The Reflector -- December 2014 -- Vol 11 Issue 9

From the Moderator - Dana McNeil

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
As we begin the advent season, looking toward remembering the Bethlehem Story, we are again reminded of God’s word given through the Prophet Isaiah that is later connected with the ministry of John the Baptist.

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight. Every ravine will be filled, And every mountain and hill will be brought low; The crooked will become straight, And the rough roads smooth; And all flesh will see the salvation of God.’” Luke 3:4b-6

What does it mean to make ready the way of the Lord? John links it directly with repentance, the kind of repentance that brings forth fruit (Luke 3:8). As we seek the leading of the Lord through the trials of life, we must continually prepare the way for the Lord to lead us. We must prepare our hearts and our minds with the expectation, the absolute unswayable belief that God is going to do something amazing.

There is a story about two farmers that is shared in the movie “Facing the Giants”. The football coach of a Christian High School is facing struggle and is wondering where God is in the midst of his problems. A man who has been praying for the school shares this story with the coach.

Mr. Bridges: There were two farmers who desperately needed rain, and both of them prayed for rain. But only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it. Which one do you think trusted God to send the rain?

Coach Taylor: The one who prepared his fields for it?

Mr. Bridges: Which one are you? God will send the rain when He is ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it.

Are you trusting God to send the rain we need. I know that when I hear that story I am reminded that I need to prepare my field. I need to prepare my heart for the time when God chooses to pour out the rain. I need to prepare ye the way of the Lord so that my heart will be led only by the Savior. Make no mistake the Lord will come and the Lord will answer our prayers.

That is why I am asking each congregation if you will join with me in fervent prayer that our hearts will be open to the Lord’s leading, wherever that might be in the coming year. Will you call a prayer team together to be in prayer for the District, the Denomination and for our sister churches as we seek the will of God? And will you join me in trusting, in believing that God will lead us in miraculous ways as we seek to live into the all the promise of Christmas?

Pastor Dana confirmed as District Moderator

The mantle was passed at District Conference at the Highland Ave. Church of the Brethren to Pastor Dana McNeil and Pastor Ellis Boughton. Pastor Dana becomes the Moderator for the District of Illinois- Wisconsin and Pastor Ellis takes over as Moderator-Elect for the year 2015. A laying on of hands and prayer conformation took place at the closing of the Conference in Elgin, IL. Pastor Dana had been serving as the Moderator-Elect for the year 2014. He has chosen the theme for the coming year from Philippians 3:12, "Take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

Pictures from District Conference

Charlotte Lehman - Friday Speaker

Spirit of Joy

Moderator - Stan Rodabaugh

Highland Avenue Choir

Pianist Joyce Person

Auctioneer - Rick Koch

Moderator Elect - Ellis Boughton

Moderator - Dana McNeil

DE Ponderings by Kevin Kessler

Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient to reach the end without delay. We would like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet, it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—and that it may take a very long time.
— Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

After reading the quote above I concluded that God doesn’t need to be in a hurry. There is all of eternity for God to work. Maybe this explains the impatience of humanity. We have only a brief time to work in this life, so let’s hurry up and get things done. But if humanity is part of God’s work that takes time to develop into what God has planned, then there really isn’t a need to be impatient. What may be more appropriate is finding joy in what we are able to accomplish, be it little or much, in the time we are allotted on earth. Or would it be better to say that we find joy in what God accomplishes through us.

Later on in de Chardin’s prayer he says, “Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.”

Believing that God leads us, we can accept the anxiety of suspense and feeling incomplete. Why? Because God is leading. It’s God’s work; in God’s time.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s prayer is, for me, affirmation that the matters we face in the church today that seem to have a sense of urgency attached to them may be better engaged by slowing down and not getting ahead of God. Besides, this seems to be a Church of the Brethren way of moving forward.

I either read or heard it said that in the past decisions in the Church of the Brethren emerged slowly, sometimes over a period of several Annual Conferences (or Yearly or Annual Meetings as they were called then). In my search to locate where I had gleaned such knowledge, I perused Donald Durnbaugh’s book, Fruit of the Vine. In it he writes about church polity beginning with this sentence: “Because Brethren emerged in reaction to a highly organized and bureaucratized state church, they were slow (emphasis added) to develop a carefully articulated church government.” There is in Durnbaugh’s statement a sense that the church deliberately took their time to make wise decisions. Implied is that moving too rapidly could derail the Church of the Brethren movement whereby it might move in unwanted directions.

