Ministers' Association to discuss 'Excellence in Ministry.'
The Pre-Conference continuing education event sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Ministers' Association takes place in Cleveland on June 29-30. The keynote presenter is L. Gregory Jones, dean of Duke Divinity School, co-convenor of the "Pulpit and Pew" Excellence in Ministry Colloquim, and co-author with Kevin R. Armstrong of "Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry." The theme is "Excellence in Ministry" (Philippians 2:5).
Opening worship begins at 2 p.m. on June 29. Sessions led by Jones will be offered in the afternoon and evening of June 29 and the morning of June 30. A business meeting is planned for 4:30 p.m. on June 29. A "Picnic in the Park" for pre-registered participants and families takes place at 5-7 p.m, June 29, for an extra fee.
Those pre-registered by June 1 will pay $60, $90 for couples, $20 for seminary or EFMS and TRIM students. Per session registration costs $35 for an individual or couple. Pre-registered participants receive a copy of "Resurrecting Excellence," available for pick up at the event. Participants receive .8 continuing education units. Child care for infants through grade 8 is offered for $5 per child per session, maximum $25 per family. Cost for the meal is $10 for adults and youth ages 13 and up, $5 for children.
Find the registration form in the Annual Conference Information Packet at www.brethren.org/ac or contact Tim Sollenberger Morphew, Bethany Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 52, New Paris, IN 46553-0052.
Source: 4/11/2007 Newsline Extra
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Song and Story Fest focuses on eco-justice.
This summer's Song and Story Fest, an annual intergenerational camp for all ages co-sponsored by On Earth Peace, will be held at Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Burbank, Ohio. The theme for the June 24-30 event is "The Arc of the Universe: Bending Toward Eco-Justice?"
The fest is scheduled as a pre-Annual Conference event, concluding the morning of the day on which Annual Conference starts in Cleveland.
Ken Kline Smeltzer coordinates the fest, which is in its 11th year. The event features Brethren musicians and storytellers. This year's leadership includes a number of Brethren speakers, story tellers, and musicians, along with the groups Shen Fine and Mutual Kumquat. Also on the schedule are intergenerational gatherings, worship, family time, recreation, story swaps, music-making, campfires, concerts, a folk dance, and workshops for adults, children, and youth.
Registration includes meals, and is based on age: adults pay $220; teenagers pay $180; children ages 6-12 pay $150; children five and under are welcome at no charge; maximum fee per family is $660. Daily fees are $40 per person, $100 per family, including meals. Registrations post-marked after June 1 will be charges an additional 10 percent as a late fee.
Register at www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/special/song-story-fest/index.html. Contact Barb Sayler at On Earth Peace for information about financial help, 502-222-5886 or bsayler_oepa@brethren.org.
Source: 4/11/2007 Newsline Extra
This summer's Song and Story Fest, an annual intergenerational camp for all ages co-sponsored by On Earth Peace, will be held at Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Burbank, Ohio. The theme for the June 24-30 event is "The Arc of the Universe: Bending Toward Eco-Justice?"
The fest is scheduled as a pre-Annual Conference event, concluding the morning of the day on which Annual Conference starts in Cleveland.
Ken Kline Smeltzer coordinates the fest, which is in its 11th year. The event features Brethren musicians and storytellers. This year's leadership includes a number of Brethren speakers, story tellers, and musicians, along with the groups Shen Fine and Mutual Kumquat. Also on the schedule are intergenerational gatherings, worship, family time, recreation, story swaps, music-making, campfires, concerts, a folk dance, and workshops for adults, children, and youth.
Registration includes meals, and is based on age: adults pay $220; teenagers pay $180; children ages 6-12 pay $150; children five and under are welcome at no charge; maximum fee per family is $660. Daily fees are $40 per person, $100 per family, including meals. Registrations post-marked after June 1 will be charges an additional 10 percent as a late fee.
Register at www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/special/song-story-fest/index.html. Contact Barb Sayler at On Earth Peace for information about financial help, 502-222-5886 or bsayler_oepa@brethren.org.
Source: 4/11/2007 Newsline Extra
More pre-Conference offerings.
- On Earth Peace is sponsoring a workshop on "Exploring Consensus Decision-Making," on Saturday, June 30, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Presenters are Annie Clark, coordinator of the Ministry of Reconciliation for On Earth Peace, and Carol Mason, coordinator of Congregational Life Teams, Area 3, for the General Board. There is no charge. A continuing education credit of .3 is available. Pre-registration is recommended; send name, contact information, and number of participants to aclark_oepa@brethren.org by June 15.
- The Church of the Brethren Credit Union is holding an Open House and Members' Meeting on June 30, at 2 p.m. All are welcome to come and learn about credit union services. Door prizes will be given, refreshments will be served, and $1 will be donated to Heifer International for every attendee. Contact Dennis Kingery at 888-832-1383 or dkingery_bbt@brethren.org.
Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Mary Dolheimer, Chris Douglas, Susanna Farahat, Jacki Hartley, Mary Kay Heatwole, Hannah Kliewer, Karin Krog, Erin Matteson, Janis Pyle, Marcia Shetler, and Fred Swartz contributed to this report.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Mary Dolheimer, Chris Douglas, Susanna Farahat, Jacki Hartley, Mary Kay Heatwole, Hannah Kliewer, Karin Krog, Erin Matteson, Janis Pyle, Marcia Shetler, and Fred Swartz contributed to this report.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
NEWS
- Christian Peace Witness for Iraq is ‘a candle in the darkness.’
- Vital Pastor program continues to launch and conclude pastor groups.
- Disaster Child Care provides training workshops.
- Brethren Disaster Response appeals for more volunteers.
- Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, job opening, and more.
- Mark Hartwig to direct Information Services for General Board.
- Carol Yeazell serves as interim director of Congregational Life Team.
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq is ‘a candle in the darkness.’
A hand holding a candle in the darkness was the central image for the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, which took place in Washington, D.C., on Friday evening, March 16. Some 3,500 Christians gathered to repent of their complicity with the war and to seek the end of the US occupation of Iraq. On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board were among the organizations sponsoring the witness. On Earth Peace staff Matt Guynn and Susanna Farahat provided logistics for a peacekeeper training before the event.
The witness marked the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. It was attended by Church of the Brethren members from as far away as California and as close as Virginia, with Brethren also traveling from Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York, among others. More than 210 Brethren were identified as participating in the weekend including the Christian Peace Witness on Friday evening, a Brethren breakfast the next morning, and a March on the Pentagon on Saturday afternoon, according to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
The Christian Peace Witness began with an ecumenical worship service at the National Cathedral. Candles shone as they were carried into the cathedral's immense stone hall by representatives of 15 denominations and more than 30 partner organizations, including Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office representing the General Board, and Verdena Lee, a physician representing On Earth Peace.
Testimony and messages from US soldiers, Iraqi citizens, Abu Ghraib detainees, and members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were shared. “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches,” was the refrain repeated again and again.
One of the preachers, Raphael G. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., preached that, “Too often, the wrong question is being asked when people say, 'What can we do to keep from losing this war?' The danger is not that America may lose the war, but that America may lose its soul.” In a month when the administration made a case for a temporary surge in US troops in Iraq, Warnock said, “The surge we need is a surge in truthtelling, a surge in the nonviolent army of the Lord.”
In a four-mile candlelight procession down the hill from the cathedral and surrounding the White House, participants expressed support for soldiers, a desire to end the occupation, and a prayer for the just rebuilding of Iraq. In a nonviolence training before the procession, participants spiritually prepared themselves to surround the White House with the light of Christ, and some prepared to risk arrest by entering restricted space around the White House.
At the White House, 222 people were arrested including at least four members of the Church of the Brethren--Esther Moller Ho, Phil Jones, Phil Rieman, and Illana Naylor. Esther Ho later reflected, “I decided to participate in the civil disobedience so that my trip would have the strongest impact against the war. My primary motivation comes from the example Jesus gave us by being arrested and going to the cross in obedience to God. I felt humbled and honored that my congregation initiated the idea of my going to the witness and paid my way.” She is a member of Fellowship in Christ Church of the Brethren in Fremont, Calif.
At least 60 Brethren and friends joined together for breakfast following the witness, organized by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at Washington City Church of the Brethren. Art Gish, recently returned from working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, was the keynote speaker. He and his wife Peggy Gish have rotated in and out of Iraq and Hebron as members of CPT. Brethren at the breakfast collected more than $480 for the work of CPT and $120 in support of the fines given to the four Brethren who were arrested, according to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
While major events like the Christian Peace Witness can be moments of media focus, spiritual formation for nonviolent followers of Jesus requires longterm organizing and prayer at the congregational level. The trip to Washington was the culmination of such a process for Jan Long, pastor for congregational life at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., who accompanied a delegation of 10 members and friends of her congregation.
In the months leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Beacon Heights formed a group called Persistent in Prayer for Peace.“Initially, we were very focused on sharing our own personal commitments and connecting around praying for the situation in Iraq,” Long reported. “We grew into a group that educates itself on the issues, calling ourselves to be faithful and persistent in being involved--from writing letters to actively participating in public witness, a whole variety of things. The group has become a space where we know that we have support and that there are others who are aware of what we are doing for peace. It has been really helpful to know a group of people that are also called to have this (peace commitment) be an ongoing part of our faith journey.”
The Beacon Heights group studied the work of theologian Walter Wink, participated in local groups with witnesses related to the Iraq war, and participated in other community peace events. “All along, it has been my vision to see this group continue to grow in involvement and activity,” Long said. “To have 10 people commit to go to this national witness felt like clearly another step of being persistent for peace.”
Is witnessing in the streets the only way to work for peace? “No,” said Long, but added, “being in the streets is a way of witnessing with our physical presence, where we find our spirits called and engaged,” she said. “It's a way of joining with others to make a call for the awareness of injustice and alternative possibilities in our world. Peace groups and Christians who take that seriously are a megaphone that help to amplify that message for our world.”
--Matt Guynn is coordinator of peace witness for On Earth Peace.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
A hand holding a candle in the darkness was the central image for the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, which took place in Washington, D.C., on Friday evening, March 16. Some 3,500 Christians gathered to repent of their complicity with the war and to seek the end of the US occupation of Iraq. On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board were among the organizations sponsoring the witness. On Earth Peace staff Matt Guynn and Susanna Farahat provided logistics for a peacekeeper training before the event.
The witness marked the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. It was attended by Church of the Brethren members from as far away as California and as close as Virginia, with Brethren also traveling from Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York, among others. More than 210 Brethren were identified as participating in the weekend including the Christian Peace Witness on Friday evening, a Brethren breakfast the next morning, and a March on the Pentagon on Saturday afternoon, according to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
The Christian Peace Witness began with an ecumenical worship service at the National Cathedral. Candles shone as they were carried into the cathedral's immense stone hall by representatives of 15 denominations and more than 30 partner organizations, including Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office representing the General Board, and Verdena Lee, a physician representing On Earth Peace.
Testimony and messages from US soldiers, Iraqi citizens, Abu Ghraib detainees, and members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were shared. “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches,” was the refrain repeated again and again.
One of the preachers, Raphael G. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., preached that, “Too often, the wrong question is being asked when people say, 'What can we do to keep from losing this war?' The danger is not that America may lose the war, but that America may lose its soul.” In a month when the administration made a case for a temporary surge in US troops in Iraq, Warnock said, “The surge we need is a surge in truthtelling, a surge in the nonviolent army of the Lord.”
In a four-mile candlelight procession down the hill from the cathedral and surrounding the White House, participants expressed support for soldiers, a desire to end the occupation, and a prayer for the just rebuilding of Iraq. In a nonviolence training before the procession, participants spiritually prepared themselves to surround the White House with the light of Christ, and some prepared to risk arrest by entering restricted space around the White House.
At the White House, 222 people were arrested including at least four members of the Church of the Brethren--Esther Moller Ho, Phil Jones, Phil Rieman, and Illana Naylor. Esther Ho later reflected, “I decided to participate in the civil disobedience so that my trip would have the strongest impact against the war. My primary motivation comes from the example Jesus gave us by being arrested and going to the cross in obedience to God. I felt humbled and honored that my congregation initiated the idea of my going to the witness and paid my way.” She is a member of Fellowship in Christ Church of the Brethren in Fremont, Calif.
At least 60 Brethren and friends joined together for breakfast following the witness, organized by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at Washington City Church of the Brethren. Art Gish, recently returned from working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, was the keynote speaker. He and his wife Peggy Gish have rotated in and out of Iraq and Hebron as members of CPT. Brethren at the breakfast collected more than $480 for the work of CPT and $120 in support of the fines given to the four Brethren who were arrested, according to the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
While major events like the Christian Peace Witness can be moments of media focus, spiritual formation for nonviolent followers of Jesus requires longterm organizing and prayer at the congregational level. The trip to Washington was the culmination of such a process for Jan Long, pastor for congregational life at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., who accompanied a delegation of 10 members and friends of her congregation.
In the months leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Beacon Heights formed a group called Persistent in Prayer for Peace.“Initially, we were very focused on sharing our own personal commitments and connecting around praying for the situation in Iraq,” Long reported. “We grew into a group that educates itself on the issues, calling ourselves to be faithful and persistent in being involved--from writing letters to actively participating in public witness, a whole variety of things. The group has become a space where we know that we have support and that there are others who are aware of what we are doing for peace. It has been really helpful to know a group of people that are also called to have this (peace commitment) be an ongoing part of our faith journey.”
The Beacon Heights group studied the work of theologian Walter Wink, participated in local groups with witnesses related to the Iraq war, and participated in other community peace events. “All along, it has been my vision to see this group continue to grow in involvement and activity,” Long said. “To have 10 people commit to go to this national witness felt like clearly another step of being persistent for peace.”
Is witnessing in the streets the only way to work for peace? “No,” said Long, but added, “being in the streets is a way of witnessing with our physical presence, where we find our spirits called and engaged,” she said. “It's a way of joining with others to make a call for the awareness of injustice and alternative possibilities in our world. Peace groups and Christians who take that seriously are a megaphone that help to amplify that message for our world.”
--Matt Guynn is coordinator of peace witness for On Earth Peace.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Vital Pastor program continues to launch and conclude pastor groups.
In late 2006 and early 2007, six pastoral cohort groups in the Church of the Brethren were awarded Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) grants that launched a two-year, self-chosen study focus for each group. SPE is administered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a joint ministry of Bethany Theological Seminary and the Church of the Brethren General Board, and is funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Following are the groups of pastors, their congregations, and their questions for study:
Dennis Beckner, Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Linda Lewis, Mansfield (Ohio) Church of the Brethren; Cara McCallister, Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Carol Pfeiffer, North Liberty (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Keith Simmons, Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Mark Stahl, Kokomo (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “How shall the Brethren be grown--what are the pastoral leadership characteristics and skills needed to help congregations grow?”
David Banaszak, Martinsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Dale Dowdy, Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa.; Marlys Hershberger, Hollidaysburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Connie Maclay, Beech Run Church of the Brethren in Mapleton Depot, Pa.; Ken Kline Smeltzer, Burnham (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Dottie Steele, Bedford (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “In light of a dominant North American culture that breeds alienation, what can we learn from our spiritual ancestors (Anabaptists, Pietists, and other Christian traditions) to strengthen our personal and community practices in order to become a more whole and faithful people?”
Ryan Braught, Hempfield Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa.; Dennis Garrison, Spring Creek Church of the Brethren in Hershey, Pa.; Steve Hess, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; John Hostetter, Lampeter (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Bob Kettering, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Phil Reynolds, Mohler Church of the Brethren in Ephrata, Pa. Question: “What leadership skills are needed to pastor disciple-forming communities in a postmodern world?”
Joel Kline, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.; Kreston Lipscomb, Springfield (Ill.) Church of the Brethren; Orlando Redekopp, First Church of the Brethren in Chicago; Christy Waltersdorff, York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill.; Dennis Webb, Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “How can we share the Gospel in ways that will move ourselves (and our congregations) more intentionally toward joyous worship, active peacemaking, passionate faith, and spiritual maturity?”
Paula Bowser, Trotwood (Ohio) Church of the Brethren; Tracy Knechel, Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio; Nancy Fitzgerald, Nokesville (Va.) Church of the Brethren; Kim McDowell, University Park Church of the Brethren in Hyattsville, Md.; Darlene Meyers, Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Silver Spring, Md. Question: “How do image, story, and place create openings for spiritual transformation in us?”
