From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org


Newsline - Church of the Brethren news update


From COBNews@aol.com
Date Fri, 30 May 2003 12:01:30 EDT

Date: May 30, 2003
Contact: Walt Wiltschek
V: 847/742-5100 F: 847/742-6103
E-MAIL: CoBNews@AOL.Com

NEWS
 1) Brethren mount response to massive tornado outbreak.
 2) Young Adult Conference explores what it means to be Brethren.
 3) Brethren Benefit Trust board addresses Pension Plan issues.
 4) Bethany Theological Seminary holds its 98th commencement.
 5) Letters ask US, Israel, Palestine to take bold steps for peace.
 6) Disaster project directors go to camp for hands-on training.
 7) BVS Unit 254 begins orientation in Vermont.
 8) Annual Conference in Idaho has Brethren flocking to attend.
 9) Brethren bits: Conferences, peace, colleges, and more.

PERSONNEL
10) Shepherd's Spring calls Ann Cornell as administrator.

SCHEDULE NOTE: Due to staff schedules and event schedules over the
summer, Newsline will be published on the second and fourth Friday
of each month through early August, rather than on the odd-numbered
Fridays. Newsline will resume its regular schedule Aug. 15.

****************************************************************
 
 1) Brethren are responding after a record-shattering outbreak of
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms caused significant damage this
month in 11 states, mainly in the Plains and the South. Nearly 500
tornadoes were reported in the first three weeks of May alone.

The Church of the Brethren General Board's Emergency
Response/Service Ministries (ER/SM) office was asked to set up a
Disaster Child Care program in Pittsburg, Kan. A center was opened
on the Pittsburg State University campus on May 16, and five
caregivers served there for five days. They returned home due to
low numbers of children requiring care.

Emergency Response director Roy Winter said the challenge with
tornadoes is that they often do great damage, but it occurs in
small, widespread pockets. As a result, there are seldom large
concentrations of families with children needing services. 

Missouri/Arkansas District executive Sandy Bosserman said Brethren
congregations in the hard-hit region were spared.

"The storm damage within the geographical area covered by the
district is incredible," Bosserman said, "but none in the Brethren
faith community have sustained major damage. There is an adequate
volunteer pool for cleanup, so our service role will probably come
when the rebuild begins."

Winter said at least one new disaster relief project in an area
affected by the storms was likely. Volunteers in Western Plains
District are already assisting with cleanup of fields and homes.

Three new grants from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund
are assisting the response. The first, for $5,000, was made to
support the Disaster Child Care project and other volunteers
evaluating the need for long-term reconstruction projects.

Another $10,000 will support a Church World Service (CWS) appeal in
response to the storms, helping disaster response and recovery
liaisons to deploy volunteers, send shipments of kits and blankets,
and provide "seed grants" to local communities. The third grant,
also for $5,000, provides additional funding for the CWS Response
and Recovery Liaison program.  

Following the storm outbreak, CWS sent two shipments of "Gift of
the Heart" cleanup kits, health kits, and blankets to Jackson,
Tenn., for distribution to disaster survivors. The supplies,
shipped May 12 from the Brethren Service Center warehouse in New
Windsor, Md., had a combined value of $23,714.

 2) About 75 of the denomination's young adults gathered at Camp
Eder in Fairfield, Pa., over Memorial Day weekend for the annual
Church of the Brethren Young Adult Conference.

Shawn Flory Replogle of Waterloo, Iowa, served as keynote speaker,
looking at the theme, "Being Brethren in Today's Culture." Using
small groups, "instant polls," discussion, and sharing from his own
research, Replogle led the group in an exploration of the forces
that shaped the early Brethren and the dynamics of living out those
beliefs in today's world.

Replogle said he sent out a survey in preparation for the
conference, asking a spectrum of church leaders what it means to be
Brethren. Of the 51 returned to him, "I got 51 different
responses," he said. As a result, he noted, the denomination can
suffer from a sort of schizophrenia. Even the young adult group at
the camp showed a significant diversity of opinion in their
responses to poll questions about the church.

