“Renz pioneer’s memorial service on Sunday,” Daily Herald, Chicago, Ill. (May 29, 2013) – James “Jim” E. Renz, 94, died May 19 at Pinecrest retirement community in Mt. Morris, Ill. The former Elgin, Ill., resident established in 1961 what later was renamed Renz Addiction Counseling Center. The center now serves thousands of people through treatment and prevention programs. When it started 52 years ago, it was a one-man operation in a small office on the second floor of a downtown building. It was the hard work and dedication of Renz, a Church of the Brethren pastor with a lifelong commitment to service, that propelled the center to become one of the largest nonprofits that serve northern Kane and western Cook Counties of Illinois, said the newspaper. Renz was a pastor for Church of the Brethren in Ohio, Indiana, and Illlinois before he moved to Elgin in 1952 to serve as director of social welfare for the Church of the Brethren denomination. Read the full article at www.dailyherald.com/article/20130529/news/705299653
Obituary: James Otho McAvoy, Appeal Democrat, Marysville, Calif. (May 26, 2013) – James Otho McAvoy, 80, passed away at home in Yuba City, Calif., on May 20. His wife of 60 years, Nancy McAvoy, survives him. He was an active member of Live Oak (Calif.) Church of the Brethren. Earlier in life, he served in Brethren Volunteer Service for three years in Elgin, Ill., working with community children and as a Psychiatric Aide in the State Hospital. He also served in the Christian Ministry to Migrants in Pahokee, Fla. He graduated from Bridgewater (Va.) College and from Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren for more than 50 years, and served as a pastor in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and California. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Live Oak Church of the Brethren on June 1 at 11 a.m. Memorial donations are received to Live Oak Church of the Brethren. Read the full obituary at www.legacy.com/obituaries/appealdemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=james-otho-mcavoy&pid=164964942
Obituary: Lorraine M. Adams,Free-Lance Star, Fredericksburg, Va. (May 28, 2013) – Lorraine Margaret Adams, 80, of Caroline County passed away May 25 at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Va. She was a member of Hollywood Church of the Brethren. Survivors include her sons and daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband George Samuel Adams. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service will be held at 2 p.m. May 30, at Hollywood Church of the Brethren. Go to http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2013/052013/05282013/773628
Obituary: Geraldine E. Walburn, Courier Express, DuBois, Pa. (May 28, 2013) – Geraldine E. Walburn, 78, of Greenville, Pa., passed away at her residence May 26 after a lengthy illness. She was a homemaker and an active member of Greenville Church of the Brethren. She was active in Brethren Disaster Ministries and was a former president of the Luthersburg PTA, member of Bilger’s Rocks Association, and camp host at Pymatuning State Park. On June 12, 1953, she wed William “Bill” Walburn, who survives along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Greenville Church of the Brethren with Dale Rummel officiating. Memorial contributions are received to Greenville Church of the Brethren. Read the full obituary at www.thecourierexpress.com/courierexpress/courierexpressobit/1006113-380/geraldine-e.-walburn.html
“Larissa Miller, Dover Area High School: Best & Brightest,” Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa. (May 24, 2013) – Larissa Miller of Bermudian Church of the Brethren in York County, Pa., is interviewed by the Patriot-News, as “Class of 2013 Best & Brightest.” In the accompanying photo, she poses before a rugged wooden cross at Bermudian Creek located just behind her church. Her hopes for the future: “to have a family of my own and take part in missionary work as a physician’s assistant to help those less fortunate in other countries.” Find the full interview at www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/05/larissa_miller_dover_area_high.html
Obituary: D. Eugene Lichty, Waterloo (Iowa) Cedar Falls Courier (May 23, 2013) – D. Eugene Lichty, 92, of McPherson, Kan., formerly of Waterloo, Iowa, died May 20 at McPherson Hospital. He married Eloise Marie McKnight on Aug. 20, 1944. She survives him, along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a graduate of McPherson College and Bethany Theological Seminary, Chicago. He was a Church of the Brethren pastor and was director of development for McPherson College and served as a board member of On Earth Peace. Memorial services were held at McPherson Church of the Brethren. Memorials gifts are received to McPherson Church of the Brethren and On Earth Peace. Find the obituary at http://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/d-eugene-lichty/article_b50fbb58-c3ca-11e2-8d37-0019bb2963f4.html
Obituary: Barry B. Chestnut, The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. (May 18, 2013) – Barry B. Chestnut, 68, died on May 17 at his home. He was a member of Bermudian Church of the Brethren in East Berlin, Pa. He and his wife, Brenda, owned and operated CRE Appraisal Service of Wellsville for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Brenda L. (Spangler) Chestnut, children, and grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 22 at Bermudian Church of the Brethren. Memorial contributions are received to the College Education Fund of Chestnut Grandchildren c/o Bermudian Church of the Brethren. Read the full obituary at http://cumberlink.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/barry-b-chestnut/article_e2678348-c036-11e2-af3e-001a4bcf887a.html
