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 From nobody@wfn.org  Fri Oct 20 00:00:00 2000
V: 847/742-5100   F:  847/742-6103
Contact: Walt Wiltschek
Date: Oct. 20, 2000
E-MAIL: CoBNews@AOL.Com

"...a word in season, how good it is!" Prov. 15:23b

NEWS
 1) The General Board prepares for busy fall meetings.
 2) Church of North India delegation meets with Brethren in Elgin.
 3) Disaster Child Care team goes to work in south Florida.
 4) An evangelism focus group shares stories, weighs options.
 5) Hurricane survivors honor those who helped them recover.
 6) Emergency Disaster Fund grant goes to Texas.
 7) A Virlina District event looks at urban ministry.
 8) Reports from some recent district conferences.
 9) Twenty people gather to discuss sister-church relationships.
10) Brethren bits: Brethren homes, workcamp assistant, and more.

PERSONNEL
11) Michigan seeks a district executive.
12) Southeastern District extends deadline for half-time executive
position.
13) Mimi Copp returns for another teaching assignment in Nigeria.

COMING EVENTS
14) Youth/Young Adult office announces full listing of 2001
workcamps.

RESOURCES
15) The denominational website adds a new section in Spanish.
16) Materials from Brethren Press dominate November "Source"
packet.

FEATURES
17) A Minnesota church finds ways to reach out to its rural
community.
18) Two members leave, and a church celebrates -- they're becoming
pastors.

****************************************************************
 
 1) The Church of the Brethren General Board begins its fall
meetings this weekend in Elgin, Ill. The theme for the gathering is
the vision statement adopted at the spring meeting: "Of God, for
God, with God."

Activities began Thursday with orientation for new board members
and a meeting of the General Board Leadership Team. The board's
executive committee is holding meetings today, and the full board
is scheduled to meet Saturday through Tuesday.

Several major items are on the agenda, including a proposal for new
church development, a preliminary proposal for a church start in
Brazil, approval of revised bylaws, and approval of the General
Board's 2001 budget. The board will also discuss a process for
making the board more ethnically diverse, consider a proposed
affiliation agreement with Companeros en Ministerio of Tijuana,
Mexico, and hear a series of reports, updates, and other items.

Guests from Nigeria, including Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria
president Toma Raganjiya, are expected to attend, along with
Bethany Theological Seminary students and district visitors. Two
worship services, devotional times, and visits to area churches
Sunday morning will be part of the schedule, as will a Saturday
evening banquet to celebrate General Board ministries.

A special Newsline reporting on the meetings will be sent to all
subscribers and posted to the www.brethren.org website on Oct. 25.
Full coverage will appear in the December Messenger.

 2) Generally positive feelings and a cooperative atmosphere
characterized a meeting between a delegation of Church of North
India leaders and representatives of the Church of the General
Board Oct. 9-11.

The two groups met to discuss the "separated" Brethren in India --
congregations that were started by Brethren mission in India during
the 1900s, joined CNI in 1970, then seceded in 1978. The
congregations have sought recognition by the Church of the Brethren
since then, and the General Board recently has been exploring the
issue.

Representing CNI were Dr. V.S. Lall, general secretary; the Most
Rev. Vinod Peter, moderator; and the Rt. Rev. V.M. Malaviya, bishop
of Gujarat state. General Board representatives included executive
director Judy Mills Reimer, board chair Mary Jo Flory-Steury,
Global Mission Partnership director Merv Keeney, and members of a
delegation that traveled to India this past spring and talked with
the churches seeking recognition. Bob Gross of Ministry of
Reconciliation served as facilitator.

"It was a much-needed renewal of the relationship," Keeney says.
"We worked hard at understanding the different issues that exist in
the relationship, identifying areas where we have common
understanding and where we don't."

It was a marked difference in tone from the last meeting between
the two parties, held in Toronto, Canada, in January. Keeney had
characterized relations at that time as "strained." While he
acknowledged that numerous problem areas and differences still
exist, Keeney feels some optimism at this new direction.

