ABC Board receives multicultural sensitivity training.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) Board and staff participated in multicultural sensitivity training during fall board meetings, held at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Kathy Reid, ABC executive director, and Wendy McFadden, publisher of Brethren Press, provided the training.

The training began with an exercise that raised awareness about how individuals identify themselves, noting especially when race and gender were identifying elements of an individual’s personality. A presentation based on Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith’s book, "Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America," illustrated several ways that "well-intentioned people, their values, and their institutions actually recreate racial divisions and inequalities they ostensibly oppose."

Reid and McFadden presented several other resources, including "It’s the Little Things: Everyday Interactions that Anger, Annoy, and Divide the Races" by Lena Williams, "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverly Daniel Tatum, and "Racism" by Kathy and Stephen Reid. These publications can be purchased from Brethren Press, call 800-441-3712.

In other business, the ABC Board

• Delayed approval of 2008 and 2009 budgets because of the uncertainty of revenue streams and health insurance costs, which have not yet been finalized for the agency. Several factors are influencing revenue streams, chief among them the fact that to date only a quarter of the denomination’s congregations are financially contributing to ABC.
  
  
• Heard a report about the Caring Ministries Assembly, held Sept. 6-8 at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, which was evaluated very positively by participants. ABC staff and assembly coordinator Kim Ebersole said that based on the success of this year’s assembly, the next one will be scheduled for Sept. 9-11, 2010. ABC will hold National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) in 2008 and 2009, therefore postponing the next Caring Ministries Assembly until 2010.
  
  
• Heard reports from various ministry areas including Deacons, Disabilities, Family Life, Wellness, Older Adults, Voice: Mental Illness Ministry, and the Fellowship of Brethren Homes.
  
  
• Appointed Vernne Greiner of Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren as vice-chair of the board beginning January 2008. The board also elected Dan McRoberts of Hope Church of the Brethren in Freeport, Mich., and John Katonah of Sacramento, Calif., to second terms of service on the board, and Chris Whitacre of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren to the Executive Committee.
  
  
• Approved new board meeting dates for March 7-9, 2008, since members of the ABC staff and board will attend the Health Ministries Assembly on the original meeting dates of March 27-30. The Health Ministries Assembly is a joint meeting for Anabaptist-related health and human service ministries, doctors, nurses, social workers, pastors, and other professionals in the Church of the Brethren, Friends (Quakers) churches, and Mennonite Church USA. ABC hopes to hold its annual Forum for staff and administrators of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes at the event, and to bring workshops from various ABC ministry areas.

This was the first board meeting for Fellowship of Brethren Homes representative Jim Tiffin, executive director of the Palms of Sebring, Fla. It was the last board meeting for three board members completing their terms of service: Wallace Landes, pastor of Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Allegra Hess of York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard, Ill.; and Wayne Scott of Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Landes’ term of service as ABC Board chair ends this year. He and Hess joined the board in January 2002 and served two terms on the board. Scott was filling a one-year vacancy on the board. The ABC Board recognized their contributions with a special meal held Saturday night.

--Mary Dulabaum is director of Communications for the Association of Brethren Caregivers.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Committee receives challenge from American Baptists.

The Committee on Interchurch Relations (CIR) met at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Sept. 6-8. Planning for CIR-sponsored activities at the 2008 Annual Conference was a major portion of the agenda. The group also received a challenge from its American Baptist counterpart to encourage interaction between Brethren and Baptists.

In light of the 300th Anniversary of the Brethren and the joint activities with the Brethren Church at the 2008 Annual Conference, the CIR is pursuing speakers and topics that will give the two denominations opportunity to explore their common history and be challenged in their current understandings. The Brethren Church will be invited to have a presence at the Ecumenical Luncheon, and an insight session sponsored by the CIR will focus on interfaith stories of courage, hope, and love from the past 300 years of the Brethren movement.

Dr. Jerry Cain, the CIR’s American Baptist representative and president of Judson College in Elgin, shared a report on current activities in his denomination. He announced that in the most recent meeting of the Committee on Church Unity, the American Baptist counterpart to the CIR, challenges were issued to the CIR for intentional interactions with the Brethren through colleges and congregations. These events will offer opportunities for Brethren and Baptists to get to know each other better. The CIR accepted the challenge and is looking forward to more grassroots activity between the two denominations.

Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, reported on the work of Christian Churches Together, the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, and an upcoming conference of the Historic Peace Churches to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Brethren who plan to participate at the upcoming conference include members of the churches in India and Nigeria.

Committee members in attendance at the meeting were Ilexene Alphonse of Miami, Fla.; Melissa Bennett of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Jim Eikenberry of Stockton, Calif.; Michael Hostetter of Englewood, Ohio; Rene Quintanilla of Fresno, Calif.; and Carolyn Schrock of Mountain Grove, Mo.

--Carolyn Schrock is a member of the Committee on Interchurch Relations.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Children's Disaster Services trains ‘CJ's Bus’ volunteers.

The Children’s Disaster Services program of the Church of the Brethren is training volunteers for a new project called CJ’s Bus. "We are excited that our quality of training is being excepted as a standard by CJ's Bus and hope to expand our relationship in the coming year," said Roy Winter, director of Brethren Disaster Ministries.

Disaster News Network (DNN) reported on Oct. 2 that Children’s Disaster Services was involved with CJ’s Bus, a new mobile unit to provide services to children following disasters. The bus has not yet been put into service, DNN said.

The large bus is painted bright yellow and black with the smiling face of a young boy on the side giving a two thumbs up sign, according to DNN. Kathryn Martin has spent a year working to make the bus a reality. It is named for her two-year-old son who was killed in a tornado on Nov. 6, 2005, in Evansville, Ind. DNN said the bus may be the first disaster response mobile day care unit in the nation.

"Having gone through the Evansville tornado and having lost one of my four children, I know how important it is to help children maintain their innocence in these disasters while providing parents a few hours to attend to their own recovery needs," Martin told DNN. "I could think of no greater legacy to my son...."

The bus will be staffed by four to six certified volunteers trained by the Church of the Brethren's Children's Disaster Services. Those organizing the bus project "requested our training, recognizing the longstanding quality of our work," said Judy Bezon, associate director of Children’s Disaster Services.

A training for seven volunteers for CJ’s Bus has been held by Children’s Disaster Services, with three of the volunteers now certified by Children’s Disaster Services, and three more going through the certification process. The volunteers undergo national background checks as part of the certification.

Another effort honoring CJ is a Congressional bill called "CJ's Home Protection Act of 2007." The bill "would require weather radios to be installed in all mobile homes manufactured or sold in the US," DNN reported. "Martin already has helped push a similar bill through the Indiana Legislature. Martin's son, as well as her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law were killed when a F3 tornado struck the Eastbrook mobile home park in Evansville. A total of 25 people were killed in the area, including 20 in the mobile home park. More than 200 others were injured."

(Portions of this report on CJ’s Bus have been reproduced with permission from Disaster News Network at www.disasternews.net (c) 2007 Village Life Company.)

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Atlantic Southeast District holds a Family Peace Camp.

Following the theme, "Empowered For Peacemaking," the Action for Peace Team and Camp Ithiel of Atlantic Southeast District sponsored a Family Peace Camp over Labor Day weekend, at the camp near Orlando, Fla.

A total of 83 people--62 registrants and 21 other attenders--were involved in this first all-ages Family Peace Camp in the district in many years. Some attended from the opening get-acquainted activities and devotions on Friday evening to the constructive evaluation and wrap-up Monday noon, while others could only be there part of the time. This flexibility encouraged participation according to family multi-age availability.

Resource leaders were Matt Guynn from On Earth Peace, and SueZann Bosler, a death penalty opponent. From the Camp Ithiel staff, Michaela Camps directed the children’s activities and Mike Neff, camp director, led group activities and games. Several other volunteers also helped with the event.

Through many participatory activities, Guynn placed strong emphasis on relationship with God and Jesus Christ as the primary source of "power from within" for peacemaking. With that relationship, peacemakers are better prepared to influence areas of strife and conflict in our communities through existing channels--such as the church, schools, youth organizations, service clubs, social agencies, ministerial associations, city government, etc.

Bosler shared her deep concern for those on death row and her calling to work intently for the abolishment of the death penalty in Florida. Her commitment to that work follows the murder of her father, a Church of the Brethren pastor in Miami, Fla., by an intruder into their home in 1986. She also was seriously injured in the attack. Bosler provided several resources and promised to assist the Action for Peace Team in the future, as it prepares to place further emphasis on death penalty concerns in the district. Bosler will assist the district in "empowerment to make a difference."

The Family Peace Camp also featured good food, singing, swimming, time for leisure activities, visitation, mutual prayer, Morning Watch, campfire, a talent night, and more. Tentative plans call for the possibility of another such peace-centered, ethnic-diversified event over Labor Day weekend in 2008.

--Phil Lersch is chair of Atlantic Southeast District’s Action For Peace Team.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Brethren Revival Fellowship holds its General Meeting

With the theme, "The Future of the Church of the Brethren," about 135 Brethren from several states and nine districts attended the annual meeting of the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) on Sept. 8 at Shank’s Church of the Brethren in Greencastle, Pa.

