“Myersville pastor takes aim at hunger with crops program,” Frederick (Md.) News Post (Jan. 4, 2014). Tim Ritchey Martin has always been passionate about eliminating world hunger. One beneficiary of his passion is the Food Resource Bank. “We often hear the phrase, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ Well, we’re teaching them how to fish,” said Martin, pastor of Grossnickle Church of the Brethren in Myersville and chairman of its Our Field of Hope project. The Our Field of Hope project was established about eight years ago, when a book titled “Ending Hunger Now” was introduced in Grossnickle’s Sunday school. After reading the book, Martin told church members, “This is doable, so let’s do it,” he said. Read the full article at www.fredericknewspost.com/community/people/myersville-pastor-takes-aim-at-hunger-with-crops-program/article_9b0d7228-6c6f-560e-842c-7162f20b1dba.html |
“Hummel Street Townhouses project to build five new townhouses in Allison Hill,” Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa. (Jan. 23, 2014). A new construction project in Allison Hill is expected to replace blighted properties with new housing for single homeless women and children. Brethren Housing Association, PinnacleHealth and local contractors kicked off fundraising for the project with an event that included a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site in Harrisburg, Pa. The Hummel Street Townhouses project will demolish several blighted properties and replace them with five new townhouses. Read the full article at www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/01/hummel_street_townhouses_proje.html#incart_river_default
“Audrey’s pantry in Brook Park draws record crowd after municipal pantry closes,” The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio (Jan. 21, 2014). After a municipal pantry shut down, 81 people lined up on Jan. 16 at Audrey’s in the Brook Park Community Church of the Brethren for milk, pork, bread, cookies, scallions, grapefruit and more. Read the full article at www.cleveland.com/brook-park/index.ssf/2014/01/audreys_pantry_in_brook_park_d.html
“Sedalia prepares for convention,” Sedalia (Mo.) Democrat (Jan. 21, 2014). During the early 20th century, Sedalia sought to become a destination for conventions. The Missouri State Fairgrounds offered a perfect place for large gatherings. Convention Hall was built as a site for large group meetings. On Jan. 29, 1920, the Sedalia Democrat announced that the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce was making plans to host the annual International Conference of the Church of the Brethren to be held June 10 through 16. Read the full article at www.sedaliademocrat.com/news/opinion_columns/3440793/Sedalia-Prepares-for-Convention
Obituary: Marlin Krall,Herald Review, Decatur, Ill. (Jan. 15, 2014). Marlin Paul Krall, 79, of Cerro Gordo, Ill., died on Jan. 14 at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Ill. He was a member of Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren for 64 years where he served as a deacon, usher, and served on various boards. He also served in Brethren Volunteer Service for two years where he drove a semi to pick up relief clothing. He was married for 55 years to Shirley M. (Long) Krall. He spent his life time as a farmer, a Bo-Jac seed dealer for 40 years, and a Bellatti soybean dealer for 20 years. He also was a founder of the Cerro Gordo Community Ambulance Service board, and a member of the Macon County Farm Bureau. Read the full obituary at http://herald-review.com/print-specific/herald-review/obits/krall-marlin-paul/article_a05a9b11-de41-588c-b0c2-99066db4b47d.html
Obituary: Charles J. Seitz Jr., Montgomery (Pa.) News (Jan. 13, 2014). Charles J. Seitz Jr., 76, died Jan. 10. He was a leader at North Penn Goodwill Services and a longtime active member of Indian Creek Church of the Brethren. He was a former member of Perseverance Volunteer Fire Company of Souderton, coached midget football, refereed and umpired football and baseball at the high school level, helped with Meals on Wheels, and was a volunteer driver for Generations of Indian Valley. He retired in 2009 from Perkiomen Tours, where he was a tour bus driver for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Elaine, were married for 57 years. Read the full obituary at www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2014/01/13/souderton_
independent/news/doc52d428b37a860987470579.txt
“First free meal offered in Nappanee on Thursday,” WNDU.com, Indiana (Jan. 9, 2014). In the height of winter, the thought of a warm home and a hot meal on the table is comforting for many. But for some in Michiana, that’s a luxury not everyone can count on. For this reason, a group of volunteers in Nappanee is doing its part to make a difference. The effort is small, but a new tradition they hope will grow. Nappanee Church of the Brethren is joining forces with Faith Mission to provide free meals twice a week. Read the article and find a video clip at www.wndu.com/home/headlines/First-free-meal-offered-in-Nappanee-is-Thursday-239407811.html?ref=811
