of Eel River Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind., and a longterm member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, has been honored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne and South Bend with the first "Father Tom O'Connor Light of Christ Award." The award was reported in an Associated Press article in the "Indianapolis Star" newspaper. Kindy has traveled to Iraq and Israel to promote peace, working with Christian Peacemaker Teams. O'Connor, who died in 2004, was a Fort Wayne priest known for his devotion to social justice. Read more at www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/LOCAL/703150537.

  • "Basically, I said that I didn't take this discovery seriously," said University of La Verne professor Jonathan Reed about "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," a Discovery Channel documentary that aired March 4. Reed was a panelist for a televised forum about the documentary, moderated by Ted Koppel. The forum titled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus: A Critical Look," aired immediately following the documentary and included a panel chosen for their knowledge in such fields as archeology, theology, and biblical research. "I discussed this very tomb in the revised edition of ‘Excavating Jesus,’" Reed reported. "I think this program will provide an interesting opportunity for critical assessment of the entire subject." Reed is professor of religion at the Brethren-related university in La Verne, Calif., and co-author of "Excavating Jesus" and "In Search of Paul." He is a leading authority on first-century Palestine archeology and lead archaeologist at Sepphoris, the ancient capital city of Galilee. He served as senior historical consultant for the National Geographic Channel 2005 series "Science of the Bible." For more go to www.ulv.edu.

  • For a second year, MAX Mutual Aid eXchange is sponsoring the denominational Wellness Ministry, a collaboration between the Association of Brethren Caregivers, Brethren Benefit Trust, and the Church of the Brethren General Board. MAX sponsored the ministry in 2006 and has increased its level of support in 2007, reported ABC. The group believes its sponsorship of the Wellness Ministry follows its vision, "as creating and sustaining wholeness through preserving and restoring property, lives, and community," stated a release from the company. "Funding provided through MAX will assist us in providing resources, workshops, and programs about wellness to Church of the Brethren congregations," said Mary Lou Garrison, director of the Wellness Ministry. MAX, based in Overland Park, Kan., provides casualty and property insurance for individuals, congregations, and corporations, and has been a sponsor and exhibitor at ABC conferences such as the Caring Ministries Assembly and National Older Adult Conference.

  • "Brethren Voices" a new 30-minute community television program from Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren, produced by member Ed Groff, "has become a reality for seven Brethren congregations/and or districts," Groff said. The church has begun offering the series to other Brethren congregations that are served by community access television stations. The first program for March featured the video from On Earth Peace, "Food and Clothing, Cattle and Love--Brethren Service Following World War II," produced by David Sollenberger. The second and third programs of the series for April and May will feature the work of Brethren Disaster Response in Mississippi and Louisiana. Other programs being planned include a discussion of war and peace with video provided by On Earth Peace, and a program featuring 2007 Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell, Groff said. Each program is hosted by Portland Peace Church's Rachael Waas Shull. For more information about cost to receive the monthly program, and other information, contact Ed Groff at Groffprod1@msn.com or Portland Peace Church of the Brethren at peacecob@3dwave.com.

  • Peggy Gish, a Church of the Brethren member and longterm member of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, reported March 9 that the Iraq team has returned home "for healing, examination, and discernment" following a brief abduction of team members. The team was working in the Kurdish north of Iraq. "In late January, Will Van Wagenen, two Iraqi associates, and I were abducted briefly...and then released unharmed," Gish reported. "The abduction has shaken the team and the organization. Because of the embarrassment this incident has caused them, Kurdish authorities have refused to complete CPT's NGO application." Gish asked for prayer as the team questions "whether or how we could responsibly work now in Iraq." Originally a violence-reduction initiative of the historic peace churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite, and Quaker), CPT now enjoys support and membership from a wide range of Christian denominations (for more go to www.cpt.org).
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Donna March begins as director of office operations for Brethren Benefit Trust.

Donna March, manager of Insurance Operations for Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), has been appointed to the new BBT management position of director of Office Operations, effective March 15.

In her new position, March will direct general office services, human resource services, and the data base development of denominational membership, and will manage BBT offices and telephone and coordinate the office of president.

March has been an employee of BBT since July of 1989, serving much of that time as staff of the insurance department. She will continue to provide part-time leadership for the Brethren Insurance Plan as she transitions to her new job. The Brethren Insurance Plan continues under the direction of interim director Randy Yoder.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Annual Conference registration and housing are now open.