My research on Annual Conferences decisions also led me to Annual Meeting minutes. A query in 1896 from the Milledgeville congregation asked that inconsistencies be removed with regard to the Brethren being able to wear modern styles of clothing and retaining membership but the wearing of hats by sisters was made a test of fellowship. The query was sent to committee to be brought back to the Annual Meeting in 1897. The answer given in 1897 included the following statement: “The inconsistency exists to some slight extent, resulting from a violation of the decisions of Annual Meeting. Upon examination seventy-four decisions (emphasis added) covering the various phases of nonconformity to the world in dress and in adorning the body are found on our Minutes.” Slow might very well describe the process of discerning appropriate dress among the Brethren and the ways in which remaining in fellowship was tested as a result.

I wonder if some of the matters we face in our district today cause anxiety partly because we are unable to quickly discern answers or responses. As a result, we are in suspense and we feel incomplete. I suspect the early Brethren were no different when they dealt with weighty matters that took time, if not years, to resolve or at least find common purpose to move forward. Our predecessors did their part, as anxious as they were, to engage in the slow work of God. We can do our part, as anxious as we are, to engage in the slow work of God confident that the incompleteness of the work as we perceive it will continue because it is God’s work. And my assumption is that God will be present with our successors in their anxiety, leading them along just as we have been led.

It’s okay to admit we are anxious. Remember, though, God is leading us; not our anxiety. As de Chardin reminds us, “Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.”

Leadership Team Meets at Pinecrest Manor; November 15, 2014

Attendees: Mandy Rahn, Kevin Kessler, Dana McNeil, Joel Kline, Tim Laird, Ellis Boughton, Gary Yoder, Prudy Widlak absent: Carol Novak, Vicki Matheny, Purvi Satvedi

DEVOTIONS: Mandy opened with devotions entitled "Living Free every day." If we don't use our talents we might just be the hole in the puzzle. You could be the missing piece when asked to serv. Ask God what you might be called to do. Mandy closed with prayer.

REORGANIZATION: Mandy agreed to serve another term as the Chairperson of the Leadership Team. Tim Laird accepted the position of Vice Chairperson. Gil Crosby agreed to continue as secretary.

MEETING DATES: The following meeting dates and places were selected. The places of meeting will depend on the agreement of the host congregation. Feb. 7 - Canton; April 11 - Rockford; June 6 - LaPlace; Aug. 1 - Polo; Oct. 3 - Oak Grove; Nov. 21 - Pleasant Hill. All meeting places subsequent to confirmation by host facility.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE RECAP; There was some disappointment by some of the attendees that the query didn't pass. We need to remain in conversation on this subject and NOT distrust one another. One congregation asked if the Leadership Team would meet with congregations to listen what people of the District feel about the subject. Part of the Moderator's goal this year is to ask congregations, "What does it mean to be in Community"? What do we have in common rather than what do we disagree on. We all need to work on getting along together.

DISTRICT EXECUTIVE INSURANCE: Kevin has saved the District money by signing up for Medical Insurance on line. However to save that money he had to increase his deductibles and asks if the District, along with the Canton congregation, would consider helping offset some of this expense. A letter from the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) informed congregations that if they pay for individual premiums the payments are taxable. Kevin will look into a possible Group Plan that could include Beth Carpentier the Administrative Assistant. It might be possible this could save the District money.

LISTENING TEAM: The organization of a Listening Team to visit Churches was proposed as part of the 2004 paper on when congregations are in disagreement with Annual Conference. Mandy, Prudy and Gary volunteered to be part of the team. Dana and Kevin agree to work with all teams including the Listening Team.

MODERATOR: Dana's Theme is from Philippians 3: 12; "Take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." God calls us to take time to look at ourselves to heal the brokenness and begin healing.. starting now.

GOALS FOR 2015: The list should be short to better accomplish the goals we set. We should be meeting with congregations especially those who do not feel close to the District or even the Denomination. We must be more intentional staying in touch with congregations in the District. We will work more closely with the LT liaisons.

We need to continue to work with the Chicago Committee. A trust was set up to be used for ministry in Chicago. Kevin feels the need to spend more time with this group.

