October 24, 2007
“Let all things be done for building up” (1 Corinthians 14:26).
NEWS
1) On Earth Peace holds fall meeting on theme of ‘Building Bridges.’
2) ABC seeks child safety policies from congregations.
3) Brethren Disaster Ministries opens Minnesota project.
4) Nappanee church pig roast becomes disaster response event.
5) Grants to agriculture in North Korea represent new partnerships.
6) Emergency Disaster Fund gives numerous grants.
7) Dominican church holds special assembly.
8) Northern Indiana holds conference at Goshen City Church.
9) Brethren bits: Personnel, job opening, anniversaries, more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
10) Main leadership is announced for Church Planting Conference.
PERSONNEL
11) Thomas retires from funding team of General Board.
12) Boyer resigns as executive minister of Pacific Southwest District.
13) Deoleo is called to intercultural ministries of the General Board.
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Para ver la traducción en español de este artículo, “La Iglesia de Germantown Patrocina la Abertura Para Celebrar el 300avo Aniversario,” vaya a www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/2007/sep1807.htm. (For a Spanish translation of the article, “Germantown Church Hosts Opening Event of the 300th Anniversary Celebration,” from the Newsline Special of Sept. 18, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/2007/sep1807.htm.)
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1) On Earth Peace holds fall meeting on theme of ‘Building Bridges.’
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met Sept. 21-23 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Mindful of the On Earth Peace 2007 theme of “Building Bridges,” they worshiped together, discussed the history of On Earth Peace, reviewed goals accomplished in the last year and the directions the group wants to move towards in upcoming years.
A special welcome and orientation was extended to new board members Don Mitchell and Susan Chapman. Also in attendance was Gimbiya Kettering, a new staff member who has joined the communication team as former co-director Barbara Sayler has moved to a part-time position.
On Earth Peace continues to build bridges and communicate with other entities of the Church of the Brethren. Board members who participated in joint meetings with the Church of the Brethren General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) shared a report of that meeting. On Earth Peace welcomed the communication with the new General Board and ABC entity and expressed hope that there will projects to work on collaboratively together. The International Day of Prayer for Peace that brought together 101 congregations and Church of the Brethren communities was considered a successful way that On Earth Peace reached out to congregations in cooperation with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the General Board.
The Finance Committee reported that the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 saw a good balance between income and expenses. A budget of $488,000 was adopted for fiscal year 2008.
Much time was spent on external and internal evaluation of the work done by On Earth Peace, its sustainability, and directions of development. In the spring, On Earth peace invited input from other agencies of the Church of the Brethren and beyond. The responses brought to this meeting were overall positive and affirming. As an agency within the Church of the Brethren promoting peace between individuals, within communities, and globally, On Earth Peace seems to be having a positive and growing impact. As an antiracist organization, On Earth Peace evaluated how it actively strives to be inclusive and make choices against systemic biases. In conclusion, executive director Bob Gross stated, “We want to work with, learn from, and serve the whole church.”
A working group of staff and board members was formed to begin strategic planning. This is the fruition of an initiative that began last year and will enable On Earth Peace to steer its future development. The strategic planning committee was charged with questions about the relationship between peace and justice, how it will address civil religion, addressing the issues of On Earth Peace constituents, and how the organization’s impact can ripple beyond church congregations. These are ongoing questions that will be addressed in the next meeting of the board.
–Gimbiya Kettering is co-coordinator of communications for On Earth Peace.
2) ABC seeks child safety policies from congregations.
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is asking Church of the Brethren congregations that have implemented a Child Safety Policy and/or a Covenant for Childcare Volunteers to send a copy of these policies to its Family Life Ministry.
ABC is working to respond to the Child Abuse Prevention Query forwarded to it by delegates at this year’s Annual Conference. One of the first steps the agency will take is to collect drafts of policies that congregations have already implemented. Several of these drafts will be posted at ABC’s website as a resource for congregations that wish to implement their own Child Safety Policy and/or a Covenant for Childcare Volunteers, or other documents caring for concerns of the welfare of children, teens, and youth during congregational events.
