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

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Date: Nov. 1, 2002
Contact: Walt Wiltschek
V: 847/742-5100 F: 847/742-6103
E-MAIL: CoBNews@AOL.Com

NEWS
 1) Sudan Peace Act passes as negotiations move forward.
 2) Protesters mount opposition to potential war with Iraq.
 3) District conference roundup: Reports from nine fall gatherings.
 4) Emergency Disaster Fund makes three grants totaling $28,500.
 5) Disaster relief project begins in West Virginia.
 6) Moderator issues reminder of "Call to Prayer."
 7) Brethren bits: Updates around the denomination and beyond.

COMING EVENTS
 8) Global Mission Partnerships offers 2003 visit to Sudan.

RESOURCES
 9) Brethren Press offers Advent, Lenten devotional booklets.

FEATURES
10) Idaho pastor's quick response makes him a local hero.

****************************************************************

 1) Two major steps related to Sudan have occurred in the past
month, one in the United States and one in the African nation
itself.

In the latter, a "Memorandum of Understanding" between the
Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation
Movement/Army, which have been engaged in civil war for two
decades, was signed Oct. 15 in Sudan. 

Among the provisions of the agreement are a commitment to continue
negotiations in good faith, the use of mediators, a cessation of
all hostilities, and "unimpeded humanitarian access" to all areas
in need. The agreement is valid through Dec. 31 but can be extended
by mutual consent.

Non-governmental aid organizations especially lauded the open
access for meeting humanitarian needs. Church of the Brethren
Washington Office coordinator Greg Davidson Laszakovits called it
a "great step forward for Sudan." 

The other step culminated Oct. 21, when US President George W. Bush
signed into law the Sudan Peace Act, a piece of legislation that
been languishing in Congress for more than a year. The Senate and
House of Representatives had passed differing versions of the act
in 2001 but didn't iron out differences in conference committee
until this fall. Identical versions were passed unanimously in the
Senate and 359-8 in the House on Oct. 9.

The act authorizes immediate aid of $300 million to southern Sudan
over the next three years, with or without the Sudanese
government's approval; requires the president to certify every six
months that the two sides are negotiating in good faith, or
sanctions against the government will result; and requires the
administration to report on oil financing, acts of genocide, and on
the obstruction of aid delivery.

Laszakovits said the final version was significantly watered down
from some of the original language, but still signals US attention
to the situation in the war-torn nation. The Church of the Brethren
has long been involved in Sudan and continues to work with the
southern New Sudan Council of Churches through the General Board's
Global Mission Partnerships office.

 2) Opposition to a possible war with Iraq continues to build, with
large protests held at several sites around the US and abroad on
Oct. 26.

The largest was in Washington, D.C., where Church of the Brethren
member Stephanie Schaudel--now working with Iraq advocacy
organization Voices in the Wilderness--was among numerous speakers.
C-SPAN provided live coverage. The Associated Press said tens of
thousands of people were in the crowd.

Earlier in the month, representatives from at least six Church of
the Brethren congregations joined a protest in Cincinnati while
President George W. Bush was in the city to speak. Several district
conferences this fall passed statements speaking against a war on
Iraq, as have at least two district boards.

Middle East Council of Churches general secretary the Rev. Riad
Jarjour underscored the need for opposition to war efforts last
week, asking US churches to "speak to your government to stop any
military offensive." Jarjour, who spoke to the Church World Service
board of directors in South Bend, Ind., said a war with Iraq will
send the whole region into chaos and bring more suffering. "We are
all scared," he said.

Elsewhere, the US Conference of the World Council of Churches
continues to list statements made by US churches and organizations
on its website, at www.ecumenismnow.org. Also featured on the site
is a preview of a new Powerpoint slide show on the WCC-sponsored
Decade to Overcome Violence.

