Brethren bits

–– Remembrance: Gerald W. Pence, 97, former director for the Brethren Service Commission in Germany and frequent Annual Conference music coordinator and director, died on Oct. 6 in La Verne, Calif. Born in Ashland, Ore., his service to the church began as a youth in district and national youth cabinets. As a young man, he believed strongly in the Church of the Brethren teachings against war and the bearing of arms and registered as a conscientious objector. This deep belief of the inhumanity of war stayed with him throughout his life, and he would often talk with young men of draft age about the teachings of Jesus to “love your enemies.” As a college student, he was president of the Regional Youth Cabinet and helped organize the 1947-48 Prayer Vigil for Peace. With the concurrent youth peace caravans, this culminated in youth bringing the motion to the 1948 Annual Conference floor to begin a volunteer program that was the beginning of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). In 1950, he and his wife, Bernice Brandt Pence, accepted a two-year position with the Brethren Service Commission to direct relief and reconstruction work in war-torn Germany. As European youth joined Brethren youth in the rebuilding and refugee work, the Pences were in charge of their community living, individual and group projects, and working with local authorities in Kassel, Germany. Pence went on to teach high school choral music and English, and was minister of music at La Verne Church of the Brethren for more than 17 years. On the denominational level, he served on music and songbook committees and coordinated and led music at several Annual Conferences, often accompanied by his wife, who was an accomplished organist and pianist. He was a graduate of La Verne College (now University of La Verne) and held a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. He retired from teaching in 1987. Bernice Brandt Pence proceeded him in death in 2021. The family will hold a Celebration of Life this Saturday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. at La Verne Church of the Brethren, starting with hymn singing at 2:45 p.m. Find a full obituary at www.lavernecob.org/uncategorized/gerald-wilbur-pence.

— The West Marva District board has revised the position description for its district executive minister open position to include duties formerly held by an administrative assistant. Brenda Harvey, who has served in the administrative role for many years, recently announced her retirement effective at the end of the year. A celebration of her years of service will be held in the district in the future. The district executive minister position description involves a half-time position of 22 hours per week including some weekends and travel as needed. Interested candidates may contact Nancy S. Heishman, director of the Ministry Office of the Church of the Brethren, at officeofministry@brethren.org to inquire about the position.

— A prayer concern for the Community of Faith, which is the ethnically Haitian denomination of the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, has been received by the Global Mission office. Their congregations are unable to hold church services due to fear of gatherings being raided by the authorities, as the DR has begun carrying out a new policy of mass deportations of Haitians. “We pray for a solution that will allow Haitian citizens to get work permits,” said the prayer request.

— Also from On Earth Peace, the agency has published a second issue of its Agape Magazine focused on teaching children “about how to navigate conflict, our emotions, and being a bystander vs. upstander,” said an announcement. “Sometimes, relationships and friendships can be really hard, especially in moments of conflict. But what we want you to remember is that you are strong, brave, and capable. Sometimes, facing conflict is scary, intimidating, sad, and can make you really nervous or worried. But, remember that it’s hard because it’s important and the right thing to do. We wrote this issue to give you the tools and knowledge you need to help make these situations easier. You’ll learn what consent and boundaries are and how to practice them, what beloved community is, what conflict is, and some ideas on how to navigate them. We hope that you can use these tools to become a peacemaker in your life! You got this, we believe in you.” Emi Kawamura is editor and serves as Children and Youth Peace Formation organizer for the agency. Read the magazine at https://heyzine.com/flip-book/25a8a4084d.html#page/1.

— This year’s Brethren Disaster Relief Auction raised $388,829 and gained local media attention. A report from ABC WHTM Channel 27 said the auction, which was held in Lebanon County, Pa., on Sept. 27-28, marked the 47th in the auction’s history. It has been held annually since 1977. “Notable sales for the auction include the Double Wedding Ring Star, $1,450; Wooden Barn Set from the Marty Witman estate, $1.300; Handmade Doll House from the Marty Witman estate, $850; 1840 Seated Liberty Half Dollar, $500; 1902 Liberty Gold Coin, $920; Theme Basket, Family That Plays Together, $675,” said the report. Next year’s auction is set to be held on September 27 and 28, 2025. Find the article online at www.abc27.com/local-news/brethren-disaster-relief-auction-raises-nearly-400k-for-disaster-victims.