Brethren bits

Creation Justice

Creation Justice, a ministry which has spun off from the National Council of Churches, is offering resources for congregations to celebrate Earth Day Sunday. “Earth day is an opportunity to reflect on the wonders of God's Creation,” said an announcement. “With a little planning and a lot of passion you can do much to have an Earth day you'll remember for years to come. You can use any of these ideas to get your congregation fired up about caring for God's Creation.” Suggestions include to plan an Earth Day themed worship service using the Earth Day Sunday resource, "Water, Holy Water" at www.creationjustice.org/earth-day-sunday-in-your-church.html.

• Correction: The Newsline note about the Southern Ohio "Helping Hands" group that worked on Brethren House incorrectly stated that Bethany Seminary purchased the house for students. Bethany's ownership of the house, previously known as Mullen House, was made possible by the generosity of donors who were part of the Brethren Housing Organization.

• Remembrance: Northern Indiana District is calling for prayer following the death of Josh Copp, 35, who died suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday morning, April 14. He was a leading member of the band Blue Bird Revival, which is booked to play at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in early July. The band is one of the three music groups to take to the Conference stage for the Saturday evening concert, and has been scheduled to lead the Young Adult activity on Friday night. Copp was a member of Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, and was the son of Connie and Jeff Copp, who is retired from the pastorate and most recently served at Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind. Visitation is Thursday, April 17, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Smith and Sons Funeral Home in Columbia City. The funeral service is Friday, April 18, at 2 p.m. at Columbia City United Methodist Church, with visitation an hour prior to the service. Memorial gifts are received to the Jeffrey Robert Copp Education Fund. “Thank you for your continued prayers for the Copp family and the Columbia City Church of the Brethren,” said an e-mail shared by Northern Indiana District Office. “Josh was so very involved in so many aspects of the church as recently as Palm Sunday, singing the solo in the cantata.” The district is extending prayer to Jeff and Connie Copp and their whole family.

• The Church of the Brethren is seeking an individual to fill the position of truck driver/warehouser at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., working in the Material Resources program. Responsibilities include interstate driving, delivery and pick up of materials, assisting with loading and unloading; handling trucking equipment, maintaining records, and performing vehicle maintenance; performing best practices with operational safety standards, maintaining safe driving record, maintaining Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and other tasks that may be assigned. The preferred candidate must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and have been continuously licensed for three years; must have a good driving record and be able to meet Church of the Brethren insurance requirements. A high school diploma or equivalent experience is required. Applications will be received and reviewed beginning immediately until the position is filled. Qualified candidates are invited to request the application packet and complete job description by contacting: Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323-8039 ext. 367; humanresources@brethren.org . The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Bridgewater (Va.) College has celebrated the installation ceremony of president David W. Bushman, with alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the college attending. Bringing greetings on behalf of the Church of the Brethren was associate general secretary Mary Jo Flory-Steury. “Since their foundings the mission of the Church of the Brethren and Bridgewater College intersect as we hold important convictions and values in common,” she said, in part. “Convictions such as peace--living peaceably with oneself and with all God's people, simplicity--living as stewards of God's creation, community--working together as one, alongside Bridgewater's founding ideals: goodness, truth, beauty, and harmony. As these values, these core commitments come together, our common mission is about developing and equipping whole persons who live faithfully, lead  courageously, and serve wisely in today's context and culture....” The video of the ceremony is available at www.boxcast.com/show/#/inauguration-of-dr-david-w-bushman . Photos are at www.flickr.com/photos/bridgewatercollege/sets/72157643800971624 . The text of Dr. Bushman's speech has been posted at www.bridgewater.edu/files/inauguration/Inaugural-Address.pdf.

• “Living in the Hope of the Risen Lord” is the title of the Easter Season spiritual disciplines folder from the Springs of Living Water initiative in church renewal. The resource is for use “between Resurrection Day and Pentecost,” said an announcement from Springs leader David Young. “In the early church the ‘Great 50 days’ were a celebration of the Risen Lord, baptism of new believers, and new life for the church. The folder is designed to help individuals and congregations discover daily renewal through reading of scripture, meditating on its meaning, and living lives guided by the scripture of the day.” The Springs folders have a Sunday text that follows the lectionary readings and the Brethren Press bulletin series, with daily texts following a similar daily lectionary. A prayer pattern also is given in the folder. Vince Cable, pastor of Uniontown Church of the Brethren, has written the Bible study questions for use by individuals or groups. The folders are the foundational tool in the Springs of Living Water initiative. Go to www.churchrenewalservant.org or for more information e-mail davidyoung@churchrenewalservant.org.

Source: 4/15/2014 Newsline