Entries sought for Bethany Peace Essay Contest.

By Jenny Williams

Bethany Theological Seminary is encouraging seminary and graduate school, college, and high school students to think creatively about peacemaking and to share those thoughts for the greater good. The Bethany Peace Essay Contest is being reinstated this coming January as part of the peace studies program at the seminary.

The contest, open to all full-time students in the categories above, invites reflections on how personal and local peacemaking efforts can address universal concerns. Participants may choose to explore this theme in one of the following areas, relating to personal experience: art, music, or poetry; the just peace movement; protest or change movements; social media, or interfaith efforts. Prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500 will be awarded for the top three essays.

A natural fit within the teaching and learning in peace studies at Bethany, the essay contest is underwritten by the Jennie Calhoun Baker Endowment, funded by John C. Baker in honor of his mother. Described as a “Church of the Brethren woman ahead of her time,” Jennie was known for actively pursuing peacemaking by meeting the needs of others, providing community leadership, and upholding the value of creative and independent thinking in education. John Baker saw her vision and modeling of contemporary peacemaking reflected in Bethany’s collaborative leadership among the three Historic Peace Churches and thus selected the seminary to administer the endowment’s programs.

John Baker, a philanthropist for peace with a distinguished career in higher education, and his wife had also helped establish the peace studies program at Bethany with an earlier endowment gift. “John and Elizabeth Baker were deeply committed to building cultures of peace,” says Scott Holland, professor of theology and culture and director of peace studies and cross-cultural studies at Bethany. “This peace essay contest is intended to encourage thoughtful writing on peace in essays that are informed by the rich traditions of God's shalom and Christ's peace yet articulated in voices that are public, ecumenical, and interfaith. There is also the hope that this contest will lead to international networking and partnerships in pursuit of peace.”

Holland is administrator of the Baker endowment programs and is working with a new Peace Essay Contest Committee to re-envision the contest after a hiatus of several years. Committee members are from the Historic Peace Churches: Kirsten Beachy, assistant professor of visual and communication arts at Eastern Mennonite University (Mennonite); Nathan Hosler, Office of Public Witness for the Church of the Brethren; Abbey Pratt-Harrington, 2013 alumna of Earlham School of Religion (Friends); Anne-Marie Roderick, student at Union Theological Seminary (Brethren); and Lonnie Valentine, professor of peace and justice studies at Earlham School of Religion (Friends).

Bekah Houff, coordinator of outreach programs at Bethany, chairs the committee and is assisting with the administration of the contest. “The committee has been fabulous to work with and represents a variety of talents and experiences. Their input and planning have been crucial to the process. We hope to have some good ecumenical involvement in the contest while mostly focusing on the peace churches in our publicity. In the future we hope to expand to different forms of media for entries, such as video and art.”

Holland also notes that the endowment can be used to underwrite peace sermon contests, which have been held previously and likely will be again.

Judges of the essays include Holland and Valentine; Randy Miller, editor of the Church of the Brethren magazine “Messenger”; and Anna Groff, associate editor of “The Mennonite.” Essays can be submitted between Jan. 1-Jan. 27, 2014, and results will be announced by the end of February 2014. Plans are being made to publish the winning essays in some of the journals and magazines of the Church of the Brethren, Friends, and Mennonite faith communities.

For guidelines, terms, and submission procedures, go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/peace-essay . Contact Bekah Houff at houffre@bethanyseminary.edu or 765-983-1809 for additional information.

-- Jenny Williams is director of Communications and Alumni/ae Relations for Bethany Seminary.

Source: 10/11/2013 Newsline

NYC Youth Worker Application Deadline - Nov 2

Nov. 2 is the deadline for youth worker applications for National Youth Conference, scheduled for July 19-24, 2014, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Youth workers, who serve on a volunteer basis, should be available on the CSU campus beginning Friday, July 18, the day prior to NYC, through Thursday evening, July 24. More information can be found at www.brethren.org/nyc.

