NEWSLINE, April 22, 2014

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

April 22, 2014 “For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12a). NEWS 1) Presidential inauguration highlights Bethany Seminary trustee meeting 2) Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust supports Church Alliance filing of Amicus Brief in clergy housing exclusion case 3) Global Food Crisis Fund to assist Fisherfolk’s Association in Philippines RESOURCES 4) Brethren Press offers summer curriculum FEATURES 5) Water, Holy Water: Praising God on Earth Day 6) The history of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam 7) Brethren bits: Medical volunteers needed at Conference, project leaders needed by Brethren Disaster Ministries, continued prayer needed for Nigeria, plus the SVMC board meeting, May 1 deadline for NYC, 150th anniversary of John Kline’s death, and lots of news from churches, districts, colleges, and more Find the full text of this Newsline in one document at www.brethren.org/news/2014/newsline-for-april-22-2014.html ****************************************************** Quote of the week: excuse me, earth, forgive me       for scarring your face       and forgetting    your part       in giving       me birth       and a place    to grow    in the sun --A poem by Kenneth I. Morse that appeared on the cover of the March 15, 1971, issue of the Church of the Brethren magazine “Messenger.” ****************************************************** 1) Presidential inauguration highlights Bethany Seminary trustee meeting By Jenny Williams The inauguration of Jeff Carter as Bethany Theological Seminary’s tenth president was the central event of the seminary’s spring 2014 board of trustees meeting, held March 27-30 at the seminary campus in Richmond, Ind.  (The link to view the inauguration online is at www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcasts .) In addition to several action items and reports from departmental committees, the board also devoted time to discussing issues presented by each committee pertaining to the operation of a seminary like Bethany in today’s social and cultural climate. Read the full Bethany release at www.bethanyseminary.edu/news/board_3-2014 2) Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust supports Church Alliance filing of Amicus Brief in clergy housing exclusion case The Church Alliance--a coalition of the chief executive officers of 38 denominational benefit programs including Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT)--has filed an amicus curiae brief in the Seventh Circuit US Court of Appeals (Chicago) in the case challenging the constitutionality of the clergy housing exclusion under Section 107(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code). BBT participates as a member organization of the Church Alliance, where BBT president Nevin Dulabaum serves as the Church of the Brethren representative. Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger and associate general secretary Mary Jo Flory-Steury have signed on in support of the brief on behalf of the denomination. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-benefit-trust-supports-amicus-brief.html 3) Global Food Crisis Fund to assist Fisherfolk’s Association in Philippines A grant of $10,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) has been allocated for replacement of fishing equipment in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. The recipient of the grant is Barangay District 1 Fisherfolk's Association of Babatngon, Leyte, the Philippines. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/global-food-crisis-fund-grant-to-philippines.html RESOURCES 4) Brethren Press offers summer curriculum Brethren Press is offering a variety of curriculum for this summer, including the final quarter of Gather ’Round, the predecessor to the new Shine curriculum; A Guide for Biblical Studies on the topic “The People of God Set Priorities” written by Al Hansell; and a Vacation Bible School curriculum from MennoMedia focused on biblical hospitality, titled “Give and Receive God’s Great Love.” Also new from Brethren Press: “Behind the Drama: The Old Testament You Missed,” a Covenant Bible Study by Eugene F. Roop. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-press-offers-summer-curriculum.html FEATURES 5) Water, Holy Water: Praising God on Earth Day By Bryan Hanger April 22 is the day when the whole world pauses to celebrate the planet we call home. But for Christians there is a unique dimension to Earth Day, for creation cannot be spoken of without first remembering and praising the God who gave us this wonderful home. It can be easy to forget the true miracle of creation, but before there was anything, God already had in mind the details of our world and how we humans would be the ones to inhabit and steward over it. What a wonderful vocation to be given! But the responsibilities of stewardship can sometimes get beyond us, and occasions like Earth Day give us time to pause and reflect upon the successes and failures of our attempted stewardship. Read the full reflection at http://cob.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=34621&em_id=27481.0 6) The history of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam By Tran Thi Thanh Huong The first event of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam occurred in October 2011, at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Blind School, Ho Chi Minh City. An overall theme was chosen for this event: “The white-tipped cane is an adaptive, functional cane used by blind persons, which alerts people to give priority to the person using the cane.” This message was the dream of a blind teacher and trainer in Mobility and Orientation, Le Dan Bach Viet. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/cane-awareness-day-in-vietnam.html 7) Brethren bits In this issue: Medical volunteers needed at Annual Conference, project leaders needed by Brethren Disaster Ministries, continued prayer needed for Nigeria, plus the SVMC board meeting, May 1 registration deadline for NYC, 150th anniversary of Elder John Kline’s death, and lots of news from congregations, districts, colleges, and more. Read the Brethren bits at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-bits-for-april-22.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include John Ballinger, Jeff Boshart, Chris Douglas, Nevin Dulabaum, Bryan Hanger, Mary Kay Heatwole, Tim Heishman, Tran Thi Thanh Huong, Phil King, Jeri Kornegay, Nancy Miner, Grace Mishler, M. Colette Nies, John Wall, Jenny Williams, Jay Wittmeyer, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. The next regularly scheduled issue of Newsline is planned forTuesday, April 29.

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