Newsline, June 28, 2013

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

June 28, 2013 Quote of the week: Move in our midst, thou Spirit of God Go with us down from thy holy hill. Walk with us through the storm and the calm. Spirit of God, go thou with us still. Touch thou our hands to lead us aright. Guide us forever, show us thy way. Transform our darkness into thy light. Spirit of God, lead thou us today. Strike from our feet the fetters that bind. Lift from our lives the weight of our wrong. Teach us to love with heart, soul, and mind. Spirit of God, thy love makes us strong. Kindle our hearts to burn with thy flame. Raise up thy banners high in this hour. Stir us to build new worlds in thy name. Spirit of God, O send us thy pow’r! --This beloved Brethren hymn, nicknamed the “Brethren national anthem,” reportedly has appeared in every Church of the Brethren Annual Conference booklet since it was first published in The Brethren Hymnal in 1951. Lyrics by Kenneth I. Morse are set to the tune, “Pine Glen,” composed by Perry L. Huffaker. The hymn is the theme for the 2013 Annual Conference meeting in Charlotte, N.C., onJune 29-July 3. A new Brethren Press e-book “Kindling Our Hearts: The Prophetic Voice of Ken Morse,” is a collection of writings by and about Morse including Messenger articles, editorials, essays, poetry, and photos. The e-book download is for electronic devices and intended for personal use. Purchase one download per user for $3.99 atwww.brethrenpress.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1938E . For news coverage of Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac2013 . NEWS 1) Standing Committee holds special session about On Earth Peace statement of inclusion. 2) CDS volunteers in Oklahoma care for more than 1,000 children. 3) Moore overwhelmed by donations of unneeded goods. 4) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs disaster grants to Angola, Palestine. 5) Global Food Crisis Fund supports Shepherd Society, ECHO with grants. UPCOMING EVENTS 6) WCC plans 2013 Assembly on the theme ‘God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.’ 7) Intercultural Gathering scheduled for October on theme ‘The Great Multitude: A Symposium Bringing Us Together.’ FEATURE 8) Remembering Slim Whitman, the church’s ‘Mr. Songman.’ 9) Brethren bits: Personnel notes, job openings, Little Swatara consecrates crosses for Annual Conference, Annual Report goes digital, and more. ******************************************** NOAC registration deadline: On July 1 the registration fee increases for National Older Adult Conference, the Church of the Brethren conference for adults age 50 and older, on Sept. 2-6 in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Register before July 1 for $159, with a $25 discount for first-timers. After July 1 the fee increases by $30. Attendees make their own housing and meal arrangements at Lake Junaluska. Register online and find out more about NOAC at www.brethren.org/NOAC . For questions contact NOAC coordinator Kim Ebersole at 800-323-8039 ext. 305. ******************************************** 1) Standing Committee holds special session about On Earth Peace statement of inclusion. The Standing Committee of district delegates began meeting on June 26, prior to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C. During their first full day of meetings, July 27, the committee held a specially called session with On Earth Peace executive director Bill Scheurer to continue conversation about the agency’s Statement of Inclusion. The session concluded with a decision to send a second Standing Committee delegation to meet with the On Earth Peace board “to explore a way to attempt to find a resolution.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/standing-committee-special-session-with-oep.html . Go to www.brethren.org/ac2013 for daily news, photos, webcasts, and more from the 2013 Annual Conference, through July 3. Pre-Conference events include the Ministers’ Association, Standing Committee, Deacon Ministry workshops, Mission and Ministry Board meeting, and more. Annual Conference starts with Saturday evening worship. 