— Remembrance: Frances (Fran) Ziegler Clemens Nyce, who served a term on the former Church of the Brethren General Board and also as orientation director for Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), died peacefully in the presence of family at Foxdale Village, State College, Pa. on Jan. 26, 2023, just shy of her 99th birthday. Born on Feb. 7, 1924, to Lovina a nd LeRoy Clemens in Hatfield, Pa., she was a graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., where she majored in languages. She also completed graduate courses in religious studies at the University of the Pacific. A lifelong devoted member of the Church of the Brethren, she worked and volunteered for the denomination and affiliated organizations at local, national, and international levels, including serving as orientation director for BVS at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.; serving as assistant to the president at Juniata College, where she and her husband later established the Nyce Scholarship Fund to support students’ academic studies in Latin America; serving at Bethany Seminary; serving at On Earth Peace; participating in the Womaen’s Caucus and Global Women’s Project. She lived in Kassel, Germany, for four years 1958-1962, organizing the work of the Brethren Service Commission and many international service volunteers. She also served two years as the Maryland representative for the US Committee for UNICEF. She and her husband traveled extensively, often on educational trips related to their work for the church and especially work with SERRV International. She was active for peace and civil rights for all people, and opposed the wars in Vietnam, Central America, and Iraq. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Price Nyce. Memorial gifts are received to On Earth Peace and the Global Women’s Project. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
— Remembrance: John Tomlonson, a former executive for several districts in the Church of the Brethren, died on Jan. 21. In addition to serving in district leadership over the course of a long career in the church, he also pastored a number of Church of the Brethren congregations in Illinois, North Dakota, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. He served in regional administrative positions for the church in Michigan and Kansas, served as district executive minister of Western Plains District and in a shared, halftime position for Northern Indiana District. While leading Michigan District he was secretary of the Michigan Council of Churches. During his tenure in district leadership he served a term as chair of the Council of District Executives. He was a longtime member of Goshen City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, living in retirement in Goshen. He was the son of Eugene Guy Tomlonson and Ethel Sadie Sherck Tomlonson Rupel. He graduated from Bethany Theological Seminary and Manchester College (now university). His wife of 63 years, Veva Mae Crumrine Tomlonson, passed away in 2014. He is survived by two children, Mark (Karen) Tomlonson of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Jan (Floyd) Drexler of Keystone, S.D.; and grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced. Memorial gifts are received to Goshen City Church of the Brethren and to Manchester University.
— Eder Financial seeks a public relations manager. The manager level position requires individuals who can appropriately solve for the spoken and unspoken needs of external and internal customers. Most work is done remotely from home. Candidates must work well independently. The compensation structure includes a strong benefits package with organizational contributions for retirement, medical, life, and long-term disability insurance, as well as options to add dental, vision, and short-term disability coverage; 22 days of vacation, accrued at the start of the year; flexible work hours within a basic workday structure. Candidates are sought who will manage strategic initiatives but also pitch in with seemingly small tasks that show care for clientele. Eder Financial provides retirement, insurance, and organizational investing to over 5,000 individuals and client organizations nationwide. It is an agency of the Church of the Brethren. 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. Requirements include at least an undergraduate degree, 4 to 8 years of experience, effective oral and written communication skills, and experience in managing communication initiatives to support the brand that spans multiple methods. This position requires a person who enjoys working in a team environment and can coordinate content development with internal and external stakeholders. The ideal person is both data and detail oriented, and is proficient in written and visual communication skills, graphic design, producing captivating videos, and has knowledge of APA format. Working knowledge of design software such as Adobe, Creative Suite, Canva is a plus. The individual will use this background to manage writing projects, work with contractors on content development, copy edit writing submissions, coordinate public relations projects, while facilitating brand recognition and protecting the integrity of the organization’s reputation through words and images. To learn more about Eder, visit www.ederfinancial.org. Apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Tammy Chudy at tchudy@eder.org.
— Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Va., seeks a dependable, caring leader to be full-time salaried camp director. Summer camp experience is required, and staff management experience is preferred. This position is available immediately with the possibility of orientation with the current camp director. Camp Bethel is the outdoor ministry of the Church of the Brethren’s Virlina District, with the mission to foster and build relationships with God, with each other, and all of God’s creation, living the mission through Christian camping programs and availability of facilities and services to all people. Summer camps began at Camp Bethel in 1927, and in 1970 the camp became a year-round retreat center for guest groups and churches. The camp director joins other full-time staff including facilities manager, program coordinator, food services coordinator, and guest services coordinator. Camp Bethel is a facility free from smoking, vaping, tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol. Starting package includes salary based on experience with benefits of family or personal medical insurance, a pension plan, paid vacation, and professional growth funds. Onsite housing is also possible. Visit www.CampBethelVirginia.org/jobs to review the position description and submit a letter of interest, a faith statement, resume, and/or any questions to Naomi Powers, chair of the Search Committee, at Search@CampBethelVirginia.org.
— An agricultural internship is available at the Bruderhof’s Bellvale Community in Chester, N.Y., from April 17 to May 20. Interns learn about organic cultivation practices in farming including regenerative practices such as no-till, cover crops, biological inputs, and foliar nutrition. This opportunity is a unique way to experience a committed way of Christian life and service in a money-free community environment of an intentional community. It is especially designed for young people wishing to explore a vocation in agriculture, paired with mission, service work, and a more intentional church life. Go to www.bruderhof.com/agricultural-internship.
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