"We clearly have a different understanding about a lot of things
... but there's a desire to continue talking and working at it," he
says. "I celebrate that movement and progress."

Another visit of the General Board delegation to India is scheduled
for January, and CNI leaders expressed a desire to talk further
during that visit.

 3) A Disaster Child Care team has been dispatched by Church of the
Brethren Emergency Response/Service Ministries to south Florida to
aid families in the aftermath of severe flooding there.

A team of nine volunteers -- seven of them from the Church of the
Brethren -- arrived in Miami on Oct. 9 and set up two child-care
centers the following day. The volunteers are working with the
American Red Cross in flood-affected areas of Dade and Broward
counties, where some areas received well over a foot of rain from
a single storm system.

Gloria Cooper of Pasadena, Calif., from the United Methodist
Church, is serving as project manager. Donna Uhlig of New
Enterprise, Pa. (Bedford Church of the Brethren) is intern project
manager. Other team members are Allene Mae Teeter of Flintstone,
Md. (Glendale Church of the Brethren); Arlene Rabold of Ephrata,
Pa. (Ephrata Church of the Brethren); Jesse Frampton of Huntsville,
Ala. (Presbyterian); Shirley and Susan Benner of Ashland, Ohio
(Maple Grove Church of the Brethren); Cathy Koenemann of Decatur,
Ind. (Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren); and Vivian Voke of
Greenville, Ohio (Beech Grove Church of the Brethren).

The project was highlighted in a Church World Service Disaster News
Network story this week, viewable at www.disasternews.net. In the
article, Cooper says "There's no substitute for being on-site."

In other Disaster Child Care news, 25 people participated in an
intensive, 27-hour Level 1 training workshop Oct. 7-8 at the La
Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren. Karen Wolff served as local
coordinator, and Sylvia Bolton, Cooper, Sharon Gilbert, and Lydia
Walker were trainers. A similar workshop for prospective caregivers
will be held Nov. 11-12 at Union Congregational Church in Daytona
Beach, Fla. Requirements include a love of caring for children,
basic good health, ability to volunteer on short notice, and
willingness to participate in all training and the screening
process. Call Helen Stonesifer at 800 451-4407 for details.

 4) An evangelism focus group convened by the General Board's
Congregational Life Ministries office met Oct. 2-3 in Elgin, Ill.,
to share thoughts and discuss possible directions for the
denomination in this area. Goals for the meeting included
identifying beliefs and values related to evangelism, clarifying
issues of congregational development and outreach, and naming and
assessing several evangelism options.

The General Board currently supports the work of the ecumenical New
Life Ministries program and works at identifying evangelism
resources and models through Congregational Life Team staff. A need
to clarify and strengthen these efforts has been felt, however,
according to Congregational Life Ministries director Glenn Timmons.
After the conversations about evangelism during business at this
past summer's Annual Conference in Kansas City, the idea of
establishing an evangelism focus group emerged.

The group of 19 included Congregational Life Teams staff, pastors,
New Life Ministries director Joan Hershey, and others with
interest in the issue. Group members shared stories of how they
were introduced to Jesus Christ, participated in a small-group
Bible study, and heard and responded to eight ideas, options, and
resources for evangelism, ranging from a Youth Evangelism Team idea
to the Living in Faithful Evangelism (LIFE) model to cell groups to
the "Becoming a Contagious Christian" training kit. They also urged
evangelism as an emphasis throughout the General Board's work.

Congregational Life staff will soon be meeting to discuss and
follow up on the work of the focus group and further explore the
possible options and resources, looking at the time and staffing
that would be required. A separate but related proposal of new
church development will also be coming to the General Board at its
meetings this weekend.

 5) The people of Vanceboro, N.C., took time on Oct. 7 to mark the
one-year anniversary of Hurricane Floyd, celebrate the recovery
that has happened since then, and say "thank you" to those who
helped make that recovery possible.

Those receiving thanks included staff and volunteers with the
Church of the Brethren General Board's Emergency Response/Service
Ministries, who continue to work in the area. ER/SM staff Glenn and
Helen Kinsel, Helen Stonesifer, and Jane Yount attended the event
along with a dozen volunteers from Middle Pennsylvania District and
a group of youth from West Marva District who worked in Vanceboro
during a spring break and did a skit for the celebration.

