— Remembrance: William Terrell (Terry) Hatfield, 76, a former district executive in the Church of the Brethren, died on April 19 at his home. He was born on Jan. 28, 1947, in Oswego, Kan., to William Gale and Doris (Terrell) Hatfield. He began attending the Church of the Brethren in Parsons, Kan., as a teenager and was licensed into ministry there while in college. He held degrees from Labette Community College and Pittsburg State University, where he graduated in 1969 with a degree in business administration with a major in marketing. He later earned a master’s degree in theology and a doctor of theology in pastoral counseling. He was ordained to ministry in the Church of the Brethren in 1971, and spent 54 years serving congregations in the Church of the Brethren, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the United Methodist Church. He also worked as director of substance abuse treatment programs for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. From 1987 to 1994 he was district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Northern Indiana District. He also was editor of the publication Evangel 21, with the mission “to mainstream evangelism in the Church of the Brethren.” While pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Peoria, Ill., he was part of the congregation’s peace witness against nuclear weapons. In 1986, he represented several small stockholders at a Caterpillar Stockholders Meeting, speaking out against the company becoming involved in research and development of a hard mobile nuclear launch vehicle for deployment of the Midgetman missile. He retired from fulltime ministry in 2014. He was married to Janice Wages the year after he graduated from high school, and they had two children. In 1975, he married Linda Malone. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children Todd Hatfield and his wife, Jessica, and Amy Hatfield Fentress and her husband, Dayne; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at Independence (Kan.) First Christian Church. Find a full obituary online at www.parsonssun.com/obituaries/article_9b361a60-e09d-11ed-b30c-5b4db656eb6b.html.
— Job openings:
Virlina District is seeking a part-time coordinator of financial services. Duties include coordinating accounting entries, payment of invoices, payroll and other obligations, reconciling financial statements, and preparing financial reports. Basic computer skills, particularly with financial software, are a requirement of the position. This is a 16- to 20-hour per week position with flexible work hours. For more information, or to inquire, contact Daniel L Rudy, District Executive Minister, 540-362-1816 or virlina.dem@gmail.com.
Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Va., seeks a dependable, caring leader for the full-time salaried position of Food Services coordinator. Food Service experience or training is required, and staff management experience is preferred. This position is available immediately. Starting benefits package includes a salary of $36,000, optional family/personal medical insurance plan, a pension plan, paid vacation leave, and professional growth funds. Camp Bethel is a facility free from tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and drugs. Find application instructions, a detailed position description, and more at CampBethelVirginia.org/fsc or e-mail questions to Camp Director Barry LeNoir at Barry@CampBethelVirginia.org.
— Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has shared an update on its recent deployment of a volunteer team to Arkansas: “CDS volunteers completed a five-day childcare deployment to Little Rock, Jacksonville, and Wynne, Arkansas on April 25. At the request of the Red Cross, CDS volunteers provided childcare at four Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) serving the needs of 80 children and their families/caregivers. We are grateful for the rapid response and professionalism of our volunteers in bringing comfort and emotional support to the children and families in Arkansas.” For more about CDS see www.brethren.org/cds.
A “Save Civilian Education” campaign by NNOMY, the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth, is seeking support and endorsements among the peace church community. NNOMY has had participation by On Earth Peace in recent years. Said an announcement: “The threat to civilian education…the most aggressive outside effort to use the school system to teach an ideology with ominous long-term implications for society comes from the military establishment. Over the last three decades, with relatively little media coverage or public outcry, the Pentagon’s involvement in schools and students’ lives has grown exponentially. The endorsers of the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) understand the importance of a community of concern to contravene the process of public school militarization and thus cultural militarization by extension.” Find the full text of the campaign statement or “national call,” ideas for actions that may be taken by individuals and groups in support, and more at https://sites.google.com/site/acalltoconfrontmilitarization/save-our-civilian-public-education.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation is heading up a Mother’s Day campaign by faith-based groups and faith leaders across the country–including the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA–to “call for this Mother’s Day to be declared a national day of prayer, mourning, repentance, and contemplation to end the worship of guns and protect lives.” Said an announcement: “We are now mobilizing to overcome the war taking place in our schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, grocery stores, nightclubs, movie theatres, and places of business…. We ask you to join our call to have this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023, to be declared a national day to atone for the collective sin we are committing by allowing guns to be considered more sacred than life.” Around 500 faith leaders already have agreed to support the campaign and have signed the letter to President Biden. Find the full text of the letter and a sign-on form at https://forusa.org/mothersday2023.
— “For the first time since before the Covid pandemic, we welcomed the Church of the Brethren Council of District Executives to an in-person meeting at the Bethany Center on April 24-26!” said a release from Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. “What a joy it was to welcome 19 church leaders from across the country, and to offer space and support for their important ministry within the denomination! In addition to their own meetings, the district executives joined Bethany students, faculty, and staff for food, fellowship, and worship. We especially enjoyed having Nicarry Chapel nearly full for a closing worship service that included a sermon by Pete Contra and special music by Beryl and Paul Shaver.”
— “Plan to attend the Disaster Response Auction next Saturday, May 6 at the Carroll County Ag Center. Breakfast starts at 7 am!” said an announcement from Mid-Atlantic District. The auction, taking place at the Carroll County agriculture center in Maryland, benefits Brethren Disaster Ministries. Find the booklet, with a schedule at www.madcob.com/disaster-response-auction.
— A service of celebration and installation for Virlina District’s executive minister Daniel Rudy will be held this Saturday, April 29, at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Floyd County, Va., starting at 1 p.m. (note the change from the previously announced time).
— The Spring Festival at Camp Brethren Woods in Shenandoah District on Saturday, April 29, “is an annual fun day, open house and fundraiser to support the camp’s summer and year-round ministry,” said a district announcement. “Many of the most popular activities will be back, including the fishing contest, pancake breakfast, yard sale, hike-a-thon, amazing food stands, children’s activities, including inflatables, pedal-boat rides, petting zoo, dunk-the-Dunkard booth, climbing tower and zip line rides, mini-golf, kiss-the-cow contest, auction and a beautiful spring day at camp.” Visit https://brethrenwoods.org/springfestival to learn more.
— “This year the World Hunger Auction celebrates its 40th year on Saturday, August 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Antioch Church of the Brethren,” announced the Virlina District newsletter. The church is located in Rocky Mount, Va. “During its 40-year history, the Auction has raised over $1.5 million for local, national and international organizations like Heifer International, Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative, Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM House) and other local food banks.” Additional events include a World Hunger Auction Conner Family Concert by the popular bluegrass gospel quartet on Saturday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Antioch Church of the Brethren; the World Hunger Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 13, at Great Oaks Country Club in Floyd, Va.; the World Hunger Bike Ride on Saturday, June 10, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Antioch. For more information on any of these events, call 540-420-8241.
— “It’s hard to believe, but commencement is just weeks away!” said an announcement in the newsletter from Juniata College’s president James A. Troha. The college is located in Huntingdon, Pa. “We will be welcoming Andrew ‘Andy’ Murray, Elizabeth Evans Baker Professor of Peace Studies, Emeritus, and Anne C. Baker, Trustee Emerita, back to campus as our commencement speakers and to receive honorary degrees alongside Charles W. ‘Bud’ Wise III, trustee and former professor of accounting, and Larry Bock, women’s and men’s volleyball coach from 1977 to 2011 and Athletic Director from 1995-2011.” A release posted on the college website offered expanded information on the celebration of the college’s 145th Commencement Ceremony. The commencement takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13.
