Sie sind auf Seite 1von 10

Reflecting news and views

The Reflector
a publication of the
Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren
District Executive: Kevin Kessler
September 2008 / Volume 05 / Issue 08

DE PONDERINGS: Read I Samuel 23 church’s intended calling. It is not my intention to


The book of I Samuel in the Hebrew scriptures minimize the subject of the distractions, because
provides narrative about King Saul and David. The many of the things that give rise to conflict in the
relationship these two have is, to say the least, church have importance. But when the conflict
rocky. Saul’s kingship is going through some very emerges as the “calling” of the church, the purpose
tough times and David, who is to become king after of the church is neglected.
Saul, seems to be enjoying success. Saul’s anger, At the risk of raising eyebrows, I’ll enumerate some
provoked by jealousy, is directed toward David. of the unnecessary distractions. Conflict arises over
Saul is intent on inflicting upon David mortal harm. methods of worship, what color to paint the
In the 23rd chapter, the conflict in this relationship sanctuary walls, who’s in or out based on everything
escalates. David is on the run, hiding, and hoping to from sexual orientation to the kind of clothes that
escape Saul’s fierce vengeance. Saul is trailing are worn, and how scripture is interpreted to what
David hoping to find him to carry out premeditated one’s political or theological views are on
murder. Both Saul and David have informants emotionally-electrified social issues. Modern-day
keeping track of the other’s whereabouts. Sauls and Davids become engrossed in keeping the
An interesting observation about the 23rd chapter is heat turned up while giving superficial attention to
the narrative about David in the first few verses and the oppressed.
Saul in the last few verses. In these bookend verses, Imagine the possibilities for the church and the
we find both men taking a break from their intense people she helps if profound attention were given to
conflict to take care of business. David gives the needs of the oppressed while minimizing
support to Keilah, a neutral people who were unnecessary distractions by intently listening to one
minding their own business and who were under the another, entering into dialogical conversation, and
attack of the Philistines. One way to look at this is striving to live at peace with one another amidst the
that David is helping an oppressed people by diversity of important social issues.
subduing the oppressor. Seems like a worthy effort. I can imagine the possibility as a picture of people
Saul, in the opposite bookend, also is subduing the who are searching for a faith base, finding it,
oppressive Philistines. (How they subdue the becoming involved in and with the church
oppressor, whether we agree with their methods or community, digging in to do even more for the
not, is another conversation which I’ll not enter into oppressed of the world, with the result being a
at this time.) world where poverty levels hit new lows, where
The bookend verses provide a glimpse of the work healthcare becomes a common understanding rather
these two men were called to do. The verses than a pipe dream, where hunger is “fed” out and
in-between reveal the unnecessary distraction that stomachs are satisfied, where justice prevails and
generally kept Saul and David from being about diverse peoples are able to live together
their intended calling. Imagine the possibilities for cooperatively and peacefully, and where…well, you
these two men and the people they led had the finish the sentence with your picture of possibilities.
unnecessary distraction of intense conflict been The sky’s the limit.
absent from their lives. Imagine. Whatta ya say? Let’s diminish unnecessary
As I reflected on this 23rd chapter of I Samuel, I distractions and increase the possibilities. God will
was reminded of the church in our modern context. be pleased. And our neighbors will be blessed.
Too many unnecessary distractions tend to stifle the
Page 1 of 10
CHILDREN'S DISASTER SERVICES AIDS FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GUSTAV
Sept. 2, 2008 (New Windsor, MD) -- What happens to the children when a city like New Orleans is evacuated?
They leave all that is familiar, and many take refuge with their families in a shelter, sleeping on cots placed
close together to house as many people as possible. There are no toys except what they were able to bring at a
moment's notice, and no space to play. Children's Disaster Services is there to help.

Children's Disaster Services has set up child care centers in three "super shelters" for those fleeing Hurricane
Gustav, at the invitation of the American Red Cross. As of today, 14 volunteers with Children's Disaster
Services have been deployed to two shelters each housing thousands of people in Alexandria and Shreveport in
Louisiana. A group of 16 more volunteers are packed and ready to go to shelters in Jackson and Hattiesburg in
Mississippi. The program already has received additional requests for 20 more volunteers to serve in other child
care centers.