The larger question, then, becomes whether the Brethren still "have
any relevance in the 21st century." Replogle suggested that the
denomination, born out of a reactionary movement, may need modern
culture to survive, by reacting against it.

Other features of the weekend included several worship sessions and
time for individual reflection, eight workshops on assorted topics,
an experience of "Dances for Universal Peace," campfire singing,
recreation options, and many breaks for informal fellowship.

The General Board's Youth/Young Adult Ministry Office and its Young
Adult Steering Committee, which plan the event, also had several
sessions explaining and gathering input for next year's major
National Young Adult Conference. The event, which will be the first
of its kind in size and scope, is scheduled for Jun.14-18, 2004, in
Winter Park, Colo. The theme is "Stand at the Crossroads and Look."

 3) The Brethren Benefit Trust board met in Elgin, Ill., April
26-27, approving changes to the Brethren Pension Plan's Retirement
Benefits Fund as it dealt with vanishing surpluses and the
realities of today's economy.

The new long-range plan will maintain the existing 8-percent
interest rate on past contributions to member accounts and those
made through July 1. Beginning July 1, however, all new
contributions will go into a separate account, with an interest
rate initially set at 6 percent and reviewed annually. Participants
will receive separate quarterly statements for the two accounts,
which will be blended at annuitization to create a single payment.

BBT staff said the new rate is consistent with most other existing
church pension plans and much higher than the average for secular
pension plans. BBT president Wil Nolen held out hope that the rate
on new contributions to the Brethren Pension Plan might one day
increase again. "However, those rates are just not possible at this
time with today's market and the need to safeguard the longevity of
the plan," he said.

The board also adopted a new mission statement, along with a vision
statement and a list of core values. The vision statement lists 12
ways for BBT to achieve its mission. BBT staff planned to work at
action steps on several "strategic issues" that arose from the
process over the next few months.

Staff reported that participation in the Brethren Medical Plan
"remained steady" as it shifted to the new Congregational Employee
Plan on Jan. 1. Total enrollment stands at 866. Insurance Plans
director Jeff Garber said the plan has been "quite well received."

In other business:
*Staff reported that Brethren Insurance Plans met the April 14
deadline for compliance with privacy regulations of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

*Staff shared that due to negative stock market returns, the
average age of Brethren Pension Plan retirees continues to rise. It
rose from 62.77 years in a February 2002 report to 63.59 this year.

*The board approved the hiring of Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment
Management as manager for BBT's new domestic small-cap stock fund.
The group is based in Los Angeles.

*Staff reported they are researching the possibility of offering a
voluntary long-term care insurance plan to all those eligible to
participate in the Brethren Insurance Plans.

*Staff said that they are determining the viability of providing
financial services through an alliance with the Brethren Employees'
Credit Union.

*The board approved conflict of interest policies for its
investment managers and for the board of directors and senior
management.

*Staff reported that Pension Plan members have invested more than
$100,000 in the new Community Development Investment Fund. BBT has
invested $100,000 of its own reserve monies into the fund.

*The board approved the appointment of Janice Bratton of
Hummelstown, Pa., to the BBT board, subject to ratification by
Annual Conference in July. Two other board vacancies will be filled
by election--one by Pension Plans members and one by Annual
Conference.

The BBT board next meets July 8 in Boise, Idaho.

 4) Bethany Theological Seminary celebrated its 98th commencement
with two observances on May 10. A ceremony for conferring degrees
took place in Bethany's Nicarry Chapel, and a public worship
celebration was held on the adjacent Earlham College campus.

Richard B. Gardner, academic dean and professor of New Testament
Studies, spoke at the conferring of degrees ceremony on the topic
"Teachers of the Church," based on Matt. 5:17-48. Scott Holland,
associate professor of Peace Studies and Cross-Cultural Studies at
Bethany, was the speaker for the afternoon worship service. His
message, "The Prophet's Vision, The Poet's Voice, The Preacher's
Gift" was based on Isaiah 65:17-25.
 