“Free community dinner held at Nappanee church,” Fox 28, Elkhart, Ind. (Jan. 9, 2014). Dozens of people came out to a Nappanee Church Thursday for a free meal. Nappanee Church of the Brethren hosted the inaugural event–with help from Elkhart’s only homeless shelter– Faith Mission. Kitchen workers from Faith Mission made all of the food . Read the full article at www.fox28.com/story/24412745/2014/01/09/free-community-dinner-held-at-nappannee-church
“Concert benefit,” Daily American, Somerset, Pa. (Jan. 9, 2014). A live concert benefit is at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Church of the Brethren in Somerset, Pa., for a 28-year-old local man, Jonathon Hottle, who was diagnosed with aggressive testicular cancer in October. Read the full article at www.dailyamerican.com/calendar/local_events/concert-benefit/event_d3203266-77d0-11e3-af1c-001a4bcf6878.html
Obituary: James “Albert” Hundley, Martinsville (Va.) Daily (Jan. 9, 2014). James “Albert” Hundley, 97, passed away Jan. 8 at Blue Ridge Nursing Center of Stuart, Va. He was a member of Bassett Church of the Brethren. He retired from Bassett Furniture with 42 years of service. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sarah Frances Adkins Hundley. Read the full obituary at http://martinsvilledaily.com/?p=14369
Obituary: Marianne Speicher, The Vindicator, Youngstown, Ohio (Jan. 6, 2014). Marianne M. Speicher, 84, passed away at her home on Jan. 4. She was a longtime member of Woodworth Church of the Brethren in Youngstown, Ohio, where she was organist and choir director. She met her husband Richard D. Speicher while boarding at the Church of the Brethren Bethany Biblical Seminary, and married on March 15, 1952. In 1960, the couple accepted Rev. Speicher’s call to pastor Woodworth Church of the Brethren, and they made their home in Youngstown. From 2004-07 she was a Brethren delegate to the National Council of Churches of Christ Governing Board. Richard Speicher passed away Dec. 22, 2009. Read the full obituary at www.vindy.com/news/tributes/2014/jan/08/marianne-m-speiche
“Happy 30th Birthday: Choir lays aside differences to share common belief,” Frederick (Md.) News Post (Jan. 4, 2014). In the beginning was the music; the National Christian Choir got started in 1984 without long-term expectations. No one was sure that first year whether the concerts were a one-time phenomenon or something that would continue, said Kathy Bowman, the choir’s first accompanist. Three decades later, the ministry touches listeners and performers alike. Find the article and a photo from a recent choir performance at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren at www.fredericknewspost.com/arts_and_entertainment/arts_and_entertainment_topics/music/happy-th-birthday-choir-lays-aside-differences-to-share-common/article_ec749f0c-b841-52a7-9be8-43e2ad354d96.html
“DCP Theatre in Salford to host ‘Voices for Freedom’ singing out again in battle against human trafficking,” Montgomery (Pa.) News (Jan. 3, 2014). Jay Atlas and Shannon Sprowal weren’t at the first Voices for Freedom concert held in September at Indian Creek Church of the Brethren in Harleysville, Pa. That’s because the two friends who grew up together in Norristown were in the midst of their Long Road to Freedom cross-country walk to raise awareness and funding for groups that fight human trafficking and slavery. Now there’s a sequel to that concert, and Atlas and Sprowal will be there for Voices for Freedom 2, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 11, at DCP Theatre. Read the full article at www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2014/01/03/souderton_independent/news/doc52c5a29f47ced257664561.txt
“One last holiday concert this season: Sunday performance is annual benefit for food bank,” Staunton (Va.) News Leader (Jan. 2, 2014). Celebrate the joy of Christmas and the New Year at the eighth annual 12th Night Concert Sunday at Staunton (Va.) Church of the Brethren benefitting Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Presented by the combined choirs of Olivet Presbyterian Church and Staunton Church of the Brethren under the direction of David MacMillan, this concert features traditional holiday songs and lesson carols that tell the Christmas story, says producer Mabel Weiss. “Over the past eight years, we’ve raised over $20,000 dollars, and last year we raised over $5,000, so it’s growing all the time,” Weiss says. Read the full article at www.newsleader.com/article/20140102/ENTERTAINMENT/301020012/One-last-holiday-concert-season?nclick_check=1
Obituary: Maxine Eby, Dallas Center, Iowa (Dec. 31, 2013). Maxine Eby, 88, died on Dec. 30, 2013. She was involved in many ways with the Church of the Brethren in Dallas Center and with Northern Plains District. She taught at Fairview Country School. Sje married John Eby on June 12, 1945. A memorial service was held on Jan. 3 at the Church of the Brethren in Dallas Center. Read the full obituary at www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Maxine-Eby/Dallas-Center-IA/1327642