Prayer is requested for a time of discernment by the leadership of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The denomination’s National Executive Committee has been holding meetings this week, with the question of resuming classes at a re-opened Kulp Bible College (KBC) in Kwarhi on the agenda. Kwarhi is the location of the EYN Headquarters, and the KBC campus which was abandoned last fall when the extremist Islamist group Boko Haram overran the area. In recent months the security situation has improved in the area, and KBC provost Dauda Gava Andrawus has been working to reopen the college along with a number of students and faculty who already have returned to the Kwarhi campus. However, insurgent attacks are still happening in northeast Nigeria and have been occurring in nearby areas around Madagali and Lassa. A related issue is the damage caused to the Bible college facilities by the Boko Haram, and the expense of repairs and renovations. In addition, students and staff typically rely on their own farm produce to sustain them and their families during the school year, and help pay school fees, and since the KBC community was forced to flee the area for the farming season that resource is not available. The Nigeria Crisis Response staff ask for prayer for the Nigerian Brethren leaders who will be addressing these crucial questions. Shown above: a Love Feast held at the Kulp Bible College campus in Kwarhi, as students and staff returned to the area hoping to be able to reopen the school and resume classes. Photo courtesy of KBC provost Dauda Gava Andrawus |
— Camp Alexander Mack is publicizing two job openings:
The camp seeks candidates for an executive director position. The camp on Lake Waubee in Milford, Ind., is a year-round camping and retreat ministry of the Indiana Churches of the Brethren. The camp is 65 acres with additional 180 acres of wilderness area. Camp Mack was founded in 1925 and continues to serve 1,000-plus users per year. The executive director will serve as the camp administrator and will develop policy and long-range goals for the camping ministry in partnership with the Board of Directors. This full-time position has responsibility for developing and implementing policies and programs of the Board of Directors; staffing; overseeing the promotion and scheduling of programs and facilities; overseeing administration of the camp; maintaining professional standards; fundraising in coordination with the Board of Directors. The qualified candidate will be a faithful Christian with a clear understanding and appreciation of the Church of the Brethren; have a bachelor degree, with IACCA certification preferred; have proven supervisory experience in outdoor ministries; have appropriate emotional maturity and stability and be able to create excitement in persons of diverse backgrounds; be gifted in interpreting the camp’s mission. For more information about the camp visit www.campmack.org . Send inquires, letters of interest, and resumes to CampMackSearch@gmail.com . (ACA accredited.)
The camp also seeks candidates for a program director position. The program director will be instrumental in developing and implementing the policy, procedures, and long-range goals for the programs. The primary emphasis will be on organizing, implementing and facilitating all Camp Mack-directed programs. The qualified candidate needs to be a faithful Christian with a clear understanding and appreciation of the Church of the Brethren; have a bachelor degree; have proven supervisory experience in outdoor ministries; have appropriate emotional maturity and stability; and be able to create excitement in others. Candidates must have a good working knowledge of the American Camp Association Standards, and of Microsoft Office. They must be team players. For more information contact Galen Jay at 574-658-4831 or galen@campmack.org .
— Job openings at Camp Pine Lake and Northern Plains District have been announced. Parker Thompson has resigned as director of Camp Pine Lake, effective Nov. 15. The district seeks a camp director and a kitchen manager for the camp, find job descriptions and application information at www.camppinelake.com
/employmentopportunities.html . The district also seeks candidates to fill two positions, the district communications minister (find a job description at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P0AZ26N
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— Church World Service (CWS) seeks a policy advocate. CWS is a not-for-profit organization working to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services. Apply via the applicant log-in page at http://cws.applicantstack.com/x/login .
— Interns and assistants are wanted at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center, a camp of Mid-Atlantic District located near Sharpsburg, Md. The camp seeks candidates to help make a difference in the world by educating others about hunger and poverty through Heifer International’s experiential learning program. Opportunities to serve exist between March and October 2016, for at least 10 weeks. Responsibilities include working with children, youth, and adults; caring for livestock and a “staple foods” garden; providing multicultural education; assisting in fulfilling the mission of Heifer International. Position includes room, board, and stipend. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. No experience is necessary, training will be provided. Contact Stewart Lentz at 301-223-8193 or slentz@shepherdsspring.org . For more information about the Global Village at Shepherd’s Spring go to www.shepherdsspring.org/heifer.php .
