{"id":24357,"date":"2024-09-11T01:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T01:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=24357"},"modified":"2024-09-12T18:54:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T18:54:12","slug":"brethren-bits-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2024\/brethren-bits-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren bits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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— Remembrance: James Earl Jones,<\/strong> 93, who died Sept. 9, had a little known relationship to the Church of the Brethren as a youth growing up in the area of Brethren, Mich. Described in a Washington Post obituary as \u201ca nonpareil American actor of stage and screen\u201d and \u201ca towering figure who shook solar systems\u201d he was lauded for his deep, sonorous voice and is perhaps best known for his vocal performances as Mufasa in The Lion King<\/em> and as Darth Vader in the Star Wars<\/em> movies. He was a commanding actor and won many honors throughout his life on the stage and screen including three Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, an Honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2011, and a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. He also was the narrator and \u201ctour guide\u201d for Compton\u2019s Multimedia Bible on CD<\/em>, published in 1995. \u201cIf you\u2019re not already born again going in, Jones\u2019 powerful reading of the 10 Commandments just might serve the ticket,\u201d said a review in the Chicago Tribune<\/em>. However, as a young boy Jones suffered from a severe stutter. In high school his teacher, a Church of the Brethren member named Donald Crouch, helped him overcome the stutter. During interviews over the years, Jones consistently gave credit to Crouch for \u201cgiving me my voice.\u201d He said in an interview published by Time<\/em> in June 2005, \u201cProfessor Crouch discovered I was writing poetry on the sly. One day he read one of my poems and said, \u2018Jim, this poem is too good for you to have written so to prove you wrote it, get up in front of the class and say it by heart, out loud.\u2019 And I did. I wanted to prove that I wasn\u2019t a plagiarist! \u2026 I don\u2019t know whether Professor Crouch did it as a trick, but he got me to talk. He had a conviction that if you like words, you should be able to say them out loud. Reading my poems out loud helped me to speak and to deal with my stutter.\u201d For more about Jones\u2019 extraordinary life, his autobiography written with Penelope Niven is titled Voices and Silences<\/em>, first published in 1993 by MacMillan, with subsequent editions available.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This past March, <\/em>Messenger, the magazine of the Church of the Brethren, published an article by Janet Stroup about the dedication of a set of statues placed in front of Brethren (Mich.) High School celebrating the mentorship relationship between Jones and Crouch. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

— Prayer for flooding in Nigeria<\/strong> is requested by Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and by Brethren Disaster Ministries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brethren Disaster Ministries<\/strong> posted on Facebook a prayer concern \u201cfor the people of Northeastern Nigeria who have been impacted by heavy rains and flooding, and in particular for those affected by massive flash flooding in Maiduguri (Borno State) due to the collapse of the Alau dam. The Church of the Brethren is in touch with EYN leaders and is waiting for further information on the situation. Please keep the survivors, those who have lost family members, EYN leadership, and local leadership in your prayers as they assess the situation and determine the best way to provide relief services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EYN president Daniel Y. C. Mbaya<\/strong> issued a call to prayer and urgent action, writing \u201cwith a heavy heart, as our nation faces yet another devastating disaster. The recent flooding in Chibok, Madagali, Michika, and now Maiduguri has left a trail of destruction, displacing countless individuals and causing untold suffering. The EYN Leadership sympathizes deeply with the affected communities, our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. We stand with you during this difficult time. We call on all EYN members and the entire nation to join us in fervent prayer for:
–Comfort and strength for the bereaved and displaced.
–Quick relief and support for those affected.
–Wisdom and prompt action from our government to address this crisis.
–Protection and preservation of lives and property.
–Furthermore, we urge the government to take immediate action to:
–Provide emergency assistance and relief materials to affected areas.
–Implement measures to prevent further flooding and mitigate its effects.
–Support rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts.
To our dear brothers and sisters in the affected areas, please prioritize your safety and evacuate to higher ground if you are at risk of flooding. Let us take all necessary precautions to save lives. May God Almighty grant us comfort, wisdom, and strength during this challenging time. Let us pray without ceasing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the EYN call for prayer at https:\/\/eynnews247.wordpress.com\/2024\/09\/10\/call-for-prayers-and-urgent-action<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the Brethren Disaster Ministries Facebook post at www.facebook.com\/bdm.cob<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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— Material Resources<\/strong> has prepared a two-container shipment of quilts to be sent to the Republic of Georgia on behalf of Lutheran World Relief. The shipment included 750 bales of quilts. Material Resources based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., warehouses and ships relief materials on behalf of a number of partner organizations. Photo courtesy of Glenna Thompson<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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— There are new additions to the YouTube channel<\/strong> of historical Church of the Brethren videos, created by videographer David Sollenberger working with the Brethren Historical Library and Archives and Church of the Brethren website producer Jan Fischer Bachman. The additions include three classic videos by Paul Grout. Sollenberger reports: \u201cHis seven-minute \u2018race through the Bible\u2019 using several hundred of his painted images, called \u2018For Such a Time as This,\u2019 which was shown at the 2002 National Youth Conference; and the Stations of the Resurrection project, also featuring his art work.