wfn.org | Newsline - Church of the Brethren weekly news update

[Church of the Brethren News Services]

Date:      Nov. 14, 1997
Contact:  Nevin Dulabaum
V:  847/742-5100   F:  847/742-6103
E-MAIL:   CoBNews@AOL.Com

Newsline                                     Nov. 14, 1997  
1) Eighty-seven junior and senior high youth advisers attend this
     year's Youth Ministry workshop. 
2) Global Women's Project steering committee members revive the 
     organization. 
3) Brethren and other religious activists this weekend are 
     demonstrating outside the School of the Americas in 
     Columbus, Ga. 
4) A conference focusing on the death penalty begins today in 
     Washington, D.C. 
5) Western Pennsylvania District holds its annual conference. 
6) A second Brethren World Assembly is scheduled. 
7) The first of four winter seminars by "A Quiet Place Prayer 
     Center," a ministry of Camp Mack, is scheduled for Saturday. 
8) The December Source resource packet is in the mail. 
9) Six Brethren congregations to participate in Living Gift 
     fundraisers yet this month. 
10) Eighteen youth and advisers attend a Peace Academy. 
11) On Earth Peace Assembly is seeking two Brethren college 
     interns. 
12) Rumors of Karen Miller's demise have been greatly 
     exaggerated. 
13) The Brethren Home Community, New Oxford, Pa., breaks ground 
     on a new primary physicians practice building. 
14) Three Brethren missionaries who disappeared in China 60 years
     ago are remembered.    

1) "Family-based youth ministry" was the theme for this year's
annual Youth Ministry Workshop, held Saturday at Frederick (Md.)
Church of the Brethren. Eighty-seven junior and senior high youth
advisers attended the six-hour training seminar, which was led by
Mark DeVries, author of the book, "Family-Based Youth Ministry,"
and an associate Presbyterian minister to youth and their
families for the past 11 years.   

DeVries suggested that because a family's devotional and prayer
time is the number one predictor of how mature a youth will
become in their faith, it is helpful for churches to offer
resources and support for families in ways that promote family
devotions and prayer.  

"All of (the church's) influence on youth is small compared to
the influence of their families," DeVries said. "So doesn't it
make sense to spend some of our time supporting families better
in our ministry with youth?"    

As for youth who come from non-Christian homes, it is important
to connect them with some mature adults in our congregations who
can be mentors to them, DeVries said.  

A two-hour training videotape of the workshop will be available
for loan beginning Dec. 15. Contact Youth and Young Adult
Ministry at 800 323-8039 or at CoB.Youth.parti@Ecunet.Org.    

2) After languishing for about a year as a nearly defunct
organization, new life was breathed into the Global Women's
Project last weekend as members of its steering committee met in
Merrillville, Ind.  

When it began in 1978 as a General Board ministry, GWP had a dual
purpose -- "to focus on the effect of global poverty and
injustice on the world's women, and our own overconsumptive
lifestyle that contributes to the suffering of others," said
Julie Garber of North Manchester, Ind., a GWP steering committee
member.   

Most recently, GWP has supported an inner-city women's program in
Kansas City; a nutrition program for women and children in
Nicaragua; and ZEM, the women's fellowship of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa
a Nigeria (the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). That changed,
however, when Program for Women -- GWP's sponsor -- was
eliminated in 1996, Garber said.  

At last weekend's meeting -- attended by Garber and Debbie
Roberts of La Verne, Calif.; Rachel Gross of Liberty Mills, Ind.;
and Linda Weber of Lombard, Ill. -- steering committee members
reaffirmed the project's goals of sensitizing Brethren women to
overconsumption and its affect on women at home and abroad. They
also met with David Radcliff, who, as director of the General
Board's Brethren Witness, will serve as the groups sponsor.  

During the meeting the four agreed to raise funds for aid to
women by continuing GWP's self-imposed luxury tax.   

"The group acknowledges, however, that this method is problematic
because it promotes the consumption of luxuries to generate a tax
at the same time it wants to promote simplicity," said Garber.
"Global Women's Project encourages local womens fellowships to
raise money for mission in their own ways and to direct funds to
GWP for disbursement," she added.  

The group will also continue to produce a newsletter and plans
more travel to bring Brethren women and the women in
GWP-sponsored projects together. The group hopes to meet in
different districts, and to provide educational programming in
those areas.   

The new steering committee will have representation from each of
the General Board's five new Congregational Life Team areas, and
will also include ex officio representatives from other womens
groups in the church.    

3) Sunday is the eighth anniversary of the assassination of six
Jesuit priests and their two women co-workers in El Salvador.
According to reports, graduates of the U.S.-sponsored School of
the Americas at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., are thought to be
responsible.  

