Middle PA News...
Middle
Pennsylvania District e-LINK
July
1, 2009
1.
Annual Conference Wrap-up
2.
Brethren Open
3.
Heritage Fair
4.
Youth News
5.
Across Middle PA Churches
6.
Positions Available
7.
Continuing Education Event
8.
The Passion Play
9.
Calendar
1)
Annual Conference Wrap-up
For pictures and more specific details, please visit www.brethren.org
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Total attendance 2,077 with 670 registered delegates and 1,407 non-delegates
Election Results
Moderator-Elect:
Robert Earl Alley
Program
& Arrangements:
Victoria Jean (Sayers) Smith
On
Earth Peace:
David R Miller
Brethren
Benefit Trust Board:
Carol Hess
Bethany
Seminary Board of Trustees-Colleges: David Witkovsky
Committee
on Innerchurch Relations:
Jim Hardenbrook
Pastoral
Compensation & Benefits Advisory Committee: Tim Button-Harrison
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Conference Quilt Auction raised $6,275 for hunger relief
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The Blood Drive conducted by American Red Cross collected 121 units
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Annual BBT 5K Fitness Challenge had 120 runners and walkers
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Lerry Fogle, Annual Conference Executive Director, who is retiring after conference was recognized
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The winner of the Annual Conference Theme Video Contest was Kay Guyer! To view the video go to http://www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grow_congregational_life_ministries
Business Items
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Delegate body set in motion at least two years of intentional denomination-wide conversation on two documents related to human sexuality. The delegates voted to accept both as "special response" items to be dealt with using the newly revised process for strongly controversial issues. The committee will develop resources on the issues, in order to aid the church in the conversation process. Standing Committee also named a Special Response Resource Committee.
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A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues document was passed with one amendment to shorten to one minute the time speakers would have during floor discussion of topics using this process, instead of the 1 1/2 minutes, to give more people a chance to speak and be heard. David Shumate commented that having a good process for controversial issues would provide a "surge protector" effect for the church, and added that the church needs special time to work with issues that "try us as a body."
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Secret Oath-Bound Societies Query returned and reaffirmed the statement on membership in secret societies passed by the 1954 Annual Conference with an amendment asking the Conference officers to appoint a three-member group to develop resources to educate and inform the church on this topic.
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Revised corporate by-laws of the Church of the Brethren were submitted for information, with the expectation that they will be brought for action at next year's Annual Conference. A revision of the by-laws is being submitted following the major reorganization of Church of the Brethren Inc.
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Kim Ebersole reported on the Child Protection Activity. Three recommendations were given:
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Every Church of the Brethren congregation, district, agency, ministry area, program and camp adopt and implement a child protection/child abuse prevention policy appropriate for its ministry setting
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Church of the Brethren maintain resources to assist congregations, districts, agencies, ministry areas, programs and camps in developing child protection/child abuse prevention policies
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The church continue to help strengthen families and ensure that parents and caregivers have the knowledge, skill, support, and resources to care for their children
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Delegates approved a zero percent cost of living increase for the annual adjustment in the recommended ministerial cash salary table at the recommendation of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee due to the economic situation.
2)
Brethren Open
Middle Pennsylvania and Camp Blue Diamond will hold
their annual golf tournament on August 11 at Iron Masters in Roaring
Spring. The Golf Committee is looking for individuals or businesses who
would like to be a sponsor. There are seven levels of sponsorship. Cost
is $60 per golfer and includes dinner at Albright COB following
tournament. If you are interested in being a sponsor this year or having
a team golf, please call 814-643-0601. Registration deadline is August
1.
3)
Heritage Fair
Mark your calendars! On September 26
the 55 Churches of Middle Pennsylvania District will sponsor the 29th
Annual Heritage Fair at Camp Blue Diamond. Congregations should begin to
think of new and exciting ideas to help make this year's Heritage Fair a
huge success! Donations of Theme and Children's Baskets for the
auctions. Food and craft ideas. Let's reach our goal of $37,500 for Camp
Blue Diamond and District Ministries.
Auction Items Donated From Businesses: Does
your congregation have someone who owns a business or has the
connections to secure a nice gift? Donations of all types are
appreciated. Restaurant and Business gift certificates are great too.
Volunteer Parkers: Volunteers
are needed to help with parking and directing traffic. You must be 16 or
older. This is a great service project for church youth, young adults or
a men’s fellowship. Shifts are two hours long or designate how long
you can help.
4)
Youth News
·
Footprints
'09
Attention all senior
high youth and advisors! Footprints '09 (formerly ERYC) will be held on
November 20-22 at Rhodes Grove Camp & Conference Center in
Chambersburg, PA. David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project,
will be keynote speaker. Watch for more details. Mark your calendars now
and plan to attend Footprints '09!
·
NYC
2010
NYC
will take place July 17-22, 2010 at Colorado State University in Fort
Collins, Colorado. The theme is “More Than Meets the Eye,” drawn
from 2 Corinthians 4:6-10 and 16-18(The Message). More details
available at www.2010nyc.org.
Registration begins on January 5, 2010. Early registration cost is $425
and increases to $450 after February 15,2010. Questions email 2010nyc@brethren.org.
5)
Across Middle PA Churches
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Ice Cream Festival at Snake Spring Valley COB on Saturday, July 11 from 4:30- 7:30 p.m.
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BBQ & Music Festival on August 8 from 1-5 at the Bedford COB. Tickets are $7.50. Call Helen O'Shea to order chicken dinners. Chicken can be picked up between 3-5 p.m. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Disaster Response. The youth will also be selling hot dogs and snacks from 1-5 p.m.
