November 8, 2007
“…Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (1 Peter 4:10b)
PERSONNEL NOTICES
1) Mary Dulabaum resigns from Association of Brethren Caregivers.
2) Tom Benevento ends his work with Global Mission Partnerships.
3) Jeanne Davies to coordinate workcamp ministry of General Board.
4) James Deaton begins as interim managing editor of Brethren Press.
5) Stephen Lipinski will manage operations for the Brethren Foundation.
6) More Brethren bits: SVMC notice, job openings, nominations sought.
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1) Mary Dulabaum resigns from Association of Brethren Caregivers.
Mary Dulabaum has resigned as director of Communications for the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC), as of Nov. 14. Since 1997, she has communicated the agency’s mission of serving the caring ministries of the denomination.
Dulabaum has edited “Caregiving,” a quarterly publication for pastors, deacons, and congregational caregivers, and developed ABC’s first website and oversaw its redesign in 2004. She has created and produced promotional materials for events such as National Older Adult Conference and the Caring Ministries Assembly. She also has represented ABC on inter-agency committees and collaborated on past Live Reports at Annual Conference, brethren.org, Passport to Wellness initiatives, and the shared ministries report shown at district conferences.
In addition, she has served as staff representative for ABC’s Disabilities Ministry and Voice: Mental Illness Ministry. In 1999, she worked with many volunteers to create resources on accessibility for people with disabilities. In 2005, she collaborated with volunteers to produce resources for Health Promotion Sunday on ways the church can respond with love and care for those with mental health concerns.
She leaves ABC to join Judson University in Elgin, Ill., as director of marketing and communications.
2) Tom Benevento ends his work with Global Mission Partnerships.
Tom Benevento is ending his work as Latin America/Caribbean specialist for the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board, as of the end of this year. He had begun carrying a part of the regional leadership for the work in 1999, following longterm service in Guatemala.
As the position developed, Benevento guided the placement of Brethren Volunter Service and Global Mission Partnership workers serving in Latin America and the Caribbean, explored new opportunities for response to the needs of communities there, and nurtured relationships with indigenous organizations with whom General Board ministries interact. During his service with the board, he also wrote a book on gardening published by Brethren Press, titled “Gardening for the Earth and Soul,” and wrote a number of articles on sustainable agriculture and God’s call to mission.
Benevento is beginning a new role with the New Community Project focused on global climate change and poverty, and plans to lead workshops in congregations and to help congregations and households reduce their “carbon footprints” while saving money on energy costs. He also hopes to establish a model sustainable living center in Harrisonburg, Va.
3) Jeanne Davies to coordinate workcamp ministry of General Board.
Jeanne Davies has accepted a call to the position of coordinator of Workcamp Ministry for the Church of the Brethren General Board, beginning Jan. 14, 2008. She has been serving as associate pastor of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., since 2004.
Her prior work for the denomination was as program assistant for the Congregational Life Ministries of the General Board, for about a year from May 2003 to March 2004.
Davies earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, and is currently a master of divinity student at Bethany Theological Seminary, in the “Connections” distance learning program.
4) James Deaton begins as interim managing editor of Brethren Press.
James Deaton began Oct. 29 as interim managing editor for Brethren Press, in a staff position with the Church of the Brethren General Board. The position is located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Deaton has worked as a senior specification editor for Abbott Laboratories. Prior to that, he was a technical writer for several prominent telecommunications companies in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
He earned his master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and has experience as a Christian educator, student pastor, and retirement home chaplain for various denominations including Free Will Baptist, United Methodist, and United Church of Christ. He is a member of First Congregational Church (UCC) of Elgin, and lives in Evanston, Ill.
5) Stephen Lipinski will manage operations for the Brethren Foundation.
Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has appointed Stephen J. Lipinski to the position of manager of operations for the Brethren Foundation Inc., as of Nov. 1. He will work from the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
In this new role for the Brethren Foundation, Lipinski will be a primary contact for clients, working to strengthen relationships, respond to inquiries, and assist current and potential clients in utilizing foundation asset management services and charitable-giving programs. He also will maintain databases and be responsible for record keeping, reporting, and production of resource materials.
Lipinski comes to BBT from his own insurance and investment-products business, as well as from Elgin Community College where he teaches business-related courses. He holds degrees from the University of Illinois and Elgin Community College, and is qualified as a microcomputer specialist. He has experience in three not-for-profit organizations and has extensive experience in the marketing of financial products. He and his family have lived in Elgin for 25 years.
6) More Brethren bits: SVMC notice, job openings, nominations sought.
- Mary Schiavoni, program coordinator of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, will leave that position on Nov. 15. She has served in the role since July 2001, has managed day-to-day operations in the center’s office, and has been a passionate spokesperson for its mission and ministry. She is a licensed minister currently enrolled in the Training in Ministry (TRIM) program and will be relocating to Richmond, Ind. Amy Milligan will assume the role of program coordinator on Nov. 15. Milligan is a 2004 graduate of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, a 2007 graduate of Duke University with a master’s degree in Theological Studies, and while at Elizabethtown served as a student assistant and event planner at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center is a center for theological, ministerial and leadership education related to the Church of the Brethren, and a partnership between Bethany Theological Seminary and five Church of the Brethren districts: Atlantic Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. The center’s offices are located on the campus of Elizabethtown College.