This school, which has been labeled the "School of the
Assassins," is a key training facility for Latin American
military personnel. According to the Church of the Brethren
Washington Office, it has been linked to human rights violations
and, according to a 1996 White House Intelligence Oversight
Committee report, the curriculum used at the school condones or
appears to condone executions of guerrillas, physical abuse,
coercion, torture and false imprisonment."  

In memory of the slain church workers, ecumenical groups from
around the country -- including some Church of the Brethren
members -- are demonstrating for four days outside Fort Benning.
Seven Brethren, including Yvonne Dilling, former General Board
staff member, were at the base today. Heather Nolen, director of
the Washington Office and about 24 Brethren-affiliated people
from North Manchester, Ind., and Richmond, Ind., are expected to
arrive for the weekend.  

Beginning Thursday through Saturday, protesters were scheduled to
protest from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The evening hours were to be
spent in planning meetings. The Sunday vigil will begin at 10
a.m. At 11 a.m. a reflection and commissioning service will be
held. In the afternoon some of the participants are scheduled to
engage in some form of non-violent civil disobedience. A
reflection at 4 p.m. will conclude the demonstration.  

In July the General Board approved a resolution calling for the
closing of the school.    

4) The Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty project, an
initiative coordinated by the Criminal Justice Program of the
American Friends Service Committee, is sponsoring a national
gathering today through Sunday at the national 4-H Center in
Washington, D.C., where an estimated 400 religious and lay people
will focus on death penalty-related issues.  

"The goal of this weekend will be to empower people of faith and
provide them with the necessary resources so they can return to
their religious communities as more effective advocates for
abolition," reads the promotional brochure.  

Sister Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking," who serves on
the conference's advisory committee, will deliver the keynote
address on "Envisioning a World Without Violence: Organizing the
Religious Community to Abolish the Death Penalty." Other speakers
will include Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and
an ordained minister; and Millard Fuller, founder and president
of Habitat for Humanity.  

Workshop leaders include Rachel Gross and Bob Gross of Liberty
Mills, Ind. Rachel coordinates the Church of the Brethren Death
Row Support Project. Bob is director the Church of the Brethren
Ministry of Reconciliation, a program of On Earth Peace Assembly.
He also serves on this conference's steering committee along with
Church of the Brethren member Pam Rudder of the University Park
congregation, Hyattsville, Md.  

"It looks like it will be a strong conference," said Bob. "This
is a sign of increased interest in the religious communities in
working against the death penalty."  

Conference organizers hope participants energized by this
weekend's event will return home and organize study groups that
will develop long-range action plans. To assist in reaching this
goal, organizers will provide resources, networking help and
educational activities for such groups. To order a resource
packet, call 215 241-7124.   

5) Harry Deffenbaugh of Johnstown, Pa., was named moderator-elect
of Western Pennsylvania District during its 131st annual
conference held Oct. 18 at Moxham Church of the Brethren,
Johnstown. Wilbur Hosler of Penn Run will serve with Deffenbaugh
as moderator through next year's conference.  

Fifty of the district's 70 churches were represented by 215
delegates, which approved a 1998 budget of $145,369.  

The conference, with the theme "Growing up together with Christ,"
included morning insight sessions that pertained to the work of
the district's board and its Spiritual Renewal Team, and a
session that promoted Christian education resources. Various
commission and committee reports were also given.    

6) The second Brethren World Assembly is scheduled for July 15-18
at Bridgewater (Va.) College. The assembly, intended for the five
Brethren denominations that trace their beginnings back to 1708
Germany, will convene under the theme, "Faith and Family --
Challenges and Commitments." The first assembly was held in 1992.
 
The assembly will focus on six study papers, and will include
workshops, a panel discussion, worship and a time to meet
Brethren authors.  

Study papers to be discussed are "The place of the family in
Brethren heritage," "Pressures on the family in contemporary
culture," "Impact of culture on Brethren families," "The Biblical
understandings of the family," "Family devotions and spirituality
within Brethren tradition," and "Rearing children among the
Brethren."  

The panel discussion will focus on "Women's and Men's roles in
the five Brethren fellowships." Workshops will include "Brethren
way of Christ," "Plain Dress," "Home Schooling," "Brethren
Schools," and "Resources for Brethren/Anabaptist/Pietist
Spirituality."  

There also will be historic tours offered within the Shenandoah
Valley.          

For more information, call Dale Ulrich at 540 828-6548.   

7) The first of four winter seminars presented by "A Quiet Place
Prayer Center," a ministry of Camp Mack near Milford, Ind., is
scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.   

Joyce Schertz, member of the Mennonite Church and author of the
book, "Dictionary of Dream Symbols," will help participants
better understand their dreams.  

