eBrethren, May 22, 2014

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May 22, 2014 Join this map? Click here. CONTENTS Columbus Prayer of dedication A healthy spirit Columbus is vibrant and boasts many activities and sight-seeing opportunities. Photo courtesy of the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau The intergenerational activity will include games, concerts, and more.Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh- Cayford Download the Annual Conference App at www.brethren.org/ac/app.html . ColumbusBy Matt DeBall The Annual Conference office is in the swing of preparations for the Church of the Brethren's Annual Conference July 2-6 in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus is vibrant and boasts many activities and sight-seeing opportunities for people of all ages. The official Conference hotel is the Hyatt, and is in the same building as the conference center. But the Crowne and Drury hotels are connected by skywalks. “To have 75 percent of our rooms adjacent to the convention center is amazing,” said Chris Douglas, director of the Annual Conference Office. Restaurant and food options are also convenient, as well as numerous. “You can’t beat the food court next to the conference center,” shared Chris. And only a block away is the North Market, which features 35 merchants of different ethnic foods, fresh produce, flowers, spices, and other gifts. Across the street is Bareburger, a restaurant where you can build a burger from a variety of meats (grass-fed, organically raised animals) and ingredients. Jon Kobel, Annual Conference assistant, also recommended the Northstar Cafe, one of several great restaurants in the Short North District, less than a mile from the convention center. Columbus promises many sights to see. One isGerman Village, an original settlement that has been restored to its old glory. “We’re offering a bus tour for non-delegates,” said Jon. “Tickets can still be purchased online.” The Columbus Zoo and Center of Science and Information (which features a Sherlock Holmes exhibit) are both top-rated attractions in the country. “If you’re looking for beauty in creation,” said Chris, “Franklin Park, where the BBT Fitness Challenge 5k walk/run will be, is magnificent.” Within walking distance from the conference center, Brethren baseball fans can also see the Columbus Flyers AAA team, who will be in town the week of Conference. “On Saturday night we’re having an intergenerational gathering, co-sponsored by theOutdoor Ministries Association,” said Jon. “We will have a lot of fun and games, and concerts too.” Annual Conference in Columbus promises to be a Spirit-led, fun-filled gathering. Online registration closes June 3, so be sure to visitwww.brethren.org/ac soon! Forward to a friend Back to top www.brethren.org/pentecost Prayer of dedication Holy Spirit, you have made us one people in our shared faith in Jesus Christ. With our gifts we offer a small symbol of our unity, sharing in the needs of your ministry in and around us. Take these gifts and make them extraordinary signs of your power. Amen. This prayer written by Josh Brockway is one of several worship resources for the Pentecost offering on June 8. Find them all at www.brethren.org/pentecost . Forward to a friend Back to top www.brethren.org/basinandtowel “The maintenance of a healthy spirit, the humble stewardship of God’s gifts of body, mind, heart, and soul, is embedded in loving God, growing in deeper knowledge of God, and receiving God’s wisdom. God is always calling us onward, through Jesus Christ, to more abundant life.” —Vernne Greiner in “Rhythm and Balance” from the most recent issue of Basin and Towel. See something you like?  Share eBrethren with your friends!   Watch for our next issue on June 5, 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. Save trees: Think before you print!Click here to log in and update your information. Click here to unsubscribe from receiving eBrethren. Click here to change your e-mail address or contact us.