If your congregation is utilizing policies, covenants, and statements related to safeguarding children during church functions, please share these documents with the larger church by sending electronic versions to abc@brethren.org. Word or PDF documents are preferred. Questions about ABC’s response to the Child Abuse Prevention Query can be directed to Kim Ebersole, director of Family and Older Adult Ministries, at 800-323-8039 or kebersole_abc@brethren.org.
–Mary Dulabaum is director of communications for the Association of Brethren Caregivers.
3) Brethren Disaster Ministries opens Minnesota project.
In response to flooding in southeastern Minnesota in late August, Brethren Disaster Ministries is working closely with the Church of the Brethren’s Northern Plains District to begin working in the Rushford, Minn., area. A weather system produced heavy rains in the upper midwest as remnants of Tropical Storm Erin made their way inland, producing major flooding across a broad area. Storms downed trees and power lines, and an estimated 1,500 homes were damaged.
There is an immediate need for volunteers to begin reconstruction before the cold weather sets in. Work will include repair or installation of insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinets, and painting. During the winter months the project will operate on a week-by-week basis, requiring volunteers to be flexible. The disaster project director will be Dave Engel, and volunteer housing and meals will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Rushford. Each volunteer group will be limited to 15 volunteers. Call Jane Yount, 800-451-4407, to schedule a volunteer group.
The Hurricane Katrina rebuilding projects of Brethren Disaster Ministries continue in Chalmette and Pearl River, La. For more information go to www.brethren.org/genbd/BDMupdate.html.
4) Nappanee church pig roast becomes disaster response event.
Nappanee (Ind.) Church of the Brethren members were looking forward to their annual pig roast on Saturday, Oct. 20. It would be a time of fun and fellowship for the entire church family.
But Mother Nature had something else in mind. Late Thursday evening, Oct. 18, a severe tornado ravaged much of the town and countryside, including the homes of several church members.
Undaunted, the Nappanee congregation decided to go ahead with the pig roast and donate everything to the Salvation Army’s feeding station for the tornado survivors.
When the Church of the Brethren showed up with huge pans full of freshly roasted pork and dozens of rolls for delicious sandwiches, Salvation Army volunteers marveled at God’s provision and impeccable timing.
In an update from the Brethren in the Nappanee area affected by the tornado, Northern Indiana District disaster coordinator John Sternberg has reported that about a dozen member families were affected, mostly from the Nappanee, Yellow Creek, and Union Center congregations. Three families from Nappanee Church of the Brethren and one from Yellow Creek Church of the Brethren in Goshen completely lost their homes.
–Jane Yount is coordinator of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
5) Grants to agriculture in North Korea represent new partnerships.
Grants totaling $60,000 for flood response and rural development in North Korea have been approved by two funds of the Church of the Brethren General Board, the Global Food Crisis Fund and the Emergency Disaster Fund. The action was prompted by setbacks suffered by North Korean agriculture following torrential rains in late summer.
Giving impetus to the response was a $20,000 gift to the Global Food Crisis Fund from Grace Christian Church, a Church of the Brethren congregation in Hatfield, Pa., and the Korean Presbyterian Church in America. Focused on flood recovery, the effort was initiated by Young Son Min, pastor of Grace Christian Church.
The grants are “a step in the Church of the Brethren’s effort to witness to the compassion and love of Jesus for all peoples, especially to the impoverished and the estranged,” said Global Food Crisis Fund manager Howard Royer. “This gift is a song of partnership, with Agglobe, across agencies, between the Church of the Brethren and the Korean Presbyterian Church in America, among haves and have-nots. Praise God!”
Four farm communities in North Korea that have received assistance from the Global Food Crisis Fund for a decade were devastated by flooding in August. Drastic damage occurred to crops of cotton, rice, corn, and vegetables. Some of the communities also suffered the loss of roads, bridges, and construction materials. The grants will be used not only for emergency food and flood recovery but also for sustainable agricultural development, namely the purchase of vinyl greenhouses that will extend the growing season into the winter months.