Six students received Master of Divinity degrees, one with an
Emphasis in Peace Studies. Four students received Master of Arts in
Theology degrees, and one received a Certificate in Theological
Studies. Those who received degrees, and home congregations, are:

Master of Divinity, Peace Studies Emphasis: Barbra S. Davis, Ankeny
(Iowa) Church of the Brethren. Master of Divinity: Jesse Johnson,
Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren, Quarryville, Pa.; Linda
Michelle Lewis, Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren, Kettering,
Ohio; Cara A. McCallister, Beavercreek (Ohio) Church of the
Brethren; Robert Tyndall, Four Mile Church of the Brethren,
Liberty, Ind.; and Benjamin C. Walters, Cincinnati (Ohio) Church of
the Brethren. 

Master of Arts in Theology: Craig L. Gandy, Woodgrove Church of the
Brethren, Hastings, Mich.; Matthew R. Guynn, Richmond (Ind.) Church
of the Brethren; Patricia Ronk, Oak Grove Church of the Brethren,
Roanoke, Va.; and Steven Stoller, First Presbyterian Church,
Richmond, Ind. Certificate in Theological Studies: Ronald L.
Wenzel, Bear Creek Church of the Brethren, Dayton, Ohio.

Receiving distinctions were Guynn for his academic work in Biblical
Studies and for his M.A.Th. thesis; McCallister for her academic
work in Biblical Studies; and Walters for his work in Ministry
Studies. Three graduating seniors--Johnson, McCallister, and
Walters--who distinguished themselves in Biblical and Theological
Studies and intend to pursue careers in parish ministry will
receive complimentary one-year subscriptions to the journal
"Interpretation."

Graduates' planned future endeavors include careers in pastoral and
congregational ministry, chaplaincy, administration, and
counseling.

 5) Working with the General Board's Church of the Brethren
Washington Office, general secretary Judy Mills Reimer has signed
on to two letters related to the Middle East peace process.

One letter is to the prime ministers of Israel and Palestine,
asking them to take the bold steps that peace will require. The
other asks US leaders to give unified leadership to the Middle East
peace effort.

"It would be a mistake of historic dimensions if the Congress of
the United States were to thwart progress toward peace by placing
conditions on the implementation of the Road Map," the letter to US
leaders states. "The leadership of both Israel and the Palestinian
Authority are being asked to take great political risks for the
sake of peace. We cannot ask less of you."

The letter to prime ministers Sharon and Abbas calls for an end to
the occupation of the Palestinian territories and to the violence
by terrorists and extremists. "Your bold leadership is required,
now more than ever, for this to happen," the letter says. "The
rejection of violence by both sides--in word and in deed--is
essential." It also calls on all Christians, Jews, and Muslims to
join in prayer.

The letters were coordinated by Churches for Middle East Peace, a
coalition of 18 Catholic and Protestant organizations including the
Church of the Brethren.

National Council of Churches general secretary Bob Edgar,
meanwhile, was headed to the Middle East May 27 to June 1, where he
was scheduled to take part in a series of meetings with religious
leaders of many faiths, calling for religious tolerance and
cooperation. His visit follows up on an interfaith summit held
April 30 in Chicago.

Edgar planned to attend an emergency meeting of the Executive
Committee of the World Conference on Religion and Peace in Jordan,
then do additional visits in Jordan, Syria, and possibly Lebanon.

 6) More than 40 of the denomination's Disaster Project Directors
recently had an opportunity to "learn by doing" at Camp Harmony in
Western Pennsylvania District. The May 4-9 event was similar to a
hands-on training first done two years ago at Florida's Camp
Ithiel.  

Camp Harmony director Neal Harvey prepared a variety of
construction experiences. Some were new construction, such as
building a large new office area, while other projects involved
repair and/or improvement.

Directors for the week were Bob Pittman of Virlina District and
John Mueller of Atlantic Southeast, both of whom shared their
expertise in construction skills and procedures. Alice Petry led
sessions on group meal planning and preparation.
				   
Evenings were dedicated to presentations and discussions on
directing disaster response projects. Guest presenters included
Joann Hale of Church World Service and Liz Monahan Gibson of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Celia Cook-Huffman, a
Juniata College faculty member, gave a presentation on conflict
resolution.

