Nigerian church leader completes doctoral study on peacebuilding.
The peace coordinator for Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), Toma H. Ragnjiya, has completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Ashland (Ohio) Seminary. He was awarded the degree on Dec. 15. His thesis is titled, “Create a Model for Peace-Building in the Ethno-Religious Conflict of Kaduna, Nigeria, and Evaluate Its Effectiveness for Achieving Peaceful Coexistance."
Ragnjiya's family is from the Margi people, a group that includes both Muslims and Christians. Having served previously in the positions of general secretary and president of EYN, he most recently has filled the relatively new position of peace coordinator. His study has been supported by the Global Mission Partnerships office of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Bradley Bohrer, director of the General Board's Sudan mission initiative, was an advisor on his final thesis review committee.
Given the post-911 difficulties of bringing Nigerian church leaders to the US for study at Bethany Theological Seminary, the Global Mission Partnerships office is also assisting another EYN leader, Yakubu Joseph, for study in peace at the University for Peace. UPEACE is a United Nations-mandated entity in Costa Rica.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, workcamp registration, more.
- John Samuel Horning (82) died Dec. 26, 2007. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and with his wife, Estella, was a former Brethren mission worker in Ecuador and Nigeria. From 1956-71, the couple were medical mission workers in Ecuador, where Horning worked in a variety of ministries that included clinics, school vaccination programs, and planned parenthood measures. In Nigeria, from 1973-76, Horning was a mission doctor in the Lafiya health and medical program and served as director of the Rural Health Program. By the end of his service in Nigeria, 32 villages were participating in the Rural Health Program, and trained Nigerian medical staff were placed in leadership positions. Horning also was a medical family doctor and had been at the Wheaton (Ill.) Medical Clinic for 23 years, retiring in 1990. In volunteer service to the denomination, he was on the board of Bethany Hospital in Chicago, a Brethren-founded institution, and also was instrumental in forming the Brethren Health and Education Foundation. The Hornings were recipients of the Brethren Health and Welfare Association's Caregiving Award in 1978 and have been longtime supporters of the ministries of the Association of Brethren Caregivers. Horning was born in China on Dec. 9, 1925, to Brethren mission workers Daniel and Martha (Daggett) Horning. He graduated from Manchester College and studied medicine at the Chicago Medical School, Chicago’s Cook County Hospital, and Milwaukee (Wis.) County General Hospital, and also served at Bethany Hospital. During World War II, he was in Civilian Public Service at a camp at Wellston, Mich., and at the state mental hospital at Logansport, Ind. He also was an ardent photographer, and his pictures interpreting mission work appeared often in publications of the church. On their return to the US, the family lived for some years in the York Center community in Lombard, Ill. Most recently Horning had been a resident of Goshen, Ind., and a member of Goshen City Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his wife, their four daughters and one son, 13 grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Services will be held at York Center Church of the Brethren at 4 p.m. on Jan. 12; and at Goshen City Church of the Brethren at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19. Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen City Church of the Brethren.
- Randy Koontz has resigned from the Material Resources program of the Church of the Brethren General Board, located at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. He has been a baler for the program since 1985. Effective Jan. 1, he has taken a position with the warehouse operations of A Greater Gift/SERRV, which also are located at the Brethren Service Center.
- Harry Torres Jr. has accepted the position of housekeeping supervisor for the New Windsor Conference Center at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., effective Jan. 2. Torres brings a good deal of experience to the position, having headed and managed cleaning crews for a private cleaning company, served as rental manager for heavy equipment rentals, and as a housekeeper at Carroll Hospital Center. He is a graduate of Gary Whetsone School of Biblical Studies and also has been a youth pastor for Crossroads Restoration Church.
- Jamie Denlinger begins Jan. 7 as an intern with Brethren Press. She is a senior English major at Ohio University, and plans to complete a three-month internship with the publishing house at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. In addition to her work experience at Ohio University Press, where she has been a production and office assistant, she has been an outreach intern at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in Kettering, Ohio.
- Registration for the 2008 workcamps offered by the Church of the Brethren General Board begins online early tomorrow morning, on Jan. 3 at 12:01 a.m. central time. To register go to www.brethrenworkcamps.org. The workcamp program is part of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the General Board. Staff issued a reminder today of some things to remember when registering: individual congregations are asked to make up no more than a third of the participants of any one workcamp; although those registering will receive a confirmation e-mail, this may not guarantee a place in the workcamp because registration is not complete until the $100 non-refundable deposit is received; deposits are due within seven days of registration. “We at the workcamp office have been anxiously awaiting this day for months,” said the staff. “Thank you for your submissions, questions, recommendations, and all of the other things you do to help us prepare for the 2008 Workcamps.” The workcamp coordinators for 2008 are Sharon Flaten, Jerry O’Donnell, Jeanne Davies, and Steve Van Houten. Contact the program at 800-323-8039 or cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org.
- Children’s Disaster Services Level I Training Workshops will be held Feb. 1-2, at Hudson Community Chapel in Hudson, Ohio, and on the same dates at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County in Tampa, Fla. The workshop is required for all volunteers in the program, which serves children and families in disaster situations. Cost is $45 for early registration, $55 for late registration mailed less than three weeks before the workshop. For more information contact Children’s Disaster Services at 800-451-4407 ext. 5.
- On Earth Peace has issued a “last chance” notice for registration for the Faith-Based Mediation Workshop in Milford, Ind., in February. The Ministry of Reconciliation, a branch of On Earth Peace, welcomes natural peacemakers and those interested in conflict resolution to a two-weekend mediation workshop. Five more participants are needed to meet the attendance quota. Registration continues until Jan. 16. For more information, visit www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/mor/upcoming-events/index.html#FBM.
- On Earth Peace also requests prayer for a delegation to the Middle East, sponsored jointly with Christian Peacemakers Team, which will take place Jan. 8-21. “Please add our leaders, delegates, and those they will meet to your prayers. Also remember the family members left behind,” said a prayer request in the On Earth Peace newsletter. For more information about the delegation, go to www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/special/middle-east-peacemaking/delegations.html.
- Una Nueva Vida En Cristo, a new church development in Virlina District, was chartered as a fellowship in a special worship service on Dec. 21. The fellowship worships near Willis in Floyd County, Va., with Manuel Gonzalez as pastor.
- Oak Grove Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., is hosting a performance by hip hop artist Demetrius Doss, known as El Prezidino, at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6. Formerly a star athlete at Marshall University and an arena league football all star, the rapper originally from South Philadelphia brings a “funky, upbeat, and unflinchingly Christian message,” according to an announcement from Virlina District.
- Middle Pennsylvania District and Church of the Brethren congregations are supporting Trucker Traveler Ministries. In a ministry sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, chaplain Bruce Maxwell is available to those who are traveling through Breezewood, Pa. As part of a Trucker Ministry in Carlisle, members at York First Church of the Brethren have been sharing cookies at a truck stop. “The church ladies baked, the Bible Study ladies packed, and 110 bags of delicious cookies were delivered to the Carlisle Truck Stop!” reported a newsletter from York First. “This brought the total bags of cookies donated this year to this ministry to over 8,800.”
- “Another Way of Sending: Brethren Mission in the 21st Century” is a continuing education event led by Wally Landes, pastor of Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren on Feb. 21, at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. The event is co-sponsored by the General Board’s Congregational Life Team, Area 1, the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, Middle Pennsylvania District, and Juniata College. Cost is $25 plus $10 for continuing education documentation. Light refreshments and a lunch are included. The event meets the “Evangelism and Church Growth” category of the Annual Conference Continuing Education paper and provides .5 continuing education units. The registration deadline is Feb. 5.
- Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., has announced Fast Forward, a new way to get a bachelor's degree in three years, available for every major offered by the college. “It is the complete four-year program, compressed into three years by offering the general education courses online during summers,” explained a press release. “Students can finish in three years, saving as much as $25,000 in room and board and tuition (summer online tuition costs less), and getting an entire year jump on their careers.” Only a handful of colleges and universities in the nation are offering this kind of program for all majors, the release said. Participating students must be highly motivated, in the top quarter of their high school classes, score at least 1,100 on the SAT, and maintain at least a B average. Go to http://fastforward.manchester.edu.
- A class of 15 Manchester College political science students and their professor are studying the Iowa caucuses up close this week. The "Contemporary Politics: Presidential Campaign" course is led by professor Leonard Williams. Students are following the campaigns, volunteering for a candidate of their choice, attending precinct caucuses, and keeping a daily blog, according to a release from the college. Two of the students are Church of the Brethren: Stephen Hendricks of Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in South Bend, Ind., and Benjamin Martin of Grossnickle (Md.) Church of the Brethren. The group departed for Iowa on Dec. 31, 2007, and will return to Manchester to continue their studies on campus Jan. 7. For the students’ blog go to http://mccaucus.blogspot.com.
