{"id":13999,"date":"2019-05-17T17:24:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T17:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.brethren.org\/news\/?p=13999"},"modified":"2019-07-29T17:48:35","modified_gmt":"2019-07-29T17:48:35","slug":"newsline-for-may-17-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2019\/newsline-for-may-17-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsline for May 17, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Bee
Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Lord by wisdom founded the earth;<\/em>
     by understanding he established the heavens;<\/em>
     by his knowledge the deeps broke open,<\/em>
     and the clouds drop down the dew.<\/em>
My child, do not let these escape <\/em>
     from your sight…\u201d (Proverbs 3:19-21a).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEWS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1) Church of the Brethren renews memorandum of understanding with Selective Service<\/a>
2) Ministerial ethics training uses newly commissioned workbook<\/a>
3) Christian Citizenship Seminar seeks creative solutions to violent conflict<\/a>
4) Leadership Team clarifies congregational withdrawal process to districts<\/a>
5) Bethany Seminary conference explores intersection of faith and science<\/a>
6) Looking at life through the lenses of faith and science<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RESOURCES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

7) Brethren Press highlights new resources for congregations<\/a>
8) Brethren Life & Thought offers digital access<\/a>
9) Brethren bits<\/a>: CWS Ration Challenge, remembering Dr. Paul Petcher and Jean Vanier, personnel, job opening, invitation to Heifer\u2019s 75th anniversary celebration in Puerto Rico, 2020 Clergywomen\u2019s Retreat, Brethren Voices to begin broadcasting again in June, more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from a wide range of different fields of knowledge, presents an ominous picture. The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide…. It is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global. Through \u2018transformative change,\u2019 nature can still be conserved, restored, and used sustainably–this is also key to meeting most other global goals. By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic, and social factors, including paradigms, goals, and values.\u201d <\/p> — IPBES chair Sir Robert Watson. \u201cNature\u2019s Dangerous Decline \u2018Unprecedented\u2019; Species Extinction Rates \u2018Accelerating\u2019\u201d is the title of a landmark report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the summary of which was approved at the 7th session of the IPBES Plenary on April 29-May 4 in Paris. A release about the report is at www.ipbes.net\/news\/Media-Release-Global-Assessment<\/a> .
     For resources from the Brethren Creation Care Network go to www.brethren.org\/creationcare<\/a> .<\/em><\/em> <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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1) Church of the Brethren renews memorandum of understanding with Selective Service<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Conscientious
Conscientious objector checklist, from the curriculum Call of Conscience published by the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org\/co .<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Church of the Brethren has renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Selective Service System, the federal department responsible for the nation\u2019s preparation for a military draft and draft registration. Selective Service also has worked with the historic peace churches to plan for alternative service for conscientious objectors in the event of a draft.<\/p>\n

The denomination\u2019s last MOU with Selective Service was signed by Stan Noffsinger as general secretary of the Church of the Brethren in 2010. The renewed MOU was signed by general secretary David A. Steele and Global Mission and Service executive Jay Wittmeyer on March 4.<\/p>\n

The Church of the Brethren has had a long-standing agreement with Selective Service dating back to the early 1940s, when Civilian Public Service was formed as a result of work by leaders and staff of the historic peace churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers). In the decades since, Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) has been recognized as an agency through which conscientious objectors may do alternative service in the event of a draft.<\/p>\n

Selective Service defines two types of conscientious objector: individuals who are not opposed to serving in noncombatant roles with the military, such as medic; and individuals who by reason of conscience are completely opposed to the military and need alternative programs that make a \u201cmeaningful contribution to the maintenance of the national health, safety, and interests.\u201d Examples of alternative service have included jobs in conservation, education, health care, and caring for the very young or very old.<\/p>\n