— The Young Adult Steering Committee recently held meetings at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Committee members Kyle Remnant, Jess Hoffert, Heather Houff Landram, Laura Whitman, Amanda McLearn-Montz, Mark Pickens, and Youth and Young Adult Ministries director Becky Ullom Naugle began planning upcoming activities with a focus on the 2016 National Young Adult Conference. NYAC is a national conference, an expanded form of the annual Young Adult Conference. The 2016 NYAC will be held May 27-30, 2016, at Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind. NYAC is open to young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Early bird registration opens online at noon on Jan. 6, 2016, at www.brethren.org/nyac . The early bird registration fee, available for the month of January only, is $200. Regular registration is $250. A non-refundable deposit of half the registration fee is due within two weeks of registering. Stay tuned for a promo video which will announce the theme.
— This week’s Global Mission Prayer Update asks for prayer for Haiti, which is suffering a severe drought: “In Haiti, many people regularly face lack of clean water and lack of money for food. However, the drought in Haiti has led to an even more acute water shortage and an increase in food prices, causing greater hunger and malnutrition. Jobs for farm workers have decreased as well. Pray for rain and for God’s providing.” Also requested are prayers of praise for the opening of a new congregation of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) in the town of Jalingo. Jim Mitchell, who recently returned from volunteer service with the Nigeria Crisis Response, attended and preached at the opening celebration of the new church and shared his account of the inspiring service: “Even though the EYN church has been severely injured and deeply wounded, new life is happening and we give God all the praise and glory for the grace that is making all things possible.”
— As part of an ongoing effort to engage the denomination around faithful action to end hunger, the Office of Public Witness is inviting congregations to participate in Bread for the World Sunday on Oct. 18. During worship services on this Sunday, churches are asked to pray for an end to hunger while considering actions they can take to help end hunger in their own communities and the world. According to the Bread for the World website, “On Bread for the World Sunday, we recognize and give thanks for the work of churches, community groups, and denominations as they seek to remove the obstacles that keep people from sharing in God’s abundance. We celebrate the diversity of faith traditions across race, ethnicity, and culture that are working together to end hunger. Moved by God’s love in Jesus Christ, we reach out in love to our neighbors–and create a better future for all.” The theme scripture is from Mark 10:43 and 45, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” More information and worship resources are at www.bread.org/library/bread-world-sunday . Congregations interested in learning more about how to end community hunger and how to advocate for strong anti-hunger policy can visit the Going to the Garden webpage of the Office of Public Witness and the Global Food Crisis Fund at www.brethren.org/publicwitness/going-to-the-garden.html , or contact kfurrow@brethren.org .
— Nigeria Crisis Response co-directors Carl and Roxane Hill will be on a short speaking tour over the next week, that will include two district conferences in Pennsylvania and presentations at churches in Maryland. On Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. they will share with Middle Pennsylvania District Conference meeting at Martinsburg (Pa.) Memorial Church of the Brethren (210 N. Wall St. in Martinsburg). On Sunday, Oct. 11, at 12:30 p.m. they will give a presentation at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren (201 Fairview Ave. in Frederick). On Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. they will be at Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren for a dinner followed by a program (1 Park Place in Westminster). On Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1p.m. they will give a program for Western Pennsylvania District Conference at Camp Harmony (1414 Plank Rd., Hooversville, Pa.). For more information about the Nigeria Crisis Response go to www.brethren.org/nigeriacrisis .
— The On Earth Peace Anti-Racism Transformation Team will meet at the Church of the Brethren General Office in Elgin, Ill., on Oct. 9-13. The team has invited all of the staff working at the General Offices to a “bring your own lunch” event on Oct. 12 in order to learn more about the anti-racism work that On Earth Peace is developing. For more information about the Anti-Racism Transformation Team go to http://onearthpeace.org/artt .
— Clover Creek Church of the Brethren celebrates its 225th anniversary on Oct. 11. The planning committee is looking for pictures of church-related functions and former members of the congregation, according to the Middle Pennsylvania District newsletter. Contact 814-502-8027 or eddilling@msn.com .
— A new community garden in Salisbury, Md., at Community of Joy Church of the Brethren, has had a successful first year reports the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) e-newsletter. With the help of a $1,000 GFCF grant through the Going to the Garden initiative, organizers installed 16 raised beds, drip irrigation, a shed, a sign, a children’s library, and compost bins, and purchased four dump truck loads of a mix of top soil and compost. “Church members are working with Salisbury University and a local elementary school to develop programming for community children,” said the report. “This outreach is attracting support from city officials, neighbors, and garden users, indicating that the garden is producing not only food, but a greater sense of community.” Find the e-newsletter at www.brethren.org/gfcf/stories/e-news-2015-fall.pdf .
