Friday, July 30, 2004

National Youth Conference Coordinator Position

The Youth and Young Adult Office of the General Board seeks applicants for a coordinator position for National Youth Conference in 2006. The position is a 15‑month Brethren Volunteer Service placement for a college graduate, beginning the end of May 2005 through August 2006. For an application form or more information, please contact Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, by e‑mail at cdouglas_gb@brethren.org. Applications are due no later than September 30.

Source: Newsline 7/30/2004
Two National Youth Conference Coordinators Named

Beth Rhodes and Cindy Laprade have been selected as two of the three National Youth Conference coordinators for 2006. A third position is still available and applicants are being sought. Rhodes is a graduate of Georgetown University and a member of Central Church of the Brethren, Roanoke, Va. Laprade is a graduate of Mary Washington College and a member of Antioch Church of the Brethren, Rocky Mount, Va. For the past year, Rhodes and Laprade have served as workcamp coordinators for the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office of the General Board, through Brethren Volunteer Service.

Source: Newsline 7/30/2004
Western Regional Youth Conference

Western Regional Youth Conference takes place Aug. 4‑8 at the University of San Francisco on the theme, "Living in God's Hands Together," John 8:12. Speakers include Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook. The Jubilee Troupe, a Brethren‑related performance art group, will help lead worship. Brethren youth from five states are expected to attend. For more information see the Pacific Southwest District website www.pswdcob.org/youth.

Source: Newsline 7/30/2004
Brethren young adults prepare for mission service.

Three young adults‑‑Matthew Haren, of Brook Park (Ohio) Community Church of the Brethren; Paul Liepelt, recently ordained by Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, New Paris, Ohio; and Beth Gunzel, of York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard, Ill.‑‑have been preparing for mission service with the Global Mission Partnerships office of the General Board, through an ecumenical cross‑cultural orientation in Chicago, July 11‑23. The training focused on topics such as missiology, globalization, intercultural dynamics, security, and self‑care.

Haren, a Manchester College graduate, left July 28 for a teaching assignment in history and government at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria. Liepelt, a May graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary, is heading to Nigeria in a few weeks to teach at Kulp Bible College. Gunzel, a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with a masters degree in international community development, will leave in September for the Dominican Republic where she will take up the role of consultant for the community development work begun by Jeff and Peggy Boshart as they conclude their service later this year.

"These capable young adults are exciting additions to the mission team," said Merv Keeney, executive director for Global Mission Partnerships. "It is a delight to see some of our finest young adults responding to God's call to mission service."

Source: Newsline 7/30/2004
Nominations are being accepted for the National Youth Cabinet.

National Youth Cabinet nominations are now being accepted for the 2005‑2006 cabinet, which will plan National Youth Conference in 2006.

High school youth entering their junior and senior years are eligible. Nominations must come from district youth advisors or district executives by Sept. 30. Nominees must have involvement and leadership at the district level as well as in their congregations.

"If you know of a youth you believe is exceptionally competent and has very strong leadership skills, please contact your district youth advisor or district executive to request they consider nominating that person," said Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Nomination forms are being sent to district executives and youth advisors this week.

Source: Newsline 7/30/2004

Thursday, July 29, 2004

NYAC: Alive with energy

More than 250 Brethren in the 18-to-35 age range converged on Winter Park, Colo., June 14 to 18 for a powerful and energetic week in the Rocky Mountains.

Worship formed the heart of this National Young Adult Conference (NYAC), with daily morning and evening services. Tony Campolo, general secretary Stan Noffsinger, Belita Mitchell, Angie Lahman Yoder, and Susan Boyer all spoke. Other services used only video, drama, music, and other creative outlets to share the message.

NYAC also included daily discussion-oriented workshop options, sharing in small community groups, late-night open mic coffeehouse sessions, and abundant free time for recreation and fellowship.

Young adults generously participated in an offering of shoes, in donations at the coffeehouse ($604) and in cash offerings for On Earth Peace ($847) and the General Board ($3,468).

It was the first time for a young adult conference of this length and scope. Another smaller event is planned for May 2005 at Woodland Altars in Ohio.

Source: Tapestry Newsletter 09/2004

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

2005 CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP SEMINAR
Set for April 23-28.
Theme: Conscientious Objection - A Witness to Our Faith

Mark your calendars now!!

Source: Witness to Washington Newsletter

It Really Is A Matter of Conscience

The Brethren Witness/Washington Office has been busy putting together a resource packet on the Church of the Brethren’s faith belief of conscientious objection. This packet includes education resources along with a tool to help youth groups, congregations, or individuals record their personal beliefs and convictions. In addition we extend the invitation to any persons wanting to explore this issue more to give us a call or arrange for a visit to our office. The Witness/Washington Office is also available to resource district gatherings in an effort to get the word out about the importance of this issue. Resources that we offer, amongst many, are information and updates on the pending draft legislation, background information on conscientious objection, and workshops on what it is to be a conscientious objector and how to claim C/O status. For more information on conscientious objection please contact our office at (800) 785-3246. Or email washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
-Amy Adkins

Source: Witness to Washington Newsletter

Monday, July 19, 2004

An Earful of Excitement About NYAC

Everyone is singing praises of National Young Adult Conference (NYAC). Susan Boyer, pastor of the LaVerne CoB, and NYAC speaker wrote, "I went to NYAC hoping to walk away with hope for the future of the Church of the Brethren. I did. There was a winsome spirit about the conference. The Young Adults of this denomination are intelligent, faithful, down-to-earth servants of the way of Jesus. They talk to each other directly about their differences and concerns. I just hope we listen to their voices now or I am afraid they won't hang around."

