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

[COBNews@aol.com]

Date: Nov. 22, 2002
Contact: Walt Wiltschek
V: 847/742-5100 F: 847/742-6103
E-MAIL: CoBNews@AOL.Com

NEWS
 1) Evangelism Connections conference comes to Philadelphia.
 2) General Board mounts "mammoth" Iraq effort urging restraint.
 3) Brethren aid NCC General Assembly's focus on peace and justice.
 4) Youth ministers take time for a sabbath retreat. 
 5) Global Mission takes steps to build Central America presence.
 6) Emergency Disaster Fund sends $5,000 to Cuba.
 7) Brethren again join "School of the Americas" protests.
 8) Brethren bits: Haiti, Brethren Benefit Trust, BVS, and more.

COMING EVENTS
 9) Major National Young Adult Conference is planned for 2004.
10) Young Center plans conference on "Brethren Philosophy of Higher
Education."

FEATURES
11) Brethren member Cliff Kindy offers reflections from Baghdad.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, FROM NEWSLINE!
****************************************************************

 1) Nearly 50 Brethren were among about 800 people who attended the
fall Evangelism Connections conference held Nov. 15-16 in
Philadelphia. Another, nearly identical event was held in
Louisville this past April with about 500 attending.

The Evangelism Connections events are coordinated by Net Results
Inc., with seven denominations--including the Church of the
Brethren--as planning partners. Each conference included a trio of
major keynote addresses, worship, and a choice of 10 workshops on
evangelism issues.

Congregational Life Team member Stan Dueck led a workshop on
"Characteristics of Vital Congregations" in Philadephia. Dueck said
he heard positive feedback on both the workshops and the event as
a whole. He found more lay members than pastors in attendance,
signifying that "a significant number of the laity are involved in
evangelism and outreach" in many denominations.

Brethren participants met for a Saturday morning denominational
gathering hosted by the General Board's Congregational Life
Ministries office and director Glenn Timmons. Church of the
Brethren pastors and members came from Area 1 (Northeast) and 3
(Southeast). The Broadfording congregation in Hagerstown, Md., had
the largest delegation to the conference, with 10 people attending.
Mid-Atlantic also had the largest district representation.

They joined a group representing a wide swath of the country, as
participants came from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey,
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Florida, and
California.  

The next Evangelism Connections event will be for "middle
judicatory" (district) staff and other key church leaders Jan.
12-14 near Houston. More details are available at
www.netresults.org/ec2003.htm or 806-762-8094, ext. 102.

 2) A letter sent from General Board chair Warren Eshbach and
general secretary Judy Mills Reimer to US government leaders this
week expresses concern and calls on them to exercise restraint in
tensions between the United States and Iraq.

"We are not recommending that justice go unserved--President
Hussein has wrought havoc on his own citizens and neighbors alike,"
the letter states. "However, we do not believe that the United
States embarking in a violent or pre-emptive manner would be moral
or wise."

It notes the Church of the Brethren's position as a historic peace
church and the belief in Jesus' words to "love our enemies." A copy
of the General Board statement against war with Iraq, passed at its
October meeting, was enclosed with each letter.

Church of the Brethren Washington Office coordinator Greg Davidson
Laszakovits said the office would hand-deliver the letter to every
member of Congress and send it to White House leaders. Meetings
were also planned with more than 100 foreign policy staff from
offices of representatives and senators who voted for the Iraq
resolution but might be open to the Church of the Brethren message.
Laszakovits said the project has been a "mammoth task."

 3) Church of the Brethren delegates to the National Council of
Churches annual General Assembly held in Tampa, Fla., Nov. 14-16,
had an opportunity to share the denomination's unique perspective
on peace. 

The General Board-sponsored delegation of general secretary Judy
Mills Reimer, Global Mission Partnerships director Merv Keeney,
Frances Townsend, L. Gene Bucher, and Valentina Satvedi was asked
to lead a morning Bible study on Matthew 5:9 for the assembly,
whose theme this year was "For the Common Good: Seeking Justice,
Working for Peace."

Reimer gave an introduction on the denomination's heritage, and the
group shared a reader's theater presentation titled "Listening to
the Word of God," written by Brethren Witness director David
Radcliff. All delegates were then invited to discuss Christian
peacemaking in small groups and to offer some reflections. The
devotional ended by singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth," followed
by prayer.