John A. Shelly Jr., of the home congregation, moderated the meeting. Ron Showalter enthusiastically led in a cappela congregational singing, mostly from the 1901 "Brethren Hymnal."

Craig Alan Myers, BRF chairman from Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren (Blue River Congregation) spoke on five "Challenges Facing the Church of the Brethren," which he identified as pluralism, or the notion that all religions are valid; demographics, or the change in population in recent years; conformity and a worldly spirit; faithfulness to New Testament teaching; and action or the lack thereof on the part of the church.

James F. Myer, BRF vice chairman from White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa., presented a review of the 2007 Annual Conference in Cleveland, most of which can be found in the most recent issue of the "BRF Witness" newsletter.

After a more-than-sufficient lunch, Myers gave the chairman's report, highlighting the main activities of the BRF over the last year. The BRF prints the "BRF Witness," publishes the Brethren New Testament Commentary series, maintains a website, directs the Brethren Mission Fund, oversees a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) unit, and plans events at Annual Conference, among others.

Harold S. Martin of Lititz, Pa. (Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren) preached the afternoon message on "The Challenge to Persevere in the Church of the Brethren." In it, he presented reasons some give to leave the church, and countered with reasons to stay in the church and work for revival.

Paul E. Schildt Jr. of East Berlin, Pa. (Upper Conewago Church of the Brethren in Abbottstown, Pa.), and Mervin C. Groff of Manheim, Pa. (White Oak Church of the Brethren) were confirmed to continue on the BRF Committee for another five-year term, and Jordan Keller of Wales, Maine (Lewiston Church of the Brethren) was confirmed to fill out an unexpired term.

The offering for the day was $2,273.

For more information about the Brethren Revival Fellowship, go to www.brfwitness.org.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Brethren bits: Corrections, jobs, seeking anointing services, more.

• Corrections: In a correction to the Mission Update in the Newsline Extra of Oct. 1, pastors Isaias Tena and Anastasia Buena are serving the Church of the Brethren in San Luis, the Dominican Republic (located in Santo Domingo). In a correction to the remembrance for June Adams Gibble in the Newsline of Sept. 26, the dates of her service with the Church of the Brethren General Board were given incorrectly. She was employed by the General Board from 1977-84, and then again worked for the board from 1988-97.
  
  
• Ric and Jan Martinez have completed their tenure as volunteer hosts for the Old Main building at the New Windsor Conference Center, on the campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The center is welcoming Ed and Betty Runion of Markle, Ind., as the new hosts for Old Main.
  
  
• On Earth Peace seeks a program coordinator to oversee its peace education program. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating educational events for all ages, particularly youth and young adults; developing peace education resources; coordinating the youth peace travel team; participating in district and denominational conferences; and other responsibilities. Requirements include commitment to Christian peacemaking, experience with educational programing, strong communication skills and organizational ability, self-motivation. Call 410-635-8704 or e-mail oepa_oepa@brethren.org for more information, including a complete position description and announcement. To apply, send a letter and resume with three to four references to Bob Gross, Executive Director of On Earth Peace, at bgross@igc.org. Applications will be reviewed beginning Nov. 15, continuing until the position is filled. The position begins Jan. 28, 2008.
  
  
• Camp Blue Diamond, a summer camp and retreat center for the Middle Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren, seeks a fulltime program director. Responsibilities include summer and year-round programming, group hosting, camp promotion, off-season housekeeping, and some kitchen work during outdoor school season. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, considerable summer camp leadership experience, and excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills. Compensation includes salary, housing, medical insurance, pension, and other benefits. For an application write or contact Camp Blue Diamond, P.O. Box 240, Petersburg, PA 16669; 814-667-2355; bludia@penn.com. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 30. Position begins in January. For more information concerning Camp Blue Diamond, visit www.campbluediamond.org.
  
  
• Oaklawn, a mental health provider that often offers services to the Anabaptist church community including Church of the Brethren members and congregations, seeks a child and adolescent psychiatrist to join a team of 10 psychiatrists, five of whom are certified in child and adolescent psychiatry. Located in Goshen, Ind., a mid-sized rural community two hours from Chicago and three hours from Indianapolis, offering a cost of living 17.6 percent below the national average. Oaklawn is faith-based, sponsored by Mennonite Health Services Alliance. A competitive salary is offered along with RVU-based incentive, signing bonus, relocation expense, and student loan forgiveness. For more information about this position, contact Human Resources at 800-282-0809 ext. 675. All inquiries are kept confidential. For more about Oaklawn, visit www.oaklawn.org.
  
  
• The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is seeking information about upcoming anointing services that individuals and congregations plan to hold. ABC is creating a video about the power and comfort of the anointing service for congregational and individual use. Planners hope to illustrate the recording with actual anointing events. If you have a planned event or are calling for a more private service of anointing, please e-mail this news to abc@brethren.org. If time and production details allow for the event to be recorded, ABC will send videographer David Sollenberger to the event. Recordings will take place over the next six months, so notication of events is not limited to a certain time.
  
  
• "Making Poverty History: Hunger Education Activities that Work," a new Church World Service (CWS) resource on the Millennium Development Goals, has been distributed to Church of the Brethren congregations by the Global Food Crisis Fund in the October "Source" packet. The 26-page guide offers drama, simulations, and worship helps for congregational and special group use. "It will be great for Global Food Crisis Fund appeals, CROP hunger walks, growing project celebrations, and youth and mission observances," said fund manager Howard Royer. Activities are organized around the major themes of the Millennium Development Goals. Each section contains a few facts on the theme, a related story from the work of CWS, and interactive ways to engage people. The back cover features a litany by Jeff Carter, pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren and used at this summer’s "Sowing Seeds" conference on hunger in Washington, D.C. The resource also is available at www.churchworldservice.org/hungerbooklet.
  
  
• Senior high youth are invited to Waynesboro (Va.) Church of the Brethren on Nov. 16-18 for a peace retreat on the theme, "A Kingdom that Cannot Be Shaken." Susan Chapman (program director at Camp Bethel) and Susanna Farahat (coordinator for peace education at On Earth Peace) will lead youth in a weekend of energizing sessions based on Hebrews 12:18: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Youth will have an opportunity to discuss the questions brought up by this scripture: How do we worship acceptably? What does it mean to be part of "a kingdom that cannot be shaken"? How can we accept the challenge that Jesus’ call to discipleship presents, in a world of diversity? In addition to times for study and worship, participants will also enjoy food, fellowship, and recreation time with youth from across the Virlina and Shenandoah Districts. Registration forms are available online at www.onearthpeace.org. For more information contact Susanna Farahat at 410-635-8706 or sfarahat_oepa@brethren.org, or Terrie Glass (host) at 804-439-0478 or t.glass@comcast.net.
  
  
• The 2008 Song and Story Fest, an annual family camp with sponsorship from On Earth Peace, will be held prior to Annual Conference next year on July 6-12, 2008. The location will be Camp Brethren Woods, Keezletown, Va. Ken Kline Smeltzer coordinates the Song and Story Fest.
  
  
• The Church of the Brethren congregation in Vega Baja, P.R., will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Oct. 24-27. The urban congregation of about 90 members was formed in 1982 and has served the community with witness and outreach ministries, evangelism, Christian education, music concerts, children’s fairs, and food and clothing for the homeless. An evening of Sacred and Folkoric Music Concert will be held in Vega Baja’s Arts Theater on Friday, Oct. 26.
  
  
• Upcoming district conferences are held by Atlantic Northeast District at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College on Oct. 12-13, Atlantic Southeast District at Saint Petersburg (Fla.) Church of the Brethren on Oct. 12-13, Southern Ohio District at Eaton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren on Oct. 12-13, Pacific Southwest District at La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren on Oct. 12-14, and Middle Pennsylvania District at Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren on Oct. 19-20.
  
  
• The 11th Annual Fall Dinner and Auction to support Pleasant Hill Village, a Church of the Brethren retirement center in Girard, Ill., will take place Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. in Virden at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Cost is $25. The event is a benefit for residents with a fundraising goal of $20,000 for health care projects including new furniture for the residents’ living room, updating a courtyard fence, maintaining bird aviaries, redecorating a bath and shower room, a sound system for the dining room, and establishing a residents’ assistance fund. Contact Paulette Miller at 217-627- 2181 or phvil@royell.net.
  
  
• Voices for an Open Spirit is holdings its fall gathering on the theme "What’s in Your God-Box? Discerning Faith for Ourselves and Others," on Nov. 9-11 at Ridgeway Community Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa. The keynote speaker and Sunday preacher is Anne Robertson, an ordained United Methodist minister and executive director of the Massachusetts Bible Society, and author of "Blowing the Lid Off the God-Box," and "God’s Top 10: Blowing the Lid Off the Commandments." Registration is $60 and covers meals and all activities. Participants reserve their own accommodations. For more information go to www.voicesforanopenspirit.org. Online registration is available.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Junior High Sunday will focus on ‘Amazing Race’ theme.

The Church of the Brethren celebrates Junior High Sunday on Nov. 4 this year. The event is sponsored by the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board. The theme for this year’s Junior High Sunday is the same as the theme for the National Junior High Conference that was held on June 15-17, "The Amazing Race: Continuing the Work of Jesus," based on Luke 9:23.