 3) Many of the denomination's 23 districts hold their annual
district conferences in September and October, and this year has
again been buzzing with activity. Following are reports of
highlights from nine of these conferences:

 *Atlantic Northeast: Held Oct. 11-12 at Leffler Chapel and
Performance Center on the Elizabethtown (Pa.) College campus with
the theme "You Did Not Choose Me, I Chose You . . . That You Would
Go and Bear Fruit". During the Friday evening celebration and
worship, several congregations shared successful endeavors. Levi J.
Ziegler served as moderator and led delegates through conference
business, including approval of the slate of nominees, the 2003
budget, and a variety of reports. The delegate body also approved
a statement, "A Plea for Peace," calling for restraint in relations
with Iraq; appreciated worship led by district youth; and
recognized Donna Steiner, retiring associate district executive,
for her service. Also passed was a revised district Plan of
Organization for one year, with final revisions to be approved in
2003. Delegates called Herbert High as moderator-elect; John A.
Harpold was installed as moderator for the coming year.

 *Atlantic Southeast: Held Oct. 11-12 at the Orlando (Fla.)
Community Church with the theme "Rejoice Always!" Delegates called
former district executive Berwyn Oltman as moderator-elect,
accepted the Orlando Haitian group as a fellowship; and passed the
district budget after much discussion, with several congregations
increasing their annual self-allocation. Delegates also approved a
one-year trial period for a restructuring of the district board,
eliminating the executive committee and program council and making
committee chairs voting members of the board. Association of
Brethren Caregivers executive director Steve Mason spoke at the
evening worship, with music provided by Mike Cesarano and the
Praise Team of Orlando Community.

 *Idaho: Held Oct. 25-26 at the Nampa (Idaho) Church of the
Brethren with the theme "To Be Used of God." Sue Daniel of the
Fruitland congregation served as moderator, leading 21 delegates
representing all six district congregations through the agenda.
Delegates approved a budget of $10,529 with the added faith
commitment that 10 percent of all income to the district would be
tithed to denominational ministries in Sudan--which the district
previously adopted as an emphasis--beginning in 2003. Delegates
also affirmed the Annual Conference decision related to the
ordination and licensing of homosexual persons, affirmed the
General Board's recent statement against a possible war on Iraq,
and called Boise Valley pastor Ed Kerschensteiner as
moderator-elect. Annual Conference moderator Harriet Finney and
Brethren Academy coordinator Jonathan Shively were guest worship
and banquet speakers and led workshops, and Shively also gave an
evening concert. Gary Shoemaker serves as moderator for the coming
year. The 2003 conference will be Oct. 24-25 at Fruitland.

 *Mid-Atlantic: Held Oct. 11-12 at the Manassas (Va.) Church of the
Brethren with the theme "Prayer: The Vital Link to God." Woodbridge
(Va.) member Ken Wenger served as moderator, with 209 delegates
representing 58 of the district's 63 congregations attending.
Delegates passed the district's first vision and mission statements
and statement of core values and adopted a new constitution and
bylaws that will move the district from elections to a calling
process and from a 35-member district board to a 13-member district
leadership team. Delegates also adopted a 2004 budget of $265,000
that removes support for a second district executive position due
to financial concerns; discussed the major indebtedness of
Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Ministries Center and the facility needs
of Camp Mardela and appointed a task team to address the issues;
and called Charlotte Bear of the Nokesville congregation as
moderator-elect. Glade Valley pastor Paula Bowser and Thurmont
pastor Linda Lambert served as worship speakers.

 *Middle Pennsylvania: Held at Woodbury (Pa.) Church of the
Brethren Oct. 18-19 with the theme "When Spirit and heart unite .
. . renews, empowers, frees, awakens, transforms, refreshes."
Former Bethany Theological Seminary professor Nancy Faus brought
the Friday evening message and led a Saturday morning hymn sing.
The 185 delegates and 116 non-delegates celebrated ministry
milestones and those who completed training in Brethren Academy and
seminary programs. Moderator Christine Knepp of the Curryville
congregation led business, including approval of a recommendation
from the district board to test a new structure for two years.
Delegates also affirmed the slate of officers, the mission plan for
2003, and two additional recommendations from the district board:
to set a goal of calling 50 people to ministry training in the next
five years and to explore ways to increase the Ministry Education
endowment by $300,000. The conference launched "Growing Faithful
Disciples," a scripture-based educational model designed to assist
pastors and churches in calling members to lifestyles of
discipleship. The 2003 conference will be held at Maitland with
moderator Randy Loht of Bannerville and moderator-designate Sarah
Malone of Stonerstown.