A Middle Pennsylvania van and two ER/SM vehicles were part of a
parade that rolled through the eastern North Carolina town for the
"Vanceboro Community Day 2000" parade that afternoon, with the
town's mayor and the staff of the Christian Help Center leading the
way.

"Most of us had never been in a parade before," Yount said. "It was
humbling to hear the cheers and claps and whistles of the
bystanders for the Church of the Brethren as we rode past. One
family shouted, 'Thank you, thank you!'

"I tried to imagine the filth and stench of their home after it was
inundated with muddy flood water that stood for two weeks before
receding. Then I pictured the Brethren volunteers lovingly laboring
to restore their home to good-as-new condition. But they don't do
it to be honored in a parade. They do it to share another's burden
as Christ leads them, to 'walk the talk.' "

The celebration continued after the parade with gospel music, food,
and the presentation of awards to everyone who was instrumental in
the recovery effort. The Church of the Brethren was awarded a
plaque which reads: "Presented to Church of the Brethren In
Appreciation For Your Selfless Actions In Behalf Of The Victims Of
Hurricane Floyd And The Resulting Flood Waters. May God Bestow His
Blessings Upon You."

A similar event occurred in late September in Franklin, Va.,
another site of significant relief work by ER/SM and others in the
wake of Hurricane Floyd. That celebration included honoring
volunteers with the unveiling of a statue on a street corner that
had been under more than 20 feet of water a year earlier.

 6) A new allocation of $12,000 from the General Board's Emergency
Disaster Fund will support the work of Southwest Good Samaritan
Ministries of Los Fresnos, Texas. 

This ministry gives assistance to displaced persons and immigrants
by providing food, clothing, shelter, toiletries, and medicine, as
well as assistance to the Casa Betel Orphanage in Matamoros,
Mexico. The funds will be used to provide the organization with
$10,000 in direct support of their ministry to displaced persons
and immigrants and up to $2,000 to ship 8,400 pounds of canned
chicken to be used in their food pantry.

 7) "Seeking the New Jerusalem: Christians in an Urban World" was
the theme for an urban ministry event held Oct. 13-14 in Roanoke,
Va., co-sponsored by the Virlina District and the General Board's
Area 3 Congregational Life Team. The Rev. Dr. Sherman Hicks, pastor
of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., and former
bishop of the Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, was the guest preacher and keynote speaker.  

Friday evening worship, held at Central Church of the Brethren,
focused on the call to be representatives of God's people in the
midst of the city. An offering was taken for the General Board's
Cross-Cultural Ministry Team.

On Saturday, 44 participants representing 11 congregations gathered
at the Williamson Road church for worship and a presentation by
Hicks. Panelists David R. Miller (Roanoke First), David Minnich
(Shalom Fellowship, Concord, N.C.), and Asha Solanky (West
Richmond, Va.) responded to the presentation and asked the
question, "What does it mean to be in urban ministry in the Virlina
District?"

Three workshops were offered: "A Case Study of Urban Ministry in
Roanoke," by Johnny Stone, pastor of Hill Street Baptist;
"Exploring Diversity in Hymnal: A Worship Book," by Julie M.
Hostetter, Area 3 Congregational Life Team coordinator; and
"Blending Boundaries: Connections Between Urban/Suburban/Small
Town/Rural Congregations," by Duane Grady, Area 2 CLT staff. A
wrap-up summary by Hicks and a worship service ended the event.  

Followup activities included a planning committee of five Virlina
pastors, facilitated by Hostetter, who looked at possibilities for
ongoing dialogue and ideas, and Sunday school discussions at
Roanoke First led by Grady, sharing stories and looking at
opportunities for urban ministry. 

 8) Reports from some recent Church of the Brethren district
conferences:
 *Pacific Southwest: Held in Sacramento, Calif., Oct. 13-15 with
the theme "Claiming a Renewed Spirit Through Prayer and Praise,"
based on Isaiah 42:9-10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Moderator Belita
Mitchell of the Imperial Heights congregation in Los Angeles opened
the conference Friday night with a sermon entitled "The Power of
Prayer and Praise," with special music from the combined choir of
St. Andrews A.M.E. Church in Sacramento, the oldest African-
American congregation west of the Rockies; and by soloist Sanya
Wiggs. Other worship times featured Bakersfield co-pastor Sara
Haldeman-Scarr and district youth with clowning, drama, and an
festive atmosphere, and General Board executive director Judy Mills
Reimer, preaching on, "Glimpses of God's Vision." Saturday's
fast-moving business session opened with anointing and featured
calls of "Praise the Lord" and "Amen" rather than "Yea" and "Nay." 

 *Mid-Atlantic: Held Oct. 6-7 at St. Mark's United Methodist Church
in Easton, Md., with the theme "Celebrate Jesus." Westminster
senior pastor Scott Duffey served as moderator. Annual Conference
moderator Phill Carlos Archbold of the Brooklyn (N.Y.) First Church
of the Brethren was the keynote speaker for two worship services.
Business included disorganization of the Dover (Del.) Fellowship
with a service of remembrance. Highlights included installation of
new district executive Don Booz, a parade of banners, a retreat for
district youth with General Board Youth/Young Adult Ministries
coordinator Chris Douglas, and abundant music.

 9) Twenty people met in Elgin, Ill., recently for a "Sister Church
Gathering," allowing for the sharing of stories and ideas of
congregations who have sister-church partnerships with churches in
Latin America. The General Board's Global Mission Partnerships
office and Latin America/Caribbean staff sponsored the event.

Guest speakers included Marianne Mollmann of Network in Solidarity
with the People of Guatemala, speaking on "The historical context
of US relationships with Central America: Sister Church as a
radical, alternative vision," and Margot Zahner, on "The Dynamics
of Material Aid and Development."

Those attending also discussed issues such as challenges to
communication with sister churches, possible ways to deepen
relationships with those partners, the creation of guidelines for
Church of the Brethren congregations in sister-church
relationships, and the General Board's role in such relationships.

Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share
with one another and an interest in continuing regular gatherings
in the future, especially to aid other congregations that may be
interested in establishing sister-church partnerships.

 10) Brethren bits: Other brief news notes from around the
denomination and elsewhere.
 *The Brethren Retirement Community (Greenville, Ohio) has named R.
Scott Puckett as its new president/CEO effective Dec. 4. Puckett
has been CEO of Wesley Manor Retirement Community in Frankfort,
Ind., the past six years.

 *Manchester Church of the Brethren (North Manchester, Ind.) member
Cliff Kindy, who was jailed in Puerto Rico earlier this month while
participating in a Christian Peacemaker Teams witness on Vieques,
was released on Oct. 10. Kindy plead guilty to federal trespass
charges for civil disobedience on May 13 and Oct. 1 and was
sentenced to a $300 fine and time served.

 *A college-age workcamp assistant is being sought for summer 2001
by the General Board's Youth/Young Adult Ministries office. The
position starts about May 20 and ends Aug. 12. A stipend of $2,000
is provided along with all transportation and living expenses for
that period. The position includes one month of preparation at the
offices in Elgin, Ill., and seven weeks serving at various workcamp
sites. Jacki Hartley and Luke Croushorn are serving as workcamp
coordinators. Applications are due Dec. 1 and are available by
calling the Youth/Young Adult office at 800 323-8039, or sending an
e-mail to cdouglas_gb@brethren.org.

 *McPherson (Kan.) College has a unique event planned for Nov. 5:
A performance by "crop artist" Stan Herd. Herd produces art using
fields as his canvas, lawnmowers and tractors as artistic tools,
and seeds as his paint. His presentation will be called "Earth
Works."

 *Center Church of the Brethren (Louisville, Ohio) recently
celebrated its 175th anniversary.