Agglobe, a long-time partner of the Global Food Crisis Fund, will facilitate the programs of recovery and development, enlisting further support from development and assistance agencies in South Korea.
6) Emergency Disaster Fund gives numerous grants.
The Emergency Disaster Fund of the Church of the Brethren General Board has given numerous grants recently for disaster relief work around the world, totalling more than $125,000. The 15 grants were given as follows:
- $40,000 to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal following intense flooding throughout Asia
- $15,000 to a CWS appeal following widespread destruction by Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua
- $10,000 to an appeal from IMA World Health to develop basic health services in south Sudan
- $10,000 to CWS following flooding throughout northern India
- $7,000 to a CWS appeal for humanitarian aid to Gaza and West Bank
- $7,000 to CWS work following widespread flooding in eight midwestern states in the US
- $7,000 to a CWS response to flooding in 15 provinces in China
- $5,000 to Northern Indiana District and area congregations following the Nappanee tornado
- $5,000 to open a joint Brethren Disaster Ministries and Northern Plains District project following flooding in Minnesota
- $5,000 to CWS in the wake of destruction caused in Haiti and Jamaica by Hurricane Dean
- $5,000 to purchase supplies for clean-up buckets for use by the CWS Emergency Response Program
- $3,800 to work being done in Union Victoria, Guatemala, through the General Board
- $3,500 to Disaster News Network, a news service for faith-based disaster response news
- $2,500 to a CWS appeal following torrential rains and flooding in North Kordofan, Sudan
- $2,000 to a CWS appeal for the Mount Elgon region of Kenya, where disputes between opposing clans have resulted in violent clashes.
For more about the Emergency Disaster Fund go to www.brethren.org/genbd/BDM/EDFindex.html.
7) Dominican church holds special assembly.
La Iglesia de los Hermanos en la Republica Dominicana (the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic) held a special assembly on Sept. 29. The meeting, held in the capital city of Santo Domingo, brought together 121 delegates from 19 of the current 22 congregations to call new leadership and to make organizational decisions for the church’s life.Stanley Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board, and Mervin Keeney, executive director of the board’s Global Mission Partnerships, were invited to observe. They joined Irvin and Nancy Heishman, DR mission coordinators, as representatives of the US church.
“A number of persons expressed to us how meaningful and important it was for the US church to be present for this gathering,” Noffsinger said. “While the church faced significant challenges, our observation was that reason, compassion, and community prevailed.”
“The spirit of the meeting reflected considerable unity, and a sense of common purpose to upbuild the church,” observed Keeney. “This was especially evident in an instance where a person of maturity and grace, who might have been an obvious choice for leadership, chose to stand aside in the interests of the whole body.” The Heishmans added that, “We clearly sensed God’s presence preparing the way for this meeting, guiding the delegates toward making a number of wise and courageous decisions. We rejoice in God’s goodness and in the dedication and faithfulness of the Dominican Brethren.”
Noffsinger also preached at the San Luis congregation just east of the city, at its regular Sunday evening worship service. In spite of a heavy downpour, about 150 people came out for the service. A clergy couple, Anastacia Bueno and Isaias Santo Tena, serve as co-pastors for this Dominican-Haitian congregation.
8) Northern Indiana holds conference at Goshen City Church.
Annual Conference moderator James Beckwith was the Friday evening worship speaker at the 148th District Conference of Northern Indiana District, held at Goshen (Ind.) City Church of the Brethren on Sept. 14-15. The district selected the denomination’s 300th Anniversary theme for its conference: “Surrendered to GOD, Transformed by CHRIST, and Empowered by the SPIRIT.”
Beckwith invited the conference to “plant some seeds” for God to nurture and bring to growth. As a symbolic reminder, each of the worshipers received a single wheat seed to remind them of a particular individual in whom they might plant a gospel seed. The opening worship service was preceded by a half-hour concert presented by the choir of Walnut Church of the Brethren in Argos, Ind.