Andy Murray is a member of the Church of the Brethren, a past moderator of Annual Conference, a popular Brethren musician, and a graduate of Bridgewater College and Bethany Theological Seminary, where he earned his master of divinity degree in theology in 1968 and a doctor of ministry in 1980. He completed a certificate in studio production at Berkeley College of Music in 2009. He worked at Juniata College as campus minister from 1971 to 1986 and was college chaplain from 1986 to 1990. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1976 and, in 1987, was appointed associate professor of peace and conflict studies. He founded Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies in 1986 and was named Elizabeth Evans Baker Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies in 1991.
Anne C. Baker earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature at Oberlin College in 1961 and a bachelor of music degree in violin performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1967. She continued her musical education with a master of arts degree in violin performance from Tulane University in 1976. Baker completed her juris doctor degree at Loyola University of Law in 1982. She is the daughter of John C. Baker ’17 and Elizabeth Evans Baker, who established the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Baker has served on the Baker Institute Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees from 1987 until 2008 when she was named Trustee Emerita.
Charles W. ‘Bud’ Wise III earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology at Ohio University, completed his master’s in business administration at the University of Pittsburgh, started at Juniata College in 1973 as an instructor in the economics and business department and continued to become first an assistant professor and, later, associate professor. Wise returned to PPG Industries in 1979, retiring as vice president of human resources in 2010. Wise became a Juniata trustee in 2000 before being elected to emeritus status in 2022. Wise has served as a former Executive in Residence in the Accounting, Business & Economics Department; a guest lecturer; and an academic evaluator.
Larry Bock, “as the winningest volleyball coach in the history of the NCAA, turned Juniata into a national power in volleyball over his 34 years of coaching since he was named part-time head women’s volleyball coach in 1977,” said the release. Bock holds NCAA records for the most career wins as a women’s head coach (1,348) and collegiate volleyball coach (1,448). Juniata accumulated a 1,252-192-3 record in his time at the helm and made it to the NCAA Tournament every year since its inception in 1981. The Eagles won NCAA titles in 2004 and 2006 and reached the championship match on six additional occasions. In 2004, he surpassed 1,000 wins, the first volleyball coach in any division to do so. Bock also concurrently served six years as the men’s coach, including three EIVA Division III titles.
Read the full release at www.juniata.edu/about/news/archive.php?action=SHOWARTICLE&id=7096.
— McPherson (Kan.) College has recognized its Citation of Merit award recipients for 2023: Dwight Oltman ’58 (posthumously), and Church of the Brethren members Zane Smith ’66, and Garold Minns ’73. The college honored this year’s recipients at a dinner on April 21.
The late Dwight Oltman had a 55-year career as a renowned international conductor and music educator, over the years holding the positions of founding music director of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra in Cleveland and conducted the orchestra from 1972 to 1992; music director and principal conductor of Cleveland Ballet from 1976 to 2000; music director of Ballet San Jose in California from 2000 to 2012; on the faculty of Baldwin Wallace University for 40 years from 1970 to 2014, conducting the symphony orchestra and symphonic wind ensemble; director of the Baldwin Wallace Bach Festival for 39 years, which was featured on PBS for its St. Matthew’s Passion performance and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “He was recognized with a proclamation from Cleveland Mayor Michael White and recognized with a Morton Gould Award from the American Society of Composers,” noted the release.
Garold Minns, a member of Wichita (Kan.) First Church of the Brethren who has served as a volunteer physician for Annual Conference, graduated from McPherson with a degree in biology in 1973. He continued his education at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, where he joined the faculty in 1980 and today is dean and associate dean for Academic and Student Affairs, professor, and previous chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.
Zane Smith is a life-long member of Ankeny (Iowa) Church of the Brethren who earned a business degree from McPherson College in 1966, and later establishing Zane Smith Realty, which grew into one of the leading residential real estate companies in Iowa. He has established a permanent, ongoing endowed scholarship fund for students in the McPherson College business program.
A recording of the program can be found at https://livestream.com/mcpherson-college/evening-of-recognition-2023. Find the full release at www.mcpherson.edu/2023/04/mcpherson-college-honors-alumni-3.
