— Camp Blue Diamond is seeking a gifted individual with a passion for outdoor ministry to serve as the next program director. The camp is a 238-acre retreat facility, summer camp, and family campground nestled within the Rothrock State Forest near Petersburg, Pa., affiliated with the Church of the Brethren’s Middle Pennsylvania District. The mission of Camp Blue Diamond is to encourage discipleship of Jesus Christ and to facilitate growth and healing in each person’s relationship with God, others, themselves, and the created world. The main role of the program director is to oversee all aspects of programing, working to ensure that each is Christ-centered, allowing campers and staff to experience growth and healing in their relationship with God, others, themselves, and the created world. Duties include but are not limited to managing and supervising summer staff, organizing retreats, helping to coordinate rental groups, assisting with kitchen and housekeeping duties during Outdoor School, and participation in camp board meetings, church visits, and the American Camp Association. Outdoor ministry at Camp Blue Diamond requires flexibility and teamwork. In this spirit, the program director may be called upon to provide help in other areas as needed. The program director is accountable to the executive director and Camp Blue Diamond board of directors. Qualifications include strong interpersonal skills as well as leadership, organization, and communication, along with a basic knowledge of program development, computer skills, and marketing. A bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred, along with camp leadership experience. Exceptional candidates without a degree will be considered. The applicant should be a Christian and a member of the Church of the Brethren or have an appreciation and understanding of Brethren beliefs and values. This fulltime, salaried position includes health benefits, a generous PTO/holiday package, and onsite housing and utilities. Review of applicants will begin March 1. It is expected that an appointment will be made in April with an anticipated start date in May. For a full description and information on how to apply visit https://campbluediamond.org/full-time-staff-openings or contact Brian Bert, executive director, at executive@campbluediamond.org or 814-667-2355.
— Trotwood (Ohio) Church of the Brethren is hosting a program on “Alaska and Climate Impacts” presented by Rex Miller on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. (Eastern time). “Miller will give a presentation on his visit to Alaska in 2025 with New Community Project,” said an announcement. “They have sponsored this trip over 20 years and have observed the changes in Alaska over those years. As the Director of Denali National Park shared with the group, she said that Denali was ‘on the melting edge’ of climate impacts in Alaska. Rex’s visit was to learn more of the native issues in Alaska as well as climate issues in Alaska. Please join us at Trotwood COB for loving fellowship & refreshments.” For questions call the Trotwood Church at 937-837-6604 or Pam Jones at 937-854-1104
— The World Council of Churches is urging a just, sustainable peace on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which will be marked on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The statement from WCC general secretary Jerry Pillay welcomed reported signs of progress toward the cessation of violence, saying that the global fellowship of churches hopes and prays for dialogue to continue, for all parties to engage in good faith, and for the violence to cease. “Meanwhile, the Ukrainian people have continued to suffer the worst impacts of Russia’s illegal aggression,” he said. “Deliberate, systematic, and massive daily attacks have continued against Ukrainian population centres far from the frontline, using dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles and hundreds of drones…. After so much death and destruction, so much suffering, and so many violations of law and morality, this aggression must stop and this war must end,” said Pillay. “We pray to God to open the path to a just and sustainable peace, for justice for the victims of this aggression, and peace to prevail in Ukraine, the region and the world.”
— Also from the WCC, general secretary Jerry Pillay issued a release on the death of Jesse Jackson, noting his prophetic role, passionate advocacy, and drive for justice. “Rev. Jesse Jackson was a great gift to all those who believed and acted for justice, equality, and love,” said Pillay. “As he advocated for freedom and democracy around the world, he served humanity in a way that showed his belief that we are all children of God. We give thanks for his life and contributions to make his country and the world a better place striving for justice, equality and liberation.” The release also quoted Angelique Walker-Smith, from the National Baptist Convention USA, and WCC president from North America: “Rev. Jesse Jackson was not only an iconic civil rights leader of our time and presidential hopeful, serving with global leaders like the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King; he was a pastor and priest to and with the people. His messages and actions of hope recognized the imago Dei in all of us but was uniquely expressed in his preaching cadence of mantras stating, ‘I am Somebody!’ and ‘Keep hope alive!’ which ran contrary to systematic and systemic messages of dehumanization of marginalized people.” The WCC expressed prayer for God`s strength and peace over the Jackson family, friends, and all those who mourn his passing both in the USA and the world over.
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- ‘Protecting asylum seekers is a biblical responsibility’: Washington pastor speaks at vigil for Noem v. Al Otro Lado
- Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court
- ‘The Space Between Us’ to be next online book discussion from Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church
- National Youth Conference seeks workshop leaders
- Children’s Disaster Services responds following tornados in Illinois and Michigan