Children's Disaster Services is a program of the Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministries. It is the oldest and
largest nationwide organization specializing in children's disaster related needs, and since 1980 has been
working with children following disasters. Arriving with a suitcase full of toys, the specially trained volunteers
work in teams to provide a warm, comforting presence for children. The care centers become spaces designed
especially for children to be able to be themselves. While safety is the highest priority for these child care
centers, the Children's Disaster Services volunteers also provide lots of individual attention for each child, and
plenty of understanding to go around.

Due to the size of the evacuation from Hurricane Gustav, the entire nationwide base of volunteers for Children's
Disaster Services has been put on alert. More volunteers are standing by, ready to respond when and where they
are needed. Each team of volunteers stays in a shelter for up to two weeks, and then is relieved by a new team.
With a volunteer base of more than 500 trained and certified volunteers, child care can be provided for children
of disaster survivors as long as it is needed.

To become certified with Children's Disaster Services, volunteers participate in a 27-hour experiential training
to learn about children's special needs after a disaster, and how to work with children and families to provide a
safe and secure environment in shelters and other situations following a disaster. The volunteers undergo a
rigorous screening process before they can be called to respond either locally or nationally.

How can Brethren help in this effort? Staff are suggesting the following ways:
-- Support families who have had to flee their homes with prayer, and pray also for volunteers and staff of
Children's Disaster Services. Pray for those sheltering in Alexandria and Shrevesport, and for the volunteers
who are caring for children there. Pray for those sheltering in Jackson and Hattiesburg, and for safe travel for
child care teams preparing to go to those shelters.

-- Contribute to the cost of placing volunteers in the Hurricane Gustav shelters, through donations to the
Emergency Disaster Fund. The fund is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren. Send donations to Emergency
Disaster Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.

-- A need for more Clean Up Bucket kits is anticipated, following the hurricane damage in southwest
Louisiana, and the flooding in parts of New Orleans. Brethren congregations and individuals are encouraged to
consider preparing and donating these kits, which are warehoused at the Brethren Service Center on behalf of
Church World Service. Go to www.churchworldservice.org/kits/cleanup-kits.html for a contents list and
shipping address.

-- Consider attending a training workshop to become a Children's Disaster Services volunteer. This fall, Level
I Training Workshops are offered on Sept. 18-20 at Los Altos (Calif.) United Methodist Church; on Sept. 22-24

Page 2 of 10
at First United Methodist Church in Reno, Nev.; on Oct. 3-4 at the American Red Cross in Everett, Wash., and
in Tacoma, Wash.; and on Oct. 10-11 at the Holiday Inn in Evansville, Ind. Go to
www.childrendisasterservices.org for more information.

Contacts:
Judy Bezon Kathleen Campanella Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Children's Disaster Services Brethren Service Center Director of News Services
601 Main Street, P.O. Box 188 601 Main Street, P.O. Box 188 Church of the Brethren
New Windsor, MD 21776 New Windsor, MD 21776 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
410-635-8734 410-635-8747 800-323-8039 ext. 260
800-451-4407 Kcampanella_gb@bretgren.org
CDS_gb@brethren.org

MARTINSVILLE, IN FLOOD REPORT JUNE 14-27, 2008


by Charlot Cole, volunteer for Children’s Disaster Services
Twenty-four hours of training through the Church of the
Brethren (CoB) plus police background check qualifies me to
volunteer for CoB Children’s Disaster Services (CDS).
Emphasis is put on being flexible. The CoB has a partnering
agreement with the American Red Cross (ARC). When there is
a disaster the ARC and CoB headquarters in New Windsor, MD
communicate by e-mail and/or telephone and are alerted to be on
standby. Then we are asked if we can travel and when for a two
week commitment. Originally I was asked to go to Terre Haute.
The day before I left I was asked if I would go to Martinsville. Martinsville sits in the bottom of a bowl rimmed
by hills in which runs the White River and Indian Creek. They received ten or more inches of rain in less than
twelve hours June 6th. We are sent in only when conditions are considered safe vs being first responders.
The ARC requires we “process in/out” which was done in Indianapolis. I was met there by our team leader. At
Martinsville we were housed in the Super 8. A dumpster full of mattresses and furniture from the 1st floor
rooms were evidence of interior damage. The owner had no insurance. His second floor was filled with ARC
and CoB volunteers which was a blessing for him.
The Indy Restaurant where we ate breakfast several mornings had been cleaned up after the flood but water
damage caused electrical problems led to a fire and another two week closure.
Every day the ARC was open we worked. Their personnel interview flood
victims who may receive money, food stamps and other assistance. They may be referred for mental health
counseling or medical help within ARC or outside as well. Federal Emergency Management Association
(FEMA) interviewed people to see what their needs were and if they qualified for services or maybe to be
bought out.
ARC downsized, FEMA was still working full force because some other counties were being referred to
Martinsville’s center. FEMA requested our services. ARC and FEMA can complete their work more easily and
quickly when parents aren’t distracted or interrupted by tired, anxious children. Working under FEMA
necessitated we move to the YMCA’s children’s activity rooms. Because the “Y” was having a “summer camp
for kids” we and our “stuff” had to be cleared out of the two rooms by 6:00 a.m. daily.
Even that was better than bedding down in a church with no showers. We slept on tile floors with air mattresses
and sleeping bags. Some of the “Y” staff invited us out for Sunday night supper, dessert and a special church
service. Nice! Supper and dessert was brought in to us the next night. Rolls and orange juice were provided
one morning.
You, my church family, provided me with a Kit of Care - a suitcase full of toys, games, puppets, stickers,
coloring books and crayons, felt markers for art, small cars, dolls, stuffed animals, a Polaroid camera (for
identifying the parent who brings the children in), and more. Our team of five volunteers register the children.

Page 3 of 10
Then they get down on the floor to play with the kids and the toys. There are some kids who cry. One such 1
½-2 year old boy was as strong as GI Joe, Jr.! I worked with him for 45 minutes and finally sat him down in the
middle of our puzzle and coloring table which won his attention instead of running for the door! He then
wanted to move to the play dough table and sat on the same chair with an older boy. They became pals.
The children sometimes talk about their experiences with the disaster. If so, we listen. One told of a house
sliding down a hill. Another’s face would cloud up and say, “I’m worried about my Mommy and Daddy”.
Some talked about how high the water was in their house or trailer. “Don’t touch those toys,” a child had been
told in her flooded home.
Children and adults came in with red swollen tetanus shot areas. One child came to us three days. His mother
said, “How do you do it? You must coat everything with sugar! He told me he wanted to come here today.” He
spent 6 hours with us one day and was a delight playing games. Can you imagine how bored he’d have been for
that length of time with her? One mother lamented she felt guilty because all she lost was electrical appliances
while others lost everything. (During my stay 238 kids were served.)
Parents were very grateful for our help thanking us at both drop-off and pick-up times. ARC people came to our
room and thanked us. An Indiana State Trooper came to our room daily. He did magic tricks for the kids and
showed them policemen are friends and not to be feared. He sat with the children and colored.
A young mother named Angel came with her five children to ask if some of her older 4-H club members could
come help us. She was from higher ground and wanted to do something more. What did we need? She brought
fresh fruits, finger cereal and crackers, juice boxes and numerous other supplies. Her children played
beautifully with ours just for entertainment.
They prepared a puppet show for us. Angel and family had us to their home for a Thanksgiving meal for our
services. We were blessed! - CC

SPECIAL EVENTS IN OUR DISTRICT


-- Oak Grove Church of the Brethren in Lowpoint, Ill., is celebrating its 125th anniversary on Oct. 12. A
worship service will be held at 10:30 a.m., following by a potluck lunch, and an afternoon program at 1:30 p.m.
The program will feature stories from the church's history, greetings from former pastors and friends of the
congregation, and "any other testimonies people want to give," according to church member Alberta Christ, who
is publicizing the event. For more information call 309-443-5275.