Laura Stone of Manchester College brought back an "earful of excitement." She wrote, "The energy, commitment to faith, and varied gifts at the conference were very refreshing for me to see. Leaders with vision, gifts, and energy are present throughout the denomination and the broader church, but I was especially struck this past week with there presence in that group of young adults. Brothers and sisters, we have much to be exited about!"

Heard at NYAC: "You are as young as your dreams and as old as your cynicism." - Tony Campolo, speaker.

Source: VOS Journal (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Friday, July 16, 2004

Anti-Racism Team Will Lead Youth Peace Retreat on September 24-26 

The weekend of Sept. 24-26, On Earth Peace will host a Senior High Youth Peace Retreat at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. "Red and Yellow, Black and White: Learning about Racism," will help youth develop skills to identify and dismantle the sin of racism in their lives. The weekend will include time for worship, discussions, and recreation. All high-school aged youth are invited to attend.

The Church of the Brethren Anti Racism Team members will provide leadership for the weekend. The team has been trained and called by the denomination for this ministry, and has previously led training events for the General Board and district conferences. "While it's critical for everyone to be a part of this kind of training, it is especially important for youth," said Torin Eikler, a member of the team. "They seem to see the struggles and pain that institutional racism causes within the church, in their schools, and in the world more easily, as they look at things with a fresh set of eyes." The team also will lead the On Earth Peace board, meeting in New Windsor at the same time, in an all-day training.

"This retreat is a great way for youth and their advisors to engage in the same questions that were raised this summer about our church fulfilling the scriptures, like in Galatians 3:28," said Kim Stuckey, coordinator of Peacemaker Formation for On Earth Peace. The 2004 Annual Conference grappled with the next steps to becoming a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic church.

The retreat will begin 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, and end at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. Cost is $50 including housing and meals. To register or for information about scholarships contact Kim Stuckey at On Earth Peace, 410-635-8706 or e-mail kstuckey_oepa@brethren.org. More information and a complete schedule are available on the On Earth Peace website. On Earth Peace is a peace education and action agency rooted in the Church of the Brethren, dedicated to empowering people to see "the things that make for peace" (Luke 19).

Source: Newsline 7/16/2004


Beacon Heights Youth Tour Honduras

Eleven youth from Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., formed the nucleus of a June 18-28 learning tour to Honduras coordinated by the New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit organization. The group, along with pastor Melissa Bennett, youth advisor Shawn Sollenberger, construction guide Jim Dodd of Midland, Va., and New Community Project director David Radcliff, refurbished a badly deteriorated health clinic in the community of San Juan Bosco. The group also visited with teachers, nurses, and a women's group; attended a soccer match in a neighboring village; and ended the trip with a visit to the Copan Ruins.

Source: Newsline 7/16/2004

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Young Adults 18-30 Urged to Apply for 'Experience of a Lifetime' as 2004 General Assembly Stewards

Stephanie Templin of Reading, Pa., called it "an experience of a lifetime...a chance to meet some of the most progressive and insightful religious leaders of the nation." Evan Jones of San Antonio, Texas, described it with such words as "excitement, energized, consumed, renewed, filled with the Holy Spirit, hope, rebuilt." Melissa Porter of Virginia Beach, Va., said it rekindled her passion for social justice. "It" was service as a young adult steward at the November 2004 General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service. The Stewards Program offers a unique opportunity for 18- to 30-year-olds to serve in the background and observe up close the deliberative work of one aspect of the ecumenical movement. Stewards network with other young adults, encounter a rich multicultural environment, worship in an ecumenical setting and experience the church at work, living its unity in Jesus Christ. Applications are being received through August 2 for the 2004 Stewards Program, scheduled for Nov. 7-12 in St. Louis, Mo. Learn more/apply.

Source: National Council of Churches USA

Friday, July 02, 2004

National Young Adult Conference meets in Colorado.

More than 250 Brethren in the 18 to 35 age range converged on Winter Park, Colo., June 14 to 18 for a powerful and energetic week in the Rocky Mountains.

Worship formed the heart of this National Young Adult Conference (NYAC), with daily morning and evening services. Tony Campolo, the General Board's general secretary Stan Noffsinger, Belita Mitchell, Angie Lahman Yoder, and Susan Boyer all spoke. Other services used only video, drama, music, and other creative outlets to share the message.

NYAC also included daily discussion-oriented workshop options (called "padares," after an African term for a "marketplace of ideas"), sharing in small community groups, late-night open mic coffeehouse sessions, and abundant free time for recreation and fellowship.

"NYAC was a great experience for meeting new people, reacquainting with old friends, for spiritual growth and renewal, and wonderful worship services," participant Sonja LeCount of Elgin, Ill., said.

Young adults generously participated in an offering of shoes, in donations at the coffeehouse ($604), and in cash offerings for On Earth Peace ($847) and the General Board ($3,468). Some also took part in a service project to clear beetle-infested wood, helping to protect healthy trees.

The General Board's Youth/Young Adult Ministry Office has long sponsored an annual Young Adult Conference, but previous events are smaller and held only over a weekend, typically at a Brethren camp.

This was the first time for a young adult conference of this length and scope. Another smaller event is planned for May 27-29, 2005, at Woodland Altars in Ohio.

Source: Newsline 7/02/2004