Church of the Brethren Newsline
June 10, 2009
Getting Ready to Come Back: Advocacy Guide for Mission Teams is a new resource from Bread for the World, with sponsorship from more than a dozen Christian groups including the Church of the Brethren. The church’s Global Mission Partnerships along with Brethren Volunteer Service and the Global Food Crisis Fund are partners with Bread for the World in publishing the book.
“For anyone doing a short term mission trip or a workcamp, this can be a helpful way to understand the context,” said Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships. “The intent is to help people answer the question, how do I grow from this experience, with an emphasis on the life-changing possibilities of the trip on the person’s return home.”
The book is intended to help short-term mission teams traveling internationally to understand the root causes of hunger and poverty in the communities and countries they visit. The guide may be useful to church members who are participating in international workcamps, Christian Peacemaker Team delegations, or Vacation Bible School experiences in the Dominican Republic, for example.
The paperback spiral-bound book includes workbook sections to help participants research the host country and people; links to online resources for such research; scripturally based group study sessions to help groups process the experience; study guides for individual journals; worship resources including prayers, scriptures, a “stone by stone” activity, and a litany by Church of the Brethren pastor Jeff Carter; and ideas for participants who want to do advocacy for the places and people they have visited, after their return home.
Purchase Getting Ready to Come Back from Brethren Press for $10 each, or $25 for a pack of five copies. Shipping and handling charges will be added. Call 800-441-3712.
The Church of the Brethren Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. Contact cobnews@brethren.org to receive Newsline by e-mail or to submit news to the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. For more Church of the Brethren news and features, subscribe to “Messenger” magazine; call 800-323-8039 ext. 247.
Brethren in the News
Obituary: James K. Garber, Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Homes, N. Manchester, Ind. (June 10, 2009). James K. Garber, 83, died on June 9 at Timbercrest Healthcare in North Manchester, Ind. He was a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren, where he had served as board chair and moderator. From 1983-86 he was executive for Human Resources for the Church of the Brethren General Board in Elgin, Ill. He also worked at Manchester College as director of Development for 30 years, retiring in 1994 to direct community fund raising projects including the Manchester Community Pool, library, and Sports Complex. Earlier he had worked at Garbers Inc., the family business. He was a graduate of Manchester College and Indiana University in Bloomington. His wife, Helen Anne Winger, whom he married in 1947, survives him. http://obit.grandstaff-hentgen.com/
obitdisplay.html?id=678812&listing=Current
“A slow, tiring return from flooding,” Indianapolis Star (June 7, 2009). The story of Francis and Debby Cheek’s recovery from the flooding of their home–one of the many Indiana homes affected by flooding following the 7 inches of rain that fell in one 24-hour period in June 2008. Repair of the Cheeks’ home is now almost completed, with help from a Church of the Brethren disaster response crew from Virginia. http://www.indystar.com/article/20090607/LOCAL/906070385/
A+slow++tiring+return+from+flooding
Obituary: Lloyd David Longanecker, Salem (Ohio) News (June 7, 2009). Lloyd David Longanecker, 89, died June 5 at his residence. He was a member of Zion Hill Church of the Brethren in Columbiana, Ohio. He retired from the Ohio Turnpike in 1984, working at the Canfield Maintenance Building 8 for 27 years as a maintenance mechanic. Previously, he worked at General Fireproofing, John Deere, and Boardman-Poland School Bus Garage. He is survived by his wife, the former Muriel Henrietta Barnhart, whom he married in 1957. http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/514507.html?nav=5008
“Brethren Community adds apartments for seniors,” Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. (June 6, 2009). This week’s opening of Coventry Place independent living apartments at Church of the Brethren Community in Windber, Pa., provides welcome options for a number of area seniors. All 15 apartments were filled before they were built, Chief Executive Officer Thomas Reckner said. http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_157001506.html