Dennis Lohr, Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Twyla Rowe, Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren; Dick Shreckhise, Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Jim Zerfing, Lake View Christian Fellowship Church of the Brethren in East Berlin, Pa. Question: “What are the insights and skills needed for effective pastoral leadership to minister amid the intersections of our Anabaptist/Pietist identity and the emerging postmodern church/culture?”
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
In late 2006 and early 2007, six pastoral cohort groups in the Church of the Brethren were awarded Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) grants that launched a two-year, self-chosen study focus for each group. SPE is administered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a joint ministry of Bethany Theological Seminary and the Church of the Brethren General Board, and is funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Following are the groups of pastors, their congregations, and their questions for study:
Dennis Beckner, Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Linda Lewis, Mansfield (Ohio) Church of the Brethren; Cara McCallister, Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Carol Pfeiffer, North Liberty (Ind.) Church of the Brethren; Keith Simmons, Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Mark Stahl, Kokomo (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “How shall the Brethren be grown--what are the pastoral leadership characteristics and skills needed to help congregations grow?”
David Banaszak, Martinsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Dale Dowdy, Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa.; Marlys Hershberger, Hollidaysburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Connie Maclay, Beech Run Church of the Brethren in Mapleton Depot, Pa.; Ken Kline Smeltzer, Burnham (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Dottie Steele, Bedford (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “In light of a dominant North American culture that breeds alienation, what can we learn from our spiritual ancestors (Anabaptists, Pietists, and other Christian traditions) to strengthen our personal and community practices in order to become a more whole and faithful people?”
Ryan Braught, Hempfield Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa.; Dennis Garrison, Spring Creek Church of the Brethren in Hershey, Pa.; Steve Hess, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; John Hostetter, Lampeter (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Bob Kettering, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Phil Reynolds, Mohler Church of the Brethren in Ephrata, Pa. Question: “What leadership skills are needed to pastor disciple-forming communities in a postmodern world?”
Joel Kline, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.; Kreston Lipscomb, Springfield (Ill.) Church of the Brethren; Orlando Redekopp, First Church of the Brethren in Chicago; Christy Waltersdorff, York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill.; Dennis Webb, Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren. Question: “How can we share the Gospel in ways that will move ourselves (and our congregations) more intentionally toward joyous worship, active peacemaking, passionate faith, and spiritual maturity?”
Paula Bowser, Trotwood (Ohio) Church of the Brethren; Tracy Knechel, Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio; Nancy Fitzgerald, Nokesville (Va.) Church of the Brethren; Kim McDowell, University Park Church of the Brethren in Hyattsville, Md.; Darlene Meyers, Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Silver Spring, Md. Question: “How do image, story, and place create openings for spiritual transformation in us?”
Dennis Lohr, Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Twyla Rowe, Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren; Dick Shreckhise, Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Jim Zerfing, Lake View Christian Fellowship Church of the Brethren in East Berlin, Pa. Question: “What are the insights and skills needed for effective pastoral leadership to minister amid the intersections of our Anabaptist/Pietist identity and the emerging postmodern church/culture?”
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Disaster Child Care provides training workshops.
This year, Disaster Child Care has been offering a series of Level I Training Workshops for child care volunteers, and has named a new training coordinator. The program is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Robert (Bob) Roach of Phenix, Va., will work on a volunteer basis with Disaster Child Care coordinator Helen Stonesifer to coordinate the Level I Training Workshops. He will work with sponsoring organizations to establish dates and locations, and to assign trainers. Congregations interested in sponsoring a training may contact him at 434-542-5565 or phenixva@hotmail.com. “Our goal continues to be to schedule training events in the Gulf Coast states, as well as in other states where there are very few trained volunteers or none at all,” Stonesifer said.
Level I Training Workshops have been held in Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 16-17, with 19 participants; in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 23-24, with 18 in attendance; at Dallas Center (Iowa) Church of the Brethren on March 9-10 with 19 participants; at Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., on March 16-17 with 11 people registered; and at the Martin Luther King Center in Natchitoches, La., on March 23-24.
An upcoming training on April 20-21 will be at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in Littleton, Colo.; contact Judy Gump at 970-352-9091 or Maxine Meunier at 303-973-4727.
Several experienced child care volunteers are receiving American Red Cross (ARC) Critical Response Team Training this week. Eight volunteers are attending the training in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 25-30, including a special Disaster Child Care orientation on March 26. The training will help volunteers understand the roles and responsibilities of a Critical Response Team member and how Disaster Child Care fits into the structure of the ARC Critical Response Team.
In other work, Disaster Child Care has represented the Church of the Brethren in conversations with the American Red Cross and Save the Children, in the process of establishing a “Statement of Understanding” to ensure the wellbeing of children in emergency evacuation shelters for people who have been affected by conflict and disasters. “One of the ways to achieve this is to set up safe play spaces--designed for children ages 4 to 10 to play and participate in recreational activities with other children for several hours each day,” Stonesifer said. “Working together, these agencies plan to provide a ‘Safe Space Kit’ and to secure and train volunteers to work in the areas,” she said.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
This year, Disaster Child Care has been offering a series of Level I Training Workshops for child care volunteers, and has named a new training coordinator. The program is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Robert (Bob) Roach of Phenix, Va., will work on a volunteer basis with Disaster Child Care coordinator Helen Stonesifer to coordinate the Level I Training Workshops. He will work with sponsoring organizations to establish dates and locations, and to assign trainers. Congregations interested in sponsoring a training may contact him at 434-542-5565 or phenixva@hotmail.com. “Our goal continues to be to schedule training events in the Gulf Coast states, as well as in other states where there are very few trained volunteers or none at all,” Stonesifer said.
Level I Training Workshops have been held in Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 16-17, with 19 participants; in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 23-24, with 18 in attendance; at Dallas Center (Iowa) Church of the Brethren on March 9-10 with 19 participants; at Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., on March 16-17 with 11 people registered; and at the Martin Luther King Center in Natchitoches, La., on March 23-24.
An upcoming training on April 20-21 will be at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in Littleton, Colo.; contact Judy Gump at 970-352-9091 or Maxine Meunier at 303-973-4727.
Several experienced child care volunteers are receiving American Red Cross (ARC) Critical Response Team Training this week. Eight volunteers are attending the training in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 25-30, including a special Disaster Child Care orientation on March 26. The training will help volunteers understand the roles and responsibilities of a Critical Response Team member and how Disaster Child Care fits into the structure of the ARC Critical Response Team.
In other work, Disaster Child Care has represented the Church of the Brethren in conversations with the American Red Cross and Save the Children, in the process of establishing a “Statement of Understanding” to ensure the wellbeing of children in emergency evacuation shelters for people who have been affected by conflict and disasters. “One of the ways to achieve this is to set up safe play spaces--designed for children ages 4 to 10 to play and participate in recreational activities with other children for several hours each day,” Stonesifer said. “Working together, these agencies plan to provide a ‘Safe Space Kit’ and to secure and train volunteers to work in the areas,” she said.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Brethren Disaster Response appeals for more volunteers.
“Katrina survivors desperately need your help!” said an appeal from Brethren Disaster Response, a program of the Church of the Brethren General Board. “Now, 19 months after the storm, tens of thousands of families are still living in FEMA trailers or in crowded living conditions with extended family members or friends.”
Brethren Disaster Response volunteers rebuild and repair homes following disasters. The program currently has four active rebuilding projects in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Volunteers are urgently needed this spring and summer: in Chalmette, La., volunteers are needed from May 20-26, May 27-June 2, June 3-9, July 8-14, July 15-21, and August 19-25; in Pearl River, La., volunteers are needed from May 27-June 2, and August 12-18.
The appeal included a testimonial from Adam A., a hurricane survivor from Slidell, La.: “We were severely impacted by Katrina and are receiving amazing help from a group of Brethren from all over the country. I am touched by their service, concern, and compassion. After feeling helpless for such a long time, and seeing these people come from out of nowhere to do the impossible to rebuild the homes and lives of my family, I am simply left speechless by what has happened.... The Brethren that I have met truly are amazing representatives of Christ and stand as the salt of the earth.... This has answered years of daily prayers and lifted a terrible burden from my shoulders.”
To volunteer contact your District Disaster Coordinator or the Brethren Disaster Response office at ersm_gb@brethren.org or 800-451-4407. For more go to www.brethrendisasterresponse.org.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
“Katrina survivors desperately need your help!” said an appeal from Brethren Disaster Response, a program of the Church of the Brethren General Board. “Now, 19 months after the storm, tens of thousands of families are still living in FEMA trailers or in crowded living conditions with extended family members or friends.”