- Elizabethtown (Pa.) College has bought a nine-acre farm bordering its campus for $1.25 million, according to the “Lancaster (Pa.) Sunday News.” Formerly known as the Simon farm, the nine acres is located along Cedar Street between Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren and the Founders Hall of the college. In an e-mail sent to the college community, president Theodore E. Long said that the purchase is part of a plan to renovate older residence halls and construct new, high-quality housing on campus, the newspaper said.
- Cross Keys Village-The Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, Pa., has announced that David K. Gerber, senior vice president, has earned the Certified Aging Services Professional credential from the Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services. Gerber was one of approximately 110 graduates of the professional training program this year, and was recognized during the annual meeting of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Gerber serves on the board of the Brethren Benefit Trust, and is a lay leader for Black Rock Church of the Brethren in Glenville, Pa.
- Dorothy Van Landeghem, a resident of the Peter Becker Community retirement center in Harleysville, Pa., plans to celebrate her 100th birthday on Jan. 13.
- The Sojourners Community in Washington, D.C., has called attention to an effort by Burger King to undermine agreements between farm workers and fast-food chains to increase pay for Florida tomato pickers. The agreement for a pay increase of one penny per pound of picked tomatos was made by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and McDonald’s and Yum! Brands--owner of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC. Representatives of the Immokalee workers visited a meeting of the Church of the Brethren General Board in Oct. 2006, where they received the blessing of a laying on of hands. The “New York Times” has reported, however, that “Burger King has refused to pay the extra penny... and its refusal has encouraged tomato growers to cancel the deals already struck with Taco Bell and McDonald's.”
- The January 2008 edition of "Brethren Voices," the 30-minute community television program produced by Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren, features "Nightmare Beyond Borders," a discussion of the Iraq refugee crisis with two representatives of the American Friends Service Committee. In February, the show will feature Brethren Disaster Ministries as church members serve in areas around the country devastated by natural disasters. Contact Ed Groff at groffprod1@msn.com for copies of the programs and information about how to subscribe.
- Tom Benevento has joined the staff of the New Community Project as a “sustainability specialist” to coordinate an Undoing Global Warming initiative and develop a model sustainable living center in Harrisonburg, Va. A key part of the program is to visit congregations to do energy audits, helping churches reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and save money. The Harrisonburg Habitat for Humanity group has asked Benevento to work with them to install solar hot water heaters on all future homes they build, using a model he has developed. Contact Benevento at 540-433-2363 or go to http://newcommunityproject.org/grounds_keepers.shtml.
- The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity marks its 100th anniversary in 2008. The first time Christians joined in such a week of prayer was in 1908 in Graymoor, N.Y., according to a release from the World Council of Churches (WCC). Jan. 18-25 is the traditional date for the week. "Pray Without Ceasing" is the theme for 2008, from 1 Thessalonians. The worship resources are jointly published by the WCC's Commission on Faith and Order and the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Download in English from www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2007pdfs/WPCU2008_Booklet_EN.pdf and in Spanish from www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2007pdfs/WPCU2008_Oracion_SPA_.pdf.
Jay Gibble to fill volunteer leadership role with Deacon Ministry.
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has announced that the agency’s former executive director Jay Gibble will fill a volunteer leadership role with the Deacon Ministry. His primarily responsibilities will be to plan and hold a series of regional Deacon Ministry Training Events for the Spring of 2008, at which he also will serve as keynote speaker.
The regional events will be held in the Plains, Southwest, Northwest, and Eastern regions of the country in April and May (for more information see “Deacon Ministry offers regional training events,” in the Newsline of Dec. 5).
In 1998, Gibble retired as executive director of ABC after more than 17 years of work with the agency. During his tenure he helped to shape the major ministries of ABC, as well as its National Older Adult Conference and Caring Ministries Assembly.
Most recently, in 1998-99 Gibble and his late wife, June, served as part-time program field staff for ABC. They toured the US and Puerto Rico for the nationwide Denominational Deacon Ministry Tour, presenting a total of 55 deacon workshops in 22 districts, to more than 3,600 people. The tour also introduced the “Deacon Manual for Caring Ministries,” and during that time more than 3,400 copies were sold.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has announced that the agency’s former executive director Jay Gibble will fill a volunteer leadership role with the Deacon Ministry. His primarily responsibilities will be to plan and hold a series of regional Deacon Ministry Training Events for the Spring of 2008, at which he also will serve as keynote speaker.
The regional events will be held in the Plains, Southwest, Northwest, and Eastern regions of the country in April and May (for more information see “Deacon Ministry offers regional training events,” in the Newsline of Dec. 5).
In 1998, Gibble retired as executive director of ABC after more than 17 years of work with the agency. During his tenure he helped to shape the major ministries of ABC, as well as its National Older Adult Conference and Caring Ministries Assembly.
Most recently, in 1998-99 Gibble and his late wife, June, served as part-time program field staff for ABC. They toured the US and Puerto Rico for the nationwide Denominational Deacon Ministry Tour, presenting a total of 55 deacon workshops in 22 districts, to more than 3,600 people. The tour also introduced the “Deacon Manual for Caring Ministries,” and during that time more than 3,400 copies were sold.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
Service Sunday theme for 2008 recalls early Brethren motto.
The Church of the Brethren’s Service Sunday is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2008. This special Sunday is recognized annually on the first Sunday in February. The 2008 theme is, “For the Glory of God and My Neighbor's Good,” a motto from the Sauer Press. The scripture text focus is Mark 12:28-31.
Service Sunday is a time for congregations to remember, celebrate, explore, and continue in opportunities of service. The sponsoring programs of the Church of the Brethren General Board are Brethren Disaster Ministries, the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Brethren Volunteer Service, and Youth and Young Adult Workcamps.
Resources are available online, by authors Jerry O'Donnell, 2008 workcamp co-coordinator; Rebekah Houff, coordinator for the National Young Adult Conference in 2008; Jon Zunkel, a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker serving in Northern Ireland; Dana Cassell, a BVS worker serving in the General Board’s Ministry Office; and Roma Jo Thompson, a retired Brethren mission worker who served in Nigeria. For more information go to www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/ServiceSunday.htm.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
The Church of the Brethren’s Service Sunday is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2008. This special Sunday is recognized annually on the first Sunday in February. The 2008 theme is, “For the Glory of God and My Neighbor's Good,” a motto from the Sauer Press. The scripture text focus is Mark 12:28-31.
Service Sunday is a time for congregations to remember, celebrate, explore, and continue in opportunities of service. The sponsoring programs of the Church of the Brethren General Board are Brethren Disaster Ministries, the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Brethren Volunteer Service, and Youth and Young Adult Workcamps.
Resources are available online, by authors Jerry O'Donnell, 2008 workcamp co-coordinator; Rebekah Houff, coordinator for the National Young Adult Conference in 2008; Jon Zunkel, a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker serving in Northern Ireland; Dana Cassell, a BVS worker serving in the General Board’s Ministry Office; and Roma Jo Thompson, a retired Brethren mission worker who served in Nigeria. For more information go to www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/ServiceSunday.htm.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
Association of Brethren Caregivers announces its first Health Assembly.
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) announced the first-ever Association of Brethren Caregivers Health Assembly, to take place March 27-30, 2008, in collaboration with Mennonite Health Services (MHS) and the American Baptist Homes and Caring Ministries Association. The Health Assembly will be held at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., on the theme, “Communities of Healing and Hope.”
“These three Christian groups share a common commitment to health and human service ministry,” said Don Fecher, director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes. “This is an opportunity for us to learn from each other and encourage each other in our Christian ministry.”
The Health Assembly will offer opportunities for participants to renew their energy and vision for the years ahead, examine new models and conceptual frameworks, network with colleagues, and hear real-life stories and examples. Nurses, pastors, physicians, psychologists, and social workers are all encouraged to attend. The conference will provide a networking opportunity for the CEOs and chaplains of the Brethren retirement communities, who gather concurrently for their annual meeting.
Keynote speakers include Hector Cortez, vice-president of national programs for Esperanza USA, a network of Hispanic Christians, churches, and ministries committed to raising awareness and identifying resources that strengthen the Hispanic community. Church of the Brethren pastor Marilyn Lerch along with others will give a presentation on “Managing a Community in Crisis,” reflecting on the experience of Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Blacksburg, Va., during and following the campus shootings at Virginia Tech in April 2007.
Registration materials are available by calling the Association of Brethren Caregivers at 800-323-8039.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) announced the first-ever Association of Brethren Caregivers Health Assembly, to take place March 27-30, 2008, in collaboration with Mennonite Health Services (MHS) and the American Baptist Homes and Caring Ministries Association. The Health Assembly will be held at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., on the theme, “Communities of Healing and Hope.”
“These three Christian groups share a common commitment to health and human service ministry,” said Don Fecher, director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes. “This is an opportunity for us to learn from each other and encourage each other in our Christian ministry.”
The Health Assembly will offer opportunities for participants to renew their energy and vision for the years ahead, examine new models and conceptual frameworks, network with colleagues, and hear real-life stories and examples. Nurses, pastors, physicians, psychologists, and social workers are all encouraged to attend. The conference will provide a networking opportunity for the CEOs and chaplains of the Brethren retirement communities, who gather concurrently for their annual meeting.
Keynote speakers include Hector Cortez, vice-president of national programs for Esperanza USA, a network of Hispanic Christians, churches, and ministries committed to raising awareness and identifying resources that strengthen the Hispanic community. Church of the Brethren pastor Marilyn Lerch along with others will give a presentation on “Managing a Community in Crisis,” reflecting on the experience of Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Blacksburg, Va., during and following the campus shootings at Virginia Tech in April 2007.
Registration materials are available by calling the Association of Brethren Caregivers at 800-323-8039.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
Mission Alive conference to feature Pakistani church leader.
The national missions conference of the Church of the Brethren--“Mission Alive 2008,” planned for April 4-6 at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren--will feature a Pakistani Christian leader as one of the featured speakers. Mano Rumalshah, bishop of the Diocese of Peshaway for the Church of Pakistan, will be one of three keynote speakers leading plenary sessions at the conference.
Also giving keynote addresses will be Rebecca Baile Crouse, former mission staff for the Church of the Brethren General Board, and Robert Alley, pastor of Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. Worship will be coordinated by Tara Hornbacker, associate professor of ministry formation at Bethany Theological Seminary, and music coordinator will be Paul Roth, pastor of Linville Creek Church of the Brethren.
Additional leaders will provide workshops on a variety of topics including “Linking Local and Global Mission,” “Congregational Transformation Through Mission,” “Emergent Church Views of Mission,” and many more.
Registration cost is $79 and includes Saturday lunch. Evening meals will be available onsite for a nominal fee. Housing arrangements are the responsibility of participants. Continuing education units are available. Online registration will be available on the Mission Alive page of www.brethren.org, or register by calling 800-323-8039 ext. 230.
The conference is sponsored by the General Board, with partnering support from Bethany Theological Seminary and mission-minded groups in the denomination. Post-conference events will be sponsored by the Valley Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
The national missions conference of the Church of the Brethren--“Mission Alive 2008,” planned for April 4-6 at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren--will feature a Pakistani Christian leader as one of the featured speakers. Mano Rumalshah, bishop of the Diocese of Peshaway for the Church of Pakistan, will be one of three keynote speakers leading plenary sessions at the conference.
Also giving keynote addresses will be Rebecca Baile Crouse, former mission staff for the Church of the Brethren General Board, and Robert Alley, pastor of Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. Worship will be coordinated by Tara Hornbacker, associate professor of ministry formation at Bethany Theological Seminary, and music coordinator will be Paul Roth, pastor of Linville Creek Church of the Brethren.
Additional leaders will provide workshops on a variety of topics including “Linking Local and Global Mission,” “Congregational Transformation Through Mission,” “Emergent Church Views of Mission,” and many more.
Registration cost is $79 and includes Saturday lunch. Evening meals will be available onsite for a nominal fee. Housing arrangements are the responsibility of participants. Continuing education units are available. Online registration will be available on the Mission Alive page of www.brethren.org, or register by calling 800-323-8039 ext. 230.
The conference is sponsored by the General Board, with partnering support from Bethany Theological Seminary and mission-minded groups in the denomination. Post-conference events will be sponsored by the Valley Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
300th Anniversary update: McPherson RYC to celebrate anniversary.
The Regional Youth Conference (RYC) 2008 to be held at McPherson (Kan.) College and McPherson Church of the Brethren on April 4-6 is planned as a celebration of the 300 years of history of the Church of the Brethren. The theme is, “Cherishing the Tradition: The Church of the Brethren, 300 Years of Faithfulness,” with Mark 12:30-31 as the focus scripture.
A line-up of Brethren musicians and story tellers will lead the conference. Musicians include Michael Stern, Andy and Terry Murray, and Peg Lehman. Jim Lehman will be the story teller. Other stories will be brought by people involved in current church programs, videos of Brethren ministries, and people representing Brethren from history. The weekend will include worship experiences and concerts.
Students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to register and attend, along with adult advisors and youth volunteers. Other interested adults are invited to attend concerts and story telling times. Registration packets will be available in January, contact director of campus ministries Tom Hurst at 620-242-0503 or hurstt@mcpherson.edu.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
The Regional Youth Conference (RYC) 2008 to be held at McPherson (Kan.) College and McPherson Church of the Brethren on April 4-6 is planned as a celebration of the 300 years of history of the Church of the Brethren. The theme is, “Cherishing the Tradition: The Church of the Brethren, 300 Years of Faithfulness,” with Mark 12:30-31 as the focus scripture.
A line-up of Brethren musicians and story tellers will lead the conference. Musicians include Michael Stern, Andy and Terry Murray, and Peg Lehman. Jim Lehman will be the story teller. Other stories will be brought by people involved in current church programs, videos of Brethren ministries, and people representing Brethren from history. The weekend will include worship experiences and concerts.
Students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to register and attend, along with adult advisors and youth volunteers. Other interested adults are invited to attend concerts and story telling times. Registration packets will be available in January, contact director of campus ministries Tom Hurst at 620-242-0503 or hurstt@mcpherson.edu.
Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline
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. Colleen M. Hart, Merv Keeney, Jeri S. Kornegay, Wendy McFadden, Joan McGrath, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
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. Colleen M. Hart, Merv Keeney, Jeri S. Kornegay, Wendy McFadden, Joan McGrath, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
NEWS
- Committee makes progress on new organization for Brethren agencies.
- Annual Conference Council holds envisioning retreat.
- Around 50 Brethren attend vigil against School of the Americas.
- Brethren funds give $84,000 in grants for hunger and disaster relief.
- Brethren bits: Personnel, job openings, and much more.
- Yoder to direct Insurance Services for Brethren Benefit Trust.
- Wittmeyer to be interim director of Pension Plans for BBT.
- New from Brethren Press: Devotionals, study of Hebrews, Talkabout decoder wheel.
- Brethren Press offers special Living Word Bulletin for 300th Anniversary, plans joint series with Mennonites.
- Update of Spanish language minister’s manual to be available soon.
- Resources bits and pieces: New denominational Polity Manual, books for intercultural understanding and evangelism, ‘green’ Bible, and more.
Committee makes progress on new organization for Brethren agencies.
The committee charged with the task of how to implement the streamlining of two church agencies while incorporating the functions of the Annual Conference Council, held its second meeting Dec. 10-11. The committee was formed after passage of the 2007 Review and Evaluation study by the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
The Implementation Committee reports that it is making continuing progress on its assignment, and is preparing the documentation for the new organization. The proposed merger agreement, including a new set of bylaws and revised articles of incorporation, will be reviewed in early March 2008 during a combined meeting of the General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers board, and the Annual Conference Council.
Each board will be invited to approve the proposed plan before it is considered by the 2008 Annual Conference. A summary of the implementation plan along with the bylaws, articles of incorporation, and merger agreement will be posted on the Annual Conference website shortly after they are considered in March.
The Implementation Committee is recommending to the 2008 Annual Conference that the General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers be united in a single entity, incorporated as "Church of the Brethren, Inc." and doing business as "Church of the Brethren." The inclusion of the term "Incorporated" or "Inc." will only be referenced in legal documents.
The new organization will become effective Aug. 1, 2008. For more information about the work of the Implementation Committee, go to the committee's webpage on the Annual Conference website at www.brethren.org/ac/revieweval.html.
--David Sollenberger is an elected member of the Implementation Committee, and serves as coordinator of interpretation for the committee.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
The committee charged with the task of how to implement the streamlining of two church agencies while incorporating the functions of the Annual Conference Council, held its second meeting Dec. 10-11. The committee was formed after passage of the 2007 Review and Evaluation study by the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
The Implementation Committee reports that it is making continuing progress on its assignment, and is preparing the documentation for the new organization. The proposed merger agreement, including a new set of bylaws and revised articles of incorporation, will be reviewed in early March 2008 during a combined meeting of the General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers board, and the Annual Conference Council.