“New church to be dedicated in Wyomissing,” Reading (Pa.) Eagle (June 6, 2009). A service of dedication for a new church building was held at Wyomissing Church of the Brethren on June 7, formerly First Church of the Brethren, Reading, Pa. Robert Neff, former president of Juniata College and former general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, presented the morning message, “Glory Hallelujah, We’re Home.” http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=141947
“Church to hold final worship service,” News-Leader, Springfield, Mo. (June 6, 2009). Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Springfield, Mo., held its final worship service on Sunday, June 7. There will be a “Celebration of the life of Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren” at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. http://www.news-leader.com/article/20090606/LIFE07/906060330/
Church+to+hold+final+worship+service
“Free clothing give-away,” The Suburbanite, Akron, Ohio (June 3, 2009). On June 13, there will be a free clothing give-away at Hartville (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, responding to the economic downturn that has affected many people in the community. http://www.thesuburbanite.com/lifestyle/calendar/x124606834/
Free-clothing-give-away
Obituary: Robert R. Pryor, Zanesville (Ohio) Times (June 3, 2009). Robert R. Pryor, 76, died on June 1 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He attended White Cottage (Ohio) Church of the Brethren. He worked as a electrician for Armco Steel, and retired after 33 years of service; and was a former part-time employee at Imlay Florist and a former volunteer fireman. Surviving is his wife, Marlene A. (Worstall) Pryor, whom he married in 1953. http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20090603/OBITUARIES/906030334
“Volunteers Help Rebuild an Erwin Church,” TriCities.com, Johnson City, Tenn. (June 2, 2009). A report with video clip and photos of the start of the rebuilding of Erwin (Tenn.) Church of the Brethren, which was destroyed by fire one year ago. A team of volunteer builders called Carpenters for Christ kicked off the construction project. http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/volunteers_help_rebuild_an_erwin_church/
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“Area car club activities,” Altoona (Pa.) Mirror (May 29, 2009). Woodbury (Pa.) Church of the Brethren held a Motorcycle Cruise-in and Pig Roast on May 30. “Riders can cruise in on their motorcycles huge hogs, choppers, 3-wheelers, or scooters are all welcome or just come to see the variety of cycles and enjoy the fun,” said the newspaper announcement. http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/
519468.html?nav=726
“Husband-and-wife team pastor Carlisle church,” Carlisle (Pa.) Sentinel (May 28, 2009). Jim and Marla Abe are newly installed as co-pastors at Carlisle (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The newspaper reviews their life and ministry together. http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2009/05/28/news/religion/
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“Judge acquits gun protesters,” Philadelphia (Pa.) Daily News (May 27, 2009). The 12 people who were arrested for civil disobedience at a notorious gun store in Philadelphia during the “Heeding God’s Call” peace church gathering in January have been acquitted. The trial took place on May 26. Among those arrested were two members of the Church of the Brethren: Phil Jones and Mimi Copp. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20090527_Judge_acquits_
gun_protesters.html
Also see:
“Monica Yant Kinney: Appeal to conscience carries the day,” Philadelphia (Pa.) Inquirer (May 27, 2009). http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/monica_yant_kinney/20090527_
Monica_Yant_Kinney__
Appeal_to_conscience_carries_the_day.html
“Heeding God’s call leads to trial,” News of Delaware County, Pa. (May 27, 2009). http://www.newsofdelawarecounty.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/SingleWeekly;!-
1640719862?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_wk_article&r21.pgpath=/NDC/
Home&r21.content=/NDC/Home/TopStoryList_Story_2749105
“Local gun protest trial set,” Philadelphia (Pa.) Tribune (May 26, 2009). http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=
4203:guns052609&catid=2:the-philadelphia-tribune&It%20emid=3
Obituary: Andrew W. Simmons, Staunton (Va.) News Leader (May 27, 2009). Andrew Wesley Simmons, 16, passed away on May 25 at his residence. He was a member of Sangerville Church of the Brethren in Bridgewater, Va. He was a 10th grade student at Fort Defiance High School and was a son of the late Mark Wesley Simmons and Penni LuAnn Michael, who survives him. http://www.newsleader.com/article/20090527/OBITUARIES/90527013/1002/news01
Also see:
“Family and Friends Remember Accidental Shooting Victim,” WHSV Channel 3, Harrisonburg, Va. (May 26, 2009). http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/46096682.html