Brethren Disaster Response volunteers rebuild and repair homes following disasters. The program currently has four active rebuilding projects in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Volunteers are urgently needed this spring and summer: in Chalmette, La., volunteers are needed from May 20-26, May 27-June 2, June 3-9, July 8-14, July 15-21, and August 19-25; in Pearl River, La., volunteers are needed from May 27-June 2, and August 12-18.
The appeal included a testimonial from Adam A., a hurricane survivor from Slidell, La.: “We were severely impacted by Katrina and are receiving amazing help from a group of Brethren from all over the country. I am touched by their service, concern, and compassion. After feeling helpless for such a long time, and seeing these people come from out of nowhere to do the impossible to rebuild the homes and lives of my family, I am simply left speechless by what has happened.... The Brethren that I have met truly are amazing representatives of Christ and stand as the salt of the earth.... This has answered years of daily prayers and lifted a terrible burden from my shoulders.”
To volunteer contact your District Disaster Coordinator or the Brethren Disaster Response office at ersm_gb@brethren.org or 800-451-4407. For more go to www.brethrendisasterresponse.org.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, job opening, and more.
- Rae Hungerford Mason, a career missionary for the Church of the Brethren, died Dec. 3, 2006, in Portland, Ore. She was the widow of George Mason, who passed away in 1983, and together with her husband had served in Puerto Rico, China, and India. In Puerto Rico they contributed to the building of the hospital in Castaner. They next served the church in China, until they were forced to leave by the communists. In India they were mission workers for 26 years, from 1952 until they retired in 1978. They worked in rural development, first in Bulsar then in Anklesvar, Gujarat. While raising her children, Rae supported her husband through his work of co-creating and running the Rural Service Center. Her work in India included relief food distribution in schools, hosting international travelers, substitute teaching in music, and serving as a housemother at Woodstock School. The couple retired to Centralia, Wash. Rae Mason had been born in Pullman, Wash., was a 1941 graduate of the University of Washington, and in high school played violin in the Portland Junior Symphony. She was active in peace and justice causes, was a life-long member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, participated in civil rights sit-ins of CORE and NAACP, supported Japanese-Americans during the internment after Pearl Harbor, and participated in anti-nuclear protests during the 1980s. Her activism included supporting the rights of conscientious objectors--she met her husband when he was in alternative service at the Cascade Locks camp for conscientious objectors. She is survived by her daughters Anne Mason and Greta Mason Nelson and husband, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Carol Mason, and by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Ralph Mason, who was a Brethren mission worker in Nigeria.
- Margaret Drafall began March 26 as customer service resource specialist for Brethren Press, working at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. She brings more than 24 years of experience in office management, including customer service, human resources, and business administration. She is an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin, where she serves on the church council and the worship committee, and is liaison to the Child Development Center.
- The application deadline for the position of “lead team” for the Church of the Brethren mission in Sudan has been extended. The Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board continues to seek two couples or families to serve as the lead team to begin the new ministry in Sudan, seeking to rebuild and heal communities after decades of war. As a holistic effort, the work will include the formation of churches. A complementary team that includes people bringing one or more of the following skill sets is preferred: peace and conflict transformation, healthcare, church planting and Christian education, community development preferably with experience in developing nations, dealing with trauma, and literacy and adult education. Candidates should bring relevant education and experience in their area of specialty and previous experience in international cross-cultural settings, be well-grounded in Church of the Brethren identity and practice, and have a team orientation. Secondary skills in repair and maintenance of computers, houses, or vehicle mechanics will be useful. Team members will participate in raising their own support under General Board oversight. The application deadline has been extended from previous announcements of this position. The extended timetable is for interviews and decisions to be made during this spring, with placement possibly by the fall of this year. Application forms may be requested from Karin Krog, Office of Human Resources, by telephone at 800-323-8039.
- Great Harvest Church Planting of Illinois and Wisconsin District seeks individuals who desire to fulfill the biblical mandate of the Great Commission by starting new, multiplying congregations of believers in the district. “Church planting is considered the most effective means of evangelism,” said the announcement from Lynda Lubbs-DeVore, apostle for the district’s New Church Development Board. “Great Harvest Church Planting is working hard to develop systems and strategies in order to equip church planters to launch healthy, missional churches in the district,” she said. Great Harvest Church Planting will offer help to church planters including help with assessment, training and coaching, and grant funds to get started. “We will do all that we can to assist you and your family as you explore and respond to the call to plant a successful, multiplying church,” the announcement said. “If you are not satisfied with ministry that is ‘status quo,’ if you have a heart for lost people and God has given you a desire to live and do ministry in our region, church planting may be what God is calling you to. Don’t ignore that call!” Contact DeVore at Lynda@ncdb.org or 630-675-9740.
- The Annual Conference Office is listing e-mail addresses for communicating with the Annual Conference Officers. Each Annual Conference officer has an e-mail addresses through which he or she may be contacted on matters related to Annual Conference. Contact moderator Belita Mitchell at moderator@brethren.org. Contact moderator-elect Jim Beckwith at moderatorelect_ac@brethren.org. Contact secretary Fred Swartz at acsecretary@brethren.org.
- The Service Ministries program of the Church of the Brethren General Board has had a busy beginning to the year, reported director Loretta Wolf. International shipments of relief materials have been sent to Angola, with items from both Church World Service (CWS) and Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) organized through the Church of the Brethren Emergency Response; to Montenegro and Romania, through a cooperative effort of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and CWS; to Serbia, sponsored by Lutheran World Relief and IOCC; to Burkina Faso, on behalf of CWS; to Jordan, on behalf of Lutheran World Relief; and a pending shipment to the Palestinian Territories, for Lutheran World Relief. Domestic US shipments for CWS this year have included blankets to McAlester, Okla., and Austin, Texas, in response to winter storms; blankets to homeless and disadvantaged people in Binghamton, N.Y.; blankets, baby kits, health kits, and cleanup buckets in response to tornados in the area of Orlando, Fla.; blankets to disadvantaged border areas near Brownsville, Texas; blankets to St. Paul, Minn., for the homeless and disadvantaged; baby kits, health kits, and emergency cleanup buckets to Gould, Ark., following the tornados and severe storms that hit the southern US.
- Westernport (Md.) Church of the Brethren will hold a homecoming on Sunday, Aug. 5, to mark its 50th year of service at its present site, and its 80th year as a church, according to an announcement in the “Mineral Daily News-Tribune.” Pastor Leon Swigart will be the guest speaker. Activities will include morning worship, lunch, and an afternoon program with a “Walk Down Memory Lane,” choir, and open-mike period. Displays will feature memorabilia and photographs of church life through the years. A commemorative church history booklet is planned. For more information and to register contact the church office at 301-359-3762. The deadline to register for the luncheon is April 1.
- In an update on the Boca Chica church building project in the Dominican Republic (see Newsline of Nov. 22, 2006), Irv and Nancy Heishman, co-mission coordinators in the DR for the Church of the Brethren General Board, report that the congregation recently celebrated building accomplishments, including blocks built up to roof level. More fill will need to be added before the floor is poured. The building will include an extension at the back for bathrooms and stairs, leaving open the possibility of adding a second story as the church grows. In the congregation’s Sunday school offering for the construction project, each of four classes competed to be the highest giver for the month. “The winners for January were the ‘Damas’--the women's class,” the Heishmans said. “These women gained some of their offering money by making sweets and other goodies to sell in the streets.” The Heishmans thanked the Brethren World Mission and the General Board for financial support and coordination, and passed on thanks from the congregation: “The Boca Chica church is grateful for the support they feel from the Global Mission and Brethren World Mission.... Praise be to God for what the Spirit is doing here!”
- The 6th Annual Shenandoah Disaster Auction Kick Off Dinner will be held March 31, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Kline Campus Center at Bridgewater (Va.) College. Entertainment will be provided by the Sunset Mountain Boys.
- Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, a Church of the Brethren retirement community near Boonsboro, Md., is remembering resident Charlotte Winters, who died March 27 at age 109. According to Scripps Howard News Service, she was the last living female World War I veteran.
- In other news from Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, the community is exhibiting its Celebrity Autograph Quilt and Wall Hangings on April 1, from noon to 3 p.m. The exhibit is free to the public and will be held in the lobby of the main building. A total of 92 celebrities of stage, screen, opera, sports, and music took part in the unique fundraiser, including Charlton Heston, Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Lauren Bacall, Hank Williams Jr., and Nascar's Jimmie Johnson, among many others. All items will be offered to international memorabilia collectors on UBID.com internet auction beginning April 9. Proceeds benefit Fahrney-Keedy, and contribute to the Benevolent Fund. For more information, contact Betsy Miller at 301-671-5016 or bmiller@fkmh.org.
- Manchester College is offering a 150-hour accounting program, after suspending its master of accountancy program following a survey of regional and national accounting firms, according to a release from the college in North Manchester, Ind. Many firms do not pay higher starting salaries for a master's degree, nor do they consider it for promotions, the release said. Janis Fahs, CPA and chair of the Department of Accounting and Business, said the new program positions Manchester students in the job market well-prepared for certification as certified public accountants. The program moves students into the job market six months earlier than the traditional master's degree program, the release said. Students receive a bachelor's degree after completing 128 credit hours; the additional 22 credit hours fulfill CPA certification requirements. For more about Manchester's accounting programs, visit www.manchester.edu.
- New Life Ministries is sponsoring a Leadership Training Event entitled "Deep and Wide: Expanding Hospitality in the Faithful Church" on May 8 at Franconia Mennonite Church in Telford, Pa. Keynote speakers are Eddie Gibbs and Ron Sider. Registrations received before April 1 qualify for a discount--as well as those registrations with multiple persons attending from the same congregation. For more information visit www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org or contact director Kristen Leverton Helbert at 800-774-3360 or NLMServiceCenter@aol.com.
- The Brethren Peace Fellowship is encouraging meetings of silent presence to pray for peace throughout the world. A meeting for prayerful presence will take place in front of the Westminster (Md.) branch of the Carroll County Public Library on April 3, between 5-6 p.m. “If you too are longing for a more peaceful world, please come and silently pray with us,” invited Jane Yount, of the Brethren Disaster Response office.
- The Global Women's Project, a Church of the Brethren women’s organization, is in the process of weighing its future course. A consultation was held at Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind., on Feb. 16-18 by the project’s Steering Committee: Judi Brown, Lois Grove, Nan Erbaugh, Jacki Hartley, and Bonnie Kline Smeltzer. The committee is in a discernment process on the future of the project, which is a grassroots movement that has lifted up lifestyle and justice issues and initiated women-to-women projects in more than a dozen developing countries over the past 30 years. Among the 15 participants in the consultation were representatives from the Church of the Brethren General Board.
- Resources for Earth Day Sunday, April 22, are available from the National Council of Churches (NCC). The 2007 Earth Day Sunday resource for worship, study, and action, is titled "Our Daily Bread: Harvesters of Hope and Gardeners of Eden." The resource focuses on creating a more sustainable food system in the US by seeking spirit-filled solutions to the root causes of injustice in farm and food policy. The council also is providing an opportunity for direct action with legislators for Earth Day Sunday, encouraging elected officials to “Sow Justice” in the 2007 farm bill. Congregations may also register their Earth Day Sunday celebrations with the NCC’s Eco-Justice Network so that others in the area can locate events. For more information go to www.nccecojustice.org/faithharvestworship.html.
- Church of the Brethren congregations may take part in a faith-based health care survey being conducted by the National Council of Churches (NCC). This is the first nationwide, in-depth, systematic study of health services provided by religious communities, according to the NCC. The project will survey more than 100,000 congregations to determine the level of health care education, delivery, and advocacy being offered. The study is made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. A comprehensive report will be released at the conclusion of the study. It will help faith leaders and health care providers determine, for the first time, what role the religious congregation is playing, or not, in the delivery of health-related services to communities across the country. Congregations may take part in the survey at www.ncccusa.org/healthsurvey.
Mark Hartwig to direct Information Services for General Board.
Mark Hartwig has been hired to fill the position of director of Information Services with the Church of the Brethren General Board, as of March 27. He has worked for the General Board at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., as a computer and applications specialist since March of 2005.
Prior to joining the General Board staff, he had more than 20 years of experience in the information technology field. His prior experience includes positions as computer coordinator/trainer and information services manager. He also holds a master's degree in pastoral studies and is a spiritual director.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Mark Hartwig has been hired to fill the position of director of Information Services with the Church of the Brethren General Board, as of March 27. He has worked for the General Board at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., as a computer and applications specialist since March of 2005.
Prior to joining the General Board staff, he had more than 20 years of experience in the information technology field. His prior experience includes positions as computer coordinator/trainer and information services manager. He also holds a master's degree in pastoral studies and is a spiritual director.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Carol Yeazell serves as interim director of Congregational Life Team.
Carol Yeazell has been called as interim director of the Congregational Life Team for the Church of the Brethren General Board. She serves as a staff member of the Congregational Life Team, Area 3. The interim position will continue at least through this summer.
In previous work for the church, Yeazell, has served as executive minister for Atlantic Southeast District, and as a pastor in Florida. Other work experience has included a position as executive director of Beth-El Farm Worker Ministry in Florida, a position as executive director of the US/Mexico Chamber of Commerce--Gulf States Region, and operation of a family business.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Carol Yeazell has been called as interim director of the Congregational Life Team for the Church of the Brethren General Board. She serves as a staff member of the Congregational Life Team, Area 3. The interim position will continue at least through this summer.
In previous work for the church, Yeazell, has served as executive minister for Atlantic Southeast District, and as a pastor in Florida. Other work experience has included a position as executive director of Beth-El Farm Worker Ministry in Florida, a position as executive director of the US/Mexico Chamber of Commerce--Gulf States Region, and operation of a family business.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
‘I don’t have it all together, but I can try’: A reflection on working for peace.
I admit it. I had a stereotype about people working for peace. I thought “they” had it all together. I am glad I am wrong.
While I was on the January 2007 delegation to Israel and Palestine jointly sponsored by On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams, I heard lots of people’s stories. Some people were in political power, others were in Israel, others in Palestine, and others were just people who were living their lives. I saw a glimpse of what life might be like if I lived under occupation. I saw people’s care for me. And I heard the cry to help carry their stories to my friends, family, and country. I learned that many Palestinians are living peacefully and trying to resist the occupation just by living out their day. Not all is perfect, but they work for peace anyway.
While we were in Jerusalem, we met with Michael Swartz, a representative from Rabbis for Human Rights. This organization brings voice to human rights violations that are happening in Palestine. I not only liked what the organization did, but I found hope in Michael because he didn’t seem to have it all together.
Michael is quite fond of the Wall, quite one-sided on several tension issues that we had previously heard an opposite view, and has some prejudiced attitudes. While I didn’t always agree with his perspective, I really was thankful for him. He was the first person who spoke with the delegation who, in my opinion, didn’t have it all figured out.
He works at a human rights organization and has laid a personal foundation for his social justice perspective--but sometimes other stuff gets in the way. Biases pop up; a brother’s friend gets killed by terrorists; understandings of the real issues get bound up. His realness was refreshing to me. I may want to “grow up” to be other people that I met in Palestine--but I can be Michael now. I don’t have it all together but I can try.
Michael helped me realize the importance of being in the struggle. There will always be the person to look up to, too. Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa come to mind, maybe they really did have it all together. But the average peacemaker, like me and Michael, we have issues, biases, and even are wrong sometimes. We are a part of the process of peace.
Thanks to Michael and others, I realize that I too can work for peace.
--Krista Dutt attends First Church of the Brethren in Chicago and directs DOOR Chicago, a Mennonite and Presbyterian urban education program.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
I admit it. I had a stereotype about people working for peace. I thought “they” had it all together. I am glad I am wrong.
While I was on the January 2007 delegation to Israel and Palestine jointly sponsored by On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams, I heard lots of people’s stories. Some people were in political power, others were in Israel, others in Palestine, and others were just people who were living their lives. I saw a glimpse of what life might be like if I lived under occupation. I saw people’s care for me. And I heard the cry to help carry their stories to my friends, family, and country. I learned that many Palestinians are living peacefully and trying to resist the occupation just by living out their day. Not all is perfect, but they work for peace anyway.
While we were in Jerusalem, we met with Michael Swartz, a representative from Rabbis for Human Rights. This organization brings voice to human rights violations that are happening in Palestine. I not only liked what the organization did, but I found hope in Michael because he didn’t seem to have it all together.
