Brethren bits

— Timbercrest, a Church of the Brethren senior living community in North Manchester, Ind., seeks candidates for the position of director of Development. Base pay range: $68,000 – $90,000. Timbercrest is an Indiana 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that has operated since 1889, with a long and rich tradition of serving older adults. Timbercrest is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), also known as a Life Plan Community, offering a range of care options for seniors as their level of care needs progresses over time. Position overview: The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, multi-skilled professional with a strong background and enthusiasm for building the Development Department, and a seasoned fundraising professional who can lead in building and expanding the donor base and fundraising efforts. The director of Development is a key leadership role responsible for spearheading fundraising efforts, fostering donor relationships, and advancing the mission and vision of caring for the elder population. This position requires a passionate advocate with a strong commitment to the values and goals of Timbercrest. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and exceptional communication skills to drive growth and engage stakeholders effectively. Essential duties and responsibilities include, among others, being a member of the leadership team and reporting to the Executive Director; holding responsibility for the leadership, direction, and operations of Timbercrest fundraising initiatives; holding responsibility for planning, executing, and achieving both long- and short-term contributed income goals for through the annual fund, special events, campaigns, and major gifts; being an enthusiastic spokesperson for Timbercrest’s mission, vision, and values for both internal and external constituents; collaboratively expanding and deepening existing donor relationships while implementing creative approaches to expand the pool of Timbercrest supporters. For more information go to https://workattimbercrest.org/jobs/director-of-development. To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references in a single PDF file to Hilary Wagoner, Human Resources Coordinator, at hwagoner@timbercrest.org with “Development” in the subject line. Priority is given to resumes received by Oct. 1. Position open until filled.

— The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is holding its 11th annual Christian Unity Gathering on Oct. 15–18 in Nashville, Tenn., on the theme “Equitable Futures: Paving the Way for Environmental and Economic Justice” delving into the intersection of ecological sustainability and socio-economic equity. The gathering is open to all who are interested in attending and brings together clergy, theologians, biblical experts, advocates, activists, and people from various Christian traditions to collectively envision ways to collaborate on critical issues. It is a “unique opportunity for individuals to immerse themselves in an ecumenical atmosphere of worship and collaborative work, which is a hallmark of NCC,” said an announcement. “The presentations are designed to engage attendees in meaningful dialogue and strategy sessions around challenges facing the faith community and the country, particularly as it relates to environmental and economic justice. CUG is an opportunity for fellowship among NCC members and partners committed to racial, gender, and economic justice, and to speak with a common voice on pertinent issues.” Speakers for the event include Carol Devine, faith director, Blessed Tomorrow of ecoAmerica; Teresa Fry Brown, associate dean of academic affairs, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University; Joseph Warren Walker, III, bishop and senior leader of the historic Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville; Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, co-pastors of the Double Love Experience Church and authors of Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections on the Work of Liberation; Carroll A. Baltimore, Creation Justice Ministries, bishop and president emeritus of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; Jenny Phillips, director of environmental sustainability, General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church; among many others. Registration for the three-day event is $199. Seminarians may attend for the discounted price of $99. Go to https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/christian-unity-gathering-2024.

Every Monday on Brethren.org: A series of “tiny retreats” posted as brief online opportunities to take in inspiration and beauty from images and scripture. Return to this link each Monday morning to find another “tiny retreat”: www.brethren.org/pause.

— The Brethren Encyclopedia has released a scholarly new work titled The Six: The Founders of the Brethren Church by Dale Stoffer, a member of the board of directors of the encyclopedia since 2003 who currently is editor of the monograph series. “Featuring the biographies of six men who laid the foundations for the Brethren Church following the division with the German Baptist Brethren in the early 1880s, the 711-page hardbound book is lavishly illustrated and its stamped, hardbound cover is accompanied by a handsome dusk jacket featuring an 1883 photo of the book’s six subjects,” said a release. “Henry Holsinger, Stephen Bashor, P.J. Brown, E.L. Yoder, J.H. Swihart and Edward Mason are the six subjects of Stoffer’s scholarship. Their ministry within the German Baptist Brethren and then the Brethren Church spanned the years from the 1860s to the early 1900s.” The Brethren Church is one of the Brethren bodies, along with the Church of the Brethren and others, descended from Alexander Mack Sr. who founded the Brethren movement in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. “These biographies all include much historical material of interest to all Brethren groups leading up to the division of the 1880s,” said the release. Stoffer is a graduate of Ashland College and Ashland Theological Seminary, holds a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary, and was academic dean of Ashland Theological Seminary from 2001 to 2012. He has taught church history and theology as well as courses in Anabaptism, Pietism, and Brethren studies. The Six is published as Number 10 in the Brethren Encyclopedia Monograph Series. In addition to 507 pages of text, there are also 12 pages of preliminary matter and approximately 200 pages of appendixes, end notes, and indices relating to “Persons, Places, and Institutions”; “Brethren Related Topics”; and “Secular Historical Events, Movements, and Groups.” Go to www.brethrenencyclopedia.org or call 717-817-6025.