 *Northern Indiana: Held Sept. 20-21 at Camp Mack in Milford with
the theme "God's Will--Beyond Action." It featured a unique
combination of Annual Conference moderator and South/Central
Indiana District co-executive Harriet Finney as guest worship
speaker and her sister, Phyllis Davis, as district moderator.
Business was handled by 155 delegates representing 46
congregations. The delegates approved a 2003 budget of $158,350,
unanimously approved constitution and bylaw changes, elected Dan
Snider of the Plymouth congregation as moderator-elect, and joined
in several devotional times. Other highlights included the
presentation of the National Youth Conference theme song written
and performed by the district's Bremen congregation youth and
advisors, and the installation of Carol Spicher Waggy as district
moderator for the coming year.

 *Pacific Southwest: Held Oct. 4-6 at La Verne (Calif.) Church of
the Brethren, with George Sparks serving as moderator. Delegates
recognized recently retired district executive Gene Hipskind and
announced a search committee to work toward calling a new executive
minister. Delegates also heard a report and recommendations on
district leadership and vision from Congregational Life Teams
consultant Stan Dueck, approved an alternative commission structure
for the district in 2003 to assess possibilities for an
organizational change, and called David Hurlbut of the Empire
congregation as moderator-elect. Other highlights included worship
based around the new mission strategy of the district, with
Jonathan Shively, Ron Faus, Angie Lahman Yoder, Ataloa Woodin,
George Sparks, and the district youth giving worship leadership;
and ethics workshops for the district's licensed and ordained
ministers. Myrna Wheeler was installed as acting moderator for
honorary moderator Bill Waggoner, a recent stroke victim.

 *South/Central Indiana: Held Sept. 13-14 at Anderson (Ind.) Church
of the Brethren with the theme "One in Christ Jesus." Moderator
Paul Schrock led 141 delegates through business, which included
several items related to the Manchester Church of the Brethren
reported previously. Other business included approval of a $148,630
district budget, the election of Dave Donaldson as moderator-elect,
and numerous reports. Annual Conference moderator Harriet Finney,
also co-executive of the district, delivered the evening worship
address. Allen Kahler was installed as district moderator for 2003.

 *Southern Ohio: Held Oct. 11-12 at Eaton (Ohio) Church of the
Brethren, with Bob Bitner serving as moderator. The delegate body
passed on to Annual Conference a query from the Eaton congregation
that asks Annual Conference "to develop a statement that
articulates the church's position on the person and redemptive work
of Jesus Christ." Delegates also officially received the Cincinnati
fellowship as a congregation; approved a budget of $145,487;
adopted a new code of regulations for the district board; affirmed
a resolution on Iraq that says, "We are once again reminded that
war does not resolve conflict. . . ."; gave their blessing to the
Brethren Heritage Center being developed by eight Brethren bodies
in Brookville; and called Sheila Shumaker as moderator-elect. Other
conference highlights included celebrating the 100th anniversary of
the Brethren Retirement Community in the district, a live report of
district ministries, and a Friday evening worship service.

 4) Three allocations made from the General Board's Emergency
Disaster Fund this week, totaling nearly $30,000, will aid
ministries in the United States and overseas.

A $10,000 grant will support the work of AID-NET (Assistance in
Disaster-Northeast Tennessee) as it carries out home repairs needed
after flooding that occurred in Tennessee in 2001. The funds will
be used to help complete repair work on 17 homes and to replace
three mobile homes.

Another $10,000 grant will aid Church of the Brethren Emergency
Response/Service Ministries work in West Virginia, where some
residents are still awaiting assistance following flooding in July
2001. The funds will be used for building supplies and managing the
materials at the Flood Recovery Warehouse in Pineville, W.Va., as
well as to continue a ministry being provided to residents through
referrals for emotional and spiritual care.