2) CDS volunteers in Oklahoma care for more than 1,000 children. The number of children served by Children’s Disaster Services volunteers working in Moore, Okla., has now passed 1,000. The CDS volunteers are serving children and families affected by the tornado that devastated the town of Moore in May. As of June 20, CDS has worked in Moore for more than 4 weeks and has served more than 1,020 children. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/cds-volunteers-in-oklahoma.html 3) Moore overwhelmed by donations of unneeded goods. The Brethren Disaster Ministries office has issued an alert that the Moore, Okla., tornado area has been overwhelmed with unneeded donated goods. Disaster response agencies have requested help in stemming the tide. Instead of sending goods, several more helpful options are suggested including donations to the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/moore-overwhelmed-by-unneeded-donations.html 4) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs disaster grants to Angola, Palestine. Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed allocations from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to SHARE to support schoolchildren in Angola, and to the Shepherd Society of Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/brethren-disaster-ministries-directs-allocations.html 5) Global Food Crisis Fund supports Shepherd Society, ECHO with grants. Recent grants have been given from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) to a partnership project with the Shepherd Society of Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine, and to an agriculture project of ECHO, Inc., in the Dominican Republic. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/global-food-crisis-fund-grants.html 6) WCC plans 2013 Assembly on the theme ‘God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.’ The World Council of Churches (WCC) 10th Assembly will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 8 in Busan, South Korea, on the theme, “God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.” The Church of the Brethren delegation has already begun preparing for the event. Delegates from each worldwide member communion of the WCC are expected to attend the assembly, which is held every seven years and is considered the largest international gathering of Christians. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/wcc-plans-2013-assembly-on.html 7) Intercultural Gathering scheduled for October on theme ‘The Great Multitude: A Symposium Bringing Us Together.’ The Intercultural Ministry office, advisory committee, and Virlina District have announced the 2013 Intercultural Gathering, titled “The Great Multitude: A Symposium Bringing Us Together.” The gathering will be held Oct. 25-27 at the Skelton 4-H Center, 775 Hermitage Rd., Wirtz, Va. The theme scripture comes from Revelation 7:9. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/intercultural-gathering-set-for-october.html 8) Remembering Slim Whitman, the church’s ‘Mr. Songman.’ Country singer Slim Whitman, 90, who was a longtime member and deacon emeritus at Jacksonville (Fla.) Church of the Brethren, passed away June 19 at Orange Park (Fla.) Medical Center. He was the subject of the book “Mr. Songman,” written by Kenneth L. Gibble and published by Brethren Press in 1982. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/remembering-slim-whitman-the.html 9) Brethren bits. This issue includes personnel notes, job openings, a note and photo of the consecration service at Little Swatara for crosses for Annual Conference, a link to the digital Annual Report from the Church of the Brethren, and more. Read the full Brethren bits at www.brethren.org/news/2013/brethren-bits-for-june-28.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Doris Abdullah, Duane Bahn, Judy Bezon-Braune, Jeffrey S. Boshart, Deborah Brehm, John Elms, Jan Fischer Bachman, Jon Kobel, Wendy McFadden, Nancy Miner, Glenn Riegel, Paul Roth, Howard Royer, Tim Sheaffer, Roy Winter, David S. Young, Jane Yount, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. Look for a wrap up of Annual Conference in the next issue of Newsline on July 3. Look for a report from the Fifth Brethren World Assembly on July 15. The next regularly scheduled issue is planned for July 25.

Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. Newsline appears every other week, with special issues as needed.

A Photo Potpourri: Church Life This Spring

Easter Sunday, and an Easter egg hunt has been planned for the kids by Julie Goyette.

Just some of those who turned out for Spring cleaning at Ellisforde: Kathleen, Connie, Sharon, Ernie, Dianna, and Julie.

Flowers everywhere at both churches this Spring. Whitestone welcomed with Bleeding Hearts while they lasted, and always has an abundance of flowers in the sanctuary on Sunday morning.

It has been said that Ellisforde is the only church north of Wenatchee to have a pipe organ. It could very likely be said that Whitestone is the only church in the whole county to have a washtub bass. Pat Liley is the talented bassist.

Pentecost Sunday, and there were rushing red streamers, and tongues of fire at Ellisforde. Kathleen Thompson planned and led the special service.

eBrethren Stewardship Newsletter

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June 19, 2013   Early registration ends July 1! Click here. CONTENTS Renew Refresh Shout out Bob Krouse, this year's Annual Conference moderator. Photo by Glenn Riegel Photo by Glenn Riegel Praying "in concert" with one another will be a special part of the Day of Spiritual Renewal. Photo by Regina Holmes  Renew Bob Krouse is busy preparing to serve as moderator of Annual Conference in a few weeks, so I was fortunate to catch him in time to ask a few questions about the Spiritual Day of Renewal on June 30. To correct the previous edition of eBrethren, this event is special because it will be the very first time that an entire day at Annual Conference will be devoted to renewing relationships with God and others.--Matt DeBall, program assistant to Donor Relations What’s a Day of Spiritual Renewal? Participants should come to Charlotte prepared to do as the Israelites did when they returned from Babylonian exile: gather together to study the scriptures, worship, and pray. Nehemiah said, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep... for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:9-10). It is my hope that the Day of Spiritual Renewal will reflect these values and experiences of Israel as we gather. Why is this day important to Brethren? We will focus on some core values of early Brethren like Alexander Mack, and Ernst Hochmann, a leader of the Pietist movement in late 17th and early 18th century Germany. Pietism was a significant movement at that time, emphasizing a "religion of heart" through devotion to the teachings of Christ, lived out in daily life. That devotion is as important to Brethren today as it was to Brethren 300 years ago. What is a concert of prayer? Though the Concert of Prayer will include congregational singing, the word "concert" doesn't refer to music. Instead it refers to praying "in concert" with one another, like first century Christians who gathered in the upper room, "continually devoting themselves to prayer" (Acts 1:14). What are your hopes for this event? As we invite the Spirit of the Living God to move in our midst, my hope is that we will experience the "Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." My prayer is the same as Ken Morse’s when he wrote, "Touch thou our hands to lead us aright, strike from our feet the fetters that bind. Transform our darkness into thy light, kindle our hearts to burn with thy flame." May we experience that kind of transformation and refreshment, and carry it back to our local congregations with a renewed sense of how God moves in our midst. To learn more about the Day of Spiritual Renewal visitwww.brethren.org/ac . If you are unable to be present in Charlotte, join in the unity of the Spirit via webcast atwww.brethren.org/AC2013 . Back to top Gathering at Annual Conference is about business, worship, and fellowship, but most of all it's about uniting in the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Photo by Glenn Riegel  Refresh After praying, singing, and studying scripture together during the Day of Spiritual Renewal at Annual Conference, what better way to end the day than with a time of sweet fellowship? If you'll be in Charlotte on June 30, please join staff, volunteers, and Mission and Ministry Board members of the Church of the Brethren in the exhibit hall from 8:45-10 p.m. for refreshments and conversation. This is a special time that we'd like to use to express our thanks to you--for your gifts, time, ministry, and dedication to the church. We hope to see you there!   On the road to Camp Pine Lake for Young Adult Conference! Photo by Tricia Ziegler Worship and singing are important components of YAC.  Photo by Kelsey Murray A new way to see footwashing. Photo by Kelsey Murray   Shout outBy Bekah Houff and Nick Miller Kauffman There is something unique about Young Adult Conference. We become a strong community for several days. Worshipping together, playing together, tackling tough questions and justice issues together. In the shelter of a Church of the Brethren camp we share our hopes, dreams, vulnerabilities, frustrations, and experiences with people we only see a few times a year--if that! This year at beautiful (if rainy) Camp Pine Lake in Eldora, Iowa, we gathered around the theme "Voice: …The stones would shout out!" This is a reference to Jesus’ retort when the religious leaders begged him to hush the jubilant people who cried out in celebration of his arrival. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people were to keep quiet, the stones would cry out instead. What is this voice that God has given us, one that is so strong that if we don’t shout, the stones will? How do we use this powerful God-given voice? During the sending ritual of closing worship, we put our bare feet into paint and walked across a white canvas where a peer was waiting at the other end to wash them. We may not see each other until next year, but just like our multi-colored footsteps, our journeys run alongside one another--whether in Iowa, Indiana, or Pennsylvania. There is something about being a young adult, about understanding the difficulties of finding our voice, sharing the voice God has given us, and speaking it to the world and the church that is both scary and compelling. It's a blessing to walk that road with others. There at Camp Pine Lake, we felt great energy in those gathered. In the prophetic sermons, the deep rituals, the thoughtful workshops, and the lively discussions in between, one would have to be blind not to see that the young adults in our church are committed, passionate people--people we’d say are ready to change the world, if they weren’t already doing so. To read more about the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, visitwww.brethren.org/yya . To financially support them, visitwww.brethren.org/give . Forward to a friend Back to top  To receive your free copy of Giving magazine, e-mailmdeball@brethren.org . “Our focus is on following Jesus and being passionate about living out the ministry that we are called to do as a church to continue the work of Jesus.... As followers of Jesus we really need to work on being centered in the ways of generosity and service. We need to become regular in our practice of stewardship.” --Russ Matteson in the 2013 edition of Giving magazine. Do you have a story about how you or your congregation practice stewardship? E-mail it to mgarcia@brethren.org ! eBrethren: stories of Brethren stewards, is produced every other week by the Church of the Brethren's donor communications team. Send feedback to mgarcia@brethren.org or call 847-742-5100 ext. 361. Thanks for reading!  Watch for our next issue on July 17, 2013!