Source: 10/11/2013 Newsline

ENGAGE Day at Bethany Theological Seminary - Nov 1

Nov. 1 is the date of the next campus visit day at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. “Have you been considering visiting Bethany? Do you know someone who might like to experience what Bethany has to offer? ENGAGE is a day of options designed for you to explore the Bethany experience with other people interested in theological education,” said an announcement. The day will offer prospective seminary students the opportunity to worship together with the Bethany Seminary community and partner seminary Earlham School of Religion (ESR), hear a student panel, experience a class session, lunch with faculty, discuss financial aid and the admissions process, and take a campus tour. Register at www.bethanyseminary.edu/visit/engage or contact director of admissions Tracy Primozich at 765-983-1832 or primotr@bethanyseminary.edu.

Source: 10/11/2013 Newsline

Brethren Young Adults Invited to Participate in World Council of Churches Virtual Conference for Youth - Oct 12

Brethren young adults are invited to participate in the World Council of Churches Virtual Conference for Youth tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 12. “What are you doing on Saturday? Would you like to hear thoughts from some amazing folks, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, for free? The WCC Youth Virtual Conference on October 12 promises to be a direct encounter among young Christians living in many different countries. The conference will center on the following topics: eco-justice, migration, and peace-building.” said the invitation from Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren. She noted that in ecumenical circles, "youth" often means age 45 and under. Go to http://ecumenicalyouth.org.

Source: 10/11/2013 Newsline

Webinar series to give information about Brethren ministries for young people.

New “non-event” resources from the Youth and Young Adult Ministry this year are a series of webinars by denominational staff whose ministries relate to youth and young adults. These staff have teamed up to provide informational and educational webinars geared toward those who work with Church of the Brethren youth and young adults as advisors, pastors, or parents.

“We hope you will join us!” said Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The first webinar will be this Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. central time (8 p.m. eastern), and will be an introduction to the ministries related to young people from the Church of the Brethren, Bethany Theological Seminary, and On Earth Peace.

To join the webinar on Oct. 9 go to https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1aa02k0lic44s&eom . After joining the video portion, participants will need to join the audio portion by dialing 877-204-3718 (toll free) or 303-223-9908. The access code is 8946766.

Four additional webinars on youth ministry also are planned:

• Nov. 5, 7 p.m. central time, “Short-Term Mission Trips,” led by Emily Tyler of the Workcamp Ministry staff
• Jan. 21, 2014, 7 p.m. central time, “Call and Gifts Discernment,” led by Bekah Houff of the Bethany Seminary staff
• March 4, 2014, 7 p.m. central time, “Intergenerational Relationships,” led by Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
• May 6, 2014, 7 p.m. central time, “Bullying,” led by Marie Benner-Rhoades of On Earth Peace

For questions call Becky Ullom Naugle at 847-429-4385.

Source: 10/4/2013 Newsline

Curriculum helps youth develop beliefs on peace, conscientious objection.

Call of Conscience, a Church of the Brethren web-based curriculum, is available to download from www.brethren.org/CO. Written by Julie Garber, this resource is designed to help youth develop their beliefs about peace and conscientious objection to war. The curriculum focuses on developing a personal peace position based on biblical teaching and the traditions of the church.

As young men, and possibly women someday, reach the age of 18 they are required by law to register with the Selective Service System, a federal agency responsible for a military draft in the event the nation wants more soldiers than it can recruit as volunteers. If Congress decided to reinstate the draft, young people would have only a short time to gather evidence to convince Selective Service they are conscientious objectors and have a religious opposition to killing.

Call of Conscience helps youth prepare to “make a defense for the hope that is within them” (1 Peter 3:15). Four sessions designed to be led by an adult will help youth think through their beliefs as taught by the Church of the Brethren. Full session plans and downloadable resources are included:

• Session One: The difference between allegiance to God and allegiance to the state.
• Session Two: Biblical teaching on war and peace.
• Session Three: The Church of the Brethren historic and living peace position.
• Session Four: Making a case for conscientious objection.