Delegates also took action for peace during the business sessions,
unanimously passing a resolution that urges US President George W.
Bush to "do all possible, without going to war" to resolve issues
with Iraq while also urging Iraq to comply fully with the United
Nations Security Council resolution. It noted the many statements
against war that have come out from the NCC's 36 member communions
and others.

In addition, the resolution calls on Israel to comply with UN
resolutions and urges the US to help resolve the Israel-Palestinian
conflict. The full text of the resolution is at www.ncccusa.org.

In other business, delegates celebrated the 100th anniversary of
the interdenominational Mission Education Movement; heard a keynote
address on Christian-Muslim relations and engaged in discussion on
the issue; reflected on the "Changing Landscape of the Ecumenical
Movement Today" and its implications for the future of the NCC;
affirmed the NCC officers' recommendation that general secretary
Robert W. Edgar serve a second term, to be voted on at the 2003
assembly; heard reports that the NCC had achieved financial
stability; participated in forums on a variety of topics; heard an
update from Church World Service executive director John L.
McCullough; and approved establishment of a planning commission to
recommend next steps in ecumenical work around the issue of genetic
engineering.

At a special evening dinner, participants celebrated the 50th
anniversary of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, for which
the NCC holds the copyright. Also at the dinner, NCC president
Elenie K. Huszagh honored Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Ambassador of
Cyprus to the United States, with the 2002 NCC President's Award
for her "struggles for justice and peace" for the people of the
Mediterranean nation. Edgar honored Dr. Jack McConnell, founder of
Volunteers in Medicine, with the NCC General Secretary's Award.

 4) Two dozen Brethren who spend much of their time doing youth
ministry gathered in Maryland Nov. 18-20 simply "to be."

The sabbath retreat for youth ministers, offered by the General
Board's Youth/Young Adult Ministry office, was held at Shepherd's
Spring Outdoor Ministries Center near Sharpsburg. There was no cost
to participants except transportation, and scholarships were
provided for those coming from a distance. 

Youth/Young Adult coordinator Chris Douglas noted in publicity for
the event that, "This will not be a seminar on youth ministry. It
will be an opportunity for persons in youth ministry to engage in
spiritual renewal, prayer, and silence." Glenn Mitchell, a Church
of the Brethren minister and trained spiritual director from
Boalsburg, Pa., provided leadership for the retreat.

"You've chosen a retreat time, and that's a wonderful thing,"
Mitchell told the group. "So much of our life with God is making
space." He called the sabbath space an opportunity to have a "sense
of being with God instead of doing for God."

As one participant said, "I love my job, but some days I spend too
many hours doing it." Others identified needs for rest, renewal,
discernment, and direction as reasons for coming, some from as far
as Indiana and California.

Mitchell used the scripture from Jeremiah comparing God's work in
people's lives to a potter working with clay as a theme text, along
with numerous other readings and poems. Participants had an
opportunity to visit an actual potter's shop near Shepherd's Spring
during the retreat.

The three days also included teaching sessions on new ways to
approach devotional time; hands-on activities like Japanese
calligraphy and stitching books; group spiritual direction and the
availability of appointments for individual direction; worship,
with Shawn Kirchner of La Verne, Calif., providing music
leadership; and abundant quiet personal retreat time. 

 5) The Church of the Brethren General Board's Global Mission
Partnerships area has taken the first steps toward a shift that
intends to give it a stronger presence in Central America. Brethren
Volunteer Service director Dan McFadden says the proposal comes as
part of a desire to put more focus on the often impoverished
"global south."

Most of the shift would likely come by moving resources from the
Brethren Service program in Europe, which originated in response to
post-World War II rebuilding needs and was left intact during the
General Board's mid-1990s redesign and cutbacks. The 2003 budget
approved by the General Board this fall moves $15,000 from European
programs to Central America. Global Mission Partnerships director
Merv Keeney terms it a "modest ministry rebalancing."

Currently, both areas are operating at capacity with available
funds. Twenty-three volunteers are serving in Europe after an
influx of people to positions there in the past year. Nine
volunteers are serving in Global Mission Partnerships-coordinated
positions in Central America, not including those in the Dominican
Republic.

McFadden says he would like to see the Europe and Central America
numbers become more equal. Future steps will be dependent on the
direction of the General Board's new comprehensive plan, to be
finalized in March, and the agency's financial situation.

