Sunday, September 01, 2019

Newsline

-- On Earth Peace has welcomed two new interns, according to its recent newsletter: Arielys Liriano, a junior at Southern New Hampshire University with double majors in law and politics and sociology and a minor in world languages and culture, will serve as migrant justice organizer. Katie Feuerstein, a junior at Oberlin College majoring in English with minors in philosophy and Hispanic studies, will serve as gender justice organizer. On Earth Peace offers paid internships in positions across the organization for young adults, college students, and recent graduates. More information, including all current openings and application instructions, can be found at www.onearthpeace.org/internships.

-- Gabriela Carillo Chacón began as admissions recruiter at Bethany Seminary on June 26. She is a 2019 graduate of Earlham College, also in Richmond, Ind., with a bachelor’s degree in human development and social relations and a minor in French and Francophone studies. She interned with the Human Resources Department at Universidad Técnica Nacional in Costa Rica. Fluent in Spanish, she has taught English to native Spanish speakers and has done translation and interpretation.

-- The Church of the Brethren seeks candidates for a full-time salaried director of Intercultural Ministries to serve on the Discipleship Ministries staff based at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The major responsibility is to equip the denomination to fulfill its intercultural vision and commitments. Required skills and knowledge include, among others: commitment to Jesus Christ as understood through the Anabaptist and radical Pietist roots of the Church of the Brethren; knowledge of Church of the Brethren heritage, theology, and polity; effective sharing of personal faith; ability to articulate and operate out of the vision of the Church of the Brethren and the Mission and Ministry Board; ability to integrate intercultural competencies within a model of discipleship; demonstration of intercultural understanding and competency, and the ability to teach others; having a broad definition of “intercultural” and ability to see wide applications for core intercultural competencies; ability to move easily among a variety of different cultural groups, recognizing and respecting their unique qualities and gifts and cultivating forms of expression that bridge the diversity throughout the church; knowledge of group process and ability to facilitate appropriate processes for sharing learning, receiving feedback, and decision-making; written and oral communication skills with bilingual ability preferred; ability and willingness to draw on the expertise of others as needed; skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic initiatives; logistics management, such as meeting and event planning; ability to function effectively in a complex system, including making difficult decisions; ability to engage and utilize teams of volunteers to execute strategies; interpersonal skills that contribute to effective work within the Church of the Brethren, its congregations, and districts; computer aptitude and experience with current platforms; familiarity with and experience of social media work; ability to build the capacity of the denomination to identify, acknowledge, confess, lament, repent, and counteract racialized hierarchies and patterns. Experience and education requirements include five or more years of participation in intercultural contexts; experience developing and implementing program, managing complex workloads, communicating effectively to a diverse constituency, and working as part of a collaborative team; a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree in a related field preferred. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Send a resume to COBApply@brethren.org. Contact the Human Resources Manager, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323-8039 ext. 367. The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

-- Bethany Theological Seminary seeks an office manager for “Brethren Life & Thought,” an academic journal of the Church of the Brethren. The position is expected to average eight hours per week. Many duties can be performed offsite; some travel to Bethany’s campus in Richmond, Ind., is required. Major responsibilities include operations of journal production (subscriptions, communication with editors, logistics of printing); communicating with subscribers and donors (not including fundraising); providing clerical support for the advisory board of the Brethren Journal Association; maintaining an inventory of back issues and archives of the association’s work. Qualifications include a high school diploma and preferably a year’s experience in a business setting, organizational skills, self-motivation, and familiarity with database management and current computer technology. Familiarity with the Church of the Brethren is preferred. The desired start date is early September. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to deansoffice@bethanyseminary.edu or Academic Dean’s Office, Office Manager, Brethren Life & Thought, Bethany Theological Seminary, 615 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374; 765-983-1815. Bethany Theological Seminary’s policy prohibits discrimination in employment opportunities or practices with regard to race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or religion.

-- Shepherd’s Spring Inc., has launched a search for a new executive director. “We look forward to its continued impact on the lives of thousands of children, youth, and adults of all ages,” said an announcement from the board of the outdoor ministries and retreat facility in Mid-Atlantic District. The executive director has overall strategic and operational responsibility for Shepherd’s Spring staff, programs, facilities, and execution of its mission, and will develop a deep understanding of the outdoor ministry field, core programs, operations, and business plans. Qualifications include a thorough commitment to the Shepherd’s Spring mission and proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience, preferably in a faith-based outdoor ministry program with a retreat center. To apply, respond to the Indeed posting at www.indeed.com/cmp/Shepherd's-Spring-Outdoor-Ministry-Center/jobs/Executive-Director-dd30307c74d9e8cb. More information about the organization is at www.shepherdsspring.org. For questions contact rhaywood@shepherdsspring.org.