In a culminating project, youth compile a file of evidence that they believe in the teachings of Jesus on peace, by keeping journals, collecting letters of reference, gathering lists of influential books, websites, news clippings, and films, and answering questions Selective Service will ask to determine the strength of their commitment to peace.

See www.brethren.org/CO.

Source: 10/4/2013 Newsline

Workcamps schedule is announced for 2014.

The schedule for the 2014 summer workcamps offered by the Church of the Brethren is now available online at www.brethren.org/workcamps/schedule. Workcamps will be offered for junior high youth, BRF senior high youth, young adults, and an intergenerational group. Because senior high youth will be attending National Youth Conference in July 2014, a full slate of workcamps for senior high youth will be offered again in 2015.

The following workcamps are planned for junior high youth who have completed grades 6-8. In order to register, the parents of junior high youth must complete a Parental Permission Form:

• Brooklyn, N.Y., June 18-22, cost is $275
• Camp Harmony, Pa., June 18-22, $275
• Harrisburg, Pa., June 25-29, $275
• Columbus, Ohio, July 6-10, $275
• South Bend, Ind., July 9-13, $275
• Crossnore, N.C., July 14-18, $275
• Roanoke, Va., July 30-Aug. 3, $275
• Seattle, Wash., Aug. 6-10, $300

One workcamp is offered for senior high youth (completed grade 9 through age 19) who identify with the views of the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF), in cooperation with Brethren Disaster Ministries at a location yet to be determined. Dates are June 22-28. Cost is $285.

The young adult workcamp for people between ages 18-35 will be held on the island of La Tortue, Haiti, June 9-16. Cost is $700.

The intergenerational workcamp for those who have completed grade 6 up to age 99-plus is scheduled at Idaho Mountain Camp on June 16-22. Cost is $375.

For more information go to www.brethren.org/workcamps.

Source: 10/4/2013 Newsline

Powerhouse Regional Youth Conference

It's time for the fourth year of Powerhouse, the regional youth conference for youth in the Midwest. This year the conference will try out a new site, going to Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind., Nov. 16-17. We hope you can join us for this exciting weekend! Opportunities will also be available to visit and tour the Manchester University campus (about 45-50 minutes from Camp Mack) before or after the conference.

At www.manchester.edu/powerhouse, you will find a variety of information and forms needed for each participant to register. All forms must be completed for participants to attend. Forms should be downloaded, printed, and mailed to the university when completed; make enough copies so that each participant has one copy of each form.

Cost this year will be $65 for youth, $60 for advisors (for extenuating circumstances, please contact us). With our new location, everyone will have a bed to sleep in, and the camp will be preparing our meals.

The keynote speakers for our three worship times will be Audrey and Tim Hollenberg- Duffey, students at Bethany Theological Seminary. They will lead us in an exploration of our theme, "On Earth As It Is in Heaven: Stories from the Garden." We want it to be a weekend full of energy and inspiration!

If your group is coming from a distance and needs a place to stay in the area Friday night, please contact us and we can help you make arrangements at Manchester University or with congregations in the area. Please be in prayer for this event and, encourage your youth and advisors to attend.

Coordinators of NYC 2014 issue challenge for Brethren youth to exceed capacity at host university.

What if so many people registered for National Youth Conference (NYC) that Colorado State University ran out of room to house everyone? That’s the challenge NYC coordinators Katie Cummings, Tim Heishman, and Sarah Neher are issuing to Brethren youth and to the denomination as a whole.

The conference is scheduled for July 19-24, 2014, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. NYC is a week-long faith formation event for youth and their advisors that takes place every four years. All youth who have completed ninth grade through one year of college (at the time of NYC) are eligible to attend.

Typical attendance at NYC has been around 3,000 in recent history, but Colorado State University is able to house up to 5,000 people. The NYC coordinators are challenging the denomination to fill up all 5,000 beds.

“It may sound like a challenge, but if every participant just brought a friend along, it would happen! Or if everyone who reads this article tried to get one youth to attend NYC, it would happen!” they wrote for Newsline.

“There is a great story in the Gospels about Jesus feeding 5,000 people. Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And the disciples responded, ‘We only have five loaves and two fish.’ But where the disciples saw an obstacle, Jesus saw an opportunity.

“Particularly at this significant moment in the life and history of the Church of the Brethren, we need every youth to be at NYC 2014. Now is the time to bring the next generation together, to hear Christ’s call, and be blessed for the journey together.”

NYC coordinators see an opportunity to create a “delightful problem” for the Church of the Brethren: so many youth signing up for the conference that staff will “have to scramble to figure out where to house everyone. Wouldn’t that be incredible?”

The coordinators are encouraging church members to help support the ministry of NYC by joining the challenge: “Find one youth to send to NYC 2014!”

For more information about National Youth Conference, visit www.brethren.org/NYC.

Source: 9/26/2013 Newsline

Salem Church of the Brethren Youth

The youth at Salem Church of the Brethren at Stephens City have received thanks from Shenandoah District for their “creative and generous support of our disaster response teams.” The youth raised $766 for disaster response by participating in the Route 11 Yard Crawl on Aug. 10, selling sandwiches, drinks, chips, and yard sale items. Also contributing money to disaster relief in the district was the first Family Fun Day on Aug. 24, which brought in about $2,500, said the district newsletter.

Source: 9/26/2013 Newsline

Workcamp ministry closes out successful 2013 season, announces theme for 2014.

The Church of the Brethren workcamp ministry closed out a successful summer season in 2013, holding 23 workcamps at a variety of sites across the nation for Brethren junior and senior high youth and adults.

The ministry also has announced a theme and theme scripture for next year’s workcamps, to be held in summer 2014.

This year’s 23 workcamps included 3 new locations, and involved 363 participants including adult advisors and youth. The workcamp office reports that 35 people contributed to leadership at workcamps this summer, along with the two Brethren Volunteer Service workers who were assistant coordinators for 2013--Katie Cummings and Tricia Ziegler--and staff director Emily Tyler.

Next summer’s workcamps will be held on the theme, “Teach With Your Life,” based on the scripture theme 1 Timothy 4:11-16. Debbie Noffsinger designed the 2014 workcamp logo.

New in 2014, the workcamp deposit amount will be raised to $150. Next summer will see workcamps offered for young adults, Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) senior highs, intergenerational groups, and junior highs. The number of senior high workcamps will be restricted because 2014 is a National Youth Conference year.

Jenna Stacy has begun a term in Brethren Volunteer Service as assistant workcamp coordinator, working with Emily Tyler. Stacy is a native of Campobello, S.C., and began work at the Church of the Brethren General Offices on Aug. 20. She will attend the fall orientation Unit 303 of BVS. She is a 2013 graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College with a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy.

More information about 2014 workcamps will be available by late September at www.brethren.org/workcamps.

Source: 9/13/2013 Newsline

Youth conference coordinators to hold ‘NYC Hangouts’ in September.

An itinerary of “NYC Hangouts” is planned by National Youth Conference (NYC) coordinators Katie Cummings, Tim Heishman, and Sarah Neher. The Church of the Brethren NYC 2014 is planned for July 19-24 on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. The event is a week-long “faith formation extravaganza” for youth and adult advisors. Youth who have completed ninth grade through a year of college at the time of NYC are eligible to attend.

The September “NYC Hangouts” are information sessions, complete with pizza, offered at several locations to raise excitement and interest in the conference. Youth and advisors are invited to come meet the NYC coordinators, learn about NYC, ask questions, receive resources such as fundraising ideas and options for transportation, and share pizza and fellowship.