Housing reservations for Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, June 20-July 4, along with nondelegate registrations, can now be made at www.brethren.org/ac. Also online is the 2007 Annual Conference Information Packet, that also was distributed to all congregations in early March as a CD enclosed in the Source packet.

The Conference office encourages Brethren to use the online housing facility or to submit housing request forms available in the information packet. Obtaining hotel rooms through Conference housing holds down the cost of meeting space and other Conference facilities. To obtain housing online go to www.brethren.org/ac then click on "Housing Reservation" in the Cleveland section of the homepage. Participants are encouraged to obtain housing before registering for the Conference.

Advance registration for nondelegates will realize a saving of more than 33 percent. Conference-goers can register themselves and family members, sign up for age group programs, and purchase tickets for ticketed meal events. Deadline for advance registrations is May 20. Go to www.brethren.org/ac, click on "Registration" in the Cleveland section of the homepage.

Find the information packet at www.brethren.org/ac, click on the "Info Packet" tab in the Cleveland section of the homepage. Paper copies can be obtained by contacting the Annual Conference Office at 800-688-5186 or annualconference@brethren.org.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Art contest is sponsored by Intercultural Study Committee.

A "Revelation 7:9 Art Contest" is sponsored by the Intercultural Study Committee at Annual Conference. Entries are welcome from Brethren artists of all ages, and congregations are urged to encourage participation from their membership.

Entries should represent the artist’s understanding of Revelation 7:9. Other guidelines are: one entry per artist; all entries must be flat on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper; any media may be used (crayons, markers, oils, graphics images, photography, etc.); on the back of each entry clearly print or firmly attach a sticker that includes artist’s name and address, home congregation name and address, and age group ("young child" age 8 and under, "older child" ages 9 to 12, "teenager/youth" ages 13 to 18 in high school, "adult" college-age and older).

Judges will award a prize to the winner of each age group. All of the artwork, including the winning entries, will be displayed in the Intercultural Study Committee’s booth at the 2007 Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, from July 1-5. Entries must be received by Friday, May 11. Send entries to Asha Solanky, Attn: Art Contest, 8209 Franconia Rd., Richmond, VA 23227.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Association of Brethren Caregivers joins ‘Cover the Uninsured’ for fourth year.

For the fourth year in a row, the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has signed on to the "Cover the Uninsured" Campaign on behalf of the Church of the Brethren. ABC encourages congregations to participate in "Cover the Uninsured" Week on April 23-29.

This program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation raises awareness about the plight of nearly 46 million uninsured Americans. This year’s campaign will focus on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Signed into law in 1997 and scheduled for reauthorization by Congress this year, SCHIP provides each state with federal funds to design a health insurance program for vulnerable children. SCHIP has become increasingly important for lower income families to provide preventative health care for their children. Last fiscal year, more than six million children were enrolled in SCHIP.

A new study conducted by the University of Minnesota found that, since 1997, employer offers of health insurance to parents with lower incomes have fallen three times as fast as offers to parents who earn more money. Nationally, fewer than half (47 percent) of parents in families earning less than $40,000 a year are offered health insurance through their employer--a nine percent drop since 1997. Meanwhile, offers of health insurance to parents in families earning $80,000 or more have held steady at about 78 percent.

"In reauthorizing SCHIP, Congress must provide the funds needed to maintain coverage for all currently enrolled kids and the millions more who are eligible but remain unenrolled," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

To find out more visit www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Fellowship of Brethren Homes to hold annual forum.

Many CEOs, administrators, board members, and chaplains of Brethren-affiliated retirement centers will meet April 19-21 at Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne, Calif., for the Fellowship of Brethren Homes’ annual forum. Hillcrest is one of 22 Brethren facilities that are members of the fellowship, which is a ministry of the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC). Theme for this year's forum is "Dealing with External Forces."

The conference will begin with a tour of the Hillcrest facility. Presentations will be given by Larry Minnix, CEO of the American Association of Health Services for the Aging, on "Scenario Planning--The Long and Winding Road"; by Marlin Heckman, a Brethren scholar at Hillcrest, on "The Church of the Brethren--Who We Are and How We got Here"; by Larry Boles, development director at Hillcrest, and Lowell Flory, director of Institutional Advancement for Bethany Seminary, on development and fundraising in the local and wider Church of the Brethren community; and by Hillcrest chaplain Myrna Wheeler on older adult ministry and chaplaincy. The conference will conclude at noon Saturday.

For more information about the forum, contact ABC at 800-323-8039 or go to www.brethren-caregivers.org.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Summer fun is in the cards.