A website offers resource materials for congregations to observe the special Sunday, including ways to involve junior high youth in leading worship. The materials available at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/YouthSundayJ.htm include a Bible study by Chris Douglas, worship resources by various writers such as calls to worship and prayers, a skit on the Lord’s Prayer, a skit on the "Amazing Race" (alluding to video clips from the National Junior High Conference that may be ordered from David Sollenberger at 717-867-4187 or LSVideo@comcast.net; cost is $10), a sheet about "Worship our Privilege," and an outline for a Junior High Retreat to help youth groups plan for the Sunday.

Not included on the website, but available from David Sollenberger is a video scripture jam on the Luke 9:23 passage, in DVD format (call 717-867-4187 or e-mail LSVideo@comcast.net; cost is $10 including shipping). For more information contact the Youth and Young Adult Ministries at 800-323-8039 ext. 297.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Journal launches scholarly discussion of role of religion in peace.

"The Journal of Religion, Conflict, and Peace" debuts at www.religionconflictpeace.org. The online scholarly journal, published by a collaborative of Indiana's three historic peace colleges, is a new forum for discussion of the role of religion in both conflict and peacebuilding. The journal is a project of the Plowshares peace studies collaborative of Earlham, Goshen, and Manchester Colleges, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. Manchester College is a Church of the Brethren school in North Manchester, Ind.

The premier issue of the journal features articles by nine major thinkers in theology, ethics, religious studies, and conflict transformation. Readers may access the articles about religion as a source of conflict and as a resource for peace without subscription, and distribute them (with attribution and unaltered) freely. A "letters to the editor" feature further encourages dialogue among readers and scholars.

Initial topics range from the role of religion in the global war on terrorism by Douglas Johnston, president of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, to an argument for recanonizing scripture to exclude violent texts by secular humanist Hector Avalos of Iowa State University. Daniel Maguire of Marquette University brings his expertise on moral theological ethics, and ordained Soto priest Brian Victoria at Antioch College identifies a "holy war" tradition in all major faiths and calls for its rejection universally.

Joseph Liechty, associate professor of peace studies at Goshen College, is editor. Contact him at 574-535-7802 or joecl@goshen.edu.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

300th Anniversary update: Music and worship fill Sight and Sound theater.

A 300th Anniversary inspirational worship service hosted by Atlantic Northeast District and Southern Pennsylvania District was held the afternoon of Sept. 23, at the Sight and Sound Millennium Theater a few miles east of Lancaster, Pa.

It was a gathering of many Brethren dignitaries: Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board, was the main speaker. Co-hosts for the celebration were Craig Smith and Joe Detrick, district executives of Atlantic Northeast District and Southern Pennsylvania District respectively. Assisting in leadership for the worship service were James Beckwith, the Annual Conference moderator for 2008, and Belita Mitchell, immediate past moderator. Ron Lutz, a longtime leader at the "mother church" of the Brethren--Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia--summarized key aspects of Brethren history. Glenn Eshelman, founder and producer of Sight and Sound events, described his beginnings in several Brethren congregations in Lancaster County, Pa.

This second major event, occurring only a week after the opening 300th Anniversary celebration for the denomination, was a splendid success. During the six months or more that the committee planned the event, there was no way of knowing how many people would come, since no tickets were sold. However, telephone calls and e-mails began coming in from churches wanting to make sure there would be room for a busload, two busloads, and even three busloads of members.

According to Eshelman, the auditorium seats 2,100 people. That number was exceeded by at least 400. The ushers did a fine job. A committee member counted empty seats--only 20 in the entire auditorium, with some people standing in the back.

On the huge Sight and Sound stage were a 60-piece orchestra, a choir of close to 300 voices, and the Brethren Heritage Singers. The latter is a group of 20 men and women from the local area who don 1900s-era garb and sing hymns from that period in both German and English. Their selections included the Lord’s Prayer in German. One of the selections sung by the chorus was an anthem composed especially for the event by Ralph Lehman, a well-known local musician and composer.

Both the orchestra and chorus were directed by David Diehl, director of music at York (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Emery DeWitt, director of music at Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, coordinated the choral music and recruited the chorus, and also played oboe in the orchestra. Venona Detrick coordinated the orchestral music and recruited the orchestra, and also played violin.

Lebanon (Pa.) radio station WLBR 1270 AM recorded the program to broadcast it as part of the station’s Brethren Hour series on Oct. 7.

The offering, collected in the green bags borrowed from the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, amounted to $17,570.30. After expenses are paid, the balance will be donated to the districts’ Disaster Relief Auction.

The planning committee consisted of Emery DeWitt, Bob Hess, Kenneth Kreider, Jobie Riley, Donna Steiner, and Guy Wampler from Atlantic Northeast District; Joe and Venona Detrick, Warren and Theresa Eshbach, David Diehl, and Georgia Markey from Southern Pennsylvania District.

To find a photo journal of the service, by photographer Glenn Riegel, go to www.brethren.org/pjournal/2007/AtlNE-SPa300th.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline Extra

300th Anniversary bits and pieces.

• The Church of the Brethren webcast series at www.cobwebcast.bethanyseminary.edu is offering interactive live video webcasting from the 300th Anniversary academic conference on Oct. 11-13. The conference titled "Honoring a Legacy, Embracing a Future: 300 Years of Brethren Heritage," is sponsored by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. It begins Thursday evening Oct. 11, continues with Friday morning, afternoon, and evening sessions on Oct. 12, and concludes with a Saturday morning session on Oct. 13. To view the video webcasts go to www.cobwebcast.bethanyseminary.edu and follow log-in instructions. The interactive site will provide the capability for questions to be sent from viewers. As each session that is able to be webcast begins, links will allow viewing of the session. Viewers may log in at any time, but will not be able to see live video until a session is being broadcast. To choose sessions that are of interest, follow the conference schedule at www.etown.edu/YoungCenter.aspx?topic=Brethren+Conference+Program. Several days after the conference, links to recordings of sessions will become available at www.cobwebcast.bethanyseminary.edu. For questions or technical support contact webcast@bethanyseminary.edu.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline Extra

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Mary Dulabaum, Susanna Farahat, Julie L. Garber, Bob Gross, Cori Hahn, Gloria Miller Holub, Kristi Kellerman, Jobie Riley, Ken Kline Smeltzer, and Jerri Heiser Wenger contributed to this report.

MISSION UPDATE

• Sudan assessment team finds warm welcome for the Brethren.
  
• Multinational team trains leaders of emerging Haitian church.
  
• Staff await implementation phase of health program in DR.

FEATURE

• Former Brethren Volunteer Service worker reflects on returning to Peru.

Sudan assessment team finds warm welcome for the Brethren.

A three-member assessment team traveled to Sudan from July 8-Aug. 5 to listen to Sudanese voices and to prepare for a decision about where the Church of the Brethren will begin work. The team included Enten Eller, director of distributed education and electronic communication at Bethany Theological Seminary, and Phil and Louise Rieman, co-pastors of Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis, who were interviewed for this report following the trip.

"Our assessment team was blessed with good travel and wonderful experiences," said Brad Bohrer, director of the Sudan mission initiative. "The welcome they experienced in all of their travels was very warm and inviting, with many areas filled with those who remember the work of the Church of the Brethren in the past." Bohrer said the visit found a "strong invitation to come and share the work of rebuilding." The infrastructure of southern Sudan has been decimated by decades of war, which concluded a few years ago with a peace agreement between south and north.

Through a review of the assessment team's findings, the Sudan initiative has settled on the area of Torit as the initial location for a Church of the Brethren mission. The town of Torit is in southeastern Sudan, near the borders of Kenya and Uganda. The target date to begin placing mission workers is Feb. 2008.

Of the choice of Torit as an initial focus for Brethren efforts, "it is reflective of much of southern Sudan, an area of great need and great potential," Bohrer said. "Our purpose in the Sudan Initiative is clear and exciting: we are sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ...working to heal and rebuild communities by addressing collaboratively with those we serve the physical, spiritual, and relational needs we encounter."

The team visited with a variety of Christian bodies in southern Sudan, including the Sudan Council of Churches--a newly merged organization that includes the former New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) in the southern part of the country, and the original Sudan Council of Churches that represented Christians in the north. The Church of the Brethren has been a longtime partner in the work of both church councils, and also provided staff for primary health care, refugee health work, emergency response, and theological training to the Sudan Council of Churches since 1980.

Church leaders who met with or helped host the assessment team included Sudan Council of Churches general secretary Peter Tibi, Roman Catholic Bishop Paride Taban, Episcopal Bishop Nathaniel Garang, Episcopal Bishop Hilary of Malakal, and the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Malakal, as well as various pastors' groups. They also visited the Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron, which was founded by Bishop Taban. The village does peacemaking work to reduce inter-tribal violence, and might be a model and place of orientation for Brethren mission workers. Political leaders who met with the team included the state governor in Torit.

In several areas, the team found that people know the Brethren through former mission staff Roger and Carolyn Schrock. "They have given the Church of the Brethren a good name," Phil Rieman said.

The Sudanese are "very excited about the Church of the Brethren coming," said Louise Rieman, who stressed that the assessment team tried consistently to talk seriously about the prospect of church planting by the Brethren. They received repeated assurances that "there is room for everyone to share the good news," she said.

