In the context of the War on Terrorism, representatives from groups in the Church of the Brethren, Quaker, and Mennonite traditions are planning "Organizing for Peace: Arts, Activism, and Spirituality," a conference to be held March 13-16, 2003, in Richmond, Indiana.

Who is invited? Church members and leaders from Brethren, Mennonite, and Quaker traditions; college and seminary students; parents; youth; artists, dancers, musicians. The diversity of persons attending the gathering will enhance our time together as we all share and learn from one another.

The weekend will provide time for intensive training in active nonviolence, sessions on faith-based activism, and an exploration of how art and activism are supported by our faith and spirituality. Time will also be spent in spiritual direction, corporate worship, networking between students and church leaders, prayer, and the use of various art forms as a tool for prophetic messages in a time of war. There will be an attentiveness to the moving of the Spirit, and together, we will build upon our spiritual resources for artful and creative peacemaking.

Bethany's Baker Peace Fund, Earlham School of Religion, and On Earth Peace are sponsoring this event; and the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary has pledged financial support for the gathering. Conversations are being held about a collaboration with the three historic peace church colleges: Earlham, Goshen, and Manchester.

The event will take place at West Richmond Friends Meeting, located near Bethany Theological Seminary, Earlham School of Religion, and Earlham College.  

An extensive job description is available by contacting Charles Cable, president of Brethren Hillcrest Homes at (909) 392-4321 or Scott Frederick, director of Human Resources, at (909) 392-4372. Hillcrest Homes' fax number is (909) 596-5538.  

The Dean of Faculty is a member of the President's Senior Staff with responsibility for faculty recruitment, mentoring, professional development, and performance appraisal; oversight of academic departments; program development and assessment; and curriculum review. The Dean is the principal advocate for faculty interests within the college. The Dean reports to the Provost who serves as the chief academic officer of the institution. The successful candidate must be doctorally qualified, have at least five years of experience as a tenured member of a college or university faculty, and possess a record of scholarly productivity. A history of administrative success at the level of department chair or above is considered essential. In addition, candidates should be committed to working with individual faculty members and with the college's development office to promote external funding for faculty work. The College is committed to hiring a collegial individual who is energetic, optimistic, and able to lead. Salary and benefits are very competitive for this new position. Candidates interested in this position should submit a current curriculum vitae providing evidence of their qualifications for the position including their scholarly activities (e.g., publications, grants, awards, invited talks, experience with research students, etc.) along with the names and contact information for at least three references. The review of applicants will begin on January 15, 2003 with July 1 expected as the start date for the new dean. To apply, submit letter of application, current resume, and names and contact information of three current references to the address below: Nancy E. Florey Director of Human Resources Elizabethtown College One Alpha Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022 email -floreyne@acad.etown.edu Website Homepage: http//www.etown.edu  

In keeping with the goals of the Decade to Overcome Violence, the Committee on Interchurch Relations requests nominations of congregations working on overcoming violence. Violence takes many forms: poverty, street crime, lack of opportunity, abuse, terrorism, sexism, militarism, racism, and other "...isms." We ask you to think of a congregation you know that is working in creative ways to overcoming violence. The recognition and award to be presented at the Ecumenical Luncheon at the 2003 Annual Conference in Boise, Idaho.

Criteria for Nomination:

• A congregation showing a dedication to reducing any of the many forms of violence;
• A congregation that demonstrates creativity in its attempt to overcome violence;
• A congregation that is a model for other congregations in creative challenges to violence.

Procedure for Nomination:

• Send in the name, address, and district of the congregation;
• Include your name and reason for nominating; Include a summary of your nominee's activities and programs to overcome violence.

Nominations need to be received by March 15, 2003

Please send your nominations to:

Committee on Interchurch Relations
Church of the Brethren General Offices
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120
(800) 323-8039
jkobel_gb@brethren.org  

Drawings and explanations of logo entries must be received by the Annual Conference office no later than Nov. 4. Submissions must be on paper sized 8 1/2" x 11" or smaller. Those submitting a color entry should also enclose a black- and-white copy. The Church of the Brethren logo may not be used as part of the design. All entries should include the artist's name, address, and phone number on a separate sheet of paper. The winning artist should be prepared to consult with the Annual Conference graphic designer for final adjustments and to participate in production of the banner for the worship center at the July 5-9 event.

All entries should be sent to Annual Conference Office, Attention: Logo, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. Additional background on the theme can be found at www.brethren.org/ac/Boise/ACtheme.pdf
(Acrobat Reader required).  

1. Two assistant workcamp coordinators will be chosen for the summer of 2003 to assist Jaime Eller and Heidi Gross. Applications are due to Chris Douglas by December 1, 2002. Announcement of the positions will be no later than January 30, 2003. Applicants must be college age.
   