It was reported that the Laplace Congregation has a food program and because of new state regulations needs a cooler. It was recommended they apply for a Mission & Mortar grant to purchase one. It was also suggested they contact appliance stores for used coolers and also go to CICM in Decatur.

OTHER: Kim Ebersole needs information on local Bus transportation for NOAC. She would also like a coordinator to work with a local bus company to arrange for transportation to Lake Junaluska next year.

ADJOURN with prayer by Moderator, Dana McNeil.

Pleasant Hill Village Successful Event

As we look to the end of the year, Pleasant Hill Village in Girard has so much to be thankful for.

Thanks to the generosity of its communities, PHV raised more than $37,500 at its 18th Annual Fall Dinner and Auction on Oct. 18. More than 220 people attended the event at the Virden Knights of Columbus and enjoyed fantastic food, marveled at wonderful decorations and enjoyed several rousing bidding wars on auction items.

The proceeds will be used to purchase new tables for the Pleasant Hill Healthcare dining room; new vital sign monitors for PHH; equipment for the new assisted-living rooms at Pleasant Hill Residence and landscaping and beautification projects throughout the campus.

There are still plenty of items on the wish list and Pleasant Hill Village continues to accept support for the event.

Since 1905, Pleasant Hill Village has provided excellent care on a non-profit basis in the north Macoupin County, Ill. Area Pleasant Hill Healthcare is a skilled nursing facility providing 24-hour care, including a secured Alzheimer’s and Dementia unit. Pleasant Hill Residence, an independent living facility, offers 48 apartments of varying sizes and now offers assisted living apartments as well.

For more information, contact Darrin Burnett at 217-627-2181 or dburnett@pleasanthillvillage.org

For the Beauty of the Earth

Since the Query “Guidance for Responding to the Changing Earth Climate” failed to pass by thirteen votes at annual conference last summer, Martin and I pondered about how to send a new query concerning the care of God’s creation to Annual Conference.

We presented a draft of our query proposal to the Leadership team prior to District Conference and recommended having a creation care statement added to the Illinois/Wisconsin district website. They were agreeable to us continuing the process and granted permission for an informal luncheon at District Conference in Elgin to discuss our query ideas. The response was excellent. We had several churches represented by about twenty people. Thank you for attending.

We plan to have the query from the Polo Church of the Brethren ready for District Conference in 2015.

Now we ask everyone interested to help us continue this process. There are many ways to do this:

• A study resource guide on climate change developed in 2012 is available on the Church of the Brethren denominational website: www.brethren.org/advocacy/creationcare.html
• Read Wendy McFadden’s September Messenger editorial listing the past statements that have been adopted.
• Read letters appearing in October and November Messengers concerning opinions pro and con. Be aware of future conversations.
• Share stories with us and the district newsletter staff about what your church or community has done or plans to do to help our communities and states.
• Respond by taking care of Earth’s resources responsibly - such as reduced dependence on fossil fuels, investments in companies who focus on environmental restoration and starting community gardens.
• Share with others how our care of God’s earth may well be a most effective way to bring the gospel to our neighbors.

Questions, comments and stories can be shared with us at: polocob@frontiernet.net

For the love of God’s people and creation, Martin and Patty Stauffer

District Youth Service Project

On Nov. 8, while the delegates to the Illinois and Wisconsin District Conference were in business session, 24 people attending the district youth retreat took 16 bags of donated food to the Northern Illinois Food Bank and packed more than 6,500 pounds of potatoes. “They wanted to thank everyone who donated food at the conference,” said a report in the newsletter of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., which hosted the district conference. The Illinois Wisconsin District Youth Cabinet planned the service project.

Church of the Brethren Newsline, Brethren Bits December 2014

Polo Growing Project reaches market

By Howard Royer

The 2014 Polo (Ill.) Growing Project has completed harvest of 40 acres of soybeans with a yield averaging 60 bushels per acre, reports Jim Schmidt, grower and project coordinator. With a portion of the grain contracted for in advance, the sale averaged roughly $11 a bushel, well above the current market price of $8.85 for out-of-the-field transactions. The Polo Growing Project is a joint project of the Dixon, Highland Avenue, and Polo Church of the Brethren congregations in Illinois, and Tinley Park Presbyterian Church.

