— Remembrance: Kenneth Stanley, a former employee of Brethren Press, died on May 11. He served for some years in the area of art direction for the Church of the Brethren publishing house.
— The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry seeks a program manager for the Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program. This position is part-time, salaried-exempt, with remote location, including travel as needed to carry out program objectives. This is an opening as of July 5. The program manager will work with an advisory committee to implement the program, a Lilly Endowment Inc.-funded initiative that addresses the practical needs of multivocational ministers in the Church of the Brethren. This program will include supervising and supporting qualified individuals serving as “circuit riders” who assess ministers’ immediate concerns, as well as resource people who provide expertise regarding concerns identified as most common for multivocational clergy. Peer groups are also formed to support pastors beyond their program participation. The position will manage requests for services, schedule service providers, and meet ongoing administrative needs including completion of required reports to the grant provider. A special need of the program currently is the design and implementation of strategies for long-term sustainability of the program within the denomination. Qualifications include successful completion of a ministry training program; knowledge of the Church of the Brethren structure, polity, practices, and culture; afinity with the values and mission of the Church of the Brethren; familiarity with management of grant-funded programs; collaborative working style; communication skills; active listening and discernment skills; ability to relate with integrity and respect within and beyond the organization; computer skills and familiarity with educational technology; experience with budgets and financial record-keeping; a resourceful nature; fluency in Spanish and /or Haitian Kreyol welcomed. A position description and further details are provided on request. Applications will be reviewed when received and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Apply by sending a cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendation to officeofministry@brethren.org. The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
— Bridgewater (Va.) College Department of Philosophy and Religion recognized two students for academic excellence in 2023:
Seth Spire, ’23, received the religion award, given by the department to the student with the most extensive record of excellent academic work in biblical religion and theology courses. Spire is a computer science major from Bridgewater and served in leadership roles for the Brethren Student Movement, the BC Spiritual Life Board, and the Interdistrict Youth Cabinet, which plans a regional youth retreat for the Church of the Brethren. Spire will be spending the summer at Camp Brethren Woods in a leadership position before completing a year of volunteer work through the Brethren Volunteer Service.
Ewan Benjamin, ’25, received the philosophy award, given by the department to the student with the most extensive record of excellent academic work in philosophy courses. Benjamin is a history and political science major, with a religion and philosophy minor, from Boones Mill, Va. His involvements include the college’s Jazz Band and Spiritual Life Board.
— “A Day…in the Life of a Humpback Whale” is the title of the most recent episode of Brethren Voices, a community television show from producer Ed Groff and Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren. The episode, made in Maui, Hawaii, shares “the story of the Humpback whales that migrate over 3,000 miles to give birth to their young each year,” said an announcement. “With the help of Emma Nelson, naturalist and captain for Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, we’ll share some of the story of these magnificent giants. Many years ago, Lahaina, Hawaii, was a town, once filled with whale hunters, but fortunately, today folks enjoy seeing the humpbacks up close and personal. Hold onto your hat for a day with the humpbacks. Maui’s own Anthony Pfluke provides the theme music with his own creations, ‘Waves’ and ‘Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani,’ written about the 62-foot wa’a kaulua, a large, double-hull transoceanic voyaging canoe of Maui. It was constructed over 18 years, by Hui O Wa’a Kaulua with the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world.” To find this episode and other Brethren Voices episodes, go to the Brethren Voices channel on YouTube.
— A webinar on fostering community strength in the context of extreme heat events is offered by Creation Justice Ministries on June 29 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). “As temperatures rise and the frequency of heat waves intensifies, it is crucial to come together and explore strategies for mitigating the impacts of extreme heat on communities,” said an invitation. “We will explore practical approaches to building resilience and protecting communities during extreme heat events. From establishing cooling stations and providing access to safe drinking water to implementing heat response plans. Our panelists will share valuable insights and best practices for churches and community members. Our panel will also discuss the disproportionate effects of extreme heat on marginalized communities–we aim to create awareness and advocate for equitable solutions.” Go to https://secure.everyaction.com/DKzUPUMufkmZNE2N0DQOdg2.
— The World Council of Churches (WCC) is lifting up in prayer the families of victims of a boat capsized off the coast of Greece, which was carrying some 700 or more migrants from the Middle East and north Africa. Hundreds are feared dead, said the WCC release. “As a search continued for missing migrants after a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Greece, the World Council of Churches (WCC) conveyed prayers to the families of victims, and to the churches in Greece and elsewhere that are responding,” said the release. “While at least 78 people are known to have perished, reports indicate that as many as 750 people–including as many as 100 children–may have been on board the vessel. One hundred and four survivors–all of them men–were rescued after the boat sank about 50 miles from the southern coastal town of Pylos. It is feared that women and children were being kept below deck, and that they perished when the vessel capsized and sank on 14 June. The area of international waters is one of the deepest in the Mediterranean. Survivors were brought to the port city of Kalamata by the coastguard, where many are being treated for conditions including hypothermia and dehydration. The boat is thought to have set off from the Libyan port of Tobruk and was heading to Italy. Greek authorities said most of the migrants were from Egypt, Syria, and Pakistan. The Greek government has declared three days of national mourning.” Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, primate of the Church of Greece, expressed condolences: “No words can express the deepest pain I feel today as a human being and as a clergyman for the untimely and tragic loss of dozens of our fellow human beings in the shipwreck in international waters off Pylos.”
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