Brethren Forerunners and Dutch Blitz move over! The Gather ’Round curriculum project has released a deck of 78 colorful "Parable Cards" to play at home in conjunction with the summer material on the parables of Jesus.

The cards offer a question, suggestion, or prayer corresponding to a particular parable. For example, a card for the parable of the rich fool who builds new barns to hold all his produce asks, "What does it mean to be rich toward God?" Another card asks that you tell about a time you decided you needed more storage space for something you were saving.

Twenty-six "Any day cards" suggest activities that apply to any parable, such as "Take the characters from your favorite television show and make up an episode that tells the same story as this parable."

Parable Cards are the Gather ’Round "Talkabout" for the summer quarter. Talkabouts are take-home items that offer families a way to bring up the weekly Gather ’Round scripture texts in conversation and simple activities at home. Each quarter offers a different item. The Talkabout for spring 2007 is a refrigerator magnet puzzle. Talkabouts for previous quarters have been a 14-sided pop-up and a daily tear-off calendar.

Congregations order the Talkabouts for each household in the congregation. Families can also order them on their own for $5.95. Order from Brethren Press at 800-441-3712 or go to www.gatherround.org.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Brethren Foundation offers new Brethren web directory.

The Brethren Foundation has added a directory of Church of the Brethren executives and development professionals to its website (www.bbtfoundation.org) which provides contact information for Church of the Brethren organizations.

The directory lists denominational agencies, districts, camps, institutions of higher learning, Brethren retirement communities, and other agencies affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. The directory contains the names of key personnel, their e-mail addresses, and phone numbers. Brethren will want to bookmark the page for regular reference. It is also available in a printer-friendly format.

"We trust the directory will be a resource that is helpful to members of the Church of the Brethren as they consider the beneficiaries of their charitable planning," said Steve Mason, Brethren Foundation director. "The foundation will update the site as we receive input and will do a formal review two times a year."

The foundation website also offers detailed information on the services provided to clients including gifting opportunities. It describes the foundation’s investment strategy, its investment managers, and its funds with their performance totals. In addition, the site explains the foundation’s commitment to socially responsible investing and contains an extensive list of financial Internet links. Go to www.bbtfoundation.org.

Resources for congregational and personal health and worship will be available beginning March 1 at the ABC website, www.brethren-caregivers.org. Congregation leaders can request a printed version of the resources at no charge from ABC by calling 800-323-8039.

Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Mary Dulabaum, Lerry Fogle, Hannah Kliewer, Jon Kobel, Karin Krog, Wil Nolen, Barb Sayler, Anna Speicher, and Jay Wittmeyer contributed to this report.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

NEWSFEATURE
General Board considers mission, love, and unity.

The Church of the Brethren General Board met March 9-12 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Chair Jeff Neuman-Lee led the meeting on the theme, “Continuing the Mission,” from Matthew 5.

The agenda focused on mission with reports from Church of the Brethren missions in Brazil and Haiti, and also included an interim report from the committee studying ministry options at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., among other business items and reports.

Special events included a report of a new sociological study of Brethren, a report from Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell about her just-completed trip to Nigeria, and a presentation by the author of “Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism” (see stories below).

Mission in Brazil:

Marcos and Suely Inhauser, mission coordinators in Brazil and leaders of Igreja da Irmandade (Church of the Brethren in Brazil), reported the new church’s experience over its first six years. They thanked the board for the opportunity to share both progress and disappointments. “It is a hard task for me to be here today,” Marcos Inhauser said as he spoke of his deep discouragement over setbacks in the last year or more.

The board authorized the start of the mission in March 2001. Weeks later, the church had already held its inaugural worship service, and in a few more weeks some 150 people were worshiping. Over the next couple of years the Inhausers helped the church call pastoral leadership, place a dozen people in theological training, and plant five congregations.

“Excitement does not equal commitment,” Inhauser said as he listed some “tough lessons learned.” The Brethren church leaders are faced with cultural pressures and opposition because they are “doing a different style of church than Brazilians are used to,” he said, which has led to internal tensions among leaders. Other setbacks are the closing of two congregations and declines in attendance in others, and financial difficulties. In a disturbing incident that is becoming common in Brazil, the church treasurer was kidnaped and forced to withdraw church funds from the bank.

The Inhausers also celebrate active ministries such as the teaching of handcrafts to low-income people to help them support their families, a clinical therapy ministry that Suely Inhauser offers, and the church’s website that is regularly used as a resource by pastors in other denominations. The Brazilian Brethren have been encouraged by the arrival of two new community outreach workers, placed through Brethren Volunteer Service.