Proceeds of $26,800, to be augmented as in the past by a substantial gift from an anonymous donor, will be invested in the Foods Resource Bank to help groups of smallholder farmers in impoverished countries develop sustainable agriculture. Since 2005, the Polo Growing Project has raised $295,000 for FRB-supported agricultural work overseas.

Offsetting the cost of inputs for the bean crop were donations from the Dixon, Highland Avenue, and Polo congregations and Tinley Park church, each contributing $1,700. Agribusinesses in the Polo area also lent support to the effort.

Now in its 15th year, the Foods Resource Bank has reached one million people through 125 agricultural programs. Polo is in its 10th year of partnership with FRB. Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren donors have supported the project for the past six years.

-- Howard Royer served for many years on the Church of the Brethren denominational staff, and is a former manager of the Global Food Crisis Fund.

Church of the Brethren Newsline, November 4, 2014

Anti-Racism Transformation Team

Informational Webinar and Applications

On Earth Peace will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, December 9 at 8:00pmET for people interested in learning more about the Anti- Racism Transformation Team (ARTT), currently forming. The webinar will be led by members of On Earth Peace's anti-racism Planning and Design Task Force. It will provide a very brief analysis of institutional racism, a brief history of On Earth Peace's journey to eliminate racism, an introduction to the purpose of the ARTT, and an opportunity to ask questions about the ARTT's upcoming team formation and work. All are welcome to join the webinar, with a special invitation to those considering applying for the ARTT. For login information, contact Marie Benner-Rhoades at mrhoades@onearthpeace.org

Director Of Brethren Disaster Ministries

The Church of the Brethren is seeking an individual to fill a full-time salaried position of Director of Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM). The director of Brethren Disaster Ministries is part of the Global Mission and Service team and reports directly to the associate executive director of Global Mission and Service.

Major responsibilities include informing and engaging Church of the Brethren constituents in BDM activities, maintaining ecumenical and interagency relationships to facilitate response to human need in the United States, coordinating with BDM staff to employ strategy and operations to facilitate the Church of the Brethren’s mission, providing sound financial budget management and initiating EDF grants for domestic response activities.

Required skills and knowledge include strong interpersonal skills; ability to articulate, support and operate out of the vision, mission, and core values of the Church of the Brethren as defined by the Mission and Ministry Board, ability to uphold and support the basic beliefs and practices of the Church of the Brethren as determined by Annual conference, knowledge of International Building Code and ability to act within a multicultural and multigenerational team environment.

Training or experience with making effective presentations and providing adult education, especially in conducting skill training workshops; managing staff and volunteers and in house construction and repair is required.

A Bachelor’s degree is required with a preference for an advanced degree. An associate degree or experience in relevant fields will be considered. This position is based in the Brethren Disaster Ministries Office, New Windsor, MD.

Applications will be received beginning immediately until December 15, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates are invited to request the application packet by contacting: Office of Human Resources Church of the Brethren 1451 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 367 – humanresources@brethren.org

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director of Organizational Resources

The Church of the Brethren is seeking a chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director of Organizational Resources. This full-time salaried position is located in Elgin, IL and reports to the General Secretary.

The CFO and executive director of Organizational Resources serves as chief financial officer overseeing all aspects of the organization's finance and asset management, organizational resources and acts as corporate treasurer as appointed by the Mission and Ministry Board. Additional responsibilities include supervision of the operations of Information Services, and property/asset management of the Brethren Service Center located in New Windsor, MD

Skills and knowledge required include a commitment to operating out of the Church of the Brethren vision, mission and core values, and dedication to denominational and ecumenical objectives; an understanding and appreciation of the Church of the Brethren heritage, theology and polity; integrity, excellent financial management skills and confidentiality.

A bachelor's degree in economics/finance/ accountancy with at least a second class honors degree and a Master's degree in Business Administration or Accounting or CPA is required as well as ten (10) years or more of significant proven financial and administrative experience in the areas of finance, accounting, management, planning and supervision. Active membership in the Church of the Brethren preferred.

Applications will be accepted immediately and reviewed until the position is filled. Application packets are available by contacting:

Office of Human Resources Church of the Brethren
1451 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 367 – humanresources@brethren.org

Coordinator Of Donor Communications

The Church of the Brethren is seeking an individual to fill a full-time salaried position of Coordinator of Donor Communications. The coordinator of Donor Communications is part of the Donor Relations team and reports to the director of Donor Relations.