   
2. Starting time will be in late May (exact date will be negotiated).
   
   
3. Ending time will be approximately August 17, 2003.
   
   
4. Stipend for the summer will be $2000 (minus taxes and Social Security) plus all expenses will be paid including travel to Elgin in May and back home at the end of the summer. Food, lodging, and transportation throughout the summer will be paid.
   
   
5. Work will include 2-3 weeks in the Elgin office helping to get ready for workcamps as well as eight weeks at various workcamps.
   
   
6. If you have further questions, call Chris Douglas at 1-800-323-8039 or email cdouglas_gb@brethren.org.

The Youth and Young Adult Ministries office will be hiring two assistant workcamp coordinators for the summer of 2003, who will spend a few weeks in Elgin helping to prepare for workcamps, and then travel to eight different workcamps all around the country (and perhaps beyond!). In return for their hard work and strong commitment, they will each receive a stipend of $2000. Transportation, food, and lodging will be covered for the entire summer. To request more information and an application, please contact us at 1-800-323-8039 or cobyouth_gb@brethren.org.

Heidi Gross and Jaime Eller
2003 Workcamp Coordinators  

The Church of the Brethren General Board is seeking a couple to fill a full time position (40 hours/week) at the Brethren Mission House, a joint project of the General Board and Brethren Revival Fellowship, in the Dominican Republic. The home is provided for volunteers who are part of the English teaching project in Azua, that supports the CoB in the Dominican Republic.

This position requires a couple who can offer spiritual, emotional and physical support for volunteers, provide key leadership in building a Christian community among house residents and organize and oversee the operation of the house.

Requirements include maturity and depth of faith, organizational and hospitality skills, experience in managing a household, willingness to learn to communicate in Spanish if not already known, and active involvement and commitment to the Church of the Brethren.

This position reports to the DR mission coordinator and will become available the summer of 2003. Application deadline is November 15, 2002.

For more information or to apply, contact Mary Lou Garrison at mgarrison_gb@brethren.org or call 847-742-5100.

Mary Lou Garrison, M.A., SPHR
Manager of Human Resources
Church of the Brethren General Board
1451 Dundee Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120
847-742-5100
Fax: 847-742-8212  

Jan and John Long will be leading the sessions, and Bob Gross will be assisting.

This event has been designed for church leaders, mediators, pastors, deacons, and anyone who wants to learn more about how people can work well together. For more information, please contact Matt Guynn, at mguynn@myvine.com or (765) 962-6234.  

Jan and John Long will be leading the sessions, and I'll be assisting.

We have designed this event for church leaders, mediators, pastors, deacons, and anyone who wants to learn more about how people can work well together. For more information, please contact Matt Guynn, at mguynn@myvine.com or (765) 962-6234.  

Position functions:

• To walk with Dominican leadership and help them shape and guide the church
• To provide overall leadership for the mission operation, seeking to establish the Church of the Brethren in the DR.
• To foster understanding of Brethren identity, beliefs and practices and the contextualization of Brethren identity in the DR culture and context.
• To encourage and facilitate US constituency involvement with and support of the mission venture.
• To oversee and administer General Board resources to achieve the mission goals.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Skills and knowledge required:

• well-grounded in, and able to articulate, Church of the Brethren heritage, theology, and polity
• strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• organization and administration skills, including budgeting experience
• ability to develop and lead a team, some of whom will be based at a distance
• fluency in Spanish and English languages

Minimum of three years experience in pastoral, mission, or church leadership role
Experience in leading a team

Education:

Bachelors degree in a related field
Ordination in the Church of the Brethren
Seminary degree is preferred

For position description and application form contact:

Office of Human Resources
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin IL 60120-1694
1- 800-323-8039 ext. 259
e-mail: mgarrison_gb@brethren.org  

Starting date for this position is negotiable, but is available January 2002.

Position Functions:

• To assist local leadership, specifically the National Director, to guide and nurture the development of the Church of the Brethren in Brazil.
• To communicate Brethren identity and practices.
• To represent the US church.
• To foster support of the Brazil mission effort within the US church.
• To facilitate communications between the Brazilian and the US church.
• To manage and implement administrative support systems.

Area of Brazil to be determined

Skills and knowledge required: >Well-grounded in, and able to articulate Church of the Brethren heritage, theology and polity.

Minimum of 3 years experience in pastoral, mission, or church leadership role within the Church of the Brethren
Previous international living and work experience is preferred

Education:

Bachelors degree in a related field
Seminary training is preferred

For position description and application form contact:

Office of Human Resources
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120-1694
1-800-323-8039 ext. 259
e-mail: mgarrison_gb@brethren.org  

Those interested should contact Global Mission Partnerships, Church of the Brethren General Board, at 800- 323-8039 or mission_gb@brethren.org .  

