Brethren bits

— Remembrance: Gary Alfred Dill (77), a former president of McPherson (Kan.) College, passed away on March 20. Over the course of his career in higher education, he also was a member of the faculty of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, a senior vice president of Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and president of University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico. He was born in Galena Park, Texas, to R.E. and Joyce Brewer Dill. The first member of his family to graduate from high school, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University, a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a doctor of ministry from Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, and a doctorate in higher education policy, leadership, and ethics from the University of Texas at Austin. For over five decades, he served as a pastor in Church of the Brethren, Baptist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches. He enjoyed filling the pulpit in other denominations, worked to foster interfaith dialogue, and discovered a passion for being a teaching elder, which led him into academics. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter Emily Hilliard and husband Henry; son Isaac Dill and wife Madison; son Moses Dill and friend Eden; son Grant Davis-Denny and wife Lori; son Phillip Denny; and grandchildren. A memorial service was held at University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas, on March 23. Find the full obituary at https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/san-antonio-tx/gary-dill-11720619

Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) last week held its 77th Majalisa or annual conference. In advance of the meeting, the outgoing president Joel S. Billi issued “a strong call to all ministers and delegates attending the upcoming 77th Majalisa to replicate the teachings and actions of Christ in their own lives and ministries,” according to a release from EYN Media. The president’s message was shared as a video. He spoke of “the importance of embodying the values of love, compassion, and humility that were central to Christ’s message,” saying, in part: “At the end of the day, let’s come together and embrace one another…. Let’s treat [the newly elected officers] as leaders and give them our support…. A smooth transition, a transition that is according to the Will of God.” This year’s Majalisa was expected to be a momentous occasion for EYN, with elections to name new top leadership. A release from EYN Media announcing election results and more will be forthcoming.

— The Church of the Brethren’s Idaho and Western Montana District seeks applicants for the position of district executive minister. The district includes six congregations, all located in the state of Idaho. This is a quarter-time position equal to approximately 10 hours per week. The office location is negotiable. The district executive minister may work remotely or on location in the district. Compensation will be negotiated in reference to the denominationally recommended salary and benefits. Travel is required both within and outside of the district. Responsibilities are outlined in the position description available upon request and include the primary areas of pastoral/congregational transitions, pastoral support, leadership development with respect to calling and credentialing of ministers, assisting congregations and pastors with the development of respectful collaborative relationships, assisting congregations with church growth initiatives, assisting in/coordination of conflict resolution efforts, consultations with congregations and throughout the district structure, and management and administration of district program initiatives and district conference arrangements, among others. A minimum of five years of pastoral or related experience is among the requirements. Apply by sending a letter of interest and resume to Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Director of Ministry, Church of the Brethren, via email at officeofministry@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three people to provide letters of reference. Upon receipt of the resume, a candidate profile must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

— The World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued a release welcoming the International Criminal Court policy establishing accountability for environmental crimes. “The ICC was established to end impunity for the most serious crimes,” reads the submission by the WCC. “Addressing the impunity of those propagating deliberate disinformation on global warming is an essential step to stopping the ongoing expansion of fossil fuels, which is threatening humanity and the living planet.” The comment follows the WCC’s submission “Climate Change Disinformation: The Need for Legal Development” to the ICC in December 2023. In the comment, the WCC recommends that two types of criminal acts be addressed under the current Rome Statute as environmental crimes. The first is climate disinformation. The second is financing new fossil fuel extraction and exploitation. “Holding accountable the banks and asset owners that continue financing new fossil fuel extraction and exploitation is a matter of survival for today’s children and future generations,” reads the comment. “Maximizing fossil fuel profits regardless of the harm caused to the world’s population is the origin of extreme physical and psychological suffering.” The most significant distress is carried by the world’s children, the comment notes.

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