wfn.org | CoB Newsline-Finance reform, North Korea, Youth Conference

[Church of the Brethren News Services]

Date:      February 18, 1997
Contact:  Paula Wilding
V:  847/742-5100   F:  847/742-6103
E-MAIL:   CoBNews@AOL.Com

This is Newsline for the week of February 6. In the news today: 

1) The National Youth Cabinet meets this week at the General 
      Offices in Elgin, Ill. 
2) The Emergency Disaster Fund allocated over $45,000 to four
      projects in January. 
3) The 1997 curriculum theme for Church of the Brethren campers 
      is announced. 
4) The 1996 Annual Conference "Nonviolence and Humanitarian 
      Intervention" statement is now available through Brethren 
      Press. 
5) An Indiana congregation initiates a Computer Recycling Program 
      for organizations and people in need. 
6) The February MESSENGER will arrive in homes this week. 
7) The March SOURCE packet of denominational resources will be 
      mailed to recipients this week.   

1)The 1997-98 National Youth Cabinet will hold its first meeting
beginning today through Sunday at the General Offices in Elgin,
Ill. During the weekend, the cabinet will be planning National
Youth Conference '98, scheduled for July 28-Aug. 2, 1998, in Fort
Collins, Colo. The cabinet also will discuss 1997 workcamps and
its plans for this year's Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif.

The 1997-98 National Youth Cabinet members are Ryan Bowers,
Goshen, Ind.; Jaime Eller, Merritt Island, Fla.; John Eshleman,
Lancaster, Pa.; Karen Miller, Losantville, Ind.; Matt Rittle,
Montgomery, Ill.; and Janelle Wilkinson, Modesto, Calif. Cabinet
adult advisors are Eric Bishop, Upland, Calif.; Janice Bowman,
Frederick, Md.; and Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young
Adult Ministry.  

Joining the group to plan NYC '98 will be its coordinators --
Brian Yoder, Huntingdon, Pa.; Joy Struble, Okemos, Mich.; and
Emily Shonk, Goldvein, Va.   

2)The Emergency Disaster Fund allocated $45,200 to four projects
during the last week of January. A grant of $20,000 was allocated
to assist Brethren volunteers and their related projects in the
Balkans. A grant of $10,000 was allocated in response to damage
caused by flooding on the West Coast -- $8,000 will be used by
Church World Service for supplies; $2,000 for expenses incurred
by Cooperative Disaster Child Care during their service at two
child care center locations in January. Another $10,000 will be
sent to Iglesia Cristiana Pentecostal, the Church of the Brethren
partner church in Cuba, for relief supplies in the wake of
Hurricane Lily. Habitat for Humanity will receive $5,200 to
assist in building two houses in the Philippines that were
destroyed in the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.  

3) "Come, Follow Me" is the theme of the 1997 camping curriculum
from the Cooperative Publication Association, of which Brethren
Press is a partner. The curriculum uses the church camp setting
to help children, youth and adults explore Christ's call and
their response to that call. The curriculum can be adapted for
outdoor learning experiences ranging from highly structured,
centralized events to informal, primitive camping.  Materials
include a campers' booklet, leader's guide, "Come Join the
Circle" songbook and clip art. "Come, Follow Me" materials may be
ordered from Brethren Press at 800 441-3712 or at
Brethren.Press.parti@Ecunet.Org.   

4) The newest peace paper of the Church of the Brethren is the
1996 Annual Conference Statement on Nonviolence and Humanitarian
Intervention. Issued as a 24-page booklet, the study of
Scripture, Brethren heritage, international policy and nonviolent
initiatives provides a timely elective for church school classes
and peace groups. Single copies are $1.50 and a quantity discount
is available. Contact Brethren Press for more information.   

5) Donors of computer equipment, or organizations or people in
need of a computer may now contact the Computer Recycling
Program, a program initiated by Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the
Brethren. "The program targets recipients in a variety of
locations, from church-related training schools in Africa to
not-for-profit organizations, small churches or low-income church
workers, and other individuals," said Enten Pfaltzgraff Eller,
team pastor of the Lafayette congregation and proprietor of Eller
Computer Services. Pfaltzgraff Eller upgrades and refurbishes
donated computers before sending them to organizations or people
in need. Since its inception last fall, the program has received
over 20 computers from donors in five states and has placed six
computer systems -- three with Church of the Brethren pastors in
three states; one with an AIDS ministry in Minneapolis; and one
with a child care center in Indiana. Those interested in donating
equipment or funds to help with the project may call 317 474-5021
or write EllerComp@AOL.Com.   

6) The February issue of MESSENGER magazine is being mailed to
subscribers this week. Featured in this month's magazine is an
in-depth profile of David Wine, 1997 Annual Conference moderator;
a special report on Young Adult Conference; an article on the
Church of the Brethren in Nigeria; and a reflective piece on Asia
by Lamar Gibble, who will retire as representative for Europe and
Asia in March. Also included are monthly features such as In
Touch, Close to Home, News and Letters to the Editor. To receive
MESSENGER, contact the MESSENGER Office at 800 323-8039, ext. 247
or at CoBNews@AOL.Com.   

7) The March SOURCE packet of denominational resources will be
mailed to all congregations this week. Included in this month's
SOURCE is the initial Annual Conference ballot; a detailed folder
about Association of Brethren Caregivers' Caring Ministries 2000
Conference; a copy of the 1996 Annual Conference statement
"Nonviolence and Humanitarian Intervention;" and a brochure on
the New Church Development Conference to be held this June. To
receive SOURCE, contact the Interpretation Office, 800 323-8039
or CoBNews@AOL.Com.   

Newsline is archived with an index at
http://www.tgx.com/cob/news.htm.   

This message can be heard by calling 410 635-8738. To receive
Newsline by e-mail or fax, call 800 323-8039, ext. 257, or write
CoBNews@AOL.Com.