Two districts have named interim executive ministers, Northern Indiana District and Atlantic Southeast District. Carol Spicher Waggy will be interim district executive for Northern Indiana in a three-quarter-time position beginning Jan. 1, 2013, for a period of up to two years. Terry L. Grove begins immediately as interim district executive for Atlantic Southeast, in a part-time position.
Ministry Office
Kauffman Retires as Executive of Northern Indiana District
Herman D. Kauffman has announced his plans to retire as Northern Indiana District executive minister, effective Dec. 31. He began his ministry with the district on Nov. 1, 1994, and has served as district executive for 18 years.
Beach Retires from Leadership of Atlantic Southeast District
Martha R. Beach has announced her plans to retire as executive minister of Atlantic Southeast District, effective Jan. 1, 2013. She began her ministry as district executive on March 20, 2000.
A Large Group Prepares for Licensing to the Ministry in Haiti
In late May, Church of the Brethren leaders from the US and Haiti interviewed a large group of people preparing for licensing to the ministry, to serve in Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti). Nineteen men and women were interviewed.
MSS Interns Begin a Summer of Service to the Church
The 2012 class of Ministry Summer Service interns have been holding orientation June 1-6 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The mentors for each intern joined the orientation for the last two days of the event. Below is a list of interns and mentors, as well as the ministry settings in which they will serve for the next 10 weeks:
Pre-Registration Remains Open for Ministers’ Association Event
Walter Brueggemann, well-known and sought after speaker, author, and biblical scholar, is the keynote speaker for the 2012 Ministers’ Association Pre-Conference Continuing Education Event. The event takes place July 6-7 at the America’s Center Room 120, St. Louis, Mo., in advance of Annual Conference.
Brethren Academy Updates Its List of Courses for 2012-13
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has updated its list of courses for 2012 and extending into 2013. Courses are open to Training in Ministry (TRIM) or Education for Shared Ministry (EFSM) students, pastors, and other interested persons. Ordained and licensed ministers earn continuing education credit for most courses. Courses noted as “SVMC” are offered through the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, register by contacting SVMC@etown.edu or 717-361-1450. Registration brochures are available at www.bethanyseminary.edu/academy or by calling 800-287-8822 ext. 1824.
Jantzi to Serve as Executive Minister for Shenandoah District
John Jantzi has accepted the call to serve the Church of the Brethren’s Shenandoah District as district executive minister beginning Aug. 1. Since 2003 he has been pastor of Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Va.
Paynes Called to Lead Southeastern District
Russell and Deborah Payne have accepted the call to serve Southeastern District as co-district executives beginning June 1. They will make their home and establish the new Southeastern District Office in Sulphur Springs, Tenn.
New Schedule Announced for Ministers Event Led by Brueggemann
The Ministers’ Association has issued a new schedule for its pre-Conference two-day learning event featuring Walter Brueggemann, July 6-7 in St. Louis. Brueggemann, a renowned Old Testament scholar and author of over 50 books, will address the topic “Truth Speaks to Power” and the question, “How can the witness of the gospel be uttered and enacted in the midst of a public domain that now features immense concentrations of money, power, and control?”