\u201d Also included are the Hymnal Jubilee celebration at the 1992 Annual Conference in which Nancy Faus unveiled the new hymnal through group singing and musical presentations, and the first five Annual Conference Wrap-Up videos beginning in 1989. A listing of offerings on this channel is at www.brethren.org\/bhla\/video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren<\/strong> took part in the launch celebration of a new nonprofit called \u201cWe Make Indiana,\u201d which will serve St. Joseph County. \u201cMore than 30 congregations and organizations across the region gathered Sunday to celebrate the launch,\u201d said an article from WSBT Channel 22 in South Bend. The new organization builds on the work of the St. Joe County chapter of Faith in Indiana, said the report, and is a multi-racial and multi-faith network aimed at working with public officials to affect public policies. Prince of Peace pastor Ken Miller Rieman was quoted as saying, in part, that the goal is building relationships between people of faith and public officials \u201cso when we recognize shared concerns, we find the ways we can leverage our concern and our energy so we are productive.” For the full report go to https:\/\/wsbt.com\/news\/local\/non-profit-organization-we-make-indiana-hosts-launch-celebration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Gettysburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren<\/strong> hosted a presentation by leaders of the Fruitbelt Farmworkers Christian Ministry (FFCM), executive director Christian Aguilar and his wife, Ximena Suarez, when they spoke at the Adams County Church Women United\u2019s monthly luncheon last week. The couple \u201cspoke about the Fruitbelt Farmworkers ministry\u2019s work to bridge cultural divides and provide support to over 2,500 migrant workers in Adams, Cumberland and Franklin counties,\u201d said a report in the Gettysburg Times. \u201cMigrant workers face many challenges, including isolation, mental health issues and language barriers, according to the speakers, who noted the camps they visit range from mobile homes, dormitories, houses and wilderness camps, ranging from six to 200 migrant workers. FFCM now has over 35 churches participating in its mission, according to Aguilar.\u201d Read the full article at www.gettysburgtimes.com\/news\/local\/article_63f4c2de-6af0-11ef-a29d-af46c0381f41.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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— The University of La Verne,<\/strong> a church-related school in southern California, is hosting several events under the title \u201cConnecting Hispanic Communities to Higher Education Opportunities.\u201d Said a release: \u201cAs we approach National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week (Sept. 9-15) and Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct.15), the University of La Verne, a federally recognized Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution, is preparing to host the following free community events.\u201d Among the events is the Sept. 14 NCRF Latino College Expo<\/strong> which will bring the largest Latino College Expo and Education Fair in the region to the ULV campus, with more than 3,000 people expected to attend. \u201cThis 11th annual National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) event is an opportunity for students of all ages, even current college enrollees, and families to explore higher education opportunities.\u201d Registration link: www.eventbrite.com\/e\/11th-annual-latino-college-expo-free-tickets-924189665167<\/a>. And on Sept. 20, the ULV Sara and Michael Abraham Campus Center<\/strong> will celebrate a milestone 15 years with a Quincea\u00f1era in the tradition of the common Mexican and Latin American cultural celebrations of a girl’s 15th birthday. The celebration will be from 5-8 p.m. RSVP link: https:\/\/securelb.imodules.com\/s\/1636\/lg21\/form.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

— The Death Row Support Project, <\/strong>which is a project connected with the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, seeks writers to serve as pen pals for people on death row. Those who are interested in writing may attend an upcoming online information session to learn more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2-3 p.m. (Eastern time)
https:\/\/us06web.zoom.us\/j\/89832373518?pwd=Edvus8Mn7JfbsAXcGbNe4pIagHWYRW.1<\/a>
Meeting ID: 898 3237 3518
Passcode: 251092<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, Oct. 3, 8-9 p.m. (Eastern time)
https:\/\/us06web.zoom.us\/j\/86714973021<\/a>
Meeting ID: 867 1497 3021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, Oct. 12, 2-3 p.m. (Eastern time)
https:\/\/us06web.zoom.us\/j\/81013038148<\/a>
Meeting ID: 810 1303 8148<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies<\/strong> at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College is holding a symposium on the topic, \u201cWhat Does It Mean to Be Church? Anabaptist and Pietist Perspectives\u201d<\/strong> on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of various Brethren and Mennonite groups of plain or mainline identity will discuss their concepts of church. Co-leaders are Tony Walsh, director of the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism at Maynooth University, Ireland, and a past Young Center fellow; Sam Funkhouser, director of the Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va.; and Jeff Bach, emeritus director of the Young Center. The event is free and open to the public with no registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Church of the Brethren ministers who want continuing education credit for the fee of $10 may contact the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center. For more information, please contact Jeff Bach by email at bachja58@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— \u201c7 Questions with\u2026Pastor Frances Townsend\u201d <\/strong>was published recently in the Manistee (Mich.) News Advocate<\/em> offering a profile of Townsend\u2019s life and work as pastor of two Church of the Brethren congregations in Michigan: Onekama and Marilla. \u201cShe is also a mainstay at local events with her tie-dye stand, Onekama Dye and Design,\u201d wrote reporter Scott Fraley, who interviewed her at her stand at the Brethren Days festival on Aug. 31. \u201cYou can’t just be a pastor. You have to have a life. So this is part of what my life is,\u201d Townsend said about her tie-dye business, as she answered questions including \u201cHow did you get started in tie-dyeing?\u201d \u201cHow long have you been pastoring at the Church of the Brethren?\u201d \u201cWhat sold you on Onekama?\u201d \u201cHow does your tie-dye work overlap with your church work?\u201d and more. Townsend\u2019s tie-dye helps the churches raise money to send children to the district camp. She also is involved in a project to fix old sewing machines, some of which go to Bethany Christian Services for their work with the refugee community. Read the full interview at www.manisteenews.com\/news\/article\/pastor-frances-townsend-tie-dye-19747188.php<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n