A meeting of Voices for an Open Spirit in the Church of the Brethren
Fostering openness and inclusion and building bridges

Camp Mack
Milford, Indiana
November 22-24, 2002  

Nigeria mission workers Tom and Janet Crago will be available to do mission interpretation in congregations on weekends from January 15 to March 30.

The Cragos, whose home is in Colorado Springs, Colo., are serving as administrative consultants with the Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Their overseas assignment is at EYN headquarters near Mubi. Last year they served on a short-term basis at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria in development and fund-raising; they had previously served at Waka Schools in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Congregations wishing to invite the Cragos should contact Janis Pyle, coordinator for mission connections in the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships office, as soon as possible to facilitate scheduling. Call 800-323-8039, ext. 227.

Source: Newsline - Oct. 4, 2002  

Interchurch Medical Assistance Inc., based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., is seeking a manager for international program compliance and support. The position will involve monitoring and strengthening financial and administrative activities being implemented by IMA staff and program partners.

The manager will report to and assist the vice president for finance & administration. Requirements include a bachelor of science degree in finance or accounting, minimum five years of experience in a related field and three years international experience, knowledge of appropriate accounting requirements and regulations, and willingness to travel internationally. An ability to communicate in French is preferred.

Interested applicants should send resume' and cover letter to Interchurch Medical Assistance Inc., PO Box 429, New Windsor, MD 21776, Attn: Carol Hulver. For additional details or a full position description call IMA at 410-635-8720 or e-mail imainfo@interchurch.org.  

The Church of the Brethren General Board, through its Congregational Life Ministries office, has become a partner with Evangelism Connections. Evangelism Connections is made up of seven planning partners: the Christian Church (Disciples), Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church in America, and now the Church of the Brethren.

For more information, click here, and follow the link to National Events.  

This is a full-time position located at Shepherd's Spring, a year-round Church of the Brethren camp, retreat and conference center in Sharpsburg, Maryland. Shepherd's Spring is a 220 acre facility adjacent to the historic C & O Canal and the Potomac River.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Christian with a growing faith as well as an understanding and acceptance of Church of the Brethren values. This person needs to be a strong spiritual leader with a passion for outdoor ministry.
• Ability to implement the Master Site Plan and the Strategic Plan as currently adopted.
• Bachelor's degree preferred. Must be either an IACCA Certified Conference Center Administrator (CCCP) or willing to work towards the certification.
• 10 years of administration experience. Background with strong fiscal skills, risk management, marketing, understanding of management systems and personnel. Experience in camping/conference center field preferred.
• Capability and enthusiasm for interpreting the mission and vision of the outdoor ministries center.

Nancy F. Knepper
Office of District Ministries
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120

Applicants are requested to provide 3 or 4 professional references.

Upon receipt of a resume, the candidate will be sent an application which must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete.

Application deadline: December 1, 2002  

Rock Run Church of the Brethren

Corner of County Road 33 and County Road 38

Goshen, IN

Thursday-Saturday, November 14-16 – Camp Mack, Milford, Indiana

This workshop is for mediators and other practitioners, conflict intervenors, Discipleship and Reconciliation teams, those interested in the Ministry of Reconciliation Practitioner Network, and anyone concerned about conflict. Leadership will be provided by John and Jan Kulp Long, interim pastors at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Topics include:

• Entry and assessment in congregational conflict;
• An optional time for peer review of a specific conflict intervention you have done;
• How to use the Gilmore-Fraleigh Personal Styles Inventory in conflict intervention;
• Introduction to the "Shalom Teams" model approved by the 2002 Annual Conference

Cost: $95 for materials & tuition; $65 fee for food and simple lodging

For more information or to register, contact Bob Gross at bgross_oepa@brethren.org or Matt Guynn at mguynn@myvine.com.  

The workshop is designed for pastors, deacons, board and committee chairs, and others in roles of congregational leadership. It will include special skill-building sessions for pastors, deacons, and anyone who facilitates meetings. Topics to be addressed include effective listening, basic perspectives about conflict, positions and interests in conflict, perceptions in conflict, and being a "non-anxious presence." Pastors can receive continuing education units for attending.

Leadership will include Matt Guynn (Ministry of Reconciliation/On Earth Peace program associate), Trayce Peterson (Earlham College director of campus ministries), Jeff Bach (associate professor at Bethany Theological Seminary), and others. Tuition is $35, or $70 for three people from one congregation.

For more information or to register, contact Matt Guynn at On Earth Peace, 609 W. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374 or 765-962-6234 or mguynn@myvine.com.  

Source: Newsline 8/30/02