6)
Positions Available
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The Gather ’Round curriculum, a project of Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network, is accepting applications for a content editor. This contract position will work closely with curriculum writers, and edit manuscripts in accordance with editorial and production guidelines. Qualifications include excellent editorial and writing skills, understanding of faith formation and developmental stages, the ability to operate well in a collaborative environment, and grounding in Church of the Brethren or Mennonite beliefs and practices. Active membership in a Brethren or Mennonite congregation is preferred. A bachelor’s degree is required; a graduate degree in theology or education is preferred. Location is open. Employment will begin with attendance at a writers’ conference on Sept. 27-Oct. 2. The full position description is available at www.gatherround.org/contactus.html. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and completed application to Anna Speicher, Project Director and Senior Editor, Gather ’Round Curriculum, at gatherround@brethren.org or 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
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The Gather ’Round curriculum, a project of Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network, is accepting applications for a managing editor. This fulltime position carries responsibility to copy edit and proofread, manage the curriculum production process, and secure and maintain contracts and permissions. Qualifications include excellent editorial and computer technology skills, ability to organize projects and manage details, ability to operate well in a collaborative environment, grounding in Church of the Brethren or Mennonite beliefs and practices, with marketing experience a plus. Active membership in a Brethren or Mennonite congregation is preferred. A bachelor’s degree is required; a graduate degree in a related field is preferred. Location is open, with a preference for the General Offices location in Elgin, Ill. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The start date is Aug. 17, or earlier. The full position description and application are available at www.gatherround.org/contactus.html To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and completed application to Anna Speicher, Project Director and Senior Editor, Gather ’Round Curriculum, at gatherround@brethren.org or 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
7)
Upcoming Continuing Education Classes
Messages
of Peace in the Old Testament is
a continuing education event with David Leiter on Wednesday, September
16, 2009 at Susquehanna Room, Elizabethtown College. When the church
addresses the subject of peace, rarely is the Old Testament seen as the
centerpiece of the discussion. Students and interpreters are very quick
to turn to the New Testament instead and put the Old Testament on the
shelf. Cost of this event is $50 plus $10 charge for CEU documentation
fee. The registration deadline is September 4, 2009. Light refreshments
and lunch are included in the registration fee. Contact svmc@etown.edu
or 717-361-1450.
Passions
of Youth, Practices of Christ is
a Brethren Academy class offered Friday, September 25-Monday, September
28, 2009 at the Corodus COB in Southern PA District. The instructor is
Russell Hatch. For more details contact academy@bethanyseminary.edu
or 765-983-1824.
A
Study of Judges
is an online course with Susan Jeffers; September 28-November 6, 2009.
This is the study of the Old Testament book of Judges as if being read
for the first time paying close attention to what the biblical text
actually says and what it might mean. For more details: http://www.read-the-bible.org/SVMC-Judges.htm.
Brethren
Bible Institute
The
36th Annual Brethren Bible Institute will be held on the Campus of
Elizabethtown College on July 20-24, 2009 and is sponsored by the
Brethren Revival Fellowship. Visit www.brfwitness.org/bbi.htm
for more details. Registration deadline is June 25.
Study
Tour of Israel/Palestine and Jordan
January
2010, Bridgewater College chaplain Dr. Robbie Miller will lead a 15 day
tour of Israel/Palestine and Jordan as part of his Religion 315:
Lands of the Bible interterm course. The tour, conducted by the
University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, will visit sites of biblical
and religious importance including Mt. Nebo, Jericho, Petra, Qumran,
Bethlehem Nazareth, Jerusalem, Capernaum, Masada, and much more. The
total cost of the tour, including airfare, will be approximately $3,400.
The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center will grant 8 CEUs for the tour.
Middle Pennsylvania District pastors and parishioners are welcome to
participate in the tour as space permits. Inquiries may be directed to
Dr. Miller at 540-828-5383 or at rmiller@bridgewater.edu.
8)
The Passion Play of
Oberammergau and Classical Europe
Join
me, Pastor Dana Statler for an 11 day Classical Europe tour with a once
in a life time opportunity to attend the world famous Passion Play in
2010 in Oberammergau, Germany. This
takes place every ten years and started 1634 in fulfillment of their
promise to God for sparing them from the Black Plague.
This trip will take us to some of most beautiful parts of Europe:
Germany, Switzerland, and France. We
will go to Heidelberg, Rhine Valley, Rothenburg, Munich, Lucerne,
Geneva, Paris. If you have
never been to Europe before this is your opportunity.
The
tour will take place May 13-23, 2010.
I led this same tour in 2000 and led a similar tour in 2008
visiting Oberammergau. Nawas
International is making the travel arrangements.
Contact me, Dana Statler, for a brochure .
My phone number is 717-475-0239 and my email address is, dstatler@
bv.org. Join me for a trip
preview Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the Brethren Village Chapel.
9)
Calendar
July
3
District Center Closed
July
3-9
Song & Story Feast, Camp
Peaceful Pines
July
8
Summer Splash, Lake
Raystown Waterpark
Aug.
11
Brethren Open, Iron Masters
Country Club
Sept.
7
District Center Closed
Sept.
19
Good Samaritan Banquet, The
Casino, Altoona
Sept.
26
Heritage Fair
Oct.
16-17
District Conference, Juniata
College
Nov.
7
Ethics Training
Nov.
20-22
Footprints '09, Rhodes
Grove Retreat Center
Nov.
26-27
District Center Closed
Email
Kris at kshunk.midpa@verizon.net
if you have things to share with other congregations; would like to
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lists.
Keep up to date visit our website http://public.juniata.edu/midpa/
rs