eBrethren, May 8, 2014

eBrethren
Sharing inspirational stories of Brethren Stewards in action. Problems viewing this e-mail? View as a web page.
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May 8, 2014 Don't miss out! Click here. CONTENTS A time to receive Nigeria Pentecost offering “For everything there is a season...” “All care is given and received freely because it is done in the name of Jesus.”Photos by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Find resources for Older Adult Month at www.brethren.org/oam . A time to receiveAdapted from a reflection by William Cave in celebration of Older Adult Month. “For everything there is a season...” These opening words from chapter three of Ecclesiastes have captured imaginations throughout history. The author is believed to have been a philosopher and teacher. He identified with “reason” as a way to interpret life, but that approach left him baffled. Still, he believed that life, even with its limitations, is worth living. It’s interesting that the predetermined patterns of life listed by the Ecclesiastes philosopher do not include seasons when it is necessary—even a blessing—to receive rather than to give. This seems out of place in our culture that is dominated by models of economic exchange which expect that any gift will be reciprocated. A spirit of generosity and gratitude has been replaced with one of investment and return. The danger with this model is devaluing people who have nothing to give. It becomes easy to exclude such persons, even within the fellowship of believers, since our rules of engagement require the ability to offer some reasonable return—something that will benefit others. And yet, the author of Ecclesiastes contends that there is a season for “every matter under heaven.” Our lives experience rhythms, including times when, for health, time, or financial reasons, we cannot contribute much to others—we have nothing to exchange. That is a season when the only proper role is to receive the care of others; that time when it is actually more blessed to receive than to give. As Christians, we embrace the truth that within the fellowship of believers, all care is given and received freely because it is done in the name of Jesus, the Christ. May we find within our respective faith communities the permission and strength to receive care of others with grace and dignity. William Cave, of Cleona, Pa., is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren whose passion is helping others learn about the aging process and ways to share Christ’s compassion with older adults. Read his reflection in full, as well as several other resources for Older Adult Month, at the www.brethren.org/oam . Support the important work of Older Adult Ministries atwww.brethren.org/give .Forward to a friend Back to top Visit www.brethren.org/praynigeriafor guided prayer resources.Photo courtesy of the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness NigeriaOn April 14, 230 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria, were kidnapped by an extremist Islamic sect. Many of the victims are members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Please pray. Holy God of mercy and justice, We lift up the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls and their families to you. Please bring them peace and comfort in this frightening time. Do a mighty work of intervention to ensure the release and safe return of our young sisters. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Visit www.brethren.org/eyncompassion to give to the EYN Compassion Fund. Forward to a friend Back to top www.brethren.org/pentecost  “Do we have the conviction that God is indeed at work in the world, capable of drawing others into our midst to see and hear the Good News? Do we have the passionate energy to speak with conviction of God's actions in and around us?” —Josh Brockway in his exegesis of Acts 2:41for this year’s Pentecost Offering. Pentecost Sunday is June 8. Visit www.brethren.org/pentecostfor more worship resources or to give now. See something you like?  Share eBrethren with your friends!   Watch for our next issue on May 22, 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.

eBrethren, April 24, 2014

eBrethren
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April 24, 2014 Your gifts do great things! Click here. CONTENTS Coming home Calling: Received in baptism “When we allow...” Young Adult Conference: “A worshipful weekend with fellow young adults.” “The conversations and worship connect everyone on a meaningful level.”Photos by Kelsey Murray Register for Young Adult Conference atwww.brethren.org/yac . Coming homeby Rachel Witkovsky What is YAC, and why can’t young adults of the Church of the Brethren stop talking about it? “I love YAC,” said Eric Landram with a twinkle in his eye. “At first, you think it’s a conference celebrating the animal. But you quickly learn that it’s actually a worshipful weekend with fellow young adults in the Church of the Brethren." This year’s Young Adult Conference is May 23-25 at Camp Brethren Woods in Keezletown, Va. The theme is “Coming Home: For I know the plans I have for you,” which comes from Jeremiah 29:11-13. Eric Landram, Bethany Clark, and Jessica Strawderman have been busy planning worship, and Heather Houff Landram and Laura Whitman are preparing for YAC with other members of the Young Adult Steering Committee. When asked why they love YAC, Heather said that she enjoys “seeing young adults use their gifts and talents to glorify God.” Laura added that it’s “a bunch of great Brethren people all in one place, talking about things that matter.” Bryan Hanger, Brethren Volunteer Service worker, shared that “YAC is great because you get to meet and share with other young folks who care deeply about their faith and want to find creative ways to live it out. The time together is short, but the conversations and worship connect everyone on a meaningful level.” In addition to the “wonderful fellowship, meaningful worship services, singing, and insightful workshops,” Tim Stauffer of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, said that, “carpooling makes a great road trip and adds to the experience as a whole.” Jacob Crouse, member of the 2013 Youth Peace Travel Team, took Tim’s advice and hitched a ride with him on the way home last year. “When I needed inspiration, time to learn, socialize, and worship with my peers, and just a Brethren-ly fantastic break from routine,” Jacob said, “I found it at YAC." Register for YAC at www.brethren.org/yac . Rachel Witkovsky is director of Young Adult Ministries for Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.  Forward to a friend Back to top www.brethren.org/pentecost Calling: Received in baptism “So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added” (Acts 2:41). The Holy Spirit is moving in powerful ways. The Pentecost Offering is a special opportunity to support denominational ministries of the Church of the Brethren. Suggested date is June 8. www.brethren.org/pentecost Forward to a friend Back to top www.brethren.org/messenger  “When we allow ourselves to be open and vulnerable to those who are hurt or marginalized in our society, the power of love makes it possible to bridge the barriers of fear and hostility, and to see that we are brothers and sisters. This love gives us a hunger and thirst for righteousness and compels us to act for justice and reconciliation.” —Peggy Faw Gish in “Risks and rewards of waging peace" in the most recent issue ofMessenger magazine  . See something you like?  Share eBrethren with your friends!   Watch for our next issue on May 8, 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.