The Sudanese people are welcoming help from the outside world, said Phil Rieman, adding that the assessment team found that numerous NGO and nonprofit groups are already at work in southern Sudan. "People don't want a colonial type situation, but are welcoming partners, which thankfully is the Church of the Brethren position," he said.

A note of caution about the Sudan initiative's goal of planting churches came from Rev. Tibi, because the Sudan Council of Churches has valued Brethren support for existing churches. "He'd like the Church of the Brethren to wait to start congregations until after the referendum," reported Louise Rieman.

The referendum is an upcoming decision by southern Sudan about whether to remain with the north as a unified country, or to secede. It is scheduled for 2011. "All indications are likely that the south will secede," said Phil Rieman. Many Sudanese fear another outbreak of violence before or during the referendum, and fear the northern government will not allow it to take place, he said, adding that "it is clear that the referendum will be a wrenching experience."

The tragic effects of decades of civil war and violence were plain to see, the team found. They saw a need for trauma healing and reconciliation work, a lack of development, the destruction of infrastructure including health facilities and schools, a lack of health care, poor nutrition, and little education and experience in democratic processes. The Sudanese "are so far behind the countries around them, they are working so hard to get back on their feet," said Louise Rieman.

Opportunities for Brethren work abound, such as a tremendous need for health care, veterinary care for the cattle on which many southern Sudanese rely for their livelihood, promotion of vegetable gardening and fresh foods as part of the diet, along with economic opportunities that growing and selling fresh produce might offer, a need for psychological care for a population affected by war, and a need for peacemaking work. "Even though there's relative peace, there's need for the peacemaking gifts the Church of the Brethren can bring," said Phil Rieman.

"Of course the Gospel is central" to the Sudan initiative, Louise Rieman emphasized, "to live it as well as to preach it and speak it."

Despite the hardships, there is a sense of hope in Sudan, "hope that God will work things out," in Phil Rieman's words. "God is alive and well and active there. God is very present in the lives of the people," Louise Rieman said.

The Riemans hope that the Brethren presence in Sudan may be one of the factors to help avert instability before the referendum. They also hope US Brethren may learn from the Sudanese, as a people of strong faith. The Sudanese "are our family, they are our sisters and brothers, and they have suffered beyond our comprehension," said Louise Rieman. "My hope and vision is that more people in the Church of the Brethren will long for this opportunity to live with the Sudanese. To learn from them, to share the Good News with them, to learn their good news, and to have the joy of living and learning together."

An incident that occurred as the assessment team prepared to leave Sudan underlined the risky nature of this new mission, and the faith it will require from mission workers. The trip took place in rainy season, when landing strips are not always accessible to the small aircraft that fly in and out of the south. So the assessment team waited at a small landing strip, not knowing when or if a plane would arrive.

However, a pilot "flew in on faith," as the Riemans put it, and the team was able to continue the journey.

For more from the Sudan trip, go to the blog at www.sudan.brethren.org.

Source: 10/1/2007 Newsline Mission Update

Multinational team trains leaders of emerging Haitian church.

A team from the Dominican Republic and the US joined to provide training for the emerging Church of the Brethren in Haiti, on Aug. 11-18 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Participants included 61 pastoral and lay leaders who had registered for the training.

Organizers characterized the large number of people who turned out for the event as a good surprise, and reported that even though the extensive daily classtime required major adjustments in their work schedules, 42 of the group completed the entire course.

The week-long immersion in Brethren ordinances and practices as well as training for church growth was led by Ludovic St. Fleur, pastor of Eglise des Freres Haitiens in Miami, Fla. St. Fleur coordinates the Church of the Brethren mission in Haiti for the Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board.

Teachers also included Yves Jean, pastor of Eglise des Freres en Haiti (Church of the Brethren in Haiti); Anastasia Buena and Isaias Tena, a clergy couple who co-pastor San Juan Church of the Brethren in the DR; and Merle Crouse of St. Cloud, Fla., a retired pastor and former staff member of the Church of the Brethren General Board, and a former mission worker. The sessions were translated into Haitian Creole.

"We were delighted that leaders from the Dominican Republic, who have desired to relate to the emerging church in Haiti, and from the US were able to join together for this time of learning and fellowship. Reports indicated that this combination of leadership was greatly appreciated by the participants," said Merv Keeney, executive director for Global Mission Partnerships.

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

Source: 10/1/2007 Newsline Mission Update

Staff await implementation phase of health program in DR.

After four months of exploration from January through April this year, Dr. Norm and Carol Waggy of Goshen, Ind., are experiencing a delay in the implementation of a preventative health care ministry in the Dominican Republic.

During a special assignment with the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board, the Waggys visited 21 of the congregations of Iglesia de los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic), spread over three regions. The couple gathered ideas from church members for a new ministry through the Dominican church communities, working with a newly-appointed Health Committee of regional representatives. By the end of the process, the committee had identified several priorities and formulated a proposal.

"The health ministry proposal has generated much energy and excitement in the Dominican church," said Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships. "While the initial hope was that the church could make an immediate decision, for a number of reasons the church will need more time to work out the details. Mission coordinators Irv and Nancy Heishman will be working with the Dominican leadership to discuss the proposal."

Meanwhile, Norm Waggy has returned to private medical practice. Carol Waggy, an ordained minister with experience in mediation and conflict resolution, has accepted the assignment of interim administrative coordinator at Goshen (Ind.) City Church of the Brethren. In past mission service, the couple served for five years with the Rural Health Program of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), a community-based health program.

Source: 10/1/2007 Newsline Mission Update

Former Brethren Volunteer Service worker reflects on returning to Peru.

In June of 1970, I was seconded to Church World Service by Brethren Volunteer Service. CWS sponsored me as a member of a disaster team sent to Peru after the earthquake of 1970. In August this year I visited the one village in which I spent about a year and a half from June 1971 until December 1972.

I was to spend two years with CWS on the disaster team responding to the earthquake in Ancash, Peru, which occurred on May 31, 1970. I ended up extending my time due to obligations to the earthquake victims. Upon arriving in Peru I was sent to Aija, Ancash. Aija is a large village at about 10,000 feet in the Black Mountain Range. I worked there and in one of its subvillages, Succha, for about a year, and was then sent to Raypa, a small village about 70 kilometers from the coast.

The village of Raypa had been located at the base of some large mountains and when the earthquake hit, massive boulders wiped out the village. When I got to Raypa, the village's 90 families were living in lean-to shacks in their chacras (small agricultural lands on the slopes of the Andes). When asked by CWS of the needs in Raypa, I contacted two people: Ruben Paitan, an agricultural engineer, and Nora Passini, an all-around administrator with talents in developing an array of programs. I had met these two people in Aija during my first year in Peru. Within weeks Ruben and Nora joined me and we started projects cleaning water canals, teaching agricultural improvements, making guinea pig farms, and many more. On a regular basis we had about 40 projects underway at any given time.

And here begins the story I must tell. In Sept. 1972, the Raypa village leaders came to me and said they wanted to build a school. My response was that I thought it impossible in the last three months that we had in Raypa. The project was scheduled to end in December. The villagers pleaded and promised that they would work like never before. With that the villagers, with help from CWS volunteers, identified a hill that was protected from falling boulders and huaicos (mudslides that crawl and then rush down hillsides wiping out everything in their path) that would be an appropriate place for a school. The hill, known as Inchan, was covered by a corn field. After identifying an adequate site for a school, the site was donated by the owners. The villagers then asked for a water pump to get water to the top of the hill and CWS provided them with that.

I then left the village telling them that by the time of my return we needed about 8,000 adobes. Over the next two weeks I spent my time getting plans for an anti-seismic school building from the Peruvian Ministry of Education that was just producing the plans but had never built a school. I then returned to Raypa. I went directly to Inchan and I did not find 8,000 adobes as the villagers had promised. I found 12,000, and men working on more.

With that enthusiasm evident, we started to work. By hand, 80 men working daily cleared four level platforms for the buildings. We then went to the coast and brought back the roofing system, a space frame held up by steel posts and roofed with eternit calaminas. The Peruvian Ministry of Education sent 12 of their engineers to watch the villagers put up the roofs. An error in the plans made it impossible to construct the roofs, but Ruben and I identified the error, and re-ordered the struts to allow construction. Several days later we raised the roofs.

The 80-plus men then went about building the walls, windows, and doors of the school building. We worked from day break until night, and then under the lights of our pickup truck, we continued to work until the batteries were low.

By Dec. 23, the villagers had their four school buildings built and we inaugurated the buildings with speeches and a grand pachamanca in which the entire meal of meat, yucca, potatoes, and beans is cooked in an underground oven of hot rocks. The CWS program ended the next day, and Ruben, Nora, and I all left to our next assignments.

Thirty four years later, Ruben and I along with my daughter and son, returned to Raypa. We drove up to Inchan and what we found held us spellbound. There was the school, and around it was a village with lights, running water, houses, stores, a church, a health clinic, some municipal buildings, and a beautiful plaza. It was a complete town alive and growing. Some 100 families live in the town and it is protected from the elements.

What really hit us hard was that the school had a large sign on it. The sign read: "Barner Myer School." They had it spelled wrong, but they had named the school after me. In the early '70s we had had no time to write down any of the events that led up to the school, so they had made up a history.