The major responsibility of this position is to create and maintain relationships with Church of the Brethren congregations and individuals through various mediums of communication, thus encouraging donor awareness and involvement in denominational ministries, leading to increased giving and support of the mission and ministries of the church.

Required skills and knowledge include knowledge of Church of the Brethren heritage, theology and polity, ability to articulate and operate out of the vision of the Mission and Ministry Board, highly professional level of communication and well- crafted writing, collaborative working style, basic knowledge of financial planning tools and estate laws, proficiency with Blackbaud (Convio), all Microsoft Office programs, Adobe InDesign, Acrobat Pro, and Photoshop. Must also be familiar with basics of web design and HTML.

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required. Experience in communications, fundraising, public relations or marketing is desired.

This position is based at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, IL.

Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates are invited to request the application form by contacting:

Office of Human Resources Church of the Brethren
1451 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 367 – humanresources@brethren.org

Ventures in Christian Discipleship

Ventures in Christian Discipleship is an initiative developed by the Plans to Pacific Roundtable (PPR). PPR is a self-appointed group of Brethren who have been meeting for about 10 years looking for ways to support and encourage small congregations in the Church of the Brethren, particularly west of the Mississippi and now including Illinois and Wisconsin.

The purpose of Ventures is to offer training in Christian discipleship for lay leaders in small congregations. The areas of training include courses each year in:

• positive envisionment of small congregational life. 
• spiritual nurture.
• human justice and world issues. 
• “how to” and operational training for effective small congregational life.

Calendar of District Events

December

1 - Aids Awareness Day
6 - Ministerial Leadership Dev. Team - Peru
10 - Human Rights Day
21 - First Day of Winter
24 - Christmas Eve
25 - Christmas Day
31 - New Year’s Eve

January, 2015

1 - New Year's Day
6 - Epiphany
16-22 - CODE Meeting, Coco Beach, FL
19 - Martin Luther King Day

February

7 - District LT Meeting - Canton
14 - Valentine's Day
15 - Transfiguration Sunday
18 - ASH WEDNESDAY
22 - First Sunday of Lent

March

1 - Second Sunday of Lent
6 - World Day of Prayer
8 - Third Sunday of Lent
8 - (Daylight Saving Time)
14-16 - Mission & Ministry Bd., Lancaster Pa.
15 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
15 - One Great Hour of Sharing
20 - First Day f Spring
22 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
29 - PALM SUNDAY

April

Child Abuse Prevention Month
2 - Maundy Thursday
3 - Good Friday
5 - EASTER
11 - District LT Meeting - Rockford

May

Older Adult Month
3 - National Youth Sunday
7 - National Day of Prayer
10 - Mother's Day
14 - Ascension Day
24 - Pentecost
25 - Memorial Day
31 - Trinity Sunday

June

5 - World Environment Day
6 - District LT Meeting - LaPlace
19-21 - Nat'l. Jr. High Conf, Elizabethtown College
21 - Father's Day

July

4 - Independence Day
9 - CODE Meeting, Tampa, Fl.
10 - Mission & Ministry Bd. Meeting, Tampa
11-15 - ANNUAL CONFERENCE, TAMPA, FL.

August

1 - District LT Meeting - Polo

September

7-11 - Nat'l Older Adult Conf., L. Junaluska, NC
13 - National Grandparents Day
20 - Bethany Sunday, Mission Offering
23 - First Day of Autumn

October

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Pastor Appreciation Month3 - District LT Meeting - Oak Grove

4 - World Communion Sun day
16 - World Food Day, Peace with Justice Week
17-19 - Mission & Ministry Bd. Meeting, Elgin, IL
25 - Reformation Sunday

November

1 - All Saints Day, Nat'l. Jr. High Sunday
1 - Daylight Savings Time
3 - Election Day
7-8 - DISTRICT CONFERENCE
8 - Stewardship Sunday
11 - Veteran's Day
21 - District LT Meeting - Pleasant Hill
22 - Christ the King Sunday
26 - Thanksgiving
29 - First Sunday of Advent

December

1 - Aids Awareness Day
6 - Second Sunday of Advent
10 - Human Right's Day
13 - Third Sunday of Advent
20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
22 - First day of Winter
24 - Christmas Eve
25 - Christmas Day
31 - New Year's Eve