In worship, volunteer Glenn Kinsel led the group in a renewing of
baptismal vows, and Western Pennsylvania District executive Ron
Beachley ended the week by sharing a poetic meditation. 

The project directors volunteer through the Church of the Brethren
General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries office, which
coordinates the training weeks. Directors serve throughout the year
as needed at response sites across the country.

 7) Orientation for Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 254 is being
held May 28 to June 17, with Paul Grout serving as resource leader.
The orientation is being held in Putney, Vt., and will include an
urban experience in New York at the Brooklyn First Church of the
Brethren. 

Of the 11 volunteers participating, eight are members of the Church
of the Brethren. The volunteers, home congregations (if
applicable), and hometowns are as follows:

Amy Adkins, Middlebury Church of the Brethren, Elkhart, Ind.; Sue
Albright, Stone Church of the Brethren, Huntingdon, Pa.; Cindy
Laprade, Antioch Church of the Brethren, Rocky Mount, Va.; Anna
Pomazal, Dixon Church of the Brethren, Rock Falls, Ill.; Matt
Rucker, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill.; Callie
Surber, Champaign Church of the Brethren, Phoenix, Ariz.;
Christopher VanderReyden, Syracuse Church of the Brethren,
Syracuse, Ind.; Elizabeth Waas Smith, Shalom Church of the
Brethren, Pinckney, Mich.; Mary Beliveau, Fredericksburg, Va.;
Melody Cline, Middletown, Del.; and Amber Conner, Waynesboro, Va. 

 8) Projected attendance at this summer's Annual Conference in
Boise, Idaho, is exceeding expectations.

Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle reported that, as
of the end of April, the initial block of 885 hotel and dormitory
rooms had been filled. Three additional hotels, with a total of 150
additional rooms, were added to accommodate room reservation
demand.

Fogle said that bus shuttle service to the Boise State University
campus would be available from all hotels, including those recently
added. Annual Conference will take place July 5-9.

 9) Brethren bits: Other brief news notes from around the
denomination and elsewhere.
 *The "Brethren Philosophy of Higher Education" interdisciplinary
study conference will take place June 6-8 at the Young Center of
Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. About 50 people are expected to
attend. Former General Board general secretary and Juniata College
president Robert Neff will be the featured speaker the first
evening. . . . Ministry Summer Service orientation is being held
May 31 to June 6 in Richmond, Ind., with 17 mentor-intern pairs
participating. . . . This year's Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum
will be June 5-7 at Brethren Village in Neffsville, Pa.

 *The Church of the Brethren summer workcamp season begins this
week, with young adult workcamp groups headed to Ecuador and
Northern Ireland. About two dozen workcamps for junior high and
senior high youth will follow over the next two and a half months.
In all, 550 people are expected to participate. The General Board
Youth/Young Adult Ministry office coordinates the program.

 10) The Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Ministry Center board has
announced the appointment of Ann Cornell as administrator of the
camp, located near Sharpsburg, Md. Cornell is a member of Frederick
(Md.) Church of the Brethren and also lives in Frederick.

Prior to this appointment as administrator, Cornell had served as
the food service director for Shepherd's Spring since March. She
has been actively involved with the camp since its beginning,
directing a week of camp and serving in a variety of other
volunteer positions.

Cornell has also worked previously in management, sharing ownership
of a local concrete construction business with her husband. "Ann
rose to the top of candidates for the position after a national
search was conducted both inside and beyond the Brethren family,"
a release from Shepherd's Spring board chair Eddie Edmonds said.  

Newsline is produced by Walt Wiltschek, director 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. Marcia Shetler, Nancy Miner, Helen Stonesifer, Glenn
Kinsel, Karen Roberts, Mary Dulabaum, Julie Hostetter, and David
Radcliff contributed to this report.

Newsline is a free service sent only to those requesting a
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www.wfn.org. Also see Photo Journal at
www.brethren.org/pjournal/index.htm for photo coverage of events.



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