Thanks to CWS and the efforts of the villagers, the town of Raypa is alive and thriving. It started with a school in a corn patch, but it is now the center of the valley with 22 teachers in the school, which has been expanded, and the services that make it the best village in the valley.

--Barney Myer (Harold L. Myer) of Kenmore, Wash., worked with Church World Service in Peru as a Brethren Volunteer Service worker. For more about Church World Service visit www.churchworldservice.org. For more about Brethren Volunteer Service visit www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs.

Source: 10/1/2007 Newsline Mission Update

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Merv Keeney and Janis Pyle contributed to this report.

NEWS

• Congregations across US, Nigeria, Puerto Rico pray for peace.
  
• BBT issues alert about proposed rules on minority shareholders.
  
• Council holds meeting to review Annual Conference decisions.
  
• Congregations to be asked for new information about accessibility.
  
• Brethren bits: Remembrances, personnel, jobs, Jena 6, and more.

PERSONNEL

• Susanna Farahat resigns from position with On Earth Peace.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• On Earth Peace sponsors Middle East peacemaking delegation.

RESOURCES

• Book offers insights on Amish forgiveness following school shooting.

NEWSLINE SPECIAL

• Religious Leaders Meet with President of Iran

Congregations across US, Nigeria, Puerto Rico pray for peace.

More than 90 congregations and other communities associated with the Church of the Brethren, including groups in the US, Puerto Rico, and Nigeria, have sponsored events as part of the International Day of Prayer for Peace last Friday, Sept. 21. “This initiative has clearly tapped into a widespread desire to take action about violence,” said campaign organizer Mimi Copp.

The response within the Church of the Brethren has been tremendous to a four-month campaign initiated through the leadership of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office and On Earth Peace. The initial goal of the campaign was to seek 40 congregations to plan prayer events as part of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, being observed by the World Council of Churches and coinciding with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

Church of the Brethren groups, including congregations, district conferences, colleges, and other institutions, planned a wide variety of events in order to raise concerns about violence in their own communities and the world. Some of the 93 participating groups and congregations were initiating such events for the first time, others have participated in previous peace efforts. Vigils or services were planned to take place on the grounds of church properties, around peace poles, along busy roads and in other public spaces, in prayer rooms, and in schools. Several congregations planted or rededicated peace poles. Events included candlelight prayer walks, fellowship meals, hymn sings, Bible studies, sermons, and worship services. One youth group met in a pizzeria to pray, another initiated a prayer walk from a park to the county courthouse.

Many events were co-planned with other Christian communities or other religious bodies including Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu-Jain. For example, Peace Covenant Fellowship Church of the Brethren in Durham, N.C., planned an ecumenical vigil at the site of the greatest number of incidents of gun violence in Durham, with an additional focus on remembering those killed in the Virginia Tech shootings.

Congregations in Puerto Rico planned prayer services to take place in the streets outside their church buildings, and a request was passed from the headquarters of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) to its 400 church councils inviting participation.

Sunday Wadzani, a member of EYN participating in prayer events, wrote, “God promised to be with us whenever we come together in His name. I have a strong belief that by coming together in prayer like this so as to bring peace in the world, God will surely hear us. This is a unique prayer that God will surely be happy of, and I cannot afford to miss the blessing that will follow.”

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

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

BBT issues alert about proposed rules on minority shareholders.

Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has issued an alert about proposed rule changes by the Securities and Exchange Commission that, if implemented, would render the voice of minority shareholders silent. BBT manages $435 million for Brethren Pension Plan and Insurance members and Brethren Foundation clients. All of the funds are invested in a socially responsible manner, with investment screens and activist initiatives guided by Annual Conference statements and resolutions.

Citizen action to avert the proposed rule changes “will only take five minutes, but needs to be done no later than Oct. 2,” the alert said.

The SEC is holding a 60-day open comment period for feedback on several proposals related to shareholders. If implemented, the proposals would severely limit the capabilities of minority investors to sponsor shareholder resolutions by eliminating nonbinding resolutions, by allowing companies to opt out of receiving shareholder resolutions, or by doubling the current voting percentages needed by resolutions to be allowed to be refiled with the same companies the following year. The proposed changes would also limit or eliminate the ability of shareholders to nominate members of corporate boards.

Over the past 35 years, 95 percent of shareholder resolutions filed have been nonbinding, in an attempt to give shareholders the ability to advise companies on shareholder sentiment, the alert said. “Such resolutions do not force companies to run at the whim of their shareholders; rather, they allow shareholders to address a number of critical issues, such as non-responsive corporate boards, a history of pollution and/or inaction on climate change, a history of racial- or gender-based lawsuits, failure to recognize indigenous peoples rights, and other issues of sustainability.”

Faith-based investors, such as BBT, are nearly always minority investors. “Although the Church of the Brethren and other faith-based investors are small in voice, the impact our organizations have had in effecting change in corporate board rooms over the past 35 years has been remarkable,” said Nevin Dulabaum, BBT’s interim director of Socially Responsible Investing.

One recent example is a proposed resolution submitted to Aflac earlier this year that pertained to executive compensation. The resolution was filed by Boston Common Asset Management using BBT’s shares in the firm and prompted the company to agree to giving shareholders a nonbinding vote on executive compensation. The initiative, which included Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) members petitioning 50 Fortune 500 companies, proved to be a success. Not only did Aflac become the first major company in the US to agree to give its shareholders such a vote, similar resolutions with other companies also garnered a good percentage of votes.

BBT staff learned of the SEC comment period last week during the ICCR’s fall meetings. ICCR and the Social Investment Forum has established www.saveshareholderrights.org to allow organizations and individuals to quickly send such letters. The website also offers links to additional resources. For more go to www.brethrenbenefittrust.com.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

Council holds meeting to review Annual Conference decisions.

The Annual Conference Council held its summer meeting Aug. 23-24 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The council chose Belita Mitchell, immediate past Annual Conference moderator, to be chair until August 2008, succeeding Ron Beachley. The council reviewed the decisions of the 2007 Annual Conference, defined the role of the process committee called for by the “Doing Church Business” paper, took action to complete work on revising a paper on controversial issues, set an agenda for a retreat in November, and modified the appeals process for concerns related to Annual Conference policies.

The council spent a large block of time reviewing the decisions of the 2007 Conference and the recommendations and assignments of each business item. A communication will be sent to those agencies, groups, and congregations named in the actions to implement them. Among other communications related to 2007 Conference decisions, the council will send e-mails to the districts and to the Annual Conference agencies urging the implementation of the recommendations related to the “Reverse Membership Trend” query.

Relative to the “Doing Church Business” item, the council received a concern from the Conference officers who recognized the potential for confusion in regard to a Process Committee, and the action that called for the paper to be available for use to the officers in planning future conferences. The council formed the following refinement to the action:

“The council was asked by the Annual Conference officers to assist with determining the role of the Process Committee in light of the action of Annual Conference to make the recommendations of the report, resources, and study information available for use in planning future Annual Conferences. In consultation with the council, the officers deemed it appropriate that a committee of three be called by the Nominating Committee to be the Process Committee. The Process Committee is to work with the officers and with the Program and Arrangements Committee to help define and prioritize options to pursue the intent of the paper. The committees will be affirmed by the 2008 Annual Conference and will serve for one year. The officers will convey this action to the Standing Committee. For several years into the future, the officers and Program and Arrangements Committees will be given this prioritized report. Each year the officers will report to Standing Committee any implementation of the prioritized options.”

An inconsistency in the Intercultural Committee’s report adopted by the 2007 Conference, which calls for licensed ministers to earn continuing education credits in intercultural content, was also considered. Currently, licensed ministers are not required to have certified continuing education. The council recognized the intent is for intercultural training, which can be included in the training track without involving continuing education units. The council referred this matter to the Ministry Office of the General Board for implementation.

The policy by which the council is designated to receive appeals related to decisions made by the Program and Arrangements Committee was addressed as well. Concern has been raised about the propriety of half of the elected members of the council also being members of that committee. The council decided to refer the matter to Standing Committee, offering two possible solutions: that the Program and Arrangements Committee members recuse themselves from the discussion and decision of an appeal, or that another group be named to receive such appeals. It is also clear from denominational polity that Standing Committee is the ultimate judicial group, and any member of the church can bring a complaint to Standing Committee. Standing Committee, however, confines its deliberation to whether the process used to make a decision that is being appealed was fair and proper, not the decision itself. Standing Committee’s appeals process can be found on the Annual Conference website.

In other actions, the council gave approval to complete work on an update of the 1998 paper, “A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues.” The council had suspended completion until the 2007 items related to conducting Conference business were answered. Council members Joan Daggett and Fred Swartz will bring a proposed revision to the paper in November. Any revision will need to be processed as new business to Annual Conference.

The council meets next in November, with a day of retreat to deal with two major items: format and financing of future Annual Conferences, and developing broad strokes for denominational envisioning. Both of these items are a part of the council’s functions, as defined by the 2001 Annual Conference. Don Kraybill of Elizabethtown, Pa., will be a facilitator for the retreat.

--Fred Swartz is the secretary of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

Congregations to be asked for new information about accessibility.

