— Eder Financial (formerly Brethren Benefit Trust) seeks applicants for the position of sales leader. This position will be part of the leadership team for the organization. It requires an individual who can solve the spoken and unspoken needs of a future customer; and can meet potential clients at their convenience whether in person, on Zoom, or at a conference. Opportunities for travel include but are not limited to attending a Benefits Church Plan Workshop in April, the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in July, district conferences in the fall, and a Church Benefits Association conference each December, as well as networking and other educational travel related to the organization’s products, services, and potential client base. When the sales leader is not traveling, their work will be completed remotely, requiring the ability to work well independently in any environment. Flexibility in scheduling is a must. This position requires an undergraduate degree; at least four years of experience in identifying, creating, and reporting on sales opportunities; and effective oral and written communication skills. The ideal person is an engaging listener and communicator with a drive to achieve sales success through strong relationship-building that cares for the customer’s problem and the organization’s reputation. Compensation includes a strong benefits package with organizational contributions for retirement; medical, life, and long-term disability coverage; the option to add dental, vision, and short-term disability coverage; 22 days of vacation, accrued at the start of the year; and flexible work hours within a basic workday structure. This is a full-time, exempt position working for a not-for-profit, faith-based organization that aligns with peace church traditions. Employees practice their faith in a diverse array of worldviews and denominations. To learn more about Eder Financial go to https://ederfinancial.org. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Tammy Chudy at tchudy@eder.org.
In an update from the Annual Conference office, an email address is now available to contact the newly constituted Standing with People of Color Committee: standingwithpeopleofcolor@brethren.org. See the Newsline article of Sept. 22 for more information about the committee and its work: www.brethren.org/news/2022/standing-with-people-of-color-committee.
Please pray… For the Church of the Brethren-related organizations seeking applicants for open positions on their staffs.
— Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., seeks applicants for the position of director of Annual and Leadership Giving to join the Institutional Advancement team. This individual will develop and lead the seminary’s “mass-market” fundraising appeals and maintain a portfolio of donors (individuals and churches). The director will strategize and actively work to build relationships with a variety of constituents, enlisting financial support for the seminary. Find the position announcement and application instructions at https://bethanyseminary.edu/jobs/director-of-annual-and-leadership-giving.
— Camp Emmaus located near Mount Morris, Ill., has an opening for camp manager. The camp is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District, offering camps for children, youth, and other groups. The property has two small streams that work their way through rolling ravines covered by many varieties of hardwood trees and open grasslands. Qualifications include strong skills in administration, organization, marketing, leadership, communication, maintenance, record keeping, along with basic accounting and computer skills. The camp manager should be a Christian and member of the Church of the Brethren or have an appreciation and understanding of Brethren beliefs and values. Responsibilities include working with the Camp Emmaus board, doing grounds and building upkeep, promoting usage of the facilities, working with rental groups, keeping camp records, being available and willing to assist in the summer camping ministry, working with district churches to hold events on the camp property, providing a Christian caring environment for those using, renting, and/or visiting the facilities. While in the past the camp manager has been a full-time onsite position, schedule and salary may be negotiated. Housing is provided. Send a letter of interest and resume to Camp Emmaus board chair Aaron Gerdes, c/o Camp Emmaus, 12340 North Grove Road, Sycamore, IL 60178 or via email to tlldrnkwtr@yahoo.com.
— The latest Messenger play list has been selected by Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) volunteer Michael Brewer-Berres, who is working as interim program assistant in the BVS office. She writes, “I chose songs that relate to the themes presented throughout the issue, specifically love, acceptance, and hope.” Find the playlist for the October issue of the Church of the Brethren magazine at www.brethren.org/messenger/playlists/playlist-october-2022.
— On Earth Peace is holding an organizing “meet up” for its new Gun Violence Campaign, online on Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. (Eastern time). “We want to connect with people in churches and neighborhoods who are concerned about gun violence in the US–people who are already taking some action or who want to get involved,” said the announcement. “Come share your story or your hopes for involvement! The goal of this campaign is to move into direct action to reduce gun violence in the United States. If you have been active, we want to hear your stories so others can learn from your experience; if you are recently fired up we want to offer community and place to connect. For all of us, we want to build capacity and commitment and see the way forward.” RSVP at www.onearthpeace.org/gun_violence_campaign_organzing_meet_up_20221014.
— Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has been selected as the 2023 recipients of the Community of Christ and Shaw Family Foundation’s International Peace Award. Said an announcement from CPT: “The award recognizes our commitment to transformative nonviolence for over 35 years, honoring our diversity in representation of ethnicity, gender, and faith and our common struggle for abolishing poverty and ending human suffering…. CPT joins a long list of awardees that includes Leymah Gbowee, Dolores Huerta and Father Virgilio Elizondo, to name a few. CPT will receive the award during the Community of Christ World Conference in April 2023.” Read the full press release at https://cpt.org/2022/09/08/community-peacemaker-teams-recipients-of-the-international-peace-award-2023.
— In more news from CPT, a Palestine Delegation has been announced for Nov. 3-14. “Olive trees have always been symbols used to describe the resistance of Palestinians in their land, and the olive harvest season is the season that brings Palestinian families together and reminds them of the importance of defending their homeland,” said the announcement. “Join our delegation to learn how the Israeli occupation makes the yearly harvest harder for these families, but also experience how Palestinians still enjoy their life in the H2 area and the South Hebron Hills. During the delegation, you will enjoy a special Palestinian tour of the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron. You will visit camps in Bethlehem, eat Kanafeh Nabulsi, and wander through Jerusalem’s alleyways. You will meet Palestinians of various religions, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Samaritans. You will live and work with the CPT Palestine team, aiding us with our tours, family visits, school monitoring, documentation, and partnership-building. We will learn together in undoing oppressions sessions and focus on its centrality in the movement of solidarity, peace, justice and a free Palestine.” The application deadline is Oct. 5. Go to https://cpt.org/delegations.
— The September 2022 edition of Brethren Voices, a community television show produced by Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren, features the 2022 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. John Jones, a delegate from Pacific Northwest District, shares his experience with host Brent Carlson. The program features a challenge to the church body by moderator David Sollenberger; the music of Scott Duffey, who was a leader for the worship music at Annual Conference; as well as Cliff Kindy’s sharing about a life-changing experience as a member of CPT. The program can be viewed along with previous Brethren Voices programs at www.youtube.com/brethrenvoices.
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Annual Conference 2024 invites Church of the Brethren to gather in Grand Rapids
- Annual Conference officers return query regarding congregational latitude on matters of human sexuality
- Silent Auction to benefit translation expenses and the general Annual Conference budget
- Mission and Ministry Board completes Kingian Nonviolence training, works at envisioning
- Leadership Team issues clarification on On Earth Peace membership with Supportive Communities Network