“Even when we have problems, God supports us,” Marcos Inhauser told the board, adding that he can see signs of hope. Board members and others responded by gathering around the Inhausers, surrounding them with laying on of hands and prayer.

Mission in Haiti:

Ludovic St. Fleur, coordinator of the mission in Haiti and pastor of Eglise des Freres Haitiens in Miami and the Orlando (Fla.) Haitian Fellowship, reported as well. “In Haiti there is both bad and good news,” he said.

In 2003 St. Fleur was called to return to Haiti to begin the Church of the Brethren mission. Over four years, a congregation and two preaching points have been started. The church has baptized more than 35 people.

However, kidnapings are also terrorizing Haiti, where church attendance has declined and a children’s ministry has been affected because people fear leaving their homes. The children’s ministry has fallen to an attendance of some 75, from a high of around 125, St. Fleur said.

But the church is continuing in faith and continuing to meet. St. Fleur gave examples of the committed people who are a part of the church, including Sister Mary, who had been a part of the church in Miami and after returning to Haiti hosted the first gathering of Brethren in her house. She has since passed away.

Challenges in Haiti include the need to move the church building because it is in an area designated for development by the government.

“We need your prayers for how God can open doors for the Church of the Brethren in Haiti,” St. Fleur said. He added a request for prayer for his congregation in Miami, which has been a chief financial supporter of the mission. Following the original planning of the Mission and Ministries Planning Council (MMPC) and the General Board, so far the mission has received minimal financial support from the board. St. Fleur’s report also concluded with laying on of hands and prayer.

Problems of locating and recruiting funding for mission work was the subject of discussion during financial reports and following the reports from Brazil and Haiti. In part to address this, the board passed a resolution requesting the Annual Conference officers to “give annual opportunity at Annual Conference for the marketing of General Board ministries especially for the current emphasis.”

Brethren Service Center:

“We believe the Brethren Service Center should be continued, strengthened, and undergirded with new vision,” said the Brethren Service Center Ministry Options Exploration Committee, in an interim report presented by chair Dale Minnich.

The committee has identified two main missions of the center: synergy of agencies meeting human needs, and influence on individuals who pass through. “The Brethren Service Center revolves around efforts to meet human need, which continues to be urgently relevant,” Minnich said. He characterized it as a “reservoir of passion” for those who have worked or volunteered there. Two General Board ministries located at the center--the New Windsor Conference Center and Service Ministries--face some management challenges, he said, but added that “we believe all ministries at the Brethren Service Center can be financially viable for the foreseeable future.”

The committee will bring a working draft of a final report to the General Board on June 30 at its pre-Annual Conference meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. Following that, the committee plans a “season of welcomed comments and questions” including hearings in New Windsor and elsewhere. The report will come to the board for action in October.

In other business:

The board heard about work in progress to update the “Ethics in Ministry Relations” document of 1996 and received reports from the Executive Committee’s trip to the Gulf Coast (go to www.cobwebcast.bethanyseminary.edu for a webcast from the trip, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/ExCommTourGulfStates2007.ppt for a powerpoint presentation), the Global Food Crisis Fund, a Faith Expedition to Vietnam, and financial reports, among others.

The Executive Committee confirmed Stephen L. Longenecker to a four-year term on the Brethren Historical Committee. Longenecker is chair of History and Political Science at Bridgewater (Va.) College.

The board also approved the annual report, spent time in a small-group discussion of the challenges of new information and communication technologies, and heard commendations for retiring employees. An offering received more than $1,500 for the Ministry Assistance Fund, which assists ministers in crisis.

St. Fleur and the Inhausers led opening and closing worship services respectively. Jesus taught two things very clearly, St. Fleur said: unity and love. “Today I urge...the General Board to make every effort to keep unity.” Suely Inhauser preached a sermon calling church leaders to seek their own personal transformation through Jesus Christ. “It’s not enough to be a leader. It’s necessary to have a transformation,” she said. “I want this for my church, I want this for you, I want this for the world.”

Neuman-Lee led Sunday morning worship, speaking on Jesus’ Palm Sunday ride into Jerusalem. “When you go with trust in God, and love for others, there will be a resurrection,” he said.

On the final morning the board called on its members and employees to join in a prayer covenant. The covenant urges daily prayer for the programs and ministries of Annual Conference and the Church of the Brethren agencies--the General Board, Association of Brethren Caregivers, Bethany Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace. Participants also covenant to pray weekly with a prayer partner.

“We...have felt the challenge of our Master’s call to love and unity,” the covenant said, “for God’s love and unity to embody all our work and relationships.”