 *On Sept. 21, assisted by the Church of the Brethren Washington
Office, the Caregiver's Army (represented by Carolyn Hanali of
Berlin Center, Ohio, and Franklin Cassel of Lancaster, Pa.)
presented the government's Alzheimer's Task Force with 20,000
signatures on a petition requesting more money for research and
funding of patients' care in the home. The group plans to continue
collecting signatures through next spring. E-mail
fkcassel@mciworld.com for more details. Cassel shared about the
project at this year's Church of the Brethren National Older Adult
Conference.

 *Virlina District's Camp Bethel (Fincastle, Va.) held its 16th
Heritage Festival on Oct. 7, with about 2,000 people attending.
Highlights included food, craft sales, the donation of 29 units of
blood for a local blood bank, music, and children's activities.
Proceeds totaled $18,130, which will be used for continuing
ministries at the camp.

 *George Stoltzfus will conclude his work as general secretary of
Mennonite Church USA in December 2000, six months earlier than
expected. Jim Schrag was named executive director-elect of
Mennonite Church USA by the Executive Board in June 2000, with the
expectation that he would begin serving as executive director after
the delegate assembly in Nashville in July 2001. Schrag will now
assume oversight responsibilities for the executive offices in
Newton, Kan., and Elkhart, Ind., effective Jan. 1. The Executive
Board also recently approved the first transformation proposals,
showing what parts of the emerging denomination may look like,
pending delegate action at next summer's convention.

 *The National Council of Churches will hold its General Assembly
Nov. 14-17 in Atlanta. Listed as top agenda items are work on a
decade-long "Mobilization to Overcome Poverty," and "Expanding the
Ecumenical Vision" initiative, and an ecumenical reception honoring
the NCC's president, Ambassador Andrew Young. ... The NCC this week
also issued a statement on the violence in the Middle East, saying
"We call on all parties to cease immediately all acts of violence
and provocation to violence. We urge that the international
community, acting singly or together, assist the parties in
de-escalating their conflict and in finding alternative ways to
address their increasingly bitter grievances with each other."

 *The US Campaign to Ban Landmines and the International Campaign
to Ban Landmines are sponsoring special events in Washington, D.C.,
March 6-11, 2001. Events will include a conference, meetings with
members of Congress, workshops, and a public witness. More
information is available at banmines@phrusa.org.

 *The Center on Conscience & War (NISBCO) celebrated its 60th
anniversary last week. The Washington, D.C.-based organization aids
conscientious objectors.

 *Brethren Employees' Credit Union is now offering both traditional
and Roth IRA accounts. Rates range from 6.66 percent for 1 year to
6.92 percent for 3 years. Call 888 832-1383 for more information.

 11) Michigan District is seeking a district executive for a
half-time position negotiable to three-quarters time (including
some evenings and weekends). 

Responsibilities include assisting congregations with pastoral
placement, providing care for pastors and their families, working
with the district board and overall district and denominational
work, and visiting congregations to promote communication and
provide resources.

Qualifications include a clear commitment to Jesus Christ, a
commitment to New Testament values as understood through Church of
the Brethren faith and heritage, understanding of small membership
churches, strong interpersonal and communication skills, strong
management and administrative experience, respect for theological
diversity, and ordination and pastoral experience in the Church of
the Brethren (M.Div. degree preferred).

Applications are due by Dec. 10 to Nancy F. Knepper, Office of
District Ministries, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. A letter of
interest, resume, and three to four reference letters should be
sent. When the resume has been received, candidates will also be
sent a candidate profile that must be completed and returned. 

 12) The previously advertised Southeastern District executive
position, available April 1, has been revised from full-time to a
half-time position that may be filled by an individual or team. 

The application deadline has been extended to Oct. 27 or until the
position is filled. Letter of interest, resume, and three to four
letters of reference should be sent to Nancy F. Knepper, Office of
District Ministries, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.

 13) Mimi Copp, who served a two-year assignment in Nigeria with
the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships office from June
1998-June 2000 has returned for another term in the west African
nation.

Copp will be teaching at the Hillcrest School in Jos. She
previously taught at EYN Secondary School.