Each board will be invited to approve the proposed plan before it is considered by the 2008 Annual Conference. A summary of the implementation plan along with the bylaws, articles of incorporation, and merger agreement will be posted on the Annual Conference website shortly after they are considered in March.
The Implementation Committee is recommending to the 2008 Annual Conference that the General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers be united in a single entity, incorporated as "Church of the Brethren, Inc." and doing business as "Church of the Brethren." The inclusion of the term "Incorporated" or "Inc." will only be referenced in legal documents.
The new organization will become effective Aug. 1, 2008. For more information about the work of the Implementation Committee, go to the committee's webpage on the Annual Conference website at www.brethren.org/ac/revieweval.html.
--David Sollenberger is an elected member of the Implementation Committee, and serves as coordinator of interpretation for the committee.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Annual Conference Council holds envisioning retreat.
Denominational envisioning, the frequency of Annual Conference, polity questions, financial concerns, and business items for the 2008 Annual Conference were all on the agenda of the Annual Conference Council on Nov. 27-30, in New Windsor, Md.
The meeting, chaired by immediate past Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell, also included 2008 moderator Jim Beckwith and moderator-elect David Shumate, Joan Daggett, Jim Myer, Fred Swartz, and Lerry Fogle. Don Kraybill of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethown (Pa.) College, led a day and a half retreat devoted to discussions of denominational envisioning and the future of Annual Conference.
Denominational envisioning has been on the council’s agenda for a number of years. When it received its charter from the 2001 Annual Conference, one function was to "share with the Standing Committee the responsibility to see that envisioning is an ongoing part of denominational planning." Longterm envisioning for the church was no longer lodged in the denominational structure, as it once was with the Goals and Budget Committee of the General Board. Since the board’s restructure at the end of the 1990s, each of the Annual Conference agencies has adopted strategic plans for carrying out its individual programs. The Standing Committee of district delegates understands its envisioning function to be primarily a listening role, collating concerns to pass on to agencies.
The Annual Conference Council has sent a request to consider options for including the envisioning function to the Implementation Committee that is studying a restructure of the General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and the council. The council suggested examples of long-range envisioning for the denomination, and cited areas that could be explored: mission, including overseas mission, congregational renewal, and new church development; leadership, examining how vital, excited, and loyal leadership can be called for denominational positions; making disciples, calling and growing disciples to do the work of Jesus; and worship, nurturing vital worship in our congregations and conferences.
The other portion of the retreat addressed whether the denominational Conference should continue to be held yearly. The council examined 10 different scenarios ranging from alternating a delegate’s Conference and a full Conference, to holding Conference every three years. The council recognized that economic concerns and diminishing attendance are driving the question, and that there are many benefits to holding a biennial Conference. The council looked at other factors as well, including historical, sociological, and spiritual values to the denomination of an annual meeting. The discussion pointed out the effect of increased pulls in our culture away from opportunities to gather face-to-face.
The council will pass on to the Program and Arrangements Committee its sense that an annual Conference is preferred, with a biennial Conference as a second choice. There was unanimous agreement that the Conference needs to be "reenergized and revitalized," and the council included in its communication several of its own ideas for making that happen.
In its regular meeting prior to the retreat, the council expedited a full agenda. Beckwith asked the council to give an opinion on whether the Program and Arrangements Committee can send a query to Standing Committee. The committee has prepared a query to send to Standing Committee asking, "Is it possible for the Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren to review the section of the 1983 Statement on Human Sexuality that deals with ‘homosexual persons and sexuality’ and engage the denomination in a study and dialogue in order to clarify the church's response to homosexual persons?" (see the Newsline of Nov. 21).
The council indicated that polity only allows for queries to come through the normal district process, from an Annual Conference agency, or from Standing Committee itself. Therefore, the committee’s query is regarded as a request for help and interpretation from Standing Committee. In order for the committee’s concern to become a query for Annual Conference, Standing Committee will need to adopt it as its own question to Conference. This means that the committee’s query will not be included in the 2008 Annual Conference booklet.
In other business, the council completed a revision to the paper, "A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues," which it was asked by Conference to do following the adoption of a recommendation from the Denominational Name Study Committee in 2004. The paper will be sent to Standing Committee.
The council also received a positive financial report of offerings and registrations at the 2007 Conference, enabling the Annual Conference Fund to make progress to reduce its deficit; adopted a 2008 budget of nearly $550,000 with anticipated income of $585,000; prepared several questions of concern to the Implementation Committee; previewed a new promotional video for Annual Conference; celebrated completion of the update to the denominational polity manual; and conducted a five-year performance review for Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle. The next meeting of the council will be March 8-11, 2008, in Elgin, Ill.
--Fred W. Swartz is the Annual Conference secretary.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Denominational envisioning, the frequency of Annual Conference, polity questions, financial concerns, and business items for the 2008 Annual Conference were all on the agenda of the Annual Conference Council on Nov. 27-30, in New Windsor, Md.
The meeting, chaired by immediate past Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell, also included 2008 moderator Jim Beckwith and moderator-elect David Shumate, Joan Daggett, Jim Myer, Fred Swartz, and Lerry Fogle. Don Kraybill of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethown (Pa.) College, led a day and a half retreat devoted to discussions of denominational envisioning and the future of Annual Conference.
Denominational envisioning has been on the council’s agenda for a number of years. When it received its charter from the 2001 Annual Conference, one function was to "share with the Standing Committee the responsibility to see that envisioning is an ongoing part of denominational planning." Longterm envisioning for the church was no longer lodged in the denominational structure, as it once was with the Goals and Budget Committee of the General Board. Since the board’s restructure at the end of the 1990s, each of the Annual Conference agencies has adopted strategic plans for carrying out its individual programs. The Standing Committee of district delegates understands its envisioning function to be primarily a listening role, collating concerns to pass on to agencies.
The Annual Conference Council has sent a request to consider options for including the envisioning function to the Implementation Committee that is studying a restructure of the General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and the council. The council suggested examples of long-range envisioning for the denomination, and cited areas that could be explored: mission, including overseas mission, congregational renewal, and new church development; leadership, examining how vital, excited, and loyal leadership can be called for denominational positions; making disciples, calling and growing disciples to do the work of Jesus; and worship, nurturing vital worship in our congregations and conferences.
The other portion of the retreat addressed whether the denominational Conference should continue to be held yearly. The council examined 10 different scenarios ranging from alternating a delegate’s Conference and a full Conference, to holding Conference every three years. The council recognized that economic concerns and diminishing attendance are driving the question, and that there are many benefits to holding a biennial Conference. The council looked at other factors as well, including historical, sociological, and spiritual values to the denomination of an annual meeting. The discussion pointed out the effect of increased pulls in our culture away from opportunities to gather face-to-face.
The council will pass on to the Program and Arrangements Committee its sense that an annual Conference is preferred, with a biennial Conference as a second choice. There was unanimous agreement that the Conference needs to be "reenergized and revitalized," and the council included in its communication several of its own ideas for making that happen.
In its regular meeting prior to the retreat, the council expedited a full agenda. Beckwith asked the council to give an opinion on whether the Program and Arrangements Committee can send a query to Standing Committee. The committee has prepared a query to send to Standing Committee asking, "Is it possible for the Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren to review the section of the 1983 Statement on Human Sexuality that deals with ‘homosexual persons and sexuality’ and engage the denomination in a study and dialogue in order to clarify the church's response to homosexual persons?" (see the Newsline of Nov. 21).
The council indicated that polity only allows for queries to come through the normal district process, from an Annual Conference agency, or from Standing Committee itself. Therefore, the committee’s query is regarded as a request for help and interpretation from Standing Committee. In order for the committee’s concern to become a query for Annual Conference, Standing Committee will need to adopt it as its own question to Conference. This means that the committee’s query will not be included in the 2008 Annual Conference booklet.
In other business, the council completed a revision to the paper, "A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues," which it was asked by Conference to do following the adoption of a recommendation from the Denominational Name Study Committee in 2004. The paper will be sent to Standing Committee.
The council also received a positive financial report of offerings and registrations at the 2007 Conference, enabling the Annual Conference Fund to make progress to reduce its deficit; adopted a 2008 budget of nearly $550,000 with anticipated income of $585,000; prepared several questions of concern to the Implementation Committee; previewed a new promotional video for Annual Conference; celebrated completion of the update to the denominational polity manual; and conducted a five-year performance review for Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle. The next meeting of the council will be March 8-11, 2008, in Elgin, Ill.
--Fred W. Swartz is the Annual Conference secretary.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Around 50 Brethren attend vigil against School of the Americas.
More than 11,000 people gathered at Fort Benning, Ga., on Nov. 16-18 for the 18th annual School of the Americas (SOA) Watch protest and vigil, including around 50 Church of the Brethren members. The protest has been held on a weekend in November since 1990, marking the anniversary of the Nov. 16, 1989, slaying of six priests in El Salvador. SOA Watch organizers say 18 of the 26 soldiers involved had attended the School of the Americas.
The SOA, renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2001, is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers. Protesters say it teaches security personnel from Latin American countries to use repressive tactics, and that graduates have overthrown legitimate governments. They cite a coup against Chilean president Salvador Allende in 1973 as an example. SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement to close SOA/WHINSEC and to change the US foreign policy that the SOA represents.
On Friday night various workshops and concerts were held at a convention center. On Saturday, people gathered outside the gates of Fort Benning for a rally, and the street was lined with more than 100 exhibit tables representing various organizations. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office handed out resources about its work, the Church of the Brethren, and the National Farm Worker Ministry, and also promoted Fair Trade coffee and chocolate for Equal Exchange.
Sunday featured a three-hour vigil during which the participants marched carrying crosses while the names of those killed by people trained at the SOA were sung. Fort Benning officials report that 11 protesters were arrested by federal marshals for trespassing, and face up to six months in prison for civil disobedience. Speakers included presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, Rabbi Michael Lerner, and the founder of SOA Watch, Father Roy Bourgeois.
A Church of the Brethren gathering Saturday evening was hosted by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office. A group of students from Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., were in attendance along with Brethren from across the country. When asked, "What justice issue is most important to you?" the group gave answers including immigration, climate change, genocide, health care, and war. Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, led the discussion.
The overall feeling of the weekend was one of energy and hope, even with a funeral procession that served as a reminder of the tragedies that have occurred. The SOA Watch vigil was a time to say that human rights violations are not acceptable.
--Rianna Barrett is a legislatives associate at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
More than 11,000 people gathered at Fort Benning, Ga., on Nov. 16-18 for the 18th annual School of the Americas (SOA) Watch protest and vigil, including around 50 Church of the Brethren members. The protest has been held on a weekend in November since 1990, marking the anniversary of the Nov. 16, 1989, slaying of six priests in El Salvador. SOA Watch organizers say 18 of the 26 soldiers involved had attended the School of the Americas.
The SOA, renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2001, is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers. Protesters say it teaches security personnel from Latin American countries to use repressive tactics, and that graduates have overthrown legitimate governments. They cite a coup against Chilean president Salvador Allende in 1973 as an example. SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement to close SOA/WHINSEC and to change the US foreign policy that the SOA represents.
On Friday night various workshops and concerts were held at a convention center. On Saturday, people gathered outside the gates of Fort Benning for a rally, and the street was lined with more than 100 exhibit tables representing various organizations. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office handed out resources about its work, the Church of the Brethren, and the National Farm Worker Ministry, and also promoted Fair Trade coffee and chocolate for Equal Exchange.
Sunday featured a three-hour vigil during which the participants marched carrying crosses while the names of those killed by people trained at the SOA were sung. Fort Benning officials report that 11 protesters were arrested by federal marshals for trespassing, and face up to six months in prison for civil disobedience. Speakers included presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, Rabbi Michael Lerner, and the founder of SOA Watch, Father Roy Bourgeois.
A Church of the Brethren gathering Saturday evening was hosted by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office. A group of students from Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., were in attendance along with Brethren from across the country. When asked, "What justice issue is most important to you?" the group gave answers including immigration, climate change, genocide, health care, and war. Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, led the discussion.
The overall feeling of the weekend was one of energy and hope, even with a funeral procession that served as a reminder of the tragedies that have occurred. The SOA Watch vigil was a time to say that human rights violations are not acceptable.
--Rianna Barrett is a legislatives associate at the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Brethren funds give $84,000 in grants for hunger and disaster relief.
Recent grants from the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF), two funds of the Church of the Brethren General Board, total $84,000 given to target hunger and disaster relief.
Recent grants from the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF), two funds of the Church of the Brethren General Board, total $84,000 given to target hunger and disaster relief.
- $30,000 from the GFCF has been given to the Christian Commission for Development in Honduras, to work with eight villages to develop food security, commercialization, and an alternative financial system for the area’s poor.
- $15,000 from the GFCF has gone to Church World Service (CWS) following serious food shortages in Zimbabwe.
- $10,000 from the EDF covers outstanding expenses for the Brethren Disaster Ministries’ Hurricane Katrina Project Rebuilding Site 1 in Lucedale, Miss., which is now closed. Previous allocations to this project since 2006 have totaled $105,000.
- $8,000 from the EDF is given to CWS for escalating humanitarian crisis in Myanmar (Burma).
- $7,000 from the EDF is going to the Comision de Trabajo Ecumenico Dominicano following Tropical Storm Noel, which caused extensive flooding in the DR.
- $5,000 from the EDF responds to an Action by Churches Together appeal following an earthquake in Peru.
- $4,000 from the EDF supports work by CWS in Somalia with some 400,000 displaced people.
- $3,000 from the EDF is given to CWS after flooding in Nicaragua.
- $2,000 from the EDF goes to a CWS appeal for flooding in the Pacific Northwest.
Brethren bits: Personnel, job openings, and much more.
- Jerry Duble is retiring from his position with the Church of the Brethren General Board on Dec. 31. He has been serving as housekeeping supervisor for the New Windsor Conference Center located at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. He began his career with the General Board at the Brethren Service Center in 1994, working for SERRV International. Duble has been a key staff member at the New Windsor Conference Center since 1999. He is a member of Edgewood Church of the Brethren in New Windsor.
- Lois Duble is retiring for a second time from programs of the Church of the Brethren General Board at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. In retirement following several fulltime positions at the center, she has been working part-time as needed for Children’s Disaster Services and Brethren Disaster Ministries. She has had a total 18 years with the center.
- LethaJoy Martin started on Dec. 17 as a program assistant in the Children’s Disaster Services ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board, at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. She is returning to the workforce after a break from Maryland Public Television, where she was involved with the production of shows such as "Wall Street Week" and "Great Performances." She also has worked as missions coordinator for Mays Chapel United Methodist Church in Timonium, Md., and secretary for Good Bears of the World. She holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast and business administration from Anderson (Ind.) University.
- Tammy Chudy will move from temporary employment to permanent employment status with Brethren Benefit Trust on Jan. 1, 2008. Her title will be Insurance Plans member services representative.
- Pacific Southwest District has named Richard Hart as interim district executive minister as of Jan. 1, 2008. He previously served the district in the same position almost five years ago.
- Pacific Southwest District seeks a fulltime district executive minister. Responsibilities are to serve as executive of the district, strengthening a diverse, collaborative team environment; collaborate with the district board in shaping vision; articulate and promote the vision of the district; strengthen relationships with pastors and congregations; facilitate pastoral placement; administer the work of the district board. Qualifications include passion about the potential of the Church of the Brethren and openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit; pastoral and prophetic gifts; deep faith and prayer life; spiritual maturity and Christian integrity; being a student of the scriptures with a good grasp of theology and Brethren history; staff and team management skills; flexibility working with staff, volunteer, pastoral, and lay leadership; experience with growth and change; communication skills with ability to build relationships across cultural, theological, and geographic boundaries; abilidad para escuchar y crear puentes en medio de la diversidad cultural, teologica y geografica. A masters degree is preferred, English and Spanish bilingual skills are advantageous. Send a letter of interest and resume via e-mail to DistrictMinistries_gb@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three or four people to provide a letter of reference. Application deadline is Feb. 15, 2008.
- The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a director for Conference Center and Marketing at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., to begin in early 2008. This new position will direct all aspects of the New Windsor Conference Center (dining services, conference coordination, and housekeeping) as well as lead development, implementation, and evaluation of a strategic marketing plan. The director will be responsible for increasing the total number of bookings and revenue of the conference center, must be strongly versed in quality customer service, and bears ultimate responsibility for insuring that the needs of each guest or volunteer are met. Qualifications include ability to relate with integrity and respect within and beyond the Brethren Service Center, at least two years of experience developing and implementing a successful marketing plan, at least two years of hotel or conference center management experience, strong general management skills, knowledge and experience in budget development. Non-profit and volunteer coordination experience are preferred. A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in management or marketing. EOE/ADA. Send a resume with a cover letter no later than Jan. 16, 2008, to Joan McGrath, Human Resources Coordinator, Brethren Service Center, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776; or by e-mail to jmcgrath_gb@brethren.org.
- Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) seeks a manager of publications to fill a fulltime one-year interim salaried position in Elgin, Ill., available immediately. Responsibilities include oversight of BBT’s publications; serving as a senior writer; reporting on news and information related to BBT’s ministry areas; supporting BBT’s wellness component and socially responsible investing; managing the publication schedule, content for publications and website, and creating writing and photo assignments; working with a production coordinator and contracted designers; assisting marketing and promotional efforts; and travel to denominational events as assigned. Qualifications include at least an undergraduate degree, preferably in Communications, English, Marketing, Business, or a related field, with experience or expertise in writing, copyediting, or project management. Knowledge of business is helpful. Active membership in the Church of the Brethren is preferred. Salary is competitive with Church Benefits Association agencies of comparable size and scope of services. A full benefits package is included. Send a letter of interest and resume with salary range expectation to Nevin Dulabaum, 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; or e-mail to ndulabaum_bbt@brethren.org. For questions or clarification about the position, please call Dulabaum at 847-778-8274.
- National Young Adult Conference worship coordinators Jim Chinworth and Becky Ullom have begun planning for the upcoming conference on the theme "Come to the Mountain, Guidance for the Journey," based on Isaiah 2:3. The conference takes place Aug. 11-15, 2008, in Estes Park, Colo. Speakers will include Michaela Camps from Atlantic Southeast District, Thomas Dowdy from Pacific Southwest District, Matt Guynn from the staff of On Earth Peace, and Laura Stone from South/Central Indiana District. Guest worship coordinators are David Sollenberger and Walt Wiltschek. Online registration begins on Jan. 7, 2008 at 12 noon central time. The cost will be reduced to $300 for those registering between Jan. 7 and Feb. 14. Go to www.nyac08.org.
- Black River Church of the Brethren in Spencer, Ohio, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new church building on Nov. 18. It will be a year ago on Christmas Eve that the Black River church building was destroyed by fire.
- The Lititz (Pa.) Area Meals on Wheels has been preparing meals from the church kitchen at Lititz Church of the Brethren since 1973. In November, the 1 millionth meal was served. On Sunday, Nov. 25, the church and Lititz Area Meals on Wheels volunteers were honored as a representative from the Lancaster County Office of the Aging shared comments, and Lititz mayor Russell Pettyjohn read a proclamation recognizing the community ministry.
- A nationally televised "Farm News Show" from WGN has been taped in part on the campus of Pinecrest Community, a Church of the Brethren retirement center in Mount Morris, Ill. Other area locations will be featured as well, such as White Pines State Park near Mount Morris. The show is scheduled for Dec. 22-24 on satellite and dish networks. It is to air at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 22, at 7 a.m. on Dec. 23, and 5 p.m. on Dec. 24.
- Five Learning Tours are being offered in 2008 by the New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit. The trips welcome all ages to learn about troubled areas of the world and build relationships with neighbors and God's creation. Learning Tours will go to Nepal on Jan. 5-15, studying areas of poverty and women's empowerment; to the Ecuadorian Amazon on May 18-29 to explore the rainforest and learn about threats to it; to Guatemala on June 15-25 to visit with indigenous communities, see reforestation efforts, and possibly make church-to-church connections; to Honduras on July 19-28, where participants will live and work in a poor community; to Denali National Park, Alaska, on Aug. 7-15, to view wildlife and the effects of global warming; and to Burma on Aug. 18-27, where the group will study poverty, repression, and visit Christian villages. Go to http://newcommunityproject.org/tours.shtml or contact director David Radcliff at 888-800-2985 or ncp@newcommunityproject.org.
- Tom Lehman, a librarian at Notre Dame University and a member of the Mennonite Church, is seeking slides of Brethren and Mennonite mission work in Puerto Rico in the 1940s and ’50s for an online collection. He is hoping that those with Puerto Rico slides will make them available for scanning. For details contact Tom Lehman, 17701 Tanager Lane, South Bend, IN 46635; 574-272-3817; telehman@gmail.com. View the online collection at www.flickr.com/photos/tlehman/collections/72157600017663873.
Yoder to direct Insurance Services for Brethren Benefit Trust.
Randy Yoder begins Jan. 1, 2008, as director of Insurance Services for the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT). He will work part-time out of his home in Huntingdon, Pa., with periods in the Elgin (Ill.) offices of BBT twice a month.
Since April 2006, Yoder has served as interim director of the Brethren Insurance Plans for BBT. He previously was a BBT field staff representative with most of his work focused on the Brethren Medical Plan and the Brethren Foundation. In 2005, he helped establish the Brethren Medical Plan District Advocate Network and facilitated many insurance-related meetings throughout the denomination. He also has represented the Brethren Medical Plan at Annual Conference and helped present related insight sessions. Prior to joining BBT, he served for 20 years as district executive minister for Middle Pennsylvania District.
In the new position, Yoder's main duties will be to provide oversight of BBT's Insurance Services and administer the service grants program related to the Ministers' Group Medical Plan, which was approved at the November meeting of the BBT board. He will continue working with the agency's Wellness Program, and also will have responsibility for exploring and developing new initiatives in insurance and insurance services.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Randy Yoder begins Jan. 1, 2008, as director of Insurance Services for the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT). He will work part-time out of his home in Huntingdon, Pa., with periods in the Elgin (Ill.) offices of BBT twice a month.
Since April 2006, Yoder has served as interim director of the Brethren Insurance Plans for BBT. He previously was a BBT field staff representative with most of his work focused on the Brethren Medical Plan and the Brethren Foundation. In 2005, he helped establish the Brethren Medical Plan District Advocate Network and facilitated many insurance-related meetings throughout the denomination. He also has represented the Brethren Medical Plan at Annual Conference and helped present related insight sessions. Prior to joining BBT, he served for 20 years as district executive minister for Middle Pennsylvania District.
In the new position, Yoder's main duties will be to provide oversight of BBT's Insurance Services and administer the service grants program related to the Ministers' Group Medical Plan, which was approved at the November meeting of the BBT board. He will continue working with the agency's Wellness Program, and also will have responsibility for exploring and developing new initiatives in insurance and insurance services.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Wittmeyer to be interim director of Pension Plans for BBT.
Jay Wittmeyer has accepted the position of interim director of Pension Plans and Employee Financial Services for the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), as of Jan. 1, 2008. In his new position, he will serve on the Management Team of BBT.
Wittmeyer began working for BBT on Oct. 30, 2006, as manager of publications. In this role, he developed knowledge of the BBT Pension Plans through attending Investment Committee meetings of the board, and writing pension-related newsletters and other pension communications. He also has a strong interest in finance and investments.
He holds master's degrees in English and in conflict transformation with a focus on organizational development, and also has led workshops and has extensive experience in public speaking. Previously he served as assistant director of Lombard (Ill.) Mennonite Peace Center, and from 1996-99 worked for Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh as a community development officer, and from 2000-04 he served the MCC in Nepal as project director of a community health project, and as organization development facilitator at a hospital.
He currently is in the Training in Ministry program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and has been licensed to the ministry by Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Jay Wittmeyer has accepted the position of interim director of Pension Plans and Employee Financial Services for the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), as of Jan. 1, 2008. In his new position, he will serve on the Management Team of BBT.
Wittmeyer began working for BBT on Oct. 30, 2006, as manager of publications. In this role, he developed knowledge of the BBT Pension Plans through attending Investment Committee meetings of the board, and writing pension-related newsletters and other pension communications. He also has a strong interest in finance and investments.
He holds master's degrees in English and in conflict transformation with a focus on organizational development, and also has led workshops and has extensive experience in public speaking. Previously he served as assistant director of Lombard (Ill.) Mennonite Peace Center, and from 1996-99 worked for Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh as a community development officer, and from 2000-04 he served the MCC in Nepal as project director of a community health project, and as organization development facilitator at a hospital.
He currently is in the Training in Ministry program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and has been licensed to the ministry by Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Partnerships in the Gospel in Northern Ohio District.
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things: of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--of cabbages and kings." So says the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" from Lewis Carroll’s "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There."
This past year, leaders in Northern Ohio District decided that the time has come to talk of re-evaluating the way we do some of our work, in order to better serve the congregations and enhance our ministry partnerships. We recognize God is blessing us, and that things are going well, but we could do better.
They identified four directions for change: District Board configuration, method of calling district leaders, district budget construction process, and core services/resources the district provides. They also decided that the time has come to critically evaluate Camp Inspiration Hills’ funding and operations. In addition they decided to raise awareness of the many services and resources the district provides and invite each congregation’s participation and support.
To help raise awareness the District Board asked Church of the Brethren videographer David Sollenberger to prepare a video about the district. That video project, "Partnerships in the Gospel," premiered at the July 2007 District Conference. Copies of the DVD were included in each congregation’s District Conference Self-Allocation Packet. Additional copies of the DVD are available from the District Office, and the video can be viewed by visiting www.lahmansollenbergervideo.com, click on the "gallery" link, then "videos," and then "Partners in the Gospel."