Worship was followed by two insight sessions, one led by Beckwith and the district’s 300th Anniversary Committee, and a second led by Nevin Dulabaum of the Brethren Benefit Trust focused on increasing a church’s media exposure.
Saturday’s business session led by district moderator Tim Sollenberger Morphew began with a multimedia roll call including church pictures and a brief statement highlighting each congregation’s community ministry. The delegates affirmed the appointment of David Wysong to serve as 2008 district moderator. This appointment was to fill the term of Ruthann Knechel Johansen, who resigned as moderator-elect following her call to serve as president of Bethany Theological Seminary.
Through a slate, delegates called to district leadership Tim Waits as moderator-elect, Beth Sollenberger Morphew and Gene Hollenberg to the District Board, Joe Long and Mary Helfrich to the Personnel Committee, Marie Tom to the Program and Arrangements Committee, and Margaret Pletcher as district representative to the Standing Committee of Annual Conference. Additional appointments to the boards of institutions related to the district also were approved.
Delegates received the report of the District Board, which included an announcement of the appointment of Rich Troyer of Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren as district youth coordinator; information about the district’s plans to celebrate the 300th Anniversary; financial reports for 2006 and the first six months of 2007; recognition of Ruth Dilling as “Volunteer of the Year” for her work with youth; recognition of new pastors in the district; and information the district has received from Lilly Endowment to prepare a proposal and apply for a grant.
The business session approved a district budget for 2008 of $175,900, after considerable discussion. Delegates also received informational reports from district and denominational institutions and agencies, and visited their exhibits.
9) Brethren bits: Personnel, job opening, anniversaries, more.
Carol Gardner is retiring as managing editor of “Brethren Life and Thought,” an academic quarterly publication of the Brethren Journal Association and Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Among her accomplishments during the five years in the part-time position, from 2002-07, Gardner worked on a project completed in 2005 in which all issues of “Brethren Life and Thought” were being digitized by the American Theological Library Association, making the whole collection available online to the journal’s subscribers. In addition to the digitization project, she organized and computerized subscriptions and helped the journal maintain a regular publishing schedule. Gardner also oversaw mailings, convened the Brethren Journal Association meetings, corresponded with patrons, and coordinated the journal exhibits at Annual Conferences.
Terry Stutzman Mast has resigned from her position as associate editor of the Gather ’Round curriculum project. She has served in the position for two-and-a-half years, since February of 2005. Her last day of employment will be Oct. 26. Mast and her family live in Colorado. She is a graduate of Bluffton College in Ohio, and has a degree in writing from Illinois State University, and background in writing, design, and editing for a variety of magazines and projects. Gather ’Round is jointly sponsored by Brethren Press and the Mennonite Publishing Network.
Two Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) workers–Kathryn Stutzman of Goshen, Ind., and Ryan Richards of Coupeville, Wash.–began two-year assignments in Central America this month, working on behalf of the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Stutzman left Oct. 22 to serve as a wildlife biologist at the Iguanario in Samana, the Dominican Republic. The center is reintroducing the Rhino Iguana back into the wild. Her bachelor of arts degree is in biology from Goshen College. Richards left Oct. 13 to serve as office and volunteer coordinator at Miguel Angel Asturias Academy, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. He will also promote the school, which gives high quality experiential learning opportunities to indigenous students. His bachelor of arts degree is in international development from Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.
The Office of Ministry of the General Board has welcomed Dana Cassell as its first ever Brethren Volunteer Service program volunteer. Cassell is from Roanoke, Va., is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and recently completed a master of divinity degree at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She is an alumna of Ministry Summer Service, having served as an intern at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. She will coordinate the next clergywomen’s retreat scheduled for early 2009, work on revising and updating the Office of Ministry portion of the General Board’s website, and assist the executive director in various other projects including planning a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Annual Conference action granting ordination to women.
The New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center at the Brethren Service Center has welcomed two new temporary part-time staff, who are refugees from Myanmar. Eddie and Peter (their chosen American names) recently arrived in Westminster, Md., through a refugee resettlement program. Eddie has begun work in housekeeping and Peter in dining services on the Brethren Service Center campus.
The Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., has welcomed three students from Jacobs High School who are taking part in a work education program for students with developmental disabilities. Josh, Alex, and Zach will shred documents and do other small jobs throughout the offices. Laura Woolf and Laura Janus are serving as their job coaches.
The Mutual Aid Association for the Church of the Brethren (MAA) seeks new leadership to fill the position of president/general manager. Location is Abilene, Kan., some two-and-a-half hours west of Kansas City. The president/general manager serves as the principle administrator of the organization. Responsibilities include 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 Brethren values, being trustworthy and reliable, having a positive attitude to change, communication skills, 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.
On Earth Peace has announced the next round of Encountering (Military) Recruitment Networking Calls. The calls are an opportunity for networking and mutual support among those working on military recruitment in their communities, and related issues of poverty, racism, and lack of opportunity. “Six by Six Thinking: Strategic Outreach and Organizing” is the theme for the next calls on Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. Pacific/3 p.m. eastern time, or Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. Pacific/7 p.m. eastern. Calls last 90 minutes. Contact mattguynn@earthlink.net to reserve a place in a call. For more go to www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/peace-witness/counter-recruitment/NetworkingCalls.html.
The Brethren Witness/Washington Office will have a presence at a vigil and nonviolent direct action to close the School of the Americas/WHINSEC on Nov. 16-18 at the gates of Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., and invites Brethren to attend. The weekend will include a rally, nonviolent direct action training, workshops, benefit concerts, puppet shows, teach-ins, and more. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office plans to have an exhibit table, and on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. will host a Brethren gathering at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Columbus. In 1997, the Church of the Brethren General Board issued a resolution calling for the closing of the school. According to the School of Americas Watch, WHINSEC has trained more than 60,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence, and interrogation tactics that consistently have been used against their own citizens including religious workers, educators, and those who work for the poor. For more go to http://www.soaw.org/. Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at 800-785-3246 or washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
Congregations celebrating significant anniversaries include Garbers Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg, Va., celebrates its 185th anniversary on Oct. 28; Downsville Church of the Brethren in Williamsport, Md., which has celebrated its 150th anniversary; Elm Street Church of the Brethren in Lima, Ohio, which celebrated 105 years on Sept. 15; and Green Hill Church of the Brethren in Salem, Va., which celebrated 90 years on Oct. 21.
The Illinois and Wisconsin District Conference on Nov. 2-4 is being hosted by Freeport (Ill.) Church of the Brethren and will be held at the Freeport Masonic Temple.
Elizabethtown (Pa.) College has named six new members to its board of trustees: Nevin Cooley of Manheim, Pa.; Warren Eshbach of Dover, Pa.; Janice Longenecker Holsinger of Palmyra, Pa.; Robert O. Kerr of Austin, Texas; Wallace Landes Jr. of Palmyra, Pa.; and Michael Mason of Hagerstown Md. The new members include at least two ordained in the Church of the Brethren: Eshbach is an ordained minister and adjunct faculty for Congregational Ministries at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and recently retired as the dean of Graduate Studies at the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center connected with Bethany Theological Seminary; Landes is senior pastor of Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and has been an adjunct faculty member in the religious studies department at Elizabethtown.
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is returning a team to northern Iraq after an absence of seven months. The region is relatively calm but tensions are rising internally and on the borders and local peacemakers are seeking allies, said a prayer request from CPT. Church of the Brethren members Cliff Kindy and Peggy Gish have been planning to take part in the Iraq team.
10) Main leadership is announced for Church Planting Conference.
Tom Nebel and Gary Rohrmayer will provide keynote presentations and workshop leadership as part of the May 15-17, 2008, Church Planting Conference on the theme, “Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully.” Also featured in leadership will be Stanley Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board.
This is the fourth biennial conference sponsored by the New Church Development Committee of the Church of the Brethren. The event is coordinated by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership and will be at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. The event will include keynote addresses, over 25 workshop opportunities, worship, prayer and small group conversation, and opportunities for fostering the church planting movement in the Church of the Brethren.