“Grossnickle Church of the Brethren to bless seeds, raise funds for food program,” Frederick (Md.) News-Post (May 11, 2013) – Members of Grossnickle Church of the Brethren in Myersville (Md.) are doing what they can to alleviate hunger throughout the world. For eight years, the church has undertaken its Growing Project to raise funds for the Foods Resource Bank, which works worldwide by helping establish sustainable agriculture projects. On May 19, Grossnickle will partner with eight other churches to hold its Blessing of the Seeds event. Read the full article at www.fredericknewspost.com/your_life/life_news_collection/religion/article_b93a8510-ee3a-5f1c-a7d7-872e893f5276.html
“God Squad plans haul-away day for folks’ unwanted items,” Zanesville (Ohio) Times Recorder (May 10, 2013) – If you live in White Cottage, Ohio, and have an old couch, tires, appliance or mattress you want to get rid of, God Squad, the White Cottage Church of the Brethren youth group, is hosting a free community clean-up day. The group will drive each street in White Cottage and pick up whatever people want to throw away. Read more at http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20130509/NEWS01/305090011/God-Squad-plans-haul-away-day-folks-unwanted-items?nclick_check=1
Obituary: Robert J. Wakefield, Altoona (Pa.) Mirror (May 10, 2013) – Robert J. Wakefield, 86, died on May 9 at the Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg, Pa. He was a member of Holsinger Church of the Brethren in rural New Enterprise, Pa., and more recently attended Morrisons Cove Baptist Church and Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church. He married Mary Lois Shriver in 1965 at Memorial Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg; she passed away Jan. 29, 2012. He held many jobs during his working career, including working as a milk truck driver for Eugene Koontz, and working as a tool and die maker at Hedstrom Plant, Bedford, and at Electric Motor and Supply Co. Read the full obituary at www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/571462/Robert-J–Wakefield.html?nav=743
“Church plans annual Community Garage Sale,” Sidney Daily News, Miamisburg, Ohio (May 9, 2013) – Trinity Church of the Brethren, 2220 N. Main Ave., will host its third annual Community Garage Sale June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is sponsoring this event as a part of its mission to the community. Read the notice at http://sidneydailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=32&SubSectionID=105&ArticleID=258232
“Toews to lead brass concert,” Hillsboro (Kan.) Star Journal (May 8, 2013) – The McPherson (Kan.) Community Brass Choir, directed by Jerry Toews, will perform 4 p.m. Mother’s Day at McPherson Church of the Brethren. The concert will feature two guest soloists, world-renowned euphonium player Timothy Shade and organist Steven Gustafson. Read the full article at http://starj.com/direct/toews_to_lead_brass_concert+4433brass+546f65777320746f206c65616420627261737320636f6e63657274
“Rapho OKs subdivision plan for Chiques church,” My Manheim (Pa.) Central News/Lancaster Online (May 7, 2013) – A subdivision plan for Chiques Church of the Brethren received conditional approval from Rapho Township officials during a May 2 meeting. The church’s 32.493-acre properties are located in Manheim, Pa. Read more at http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/846638_Rapho-OKs-subdivision-plan-for-Chiques-church.html#ixzz2SigxQGOQ
“Chamber music at the McPherson Church of the Brethren,” McPherson (Kan.) Sentinel (May 6, 2013) – The McPherson Community Brass Choir will perform at the McPherson Church of the Brethren at 4 p.m May 12. Under the direction of Mr. Jerry Toews, retired instrumental music director from Goessel High School, the concert will feature two guest soloists. World renown Euphonium soloist, Timothy Shade and Steven Gustafson, organist. Go to www.mcphersonsentinel.com/article/20130506/LIFESTYLE/130509545/196/features
“Nigeria: Gunmen Kill 14, Injure 12 in Adamawa, Borno States,” AllAfrica.com (May 6, 2013) – Gunmen on Sunday attacked members of the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN-the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) Church in Jilang village of Mahia Local Government Area in Adamawa State killing 10 persons and injuring 12 others. The attack on the church came on the heels of an earlier attack by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect on Saturday in Ngamdu, a border town, resulting in the death of two Islamic clerics and two other residents of the town. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed the church at about 11 am while the Sunday service was on going. Read more at http://allafrica.com/stories/201305061981.html
“Church of the Brethren auction to support disaster relief,” Carroll County (Md.) Times (May 3, 2013) – Over the last 32 years, the Mid-Atlantic Disaster Response Auction has raised more than $1.5 million for the Emergency Disaster Response Fund, according to a brochure released by the Church of the Brethren Mid-Atlantic District. The full article is at www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/church-of-the-brethren-auction-to-support-disaster-relief/article_45007a70-2fd2-5c45-970c-6e5e1ed6dbe9.html