In the opening moments of the video, narrator Sollenberger states that "Brethren have learned that as congregations, you can’t go it alone. You need the help of the Holy Spirit and your brothers and sisters in Christ, believers who share a similar faith understanding. The Apostle Paul commended the Philippians for their partnership in the Gospel (Philippians 1:4-5), and in the Northern Ohio District, partnerships are everywhere." He then goes on to describe the district partnerships that support pastors and congregations.
The time has come to for us talk as individuals and congregations about the effectiveness of our ministry partnerships. "The Northern Ohio District is a great place to do ministry," the video concludes, "Why not join them in the good work the Lord is doing among them and through them?" Sollenberger is right: we really can’t go it alone. How are we doing in our ministry partnerships? The time has come for us to find out.
--John Ballinger is district executive minister for Northern Ohio District. His article originally was published in the district newsletter.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things: of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--of cabbages and kings." So says the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" from Lewis Carroll’s "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There."
This past year, leaders in Northern Ohio District decided that the time has come to talk of re-evaluating the way we do some of our work, in order to better serve the congregations and enhance our ministry partnerships. We recognize God is blessing us, and that things are going well, but we could do better.
They identified four directions for change: District Board configuration, method of calling district leaders, district budget construction process, and core services/resources the district provides. They also decided that the time has come to critically evaluate Camp Inspiration Hills’ funding and operations. In addition they decided to raise awareness of the many services and resources the district provides and invite each congregation’s participation and support.
To help raise awareness the District Board asked Church of the Brethren videographer David Sollenberger to prepare a video about the district. That video project, "Partnerships in the Gospel," premiered at the July 2007 District Conference. Copies of the DVD were included in each congregation’s District Conference Self-Allocation Packet. Additional copies of the DVD are available from the District Office, and the video can be viewed by visiting www.lahmansollenbergervideo.com, click on the "gallery" link, then "videos," and then "Partners in the Gospel."
In the opening moments of the video, narrator Sollenberger states that "Brethren have learned that as congregations, you can’t go it alone. You need the help of the Holy Spirit and your brothers and sisters in Christ, believers who share a similar faith understanding. The Apostle Paul commended the Philippians for their partnership in the Gospel (Philippians 1:4-5), and in the Northern Ohio District, partnerships are everywhere." He then goes on to describe the district partnerships that support pastors and congregations.
The time has come to for us talk as individuals and congregations about the effectiveness of our ministry partnerships. "The Northern Ohio District is a great place to do ministry," the video concludes, "Why not join them in the good work the Lord is doing among them and through them?" Sollenberger is right: we really can’t go it alone. How are we doing in our ministry partnerships? The time has come for us to find out.
--John Ballinger is district executive minister for Northern Ohio District. His article originally was published in the district newsletter.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Sharing memories of lost missionaries.
Seventy years ago and half a world away, a young woman, her new husband, and a friend from California--all three Church of the Brethren missionaries--disappeared without a trace in rural China.
On Sunday, Dec. 2, the congregation of Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship in Hagerstown, Md., and a few family members swept away the miles and the years as they shared memories of the three missionaries and their ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs.
Mary Hykes Harsh, Alva Harsh, and Minneva Neher set off for China on Sept. 2, 1935, according to Broadfording pastor Len Smith. They disappeared two years later on Dec. 2, 1937. "The family, the mission board, and the US State Department tried to solve the mystery (of their disappearance) but there were no answers," Smith said.
Some information later emerged from a Chinese citizen who claimed to have witnessed their deaths at the hands of the Japanese, Smith said. In 1937, China was in the throes of a Japanese invasion as well as internal unrest. Missionaries were often in jeopardy because of their efforts to aid Chinese women and girls who sometimes were brutalized by the invaders.
A book written in 1947 about the event contains pictures of the missionaries' compound in Show Yang, some Chinese friends, and a snapshot of the Harshes and Neher, which reportedly was taken just a few days before they disappeared.
"I remember my mom telling me that Aunt Mary had written there was danger but that she was going to stay because of God," said pastor John Mowen, a nephew of Mary Hykes Harsh. Mowen was born in 1937, two years after Ruth Hykes Mowen's sister left for China. Mowen said he remembers his grandfather, Charles Samuel Hykes, telling him that when Mary Hykes was wed to Alva Harsh, "Pappy" made Harsh promise that he would never take Mary out of the country.
But Mary and her husband were determined to serve their calling, even in those troubled times, Mowen said. The two met when they were earning degrees at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, Mowen said.
"Mission work began in China in 1908 and about 100 missionaries were sent," Smith said. All were evacuated by December 1940 and were not able to return until 1946.
Mowen said his Aunt Mary was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She was also the only member of the Broadfording congregation to ever go on a fulltime, longterm mission.
Arvin Harsh, a brother of Alva, is still living but was unable to travel to Broadfording from his home in West Virginia for the service. The service included carefully selected hymns such as "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," and "So I Send You." Smith read a poem that Mary Hykes Harsh had written.
The service was inspiring and sparked a lot of conversations about the ultimate sacrifice made so many years ago, Mowen said. "I was in awe that, 70 years later, people still remember and care," Mowen said. "The church and her family have kept this alive."
Mowen's sister, Beverly Mowen Hann, gathered much of the information for the observance from her home in Florida. And then there was some unexpected help. Patricia Robinson might not be a member of the Hykes family, but the 16-year-old homeschooled student became intrigued by the trio's sacrifice when she saw the plaque that had been erected 10 years ago. "I mentioned it to Mom and then I began doing some research on the computer," Patricia said. "I also learned that Ruth Mowen (Mary Hykes Harsh's sister) was friends with my great-grandmother."
The plaque that inspired Patricia in her research project reads, "The church provides this memorial that the full measure of their devotion to Christ may not be forgotten."
--Marlo Barnhart is the community reporter for the "Herald-Mail News" of Hagerstown, Md. This article is reprinted with permission.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
Seventy years ago and half a world away, a young woman, her new husband, and a friend from California--all three Church of the Brethren missionaries--disappeared without a trace in rural China.
On Sunday, Dec. 2, the congregation of Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship in Hagerstown, Md., and a few family members swept away the miles and the years as they shared memories of the three missionaries and their ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs.
Mary Hykes Harsh, Alva Harsh, and Minneva Neher set off for China on Sept. 2, 1935, according to Broadfording pastor Len Smith. They disappeared two years later on Dec. 2, 1937. "The family, the mission board, and the US State Department tried to solve the mystery (of their disappearance) but there were no answers," Smith said.
Some information later emerged from a Chinese citizen who claimed to have witnessed their deaths at the hands of the Japanese, Smith said. In 1937, China was in the throes of a Japanese invasion as well as internal unrest. Missionaries were often in jeopardy because of their efforts to aid Chinese women and girls who sometimes were brutalized by the invaders.
A book written in 1947 about the event contains pictures of the missionaries' compound in Show Yang, some Chinese friends, and a snapshot of the Harshes and Neher, which reportedly was taken just a few days before they disappeared.
"I remember my mom telling me that Aunt Mary had written there was danger but that she was going to stay because of God," said pastor John Mowen, a nephew of Mary Hykes Harsh. Mowen was born in 1937, two years after Ruth Hykes Mowen's sister left for China. Mowen said he remembers his grandfather, Charles Samuel Hykes, telling him that when Mary Hykes was wed to Alva Harsh, "Pappy" made Harsh promise that he would never take Mary out of the country.
But Mary and her husband were determined to serve their calling, even in those troubled times, Mowen said. The two met when they were earning degrees at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, Mowen said.
"Mission work began in China in 1908 and about 100 missionaries were sent," Smith said. All were evacuated by December 1940 and were not able to return until 1946.
Mowen said his Aunt Mary was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She was also the only member of the Broadfording congregation to ever go on a fulltime, longterm mission.
Arvin Harsh, a brother of Alva, is still living but was unable to travel to Broadfording from his home in West Virginia for the service. The service included carefully selected hymns such as "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," and "So I Send You." Smith read a poem that Mary Hykes Harsh had written.
The service was inspiring and sparked a lot of conversations about the ultimate sacrifice made so many years ago, Mowen said. "I was in awe that, 70 years later, people still remember and care," Mowen said. "The church and her family have kept this alive."
Mowen's sister, Beverly Mowen Hann, gathered much of the information for the observance from her home in Florida. And then there was some unexpected help. Patricia Robinson might not be a member of the Hykes family, but the 16-year-old homeschooled student became intrigued by the trio's sacrifice when she saw the plaque that had been erected 10 years ago. "I mentioned it to Mom and then I began doing some research on the computer," Patricia said. "I also learned that Ruth Mowen (Mary Hykes Harsh's sister) was friends with my great-grandmother."