Nebel and Rohrmayer have extensive experience as church planters, and provide leadership for the Baptist General Conference. Nebel serves as director of Multiplication and Leadership Development Worldwide. Rohrmayer is national director of TeAmerica, the church planting ministry of the Baptist General Conference, and is an instructor with RockBridge Seminary. Both are published authors, whose titles include “Big Dreams in Small Places” by Nebel, “Next Steps–Leading a Missional Church” co-authored by Rohrmayer, and “Church Planting Landmines” by Nebel and Rohrmayer. Their connections with the Church of the Brethren include coaching Greater Harvest, the church planting mission of Illinois and Wisconsin District.
Additional details will be available in November, with registration beginning Jan. 1, 2008. Cost inclusive of conference activities, meals and lodging, will be $149 per registrant with some discounts available for groups. Contact 800-287-8822 or planting@bethanyseminary.edu, or visit www.bethanyseminary.edu/church-planting-conference.
–Marcia Shetler is director of Public Relations for Bethany Theological Seminary.
11) Thomas retires from funding team of General Board.
John Thomas Sr. has announced his retirement from the funding team of the Church of the Brethren General Board, effective Dec. 31. He has served as a special gift counselor and deferred gift counselor for nine years.
He began work for the board in December 1998 as a financial resource counselor. Thomas has served as field staff, and his work covered the Plains states and included much travel for the General Board.
In previous positions in the denomination, he pastored a number of Church of the Brethren congregations and was district executive minister for Southern Plains District from 1981-87. He served a term as interim executive for that district in the late 1990s. He also has been a regional director for the CROP program of Church World Service for 15 years, and was a teacher for six years and administrator for 16 years in the public schools of Missouri, Iowa, and Oklahoma.
His volunteer service in the Church of the Brethren has included terms as a trustee for McPherson College, and service on the Standing Committee and Nominating Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. Thomas holds degrees from McPherson (Kan.) College, Bethany Theological Seminary, and the University of Central Oklahoma.
12) Boyer resigns as executive minister of Pacific Southwest District.
Bryan Boyer, executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District, has announced his resignation effective Dec. 31. He has served in the position since May 2003.
Accomplishments for the district during this time have included establishment of a revitalization and church planting process, development of district policies, and hiring of bilingual staff and translation of publications into Spanish. Boyer was called to the district to provide a strong administrative and mediation background to handle the many challenges of a diverse district.
Previously he had worked in private practice as a licensed clinical psychologist and as a part-time professor at Azusa Pacific University. He also has had 10 years of pastoral experience in addition to management and clinical duties in a large hospital system. Boyer is a graduate of the University of La Verne, Cal State-Fullerton, Bethany Theological Seminary, and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where he earned his doctorate. He plans to return to work in his professional field of clinical psychology, serving as a clinician with both the probation and behavioral health departments in San Bernardino County, Calif.
13) Deoleo is called to intercultural ministries of the General Board.
Ruben Deoleo has accepted the call to the Congregational Life Team, Intercultural Ministries, Area 2 position for the Church of the Brethren General Board, effective Nov. 12. Deoleo has most recently served in Atlantic Northeast District’s Hispanic Ministries.
He brings a wide range of work experience with people of different cultures, ages, beliefs, economic status, and countries of origin. Deoleo is a graduate of O & M University in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, with a doctoral degree in law equivalent to a degree in political science in the United States.
He has been an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren since 1994. He and his family have been living in eastern Pennsylvania.
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Go to http://listserver.emountain.net/mailman/listinfo/newsline for Newsline subscription information. For more Church of the Brethren news go to www.brethren.org, click on “News” to find a news feature, links to Brethren in the news, photo albums, conference reporting, webcasts, and Newsline archive. 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. Julie Garber, Matt Guynn, Merv Keeney, Nancy Knepper, Jon Kobel, Karin Krog, Joan McGrath, Stan Noffsinger, Janis Pyle, Howard Royer, Cindy Smith, and Jane Yount 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. 7. 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.