Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Manchester College alum to study in Belgium

NORTH MANCHESTER - As a Manchester College student, Wendy J. Matheny learned about politics in West Africa, where she worked to help women break their cycle of poverty. After graduation, she studied Capitol Hill politics as an intern for U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Now, with a full-ride Fulbright scholarship, Matheny, a Peoria native will research politics at the seat of the European Union and NATO - in Brussels, Belgium. Matheny, a 2005 cum laude graduate, is Manchester College's 19th Fulbright in 11 years. Her scholarship is for the 2006-2007 school year.

As a graduate student at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, she will study the political impact of the increased involvement of women in Belgian-European politics.

“The idea came to me when I was in Togo - seeing women at the bottom of the political food chain,” said Matheny, who volunteered for six weeks in West Africa with ECHOPPE Inc., which helps women start their own businesses and individual initiatives for economic improvement.

The political science and French major studied abroad at the Université de Strasbourg her sophomore year with Brethren Colleges Abroad, and spent a month in The Hague at the International Symposium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. She also served as a conference translator in Kenya and traveled to Ecuador on an environmental learning tour - all through her Manchester College connections.

And after her Fulbright year in Belgium?

“I love the political game and want to continue that in some form, whether on the domestic front or internationally,” said Matheny. “I'd love to work on the Hill again, but I also want to do grad school.”

Undoubtedly, she will continue to focus on the role of women in the international political arena.

Matheny came to Manchester because it is a Church of the Brethren college, and for the College's historical reputation in peace studies and study abroad opportunities. She was raised in the Peoria First Church of the Brethren.

Source: Wabash Plain Dealer

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

National Council of Churches seeks Stewards

The National Council of Churches (NCC) seeks young adults ages 18-30 to serve in its Stewards Program for the Nov. 7-9, 2006, General Assembly of the NCC and Church World Service in Orlando, Fla. The program provides young adults with a unique experience of ecumenical formation, as they serve to help make the assembly happen through volunteer assignments in hospitality, registration, platform assistance, technology, the assembly office, and the newsroom. Stewards arrive in Orlando for orientation on Nov. 5 and depart Nov. 10. Expenses except personal expenses will be covered by the assembly, through special donations from supporters. Deadline for applications is Aug. 1. Go to http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/2006stewardsapplication.pdf.

Source: 5/24/2006 Newsline
Manchester College Fulbright Scholars

Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., is sending two Brethren faculty members to Europe next year as Fulbright Scholars. Recent Manchester graduate Wendy Matheny, who was raised in First Church of the Brethren in Peoria, Ill., also has received a Fulbright scholarship to study the impact of women in politics at the seat of the European Union and NATO in Brussels, Belgium, as a graduate student at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles. Hers is Manchester College's 19th Fulbright in 11 years, the college said in a press release. Gregory W. Clark, associate professor of Physics, will work at Cardiff University in Wales this fall and in Jan. 2007 on nanoscience research involving conducting polymer molecules; and Steven S. Naragon, associate professor of Philosophy, will use his Fulbright grant in spring 2007 to translate into English a set of student notes from 18th century philosopher Kant's metaphysics lectures, working in Marburg, Germany. Both faculty attend Manchester Church of the Brethren. Matheny has been studying Capitol Hill politics as an intern for US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton since her graduation from Manchester last year. Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Scholar program is an international educational exchange activity sponsored by the US Department of State. For more go to www.manchester.edu.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Exploring Your Call Canceled for 2006

An Exploring Your Call youth event has been canceled by sponsor Bethany Theological Seminary. The event was scheduled for June 23-27 at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center in Sharpsburg, Md., but has been called off in light of the involvement of youth in National Youth Conference (NYC) in Fort Collins, Colo., July 22-27. Exploring Your Call began as an annual event in 2001 as an opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to consider issues of faith and vocation. EYC also did not take place in 2002, primarily in order not to conflict with NYC. Bethany students and staff will provide some leadership at NYC this year, and look forward to conversations with youth in these settings and at the Bethany exhibit, according to a release from the seminary. Some youth groups have planned a stop at Bethany’s Richmond campus as part of their NYC travels. Russell Haitch, assistant professor of Christian Education and director of Bethany’s Institute for Ministry With Youth and Young Adults, expects that Exploring Your Call will continue in the future. “This is a good time to re-evaluate, and possibly improve and refine the program,” he said. For more go to www.bethanyseminary.edu.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Outdoor Ministries Association

The Outdoor Ministries Association is encouraging membership for volunteers involved in all areas of outdoor ministries, others interested in outdoor ministries, Brethren camps, as well as professional camp staff. “Join OMA: It’s not just for camp directors,” said a newsletter from Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va., one of the 29 Church of the Brethren camps in the US. OMA serves in many roles, said the newsletter, as “a support network for Brethren camps, an active association of camp enthusiasts and professionals, an educational body providing programs and support to districts, and... a voice for the Church of the Brethren to the larger camping industry through the American Camp Association, the National Council of Churches camp curriculum writers, the Christian Ministries in the National Parks, and Christian Camp/Conference International.” OMA members support the outdoor ministries of the church and programs that promote stewardship of the environment. Members receive newsletters as well as information about conferences and trainings. Annual membership fees are $30 for an individual, $50 for a family, $150 for a camp professional. Go to www.campbethelvirginia.org/OMA.htm for the membership form. For more about the association go to www.cob-net.org/oma.htm or write to the Outdoor Ministries Association, P.O. Box F, Bethel, PA 19507.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Young Adult Conference 2006

Young Adult Conference 2006 is planned for May 26-28 at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pa., on the theme, "Transformed" from Romans 12:1-8. Activities will include worship, campfires, "padares" for small group discussion, an open microphone session, community groups, and a coffee house. Register online at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/yac.htm.

