Title: Church of the Brethren provides disaster leadership training Nov. 27, 2006 Church of the Brethren News Service Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director 800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews@brethren.org
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN DISASTER LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROVIDES UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
Nov. 27, 2006 (Elgin, IL) -- October was a month of excitement, anticipation, and new beginnings for Brethren Disaster Response, reported coordinator Jane Yount. The month represented a new beginning for leadership in the Church of the Brethren program, as 26 people from 13 states participated in two disaster project leadership trainings in Pensacola, Fla., and Lucedale, Miss.
These were the first trainings of their kind to be offered by Brethren Disaster Response, featuring real-life experience at actual disaster sites. Each two-week training was filled with instruction and skill development sessions, as presenters from local disaster recovery groups, Brethren Disaster Response staff, and current project leaders provided special training focused on topics such as construction management, safety, volunteer management, meal planning, and hospitality.
In addition to staff, trainers included Bob and Marianne Pittman, Larry and Alice Petry, Brethren Volunteer Service workers Phil and Joan Taylor, and safety expert Steve Hollinger.
Participants found it beneficial to immediately put into practice what they were learning, Yount reported. "We aren't here by accident, we're here by blessing. We've learned from everybody here," commented Eddie Motley, trainee from the church's Southeastern District.
The volunteer project leaders will continue their training by working with leaders of current disaster response projects to hone skills and become comfortable in leadership roles.
In other disaster response news from the Church of the Brethren, a new Hurricane Katrina clean-up and rebuilding project opened in Tammany Parish, La., on Oct. 15. Katrina caused devastation for the parish on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Brethren Disaster Response opened the project in Pearl River, a small town outside of Slidell.
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.
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For more information contact:
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Director of News Services Church of the Brethren General Board 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 260 cobnews@brethren.org
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