Volunteers heading to existing positions in Central America are
required to be fluent in Spanish and have some experience in the
region. McFadden hopes an additional advantage of adding new
placement options is having some that will take people with less
experience and language proficiency.

Some Brethren, especially alumni of the Europe program, have
already expressed opposition to the move. McFadden acknowledged
their concerns, saying that he, too, would like to maintain the
Europe program at present levels while also expanding elsewhere,
but financial realities may not allow that.

"BVS has benefited and been greatly shaped by our years in Europe
when the need was so great there," he said in a recent report. "It
seems appropriate to turn our attention today to our neighbors to
the south where the needs are critical and where we have much to
learn."
 

 6) A $5,000 grant from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund
will provide aid for hurricane damage in Cuba, in response to an
appeal by Church World Service.

Cuba was struck twice by significant hurricanes earlier this fall,
with Isidore and Lili both directly hitting the island. The funds
will assist the Cuban Council of Churches in rebuilding homes and
providing medicines, food, and blankets.

 7) Amid rain, wind, and cold temperatures, more than 100 Church of
the Brethren members from across the denomination gathered with an
estimated 10,000-plus others Nov. 15-17 in Columbus, Ga., to
protest the US Army School of the Americas, recently renamed the
Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation.

Decade to Overcome Violence representative Laura Kreider, Kim
Stuckey of On Earth Peace, and Emily Tulli of the Church of the
Brethren Washington Office staffed a table with literature from
denominational agencies related to peace and service issues. They
reported hundreds of visitors, with an On Earth Peace "Seek Peace
and Pursue It" bumper sticker and the "Peace Book" from the General
Board's Brethren Witness office among the popular items.

"I think it's important for the Church of the Brethren to be
represented at this event," Stuckey said. "We have a statement
calling for the close of the School of the Americas, so it makes
sense that we would attend and support this rally. . . . The
assassinations, massacres, and human rights violations by graduates
of the SOA directly affect our Latin American brothers and sisters.
Of course, I want to stand with them and let them know we care,
that we haven't forgotten them." 

About 40 people attended a gathering for Church of the Brethren
members Saturday evening at the Marriott in Columbus for informal
conversation, music, and refreshments.

Brethren also participated in the organization and implementation
of the rally. Among them was current SOA Watch Brethren Volunteer
Service worker Carrie Eikler, who worked for a year to make sure
all the details for the weekend's events ran smoothly. Eikler
coordinated the stage program, caucus groups, literature tables,
and a Colombia teach-in.

Other events during the weekend included a rally at Fort Benning,
where the training center is based; and a vigil with a "funeral
procession" in memory of those whose deaths are attributed to the
school's graduates. Ninety-six people scaled a fence to enter the
fort and engage in nonviolent civil disobedience.

The Church of the Brethren General Board passed a resolution
calling for the closing of the School of the Americas on July 1,
1997, prior to the 211th Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif.  

 8) Brethren bits: Other brief news notes from around the
denomination and elsewhere.
 *A joint delegation from the Church of the Brethren General
Board's Mission and Ministries Planning Council and the Atlantic
Southeast District is traveling in Haiti Nov. 20-26 to further
explore a proposal from the district for denominational involvement
in the Caribbean nation, which borders the Dominican Republic. MMPC
will review findings from this visit at its next meeting Jan.
31-Feb. 1 and make its recommendations to the General Board.

 *Brethren Benefit Trust holds its board meetings this weekend in
Elgin, Ill. Items on the agenda include a progress report on the
new Congregational Employee Plan for medical insurance, and updates
on other insurance issues; Pension Plan and Brethren Foundation
updates; a review of possible changes to the Articles of
Organization; a conflict of interest policy for board members; and
naming BBT board nominees to Annual Conference. 

 *Brethren Volunteer Service reports that 21 people have applied
for its winter orientation unit to date, well above the average
number. Unit 252 meets Jan. 19-Feb. 3 at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla.
Deadline for completed applications is Dec. 9. Call 800-323-8039
for details.

 *The Church of the Brethren General Board's Emergency
Response/Service Ministries office has been busy monitoring needs
related to the tornado outbreak across the eastern US earlier this
month. Brethren representatives have been making visits and
attending local meetings in Ohio--where members of at least two
Brethren congregations were affected--and in Tennessee. An ER/SM
flood relief project in Pineville, W.Va., will close for the winter
Nov. 23 and reopen in the spring. A project in Bluefield, W.Va., is
scheduled to be completed Nov. 23; Virlina District volunteers will
finish up any remaining work.

