Manchester College Honors Five Alumni for Their Dedication to Education, Society, Youth

Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren General Board, was among five alumni of Manchester College who were honored at Alumni Days May 31-June 1 in North Manchester, Ind. Other honorees included former Manchester College faculty members Allen C. Deeter, William R. Eberly, and Arthur L. Gilbert, and college trustee Melvin L. Holmes. Deeter is professor emeritus of Religion and Philosophy and is well known for his leadership in expanding Brethren Colleges Abroad; Eberly is professor emeritus of Biology and author of “The History of the Natural Sciences at Manchester College”; Gilbert is professor emeritus of Accounting who led expansion of the accounting department and the master’s of accountancy degree; Holmes is a retired senior buyer at AM General Corporation in South Bend, Ind., and a community leader in intercultural relations. For more go to www.manchester.edu.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2006

Where:York Center Church of the Brethren Lombard Illinois
When: November 3rd - 5th

Mark your calendars now!! Make plans to attend.

Come and “Be still”, come and see who is alive,
come and be a part of something different and new!
Come and experience ‘Knowing God is God’!!

NYC BUS TRIP IS A GO!

Two full buses will head west from the district at the end of July. By May 1, 105 youth and advisors registered for travel to National Youth Conference. Sixteen congregations represent IL/WI. Visiting youth from India who are guests of Naperville COB will ride with us.

One bus leaves Peoria COB at 8:30 a.m. on July 21. Another bus departs Naperville COB at 9:00 a.m. The two buses meet at Dixon COB leaving at 11:00 am. A prayer circle is planned at each location. Others are welcome to help send off our youth to NYC.

After an overnight stop in Omaha, Neb., our group arrives at National Youth Conference in Fort Collins, Colo., the afternoon of July 22. The Illinois/Wisconsin delegation joins about 3,500 other Brethren youth and advisors for five days of worship, fellowship, learning, service, and fun. We will leave Colorado late morning on July 27, stopping overnight at McPherson College. The buses return to the three Illinois churches late evening on July 28.

Itinerary details have been sent to registered bus riders. Please be in prayer for all those participating, and join the enthusiasm as the buildup to National Youth Conference continues.

Source: June 2006 District Newsletter

SPRING YOUTH RETREAT HEARS TOM BENEVENTO.

Tom Benevento works with poor and marginalized people in the US and Central America. He led several sessions on "Living Simply" for the spring youth retreat on March 17-19 at Freeport COB. Tom lives in Goshen, Ind., and works with the Global Mission Partnerships office of the General Board. He encouraged the youth to think about the choices they make and offered ideas for living in a sustainable and earth-friendly way.

Two dozen youth participated in the weekend, which included a service project, games, and worship times. Youth capped off the weekend by leading worship for Freeport's Sunday morning service.

The fall retreat will be held during district conference, Nov. 3-5 at York Center COB in Lombard, Ill. A possible post-National Youth Conference retreat/celebration is also being discussed. Watch for more information.

Source: June 2006 District Newsletter

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

‘EXPLORING YOUR CALL’ EVENT FOR YOUTH IS SPONSORED BY BETHANY SEMINARY

An “Exploring Your Call” event for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors is scheduled for June 23-27 at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center in Sharpsburg, Md., sponsored by Bethany Theological Seminary.

“Do you...want to grow closer to God? Wonder what God has in store for you? Think about sharing your gifts and talents with the church and the world? Then Exploring Your Call is for you!” said an announcement of the event. “Exploring Your Call” is designed to help youth think about God’s calling, consider how to use their gifts, learn how to make life choices in relation to their faith, and make connections with other youth who are hearing God’s call.

The event is free to the youth who are accepted, with their only expense being travel cost to and from the event. Youth may register via e-mail by sending name, address, telephone number and alternate number, e-mail address, best times to be contacted, age on June 22, and “one question you have about God, about life, or about your future” to Jen Sanders, Exploring Your Call program director, at EYC@bethanyseminary.edu.

NCC General Assembly Seeks Stewards
An Experience in Ecumenical Formation for Young Adults

The National Council of Churches (NCC) is seeking young adults ages 18-30 to serve in its Stewards Program during 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 must 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.

Updates! Less than 90 Days until NYC starts!

• Registration is at a whopping 3571!
  
• Superchick is performing on Sunday night!
  