Source: 3/14/2007 Newsline
Board sees first results from sociological study of Brethren.

The General Board was the first group to see results from the comprehensive "Brethren Member Profile 2006," presented by Carl Desportes Bowman, project director, and professor of Sociology at Bridgewater (Va.) College. The study, based at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College’s Young Center for the Study of Anabaptist and Pietist Groups, has been supported by the Annual Conference agencies, with generous funding also from the other denominations included in the broader "Church Member Profile" project: the Mennonite Church USA and the Brethren in Christ.

Bowman emphasized that the survey is "a study of who we are, not who we would like to be," as he presented a wide range of information about how it was carried out, the variety of questions asked and topics addressed, and what may be discovered using the data.

"This is all very much in process," Bowman said, explaining that he is still working on processing the data. A full report of the study will come in the form of a book he is writing for Brethren Press, and an article or series to be published in "Messenger" magazine. More than 20 years ago, Bowman also carried out a comprehensive survey of the denomination, which was published as a Brethren Press booklet and in a series of "Messenger" articles in 1986.

The current study is based on questionnaires returned by a scientific sample of 1,826 Brethren members across the mainland US. All 23 districts are represented, and 127 congregations are represented. The survey was carried out between February and May, 2006. With a return rate of just over two-thirds, "I'm elated, and very confident in the data," Bowman said.

Commenting that, "I'm a sociologist, and I like to think about where Brethren stand as opposed to the rest of society," Bowman responded to General Board members who wondered about the source and reasoning behind some of the questions. Some questions were repeated from the 1986 survey to compare trends over time, he explained, while others were asked to provide comparative data with other denominations.

Some general findings: Brethren are "overwhelmingly white, and residing in non-urban settings" with only three out of 100 congregations classified as ethnic or urban. The leading states in terms of numbers of Brethren are Pennsylvania first, Virginia second, and Ohio third, with nearly two-third of all Brethren (63 percent) residing in just four states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. Sixty percent of the church is female; two-thirds are 50 or older; 70 percent live in a small town or open country. Half have been members for more than 30 years, while 20 percent have been members for 10 years or less.

Survey questions also focused on issues of Brethren identity, attitudes about Annual Conference and the effect of Conference attendance on members’ satisfaction with Brethren agencies, the respondents' theology such as views of Jesus and salvation, the peace witness, importance of moral and ethical issues, and faith commitments. Other questions addressed political views as well as views on controversial issues including abortion and homosexuality.

The length of the survey--20 pages--allows cross referencing of answers on a variety of questions, and allows researchers to "contextualize" answers, Bowman explained. For example, survey results may be used to study how those who are inactive members (20 percent) vary from those who are active in the church, in their responses to particular questions.

Like all survey data, the Brethren Member Profile results will be subject to a variety of interpretations, Bowman noted. For example, when responses by frequent attenders at Annual Conference are compared to the answers of non-attenders with reference to the peace witness, 78 percent of frequent attenders agree with the declaration that "All war is sin," while only 46 percent of non-attenders agree. The comment prompted one person in the meeting to offer his interpretation, that Annual Conference may not be representative of the denomination. Another person quickly offered a different interpretation: that Annual Conference and Conference attendance may be very important in creating Brethren identity.

Bowman noted that the full survey results will be published during the upcoming celebration of the church's 300th anniversary. "We need to celebrate and be realistic at the same time," he said as he concluded his report.

Source: 3/14/2007 Newsline
Moderator returns from tour with praise for Nigerian church.

Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., has just returned from a trip to Nigeria that took place Feb 26-March 9, and gave a compelling report to the General Board.

With her husband, Don Mitchell, and Merv Keeney, executive director of the board’s Global Mission Partnerships, she visited numerous sites of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). EYN leaders Filibus Gwama, president, and Y.Y. Balami, general secretary, accompanied the group, as did David Whitten, the board’s Nigeria mission coordinator.

“We were warmly welcomed as sisters and brothers in Christ and as members of their mother church,” Mitchell said. She described as “humbling” EYN’s veneration of the Church of the Brethren in the US, and the early Brethren missionaries to Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian church’s deep appreciation for continuing relationship with US Brethren.

She noted many ways the US church can learn from the Nigerian church in the areas of church growth and ministry planning. She found “stunning” the number of ministries that have continued to grow and evolve from the beginnings established by the Brethren missionaries. “EYN appears to be doing a good job of identifying needs in their faith community and the community at large, and then tailoring their ministries to meet those needs with relevance and effectiveness,” she said.

She had praise as well for the ZME (EYN women’s fellowship). “It is a well-organized, highly motivated association of women who are excited about the Lord and busy in the work of sharing the Gospel. They have a number of missionary and evangelistic ministries that are designed to make disciples, win souls, and empower women to live healthier, more stable lives,” she said.

Mitchell did not lose sight of her groundbreaking role as the first African-American woman to serve as moderator of Annual Conference. At the EYN headquarters in Mubi and at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) in Bukuru, she challenged the Nigerian church to consider ordaining women as pastors. Gwama and Balami responded with openness to her message, she said.

Other key Brethren-related ministries that the delegation visited were Hillcrest School in Jos; the Rural Health Department, Mason Technical School, and the historic tamarind tree where the first Brethren worship was held, in Garkida; and the Comprehensive Secondary School, Kulp Bible College, and the Theological Education by Extension program in Mubi.

A main agenda of the trip was to convey solidarity with the EYN congregations that had suffered violence in interreligious rioting. The people of Maiduguri speak of the date of the rioting, Feb. 18, 2006, as Americans speak of Sept. 11, Mitchell said. “I was honored to be invited to speak at...the Dala EYN church,” one of five EYN churches damaged or destroyed in the riots, she noted. Love feast and communion were a part of the worship service.

The US church has given more than $43,000 for rebuilding and to support peace and reconciliation work following the riots, in a Love Offering initiated by the General Board. Keeney reported, "We also heard words of deep appreciation for the Love Offering.”

It was Mitchell’s first visit to Nigeria, and to Africa. “Every person of color I know who has traveled to Africa has said that the experience has been life-changing,” she said. “I echo that sentiment. I would expect the impact of the connections made with African brothers and sisters to strengthen and grow.”

"It is valuable to connect the Annual Conference moderator with the global church,” Keeney observed to the board, “both for broadened perspective of the moderator and also for mutual support and encouragement with churches in other lands. Sister Belita’s encouragement and challenge to Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ will echo and bear fruit for years to come.”

--Janis Pyle is coordinator for mission connections, for the Global Mission Partnerships office of the General Board.

Source: 3/14/2007 Newsline
‘Unbinding the Gospel’ offers groundbreaking study of evangelism.

“The more we engage in prayer, the more God has a chance to work with us,” Martha Grace Reese told the General Board as she presented the results of a four-year study of evangelism in mainline Protestant churches. A minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Reese is author of “Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism” (Chalice Press, 2006; findings of the study were released Jan. 1 this year).

In addition to giving an evening presentation to the board, she also met informally with staff of the Congregational Life Teams.

Reese directed the study of evangelism, funded by the Lilly Endowment. The “Mainline Evangelism Research Project” was based on studies of 150 congregations and interviews with more than 1,000 people.

The book presents findings of the project and serves as a study guide for congregations interested in working on evangelism. It offers encouragement and advice to pastors, and gives practical how-tos for getting started. It also draws on a Disciples of Christ pilot project in congregational revitalization.

The evangelism study deliberately targeted a segment of the Christian church doing “the worst” at evangelism: mainly white congregations in the north and west of the country. Reese explained in the book the “dim” prospects for mainline Protestant Christianity: over the past 40 years the mainline denominations have lost 20 percent of their membership, during a time when the US population grew by 100 million. “Looked at as a percentage of the population, mainline church membership decreased almost 50 percent in 40 years.”

By design, the study took out of the pool congregations in the south and racial/ethnic congregations, which have been doing relatively well in bringing in new believers. “You could say that our Southern and racial/ethnic churches are ‘covering’ for the primarily Caucasian churches,” Reese explained in the book. “...Primarily white churches are hiding behind better statistics that don’t belong to them! Therefore we decided that it would be most helpful to take an undiluted look.”

Seven mainline Protestant denominations were included: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Reformed Church of America, and American Baptist Church USA. In these denominations that practice infant baptism, the researchers selected the congregations that had baptized five or more adult believers in a year--which came to only 150 congregations out of some 30,000 across the US, Reese said.

What characterizes successful evangelism? There are three factors for success, Reese said: the successful congregations love Jesus, their members and pastors know how to express their faith and talk about what it means in their lives, and the pastoral leadership is open to new things.

“It’s so rare to find a mainline church with the motivation to do evangelism,” she said, “and pastors are worse than the laypeople. They don’t know how to talk about their faith, and pastors have had no (seminary) training” in how to talk about their faith personally, she said.

From her extensive interviews and interactions with mainline pastors, she reported candidly, “We have an agnostic clergy, or exhausted clergy.”

Reese herself came to know Christ through the faith sharing of a college friend. Reese grew up completely unchurched, and her college friend was “the first smart Christian who talked about it. She talked about Jesus like he was real,” Reese remembered.

But her key recommendation for congregations and pastors interested in evangelism is to begin with prayer. An example came from her first connection with the Church of the Brethren, when she was pastoring a struggling congregation, and the group began using “People of the Covenant,” the small group study series published by Brethren Press. “You turned around the congregation!” she told the Brethren. The experience of People of the Covenant “changed the entire spirit of the congregation,” she said. “They studied, they prayed.”

When asked how to do evangelism while maintaining Brethren identity, Reese responded that “trying to reason people into our interpretation of the Gospel doesn’t work.” She urges a way of faith sharing that is not defensive, and is appreciative of another’s perspective. Relational evangelism works, she said, “and being honest about our faith. That’s the whole ballgame. That’s the only thing that works in our culture.”

In addition, she advised the General Board to “move heaven and earth to identify young leadership,” even to go so far as diverting money and resources from other ministries that seem important. “Do everything you can do to get a generation of pastors and church planters,” she said to the Congregational Life Teams. Even the simple asking of a question of congregations, “Who do you have that you could call to leadership?” may change the culture of the church, she said. She also urged the planting of new congregations.

“Does a denomination like ours have a future?” a Congregational Life Team staff member asked Reese. “I have no idea,” she replied, “but I know we can do something, if everybody starts praying and asking what to do.”

“Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism” may be ordered from Brethren Press for $19.99 plus shipping and handling, call 800-441-3712. For more information about the evangelism study go to www.GraceNet.info.

Source: 3/14/2007 Newsline
Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260.

Friday, March 09, 2007

NEWSFEATURE
Voices from the Gulf Coast featured in General Board’s first webcast.

The new Church of the Brethren webcast series has posted a disaster response report from the Gulf Coast, as its second bi-weekly offering. This marks the inaugural webcast of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Brethren members and others are invited to listen in as the Executive Committee of the board visits Brethren Disaster Response and Disaster Child Care projects in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida in a three-day whirlwind tour. "Find out what stirrings God created in the souls of these Brethren as they traveled," invites Becky Ullom, director of Identity and Relations, who produced and narrated the documentary webcast.

The experience began in New Orleans and the surround area, where the committee gained a deeper understanding of the trials and triumphs related to Hurricane Katrina recovery. With a stop at a house dedication in Mississippi, the group ended the trip in Pensacola, Fla., where recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Ivan and Andrew are nearly complete.

Throughout these experiences, several questions remained for the group. How is God calling the Church of the Brethren to be involved in helping our brothers and sisters recover from disasters? How is God calling us to respond, especially in the New Orleans area?

Members of the General Board’s Executive Committee include chair Jeff Neuman-Lee, vice-chair Tim Harvey, Dale Minnich, Vickie Whitacre Samland, Ken Wenger, and Angela Lahman Yoder. Roy Winter, director of Emergency Response, Zach Wolgemuth, assistant director of Emergency Response, and Ullom accompanied the group.

The webcast series is available to hear or download at www.cobwebcast.bethanyseminary.edu. For more information contact Enten Eller at Bethany Seminary, 800-287-8822 ext. 1831 or Enten@bethanyseminary.edu.

Source: 3/9/2007 Newsline Extra
General Board to meet this weekend.

The Church of the Brethren General Board holds its spring meeting this weekend, beginning today with Executive Committee meetings and closing on Monday, March 12. The meetings take place at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.

The board’s agenda includes an interim report from the committee studying ministry options at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., as well as an update of the 1996 document "Ethics in Ministry Relations."

A special report to the board will be given by Brethren scholar Carl Bowman about the Brethren Member Profile study, "The Brethren at 300." A companion evening event features Martha Grace Reese, author of a new book about evangelism in mainline Protestant churches titled "Unbinding the Gospel" (available from Brethren Press, call 800-441-3712).

Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell will give a briefing about her just-completed trip to Nigeria, where she visited with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).

Also on the agenda are an emergency response report from the Gulf region, a report on the Global Food Crisis Fund, a report from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office’s Faith Expedition to Vietnam, an update on the work of the 300th Anniversary Committee, and financial reports, among other reports.

International guests at the meetings representing Brethren bodies in Brazil and Haiti will lead worship for the board: Marcos and Suely Inhauser of the Igreja da Irmandade (Church of the Brethren) in Brazil, and Ludovic St. Fleur, a leader of the Church of the Brethren mission in Haiti pastor of in Eglise des Freres Haitiens in Miami and the Orlando (Fla.) Haitian Fellowship.

For more information about the Church of the Brethren General Board visit www.brethren.org/genbd.

Source: 3/9/2007 Newsline Extra
Wrestling with Lent: A reflection on the Christian Peace Witness marking the 4th anniversary of the Iraq War.

By Phil Jones

A Christian Peace Witness for Iraq (www.christianpeacewitness.org) is planned for Washington, D.C., on March 16-17, marking the 4th anniversary of the Iraq War. Two Church of the Brethren ministries--the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the General Board and On Earth Peace--are among organizations partnering to sponsor the event. In the following reflection, the director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office reflects on how this witness is helping him "wrestle with Lent":

"On Ash Wednesday I did not go to church to receive the mark of the cross on my forehead. For one thing, it is not a particularly Brethren thing to do, although some of our congregations do join in this ritual. I tried it a couple of times when pastoring in North Carolina. While some of our former Catholic members appreciated it, few others turned out for the worship service.

"Brethren Press has published an excellent Lenten devotional booklet written by Rhonda Pittman Gingrich. Thursday’s reading on the issue of "saying I am sorry and really meaning it" is one that really resonates with me during this time of Lent--even though I am not sure I am ready to fully engage the season.

"That is the second reason I did not receive ashes on Wednesday: I am wrestling with Lent.

"Some describe Lent as an intentionally prayerful and reflective effort to renew the Spirit within us. Others say Lent is a season for soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. This is all great. Prayer and reflection rank high on my list as faithful duty. More than that, prayer keeps me going and gets me motivated.

"But this 40-day thing modeled after Jesus and his time in the wilderness presents a huge challenge for me. Reflection and prayer just do not seem like enough.

"As I wrestled with Lent, I did what I do whenever I tackle an issue here at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office: I researched what the Church of the Brethren has said in the past about this issue. A quick look, although not exhaustive, did not uncover any real directive from Brethren policy.

"But I did find something very interesting from the minutes of the 1851 Annual Meeting: ‘Considered, inasmuch as the gospel teaches us to fast and pray, to always pray, and never faint; and the Great Teacher says, a certain species of evil spirits cannot be cast out but by fasting and prayer, we hope that every Christian shepherd will teach (their) flock to pray and fast oftener than once a year as we do not know the time when the one that goeth about as a roaring lion may tempt or deceive us.’

"I knew I could count on the historical record. This gets me going. Pray and fast and watch for the roaring lion.

"I wrestle with Lent because I am afraid we have done too much reflecting already and not enough lion-hunting. We have had 300 years of reflection about who we are as a peace church; our continued prayers and reflection about how we live this out are imperative. Spend your Lenten season doing that, but wrestle with Lent as well. Do not just pray and reflect, but act.

"On the 17th day of Lent this year, you will have an excellent opportunity. Pray and fast and reflect and discern--and come and join us. It is time to name the lion and demand that the violence of this war in Iraq come to an end.

"Thousands of Christians from across the country will worship together on March 16 to mark the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War. This Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, organized by a broad cross-section of denominational peace groups and organizations, is expected to be the largest peace gathering of Christians expressing opposition to the war since it began four years ago.

"Prominent religious leaders and peace activists including Jim Wallis, Celeste Zappala, and Bernice Powell Jackson will speak at a worship service at 7 p.m. at the National Cathedral. Then thousands of Christians will make a two-mile, candlelit procession to the White House, where a solemn, prayerful vigil will dramatize the Christian call for peace in Iraq. Following the vigil, hundreds of participants including many clergy will encircle the White House with a band of candlelight to express their conviction that the teachings of Jesus call unequivocally for an end to the war. Many will choose to participate in an act of nonviolence, risking arrest as a witness to their passion for bringing an end to the war.

"‘We will...send a message to our leaders and the world that peace and reconciliation stand at the very heart of the Christian message and our respective traditions,’ said Rick Ufford-Chase, convener of the national steering committee for the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq.

"Join in this season of Lent. Wrestle with the challenges of our faith. Pray and reflect and seek God’s direction. Come and give witness in the nation’s capital or in your own community. Say you are sorry for the culture of violence in our nation, and really mean it. Live out the teachings of Jesus, who came out of his 40 days with a roar of his own."

--Contact Phil Jones at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, 800-785-3246 or washington_office_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 3/9/2007 Newsline Extra