— Hollins Road Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., is hosting a special spiritual retreat on Oct. 10, titled “Shaped by God and Community: Stories and Reflections.” Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the retreat will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The retreat will be a time to reflect on and honor those who have inspired and guided our faith journeys, according to an announcement. Several people will share reflections from their journeys: Jane Wood of Bethlehem Church of the Brethren, Tara Shepherd of Mount Union Church of the Brethren, John Reed of Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, Bryan Hanger of Roanoke, Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, Mike Varner of Topeco Church of the Brethren, and Cathy Huffman of Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren. Their sharings will be followed by opportunities for guided reflections as individuals, as well as small and large group discussions. Contact Patricia Ronk at 540-798-5512 or Trish1951.pr@gmail.com .
— Black Rock Church of the Brethren in Glenville, Pa., is holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Haiti Medical Project of the Church of the Brethren. The dinner will be served on Saturday, Oct. 10, starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds will benefit the project. For reservations, call 717-229-2068 or 717-873-7286. There will be a short video about the Haiti Medical Project shown throughout the evening.
— Jackson Park Church of the Brethren in Jonesborough, Tenn., was one of the congregations helping to feed festival goers at the 43rd annual National Storytelling Festival on Oct. 2-4. It was “part ministry, part fundraiser,” said an article in the “Herald and Tribune” newspaper. “I believe that we as the body of Christ are the only Bible some people will ever read. Just reaching out to share the love of Christ can make a difference,” pastor Jeremy Dykes told the paper. The church hosted its 12th annual traditional Southern breakfast fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the church’s youth programs. The effort involves nearly every church member, and features biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, grits, eggs and more. Find the news report at www.heraldandtribune.com/Detail.php?Cat=LIFESTYLES&ID=62234 .
— This is a banner weekend for district conferences, with five districts holding their annual meetings on Oct. 9-10. Atlantic Southeast District will meet at Camp Ithiel, in Gotha, Fla. Idaho District meets at Fruitland (Idaho) Church of the Brethren. The Mid-Atlantic District Conference will be at Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren. Southern Ohio District gathers at Happy Corner Church of the Brethren in Clayton, Ohio. Middle Pennsylvania District Conference is hosted by Memorial Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg, Pa.
— The Southern Ohio District Conference on Oct. 9-10 will be the 161st for the district. Participants will gather on the theme, “Toward a 20/20 Vison.” The unusual schedule, announced in a district newsletter, features six different workshop opportunities to make the event “both inspirational and informational–not only for pastors, but for all church leaders and other persons interested in seeing their congregation develop a vison to reach out into their respective communities, offering their neighbors and friends the opportunity for a transformed life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Workshop information is at www.sodcob.org/district-conference/conference-workshop-information.html . On the business agenda is the financial situation of the district, however. The district newsletter published Oct. 1 alerted readers that the district faces a critical financial situation, with churches having given only $21,000 toward a $160,000 annual budget in the first six months of 2015. “We plead with you to speak with your congregational leadership as they begin planning your 2016 budget,” said the newsletter. “Ask them to prayerfully consider increasing their support to district ministry. As a guideline, if every congregation donated only $51 per attendee yearly, budget would be met.”
— Missouri and Arkansas District has started a program called “Weave Us Together” which is a focus on congregational vitality, with a plan of congregation-to-congregation visits with the goal of knowing each other and the district’s ministries better. “Letters of invitation and support will be reaching each congregation in October with visits anticipated between April and June, 2016,” said an announcement.
— “Growing Leaders in New (and Older) Congregations,” a retreat led by Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, will be held Oct. 9-10 at Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va. The retreat is hosted by the New Church Development Committee of Virlina District. The theme focus on leadership development in congregational life will have a special focus on new church plants. The registration fee of $60 includes admission to the retreat as well as dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday. The retreat opens with an optional session at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. The main retreat will begin with registration at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, and will continue through Saturday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. Continuing education credit will be available for ministers. For more information contact the Virlina District Resource Center at nuchurch@aol.com .