Michael is quite fond of the Wall, quite one-sided on several tension issues that we had previously heard an opposite view, and has some prejudiced attitudes. While I didn’t always agree with his perspective, I really was thankful for him. He was the first person who spoke with the delegation who, in my opinion, didn’t have it all figured out.
He works at a human rights organization and has laid a personal foundation for his social justice perspective--but sometimes other stuff gets in the way. Biases pop up; a brother’s friend gets killed by terrorists; understandings of the real issues get bound up. His realness was refreshing to me. I may want to “grow up” to be other people that I met in Palestine--but I can be Michael now. I don’t have it all together but I can try.
Michael helped me realize the importance of being in the struggle. There will always be the person to look up to, too. Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa come to mind, maybe they really did have it all together. But the average peacemaker, like me and Michael, we have issues, biases, and even are wrong sometimes. We are a part of the process of peace.
Thanks to Michael and others, I realize that I too can work for peace.
--Krista Dutt attends First Church of the Brethren in Chicago and directs DOOR Chicago, a Mennonite and Presbyterian urban education program.
Source: 3/28/2007 Newsline
Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Janis K. Fahs, Lerry Fogle, Karin Krog, Glenn and Linda Timmons, Helen Stonesifer, Loretta Wolf, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Janis K. Fahs, Lerry Fogle, Karin Krog, Glenn and Linda Timmons, Helen Stonesifer, Loretta Wolf, and Jane Yount contributed to this report.
Friday, March 16, 2007
NEWS
- Brethren attend inaugural meeting of Christian Churches Together.
- Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program holds ‘Vital Pastors’ retreat.
- Funds give $95,000 in grants to relief work.
- Brethren Volunteer Service welcomes its 273rd unit.
- Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, job opening, and more.
- Annual Conference registration and housing are now open.
- Art contest is sponsored by Intercultural Study Committee.
- Association of Brethren Caregivers joins ‘Cover the Uninsured’ for fourth year.
- Fellowship of Brethren Homes to hold annual forum.
Brethren attend inaugural meeting of Christian Churches Together.
A consensus on the importance of evangelism and the need to eliminate domestic poverty marked the official formation of Christian Churches Together (CCT), at a meeting in Pasadena, Calif., on Feb. 6-9. This was the sixth annual gathering for CCT, an informally structured organization of 36 churches and national Christian groups that began in 2001 to provide a meeting place all the major groupings of Christian traditions in the US.
A proposal for the Church of the Brethren to join CCT will be brought to this year’s Annual Conference by the Committee on Interchurch Relations and the General Board. Four Church of the Brethren leaders attended as observers: Belita Mitchell, moderator of Annual Conference; Jim Beckwith, moderator-elect; Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board; and Michael Hostetter, chair of the Committee on Interchurch Relations.
CCT was begun when a number of US church leaders discussed the need for an ecumenical gathering that included Christian churches and traditions that were not members of the National Council of Churches (NCC) or the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). The idea was encouraged by NCC general secretary Bob Edgar. By March 2006, 36 churches and organizations had become founding members.
With a focus on praying together and building relationships, the new organization has become the broadest and most inclusive fellowship of Christian churches and traditions in the US. The five "faith families" of the CCT are Evangelical/Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Racial/Ethnic. It is the first time Roman Catholics have formally participated in a broad national ecumenical coalition in the US. Participants also include a number of nondenominational religious groups such as World Vision, Bread for the World, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, and Evangelicals for Social Action.
Evangelism and the need to eliminate poverty in the US were major topics of discussion at the meeting. The theme, "Is Jesus’ Proclamation Our Proclamation?" from Luke 4:18, led participants' discussion of evangelism in their church and faith family contexts. Participants also continued discussions from a 2006 gathering on poverty, when a committee was appointed to find common ground and propose ways to challenge US Christians and the country to address poverty. At this meeting, CCT considered the proposals and approved a statement on poverty.
For more information, see www.christianchurchestogether.org.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
A consensus on the importance of evangelism and the need to eliminate domestic poverty marked the official formation of Christian Churches Together (CCT), at a meeting in Pasadena, Calif., on Feb. 6-9. This was the sixth annual gathering for CCT, an informally structured organization of 36 churches and national Christian groups that began in 2001 to provide a meeting place all the major groupings of Christian traditions in the US.
A proposal for the Church of the Brethren to join CCT will be brought to this year’s Annual Conference by the Committee on Interchurch Relations and the General Board. Four Church of the Brethren leaders attended as observers: Belita Mitchell, moderator of Annual Conference; Jim Beckwith, moderator-elect; Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board; and Michael Hostetter, chair of the Committee on Interchurch Relations.
CCT was begun when a number of US church leaders discussed the need for an ecumenical gathering that included Christian churches and traditions that were not members of the National Council of Churches (NCC) or the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). The idea was encouraged by NCC general secretary Bob Edgar. By March 2006, 36 churches and organizations had become founding members.
With a focus on praying together and building relationships, the new organization has become the broadest and most inclusive fellowship of Christian churches and traditions in the US. The five "faith families" of the CCT are Evangelical/Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Racial/Ethnic. It is the first time Roman Catholics have formally participated in a broad national ecumenical coalition in the US. Participants also include a number of nondenominational religious groups such as World Vision, Bread for the World, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, and Evangelicals for Social Action.
Evangelism and the need to eliminate poverty in the US were major topics of discussion at the meeting. The theme, "Is Jesus’ Proclamation Our Proclamation?" from Luke 4:18, led participants' discussion of evangelism in their church and faith family contexts. Participants also continued discussions from a 2006 gathering on poverty, when a committee was appointed to find common ground and propose ways to challenge US Christians and the country to address poverty. At this meeting, CCT considered the proposals and approved a statement on poverty.
For more information, see www.christianchurchestogether.org.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program holds ‘Vital Pastors’ retreat.
"Thank you for the re-call to ministry." Those words, uttered by a pastor during a closing circle prayer, capped two years of exploring with colleagues what it means to pastor with excellence. Many of the 18 pastors in the circle might have expressed the same sense of renewal.
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, an initiative of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership funded by a $2 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant, aims to give at least 200 Church of the Brethren pastors the opportunity for such renewal over a five-year period.
The 18 who gathered in Ellenton, Fla., Feb. 12-15 and joined hands for that prayer were the first group to finish the "Vital Pastors" track of the program. Meeting in small "cohort" groups, the pastors spend two years exploring a critical question related to ministry. The experience includes an immersion trip to a destination, often overseas, that helps investigation of that question.
At the Florida retreat, these groups spent three hours each telling the other groups and Brethren Academy staff what they had learned in the course of their journey. One group studied Brethren heritage; another studied contemplative styles of worship; the others pursued questions related to mission and developing leadership.
John Weyant, a member of the Mid-Atlantic District cohort, said the study of Brethren heritage, including a trip to Brethren sites in Germany, left him inspired. "We need to re-establish that passion," he said in the group’s report, "and it starts right here."
The cohort studying contemplative worship, from Southern Ohio, found inspiration in European churches finding new ways to reach new generations in a secularized atmosphere. "The message is strong enough to survive," cohort member Jerry Bowen said, "but our churches have to find a new vehicle to share that message."
A Northern Ohio group focused on ways to "identify, nurture, and release leadership gifts" in congregations. "God gives the congregation the gifts of leadership it needs," they concluded. "We’re just not always aware of it yet."
A South/Central Indiana group found a heart for mission in Brazil as it looked for ways to develop that same mission spirit back at home. "If you go home the same as you left, you missed it," cohort member Bruce Hostetler said, discussing mission experience, whether near home or abroad.
As these were the first groups to complete the process, they were guinea pigs of sorts, to see how it would all work. They noted the challenges of pulling the cohorts together initially and of scheduling the frequent meetings through the process, but each group expressed that it had been worthwhile. Humor and laughter permeated the reports. Many groups planned to continue meeting together now that the formal program is done, building on the relationships formed.
"This is a week of deep satisfaction now that we’re here," said Jonathan Shively, director of the Brethren Academy. "We have really anticipated this first gathering to learn from you.... This is a turning point in how we understand pastors and parish ministry. What you have done has not been just for you."