In the event of a military draft, conscientious objectors would make a claim for such classification, likely to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Membership in the Church of the Brethren would not guarantee classification as a conscientious objector; church members would need to provide written documentation demonstrating an objection to serving in the military, how they arrived at that belief, and how that belief has had an influence on their life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the belief of the Church of the Brethren that by signing this MOU with Selective Service and by maintaining the Brethren Volunteer Service program, the Church of the Brethren demonstrates that it is committed to its historical position as a peace church,\u201d said Wittmeyer. \u201cWhile membership in the church does not guarantee a drafted individual would qualify for alternative service, we do believe it makes a strong case to demonstrate one\u2019s belief in nonresistance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The denominational staff recommend that, at the time of registering with the Selective Service, young men should also file a \u201cstatement of conscience\u201d with the Church of the Brethren to be kept in case it is required in the future.<\/p>\n

For the \u201cCall of Conscience\u201d curriculum of resources about conscientious objection including instructions for writing and filing a statement, go to www.brethren.org\/CO<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Ministerial ethics training uses newly commissioned workbook<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ministry
Ministry ethics trainers received orientation at the General Offices to lead sessions in districts across the denomination. This is part of the every-five-year process of renewing ministerial credentialing, led by the Office of Ministry. Shown here (from left) are trainers Janet Ober Lambert, director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership; Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of the Office of Ministry; Jim Benedict, author of the new workbook titled \u201cEthics for the Set-Apart Minister”; Lois Grove; Dan Poole, of the Bethany Seminary faculty; Joe Detrick; Jim Eikenberry; Ilexene Alphonse, who will be leading training in Haitian Kreyol; and Ram\u00f3n Torres, who will be leading training in Spanish. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A newly commissioned ministerial ethics workbook is being featured during the current renewal cycle. Every five years ordained and commissioned ministers in the Church of the Brethren are required to take ministerial ethics advanced level training in order to renew their credentialing. Licensed ministers and those new to the denomination are required to take the basic level of training as part of the credentialing process. The ministerial ethics training is the responsibility of the Office of Ministry, working with district leadership and ministry commissions.

At the invitation of the Office of Ministry, retired pastor Jim Benedict has written the new workbook titled \u201cEthics for the Set-Apart Minister,\u201d with versions for both basic and advanced levels of training. He brings expertise in the field of medical ethics and decades serving in pastoral ministry.

An orientation session for trainers using the new materials took place recently at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., in preparation for the credentialing renewal process currently underway in the districts. Nine leaders from six districts have received orientation to serve as facilitators and will lead training sessions during the process that is to be completed by the end of 2020. 

In addition to English, the workbook is available in Spanish, with sessions led by Ram\u00f3n Torres of Reading, Pa.; and in Haitian Kreyol, with sessions led by Ilexene Alphonse of Miami, Fla. Other trained facilitators include Joe Detrick, Lois Grove, Dave Kerkove, Janet Ober Lambert, Dan Poole, and Jim Eikenberry.

Also trained as a facilitator, Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of the Office of Ministry, expressed her appreciation for the participation of this team of trainers and the partnership with the districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Christian Citizenship Seminar seeks creative solutions to violent conflict<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Christian
Christian Citizenship Seminar 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred<\/p>\n

The Christian Citizenship Seminar gathered 47 high school youth and advisors from Church of the Brethren congregations throughout the US, beginning on April 27 in New York City and ending in Washington, D.C., on May 2, focused on the theme \u201cCreative Solutions to Violent Conflict Worldwide.\u201d The event was led by five Church of the Brethren staff from the Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy.<\/p>\n

Throughout the week, participants learned about how churches, governments, and non-governmental organizations can pro-actively build peace and defuse potential violence without resorting to military force. In between sessions about the military budget, unarmed civilian protection, and advocacy, participants visited the United Nations, explored New York City, and met with their members of Congress on Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n

Youth lobbied their senators and representatives to support funding for unarmed civilian protection, a strategy for preventing violence by providing a protective, nonviolent presence to observe and accompany civilians living amid conflict. They also shared how their background as members of a historic peace church informed their desire to see less militarism and more efforts to build peace in US foreign policy. In many offices, preventing violence without the use of military force was a novel but welcome concept, and participants were pleasantly surprised that staff and legislators from varying parties and perspectives received their ideas and their presence with curiosity and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

For many of the participants, who hailed from 14 congregations in 12 states, this was their first time lobbying their members of Congress. Most walked away encouraged to continue engaging in advocacy for peace and other issues that inspire them. Christian Citizenship Seminar, which occurs every spring except for years when National Youth Conference is held, exists for just such a purpose: to empower and inspire Church of the Brethren youth to see and speak on issues of peace and justice through the lens of their faith.<\/p>\n

— Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred is serving as the Youth and Young Adult Ministry assistant through Brethren Volunteer Service.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Leadership Team clarifies congregational withdrawal process to districts<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Leadership Team of the Church of the Brethren has provided district executives with a congregational withdrawal process. This \u201cbest practices\u201d document was developed in consultation with the Council of District Executives in keeping with current polity. It was prepared for district leaders who are working with congregations that may be considering withdrawing from the denomination.<\/p>\n

The Leadership Team does not intend to encourage any congregation to withdraw. Indeed, it is the Leadership Team\u2019s fervent prayer that congregations will discover God\u2019s compelling vision to continue our ministries together. If, however, withdrawal becomes necessary, this document gives guidance for processing withdrawal in accordance with current polity.<\/p>\n

The Leadership Team of the denomination includes the Annual Conference officers\u2014moderator Donita Keister, moderator-elect Paul Mundey, and secretary James Beckwith\u2014along with general secretary David Steele and district executive Cindy Sanders, who represents the Council of District Executives.<\/p>\n

The \u201cCongregational Withdrawal Process\u201d document does not change Church of the Brethren polity related to property ownership. The intent of the document is to encourage intentional conversations between district leadership and congregations through a defined process, to pull together the denominational polity regarding church property, and to give guidance to ministerial and congregational leadership.<\/p>\n

The Leadership Team urges a reconciling spirit in all congregational withdrawal conversations. The document also asks districts to be consistent with all aspects of Church of the Brethren polity as they work with congregations and ministers considering withdrawal, fostering a respectful spirit toward all parties and giving serious attention and care to those church members who choose to remain a part of the Church of the Brethren.<\/p>\n

For more information, please contact your district executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Bethany Seminary conference explores intersection of faith and science<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Russell
Russell Haitch moderates a faculty panel. Photo courtesy of Bethany Seminary<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By Jenny Williams<\/p>\n

Faith, science, and encouragement to consider them in tandem were the focus at Bethany Theological Seminary\u2019s Look at Life conference, held April 25-27. More than 100 guests and presenters gathered at the seminary to receive information and share viewpoints in a space for open dialogue.<\/p>\n

Scientific scholarship and personal faith perspectives were offered by five professors from the fields of biology, mathematics, philosophy, archaeology, theology, physics, and astronomy. Straightforward presentations on current scientific thinking and findings generated discussion among participants. Questions posed to the speakers were followed by chances to process topics in more depth through small group discussion.<\/p>\n

Lectures on the origin of life in the universe–perhaps not limited to Earth–were followed by sessions describing the relationships among life forms, methods of archeological dating, and the field of genome editing. Renowned Old Testament scholar and author John Walton from Wheaton College presented the final lectures on an understanding of creation that incorporates the Genesis account and the theory of evolution. A panel discussion, including Steve Schweitzer, academic dean at Bethany, and Nancy Bowen, professor of Old Testament at Earlham School of Religion, provided a response to these concepts.<\/p>\n

Russell Haitch, professor of theology and human science at Bethany, coordinated the event. “We wanted to do a conference that would, yes, deal with evolution but also go beyond the tired talking points and acrimony. I asked myself: How can we bring a biblical understanding and Christian frame of mind to questions of origins? So, let’s look at the start of the universe and the start of humanity but also at human development. There are new reproductive technologies. There are new discoveries in epigenetics–ways that children inherit traits not just from DNA…. These areas concern people in ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conference was part of a larger initiative at Bethany entitled \u201cBinocular Vision: Looking at Life through the Eyes of Faith and Science.\u201d In recent weeks, three lunches open to the public were held at the seminary to present information on current social challenges. Richmond residents in ministry and social service were joined by Bethany alumni, students, and employees to learn about the causes and effective treatments of childhood stress and various forms of addiction. More such events are planned for the coming fall. Haitch is joined by Nate Inglis, assistant professor of theological studies at Bethany, in developing this initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cBinocular Vision\u201d is being funded by a grant from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) through its \u201cScience for Seminaries\u201d program. The goal of this program is to support seminaries as they integrate science into theological education and demonstrate its relevance to the life of religious communities. Grant recipients commit to incorporating scientific topics and themes into their core curricula and to hold at least one campus-wide event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cScience for Seminaries\u201d project was made possible through the support of AAAS and a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world\u2019s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science (www.sciencemag.org<\/a>) family of journals. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes 261 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with an estimated total readership of 1 million. The nonprofit AAAS (www.aaas.org<\/a>) is open to all and fulfills its mission to \u201cadvance science and serve society\u201d through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more.<\/p>\n

— Jenny Williams is director of communications for Bethany Theological Seminary.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Looking at life through the lenses of faith and science <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A small group discussion led by Nate Inglis. Photo courtesy of Bethany Seminary<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By Frank Ramirez<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at Life: A Conference Where Faith Meets Science\u201d started with a big bang. No, not the Big Bang, although that came up in discussion over the course of the three-day event April 25-27 at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Isaac Wilhelm, a graduate student at Rutgers University, spoke on \u201cThe Big Bang, Fine-Tuning, and the Existence of God,\u201d with an overwhelming energy and enthusiasm that helped dissipate all the travel weariness of the more than 100 participants.<\/p>\n

Wilhelm\u2019s topic concerned \u201ca prominent contemporary argument for the existence of God.\u201d If Theism is a belief that someone designed the fundamental features of the universe, and atheism is an understanding that no one designed the fundamental features of the universe, and given that the universe has life, physicists have discussed what numerical value can be assigned to the fact that the universe is \u201cfine-tuned for life.\u201d One question is whether that proves or disproves the existence of God.<\/p>\n

Nate Inglis, Bethany\u2019s assistant professor of theological studies and one of the planners of the event, noted that \u201cwe\u2019ve lost our ability to talk to each other\u201d with regard to faith and science. But that had not always been the case. Ingles pointed to three great Christians who had no trouble integrating science and faith: Anselm of Canterbury, who believed that faith sought understanding; Ignatius of Loyola, who \u201cfound God in all things, he read God\u2019s book of nature and book of scripture\u201d; and Francis of Assisi, who \u201csaw God\u2019s footprints in all of creation, which he considered the self-revealed word of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wes Tobin, a scientist and professor at Indiana University-East, was enthusiastic about the possibility of life not only elsewhere in the cosmos but even possibly in our own solar system. He cautioned against finding patterns and interpreting data according to what we want to believe, however, instead of what actually exists.<\/p>\n

Russell Haitch, professor of theology and human science at Bethany who oversaw coordination of the conference, spoke on \u201cPutting Faith and Science Back Together Again.\u201d He said that while 59 percent of American adults say there is a conflict between faith and science, for most people this causes no personal distress. But there is \u201ca long history of science and faith working together in Western Christianity. How did they get pulled apart and how might we put them back together?\u201d Haitch asked.<\/p>\n

Haitch said that part of the blame for the conflict between science and faith goes to what he called \u201cthe Protestant experiment,\u201d which took the mystery out of the service of communion, separating the physical and spiritual worlds. Blame also goes to the scientific community\u2019s success, leading many to think that \u201cthe physical world is the most real, and maybe the only reality.\u201d The conflict finds its clearest expression in the Declaration of Independence, according to Haitch, saying \u201cGod has given all people inalienable rights, but we hold these truths to be self-evident.\u201d As a solution, he said, \u201cI have proposed that the pattern of Jesus…provides a model for uniting faith and science. Union without confusion.\u201d In both realms of science and faith, he said there is space for both to operate.<\/p>\n

Katherine Miller-Wolf, professor of anthropology at Indiana University-East, with a specialty in Mayan history, gave a detailed look at various methods used to date historical and geological events in \u201cFrom Tree Rings to Microwaves: How Scientists Date Stuff.\u201d It is possible through a variety of methods, from counting tree rings to examining the decorations on tombstones, to obtain a fairly accurate idea of just when certain events occurred, she asserted.<\/p>\n