The final allocation, for $8,500, will be used for the distribution
of canned meat in Angola. The meat is being provided by the annual
project of the Southern Pennsylvania/Mid-Atlantic District Meat
Canning Committee through Emergency Response/Service Ministries.
The Emergency Disaster Fund grant will cover expenses for shipping
and transport of the food to Kuito, Angola.

 5) As one Church of the Brethren disaster relief project closes,
others are already beginning. The response in Buchanan County, Va.,
wrapped up on Oct. 26, and one in Pineville, W.Va., was set to
begin immediately afterwards.

More than 100 families in the Pineville area are still awaiting
assistance following a July 2001 flood, according to the Emergency
Response/Service Ministries office, including six who are living in
government-provided trailers. Larry and Alice Petry will serve as
the initial directors for the project through Nov. 23. An Emergency
Disaster Fund grant (see story #4) will help to fund the work.

Another project, in Bluefield, W.Va., is expected to begin Nov. 10.
It will be a short-term project, possibly lasting as little as two
weeks. Volunteers from the Shenandoah and Virlina districts will
work on floors, decks, and roofs of several homes, damaged in a May
2002 storm. Ken and LouElla Imhoff are serving as project directors
in November.

In Mississippi and Louisiana, meanwhile, a Disaster Child Care
response following two tropical systems wound down in late October.
Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili didn't do as much damage
as initially feared, but still destroyed or damaged thousands of
homes. Church World Service planned to distribute blankets and
health kits in the region.

Five child-care teams involving 23 volunteers served at centers set
up throughout the area (two of the teams served in both Louisiana
and Mississippi), with the longest-running project in the city of
Lafayette. Nearly 700 child-care contacts were made. The American
Red Cross called the volunteers "angels" for their work.

 6) Annual Conference moderator Harriet Finney recently sent a
reminder to all Church of the Brethren congregations, urging them
to take to heart the "Call to Prayer" unanimously accepted by
delegates at the 2002 Conference.

She reminds Brethren of the call to give prayer a renewed emphasis,
to have all pastors preach a series of sermons about prayer, and
that all congregations make available a time for prayer outside of
regular worship. Annual Conference agencies and districts are also
to assist in the emphasis by providing resources and support.

The Mid-Atlantic District, which initiated the query, is holding a
"Day of Prayer: Prayer Prescription" this Saturday in Ellicott
City, Md. A variety of presenters and music will highlight aspects
of worship and prayer.

An hour at the 2003 Annual Conference in Boise is to be set aside
for sharing about the blessings prayer has brought.
 

 7) Brethren bits: Other brief news notes from around the
denomination and elsewhere.
 *Some statistics from this past summer's National Youth
Conference: The total of 4,128 participants was up from 1994 but
8.1 percent down from 1998. Youth, advisors, and staff came from
455 congregations, with Atlantic Northeast, Shenandoah, and
Mid-Atlantic sending the largest groups; 22 of the 23 districts
were represented. Of those attending, 2,985 were youth (with
ninth-graders comprising the biggest group), 951 were advisors, and
the remainder were staff or guest presenters. The next NYC is
scheduled for 2006.

 *Dick Posthumus, a member of the Hope Church of the Brethren in
Freeport, Mich., will be anxiously watching the election returns
this coming Tuesday. Posthumus is the state's Republican candidate
for governor. He is currently serving as lieutenant governor but
has remained active in the church.

 *Virginia Mary Hayter, a member of the Highland Avenue Church of
the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., was honored by the village of Hoffman
Estates, Ill., on Oct. 21 by having the village green named after
her. Hayter had served the village three terms as mayor and four
terms as village clerk, along with other civic positions.

 *New Life Ministries is building toward its major Anabaptist
Evangelism Council event, to be held Feb. 14-16 near O'Hare
International Airport in Chicago. Two long-time professors of
ministry and religion, Dr. Robert Webber and Dr. Martin Marty, will
be the featured speakers. Additional details are available at
www.newlifeministries-nlm.org/aec2003.htm.

 *The Church of the Brethren figured in a "Jeopardy!" question in
an October broadcast of the popular TV game show. The contestant
who got the question, related to the denomination's early nickname
of "Dunkards," answered it correctly.

