Deacon Update, February, 2014

DEACON UPDATE

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Beware the Bear Hug

February 2014

A couple of weeks ago both of our grandchildren spent the night with us. Two-year-old Fiona was up first; her older cousin Paul joined us about an hour later. With a toy in each hand, Fiona ran to greet Paul: "Good morning! Do you want to play soccer with me? Cars? We could build towers with blocks!" With each of Fiona’s excited suggestions Paul literally took a step backward, and eventually left the room mumbling that he was going to find his own bag of toys.

I've experienced similar things in the narthexes and fellowship halls of our churches. The Fionas among us rush to greet visitors, pumping hands, asking questions, and breathlessly explaining all of the options for Sunday school and toddler care and even Wednesdaynight Bible study, being as welcoming as they know how to be. And that's terrific, as long as the visitors are also Fionas. But when Fiona descends on quieter Paul, he may very well try to find a reason after worship to head to his car instead of the Fellowship Hall.

Our congregations need Fionas, without question. But we also need to learn how to be discerning, to adapt our welcoming ways to meet the needs not just of other Fionas, but also the Pauls who find their way to our communities. We need to start slowly, watch and listen carefully for the response, and adjust our enthusiasm up or down, accordingly.

This applies to ongoing care, too. Be mindful that we are caring for people with different needs--not just in terms of what they need, but also in how that care can most helpfully be offered. How might we learn to adapt our instinctual ways of responding to better serve others?

"Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers" ~~Romans 12:13

Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry
dkline@brethren.org
847-429-4306

Church of the Brethren | 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120

eBrethren, February 26, 2014

eBrethren
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February 26, 2014   Got passion for church planting? Click here. CONTENTS True treasure Living word Finding our call together "They rejoiced in what came alive in them as they worshiped in this place."Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Order the Lenten devotional at  www.brethrenpress.com True treasureby Duane Grady “Therefore every scribe of heaven is like the master of the household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matthew 13:52). Jesus discourages us from thinking of heaven and its joys as a thing to be obtained. Instead, Jesus points to what heaven is like rather than what it is. If we reduce Jesus’ teachings to a pearl or a field or a net full of fish we will despair, because the chase is over, the celebration has ended. True treasure eludes us; there is always more to discover. The newly married couple was looking for a church in the town where they had just moved. The town provided numerous options, and they were surprised by how drawn they were to a small congregation—a church that had none of the bells and whistles their college church had provided. There was something illogical yet so right in their attraction to this church. They hungered to know more. By worshiping there the couple discovered people who blessed them with holy conversations. Their hearts were warmed by the love that embraced them, and their minds were guided by the Holy Spirit to consider new treasures of biblical wisdom. This place looked timid and shabby at first, but now felt strong and vibrant. It was hard for them to explain, but they rejoiced in what came alive in them as they worshiped in this place. They saw the face of Jesus in the ministry that surrounded them. Soon, they began contributing themselves by sharing their ideas and enthusiasm. For the very first time, they gave without worry and received a hundred blessings. It was like finding the best Christmas gift still under the tree. After opening it once, they realized the gift kept on giving and surprising them along the way. The joy of discovering it sustained them. This excerpt is from this year's Lenten devotionalReal Rest produced by Brethren Press. Order it atwww.brethrenpress.com today. Forward to a friend Back to top Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Visit www.brethren.org/oghs to learn more about this important Church of the Brethren offering. Living Word, You sought us and found us as a worshiping people, called together to witness to your love through our shared witness in living, giving, and action. As we seek to know you better through our worship, we come to see you more clearly in the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the homeless, the hurting. As you are one—Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer—we would ask to be one with our sisters and brothers the world over. As we answer your call, move in our midst, inspire us with your love, send us forward in your name—one people, one in your will, unified with your purpose, generous with your love. Amen. This prayer written by Frank Ramirez is one of many worship resources for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on March 16. Find them all atwww.brethren.org/oghs . "We all have a heart to guide and serve the young people of our church."Photo by Glenn Riegel Find more information about youth ministry webinars atwww.brethren.org/yyawebcasts . Finding our call togetherby Bekah Houff, coordinator of Outreach Programs for Bethany Theological Seminary Vocation. Discernment. Spiritual gifts. Call. These are words that I did not fully understand until, as a high school student, I attended Explore Your Call at Bethany Theological Seminary. Now, several years later, I am blessed to work with that very same program as part of my own vocation. As leaders of youth-focused ministries of Church of the Brethren agencies, Marie Benner-Rhoades (On Earth Peace), Becky Ullom Naugle and Emily Tyler (Church of the Brethren), and I have been meeting regularly for almost a year to collaborate and cast a vision for the future of Brethren youth ministry. We all have a heart to guide and serve the young people of our church, so why not do so in partnership together? One example of this partnership is a series of five webinars that we’re offering, geared toward those who get to talk with youth about vocation, discernment, call, and spiritual gifts. Last month I presented the third in the series, and Becky Ullom Naugle will lead the next one on March 4 at 7 p.m.Anyone who is interested in discussing intergenerational relationships should be there! Hymn #541 in Hymnal, A Worship Book says, “How clear is our vocation, Lord, when once we heed your call.” I am blessed to walk with others on this journey of discovering call, and honored to share in this exciting work with colleagues and friends who care deeply, hope fervently, and serve boldly. Will you join us? Find more information about youth ministry webinars at www.brethren.org/yyawebcasts . Forward to a friend Back to top Thanks for reading! Watch for our next issue on March 12, 2014. Do you have a story about how you and your congregation practice stewardship?E-mail it to ebrethren@brethren.org ! eBrethren: Stories of Brethren Stewards, is produced every other week by the Church of the Brethren donor communications team.
Please add "cobweb@brethren.org" to your address book or safelist to ensure our e-mail reaches your inbox. eBrethren is published by Church of the Brethren Communications, 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120. Church of the Brethren is a non-profit religious and educational organization recognized by the Federal and State governments. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. © 2014 Church of the Brethren.