-- Dixon (Ill.) Church of the Brethren is hosting a Spiritual Renewal Weekend on Sept. 13-14 in celebration
of the congregation's 100th anniversary and the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren. Jim Myer, an
ordained minister at White Oak Church of the Brethren and a leader in the Brethren Revival Fellowship, will
lead the services. Worship will take place on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., followed by an ice cream
social, and on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. followed by a question and answer time and a carry-in dinner. For
more information call the church at 815-284-2711.

CAMP EMMANUEL NEWS


Dear Board Members,
John Renken called us tonight with some exciting news.
For every dollar given to Camp Emmanuel from now, August 25, until the Fish Fry, September 27, 2008,
it will be matched by a corporation for up to $5,000.00. If you have any questions, please contact John.
Pass the word......
Connie
P.S. on August 20 we received donations from Oak Grove COB, Countyline Tool and some individuals for an
amount of $1880.65 this makes our current total: $6423.34.
As we all know any time you tear into the old to make something new you have to expect the unexpected....
plus we could purchase a new refrigerator/freezer to replace the two old ones currently in the kitchen....
Praise the LORD for His watchful eye over the Camp.

Page 4 of 10
WESTERN HOEDOWN II
BACK BY POPULAR REQUEST
This is the theme for this year’s FALL DINNER AND AUCTION FOR PLEASANT HILL VILLAGE on
October 18, 2008. A Western Hoedown was the theme for last year, and people enjoyed the food, decorations,
and relaxed atmosphere so much that they requested the same theme to return for this year. So, we are honoring
your request. Dress casual and in-tune with the theme. Come to have a good time and support Pleasant Hill
Village.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR, AND PLAN TO ATTEND THIS 12th ANNUAL FALL DINNER AND
AUCTION. It will be held in Virden at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The doors open at 5:00 p.m. with dinner
served at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. A highlight of the evening will be the live auction with many
items to choose from. Also there will be an ongoing secret silent auction during the early part of the evening.
Come and challenge your friends to outbid you. Your purchases are for a good cause - the residents at Pleasant
Hill Village. Pleasant Hill Village has been serving Girard and the surrounding community with caring staff and
administration since 1905.
REMEMBER THAT YOU AND YOUR CONGREGATION CAN ASSIST EVEN IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND
THE EVENING EVENT BY BEING A TABLE SPONSOR. This is a donation for a table of eight at $25 each
or a total of $200 which will allow residents at the HOME who are able to attend to do so at no cost to them.
What a wonderful gesture on your part! THANK YOU to those of you who have done this in the past as well as
those who will contribute this year.
To purchase tickets, to send your donation to be a table sponsor, or if you have items to donate for either the
secret silent or live auction, contact Paulette Miller at Pleasant Hill Village by phone at 217-627-2181 or by
email at
phvil@royell.net. If you have an item to donate for either the secret silent or live auction, please let Paulette
know by September 15.
MISSION STATEMENT OF PLEASANT HILL VILLAGE
Pleasant Hill Village is founded to provide quality care to elderly persons on a not-for-profit basis, with housing
facilities, and services, especially designed to meet the aged, and contribute to their health, security, happiness,
and usefulness in living.

REGIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE:


Regional Youth Conference is just under two months away – October 4-5 at Manchester College. Youth will
want to attend this engaging and fun-filled weekend..

Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, will lead in exploring Faith and Politics. Major
themes include
• Who is our neighbor?
• How are we called to respond to the needs of the world?
• Where do faith and politics intersect?
Youth can look forward to worship, insightful and engaging discussion, opportunities to grow in their faith, and
make new friends from across the Midwest, and a special Saturday evening musical event!

The weekend begins with check-in Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 10:00 am, and conclude before lunch on
Sunday. Online registration will begin Monday, September 1. Costs for the weekend are $50 for youth and $35
for advisors, and include three meals, snacks, registration, activity fees, and housing.