 *Tyler Benner of the Chiques Church of the Brethren, Manheim, Pa.,
finished 13th out of 96 shooters in his age group at the Junior
World Archery Championships, held in the Czech Republic in August.
Tyler has already set three national records for junior archers
(age 18 and under) and hopes to compete in the 2004 Olympics.

 8) Former Church of the Brethren Sudan staff Louise and Phil
Rieman will lead a "Faith & Advocacy visit" to Sudan Feb. 14-28.
The couple served with the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC)
from 1992 to 1996. They worked at several locations inside Sudan,
staffed the first NSCC peace desk, and returned in 1999 to assist
with the preparations for the grassroots "people-to-people" peace
process.   

The visit is sponsored by the General Board's Global Mission
Partnerships office, working with long-time partner NSCC. Sites
deep inside Sudan are being considered, and the final locations
will depend on security at the time. Merlyn Kettering, General
Board-sponsored consultant to NSCC, will also assist in leadership
of the group along with other NSCC staff. Cost is estimated at
$2,750. For further details, contact Phil and Louie Rieman at
plbrieman@ctlnet.com or 317-546-9675.

 9) Brethren Press is reporting brisk sales of the 2002 Advent
devotional booklet, titled "Prepare." Marketing and sales manager
Russ Matteson reports that 6,500 copies of the booklet have been
ordered so far, with shipping to begin next week.

The booklet contains a series of devotionals written by Lani
Wright, a Church of the Brethren ordained minister from Oregon. The
meditations span the period from the start of Advent through
Epiphany and are designed to be used within congregations or by
individuals or families. Copies remain available from Brethren
Press for $1.25 each.

A Lenten devotional booklet, to be written by Everett (Pa.) Church
of the Brethren pastor Frank Ramirez, is also planned. Titled "Our
Reedemer Lives," the collection of daily meditations will run from
Ash Wednesday through the Sunday after Easter. Those ordering by
Jan. 3 receive a pre-publication price of $1.50 per copy; after
Jan. 3 cost is $2 each. Orders received by Jan. 31 will be shipped
by Feb. 7.

To order either booklet, call Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.

 10) Ed Kerschensteiner, pastor of the Boise Valley Church of the
Brethren in Meridian, Idaho, never set out to be a hero. It just
turned out that way.

Kerschensteiner and his wife, Mary Lou, were asleep in their home
when a neighbor's child rang their doorbell in the early morning
hours of Oct. 5. The child begged for help, as her house was on
fire and her mother and young siblings were still inside.

Kerschensteiner, 71, and another neighbor rushed to the scene. He
had promised his wife he wouldn't run into the burning house, but
when he arrived there, Kerschensteiner heard the sound of an infant
trapped inside.

"I was doing what had to be done," Kerschensteiner said. "As I told
the newspaper, 'What would you do if you heard a baby cry and you
had a chance?' You just do it."

He kicked in a door at the back of the house near the bedroom, and
felt his way through the smoke until he reached the bed. On his
second blind sweep across the bed, he felt the 3-week-old baby and
pulled it into his arms.

"Smoke came rolling out," Kerschensteiner recalled. "You couldn't
see a thing. I knew there was a risk to enter a house that was
burning, but it was a short distance to the bed."

The infant needed oxygen but survived. Another small child from the
family was also located unharmed, but the mother, Angie Abdullah,
was found dead in another room of the house. Police later
determined that she had been killed before the fire began and
charged her husband, Azad, with the murder in a domestic dispute,
according to The Idaho Statesman. That charge ended speculation
that it might have been a hate crime against the Muslim family.

Whatever the circumstances, Kerschensteiner was just glad for the
opportunity to help make a bad situation a little better.

"I think the Lord brought that about," he said. "I was happy I was
where I could respond."

Newsline is produced by Walt Wiltschek, manager of news services
for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third,
and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed.
Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited
as the source. Kathleen Campanella, Martha Beach, Doris Frysinger,
Richard Hart, Mark Flory Steury, Olden Mitchell, and Fred Swartz
contributed to this report.

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