Source: 5/10/2006 Newsline
Steve Van Houten to coordinate General Board's workcamp ministry.

Steve Van Houten has been hired to fill a new position as coordinator of Workcamp Ministry for the Church of the Brethren General Board. The position is housed in the board's Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and will begin July 6 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.

Van Houten has been senior pastor of Akron (Ohio) Springfield Church of the Brethren for 11 years, and also spent 12 years as pastor of Cloverdale (Va.) Church of the Brethren. He also has been a volunteer leader for several workcamps for the General Board over the past 10 years.

He brings to the position a degree in biology and chemistry as a pre-med major at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., a degree from Bethany Theological Seminary, and several years of teaching high school math.

Source: 5/10/2006 Newsline
Brethren Academy offers courses for students, pastors, laypeople.

The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership offers an array of courses in theological and biblical study, open to students in the Training in Ministry and Education for Shared Ministry programs as well as pastors seeking continuing education and interested laypeople. The academy is a ministry training partnership of the Church of the Brethren General Board and Bethany Theological Seminary.

Registration for each course costs $150. Each offers one academy-level credit for students or two continuing education credits for pastors. Upcoming courses include:

"Interpreting the Brethren," June 10-14, at Bethany Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Instructor is Timothy Binkley, archivist of the Center for Evangelical United Brethren Heritage at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

"Worship," Sept 22-24, taught by Andrew Murray, professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Religion, and director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. This course is offered through the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center.

"Daniel," Oct. 2-Nov. 11, an online course taught by Susan Jeffers, adjunct professor at Bethany and an academy instructor, is offered through the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center.

"Passions of Youth, Practices of Christ," Oct. 12-15, a follow-up study to this summer's National Youth Conference for youth leaders and others interested in the rising generation in the church. The course will be taught at Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind., by Russell Haitch, Bethany's assistant professor of Christian Education and director of the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults.

"Leaders, Boards, and the Brethren," Oct. 19-22, is centered on the experience of attending the fall meeting of the Church of the Brethren General Board in Elgin, Ill., taught by Brethren writer and historian James Lehman. The course introduces students to denominational structure and program, and current denominational leadership.

Registration brochures are available at www.bethanyseminary.edu/academy or by calling 800-287-8822 ext. 1824. Register for courses held through the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center by contacting Mary Schiavoni, Program Administrator, Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, Elizabethtown College, One Alpha Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022; 717-361-1450.

Source: 5/10/2006 Newsline

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Illinois/Wisconsin District Church of the Brethren
National Youth Conference Bus Trip * July 21-28, 2006

subject to change - please check back

Friday, July 21, 2006
8:30 a.m. Bus 1 departs Peoria Church of the Brethren
Address: 4714 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL 61614
9 a.m. Bus 2 departs Naperville Church of the Brethren
Address: 1020 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540
10:30 a.m. (approx.) Buses meet at Dixon Church of the Brethren
Address: 215 N. Court (at corner of Court & Brinton Ave.), Dixon, IL 60123
11 a.m. Both buses depart Dixon Church of the Brethren
1 p.m. (approx.) Lunch stop in West Branch/Iowa City, IA area
2 p.m. (approx.) Depart lunch stop
6 p.m. (approx.) Arrive Omaha, NE – meal stop in Council Bluffs, IA, or Omaha before reaching hotel
7 p.m. Leave meal stop
7:15 p.m. Arrive hotel – EconoLodge Omaha West
Address: 10919 J St., Omaha, NE 68137
402-592-2882

Saturday, July 22, 2006
6 a.m. Load baggage on buses
6:30 a.m.? Buses depart hotel in Omaha
***TIME ZONE CHANGE EN ROUTE – TO MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME (gain one hour)***
10:30 a.m. (MDT) Brunch stop near Ogalalla, NE
11:30 a.m. Depart brunch stop
3 p.m. (approx.) Arrive Fort Collins, CO – Colorado State University

Thursday, July 27, 2006
? a.m. Time TBA – load baggage on buses
11 a.m. (slightly
earlier if possible)
Depart Fort Collins, CO – Colorado State University
12:30 p.m. Lunch stop in Aurora, CO area (east side of Denver)
**NOTE: We may check in to possibility of box lunches to avoid need for lunch stop**
1:30 p.m. Depart lunch stop
***TIME ZONE CHANGE EN ROUTE – TO CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME (lose one hour)***
7 p.m. (CDT) Dinner stop near Hays, KS
8 p.m. Depart dinner stop
10 p.m. Arrive McPherson College, McPherson, KS
Accommodations in Dotzour Hall

Friday, July 28, 2006
8 a.m. Load baggage on buses
8:30 a.m. Depart McPherson College, McPherson, KS
11:30 a.m. Lunch stop in Kansas City/Gladstone, MO area
12:30 p.m. Depart lunch stop
5:30 p.m. Dinner stop in Grinnell, IA area
6:30 p.m. Depart dinner stop
9:30 p.m. Buses arrive at Dixon Church of the Brethren, Dixon, IL
10 p.m. Buses depart Dixon, IL
11:30 p.m. Bus 1 arrives at Naperville Church of the Brethren, Naperville, IL
12 a.m. Bus 2 arrives at Peoria Church of the Brethren, Peoria, IL