Church of the Brethren Newsline
June 8, 2009
The Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) has issued four grants for international relief efforts following disasters. The four grants total $88,000.
A grant of $40,000 responds to a Church World Service (CWS) appeal for assistance in Myanmar. This is the first grant from the EDF supporting the long-term recovery phase following Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar in May 2008. The grant funds will assist with dry season agricultural programs, training for disaster preparedness, school construction, and a “season long” employment plan for landless families.
An allocation of $25,000 will go to a CWS appeal for a food crisis in Afghanistan following a decade of severe drought, which has worsened in the past three years. The money will help provide immediate assistance, including education for farmers, seeds, clean water, and emergency food packets.
A grant of $15,000 will go to a CWS appeal for aid to displaced people in Sri Lanka. Following the government’s recently declared victory in a very long and violent civil conflict, thousands of displaced people including great numbers of children are in dire need of assistance, the grant request said. The grant from the Church of the Brethren will support work by CWS and Action by Churches Together, primarily focusing on emergency food aid, non-food items, and educational support for school-age children.
The sum of $8,000 will respond to a CWS appeal for Pakistan where more than 500,000 people have fled their homes because of military conflicts between Pakistani forces and the Taliban. The grant will support relief programs aimed at providing food packages and emergency shelter kits.
In other news from Brethren Disaster Ministries, the program is requesting help to meet an Internet-based fundraising goal of $100,000 to construct the remaining 50 homes to be rebuilt by the Brethren in Haiti following the four hurricanes and tropical storms that hit the island last year. The organizers of the Haiti rebuilding project estimate that a donation of $4,000 will build a new home, $2,500 will complete major home repair for a house, and $1,500 will provide a new roof and strengthen walls of a home. Other gifts will help support other aspects of this wide-ranging relief project, including to supply medicine, food, and micro-loans for farm animals and small businesses. Go to www.brethren.org/rebuildhaiti to donate online, or send a gift payable to Emergency Disaster Fund, earmarked “Haiti Hurricane Response,” to Emergency Disaster Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
The Material Resources program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., is seeking donations of Church World Service Hygiene Kits. The Material Resources program warehouses, processes, and ships disaster relief materials around the world on behalf of a number of ecumenical partners including CWS. “I can tell you that our most-needed kit at this time is the Hygiene Kit,” reported CWS congregational programs staff Cindy Watson.
This fall there will be special pick-up points for CWS kits in Pennsylvania and Missouri: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Zelienople, Pa., will accept kits on Mondays from Sept. 21-Oct. 5 (contact Ruth Voegtly, 724-452-7649); Zion Lutheran Church in Indiana, Pa., will accept kits on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the same time period (contact Peggy Mosco, 724-465-5597); the Festival of Sharing at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Mo., will collect kits on Oct. 16-17. The collected kits will be shipped to the Brethren Service Center, where they will be prepared for shipment overseas and to points in the US, as needed. Those assembling kits in other parts of the country should ship them directly to the Brethren Service Center. For a list of kit contents and instructions on assembly and shipping, visit www.churchworldservice.org/kits or call 800-297-1516.
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
“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/
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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/24910/
“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
See also: “Family and Friends Remember Accidental Shooting Victim,” WHSV Channel 3, Harrisonburg, Va. (May 26, 2009). http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/46096682.html
Obituary: Phoebe B. Garber, Staunton (Va.) News Leader (May 26, 2009). Phoebe Grace (Botkin) Garber, 88, passed away on May 25 at her home. A memorial service was held at Timberville (Va.) Church of the Brethren. She was marriage in 1943 to Virgil Lamar Garber, who preceded her in death in 2006. Her nursing career began at Waynesboro Hospital, and she also worked as a nurse in Presque Isle, Maine; and as a night care nurse in the Rockingham County area until 1963. http://www.newsleader.com/article/20090526/OBITUARIES/905260339
Obituary: Nannie Mae N. Michael, Staunton (Va.) News Leader (May 25, 2009). Nannie Mae (Nancy) Michael, 92, passed away on May 23 while in the company of family members at Oak Grove Manor, in Waynesboro, Va. She attended Summit Church of the Brethren. She had worked as an inspector at Metro Pants in Bridgewater and Harrisonburg. Her husband Charles Weldon Michael preceded her in death in 1977. http://www.newsleader.com/article/20090525/OBITUARIES/905250316
“God’s people are never forgotten,” Abilene (Kan.) Reflector-Chronicle (May 23, 2009). Pastor Stan Norman of the New Trail Fellowship writes about how his family has connected with the life and ministry of Church of the Brethren leader Christian Holt, a Danish pastor who lived and worked in Kansas before his death in 1899. http://www.abilene-rc.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=
69A47461-19B9-E2F5-46E060D40F2F798A
“Schaeffer a Student Who Loves a Challenge,” Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Va. (May 21, 2009). Layton Schaeffer, a member of Mountain View Fellowship Church of the Brethren in McGaheysville, Va., is interviewed as one of four finalists for the 2009 Daily News-Record Leadership Awards. She is a senior at Spotswood High School and plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall to major in engineering. http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?AID=37986&CHID=2
“SHSC Names 2009 Prom King And Queen,” Fulton County News, McConnellsburg, Pa. (May 21, 2009). Elaina Truax of Pleasant Ridge Church of the Brethren in Needmore, Pa., and Joshua Hall were crowned queen and king at the Southern Fulton prom. Truax is the daughter of Larry and Sue Truax of Needmore. She is a member of the basketball team and track, is the National Honor Society president, president of the senior class, member of the SF Ensemble, part of the scholastic scrimmage team, and has participated in various SF musicals. She will be attending Elizabethtown College majoring in pre-med to become a pediatrician. http://www.fultoncountynews.com/news/2009/0521/local_state/014.html
“People invited to see church turned home,” Tri-County Times, Iowa (May 7, 2009). This past winter was a sweat-filled one for Kirby and Carol Leland of Maxwell, who, in the weeks following Thanksgiving and leading up to Easter, worked tirelessly to ready their new home – the former Maxwell Church of the Brethren. An April 26 gathering included the last of the remaining church members when the church closed. During the visit, former pastor Harold Smith presented the Lelands with a special picture of the Maxwell Church of the Brethren with a passage on it from Romans 16:5: “Greetings to the church that meets in your house.” http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab8.cfm?newsid
=20311157&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept