Happy Birthday, Emert!

On July 31st Emert Verbeck turned 97 years old. To celebrate the occasion, friends and family and dignitaries gathered for a big party.

The Kiwanis Club, of which Emert is a Charter Member, hosted the event, and honored Emert for his many years of service to the club and to the community. His son Wayne was one of those who made the presentations.

Wayne also introduced the many family and friends who were there, including many from the Ellisforde church. Emert has given many years of service to the church as well, and is an institution there.

Lots of funny stories were told about--and at the expense of--Emert.

So, not to be outdone, he told his own funny story.

Emert has made many contributions to the Ellisforde church and the Tonasket community through the years. But perhaps the greatest contribution he has made is to be, faithfully and consistently, what he is and always has been: a very good man. All who have known him are better for it.

Happy Birthday, Emert! And congratulations on ninety-seven years well lived. Many happy returns.

Newsline, August 23, 2013

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

Aug. 23, 2013 "Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions" (Joel 2:28b, CEV). NEWS 1) God of life, lead us to justice and peace: An interview with leaders of the World Council of Churches. 2) Christian ecumenical organizations call attention to Egypt. 3) Southern Ohio District launches Vital Ministry Journey. 4) The 301st unit of Brethren Volunteer Service begins work. 5) Camp Emmaus auction raises $1,000-plus for camp scholarships. UPCOMING EVENTS 6) 43rd annual Dunker Church Service planned at Antietam battlefield. 7) Churches plan creative events for Peace Day 2013. 8) World Council of Churches calls members to observe day of prayer for peace. FEATURES     9) The Time Is Now: An Annual Conference statement from the summer of 1963. 10) Brethren bits: Correction, “I have a dream” commemoration in Chicago, church anniversaries, TRIM graduates, Erik Estrada to be at Living Stone Church, and much more. Read the full text of this Newsline in one document at www.brethren.org/news/2013/newsline-for-aug-23-2013.html ******************************************** Quote of the week: “I have a dream today….” Martin Luther King Jr. in his Aug. 28, 1963, speech during the March on Washington. Among the many 50th anniversary events planned over the next week in Washington, D.C.: -- 50th Anniversary March on Washington Realize the Dream March and Rally on Saturday, Aug. 24, starting at 8 a.m. at the Lincoln Memorial and proceeding to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial -- Global Freedom Festival on Aug. 24 from 2-6 p.m. hosted by the King Center and the National Park Service -- A special service at the Washington National Cathedral on Sunday, Aug. 25, starting at 10:10 a.m. featuring audio excerpts of King’s sermon “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution,” delivered at the Cathedral in March 1968 -- An Interfaith Service at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on Aug. 28 from 9-10:30 a.m. hosted by the King Center and the Coalition for Jobs, Justice, and Freedom (National Council of Negro Women, SCLC, National Urban League, National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, National Action Network, National Council of Churches, Children’s Defense Fund) -- Let Freedom Ring, a commemorative call to action and closing ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. led by President Obama and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter ( http://officialmlkdream50.com/august-28 ) -- A Let Freedom Ring Commemoration Bell Ringing in Washington, across the nation, and around the world at 3 p.m. on Aug. 28, (to take part, register your bell ringing at www.eventbrite.com/event/7705309789 ) A helpful listing of many of these 50th anniversary events is on the United Church of Christ website at www.ucc.org/justice/racism/march-on-washington . ******************************************** 1) God of life, lead us to justice and peace: An interview with leaders of the World Council of Churches. World Council of Churches staff Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary, and Natasha Klukach, program executive for church and ecumenical relations, were hosted by the Church of the Brethren for three days in mid-August. Their visit came as the WCC prepares for its 2013 assembly, a worldwide gathering of Christians that takes place every seven years and is considered the most significant time when Christians get together. During their time in Illinois, the WCC leaders met with Brethren communicators. General secretary Stan Noffsinger also sat in on the conversation. Here is an excerpt of the interview. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/god-of-life-lead-us-to-justice-and-peace.html 2) Christian ecumenical organizations call attention to Egypt. The World Council of Churches, Christian Churches Together in the USA, and Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have issued statements in the last few days calling attention to the crisis of political unrest and violence in Egypt. A WCC release highlights statements by general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit, who said in part, “Protection of all human life and sacred sites is a common responsibility of both Christians and Muslims.” CCT’s pastoral letter, signed by the presidents of its five faith “families” including Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden as president of the historic Protestant family, said in part, “As followers of the Prince of Peace, we mourn from afar the loss of lives and pray that peace be restored.” The statement by church leaders in Jerusalem said in part, “We strongly condemn these acts of vandalism carried out by some extremists, and call upon all parties to stop violence and killing and to work towards national unity, without which Egypt will risk a civil war.” The three documents follow in full. Read the complete texts of the three statements at www.brethren.org/news/2013/christian-ecumenical-statements-on-egypt.html 3) Southern Ohio District launches Vital Ministry Journey. Seventy-five people representing 23 congregations attended Southern Ohio District's launch event of Vital Ministry Journey (VMJ) on Saturday, Aug. 10. The event was held at Happy Corner Church of the Brethren. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/s-ohio-district-launches-vital-ministry-journey.html 4) The 301st unit of Brethren Volunteer Service begins work. The volunteers in Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 301 completed their orientation on July 16-Aug. 3 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The members of the unit, home congregations or home towns, and project placements follow. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/301st-unit-of-bvs.html 5) Camp Emmaus auction raises $1,000-plus for camp scholarships. Bidding on artwork, T-shirts, jewelry, bracelets, and other items, the youth and staff at this year’s senior high camp at Camp Emmaus in Mount Morris, Ill., raised more than $1,000 for camper scholarships. An auction has become an annual tradition at the camp, starting about seven years ago. Proceeds each year go to aid a different charitable cause. Read the full release from Camp Emmaus at www.campemmaus.org 6) 43rd annual Dunker Church Service planned at Antietam battlefield. The 43rd annual worship service in the restored Dunker Church at the Antietam National Battlefield, a Civil War battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md., will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. The service will be similar to an 1862 Dunker worship service, with Gene Hagenberger preaching on "Words Around Antietam." Scripture texts will be James 1:19 and 26, and 3:1-12. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/43rd-annual-dunker-church-service-at-antietam.html 7) Churches plan creative events for Peace Day 2013. Sept. 21 is international Peace Day, and On Earth Peace and the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness are teaming up to invite congregations to plan Peace Day events on this year’s theme “Who Will You Make Peace With?” Here are some creative examples of what congregations around the globe are planning. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/churches-plan-creative-events-for-peace-day.html 8) World Council of Churches calls members to observe day of prayer for peace. The World Council of Churches is calling its member churches to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21. This year parishes and individuals are invited to pray using the theme of the WCC Assembly, “God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.” The assembly takes place in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 30-Nov. 8. Read the full WCC release at www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/churches-to-observe-international-day-of-prayer-for-peace 9) The Time Is Now: An Annual Conference statement from the summer of 1963. The following statement was adopted by the 1963 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, which met in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., that June. The statement is reprinted here as published in the "Gospel Messenger" magazine of July 20, 1963, pp. 11 and 13: “The time is now to heal our racial brokenness....” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/the-time-is-now-annual-conference-1963.html 10) Brethren bits. In this issue: a correction, “I have a dream” commemoration held at First Church Chicago, church anniversaries, new TRIM graduates, Erik Estrada to appear at an event at Living Stone Church of the Brethren, and much much more. Read the full Brethren bits at www.brethren.org/news/2013/brethren-bits-for-aug-23.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Eddie Edmonds, Tom Fralin, Ed Groff, Larry Heisey, Kendra Johnson, Wendy McFadden, David Radcliff, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. The next regularly scheduled issue of Newsline is planned for Sept. 5.

Deacon Update, August, 2013

DEACON UPDATE Problems viewing this e-mail? View as Web page (use CTRL+ for larger print) View older issues Connect to deacon website The Do-Over August 2013 You may remember the movie Regarding Henry, the story of a cold-hearted lawyer who is shot during a robbery and literally has to relearn how to live—how to walk, talk, read, and even think. His law firm invites him to come back to work, and one of the first things Henry does is re-read the last case he won, only to learn that he knowingly withheld evidence, allowing a negligent hospital to triumph over a still-suffering patient. His transformed sense of right and wrong won't allow him to live with this, so he takes the hidden piece of evidence to the wronged family, instructing them to show it to their attorney. When they ask why he's doing this, Henry simply smiles and says, "I’ve changed." How many times have you wished for this kind of do-over? Times when, as a caregiver, you didn’t say the right thing, didn’t do the right thing, or perhaps just didn’t say or do anything. In spite of good intentions, we all miss opportunities to send a card, make a call, hold a hand—to simply be present. Many of us wish that we, like Henry, might change (although hopefully without the infliction of a bullet wound). Jesus offers us the gift of transformation every day; truly, every moment of every day we have a chance for do-overs, chances to make amends, to get better at doing the right thing the first time around. Today, right now, think about one of those things you’ve been meaning to do, something that might help another feel Jesus' comfort and peace, and just do it. Think about someone you have wronged and apologize. Hang onto that moment of transformation, and make it your new normal. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. —Romans 12:2 Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry dkline@brethren.org 847-429-4306 Church of the Brethren | 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120

