Church of the Brethren Newsline
Aug. 19, 2009
Nathan and Jennifer Hosler of Elizabethtown, Pa., will begin serving in two new peace and reconciliation positions with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), working through the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission Partnerships. The Hoslers are members of Chiques Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa.
The Hoslers will fill joint positions as teacher of peace and reconciliation at Kulp Bible College and peace and reconciliation worker with EYN. Start date for their work was Aug. 16, with plans to travel to Nigeria in September.
Jennifer Hosler has been a tutor of ESL (English as a Second Language) with World Relief and with AMF International, and has worked at the Naaman Center, a Christian nonprofit substance abuse treatment center in Elizabethtown. She holds a bachelor of arts in Biblical Language from Moody Bible Institute and a master’s degree in Community Psychology and Social Change from Penn State Harrisburg. She has participated in short-term mission trips to Kenya, Ethiopia, and Guatemala.
Nathan Hosler served in Germany with Weierhof Mennonite Church through the Eastern Mennonite Missions, has work experience as a carpenter, and has been a groundsworker at Moody Bible Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Language from Moody, and a master’s degree in International Relations from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I.
The Hoslers both have been lay leaders at the Chiques Church, Nathan as a book and Bible study leader, and Jennifer as a lay Bible teacher. They also have served as summer ministry interns for the congregation. In May this year, they attended a youth conference of EYN as representatives of the Church of the Brethren in the US.
For more about the Church of the Brethren’s work in Nigeria, and information about an upcoming Nigeria workcamp in January 2010, go to http://www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=go_places_serve_nigeria .
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
“Man of faith brings cows, hope to war-torn Europe,” Springfield (Ohio) News Sun (Aug. 16, 2009). It didn’t matter that he was a pig farmer who lived on Detrick Jordan Pike. When Fred Teach boarded the American Importer on Aug. 12, 1953, bound for Bremen, Germany — with heifers under the deck — he became one of the Church of the Brethren’s “Sea Going Cowboys.” http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/
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“A stitch in time…” Franklin County (Va.) News Post (Aug. 14, 2009). Columnist Charles Boothe remembers the quilting bees of his childhood, and compares them to the artistry of the quilts sold at this year’s World Hunger Auction at Antioch Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount, Va. Some quilts sold for upwards of $700 or $800, with proceeds benefiting a variety of programs for hunger relief. http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/article.cfm?ID=14258
“Not Just a ‘Spare Tire.'” Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Va. (Aug. 12, 2009). At age 92, longtime pastor Olen B. Landes puts a variety of talents to work for the faith. Landes describes himself in the humblest of terms. “I’m just a spare tire,” he said. His simple assessment refers to the years he’s spent filling in for fulltime preachers at Church of the Brethren services–“supply work,” as he calls it. http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=39900&CHID=1
Obituary: Jimmie D. Conway, Salem (Ohio) News (Aug. 12, 2009). Jimmie D. Conway, 74, died on Aug. 10 at the Hospice House in North Lima, Ohio, after a battle with cancer. He was a member of Woodworth Church of the Brethren in Youngstown, Ohio. He was employed at McKay Machine Shop in Youngstown, Borden Dairy in Boardman as a milkman in home delivery, retiring after 43 years as a distribution manager; and while working for Borden received his Ohio Police Officers training and became a police officer for Beaver Township, ending his tenure as police chief. Survivors include his wife, Barbara (Lewis) Conway, whom he married in 1955. http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/
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“Departed Donors Aid Church,” Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Va. (Aug. 10, 2009). For almost 80 years, the congregation at Timberville (Va.) Church of the Brethren put off fixing a church that, over time, badly needed it. Now, thanks to the foresight and generosity of several of its past parishioners, the church’s facilities have new life. In recent years, bequests provided $225,000 for urgent renovations and smaller donations made in memory of loved ones have added over $20,000 more. http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?
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“Best-Selling Author Speaks to Frederick Congregation,” WHAG NBC Channel 25, Hagerstown, Md. (Aug. 9, 2009). Best-selling author Don Piper, who wrote, “90 Minutes in Heaven” spoke at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren. The author writes of his near-death experience that happened ten years ago, when he collided head-on with an 18-wheeler truck. http://your4state.com/content/fulltext/?cid=75351
“Peaches and cream bring a crowd to church festival,” Frederick (Md.) News Post (Aug. 9, 2009). Everything was just peachy for the people of Union Bridge, Md. Sprawled out on lawn chairs and picnic tables behind the church, visitors celebrated the 26th annual Peach Festival at Pipe Creek Church of the Brethren. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/
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“A local fairy tale: Russian adoptees find new life, love,” WTOP 103.5 FM, Frederick, Md. (Aug. 8, 2009). When Bush Creek Church of the Brethren in Monrovia, Md., invited residents of the Mission’s Beacon House to their Love Feast one year, they set in motion a train of events that led to true love for two Russian immigrants. The two–Elena Nunn and her fiance, Kyle Grieg–came to America as young orphans from the same province of Russia and were both adopted with one of their siblings by American parents in 1993. Fourteen years later, they met at a church function and fell in love. http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1735777
“VBS kids learn to use their gifts in service,” News Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind. (Aug. 5, 2009). Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., broke from a traditional format at its recent vacation Bible school to spend two nights focusing on Matthew 25 and to learn more about serving others who need help. About 85 children and adults took part in singing, crafts, games, and discussions as they learned about making good choices and using one’s talents to help others. http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
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“Rally at the Valley Expands,” Pratt (Kan.) Tribune (Aug. 4, 2009). Eden Valley Church of the Brethren in St. John, Kan., hosted its second annual “Rally at the Valley” motorcycle rally Aug. 15-16. Last year’s one-day event drew hundreds from around the area, across the state, and as far away as Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Oklahoma. http://www.pratttribune.com/homepage/x804163491/
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