The plaque that inspired Patricia in her research project reads, "The church provides this memorial that the full measure of their devotion to Christ may not be forgotten."
--Marlo Barnhart is the community reporter for the "Herald-Mail News" of Hagerstown, Md. This article is reprinted with permission.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline
New from Brethren Press: Devotionals, study of Hebrews, Talkabout decoder wheel.
New resources from Brethren Press include a Lent and Easter devotional booklet, a Covenant Bible study on Hebrews, and a Talkabout decoder wheel from the Gather ’Round curriculum, among others.
"He Set His Face," the devotional booklet for Lent and Easter 2008 by James L. Benedict, pastor of Union Bridge (Md.) Church of the Brethren, is available from Brethren Press for $2.25 each, plus shipping and handling; call 800-441-3712. Through reflection and prayer, two pillars of the Lenten observance, the daily devotions from Ash Wednesday through Easter encourage renewal of our understanding of discipleship and deepening commitment to being followers of Jesus. Each day’s devotion includes a scripture, meditation, and prayer.
More than 14,000 copies of the 300th Anniversary devotional "Fresh from the Word" have already sold in anticipation of the 300th anniversary year, which begins Jan. 1, 2008. This historic collection draws from each of the six Brethren bodies and is perpetually dated so it can be enjoyed for years to come. Readers will join together with thousands of Brethren in daily meditation, lifting up God's word fresh for each day of the 300th anniversary year. Copies are still available from Brethren Press for $20 plus shipping and handling, and orders of 10 or more may be made for $15 each copy plus shipping and handling.
"Hebrews: Beyond Christianity 101" is the new Covenant Bible Study from Brethren Press, written by Edward L. Poling, pastor of Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren. It is available for $6.95 plus shipping and handling. Covenant Bible Studies are relational Bible studies for small groups. Each book contains 10 sessions that promote group interaction and encourage open discussion about practical aspects of the Christian faith. This study takes a look at the book of Hebrews, written to believers who were ready to walk away from their communities of faith. The study aims to help readers revitalize their faith and move beyond elementary beliefs into deeper waters, providing a model of Christian discipleship full of meaning and hope.
The Spring 2008 Talkabout from the Gather 'Round curriculum is a "Decoder Wheel" (available for $5.95 each plus shipping and handling). Gather ’Round is published jointly by Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing House. The Talkabout is a Sunday school take-home piece to help connect the themes of Christian education with family life at home. Using the "Talkabout Decoder Wheel," family members will take turns answering questions about the weekly Bible stories they learn in Sunday school by unscrambling words and decoding hints. Discussion starters, prayers, and activity suggestions will bring the Bible home.
"Living the Good News Together" is the theme for the Spring 2008 quarter of Gather 'Round, taken from the Easter text of Jesus' resurrection that also includes the great commission, a call to the disciples to "go and teach." Many Gather 'Round teachers experience God's call to mission as they share the stories of Jesus and the early church with children, junior high, youth, and parents/caregivers classes. A variety of curriculum materials are available; view Gather 'Round materials online at www.gatherround.org.
To order Gather ’Round curriculum or any other Brethren Press resource, call 800-441-3712.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline Extra
New resources from Brethren Press include a Lent and Easter devotional booklet, a Covenant Bible study on Hebrews, and a Talkabout decoder wheel from the Gather ’Round curriculum, among others.
"He Set His Face," the devotional booklet for Lent and Easter 2008 by James L. Benedict, pastor of Union Bridge (Md.) Church of the Brethren, is available from Brethren Press for $2.25 each, plus shipping and handling; call 800-441-3712. Through reflection and prayer, two pillars of the Lenten observance, the daily devotions from Ash Wednesday through Easter encourage renewal of our understanding of discipleship and deepening commitment to being followers of Jesus. Each day’s devotion includes a scripture, meditation, and prayer.
More than 14,000 copies of the 300th Anniversary devotional "Fresh from the Word" have already sold in anticipation of the 300th anniversary year, which begins Jan. 1, 2008. This historic collection draws from each of the six Brethren bodies and is perpetually dated so it can be enjoyed for years to come. Readers will join together with thousands of Brethren in daily meditation, lifting up God's word fresh for each day of the 300th anniversary year. Copies are still available from Brethren Press for $20 plus shipping and handling, and orders of 10 or more may be made for $15 each copy plus shipping and handling.
"Hebrews: Beyond Christianity 101" is the new Covenant Bible Study from Brethren Press, written by Edward L. Poling, pastor of Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren. It is available for $6.95 plus shipping and handling. Covenant Bible Studies are relational Bible studies for small groups. Each book contains 10 sessions that promote group interaction and encourage open discussion about practical aspects of the Christian faith. This study takes a look at the book of Hebrews, written to believers who were ready to walk away from their communities of faith. The study aims to help readers revitalize their faith and move beyond elementary beliefs into deeper waters, providing a model of Christian discipleship full of meaning and hope.
The Spring 2008 Talkabout from the Gather 'Round curriculum is a "Decoder Wheel" (available for $5.95 each plus shipping and handling). Gather ’Round is published jointly by Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing House. The Talkabout is a Sunday school take-home piece to help connect the themes of Christian education with family life at home. Using the "Talkabout Decoder Wheel," family members will take turns answering questions about the weekly Bible stories they learn in Sunday school by unscrambling words and decoding hints. Discussion starters, prayers, and activity suggestions will bring the Bible home.
"Living the Good News Together" is the theme for the Spring 2008 quarter of Gather 'Round, taken from the Easter text of Jesus' resurrection that also includes the great commission, a call to the disciples to "go and teach." Many Gather 'Round teachers experience God's call to mission as they share the stories of Jesus and the early church with children, junior high, youth, and parents/caregivers classes. A variety of curriculum materials are available; view Gather 'Round materials online at www.gatherround.org.
To order Gather ’Round curriculum or any other Brethren Press resource, call 800-441-3712.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline Extra
Brethren Press offers special bulletin cover for 300th Anniversary, Mennonites to join bulletin series in 2009.
A special 300th Anniversary commerative bulletin cover, featured in the Living Word Bulletin series, is being offered to congregations. This special bulletin cover may be particularly appropriate for use on Aug. 3, 2008, which has been designated as the 300th Anniversary Celebration Sunday for the Church of the Brethren.
"We have contracted with Anchor Wallace publishers to have a limited number of these covers printed," said Jeff Lennard, director of marketing and sales for Brethren Press. "Churches who participate in the Living Word Bulletin series will receive these covers as part of the program. Churches not enrolled in the program will have their orders filled on a first come, first served basis."
The commemorative bulletins will be ready for shipment by June. Interested churches can place their orders by calling Brethren Press customer service at 800-441-3712.
In other news, the Mennonite Publishing Network will be joining Brethren Press in the Living Word Bulletin Series. The new partnership will begin with the 2009 series of bulletins. The two publishing houses already work together on the Gather ’Round curriculum.
Mennonite Publishing Network staff in November took part in a photo selection meeting for the 2009 bulletin covers at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The bulletin covers are offered for weekly worship services, and feature a cover theme based on the scripture text, which is printed on the back of the bulletin along with a short meditation or worship resource. Beginning in 2009, Mennonite customers will be using the same bulletin cover images and scriptures on the same Sundays as Church of the Brethren congregations across the country.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline Extra
A special 300th Anniversary commerative bulletin cover, featured in the Living Word Bulletin series, is being offered to congregations. This special bulletin cover may be particularly appropriate for use on Aug. 3, 2008, which has been designated as the 300th Anniversary Celebration Sunday for the Church of the Brethren.
"We have contracted with Anchor Wallace publishers to have a limited number of these covers printed," said Jeff Lennard, director of marketing and sales for Brethren Press. "Churches who participate in the Living Word Bulletin series will receive these covers as part of the program. Churches not enrolled in the program will have their orders filled on a first come, first served basis."
The commemorative bulletins will be ready for shipment by June. Interested churches can place their orders by calling Brethren Press customer service at 800-441-3712.
In other news, the Mennonite Publishing Network will be joining Brethren Press in the Living Word Bulletin Series. The new partnership will begin with the 2009 series of bulletins. The two publishing houses already work together on the Gather ’Round curriculum.
Mennonite Publishing Network staff in November took part in a photo selection meeting for the 2009 bulletin covers at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The bulletin covers are offered for weekly worship services, and feature a cover theme based on the scripture text, which is printed on the back of the bulletin along with a short meditation or worship resource. Beginning in 2009, Mennonite customers will be using the same bulletin cover images and scriptures on the same Sundays as Church of the Brethren congregations across the country.
Source: 12/19/2007 Newsline Extra
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