eBrethren, August 15, 2013

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August 15, 2013   North Korean Corn? Click here. CONTENTS Coloring the canvas Preach: sharing in the gospel Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator. Photo by Cheryl Brumaugh-Cayford Roger and Carolyn Schrock in the mission field. Photo courtesy of the Church of the Brethren A canvas at the Intercultural Consultation in 2011. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford  Together as one body of Christ. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford  www.brethren.org/greatmultitude Coloring the canvas Gimbiya Kettering’s whole life has been intercultural. From her birth in Jamaica, to her parent’s mission work in Kenya, to a home in Maryland, and now Washington, D.C., this new coordinator of Intercultural Ministries for the Church for the Brethren is prepared and eager to engage ministry in exciting new ways.--Mandy Garcia, associate director of Donor Communications How did you come to your new role in Intercultural Ministries? Growing up in Kenya, my Brethren training happened in a home church with close mentorship in the mission field, particularly with Phil and Louise Rieman and Roger and Carolyn Schrock. As I got older, I wasn’t conscientious about pursuing a Brethren path, until the Riemans encouraged me to apply for a job at On Earth Peace. Working there re-grounded me in Brethren values as an adult, so transitioning into Church of the Brethren denominational staff for intercultural ministries was a great fit for me. It’s one of those beautiful surprises in life—some days I wake up and think “I work for the church,” and it seems unreal. How has your background shaped you for this ministry? My whole life story is intercultural. My parents are in an intercultural/interracial marriage. I was raised as a “third culture” kid, which means my parents were from one culture and we lived in a different one where I didn’t have a blood connection. I’m now in an intercultural/interracial marriage myself, so my whole foundation and life experience is about cultures interacting with each other. I feel blessed to do work that is personally meaningful, as well as professionally meaningful. What did you find when you stepped into your position? Relationships, networking, and excitement for the intercultural conversation and community; a fantastic intercultural advisory committee; the “Separate No More” paper, passed by the 2007 Annual Conference, which provided a solid foundation that communicates at the national level, district level, and congregational level that the church is committed to this work. Other than that? A blank canvas. What’s your vision for that canvas? I’d like to develop new leadership and new voices in the Intercultural Ministries network. It would be great to have people in each district who are aware, knowledgeable, and passionate about intercultural ministries, to provide an ongoing local connection. How are intercultural ministries relevant to areas that are less diverse? There’s a tendency to think that intercultural ministries are for people who are not white or not English-speaking. In fact, they are relevant to all of us. America is an intercultural country, and most of us live in towns where demographics are changing—and sometimes that means between white cultural backgrounds. When we are interculturally competent, we’re better citizens of our community. If you look around your church and think, "Everyone looks like me, grew up in a family like mine, may even be related to me" it can be tempting to think, "What does this have to do with church?" But church, when it is working at its best, helps us be better at ourMonday through Saturday lives. And when you consider how intercultural those days are, it’s only natural that the church would help equip us in this way as well. Why are intercultural ministries important to the Church of the Brethren? There is a biblical mandate that calls us into awareness of the intercultural body of Christ—to love our neighbor. When the Gentiles began to join the movement of the early church, Christians kept asking, "Are these Gentiles really part of us? They’re not circumcised, their culture is different from ours, and they eat strange things." And over and over they are told that, yes, we all are together in the body of Christ. Tell us about the intercultural event you’re working on. The intercultural symposium is about The Great Multitude, which is a term that comes from Revelation 7:9 where it says, "I beheld the great multitude of people, people from every tribe, every language, every kinship." Sometimes "intercultural" feels like a very contemporary, hip, politically correct thing that we should do, but that’s not actually the case. It’s a calling and a biblically based way of living together, being conscientious of people who are different than us, and being a part of the larger community of Christ. Who should attend the symposium? Anybody who is serious about continuing the work of Jesus, particularly those interested in what it means to do so together. It’s a dialogue, and my hope is that people who come will leave equipped and articulate about what is happening, what has happened in the past, and what could happen next. To register for the intercultural symposium, visitwww.brethren.org/greatmultitude . To learn more about Intercultural Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, visit www.brethren.org/intercultural , or e-mailgkettering@brethren.org . To support the work of this important ministry, give to Congregational Life Ministries at www.brethren.org/give . Forward to a friend Back to top Jay Wittmeyer representing Global Mission and Service in South Sudan. Photo by Roy Winter  Worshiping in Brazil with Suely Inhauser Photo courtesy of Global Mission and Service    Preach: Sharing in the gospelBy Matt McKimmy “I thank God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy, in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). There's a common quip that says that most preachers really only have one good sermon in them. Not that they can't engage with a multitude of scripture verses, or preach on a variety of topics, but that deep down, there is one text, one topic, one message that undergirds all the rest. Regardless of whether we've ever led a sermon on aSunday morning, all of us are preachers of sorts. We preach not only with carefully prepared or spontaneous speeches, but through the actions of our everyday lives. As preachers in this manner, each of us has unique experiences and contexts that impact how we understand Christ's good news and how we share it with others. Our contexts and the gifts and graces of the Spirit shape each of our lives into unique sermons—sermons that we preach over and over throughout our lives, to friends and strangers alike. Sometimes we use words to share what we believe. Other times it is our actions that reveal the gospel. Yet it takes more than just one sermon to understand the fullness of the mission of God. It takes a multitude of voices and a diversity of viewpoints. Just look to the Bible. Even there we find four different versions of the story of Jesus! If each of us does really only have one sermon embedded deep within, we must join our preaching with that of other sisters and brothers. Each of us may only have one sermon to preach, but the Holy Spirit continues to work among us, weaving our stories and our service together into a beautiful tapestry for all the world to see. When we step back and take a look, we witness the beautiful, diverse ways the gospel is being embodied and shared. As we soak in this tremendous sight, it is only appropriate for us to give thanks to God and to pray for and support the many, varied individuals, communities, and missions that we are connected to as we continue the work of Jesus and share in the good news. Matt McKimmy is pastor at the Richmond Church of the Brethren in Richmond, Ind. He has composed this and several other worship resources for the annual Church of the Brethren Mission Offering (suggested date,September 22), available at www.brethren.org/missionoffering . To participate in the offering now, visitwww.brethren.org/give . Forward to a friend Back to top  www.brethren.org/basinandtowel “Our desire as a church is about being relevant; because our cities are plagued by violence of different sorts, we are called to engage with issues of peace in creative, transformative ways.” --Samuel Sarpiya in "Transformative Peacemaking" featured in the most recent edition of Basin and Towel . 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 August 28, 2013.

