Balloons create a festive atmosphere
at the CoBACE luncheon.

Two Church of the Brethren organizations with ties to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., celebrated their 20th anniversaries at luncheons on Monday.

The Church of the Brethren Association of Christian Educators (CoBACE) was founded in October 1980 at a meeting in New Windsor for the purpose of supporting, strengthening, and encouraging educators. Among the education accomplishments of the past 20 years was Brethren Press' production of the Jubilee curriculum, along with the Mennonites and Brethren in Christ.

In a letter, Don Jordan noted that CoBACE "helped me to

Audrey Finkbiner and Donna Forbes Steiner
present the 20th Anniversary song for CoBACE,
"Come Gather Round the Circle" by Mark V. Herr

feel valued as a Christian educator." Audrey Finkbinder introduced a song by Mark V. Herr, "Come, Gather Round the Circle," written to commemorate "this day and the days to come."

Don Miller of Bethany Theological Seminary noted that CoBACE is not only commemorating the past 20 years but looking forward to the next 20. He noted that the church is a resurrection community and must continually find new ways to reach out to people. A slide presentation of CoBACE's history shown at the luncheon is available for congregations to use.

Stan Noffsinger, Tim Burke, Roma Jo
Thompson, and Jan Thompson confer
after the Disaster Childcare luncheon.

Disaster Child Care also celebrated its 20th anniversary Monday. The organization provides care to children following floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and airplane crashes. It was founded in March 1980 and held its first training at New Windsor. It has expanded in the intervening years.

In 1999, there were 13,000 child-care contacts. The history of Disaster Child Care reflects the work of flexible and dedicated volunteers who give comfort to children and respite to parents following a disaster. An award was presented to Jane Morgan, manager of External Relations and Disaster Services. -- ERIC MILLER