Additional information and registration forms can be found at


http://www.manchester.edu/OCA/Church/RegionalYouthConference.htm

Page 5 of 10
MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION in light of these persons forced to perform domestic
ANNOUNCES ITS FALL WORKSHOP and agricultural work as well as to become
SCHEDULE prostitutes or soldiers against their will? We will
The Ministry of Reconciliation of On Earth Peace examine the current status of slavery today and what
announces three regional workshops this fall. our Christian faith invites us to do for “the least of
these.”
"Exploring Consensus Decision-making" will be
at Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren on Oct. Brochures are now available from the Youth/Young
4, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The workshop explores the Adult Ministry Office in Elgin. You may also find
underlying principles of decision by consensus, the information by going to www.brethren.org
process itself, and participate in a mock meeting
where a decision is made using consensus. Cost is Please pass this information on to youth in your
$60 per person or $100 for groups of three or more. church!
Leadership is provided by Charletta Erb of Chicago,
Ill., and Wanda Joseph of Brethren, Mich. NATIONAL JR. HIGH CONFERENCE
June 19-21, 2009 will be the second National Junior
"Keeping a Cool Head in a Hot Meeting" will be High Conference in the Church of the Brethren.
presented at Camp Mack in Milford, Ind.. on Nov. The first was held in 2007 at Elizabethtown
13-14 by Celia Cook-Huffman, Professor of Peace College. The 2009 Conference will be held at
and Conflict Studies at Juniata College. Participants James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA
will learn the best way to structure meetings with an (just off Interstate #81). The conference will begin
eye to efficiency, openness, and clarity, and will on Friday evening after dinner and will end before
learn basic guidelines to use when anxiety levels are lunch on Sunday morning.
high, and how to lead difficult discussions. Cost is
$155 for overnight lodgers and $120 for commuters. Ken Medema will lead singing in each of our
worship services, as well as perform a Saturday
evening concert. Ted Schwartz (formerly of "Ted
"Keeping a Christian Attitude, Skills for and Lee") will present scripture skits. Other
Holding Difficult Conversations" will be at speakers will be announced after the planning
Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren from 9 committee meets in September.
a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Nov. 15. The Service and
Outreach Ministry Team of Mid-Atlantic District Registration for this conference will begin on-line
sponsors the workshop.. Participants will learn to January 15, 2009 for junior. high youth and their
prepare well for difficult conversations, create the advisors. The registration cost will be $125 per
space for honest sharing when emotions run high, person for both adult advisors and youth. Persons
and utilize conversation to build trust and west of the Mississippi will be eligible for a $150
understanding. Cost to participants is $20. travel scholarship.

CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP SEMINAR Mark your calendars now for June 19-21, 2009.
April 25-30, 2009 youth and advisors in the Church Additional information will be available soon!
of the Brethren will gather in New York City (and Keep checking:
later go on to Washington, DC) for Christian www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/NatJrHighConf.htm
Citizenship Seminar. The focus for our seminar
will be on the issue of modern-day slavery. Most of
us think of slavery as an institution that does not
exist anymore, but many experts estimate that there
are approximately 27 million human beings who are
currently being held in slavery around the world.

What would Jesus do? What does God call us to do

Page 6 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Regional Youth Conference (RYC) takes place each year on the Manchester College campus. Church of
the Brethren high school students and their youth group advisors are invited to participate in this weekend
event. The weekend consists of worship, small group sharing, educational workshops, recreation, campus
tours … all of which lead to personal growth and a great opportunity for fellowship with other Brethren youth.