- The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks an executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, to serve in a fulltime position located in Elgin, Ill. The starting date is Feb. 1, 2008, or as negotiated. A position description and application form are available on request. Responsibilities include seeking to discern the needs of the larger church, articulating the vision of the General Board through collaborative work with districts and congregations in conjunction with General Board staff, developing a plan of oversight and assisting the three units in Congregational Life Ministries–Congregational Life Teams, Workcamp Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, overseeing networking and training for church plants and coaches for new church development, providing executive leadership and management of centralized and deployed staff. A master of divinity degree and ordination in the Church of the Brethren are strongly preferred. Other qualifications include active membership in the Church of the Brethren; five years of experience in work with congregational life, program development, mentoring, supervision, team development, and administration; a minimum of 10 years of pastoral ministry; interest areas in church renewal, revitalization, evangelism, youth and young adult ministries. Applications will be received through Nov. 30, interviews will take place at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., in November and December. Qualified candidates are invited to complete the General Board application form, submit a resume and a letter of application, and request three references to send letters of recommendation to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; kkrog_gb@brethren.org.
- The Church of the Brethren General Board seeks a coordinator of e-generation development to fill a fulltime position in stewardship and donor development, located in Elgin, Ill. The starting date is Jan. 1, 2008, or as negotiated. A position description and application form are available on request. Responsibilities include promoting and securing online gifts that will support ministries of the General Board; working with multiple areas to develop and follow a comprehensive plan for e-community building and online giving; working with outside contractors for e-mail communication systems, site design, and/or online giving; working with the coordinator of Stewardship Formation and Education on printed and electronic media messages; developing and maintaining a Stewardship and Donor Development website and related pages, blogs, and other web-based donor communication and gift invitation activities. Qualifications include public relations or customer service experience, a leadership position with a Church of the Brethren congregation, computer skills, commitment to the denomination and ecumenical objectives, a positive and affirming collaborative style of leadership. Education and experience requirements include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. Qualified candidates are invited to complete the General Board application form, submit a resume and a letter of application, and request three references to send letters of recommendation to the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; kkrog_gb@brethren.org.
- The Mutual Aid Association for the Church of the Brethren (MAA) seeks a president/general manager. Location is Abilene, Kan., some two-and-a-half hours west of Kansas City. The president/general manager serves as principle administrator of the organization, with responsibilities to plan, direct, and coordinate programs and staff to assure that board objectives are attained, policyholder needs are met, and effective internal and external relationships are maintained; demonstrate leadership skills and office management; and direct the organization’s vision, cooperatively with the Board of Directors. Qualifications include holding Church of the Brethren values, being trustworthy and reliable, having a positive attitude toward change, demonstrating effective communication skills and people skills, insurance and marketing experience, managerial or supervisory experience, and a minimum education of a bachelor’s degree. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include pension and medical benefits, vacation and other leave. Start date is March 1, 2008, or negotiable. Send a letter of interest, a one-page resume, and minimum salary requirement to the Chair, MAA Board of Directors, c/o 3094 Jeep Rd., Abilene, KS 67410; fax 785-598-2214; 785-598-2212; maa@maabrethren.com.
- The Church of the Brethren General Board has an opening in its Archival Internship Program. The program develops interest in vocations related to archives, libraries, and Brethren history. The program provides work assignments in the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) and opportunities to develop professional contacts. Work includes processing archival materials, writing descriptive inventories, preparing books for cataloguing, responding to reference requests, and assisting researchers. Professional contacts may include archival and library conferences and workshops, visits to libraries and archives in the Chicago area, and participation in Annual Conference and the Brethren Historical Committee meeting. The BHLA is an official repository for Church of the Brethren publications and records with a collection of more than 10,000 volumes, 3,100 linear feet of manuscripts and records, 40,000 photographs, plus videos, films, DVDs, and recordings. BHLA is located in Elgin, Ill. The term of service is for one year, beginning July 2008 (preferred). Compensation includes housing, a monthly stipend of $1,050, health and life insurance. A graduate student is preferred, or an undergraduate with at least two years of college. Other requirements include an interest in history and/or library and archival work, willingness to work with details, accurate word processing skills, ability to lift 30-pound boxes. Apply by Feb. 29, 2008, by sending a resume, college transcript (can be an unofficial copy), three reference letters from people who can comment on the applicant’s learning ability, research and writing skills, ability to complete projects, interests, and character (no immediate family members). Send to Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120-1694; 800-323-8039 ext. 258; kkrog_gb@brethren.org. For more information contact the Brethren Historical Library and Archives at 800-323-8039 ext. 294 or kshaffer_gb@brethren.org.
- Nominations for elective offices open in 2008 in the Church of the Brethren are sought by the Nominating Committee of Standing Committee. The Nominating Committee is actively seeking nominations and encouraging participation of church members in this process. District offices and Church of the Brethren agencies were supplied election procedures and nomination forms in late August. Nomination forms also are available at www.brethren.org/ac, click on the tab “Online Form” in the list in the right-hand column, and select “Nomination form for elective offices” (www.brethren.org/ac/forms/standing_nom.html). Nominations may be entered online, keeping in mind that the person being nominated needs to have given permission. Also available at the website are election procedures and a list of open offices in 2008 (www.brethren.org/ac/forms/electionprocedures2008.html). All nominations must be received by Dec. 1 in the Annual Conference Office, P.O. Box 720, New Windsor, MD, 21776-0720.
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Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Lerry Fogle, Merv Keeney, Karin Krog, David Radcliff, Donna M. Rhodes, and Jay Wittmeyer contributed to this report. Newsline appears every other Wednesday, with other special issues sent as needed. The next regularly scheduled issue is set for Nov. 21. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. For more Brethren news and features, subscribe to “Messenger” magazine, call 800-323-8039 ext. 247.