 *Church of the Brethren Washington Office coordinator Greg
Davidson Laszakovits was cited in a recent Churches for Middle East
Peace release expressing appreciation for President George W.
Bush's statement against anti-Muslim remarks made by some US
Christian leaders. Laszakovits, a board member of the group, was
quoted as saying, "The president's remarks remind the world that
most Christians in this country have been appalled by anti-Muslim
statements made by a few well-known Christian figures."

 *Tom Martin, a member of the Springfield (Ill.) Church of the
Brethren and gardener for the Illinois governor's mansion, was
featured in a recent Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star article syndicated
elsewhere in the state. Martin has held the position since 1984 and
will begin serving under his fourth governor in January.

 9) Senior high youth have had a major National Youth Conference
(NYC) to look forward to every four years for decades. Older adults
have flocked to the biennial National Older Adult Conference since
it began in 1992. Now young adults in the denomination will have
their turn.

Young adults serving as youth workers at this past summer's NYC
wondered whether there could be a similar big event for Church of
the Brethren young adults. General Board Youth/Young Adult Ministry
coordinator Chris Douglas began exploring the idea, and she says
she and the Young Adult Steering Committee are ready to try it.

A major National Young Adult Conference has been set for June
14-18, 2004, at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, Colo.
Douglas says she expects schedules and fund-raising to be more
difficult for the young adult age group, but she hopes for 400 to
500 young adults ages 18-35 to attend. Future events of this scale
will be dependent upon the success of this first venture.

A denomination-wide Young Adult Conference has been held annually
for years, usually at one of the Church of the Brethren camps, but
it is typically a smaller event. First held over Thanksgiving
weekend and more recently at Memorial Day weekend, it has typically
drawn about 50 to 100 people. The 2003 YAC will be May 23-25 at
Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa.

 10) The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at
Elizabethtown (Pa.) College has announced an interdisciplinary
study conference titled "Toward a Brethren Philosophy of Higher
Education" to be held June 6-8 at the college.

The conference "will explore the dilemmas, challenges, and
opportunities that institutions of higher education historically
related to the Church of the Brethren face in shaping their
institutional mission for the 21st century," according to a
release. A central question will be examining what is distinctive
about a Brethren education today. 

Proposals for papers, thematic presentations, workshops, seminars,
and panel discussions are being solicited on topics such as
identity issues for Brethren schools, the church-college
relationship, educational styles, and ways to reflect Brethren
heritage and values in a college curriculum or student life.
Proposals should be no more than two to three pages double-spaced
describing the paper or presentation.

The conference is being sponsored by The Rhodes Consultation on the
Future of the Church-Related College (through Elizabethtown); the
Lilly Endowment Theological Exploration of Vocation grant (through
Manchester College); and the Brethren Higher Education Association.
For further information, or to submit proposals, contact David B.
Eller, director, at The Young Center, Elizabethtown College, One
Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, or or 717-361-1467 or
youngctr@etown.edu.

 11) Church of the Brethren member Cliff Kindy has been maintaining
a presence in Iraq through Christian Peacemaker Teams this fall,
seeking to raise awareness of the consequences of a US attack. The
following is an excerpt from one of his reflection letters sent
from Baghdad:

"Here there are taxi drivers and others who refuse to take my money
because of our peacemaking work even though they are scraping to
meet basic family living expenses. Two days in a row a person at
the hospital walked me through the streets to the dentist so that
I would find the way. He absolutely refused to accept my thank-you
tip.

"At a gathering last Sunday an Iraqi said, 'This country is part of
a long history of civilization.' That history dwarfs our brief
moment as the United States on the stage of empire, yet we make
plans to rewrite the story of the world with radiation and
obliteration.

"Maybe the difference between me and the US administration is that
I've been privileged to meet the people here. President Bush needs
this chance to look in the eyes of the people of Iraq. It should be
a requirement before anyone can start a war. I was riding down an
elevator last week. A stranger asked me where I was from. When I
explained that I was from the United States, he said, 'So you are
my enemy,' as, with a smile, he reached out to shake my hand."

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. Philip Jenks and Georgia Markey contributed to this
report.

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