• The last day to sign up for Service Projects is May 1! If you want to participate and have not already expressed an interest on your registration, log back in and sign up!
  
• There are three Youth Speech Contest Winners: Allen Bowers, Jaime Frye, and Chrissy Sollenberger. Congratulations!
  
• There are currently 845 participants registered for the 5K Walk/Run. That means that there are 3 times as many people signed up to go hiking in the Rockies than there are signed up to walk to turn hunger around! It is not too late to sign up! You can log back into your registration account online and sign up today! The National Youth Cabinet is hoping that EVERYONE will participate!

Winners of National Youth Conference Speech Contest are announced.

The National Youth Cabinet has announced the three winners of the 2006 National Youth Conference (NYC) Youth Speech Contest: Allen Bowers, Jamie Frye, and Chrissy Sollenberger. All three youth will deliver their speeches during the Monday morning worship celebration at NYC, on July 24 in Fort Collins, Colo.

Allen Bowers was born and raised in Woodstock, Va. He was baptized on Aug. 8, 1996, and will be 17 in May. He attends Antioch Church of the Brethren in Woodstock, Va., and is president of the congregation's youth group. Bowers has spoken at numerous churches in the past few years.

Jamie Frye lives in McPherson, Kan., where she is a member of Monitor Church of the Brethren. Next fall she will be a high school sophomore. She likes to participate in service projects, including a workcamp in Honduras with New Community Project and a Brethren Disaster Response project in Mississippi.

Chrissy Sollenberger is from Annville, Pa., and attends Mount Wilson Church of the Brethren in Lebanon, Pa. She is a high school junior and editor of the school newspaper. Sollenberger was the grand prize winner of "Messenger" magazine's 2005 youth essay contest.

For more information about National Youth Conference, including full biographies of the speakers, visit www.nyc2006.org.

Source: 4/12/2006 Newsline

Counter-recruitment calls are scheduled for late April.

On Earth Peace has scheduled networking calls for those working on countering military recruitment for April 20 and 26.

"For those who haven't participated previously, the call is a great place to share what's been happening in your encounters with recruiters or work with youth around issues of militarism," said Matt Guynn, coordinator of peace witness for On Earth Peace. "We usually have eight to twelve participants from all around the country--California to Nebraska to Michigan to Maryland. Each gets a chance to share and request input or counsel. Whether or not you are currently active, it's a good place to hear how different groups are approaching the situation and get a little boost."

The calls will be offered on Thursday, April 20, at 7:30-9 p.m. eastern time, and on Wednesday, April 26, at 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. eastern time. Respond to mattguynn@earthlink.net. If responding, please indicate any specific focus or question for conversation.

source: 4/12/2006 Newsline

School Kits to be Collected for NYC Sunday Offering

NYC and Church World Service are teaming up to collect Gift of the Heart School Kits as an offering during the Sunday evening worship celebration. The school kits collected will give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools needed for learning. Each donation must include exactly the materials listed below and will also require $2 to cover processing/shipping. Each kit should be packed in the cloth bag that is included in the list of supplies.

• One pair of blunt scissors
  
• Pads or notebooks of ruled paper 8-1/2" X 11", containing 140-200 sheets of paper. No filler paper, please.
  
• One 30-centimeter ruler (12")
  
• One pencil sharpener
  
• Six new pencils with erasers
  
• One large eraser
  
• Twelve sheets colored construction paper
  
• One box of 24 crayons
  
• One 12" x 14" finished size, cloth bag with cloth handles and a closure (Velcro, snap, or button)

For more information, please visit the NYC website: www.nyc2006.org

Young Adult Conference: May 26-28

Just a friendly reminder that Young Adult Conference is coming up, May 26-28 at Camp Swatara in Bethel, PA. Registration goes up from $80 to $100 May 1, so be sure to get your registration in before May 1!

Speakers for the weekend include:

• Hannah Serfling
  
• Marlys Hershberger
  
• Bob Etzweiler
  
• Craig Smith

Worship Coordinators include:

• Walt Wiltscheck
  
• Becky Ullom
  
• Wendy Matheny

And Seth Hendricks will be providing music leadership.

To get information on the theme, as well as online registration, visit the YAC website at http://www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/yac.htm. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give a call at 800-323-8039 x.286 or an e-mail at etyler_gb@brethren.org.