Six more cohort groups began their study last year and will have a concluding retreat in November. Another six groups are beginning their study this spring. In all, about 100 pastors have now been involved in Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, most of them in the Vital Pastors track. Another 18 have participated in the Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership track, which brings together cohort groups of eight to 10 pastors for quarterly retreats to study pastoral leadership and pursue self-development.
Shively noted, too, that the Brethren piece of the program is part of a much more extensive web of pastors connected to the Lilly initiative in various denominations and organizations.
Glenn Timmons, who coordinates the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program along with his wife, Linda, encouraged this first Brethren group to spread the message of what they had learned, and to encourage other pastors to seek the renewal and reinvigoration they need. "You are ambassadors now," Timmons told them, "whether you realize it, or want to, or not!"
--Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren’s Messenger magazine.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
"Thank you for the re-call to ministry." Those words, uttered by a pastor during a closing circle prayer, capped two years of exploring with colleagues what it means to pastor with excellence. Many of the 18 pastors in the circle might have expressed the same sense of renewal.
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, an initiative of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership funded by a $2 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant, aims to give at least 200 Church of the Brethren pastors the opportunity for such renewal over a five-year period.
The 18 who gathered in Ellenton, Fla., Feb. 12-15 and joined hands for that prayer were the first group to finish the "Vital Pastors" track of the program. Meeting in small "cohort" groups, the pastors spend two years exploring a critical question related to ministry. The experience includes an immersion trip to a destination, often overseas, that helps investigation of that question.
At the Florida retreat, these groups spent three hours each telling the other groups and Brethren Academy staff what they had learned in the course of their journey. One group studied Brethren heritage; another studied contemplative styles of worship; the others pursued questions related to mission and developing leadership.
John Weyant, a member of the Mid-Atlantic District cohort, said the study of Brethren heritage, including a trip to Brethren sites in Germany, left him inspired. "We need to re-establish that passion," he said in the group’s report, "and it starts right here."
The cohort studying contemplative worship, from Southern Ohio, found inspiration in European churches finding new ways to reach new generations in a secularized atmosphere. "The message is strong enough to survive," cohort member Jerry Bowen said, "but our churches have to find a new vehicle to share that message."
A Northern Ohio group focused on ways to "identify, nurture, and release leadership gifts" in congregations. "God gives the congregation the gifts of leadership it needs," they concluded. "We’re just not always aware of it yet."
A South/Central Indiana group found a heart for mission in Brazil as it looked for ways to develop that same mission spirit back at home. "If you go home the same as you left, you missed it," cohort member Bruce Hostetler said, discussing mission experience, whether near home or abroad.
As these were the first groups to complete the process, they were guinea pigs of sorts, to see how it would all work. They noted the challenges of pulling the cohorts together initially and of scheduling the frequent meetings through the process, but each group expressed that it had been worthwhile. Humor and laughter permeated the reports. Many groups planned to continue meeting together now that the formal program is done, building on the relationships formed.
"This is a week of deep satisfaction now that we’re here," said Jonathan Shively, director of the Brethren Academy. "We have really anticipated this first gathering to learn from you.... This is a turning point in how we understand pastors and parish ministry. What you have done has not been just for you."
Six more cohort groups began their study last year and will have a concluding retreat in November. Another six groups are beginning their study this spring. In all, about 100 pastors have now been involved in Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, most of them in the Vital Pastors track. Another 18 have participated in the Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership track, which brings together cohort groups of eight to 10 pastors for quarterly retreats to study pastoral leadership and pursue self-development.
Shively noted, too, that the Brethren piece of the program is part of a much more extensive web of pastors connected to the Lilly initiative in various denominations and organizations.
Glenn Timmons, who coordinates the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program along with his wife, Linda, encouraged this first Brethren group to spread the message of what they had learned, and to encourage other pastors to seek the renewal and reinvigoration they need. "You are ambassadors now," Timmons told them, "whether you realize it, or want to, or not!"
--Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren’s Messenger magazine.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Funds give $95,000 in grants to relief work.
Two Church of the Brethren funds have given a total of $95,000 in recent grants supporting the work of Brethren Disaster Response in the Gulf Coast, as well as aid to Vietnam, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, and Vietnam. The Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) are ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Two EDF grants of $25,000 each support continuing work by Brethren Disaster Response at Hurricane Katrina rebuilding projects "Site 1" in Lucedale, Miss., and "Site 2" in Pearl River, La. The grants will pay for food, housing, and transportation for Brethren volunteers, as well as tools and materials. Two previous allocations to the Lucedale project total $55,000.
Another EDF grant of $5,000 to the Emergency Response program of the church will underwrite expenses incurred by volunteers and staff for early assessments of possible disaster projects.
An allocation from the EDF of $25,000 responds to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal in the wake of flooding in central and southern Somalia and northern Kenya. The money will help nearly 40,000 people with food assistance, school supplies, seeds and/or blankets, as well as agricultural and irrigation projects.
A grant of $9,000 from the EDF responds to a CWS appeal to provide critical aid to nearly 48,000 persons in Uganda. The need arises after years of conflict in the country, where the situation has been worsened by recent floods and drought. The grant will help supply food, farming equipment, seeds, and health care, as well as education and water sanitation.
A grant of $6,000 from the GFCF will help provide clean water and sanitation for Quan Chu Commune Junior Secondary School in Thai Nguyen province of Vietnam. The school, which enrolls 558 students in grades 6 to 9, has no water supply or sanitary toilets. The project is in partnership with CWS, monies to help cover this grant are expected to be raised.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Two Church of the Brethren funds have given a total of $95,000 in recent grants supporting the work of Brethren Disaster Response in the Gulf Coast, as well as aid to Vietnam, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, and Vietnam. The Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) are ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Two EDF grants of $25,000 each support continuing work by Brethren Disaster Response at Hurricane Katrina rebuilding projects "Site 1" in Lucedale, Miss., and "Site 2" in Pearl River, La. The grants will pay for food, housing, and transportation for Brethren volunteers, as well as tools and materials. Two previous allocations to the Lucedale project total $55,000.
Another EDF grant of $5,000 to the Emergency Response program of the church will underwrite expenses incurred by volunteers and staff for early assessments of possible disaster projects.
An allocation from the EDF of $25,000 responds to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal in the wake of flooding in central and southern Somalia and northern Kenya. The money will help nearly 40,000 people with food assistance, school supplies, seeds and/or blankets, as well as agricultural and irrigation projects.
A grant of $9,000 from the EDF responds to a CWS appeal to provide critical aid to nearly 48,000 persons in Uganda. The need arises after years of conflict in the country, where the situation has been worsened by recent floods and drought. The grant will help supply food, farming equipment, seeds, and health care, as well as education and water sanitation.
A grant of $6,000 from the GFCF will help provide clean water and sanitation for Quan Chu Commune Junior Secondary School in Thai Nguyen province of Vietnam. The school, which enrolls 558 students in grades 6 to 9, has no water supply or sanitary toilets. The project is in partnership with CWS, monies to help cover this grant are expected to be raised.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Brethren Volunteer Service welcomes its 273rd unit.
The eight members of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 273 have begun their terms of service. Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., hosted the orientation unit from Jan. 29-Feb. 16. During the orientation volunteers had the opportunity to serve both the greater Orlando community and to fellowship with the Brethren Haitian community in Miami.
Volunteers, home congregations or hometowns, and placements are: Martin Anderson of Eisenhuettenstadt, Germany, will serve at the San Antonio (Texas) Catholic Worker House; Juergen Bartel of Rheinfelden, Germany, is serving with Gould Farm in Monterey, Mass.; Marissa Buckles of New Carlisle (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is going to Tri-City Homeless Coalition in Fremont, Calif.; Joel Dillon of Wheaton, Ill., will volunteer for L’Arche community in Tecklenburg, Germany; Mark Holbert of Saugatuck, Mich., is serving at the Oakland (Calif.) Catholic Worker House; Katherine Nichols of Emporia, Kan., is going to Camp Harmony in Hooversville, Pa.; Bethany Walk of State College, Pa., is volunteering with Quaker Cottage in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Laurin Wuennenberg of Twistringen, Germany, also is serving at the San Antonio Catholic Worker House.