 14) A new, color brochure provides details on 20 denominational
workcamps that will be offered in 2001 by the General Board's
Youth/Young Adult Ministries office.

Planned are five junior high workcamps, with three in the East, one
in Indiana, and one in Wisconsin; 13 senior high workcamps, in US
locations from Maryland to south Texas to Oregon plus three in the
Caribbean; one combined junior-senior high workcamp in Bayview,
Va.; and one young adult workcamp to Taize, France. 

Workcamp registrations will be accepted beginning Dec. 1. For
copies of the brochure or more information, call the Youth/Young
Adult office at 800 323-8039.

 15) The official Church of the Brethren denominational website,
www.brethren.org, last week launched a new addition to the site:
information about the denomination in Spanish. It is the first
portion of the site available in a language other than English.

The page shares Brethren beliefs based on the tagline "Continuing
the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together," following a
similar format as the "About the Church of the Brethren" part of
the site launched this past summer. The translation was done by
General Board staff member Mariana Barriga, who works in the
Youth/Young Adult Ministries office.

A link to the Spanish information, "en espanol," is available off
the site's main page. Additional Spanish resources are being
considered for the future.

 16) The November "Source" packet includes four pieces from the
General Board's Brethren Press: information on ordering the new
Hymnal Supplement Series, beginning in 2001; a sample of the new 8
1/2- x 14-inch bulletin option in the Living Word series; details
on the new "Heart, Soul, and Mind" membership curriculum; and a
sheet of updates on other projects like LabOra Worship Planning
Software and BrethrenPress.com.

Other materials in the packet are a brochure on the Matthew 18
Workshop available from Ministry of Reconciliation, a form from
Association of Brethren Caregivers to request materials for the
National Donor Sabbath; information on the Christian Peacemaker
Teams' "Violence Is Not Child's Play" program; offerings from the
Brethren Employees' Credit Union; and a piece called "The Changing
Face of Worship" from New Life Ministries.

 17) Churches have traditionally been a strong thread in the fabric
of rural communities, and the Root River Church of the Brethren
(Preston, Minn.) is taking that role seriously.

During the summer, Root River members Troy and Opal Schrock sold
their family farm near the church in order to move into town. For
them it was not enough to find buyers for the farm, however; they
wanted to work at making the new people feel welcome, too.

Opal headed up an open house at the church and invited the
community to become acquainted with the new neighbors, John Lindeke
and his mother, Ida. Everyone had a good time, according to pastor
Frances Townsend. And, since it was at the church, the new family
didn't have to worry about getting everything unpacked and
presentable for visitors.

"The ministry of hospitality is one step in building up a healthy
community," Townsend said.

 18) A church might not usually celebrate two members leaving on
the same day, but in the case of the Westminster (Md.) Church of
the Brethren on Oct. 15, it was a special occasion. The two both
left to become pastors of other Church of the Brethren
congregations.

Kelly Burk, a 2000 Bethany Theological Seminary graduate who was
ordained at Westminster Oct. 7, was installed as senior pastor of
the Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren that day.

And Tom Hurst, who had been licensed at Westminster on Sept. 24,
was installed as pastor at the Downsville (Md.) congregation. He's
combining that part-time position with a new position as Shepherd's
Spring Outdoor Ministries Center's first year-round program
director.

"I think it speaks well for the congregation and the support and
encouragement they give to people," Hurst said of his Westminster
church family. "As the journey began, it was a really supportive
group of people. I appreciated the love that came from them."

Hurst also encouraged other congregations to be alert for people in
their midst who may have a similar calling and need a little extra
nudge or affirmation to take that step toward ministry.

"People ought not to be hesitant to express to others the gifts
they see in them," Hurst said. "They should be free to say, 'Have
you ever thought about...' without being afraid or shy, whether
it's for ministry or other things. It's a way to share in the
Christian community that makes sense."

 

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. Newsline stories may be reprinted
provided that Newsline is cited as the source.

To receive Newsline by e-mail or fax, call 800 323-8039, ext. 263,
or write CoBNews@AOL.Com. Newsline is available at www.brethren.org
and is archived with an index at http://www.wfn.org.