Reporting forms for Church of the Brethren congregations will have a newly revised page for information about accessibility, thanks to staff of the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC). The forms are copied to the district offices and also used to provide statistical and other information for the annual “Church of the Brethren Yearbook” published by Brethren Press.

Executive director Kathy Reid of ABC is helping revise the statistics section of the Yearbook to include more information about accessible facilities and programs of congregations and districts. Some of the resources used by the Mennonite Church USA, including icons and adaptations of descriptions, will aid in the process. These symbols will be used beginning with the 2008 Yearbook to help people identify the accessibility of congregations in various categories.

Congregations will be asked to fill out reporting related to accessibility each year. In the past, they could simply mark "same as last year." The aim of this change is to regularly encourage churches to work at issues of accessibility for those with disabilities.

To help congregations with this self-evaluation, the Disabilities Ministries of ABC has sampled several self-assessment tools and created an online "Congregational Accessibility Survey," with a check list and explanations of what it means to indicate that a congregation is accessible. The website also displays the icons that the Yearbook will use. Go to www.brethren-caregivers.org.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

Brethren bits: Remembrances, personnel, jobs, Jena 6, and more.

• June Adams Gibble, 70, passed away Sept. 20 at her home in Elgin, Ill., from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). She was a former denominational staff member of the Church of the Brethren, having served as director of Congregational Nurture and Worship for the General Board from 1988-97, and as program field staff with the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) from 1998-99. In her work for the denomination, she provided leadership to the deacon ministry and Christian education, edited Sunday school and small group curriculum, wrote worship resources, and provided leadership for women’s ministries, among other areas. Her volunteer work for the church included service on the steering committee for Bethany Theological Seminary’s centennial celebration in 2005 along with her husband, Jay Gibble, who is a former executive director of ABC and former staff of the General Board. Early in her career, Gibble studied elementary education and was a school teacher in Minneapolis. She was ordained to ministry in 1986--when she was almost 50--and also served as a pastor. For some years she was a chaplain with Provena St. Joseph Hospice in Elgin, Ill., where she continued her work even after her diagnosis. For the last year and a half, Gibble and her family have been active supporters of ALS research and the Les Turner ALS Foundation. She had continued to write and paint, contributing worship resources for the 300th Anniversary celebration of the Brethren, and creating poems and paintings for her 18 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., on Sept. 29 at 12:30 p.m.
  
  
• Claire Randall, 91, general secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC) from 1974-84, died on Sept. 9 in Sun City, Ariz. She was the fourth general secretary and the first woman to lead the organization, and was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. NCC president Michael E. Livingston said, "Claire Randall was general secretary of the NCC at a turbulent time of history, for the nation and the world as well as the church. Looking back on those days, it is especially obvious that her leadership skills and clear vision were those of a woman chosen by God 'for a time such as this.'" Randall was general secretary during the fallout of a 1983 broadcast of CBS' "60 Minutes" that implied the NCC and the World Council of Churches were leftist organizations that defied the conservative wishes of their membership. The following year, an article in “The Reader's Digest” made a similar claim. Randall firmly denied the allegations and organized member communions of the NCC to inform their congregations that the reports were false. She was partially vindicated in 2002 when retiring "60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt characterized the report as the one show he regretted in his 36-year career. Randall is remembered for insisting on a racially and ethnically diverse staff. She also gave leadership that would later culminate in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV), and was associate executive director of Church Women United before she came to the NCC. A private family memorial service will be held.
  
  
• Beth Burnette is finishing a two-year special promotions position with the General Board’s “Messenger” magazine, as of the end of the month. She started in the position in June 2005, after she retired as administrative assistant for Illinois and Wisconsin District and as Christian education director for York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill., where she is a member. Previously, Burnette also had experience in nonprofit and for-profit marketing and developing print materials for advertising in the Chicago area and in Maryland.
  
  
• Justin Barrett began Sept. 24 as program assistant for the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board. His career has been centered in the field of office administration since 2001, with responsibilities in all areas within a variety of organizations. Most recently, he has been office coordinator for Student Services at North Park Theological Seminary in the Chicago area. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University and North Park Theological Seminary, with a master of arts degree in Christian Ministry, and is an active member at Resurrection Covenant Church in Chicago.
  
  
• Two new members have joined the Steering Commitee for the Church of the Brethren’s Cross-Cultural Ministries Team: Founa Augustin of the Miami (Fla.) Haitian Church of the Brethren, and Victor Olvera, from the ministry team at Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles.
  
  
• Bethany Theological Seminary and the Brethren Journal Association seek a managing editor for the academic quarterly journal “Brethren Life and Thought.” The journal is a joint publication of the seminary and the association. The managing editor position is part time, about ten hours a week, and has responsibility for the operational activities of the journal including printing and mailing, promoting circulation, providing an archive, storage of back issues, and a permanent record of association minutes and related documents. Other duties may include maintainance of a computer and office, a subscription database, communications with patrons and donors, paying bills and making deposits. Minimum qualifications area high school diploma, with a year of previous experience in a business environment preferred. For a full job description go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/pdf%20files/Managing%20Editor.pdf. Applicants are invited to contact Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean of Bethany Seminary, at deansoffice@bethanyseminary.edu.
  
  
• The Gather ’Round curriculum project of Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing Network is accepting applications from experienced writers. Requirements include the ability to write clearly, convey Brethren and Mennonite faith perspectives, and develop creative and meaningful activities. Teaching experience and background in Bible studies are helpful. Writers produce up to four quarters of teacher’s session plans, student material, and other resources for one age group. The next writing year begins with a writers’ conference on March 1-6, 2008. Learn more about the curriculum at www.gatherround.org. Request an application from gatherround@brethren.org or call 847-742-5100 ext. 261. The application deadline for the next writing year is Dec. 31.
  
  
• A Greater Gift/SERRV International seeks temporary fall staffing in warehouse picking and packing orders at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The Customer Service Department also is seeking fall staffing. Accuracy, dependability, and attention to detail are required. Hours are flexible. Contact Pam Sheedy at 410-635-8750.
  
  
• On Earth Peace last week sent an e-mail alert to its Peace Witness Action List to raise awareness of the “Jena 6,” six African-American youth in Jena, La., who have been threatened with years in prison “in a spiraling situation of race-based intimidation,” the alert said. On Earth Peace called the situation in Jena to Brethren attention, and referred to the work of Color of Change on the issue (ColorOfChange.org). The situation in Jena centered on racially charged incidents at the high school, in one instance nooses hung from a tree, followed by several outbreaks of white-on-black violence, according to news reports. Then, last December, the six African-American teens were accused of beating a white classmate and received what many characterize as unequal and excessive punishment by local authorities. On Earth Peace encouraged participation in a protest in Jena on Sept. 20. CNN reported that at least 15,000 people from across the country attended the protest.
  
  
• The National Council of Churches (NCC) Governing Board this week also issued a call for "equal justice under the law" in Jena, La. "This is indeed a tragic situation and many lives, both Black and White, have been negatively impacted by the events that have taken place in Jena: the nooses hanging from a tree; a justice system and community that seemed to ignore this hate crime; violent retaliation against a white youth; excessive criminal charges against six African-American teenagers; a community torn apart; and protests and cries for justice from across the country," said the NCC. The NCC plans to send letters to Louisiana elected officials stating this position, work collaboratively with the Louisiana Interchurch Conference, and invite Jena church leaders to its General Assembly in November for a report and guidance on ways the NCC can support their community.
  
  
• The Ministry of Reconciliation of On Earth Peace has announced its fall practitioner workshop, “Appreciative Inquiry Workshop/Practitioner Consultation,” at Camp Alexander Mack, Milford, Ind., on Nov. 14-16. The event is for church leaders, Shalom Team members, pastors, and consultants who are interested in leading congregations through change by identifying and building upon the positive characteristics of the group. Leadership for the workshop will be provided by Marty Farahat, a Ministry of Reconciliation practitioner and congregational consultant. Following the workshop will be the Practitioner Consultation to learn more about each other's work, share effective tools for consulting, experience a clinic where case studies are explored, and consult on practitioners’ educational needs along with the next steps for the Ministry of Reconciliation in supporting practitioners. The consultation is open to all levels of practitioners. Leadership for the consultation will be provided by Carol Waggy and Annie Clark. Cost for the entire event is $195 for tuition and lodging or $155 for commuters. The workshop and consultation begin Nov. 14, at 7 p.m., and end at 4 p.m. on Nov. 16. One continuing education credit is available for Church of the Brethren ministers. For more information or to register, visit www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/mor/upcoming-events/index.html#AIPC or contact Annie Clark, Ministry of Reconciliation coordinator, at annie.clark@verizon.net. Registration closes Oct. 26.
  
  
• Oregon-Washington District Conference is Sept. 28-30 at Wenatchee (Wash.) Brethren-Baptist Church, on the theme, “Three Hundred Years of Brethren History.” The conference will provide a weekend of worship and fellowship, beginning with Love Feast. A disaster auction will take place on Saturday afternoon. A hymn sing Saturday evening will include time for congregational sharing. Worship on Sunday will be shared with the two Wenatchee congregations.
  
  
• Mid-Atlantic District Conference will be held Oct. 5-6 at Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren, led by moderator Gretchen Zience. The event will begin with worship and a message from Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, associate professor of Preaching and Worship at Bethany Theological Seminary. A business session and workshops will be held Saturday.
  
  
• Camp Blue Diamond in Petersburg, Pa., will hold its 2007 Heritage Fair on Sept. 28-30. The event raises funds for Middle Pennsylvania District ministries including the camp, Breezewood Trucker Traveler Ministries, CentrePeace Prison Ministries, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, the Prince Gallitzin State Park Chaplaincy Program, Heifer International, and youth workcamp scholarships. This year a fundraising goal of $35,000 has been set. Go to www.campbluediamond.org.
  
  
• Camp Alexander Mack near Milford, Ind., holds its ninth annual Camp Mack Festival on Saturday, Oct. 6. The event offers a variety of festival foods, demonstrations, displays, entertainment, children’s activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, hayrides, train rides, and pontoon rides on Lake Waubee. Auctions will feature quilts, theme baskets, old books, and other items. Part of the proceeds will provide scholarships for campers. Go to www.campmack.org.
  
  
• Camp Bethel’s 23rd Heritage Festival Day also is Oct 6. Events at the fundraiser for the camp located near Fincastle, Va., include the sale of crafts, baked goods, food, and displays. More information is at www.campbethelvirginia.org/hday.htm, or call 540-992-2940.
  
  
• Ronn Moyer, the first administrator of Peter Becker Retirement Community in Harleysville, Pa., has written a history of the home titled, “I Want to Go Home: A Pictorial, Anecdotal Story of the Peter Becker Community from Idea in 1960 to a Home for 500 Residents in 2007.” In addition to being the center’s first administrator, Moyer was the community’s first employee, and is a current resident. For the last 45 years, he has collected stories, history, and anecdotes of the community he once served--a continuing care retirement community that has met the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of seniors since opening in 1971. The book is illustrated by Leon Moyer. It is being sold for $15, with the proceeds benefiting those at Peter Becker Community who can no longer afford to pay for their care. For more information contact Colleen M. Hart, director of Community Relations, at 215-703-4029.
  
  
• Professor Scott Strode is retiring after 34 years with Manchester College, as of the end of this school year--but first will take the stage in one of the lead roles in the Tony-winning “Foxfire” for the college’s Homecoming play. Strode is theater director and chair of the Communication Studies Department for more than 20 years, and is a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind. Performances will take place Oct. 4-6 at 7:30 p.m., in Cordier Auditorium. Tickets are available in advance, order from 260-982-5551, or on the night of the show at $7; $6 for senior citizens. For more information visit www.manchester.edu.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

Susanna Farahat resigns from position with On Earth Peace.

Susanna Farahat, On Earth Peace coordinator of peace education, has announced her resignation effective in February 2008. Farahat joined the staff of On Earth Peace in August 2005.

She has coordinated the youth peace retreat program, the Peace Basket project, and provided primary staff support for the Youth Peace Travel Team, a project shared by the Church of the Brethren General Board and Outdoor Ministries Association. Farahat is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and brought teaching experience and understanding of the educational process, along with a wide variety of community service experiences, to the position.

"She has provided excellent program leadership, expanding our capacity for offering peace retreats to the youth of the church, and has contributed significantly in several other areas, as well," said Bob Gross, On Earth Peace executive director. Farahat's work was based at the New Windsor (Md.) office of On Earth Peace, on the campus of the Brethren Service Center.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

On Earth Peace sponsors Middle East peacemaking delegation.

On Earth Peace has extended a special invitation to Church of the Brethren peacemakers to join a delegation to the Middle East (Israel/Palestine) led by executive director Bob Gross on Jan. 8-21, 2008. The group will travel to the cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Hebron. There they will have the unique opportunity to meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights workers.

In addition, delegation members will join Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Hebron and the village of At-Tuwani in a limited amount of accompaniment and documentation, and in a public witness. The trip is being led in conjunction with CPT, which since June 1995 has maintained a team of trained peacemakers in Hebron.

On Earth Peace will assist Church of the Brethren members in raising funds for the cost of the trip by offering ideas, networking, and limited scholarships. Applications are available through the On Earth Peace website (www.onearthpeace.org) and are due in November. Contact On Earth Peace executive director Bob Gross at 260-982-7751 or bgross@igc.org; or Claire Evans at Christian Peacemaker Teams (www.cpt.org), 773-277-0253 or delegations@cpt.org.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

Book offers insights on Amish forgiveness following school shooting.

Oct. 2 marks the first anniversary of the Amish school shooting at Nickel Mines, Pa. A new book, “Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy” (Jossey-Bass, 2007, hardcover, 254 pages) by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher, offers a study of how the Amish could demonstrate radical forgiveness in the face of their sorrow and grief.

Kraybill is senior fellow at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. Nolt is a professor of history at Goshen (Ind.) College. Weaver-Zercher is associate professor of American religious history and chair of the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa.

In a short report of their research, the authors explained how they explored the Amish response in the wake of the shooting that killed five schoolgirls and wounded five others. They also highlighted several particular findings, including in part:

• Numerous Amish people expressed forgiveness to the killer’s widow, her parents, and the killer’s parents. The expressions of forgiveness were spontaneous. There were no meetings within the Amish community to decide when and how to express forgiveness. Amish leaders did not offer formal expressions of forgiveness on behalf of the Amish community. Amish forgiveness involved not only words, but behavior--giving food, flowers, and money to the widow and her family, attending the burial of the killer, and participating in reconciliation events with the family of the killer.
  
  
• The investigators found no instances of rage, revenge, or retaliation toward the killer’s family. Feelings of anger were muted by cultural and religious restraints.
  
  
• The parents of the murdered girls experienced deep grief, but they were aided in processing their grief by distinctive Amish rituals of grieving. Amish families reached out to professional counselors to assist them in processing their grief.
  
  
• Forgiveness for the Amish is a religious imperative based on the teachings of Jesus, and encouraged by communal practices (e.g., twice-yearly worship services that emphasize forgiveness and reconciliation) and sustained by communal memory (e.g., reciting stories of 16th-century Christian martyrs who readily forgave their persecutors).
  
  
• The immediate decision to forgive, inspired by their religious faith, started an emotional and spiritual process of forgiving that remains ongoing. For the Amish, forgiveness means letting go of grudges and ill will toward those who wrong them. It does not mean condoning, pardoning, or forgoing punishment.

Order “Amish Grace” from Brethren Press (800-441-3712) for $20 plus shipping and handling, a special sale price that is available through the end of the month. For more information and a free discussion guide to accompany the book, go to www.amishgrace.com. All author royalties are going to Mennonite Central Committee for ministries to children.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline

Religious Leaders Meet With President Ahmadinejad of Iran

Three Church of the Brethren representatives were among some 140 Christian leaders who met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York this morning, Sept. 26, at the Tillman Chapel at the Church Center for the United Nations.

The event titled "East West Dialogue: An Interfaith Encounter Between North American Religious Leaders and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran: A Time of Dialogue and Prayerful Reflection Among the Children of Abraham," was arranged by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and hosted by the UN office of MCC. The Church of the Brethren General Board was one of 11 endorsing agencies.

The Brethren participants were James M. Beckwith, Annual Conference moderator and pastor of Annville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Doris Abdullah, the Church of the Brethren representative to the United Nations and a board member of On Earth Peace; and Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

Leaders from all the major Christian denominations were present, Jones said. Groups that also endorsed the meeting included the Mennonite Church USA, American Friends Service Committee, World Council of Churches, Pax Christi, and Sojourners, among others.

Intentions for the event were "to build bridges of hope and peace with sisters and brothers around the world," said Stanley J. Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board. "Our participation as a Living Peace Church will speak clearly to our understanding that it is God’s desire for his creation to live together peacefully."

The meeting began with the reading of sacred scripture, from the Bible and the Koran, and included a 20-minute address from President Ahmadinejad, responses and questions from a five-member panel, an opportunity for the president to respond, a brief opportunity for questions from the audience, and closing prayers, both Christian and Muslim. Romans 12:18 was read at the beginning of the meeting, and Philippians 4 was read at the closing. Readings from the Koran included Al-Baqarah 285, Al-Nimran 64, and Yunus 31. Opening and closing comments were brought by staff and leaders of MCC and the United Methodist Church.

The panel included Father Drew Christiansen, editor of "America" magazine; Rev. Chris Ferguson, representative to the UN Commission to the Churches on International Affairs; Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, executive secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches; Mary Ellen McNish, general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee; and Dr. Glen Stassen, professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Seminary.

"This gathering came on the heels of two other gatherings," explained Jones. A small group of religious leaders met with President Ahmadinejad during his last visit to the US, and a delegation of US religious leaders traveled to Iran in February, with Mennonite initiative. President Ahmadinejad asked to meet with a larger group of religious leaders during his current visit, Jones said.

Beckwith said the meeting was both a personal opportunity to meet President Ahmadinejad in the spirit of Matthew 18, and an opportunity for the Church of the Brethren to accompany and stand with the Mennonites--who have workers in Iran--as they continue dialogue with the Iranian government.

"It seems to me that truth telling is a critical step in seeking justice and peace," Beckwith said. "It is important to hear the truths that a person reveals for himself." The Christian leaders invited President Ahmadinejad to "speak from the heart," Beckwith said, and the meeting was held in a much less hostile environment than some venues where President Ahmadinejad has spoken in recent days.

President Ahmadinejad was asked honest questions that did not avoid difficult issues, Beckwith said. The president on his side said religious leaders need to cleanse their true faith from materialism and deceit, and called on religious leaders to weed out the root causes of materialism, Beckwith said, adding that the president also reiterated a basic theological point that the day will come when the promised One will appear and God’s will will be established.

Jones noted that President Ahmadinejad gave "a very theological discourse," on the theme of the narrative of Abrahamic faith, in his 20-minute presentation, and did not address political issues until the question and answer period.

Questions that were asked of the president mirrored many of those that have been asked in other venues, for example touching on his statements about the Holocaust and the state of Israel, Abdullah said. The Brethren group noted one panelist who said she had heard the president speak differently of the Holocaust in private settings than the inflammatory rhetoric he uses publicly, and asked him to speak publicly the way he speaks privately. Another panelist asked him to envision what kind of peace was possible if Iran and the US began to talk again.

However, President Ahmadinejad did not really answer questions, Abdullah said. "He basically stuck to his talking points used in other presentations," she said. "He did say that any talks (between the US and Iran) would have to be fair and would have to follow international law." She said the president’s remarks emphasized that the US has a stockpile of nuclear weapons and 100,000 people on Iran’s borders, and that the Iranians are the ones who should feel threatened. He also asked why chemical weapons were used against his people during the time of Iran’s war with Iraq, and reiterated his view that Palestinians are being punished for the Holocaust. He asked the group, "Who told the US we were responsible for the world?" Abdullah added.

"A lot of people may say the religious community comes to this out of some naive perspective," said Jones. "I come to this from a place of hope, out of humble prayer. Dialogue can lead to understanding."

Jones said he and a group of US Christian leaders have asked for a meeting with President Bush to talk about the situation with Iran, and to talk about the underlying issues that can lead to war, but they have not yet had that opportunity. They had that opportunity with the president of Iran today, he noted.

"It was important that the Church of the Brethren was at the table," Jones said. "We came representing a people of nonviolence. We have a responsibility as the people of Christ to make our voice heard." Jones said the Matthew 18 passage "is imperative to who we are as a faith community. If we can carry that to the political community, everyone benefits."

For more information contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, 337 N. Carolina Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003; 202-546-3202; 800-785-3246; washington_office_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 9/26/2007 Newsline Special

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Annie Clark, Mary Dulabaum, Nevin Dulabaum, Cyndi Fecher, Duane Grady, Bob Gross, Kathy Harley, Gimbiya Kettering, Jeri S. Kornegay, Don Kraybill, Karin Krog, Wendy McFadden, and Walt Wiltschek contributed to this report.

Newsline Special

GERMANTOWN CHURCH HOSTS OPENING EVENT OF THE 300th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

On Sept. 15-16 Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia hosted the opening event of a year-long celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Brethren movement, which began in Germany in 1708. Events took place at the "mother church," the first congregation of Brethren in the Americas, and featured worship, workshops, tours, exhibits, and music. About 150 people registered Saturday, and close to 220 attended worship on Sunday, filling the Germantown sanctuary to capacity.

Throughout the weekend, the historic setting remained at the center--alongside recognition of the current ministry of the Germantown church. "For 285 years...the gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached" at Germantown, said pastor Richard Kyerematen as he led worship Sunday morning. The congregation was founded on Christmas Day 1723 by German immigrants to the Americas, and its meetinghouse built in 1770 was the first Brethren meetinghouse in the US. Today the predominantly African-American congregation includes several members from African countries, with pastor Kyerematen himself coming originally from Ghana.

Festivities kicked off with a lunch served by the Germantown Women's Fellowship under a tent on the church's front lawn. The tent also housed exhibits by the 300th Anniversary Committee, Brethren Press, the Brethren Church, the Germantown Trust, the Brethren Encyclopedia Inc., and the Atlantic Northeast District Historical Committee.

Following lunch, participants chose from a variety of workshops on subjects such as the Sauer Bible, outreach ministries at Germantown, the history of the congregation, a Bible study on the anniversary theme, and several others. A Germantown Cemetery Tour was led by Ken Cosgrove, a Grace Brethren member and treasurer of the Germantown Trust, featuring the gravestones of Alexander Mack Sr., the founder of the Brethren movement, and several other important Brethren figures. A Wissahickon Creek Tour took participants to the site of the first Brethren baptisms in the Americas in 1723.

Children's activities were designed to give hands-on experiences of the life and work of early Brethren leaders. The children did paper stamping after talking about the Sauer press, for example. As a service project, the group of about a dozen children planted bulbs to create a flower border around the Germantown parsonage. The planting project harked back to the farming profession of the founder of Coventry Church of the Brethren in Pottstown, Pa., which is the second oldest Brethren church in the US. The children's activities were led by Karen Christophel, a member at Coventry.

Late afternoon Saturday, an adventurous group participated in a humorous re-enactment of the crossing of the Atlantic about 1730, led by members of the 300th Anniversary Committee. The group sat in a "ship" in an arched tunnel leading to the Germantown Cemetery, to get a taste of some of the hardships experienced by the first Brethren to travel to the Americas.

A worship concert by musicians and ministers at Germantown closed out the first afternoon of the celebration, and offered a reminder of the fundamental reason for the church's existence. "Standing in this great church that we love, we desire that God minister to you, as he does to us," said Joseph Craddock as he gave a welcome. "This is a happening church!"

Craddock is one of the Germantown ministers involved in the church's ministry of visitation to nursing homes. Other outreach ministries include a food pantry, involvement in Philadelphia's "Point Man Ministries" for veterans with Germantown minister Lester Outterbridge serving as coordinator, a developing youth program, and a beginner's class taught by pastor Kyerematen "for people who desire to learn the Bible and live right," as Outterbridge told his workshop group. Part of the offering from the weekend will go to a new multipurpose center, housed in a building next door to the parsonage, which will provide space for community events and ministries such as a computer lab for seniors and tutoring for children.

That evening, Coventry Church of the Brethren hosted a hymn sing and pastor Sandy Christophel gave a presentation on the history of the congregation and its links to the Germantown church.

Worship continued on Sunday with a morning service led by the Germantown congregation, and an afternoon service sponsored by the Church of the Brethren denomination, with a catered lunch between.

Earl Ziegler preached for the morning service, with pastor Kyerematen as worship leader and Germantown musicians leading praise hymns and songs. Ziegler, former executive minister of Atlantic Northeast District and a former Annual Conference moderator, called for continuing balance between sharing the Gospel and the work of serving others as the church moves into the future. In the past, as Brethren witnessed for peace during times of war, witnessed against the slave trade, started international missions, birthed Heifer International, and were active in Brethren Service and disaster relief, "Brethren moved forward with vision and courage," he said. "Our witness has been a powerful witness in the national and international communities. All of this was launched in the Schwarzenau beginnings." Referring to Acts 1:8, the account of the first Christians receiving the Holy Spirit, Ziegler said, "We have the power. Do we have the vision worthy of that power?"

Afternoon worship began with a procession of pastors and district and denominational leaders, and greetings were given from the denomination, district, and congregation. Belita Mitchell, who moderated the 2007 Annual Conference and pastors First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., gave the message. Robert Kettering, pastor at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and a former associate minister for Atlantic Northeast District, directed the hymns and served as worship leader. Music was brought by the Inspirational Choir from Harrisburg First.

Preaching on Acts 19:1-6, and continuing the theme from the morning of receiving power through the Holy Spirit, Mitchell said that sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through the grace of God is the witness of the Spirit. "That's what the early Brethren did, and that's what we're to do too.... The Holy Spirit gives you the power, power to anticipate the future," she said, as she called the church to look ahead with hope, to plan for diversity, and to welcome new people into the Brethren movement. "We who are here need to leave a little room for the brothers and sisters who are coming," she said. "If we're doing it right, they're coming. Don't you feel the Holy Spirit?"

A comment from Renee Ibo of the Germantown church summed up the celebratory atmosphere of the day's worship services: "It gives me such a blessing to be part of a church that has such a rich heritage."

Major support for the celebration came from the Germantown Trust and the five agencies of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference: the General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace.

The Germantown Event Committee that organized the weekend included pastor Kyerematen, Marilyn Ansah, George Ansah, Sandy Christophel, Karen Christophel, Joseph Craddock, Norma Keith, Jeff Bach, and Lorele Yager. The Church of the Brethren's 300th Anniversary Committee includes chair Jeff Bach, director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College; Dean Garrett, an ordained minister at Poplar Grove Church of the Brethren in Union City, Ohio; Rhonda Pittman Gingrich of Open Circle Church of the Brethren in Burnsville, Minn.; Leslie Lake, associate pastor of East Chippewa Church of the Brethren in Orrville, Ohio; and Lorele Yager of Churubusco, Ind.

A photo journal of the Germantown event is online at www.brethren.org, click on "Photo Journal." For more about the 300th anniversary celebrations, go to www.churchofthebrethrenanniversary.org.

Source: 9/18/2007 Newsline Special Edition

Credits

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