For more information call BVS at 800-323-8039 or visit www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
The eight members of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 273 have begun their terms of service. Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., hosted the orientation unit from Jan. 29-Feb. 16. During the orientation volunteers had the opportunity to serve both the greater Orlando community and to fellowship with the Brethren Haitian community in Miami.Volunteers, home congregations or hometowns, and placements are: Martin Anderson of Eisenhuettenstadt, Germany, will serve at the San Antonio (Texas) Catholic Worker House; Juergen Bartel of Rheinfelden, Germany, is serving with Gould Farm in Monterey, Mass.; Marissa Buckles of New Carlisle (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is going to Tri-City Homeless Coalition in Fremont, Calif.; Joel Dillon of Wheaton, Ill., will volunteer for L’Arche community in Tecklenburg, Germany; Mark Holbert of Saugatuck, Mich., is serving at the Oakland (Calif.) Catholic Worker House; Katherine Nichols of Emporia, Kan., is going to Camp Harmony in Hooversville, Pa.; Bethany Walk of State College, Pa., is volunteering with Quaker Cottage in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Laurin Wuennenberg of Twistringen, Germany, also is serving at the San Antonio Catholic Worker House.
For more information call BVS at 800-323-8039 or visit www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org.
Source: 3/16/2007 Newsline
Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, job opening, and more.
- Rozella M. Lunkley (87), a former Church of the Brethren missionary, died Feb. 23 at Bradner Village Health Care Center in Marion, Ind. She was born on Jan. 1, 1920, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to the late James H. and Jenny (Terrell) Welsh. She married Charles W. Lunkley on May 1, 1939. She was a missionary and a pastor's wife, serving churches and mission fields from Africa to Iowa and Indiana. She also was an accomplished pianist, artist, and seamstress. She is survived by her husband, daughter Carolyn (Hardey) McDaniel, son James (Judith) Lunkley, godson Daniel (Esther) Dibal, and by three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The memorial service was held Feb. 28 at Marion (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, where she was a member. Memorial gifts were designated to Bethany Theological Seminary or McPherson (Kan.) College. Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.
- Walter Trail has accepted a promotion to managing chef for the General Board at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center. Trail has been with the food service department at the Conference Center since December. His previous experience includes management and food service positions with CI Food Service, Eurest Dining Services, and Sbarro, Inc.
- Susan Brandenbusch, who has served as administrative assistant to the president of Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) since Nov. 1999, will be terminating her employment on June 15. She will no longer have regular office hours effective March 15. In addition to being assistant to the president, Brandenbusch was in charge of payroll operations, and organized board meetings and the BBT Fitness Challenge at Annual Conference.
- Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, a continuing care retirement community in Boonsboro, Md., related to the Church of the Brethren, has announced that interim chaplain Judith Clister has been called as permanent chaplain. She works part-time serving the needs of residents, prepares a weekly Vespers and Sunday morning worship service, and leads a monthly Bible study. Clister was licensed to the ministry in 2004 and is currently taking classes to continue her education. Her background includes over 30 years as a teacher and as a school counselor. For more information, visit www.fkmh.org.
- Palms Estates, a 55 and over independent living retirement community in central Florida, is seeking executive leadership. The organization includes 71 homes and 40 RV sites, founded by the Church of the Brethren. This is an excellent employment opportunity for an experienced husband and wife team, said the announcement. Responsibilities include leadership and management of the total operation of the Palms Estates. Candidates should possess strong organizational, administrative, accounting, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills acquired through training and experience. Knowledge of budgets, financial statements, and computer technology related to all office functions also is required. Qualified applicants need the ability to manage multiple tasks involving residents’ needs and concerns, maintain harmonious relations with related organizations, insure compliance with governmental regulations, and manage a small citrus grove and maintenance staff. Onsite residence and office provided in addition to salary and other benefits. Send a resume and three references by June 15 to The Palms Estates at P.O. Box 364, Lorida FL, 33857.
- The Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is marking the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War with prayer. The chapel is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for staff to meditate and pray for peace in Iraq. The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) board, which is meeting this weekend, has invited other agency staff to a brief service at 1 p.m. with music, readings, and prayers for peace.
- On Earth Peace is seeking reflections in the forms of prayers, poems, litanies, and brief meditations from individuals thinking about the following theme: We have been at war for four years with Iraq (longer if Afghanistan is included)--what do you have to say about the war, including theological/scriptural reflections? Submissions may be used in the On Earth Peace newsletter or on its website. Send submissions to bsayler_oepa@brethren.org by April 1.
- The theme for the March 16-17 Youth Roundtable at Bridgewater (Va.) College is "Humbled by His Presence." Roundtable is one of the annual regional youth conferences in the Church of the Brethren. Jim Hardenbrook, former Annual Conference moderator and pastor of Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, is the guest speaker, with music by "Into Hymn." For more information contact Virlina District at 540-362-1816 or MQT1965@aol.com.
- Cliff Kindy of Eel River Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind., and a longterm member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, has been honored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne and South Bend with the first "Father Tom O'Connor Light of Christ Award." The award was reported in an Associated Press article in the "Indianapolis Star" newspaper. Kindy has traveled to Iraq and Israel to promote peace, working with Christian Peacemaker Teams. O'Connor, who died in 2004, was a Fort Wayne priest known for his devotion to social justice. Read more at www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/LOCAL/703150537.
- "Basically, I said that I didn't take this discovery seriously," said University of La Verne professor Jonathan Reed about "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," a Discovery Channel documentary that aired March 4. Reed was a panelist for a televised forum about the documentary, moderated by Ted Koppel. The forum titled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus: A Critical Look," aired immediately following the documentary and included a panel chosen for their knowledge in such fields as archeology, theology, and biblical research. "I discussed this very tomb in the revised edition of ‘Excavating Jesus,’" Reed reported. "I think this program will provide an interesting opportunity for critical assessment of the entire subject." Reed is professor of religion at the Brethren-related university in La Verne, Calif., and co-author of "Excavating Jesus" and "In Search of Paul." He is a leading authority on first-century Palestine archeology and lead archaeologist at Sepphoris, the ancient capital city of Galilee. He served as senior historical consultant for the National Geographic Channel 2005 series "Science of the Bible." For more go to www.ulv.edu.
- For a second year, MAX Mutual Aid eXchange is sponsoring the denominational Wellness Ministry, a collaboration between the Association of Brethren Caregivers, Brethren Benefit Trust, and the Church of the Brethren General Board. MAX sponsored the ministry in 2006 and has increased its level of support in 2007, reported ABC. The group believes its sponsorship of the Wellness Ministry follows its vision, "as creating and sustaining wholeness through preserving and restoring property, lives, and community," stated a release from the company. "Funding provided through MAX will assist us in providing resources, workshops, and programs about wellness to Church of the Brethren congregations," said Mary Lou Garrison, director of the Wellness Ministry. MAX, based in Overland Park, Kan., provides casualty and property insurance for individuals, congregations, and corporations, and has been a sponsor and exhibitor at ABC conferences such as the Caring Ministries Assembly and National Older Adult Conference.
- "Brethren Voices" a new 30-minute community television program from Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren, produced by member Ed Groff, "has become a reality for seven Brethren congregations/and or districts," Groff said. The church has begun offering the series to other Brethren congregations that are served by community access television stations. The first program for March featured the video from On Earth Peace, "Food and Clothing, Cattle and Love--Brethren Service Following World War II," produced by David Sollenberger. The second and third programs of the series for April and May will feature the work of Brethren Disaster Response in Mississippi and Louisiana. Other programs being planned include a discussion of war and peace with video provided by On Earth Peace, and a program featuring 2007 Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell, Groff said. Each program is hosted by Portland Peace Church's Rachael Waas Shull. For more information about cost to receive the monthly program, and other information, contact Ed Groff at Groffprod1@msn.com or Portland Peace Church of the Brethren at peacecob@3dwave.com.
- Peggy Gish, a Church of the Brethren member and longterm member of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq, reported March 9 that the Iraq team has returned home "for healing, examination, and discernment" following a brief abduction of team members. The team was working in the Kurdish north of Iraq. "In late January, Will Van Wagenen, two Iraqi associates, and I were abducted briefly...and then released unharmed," Gish reported. "The abduction has shaken the team and the organization. Because of the embarrassment this incident has caused them, Kurdish authorities have refused to complete CPT's NGO application." Gish asked for prayer as the team questions "whether or how we could responsibly work now in Iraq." Originally a violence-reduction initiative of the historic peace churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite, and Quaker), CPT now enjoys support and membership from a wide range of Christian denominations (for more go to www.cpt.org).
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