Stops on the itinerary include:

• Sept. 3, 7 p.m., Western Pennsylvania District Office, Hollsopple, Pa.
• Sept. 5, 7 p.m., First Church of the Brethren, Roaring Spring, Pa.
• Sept. 6-8, Mid-Atlantic District Youth Beach Retreat in Lewes, Del.
• Sept. 8, 7 p.m., Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren
• Sept. 9, 3 p.m., Madison Church of the Brethren, Brightwood, Va.
• Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren
• Sept. 10, 7 p.m. First Church of the Brethren, Roanoke, Va.
• Sept. 11, 6 p.m., Happy Corner Church of the Brethren, Clayton, Ohio

Visit the NYC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NYC2014 to RSVP for one of the “NYC Hangouts.” Find a video introducing the Youth Cabinet who is helping to plan NYC at www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdhE8SgGwY8.



For more information about the 2014 National Youth Conference go to www.brethren.org/nyc.

Source: 8/30/2013 Newsline

Entries are now being accepted for the NYC 2014 Contests for Speech and Music.

You are invited to begin prayerfully considering what message you might have to share with the gathered NYC community next July, based on the NYC 2014 theme. The two speech contest winners will have the opportunity to share their speeches during a worship service at NYC.

If you enjoy praising God through music, you are invited to write a song based on our theme for NYC 2014. The Music Contest winner will have the opportunity to perform their song on stage sometime during NYC.

The deadline for all applications is February 16, 2014.

IL/WI District Youth Fall Retreat - November 1-3, 2013

Do not be conformed to this world, 
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds – Romans 12:2 
November 1st – November 3rd , 2013 
Camp Emmaus, Mt. Morris

Where: Camp Emmaus is located near highway 64 between Mount Morris and Oregon, Illinois. www.campemmaus.org.

When: Registration will begin at 7 pm on Friday Night . Retreat participants will be dismissed on Sunday around 11:30am. Note that Distirct Conference will end on Saturday – please indicate if you will be picking up your youth on Saturday evening or on Sunday.

Who: Everyone currently in 9th through 12th grades during the 2013-2014 school year. Friends and advisors are welcome.

Cost: $40 for youth – no charge for advisors. Make checks payable to “Illinois/Wisconsin District Youth”

What to Bring: Bible, Games, Sleeping Bag, Snacks to share, Towel, and Work clothes.

Registration Deadline: October 18th, 2013; please register early to help out with our planning.

Return completed registration form, covenant and check to: Beth Carpentier, 269 E. Chestnut; Canton, Illinois 61520

Questions: Contact Ralph at (847) 742-0918 evenings, or via e-mail: rminer151@earthlink.net

Young Adult Event Takes Place at Camp Pine Lake

Photo by Kelsey Murray

Young Adult Conference 2013 gathered at Camp Pine Lake near Eldora, Iowa

More than 40 young adults from across the country gathered at Camp Pine Lake in Eldora, Iowa, for the Church of the Brethren’s annual Young Adult Conference (or YAC for short). YAC took place over Memorial Day weekend from May 25-27. The young adults had a great time filled with laughter, conversation, coffee, and four square, despite what was otherwise a very rainy and cool weekend in Iowa.

There was time set aside for workshops, small groups, large groups, a coffee shop and talent show, a camp fire enjoyed in the dry and warm conditions of the lodge, joyful noise, and worship.

The theme for this year revolved around “Voice...the Stones Would Shout Out!” based on Luke 19:36-40. Worship coordinators were Tyler Goss and Marie Benner-Rhoades. Worship services were led by Eric Landram, Kay Guyer, Jonathan Brenneman, and Joanna Shenk, with music leadership from Jacob Crouse.

The Young Adult Steering Committee is excited to announce that next year’s YAC will take place at Camp Brethren Woods in Keezletown, Va. Please stay tuned for more information on the exact dates.

Also, the Young Adult Steering Committee is now taking applications for open spots on the committee. Applications can be found at www.brethren.org/yya/resources.html.

-- Josh Bashore-Steury provided this report from the 2013 Young Adult Conference.

Source: 6/13/2013 Newsline

NYC 2014 Logo and Registration Opening Date are Announced

A new logo for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2014, the once every four years Church of the Brethren conference for youth who have completed grade 9 through the first year of college, has been released by the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office. The logo illustrates the NYC theme from Ephesians 4:1-7, “Called by Christ, Blessed for the Journey Together.”

Also announced is the opening date of online registration for NYC: Jan. 3, 2014, at 7 p.m. (central time).

NYC will be held July 19-24, 2014, at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colo. The conference will begin with registration at noon on Saturday and end at noon on Thursday. Meals, lodging, and programming are included in the registration fee of $450. A non-refundable deposit of $225 must be paid at the time of registration. Balance will be due by April 30, 2014.

Youth who have completed ninth grade of high school through one year of college (at the time of NYC) are eligible to attend. All youth must be accompanied by an adult advisor. Congregations and youth groups must send at least one adult advisor who is at least 22 years old for every five youth who attend, and must send a female advisor to accompany female youth, and a male advisor to accompany male youth.

The NYC 2014 coordinators, who are serving through Brethren Volunteer Service, are Katie Cummings, Tim Heishman, and Sarah Neher. The National Youth Cabinet, which helps plan and lead NYC, includes Kerrick van Asselt, Zander Willoughby, Sarah Ullom-Minnich, Sarandon Smith, Brittany Fourman, and Emmett Eldred, with adult advisors Rhonda Pittman Gingrich and Dennis Lohr. Becky Ullom Naugle is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren.

Find more information about NYC 2014 as it becomes available at www.brethren.org/nyc . Connect with NYC on Facebook by “liking” the NYC2014 page at fb.com/nyc2014 . Follow NYC on Twitter @NYC_2014. For questions contact 800-323-8039 or cobyouth@brethren.org .

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Annual Conference Service Projects

Service projects and other witnesses to the host city during the 2013 Annual Conference include two special opportunities for junior and senior high youth, and young adults and single adults. On Monday and Tuesday, July 1 and 2, the young adult and single adult groups will serve meals at the Charlotte Rescue Mission from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. On Monday, July 1, the junior high and senior high will help with the Trout Unlimited River Clean Up, accompanied by David Radcliff of the New Community Project. For more about these and other activities during the Conference, visit www.brethren.org/ac.

Source: 5/30/2013 Newsline

Ministry Summer Service Participants Begin Orientation

Ministry Summer Service participants begin orientation Friday at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The group will be hosted by the Ministry Office and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Interns include Todd Eastis, Heather Gentry, Lucas Kauffman, Andrea Keller, Amanda McLearn-Montz, and Peyton Miller. Mentors include Gieta Gresh, Cindy Laprade Lattimer, Carol Lindquist, Dennis Lohr, David Miller, and Marie Benner Rhoades. Leading the orientation are associate general secretary Mary Jo Flory-Steury and Youth and Young Adult director Becky Ullom Naugle, along with Dana Cassell, Jim Chinworth, Mark Flory-Steury, Tracy Primozich, and Christy Waltersdorff. Said Naugle, “Remember us in your prayers as we prepare these young adults to spend a summer discerning their call to ministry!”

Source: 5/30/2013 Newsline

Young Adult Steering Committee

Young adults are invited to apply to serve on the denomination’s Young Adult Steering Committee. “Are you interested in helping to shape the programs and ministries available to young adults in the Church of the Brethren? Do you know another young adult who would be interested?” said an invitation from Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Applications are due June 30. Download the application from www.brethren.org/yya/resources.html.

Source: 5/30/2013 Newsline

Western Plains District Peace Retreat for Youth and Young Adults

“Peace Gives Life!!!” (Proverbs 14:30) is the theme for the Western Plains District peace retreat for youth and young adults on Aug. 9-11 at Camp Mt. Hermon, Tonganoxie, Kan. It will be facilitated by On Earth Peace. Cost per person is $65. Download the Camp Mt. Hermon registration form and health form from www.campmthermon.org and send along with a copy of health insurance card and payment by July 26 to Joanna Smith, 18190 W. 1300 Rd., Welda, KS 66091; 785-448-4436; cafemojo@hotmail.com.

Source: 5/30/2013 Newsline