— Bridgewater (Va.) College has announced an $8.5 million renovation project that “will reshape Bowman Hall, one of Bridgewater College’s most important academic buildings, by creating state-of-the-art classrooms and dynamic engaged learning spaces.” A release reported that “the renovation highlights the college’s ongoing commitment to the importance of place–ensuring every building on campus meets the needs not just of today’s learners but those of generations of students to come. The project comes just three years after the college unveiled the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons, a transformative $13.2 million renovation and expansion of the former library into an academic hub that fosters collaborative learning and creative connections. The Bowman Hall renovation, starting at the end of the spring 2023 semester, will transform every classroom, office space and teaching lab…. Home to seven undergraduate programs (business administration, digital media arts, economics, English, professional writing, psychology and sociology) and three graduate programs (master of science in human resource management, master of science in psychology–mental health professions and master of arts in digital media strategy), nearly every student takes at least one class in Bowman Hall during their time at Bridgewater.”
— “Church of the Brethren History: Local and National Stories” is an event series coming up at the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, Pa. On May 4, starting at 7 p.m., a program features Clay Moyer of Hatfield Church of the Brethren. On May 18, starting at 7 p.m., a program features Ron Lutz speaking about the national history of the Church of the Brethren. Said an announcement: “Join local historians and pastors Clay Moyer and Ron Lutz as they share the history of the Church of the Brethren from congregational and national perspectives. These programs help to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Brethren in America.” Find out more at https://mhep.org.
— The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to appeal for an end to hostilities and a sustainable peace in Sudan. In a release release, WCC general secretary Jerry Pillay expressed grave concern about the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan. “As many other countries move to evacuate their citizens, WCC member church and ecumenical partner contacts in Sudan report that after more than 10 days of armed violence and destruction, hospitals are still not operating, shops and markets remain closed, and essential services are still not functioning,” he said. “People are struggling to find food and the basic necessities of life.” He “appealed to the warring parties to refrain from any further hostilities–especially affecting civilians and civilian areas, to respect and protect places of worship (churches and mosques), and to act urgently to ensure a sustainable peace, so that essential services can be restored and critically needed humanitarian operations resumed…. We encourage all WCC member churches, ecumenical and interfaith partners, and all people of good will to join in prayers for peace and in active solidarity with the people of Sudan.”
— “Caring for the Earth, Transforming Lives” is offered by the World Council of Churches (WCC) as a hybrid event, both in-person and online, to explore links between faith and natural regeneration. The day-long seminar on May 12 “will help churches and faith-based communities respond more effectively to the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change,” said an announcement. Co-organizing the meeting are Right Livelihood, Global EverGreening Alliance, Earth Trusteeship Working Group, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, World Vision International, and OikoDiplomatique. “Participants will explore the ways in which nature has a remarkable regenerative, self-healing capacity,” said the release. “Then they will consider questions such as: How do we encourage our societies to work with, rather than against nature? What practical examples can we learn from, encourage, and amplify? The workshop will begin with reflections and devotions from several faith traditions. After that, the stage will be set for input from initiatives that foster natural regeneration in various forms–sustainable food systems, reforestation, and other land-related actions that improve livelihoods, promote climate mitigation, and adaptation resilience, soil erosion prevention, conservation agriculture, and safeguarding biodiversity.”
Speakers include Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo, who received the 2018 Right Livelihood Award for developing a technique that helps regrow trees in places where forests had been chopped down and who pioneered a technique called Farmer Managed Natural, (FMNR) a low-cost land restoration technique used to combat poverty and hunger amongst poor subsistence farmers by increasing food and timber production and resilience to climate extremes.
Interpretation to Spanish, Portuguese and French will be provided. The in-person event will be held at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. Sign up to attend online at www.oikoumene.org/news/caring-for-the-earth-transforming-lives-event-will-explore-links-between-faith-and-natural-regeneration.
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