— In more news from Virlina District, the district’s Historical Committee is sponsoring a special Brethren Heritage Day Trip on Oct. 17. The bus trip will make stops in the Bridgewater, Va., area including the Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center, Bridgewater Retirement Community, Bridgewater College, Tunker House, and the John Kline Homestead. Pickup will be at First Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount, Va., at 8 a.m., and the District Resource Center at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $29.99 per person, which includes lunch. To reserve a seat on the bus, send a check for $29.99 per person to the District Resource Center, 3402 Plantation Road NE, Roanoke, VA 24012. This trip provides .5 continuing education credit for ministers.
— Middle Pennsylvania and Western Pennsylvania Districts are publicizing “Lord, Let Our Eyes Be Opened: Breaking the Chains of Mass Incarceration,” an event re-launching the Pennsylvania Council of Churches’ annual conference, formerly the Pennsylvania Pastors’ Conference. The event is aimed at educating people of faith, both clergy and laity, about America’s system of mass incarceration. The meeting takes place at the Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg, Pa., the evening of Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25. The event will be followed on Monday, Oct. 26, with a day of action at the state capitol. Leadership includes Harold Dean Trulear, founder and director of Healing Communities USA; Glenn E. Martin, founder and president of JustLeadershipUSA; and Geert Dhondt, assistant professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Panel discussions will include a number of returning citizens as well as criminal justice experts. John Wetzel, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, will speak at a lunch on Saturday, Oct. 24. Also, a Healing Communities training will be offered just prior to the conference. Ministers may receive 1.0 continuing education credit at a cost of $25. Registration and more information is online at http://pachurchesadvocacy.org/weblog/?p=20834 .
— Western Plains District holds its annual Gathering on Oct. 30-Nov.1 on the theme “Anoint Us Lord!” The annual event is a “transformational initiative” of the district, inviting members to gather for inspiration and fellowship. “Brethren have long thought of “anointing” as helpful for healing. But it is far more important than that,” said a reflection on the theme. “Anointing is one of the central images moving through the pages of the Bible. Sometimes it is connected with healing; often it indicates divine choice when kings or prophets are chosen and consecrated…. This may well be yet another way of understanding what is encapsulated in our district vision: ‘Rooted together in Love to be Christ’s transforming Hope and Power.’ Or, maybe we could put it this way, as we are enflamed by the Spirit of God in Christ, not only are we healed, but also called, and even authorized (sent) to continue Christ’s own transforming mission as the ‘anointed one’ (John 20:21). Can we possibly grasp what that will mean? Gather with us and explore what having been anointed with the Spirit of Jesus will mean for us. How shall we be healed, called, and sent out today?” Speakers include Annual Conference moderator Andy Murray, Global Mission executive Jay Wittmeyer on the crisis in Nigeria, and the Young Center’s Jeff Bach leading a session on the meaning and impact of anointing. A number of workshops will be offered, as well as a youth retreat and children’s activities. A brochure is online at www.westernplainschurchofthebrethren.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Gathering-Brochure-6-15-for-web.pdf . More information and registration are at www.westernplainschurchofthebrethren.org/2015/10/01/the-gathering-2015-informormation .
— Northern Plains District is planning a Brethren Heritage Tour next summer, sponsored by the District Nurture Commission. The tour is scheduled for Aug. 7-14, 2016, immediately following the district’s 150th District Conference, according to an announcement in the district newsletter. LaDonna Brunk, chair of the commission, is collecting names of those people who may be interested in participating in the tour, contact her at labrunk@heartofiowa.net. . In a few months, the tour may be opened up to people outside of the district if there are still spaces available, the announcement said. Tentative tour stops include Camp Alexander Mack in Indiana, Lancaster and Germantown, Pa., the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and the John Kline Homestead in Broadway, Va. Estimated cost is around $800 to $900 if the bus is filled.
— A total of $68,150 has been distributed in funds raised by this year’s World Hunger Auction. The following has been distributed, according to the Virlina District newsletter: Heifer International (Guatemala) $34,000, Heifer International (US) $6,800, Roanoke (Va.) Area Ministries $17,000, Church of the Brethren Global Food Crisis Fund $6,800, Heavenly Manna $3,550.
— Mid-Atlantic District will be building a Habitat for Humanity house in the spring of 2016, with the blessing of the district leadership team and working with the Washington County Habitat for Humanity Chapter. The construction site will be in Hagerstown, Md. An announcement of the project in the district newsletter noted several volunteer leadership positions that need to be filled in order to carry out the project, and asked for prayer. “This is a worthwhile project to give a worthy family a better place to live. With lots of prayer and support our district can work together to achieve this great ministry.” For more information contact the district office or the chair of the Service and Outreach team at 301-331-8010.
— Camp Eder holds its 37th annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The camp is located near Fairfield, Pa. Special features of the festival this year: a pork and turkey meal, cooked buried in pits, is $12 for adults and teens, 7$ for children, free for ages 6 and under; kettle cooked apple butter and kettle corn; a la carte food court; craft and vendors area; live music and entertainment; children’s games and activities; live fundraiser auction; and blacksmith, glassblowing, and pottery demonstrations. Performers include the Puppet and Story Works and Drymill Road. Contact the camp at 717-642-8256.
— A pictorial history of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), a ministry related to Southern Pennsylvania District, has been published to celebrate 100 years of service to children in south-central Pennsylvania. According to an announcement in the district newsletter, the book traces the history of CAS from the 1913 district conference where it was created, through to its recent 100-year anniversary in 2013. Authors are Theresa Eshbach, a former CAS executive director, with Elmer Q. Gleim and Dianne Gleim Bowders. “The book is filled with pictures of the people and events that are a part of Children’s Aid Society’s history,” said the announcement. The book may be purchased for $20 online at www.cassd.org or call 717-624-4461.
— Elizabethtown (Pa.) College will begin offering a master’s of education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, through the college’s education department. The news appeared in “The Etownian,” the campus newspaper, on Sept. 24. “A master’s in curriculum and instruction is one of the most common degrees that in-service teachers will earn as they develop professionally in the field,” said the article. Education department chair Rachel Finely-Bowman emphasized the unique character of the Elizabethtown program: “What makes ours unique is its emphasis on peace education, so it covers everything from conflict resolution to social and emotional learning to collaboration and conversation in the classroom.” The article reported that “the peace-centric curriculum represents the strengths of the professors within the department, in which the top research area for faculty members is peace education.” The application for the new degree program will go live on Jan. 1, 2016. Course information and check sheets will be available through the college’s digital course catalogue. Find the Elizabethtown College website at www.etown.edu .
— McPherson (Kan.) College offered a presentation by death row exoneree Curtis McCarty this week. McCarty told his story during an event on Wednesday, hosted by the college’s Spiritual Life department.
-– Christian Piatt will be the Spiritual Life Focus Speaker at Bridgewater (Va.) College on Oct. 20. The author of “postChristian: What’s Left? Can We Fix It? Do We Care?” and the “Banned Questions” book series will give two presentations on that Tuesday, at 9:30 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. in the Carter Center for Worship and Music, said a release that noted Piatt will offer two different presentations at the two times. The programs are free and open to the public. Piatt is director of premium content for the interfaith website Patheos, and is director of growth and development for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Portland, Ore. As co-host of Homebrewed Christianity’s CultureCast, he reaches 20,000 to 25,000 listeners per episode with his take on current events, faith, ethics, and popular culture.
— In more news from Bridgewater, the annual CROP Meal and CROP Hunger Walk coordinated through Bridgewater College are planned for Oct. 29 and Nov. 1. On Oct. 29, from 5-7 p.m., members of the community are invited to purchase meals surrendered by Bridgewater students and enjoy dinner in the Kline Campus Center, with proceeds going to Church World Service hunger relief programs. On Sunday, Nov. 1, the CROP Walk (3.7 miles) will begin at 2 p.m. at the Bridgewater Municipal Building. Contact college chaplain Robbie Miller at rmiller@bridgewater.edu or 540-828-5383 to register for the meal and/or the walk.
— Ann Cornell, administrator of Shepherd’s Spring camp and outdoor ministry center in Mid-Atlantic District, will celebrate her 60th birthday and 25 years of camping ministry by attempting to bicycle the C&O Canal Tow Path in one day. The path is 184.5 miles long, and runs from Cumberland, Md., to Pittsburgh, Pa., according to the district newsletter. Cornell will attempt the ride in 2016, and will be joined by other bicyclists for several training rides, the newsletter said. Sponsors for the rides will donate in benefit of Shepherd’s Spring capital improvements such as a climbing wall or zip line. The camp kicks off its 25th anniversary year on Oct. 10. Find more information at www.shepherdsspring.org .