NEWSLINE, February 25, 2014

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

Feb. 25, 2014 "Hear my voice. Don’t close your ear to my need for relief, to my cry for help" (Lamentations 3:56, CEB). NEWS 1) Brethren Disaster Ministries makes assessment visit to the Philippines 2) On Earth Peace celebrates 40 years with conversations between ‘spirited peacemakers’ 3) Bethany Seminary hosts speakers on peace and justice 4) Building peace in Washington at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days 5) National Council of Churches plans Christian Unity Gathering RESOURCES 6) ‘Guide for Biblical Studies’ studies Jesus' fulfillment of scripture FEATURES 7) Tita Grace’s tiled floor: One family’s story of Typhoon Haiyan 8) 'I trust there will be cactus blooms': Indiana leader reflects on court decision affecting church property 9) Brethren bits: Manchester announces next College of Pharmacy dean, Camp Bethel and CPT seek staff, call for CWS School Kits, WCC general secretary visits Iran, churches involved in anti-torture event, congregations host Bethany professors, and much more. A note to readers: With the shift of Newsline to a weekly publication, we are experimenting with the right time to distribute. It will be sent out on Tuesdays on a trial basis. Reader feedback and comments are welcomed, please contact editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford at cobnews@brethren.org . Find the full text of this Newsline in one document at  www.brethren.org/news/2014/newsline-for-feb-25-2014.html Quote of the week:  “Puerto Rico was the country to which Heifer International sent its first 17 cows 70 years ago. The cows traveled from Mobile, Ala., to San Juan, and then on to Castañer. Where there was once a poor, isolated village, there is now a peaceful, thriving community. Though there are no dairy cows left in Castañer (everyone buys milk in the supermarkets like they do here), the legacy that the Church of the Brethren and Heifer International brought remains.”-- Heifer International president and CEO Pierre Ferrari, in his blog on the Huffington Post website titled “I Found Social Justice in a Puerto Rican Village.” He writes about his visit to Castañer, where he found a community built on Church of the Brethren foundations and the work of Brethren volunteers during and after World War II. Ferrari visited and met with Brethren in Castañer, and visited the hospital and school founded by the Brethren. Read the blog and view photos and a Heifer video about Castañer atwww.huffingtonpost.com/pierre-ferrari/social-justice-embodied-i_b_4817957.html . 1) Brethren Disaster Ministries makes assessment visit to the Philippines  A visit to the Philippines from Jan. 18-28 to evaluate the current state of the response to Typhoon Haiyan was made by Roy Winter, associate executive director of Global Mission and Service and Brethren Disaster Ministries--part of the Church of the Brethren response following the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan last November. Brethren Disaster Ministries is using the information gained to identify local partners and how the Brethren may best contribute to ecumenical relief and recovery efforts. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-disaster-ministries-trip-to-philippines.html 2) On Earth Peace celebrates 40 years with conversations between ‘spirited peacemakers’ By Marie Benner-Rhoades "Visions and Dreams of Building Peace: On Earth Peace Celebrates 40 Years.” Through the 40-year history of On Earth Peace, its ministry of peacemaking has been the result of the dreams and visions of faithful Christians of all ages. In this anniversary year we are drawing on the Acts 2:17 passage and building on those years of practical dreaming. One of the highlights of this 40th year will be a number of planned conversations between spirited peacemakers of all generations. Read the full story at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PEACEBUILDER--On-Earth-Peace-Celebrates-40-Years.html?soid=1101789950144&aid=PJB5SrQzwf8 3) Bethany Seminary hosts speakers on peace and justice By Jenny Williams Two women known for their work toward peace, justice, and human rights spoke during the month of February at Bethany Seminary's Peace Forum, a weekly lunch gathering that highlights issues of peace and social justice through a variety of speakers and program formats. Peggy Gish has been involved with peace and justice work for 45 years, including work in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams since October 2002. Beena Sebastion, founder and chairperson of Cultural Academy for Peace in Kochi, India, spoke Feb. 20 on how peace is linked to equality between men and women. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/bethany-seminary-hosts-speakers-on-peace.html UPCOMING EVENTS 4) Building peace in Washington at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days From March 21-24 hundreds of Christians will gather in Washington, D.C., to build peace together. The 12th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference entitled "Jesus Weeps: Resisting Violence, Building Peace" will explore the violence that saturates our world and seek to find ways to build peace in all areas of society. Ecumenical gatherings like EAD help us to unite with other Christians and give us an opportunity to meet with and encourage one another to work for good, as we are called to do in Hebrews 10:24-25. Read the full story at http://cob.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=26421.0&dlv_id=32481 5) National Council of Churches plans Christian Unity Gathering The National Council of Churches (NCC) is planning a Christian Unity Gathering for May 18-20, at the Hilton hotel at Washington Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C. The NCC has gone through sweeping changes over the last two years. After a time of reflection and reorganization, the NCC is poised to convene people of faith in exploring the widening revelation of God's love and challenge to deepen Christian commitment to work with people who are marginalized and disenfranchised. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/ncc-plans-christian-unity-gathering.html RESOURCES 6) ‘Guide for Biblical Studies’ studies Jesus' fulfillment of scripture Author Estella Horning has written the Spring quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies,” the Brethren Press curriculum for adults. The theme for the quarter is “Jesus’ Fulfillment of Scripture.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/guide-for-biblical-studies.html FEATURES 7) Tita Grace’s tiled floor: One family’s story of Typhoon Haiyan By Peter Barlow Grace Anne stood on a colorful tiled foundation, the only indication that a house once stood where a few broken cinderblocks with jagged rebar were emanating. My memories of standing within these walls, sleeping, eating with this wonderful family, came from a time when they hosted me just a few years ago.  Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/tita-graces-tiled-floor.html 8) 'I trust there will be cactus blooms': Indiana leader reflects on court decision affecting church property A court has ruled against South Central Indiana District in a property suit concerning Roann Church of the Brethren. The ruling on property and assets was in favor of a group wishing to leave the Church of the Brethren. Here is a prayerful reflection on this moment in the life of the district, from district executive minister Beth Sollenberger. Read the full reflection at www.brethren.org/news/2014/i-trust-there-will-be-cactus-blooms.html 9) Brethren bits In this issue: Manchester announces next College of Pharmacy dean, Camp Bethel and CPT seek staff, call for more CWS School Kits, WCC general secretary visits Iran, churches involved in anti-torture event in Washington, congregations host Bethany professors, and much much more. Read the full Brethren bits at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-bits-for-feb-25.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Peter Barlow, Marie Benner-Rhoades, Jonathan Brenneman, Joanna Davidson-Smith, Kendra Flory, Elizabeth Harvey, Nathan Hosler, Jeri S. Kornegay, Paul Roth, Glen Sargent, Beth Sollenberger, John Wall, Jenny Williams, Roy Winter, Jane Yount, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. The next regularly scheduled issue of Newsline is planned for Feb. 28.

Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. Newsline appears every week, with special issues as needed. Stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. Forward Newsline to a friend    Subscribe to Newsline  Unsubscribe