RYC 2008 will be held Saturday and Sunday,


Oct. 4-5, 2008.
What is at RYC for me?
Worship is always the highlight of RYC. Our three worship celebrations will pull topics from our conference
theme of Faith and Politics. Through worship, we will explore these ideas as we continue to grow in our faith,
and discern the influence of faith on political beliefs during this election year.
Keynote speaker for RYC 2008 is Phil Jones. Phil is the director of the Brethren Witness/Washington D.C.
Office, the Church of the Brethren’s go-to office on matters of legislation and political action. He works to
advocate and effect change in U.S. policy in regard to peace and justice issues from a Church of the Brethren
faith-based perspective.
Registration for RYC will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, with our opening worship beginning at
10:15 a.m. Large-group sessions with Phil Jones, as well as small group discussion sessions, will be offered
after lunch. It will be a full and fun weekend of learning, worship and fellowship with others from our region.
Paul Fry-Miller will lead music throughout the weekend. Paul leads music regularly in worship at Beacon
Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne. Joining Paul will be other talented local musicians. A special
Saturday evening concert will also be offered. Youth may also choose to attend a Sunday morning reflection
time.
But wait! There’s more … campus tours, informational displays, old and new friends, and much, much more.
You won’t want to miss this year’s RYC!
Just the facts
Where? On the Manchester College campus
When? RYC is held Oct. 4-5, 2008 with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning in the Physical
Education and Recreation Center (PERC), next to the lower Union parking lot. RYC will conclude before lunch
on Sunday morning.
What to bring? Please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, change of clothes, personal care items, a second
pair of shoes, your Bible and an open heart and mind. You’ll be sleeping on the PERC floor, so please bring
something soft to sleep on! Locker rooms with non-private showers will be available.
Who and Why? RYC is a youth conference provided by Manchester College for high school students and
their adult advisors who reside in the Illinois/Wisconsin, Michigan, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Northern
Indiana and South/Central Indiana districts of the Church of the Brethren. This conference provides an
opportunity for youth to socialize and share fellowship with one another, learn about what it means to be
Brethren, and to praise God together. Churches are expected to send advisors with their youth. For example,
if you send young women to RYC, please send a female chaperone. If you send young men to RYC, please
send a male chaperone. If you send both young women and men to RYC, please send both a female and
male chaperone. Please call the RYC office if you have difficulty in finding adults to send with your youth.
How much? Cost of the conference is $50 for youth and $35 for advisors. This cost covers three meals,
lodging, snacks, conference activities and registration costs. A late registration fee of $60 for youth and $45
for advisors will be charged for registrations postmarked after Sept. 26.
A partial RYC experience is better than no RYC experience! Please call the RYC office (260-982-4151) for
special discounted rates for a partial RYC weekend.
Page 8 of 10
How to register? Download and print a registration form. Also, fill out an Emergency Information form and an
Assumption of Risk form, and send them, along with your registration fee, to:
RYC 2008
Manchester College,
604 E. College Ave.,
North Manchester, IN 46962.
Return no later than Sept. 26, 2008. Please be sure to read and sign the covenant. Checks should be made
payable to Manchester College.
Contact Information: Call Sarah Hall, 260-982-4151 or e-mail ryc@manchester.edu.

DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER


Emily Cleer, the District Administrative Assistant, will attend a Senior Leadership Training class offered
by Spoon River College.

Beginning September 11th through October 23 the District Office hours will be:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

The regular Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm will resume October 30th.

Page 9 of 10
Pursuing Peace
2008 Illinois/Wisconsin
Fall District Youth Retreat
Nov. 7-9, Peoria (Ill.) Church of the Brethren

Why is the Church of the Brethren a “Historic Peace Church”? What does that even
mean? How did the Bible and our heritage shape those beliefs? And how do we live it
out today when the world if full of so much violence?
Come spend a full and fun weekend with friends exploring these questions along with
time for games, recreation, music, good food, and more.

The details:
WHERE: Peoria Church of the Brethren, 4714 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, Ill.

WHEN: Nov. 7-9, 2008. Registration will begin at 7 p.m. We will stay for
opening worship, then going to our retreat space for the weekend. We will end
around noon Sunday, with the conclusion of district conference closing worship.

WHO: Everyone currently in 9th through 12th grades, and advisors.

LEADERSHIP: Marie Rhoades of On Earth Peace

WHAT: A weekend filled with fun, learning, worship, food, and time with
friends.

COST: $30 (free for advisors). Additional registration forms are available at
www.cobyouth.org . Registrations are due by OCTOBER 28!

WANT MORE INFO? See the district youth website, www.cobyouth.org.

Page 10 of 10

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen