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