Newsline for August 8, 2013

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

Quote of the week: “We live in a culture that can be harsh and cruel with little room for expressions of genuine blessing. Our children are caught in a swirl of myriad activities and demands which make it difficult to understand that we serve a God who wishes to pour His approval upon our lives. Without an understanding of God’s regard for us, we become caught in an increasingly anxious lifestyle which sees blessing as an elusive condition beyond our grasp rather than a gift from God that centers our lives and activities.” -- John Jantzi, Shenandoah District executive minister, reflecting on serving as dean for a week at Camp Brethren Woods. The week closed with a blessing of the campers. Read more at http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/ 1110837621104-139/JantziAug2013.pdf . Aug. 8, 2013 "...Receive blessing from the Lord" (Psalm 24:5a). NEWS 1) WCC leader to preach at Illinois congregation, visit Church of the Brethren General Offices. 2) Harold Giggler: CDS volunteers care for children following Asiana crash. 3) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs $75,000 grant to Sandy relief in Haiti. PERSONNEL 4) Donald Booz retires from leadership of Pacific Southwest District. UPCOMING EVENTS 5) NOAC to feature a great line up of speakers, events for older adults. 6) Annual Conference moderator announces theme for 2014. 7) John Kline Homestead to dedicate replica of 19th century kitchen garden. RESOURCES 8) BBT launches news and information site on health care reform. 9) Theme for WCC Assembly invites churches to study justice and peace. FEATURE 10) Lessons and legacies of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversary. 11) Brethren bits: Plea for CWS kits, dates for Clergy Women’s Retreat and church planting conference, ambitious goals for COBYS Bike and Hike, CPT petition, and much much more. Read the full text of this Newsline in one document atwww.brethren.org/news/2013/newsline-for-august-8-2013.html ******************************************** 1) WCC leader to preach at Illinois congregation, visit Church of the Brethren General Offices. World Council of Churches general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit will bring the Sunday morning message at Neighborhood Church of the Brethren in Montgomery, Ill., this Sunday, Aug. 11, at 10:30 a.m. Tveit will be on a trip to visit various Christian groups in the United States, traveling from the World Council of Churches headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. On Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 12-13, Tveit will be in Elgin, Ill., visiting the Church of the Brethren General Offices. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/wcc-leader-to-be-hosted-by-church-of-the-brethren.html 2) Harold Giggler: CDS volunteers care for children following Asiana crash. Following the July 6 crash landing of an Asiana Airline plane at the San Francisco airport, five volunteers from the Critical Response Childcare Team of Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) worked with children for three full days from July 10-12. This story from the CDS response was shared by team member Mary Kay Ogden. For more information about Children’s Disaster Services go to www.brethren.org/cds . Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/harold-giggler-cds-cares-for-children.html 3) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs $75,000 grant to Sandy relief in Haiti. Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed a grant of $75,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to assist L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) to rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The damaged homes are in Marin, Haiti. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/brethren-disaster-ministries-directs-relief-to-haiti.html   PERSONNEL 4) Donald Booz retires from leadership of Pacific Southwest District. Donald R. Booz has announced his retirement as district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District effective Nov. 30. He has served in the position since Dec. 1, 2008. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/booz-retires-from-leading-pacific-southwest-district.html UPCOMING EVENTS 5) NOAC to feature a great line up of speakers, events for older adults. There is still time to register for National Older Adult Conference (NOAC). If you are age 50 or older, plan on joining others from across the Church of the Brethren denomination at beautiful Lake Junaluska, N.C., onSept. 2-6. Organized by Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, NOAC offers inspiration, renewal, and community. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/noac-to-feature-great-speakers.html 6) Annual Conference moderator announces theme for 2014. "Live as Courageous Disciples" is the theme that moderator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman has announced for the 2014 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, on July 2-6 in Columbus, Ohio. The New Testament letter of Philippians is the theme scripture. The Conference Office notes that the 2014 annual meeting is scheduled forWednesday through Sunday. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/annual-conference-theme-announced.html 7) John Kline Homestead to dedicate replica of 19th century kitchen garden. The John Kline Homestead in Broadway, Va., will host a “Garden Party” to dedicate its new kitchen garden onSunday, Sept. 15. The site is the historic home of Elder John Kline, a Brethren leader and martyr for peace during the Civil War. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/john-kline-homestead-dedicates-kitchen-garden.html RESOURCES 8) BBT launches news and information site on health care reform. Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has launched a news and information website titled “ReformWatch,” offering information about health care reform and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/bbt-launches-news-site-on-health-care-reform.html 9) Theme for WCC Assembly invites churches to study justice and peace. “God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace” is the theme for the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly on Oct. 30-Nov. 8 in Busan, South Korea. Congregations may walk alongside the church delegates preparing to travel to South Korea this fall through use of special study and worship resources titled “Pilgrimage to Busan: An Ecumenical Journey into World Christianity.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/wcc-assembly-resources.html   FEATURE 10) Lessons and legacies of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversary. Events in northeast Asia this year “dramatize how much the region and the world still live in the shadow of mass destruction,” the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary said in a comment on the 68th anniversary this week of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. “The God of life calls all of us to take up [the survivors’] tireless cry and make certain that a Hiroshima or Nagasaki bombing can never happen again.” Read the full WCC release at www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/events-today-dramatize-lessons-and-legacies-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-anniversary 11) Brethren bits. A plea for more CWS disaster relief kits, dates for the Clergy Women’s Retreat and the church planting conference in 2014, ambitious goals for the COBYS Bike and Hike in Pennsylvania, a new petition from Christian Peacemaker Teams, and much more news from and for Brethren. Read the full Brethren bits at  www.brethren.org/news/2013/brethren-bits-for-august-8.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Mary Jo Flory-Steury, Ed Groff, Mary Kay Heatwole, Jeri S. Kornegay, Frank Ramirez, Roy Winter, Loretta Wolf, David Young, Jane Yount, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. The next regularly scheduled issue of Newsline is planned for Aug. 15.

WEWomen: Joyful Service

WEWomen meets on a regular basis, weather permitting. The name is a contraction of "the Whitestone and Ellisforde women," and it's a cooperative mission group between the two churches.

The women sew and quilt when they're together. The comforters and baby quilts they make are donated to aid agencies.

At lunchtime the women lay out a delicious meal, for husbands and anyone else who wishes to come and partake. This custom goes way back when these same women were young mothers, and their husbands worked in the orchards and fields. The women would be at the church, but they would still provide the noon meal for their families by sharing the work.

After cleanup, it's time for the meeting. The women plan and organize the yearly Christmas Bazaar, and many of them also work hard through the year to make the wide variety of items that are sold at auction. Decisions are made about the allocation of mission funds, and opportunities for new missions are shared and discussed.

Not everyone was present for this photo, but the attitude of joyful service evident here is typical of all who participate in WEWomen.

How many quilts and comforters have gone out over the years to those who have needed them? How many people's lives have been touched by the funds sent out in response to need? Only God knows. In fact I'm certain that God knows, and has taken notice of the faithful work of these women, and has blessed it.