{"id":15721,"date":"2020-10-03T17:44:47","date_gmt":"2020-10-03T17:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=15721"},"modified":"2020-10-03T17:44:49","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T17:44:49","slug":"brethren-bits-for-oct-3-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2020\/brethren-bits-for-oct-3-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren bits for Oct. 3, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

— Naomi Yilma has begun as an associate in the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy<\/strong> in Washington, D.C., working through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). This role was previously held by Susu Lassa, who just finished her year with BVS. Yilma is a recent graduate of Manchester (Ind.) University where she studied economics and management. She is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over the year, she will be working with various ecumenical and interfaith advocacy coalitions to bring issues of concern for the Church of the Brethren to government officials and related organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Rhonda Pittman Gingrich has been appointed as program director for Camp Pine Lake<\/strong> in Northern Plains District. She had been interim program director during 2020 and spearheaded the planning and holding of a virtual camp, according to the district newsletter. She is a lifelong member and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. She has had experience of various Church of the Brethren camps as a camper, counselor, and volunteer staff, and for the past 10 years has been dean of Middler Camp at Camp Pine Lake. On the denominational level, she has become well known as a leader in the work of formulating a compelling vision for the Church of the Brethren. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and attends Open Circle of the Brethren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Ron Wedel has been named Church Services Agent for the Mutual Aid Agency<\/strong> (MAA), a Church of the Brethren-related insurance agency. He will work with the agency\u2019s commercial church-related accounts by providing quotes, assisting with questions and claims, and generally serving clients when the need arises. Before joining MAA, he worked as an insurance agency owner and insurance educator, accumulating over 20 years of experience in the business. He has spent the last year working alongside MAA, making the move to full-time team member an easy transition, said an announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Global Mission staff request prayer for a leading family among the Brethren in Spain.<\/strong> Iglesia de los Hermanos \u201cUna Luz en las Naciones\u201d (the Church of the Brethren in Spain, \u201cA Light to the Nations\u201d) reported the death of Do\u00f1a Hilaria Carrasco Per\u00e9z, mother of pastor Fausto Carrasco and Santos Terrero and a beloved matriarch of the church. She died on Sept. 30 after being hospitalized with COVID-19. The congregation in Gijon has been hit by an outbreak of the disease affecting many of the church members. In their remembrance for her, the Spanish Brethren shared Psalm 116:15: \u201cPrecious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A view of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

— The Brethren Historical Library and Archives has announced a virtual tour of its collection on Nov. 10<\/strong> from 10 to 11 a.m. (central time) via Facebook Live. \u201cWe miss being able to give these tours in person, but this presents a unique opportunity and enables us to share the archives with so many people,\u201d said an announcement. Archive director Bill Kostlevy will direct the virtual tour and answer questions during this Facebook Live event. The tour will include unique items you might be surprised to see, and lots of Brethren history. Questions about the archives may be submitted during the tour in the discussion section of the event or by Facebook Messenger to the BHLA Facebook page at www.facebook.com\/BrethrenHistoricalLibraryandArchives<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Oakton Church of the Brethren in Vienna, Va., has issued an invitation to join in the ministry of Oakton Partners in Learning.<\/strong> \u201cYou may have seen the Oakton Partners in Learning (OPIL) tutoring program, hosted by the Oakton Church of the Brethren, was featured in this summer\u2019s virtual Annual Conference worship,\u201d said the invitation. \u201cOPIL continues to meet important needs for students and families during these difficult times. OPIL currently tutors students online through one-on-one and group tutoring. Have you wondered if a similar program would be possible in your congregation? Or are you interested in giving of your time and gifts in a significant way? Well, you\u2019re invited to join the OPIL team! While we remain virtual, anyone from anywhere can become a tutor or learn more about what OPIL is doing.\u201d To learn more about OPIL and\/or become a tutor, contact pastor Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey at pastors@oaktonbrethren.org<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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