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

  • 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

  • Conference Quilt Auction raised $6,275 for hunger relief

  • The Blood Drive conducted by American Red Cross collected 121 units

  • Annual BBT 5K Fitness Challenge had 120 runners and walkers

  • Lerry Fogle, Annual Conference Executive Director, who is retiring after conference was recognized

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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."

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kim Ebersole reported on the Child Protection Activity. Three recommendations were given:

  •  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

  • Church of the Brethren maintain resources to assist congregations, districts, agencies, ministry areas, programs and camps in developing child protection/child abuse prevention policies

  • 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

  • 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.

             Heritage Fair Auctions: Auction baskets and items are needed. The children’s auction will only be open to kids.  Children’s baskets need to be valued at less than $25. Children’s baskets valued at more than $25 will be auctioned at the regular auction.

             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

  • Ice Cream Festival at Snake Spring Valley COB on Saturday, July 11 from 4:30- 7:30 p.m.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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 receive the e-LINK by email; or to be taken off our email and mailing lists.

Keep up to date visit our website http://public.juniata.edu/midpa/

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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