Deacon Update, 2013

DEACON UPDATE

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Renewal

June 2013

Those of you planning to attend Annual Conference in Charlotte are likely aware that Sunday has been set aside as a day for spiritual renewal, a day of sabbath, if you will, from business and insight sessions and the usual busy-ness that defines many of the hours of Conference. I think this is a terrific idea.

Caregivers of all kinds are continually reminded to take care of themselves, and we often hear the analogy 'put on your own oxygen mask first' in this context. Deacons and pastors in their caregiving roles would do well to remember this, too, although perhaps in a slightly different way.

While we do need to be diligent about physical care, in our work as ministers self-care takes on a second meaning. As ministers it is just as important that we care for ourselves spiritually, to ensure that the Spirit might continue to be heard and felt through us, through our caregiving.

And that's one way we might look at this day of spiritual growth at Annual Conference, a time to be quiet and let the Spirit speak. A time to remember that our collective joy and trust in the gifts of the Spirit are some of the reasons we continue to come together.

Whether or not you will be at Conference this year, consider taking this idea of a time of spiritual renewal to your deacon ministry, perhaps in the form of a retreat. Find ways to take a sabbath for the sake of yourselves, of your souls; for the sake of those to whom you minister.

"... and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds..." Ephesians 4:23

Don't miss your chance to participate in deacon pre-conference workshops in person or online!

Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry
dkline@brethren.org
847-429-4306

Church of the Brethren | 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120

National Older Adult Conference: Register Now

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September 2-6    Lake Junaluska, NC Register before July 1st to enjoy everything NOAC has to offer at the reduced price of $159/person! First-timers get an additional $25 discount!* You won't want to miss a minute of this year's National Older Adult Conference, the Church of the Brethren's conference for adults age 50 and older. Inspirational Worship: Dava Hensley Edward Wheeler Kurt Borgmann Renowned Keynote Speakers: Phyllis Tickle Richard Mouw John Paul Lederach Thought Provoking Bible Study: The Humor of the NOAC News Team: Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm NOAC news team (and a watermelon) Outstanding Entertainment: Ted Swartz of Ted & Co. Elizabeth and Josh Tindall Plus opportunities for recreation, service, fun, and fellowship! There is still room on the Illinois/Indiana/Ohio bus! Contact: Don and Patti Weirich (574) 825-9185 ortheweirichs@frontier.com There are still a few seats on the Western Plains bus! Contact: David Fruth (620) 245-0674 ordavebonnie@cox.net Ed and June Switzer (620) 504-6141 or ejswitzer@cox.net Register now: www.brethren.org/NOAC or call Kim Ebersole, NOAC coordinator, at (800) 323-8039, ext 305 *You can still register after July 1, but the price goes up $30 per person. If you have already registered, we'll see you at NOAC! We hope to see you there! Most speaker/entertainer photos courtesy of the individuals pictured. Photo of Phyllis Tickle © Teresa Hooper, used by permission. Photo of the NOAC news team by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford © Church of the Brethren.

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