Craig Story, professor of biology at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., sprinkled scriptures throughout his presentation on \u201cLife, Biologically Speaking: A Brief History with Updates.\u201d \u201cDNA is a form of time machine,\u201d he said. \u201cMost of us have about 800 people out there who are third cousins or closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Story emphasized that much of the earliest work on genetics was tainted by the virulent racism of its proponents, who tended to put humanity on the top of creation, especially those branches of humanity that looked like them. Bad science made for in bad results, including unethical and immoral experiments on human beings under the guise of \u201ceugenics.\u201d Modern genetics notes that humanity is part of a complicated spectrum of life that is interrelated and dependent on those relationships. \u201cThe Bible is not very specific about the scientific origins of things,\u201d Story said, adding that \u201cGod is working on all this at a very deep level. Science has truths. Scripture has truths. Both are true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of another presenter\u2019s family crisis, Story also was called on to examine some of the exciting–and possibly frightening–implications of gene splicing in a presentation titled \u201cThe Perfect Human? The Promises and Perils of Human Genome Editing.\u201d Is it possible for genome editing to alleviate, cure, or even eliminate several debilitating illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, or Sickle Cell Anemia? The answer is yes, but there are real ethical questions that have to be resolved.<\/p>\n

A recent international conference insisted that in order to retain accountability and ethical behavior, \u201crogue\u201d germline therapies in humans have to be discouraged, transparency in research must be encouraged, interdisciplinary forums for discussion should be created before proceeding with experiments, and policy should be formulated upon the recommendations of a globally representative group. This is necessary because, in the words of one scientist, \u201cThe unthinkable has become conceivable.\u201d Yet, Story said, one scientist in China already has violated the conventions against rogue therapies and transparency in research by splicing genes in infants to inhibit the HIV virus–with no accountability, no publication, and no advance notification. While most would agree that it is important to alleviate human suffering, the long-term consequences of some of these actions is unknown.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most anticipated presentation came from John H Walton, professor at Wheaton (Ill.)  College and a prolific author whose lecture, \u201cLost Worlds: Genesis 1-2,\u201d focused on the cultural assumptions behind the interpretation of the creation story in the Bible. He admitted, \u201cThere are lots of people who think there is a serious war going on between the Bible and science. You hear that you\u2019ve got to make a choice. You can have one or the other. I\u2019d like to propose that\u2019s not the only way to look at these things.\u201d Walton continued by noting that faithful interpretation of scripture calls for accountability. \u201cThe Bible has authority that I have to submit to. That means that I\u2019m accountable.\u201d Approaching the Bible, readers are accountable to \u201cthe truth claims of scripture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walton reminded his audience that the Ancient Near East and contemporary 21st century Americans make very different assumptions about the world. He used the analogy of the difference between a house and a home to establish the cultural assumptions of Genesis. Some people are very concerned about how to put building materials together to build a house, while others are more concerned about how to make a building home-like. The Hebrew word \u201cbara,\u201d translated as \u201ccreate,\u201d is more about making a home than constructing a house, he said. It is used more than 50 times in the Hebrew Bible and it is always about bringing order to things. Walton said the word \u201crefers to a divine activity. In scripture God creates, or brings order, to material objects like Jerusalem, but also to grammatical objects like purity.\u201d<\/p>\n

With this understanding, when the Bible says the earth was formless and empty the assumption is that the world was \u201cnot lacking matter, but order.\u201d The creation story was about making a home, not building a house, he asserted, noting that the seven days of creation conform to the seven days necessary to dedicate the temple as holy space. The creation narrative in the first chapter of Genesis was about consecrating the whole earth as God\u2019s home, meaning all of creation is God\u2019s holy space.<\/p>\n

Throughout the conference, participants met in small groups to process what they had learned and discuss issues they wished to explore further. Despite the controversial nature of the subject, and the wide variety of religious backgrounds and beliefs, respectful listening was the norm throughout.<\/p>\n

— Frank Ramirez pastors Union Center Church of the Brethren in Nappanee, Ind.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Brethren Press highlights new resources for congregations<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n