"Dreams and visions were powerful tools God used to communicate
with people of the Old and New Testament," reads the Quiet Place
Prayer Center flier. "God still uses this communication skill
today! Perhaps with (Schert's) help you can begin to hear God's
voice in your dreams a little clearer."  

December's session is titled "Winter Solstice Celebration." This
is a time to celebrate the hours of sunlight which speaks of the
One who came to be the light of the world." This session,
scheduled for Dec. 20, will be led by Phyllis Carter.  

"Journaling for the New Year," to be led by Norma Miller, is
scheduled for Jan. 3. Participants will take time "to begin to
develop a time of reflection and journaling." Attendees are
encouraged to take a journal to help develop their 1998 spiritual
goals.  

The series concludes Feb. 6-7 with "The healing touch of Jesus,"
during which "the healing touch of the Master's hands" will be
explored through Gospel texts. Rose Marie Lange, a licensed
massage therapist and Church of the Brethren member, will lead
the session with Norma Miller.  

For more information, call Norma Miller at 219 658-3342.   

8) The December edition of the Source resource packet has been
mailed, complete with information about 12 denominational and
ecumenical resources.  

New materials that use the denominational tagline -- "Continuing
the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together." -- are
available. They are a worship bulletin, a poster and the General
Board's 1997 annual report. Each features calligraphy by Tim
Botts.  

A Christmas flier from Brethren Press is included, complete with
book, video and music selections for children and adults.   

The annual "send a Christmas greeting to a Brethren Volunteer
Service worker" is again suggested; a complete address listing of
all 104 BVSers is included.  

A flier for a video that teaches children how to become
peacemakers is included. "Rhythms of Peace with Mr. Fredd"
includes segments that deal with revenge, prejudice, war toys and
hate. Mr. Fredd is played by Lee Eshleman of the "Ted and Lee"
comedy team, which performed at the 1996 Annual Conference in
Cincinnati. The video is produced by Mennonite Media.  

Five youth/young adult-related materials are included --
information fliers about next year's Ministry Summer Service and
Youth Peace Travel Team; a flier for the Evangel '97 ecumenical
youth conference scheduled for Dec. 28-Jan.1 in Atlanta; the
December issue of "NYC Insight", a newsletter devoted to National
Youth Conference 1998; and a poster titled "Celebrate Peace," the
1997 National Junior High Theme.  

"Shepherd King -- Stories of David," the fourth edition in the
Storyteller Vacation Bible School Series, is available. Stories
included are "David and Samuel," "David and Jonathon," "David and
King Saul," "David, Abigail and Nabal," and "King David and the
ark." A variety of materials relating to this series can be
ordered through Brethren Press.   

Source is collated 10 times each year by the General Board's
office of Interpretation and is sent for free to all Church of
the Brethren congregations. Individual subscriptions cost $3. For
more information, contact Howard Royer at 800 323-8039.   

9) A handful of Church of the Brethren congregations will
participate in two separate "Living Gift Markets" for Heifer
Project International yet this month.  

On Saturday five Brethren churches from the North Manchester,
Ind., area will join Brethren-affiliated Manchester College and
Timbercrest Home and seven other area churches and one retirement
community for their 10th Anniversary Living Gift Market. The
market will be held from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. in North Manchester's
Warvel Park.  

According to Don Myer, coordinator, this effort has averaged more
than $10,000 in earnings since it began. Between 500 and 800
people participate annually, Myer said.  

The Living Gift Market is for people to purchase animals, insects
or trees in the name of relatives or friends, which will be sent
to one of the many countries in which HPI works. Since 1944 HPI
has helped more than 4 million poor families in 110 countries
become self-reliant through the gifts of food and income
producing animals, and through training.  

For sale are heifers ($500 each); draft animals ($250); goats,
sheep and pigs ($120); rabbits ($60 for three); honeybees ($30
for a hive); chicks ($20 for a flock); fish fingerlings ($10); or
tree seedlings ($60). Shares of each item can also be purchased. 

The participating Church of the Brethren congregations include
Eel River, Liberty Mills, Manchester, Roann, and West Manchester.
 
On Nov. 29 the Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren will host its
10th annual Living Gift Fair, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition
to the purchase of the HPI items, participants can also purchase
baked goods, crafts and HPI merchandise. Last year's fair raised
more than $17,000.  

Baked goods and craft donations will be accepted up until the day
of the fair. For more information, contact Don Fitzkee at 717
665-5743.   

10) Eighteen youth and four advisers from Maryland, Pennsylvania
and Virginia attended a Peace Academy Saturday and Sunday at the
Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Md., sponsored by On Earth
Peace Assembly.  

"The main sessions focused on how to confront conflict, how to be
an advocate and how to engage our global world," said Kate
Johnson of OEPA. Chris Fitz, former OEPA intern who currently
works at Colgate University, and Pami Hathaway, a Colgate
student, provided leadership.  Four others served as an advocacy
panel, including Fran Nyce, OEPA board member.  

Participants discussed individual and biblical perspectives on
peace and came to the conclusion that peace can be many different
things, and that the Bible uses the word in different ways as
well, Johnson said. They then played a simulation game on culture
clashes, which helped them make the transition between talking
about peace and talking about conflict.   

On Sunday participants first explored with the advocacy panel
what it means to be an advocate. After a "dependence activity"
during lunch, which challenged participants to think about ways
in which people depend on others for simple needs, the attendees
then focused on global issues. The Peace Academy concluded with
participants being led in a visioning exercise to imagine a
peaceable world.     

11) On Earth Peace Assembly is seeking two students from Church
of the Brethren colleges to serve as interns in January or
February. The purpose of the students spending their winter terms
at the Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Md., is "to acquaint
Church of the Brethren young adults with the ministries of the
church located at the Brethren Service Center and to involve
students in the ongoing peace education work of the
denomination," said Kate Johnson.  

Both interns will interact with the various programs that are
located at the center. They will read and critique a book a week,
will visit several Washington, D.C.-based peace organizations,
and will assist OEPA with its ongoing work. For more information
contact Johnson at kathjohn@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us or at 410
635-8705.   

12) Rumors of her demise have been greatly exaggerated.   

That was the word Thursday from Karen Miller, interim executive
director of the Church of the Brethren General Board, in response
to rumors floating about the denomination that she is too ill to
conclude her interim service. Miller, who has been sick for
portions of the past six weeks -- forcing her to miss the Board's
October meetings -- has returned to a full work schedule.   

"Your support and prayers during my time of illness and recovery
are greatly appreciated," she wrote to employees. She added, "I
have returned to a full schedule of work and I am delighted that
I am able to fulfill my responsibilities as interim executive
director through Dec. 31. Miller did state, however, that she
will conclude her service by working primarily out of her
Hagerstown, Md., office, instead of the General Offices in Elgin,
Ill.  

As announced at the General Board's recent meetings, Joe Mason of
Greenville, Ohio, will assume the interim executive director
responsibilities on Jan. 5.   

13) The Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, Pa., on Oct. 20
held a groundbreaking ceremony for Cross Keys Internal Medicine,
a primary physicians practice of the York Health System Medical
Group.  The 4,310-square-foot building, located on the
community's property, will serve as office space for three
doctors.  

Construction on the $480,000 building began Oct. 27, and is
expected to conclude sometime in the spring. The facility will
serve patients from the home and surrounding communities.   

14) Sixty years ago this Dec. 2, Minnerva Neher and Alva Harsh
and Mary Hykes Harsh -- Brethren missionaries in Show Yang,
Shansi Province of China -- received phone calls asking for help.
The three responded to the calls and were never seen or heard
from again. Post-World War II inquiries produced no new
information.  

Neher had served as a rural evangelist in China since 1925,
having received her education at La Verne (Calif.) College,
Bethany Bible School and Bethany Brethren Hospital. She had
received her language training in Peking from 1924 to 1925.  

Alva and Mary Lou received their undergraduate education at
Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. Mary Lou then became a teacher while
Alva enrolled in Bethany Biblical Seminary. The two were married
in 1934, at which time Alva began pastoring the Petersburg and
Greenland, W.Va. congregations. Alva and Mary Lou left for China
in August 1936. After language study in Peking, they were
assigned in June 1937 to Show Yang.  

All three missionaries reportedly experienced increased
war-related difficulty as the Japanese army occupied the area.
And then they disappeared.  

The Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship, Hagerstown,
Md., will hold a special service in honor of these missionaries
at 3 p.m. Sunday. There will also be a brief ceremony at their
monument, which is located in the church's cemetery.   

Guest speakers will include John Mowen, nephew of Mary Harsh, and
E. Paul Weaver, Alva Harsh's college roommate and brother-in-law
of Alva's sister, Flora Weaver.  

According to Leon Yoder, pastor, a memorial plaque honoring the
three was rededicated and placed in the church vestibule on Sept.
14. It reads, "The church provides this memorial that the full
measure of their devotion to Christ may not be forgotten."  

"It is our hope and prayer that (people) will join us in keeping
the memory of their devotion alive," Yoder said. "May we be
inspired and encouraged to greater service in Christ's Kingdom.  

Newsline is produced by Nevin Dulabaum, manager of the General
Board's News and Information Services. 

This message can be heard by calling 410 635-8738. To receive
Newsline by e-mail or fax, call 800 323-8039, ext. 263, or write
CoBNews@AOL.Com.  

Newsline is archived with an index at www.cob-net.org/news.htm
and at www.wfn.org.