-- “Get the complete stories and more BVS goodness by reading our latest newsletter,” invites Brethren Volunteer Service. The latest BVS newsletter on the theme “Finding Joy” is online at www.brethren.org/bvs/files/newsletter/bvs-volunteer-newsletter.pdf. “If you or someone you know is wondering about their next step, BVS has life-changing volunteer positions open all year round,” the invitation continues. Find out more or explore project listings at www.brethren.org/bvs.

-- A new edition of the BHLA News and Notes from the Brethren Historical Library and Archives is at www.brethren.org/bhla/documents/newsletter/bhla-news-and-notes-2019.pdf. In this issue: "Where Was I Born on March 21, 1930? A Story of Bethany Hospital" by Mary Bowman Baucher, with history of the hospital on the near west side of Chicago, Ill.; "The Dunker Meeting House and the Irony of Brethren History," a review of the book "September Mourn. The Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield" by Alann Schmidt and Terry Barkley; and more.

-- Brethren Disaster Ministries has announced a new rebuilding project site in the area of Jacksonville, Fla., where Hurricane Irma caused extensive flooding and damage in 2017. Work at the new site will begin Sept. 1, after Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers pack and move half of the current rebuilding project site in the Carolinas to Florida in late August, said the announcement. The program will continue to work in the Carolinas into 2020. The Florida site is expected to be active through the end of 2019 with possible extension into 2020 depending on the work and volunteer housing availability. “All groups that were previously listed as Project 2 on the 2019 schedule will now be going to this [Florida] location,” the announcement said. A maximum of 15 volunteers can be accommodated each week due to the available tools, transportation, and leadership. For more information go to www.brethren.org/bdm or contact Brethren Disaster Ministries at bdm@brethren.org or 800-451-4407.

-- Applicants are still sought for the position of district executive minister of West Marva District. This quarter-time position of approximately 30 hours per week includes many evenings and weekends. Travel is required in and outside the district. Responsibilities are in three main areas: direction, coordination, management, and leadership of the district program; work with congregations to call and credential ministers and place and evaluate pastoral staff, providing support and counsel for ministers and other church leaders, and sharing and interpreting program resources for congregations; provide a link between congregations and the district and the wider church by working collaboratively with the Council of District Executives, Annual Conference, its agencies, and their staff. Qualifications include Christ-centered belief and practice; commitment to, membership in, and extensive experience of the Church of the Brethren; strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to serve and work with people from diverse cultural, social, and theological backgrounds; ordination and pastoral experience preferred; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college along with a seminary degree or completion of TRIM or another Brethren Academy program; prior church experience as a pastor, staff person, or other related service is desirable; administration and organizational training or experience is highly recommended. Send a letter of interest and resume to Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Director, Office of Ministry, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; officeofministry@brethren.org. Contact three or four people to provide letters of reference. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

-- Bethany Theological Seminary announces an opening for office manager for “Brethren Life & Thought,” an academic journal of the Church of the Brethren. The position is expected to average eight hours per week. Many duties can be performed off site; some travel to Bethany’s campus in Richmond, Ind., is required. Major responsibilities include operations of journal production (subscriptions, communication with editors, logistics of printing); communicating with subscribers and donors (not including fundraising); providing clerical support for the Advisory Board of the Brethren Journal Association; maintaining an inventory of back issues and archives of the association’s work. Qualifications include a high school diploma and preferably a year’s experience in a business setting, organizational skills, self-motivation, and familiarity with database management and current computer technology. Familiarity with the Church of the Brethren is preferred. Desired start date is early September. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to deansoffice@bethanyseminary.edu or Academic Dean’s Office, Office Manager, Brethren Life & Thought, Bethany Theological Seminary, 615 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374; 765-983-1815. Bethany Theological Seminary’s policy prohibits discrimination in employment opportunities or practices with regard to race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or religion.

-- Join On Earth Peace on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time) for a Zoom webinar to learn more about making the case for peace on Peace Day. Dan Ulrich, Wieand Professor of New Testament Studies at Bethany Seminary, will lead a study of the Sermon on the Mount. Title of the webinar is “The Case for Peace in the Sermon on the Mount.” Said an invitation from On Earth Peace: “To build a case for peace from a Christian perspective, this webinar will focus on texts in the Sermon on the Mount that have inspired peacemakers from various faith traditions. According to Matthew 5:9, Jesus blesses peacemakers with the promise that they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:38-42 and 5:43-48 then expand on the wisdom of the Mosaic law to offer methods and motives for just peacemaking. Our discussion of these passages will help us see them in a fresh light and find renewed inspiration to work for shalom in these troubled times.” Contact peaceday@onearthpeace.org.

-- There’s a new Dunker Punks Podcast on the topic, “Does the Bible speak to you? No, like does it SPEAK to you?” Said an announcement, “Listening back to Dylan Dell-Haro’s series on gender on the Dunker Punks Podcast, we get to hear him interview ‘The Bible’ about peoples’ cultural and literary perspectives on God and God’s ‘gender.’” Listen at bit.ly/DPP_Bonus7. Subscribe to the Dunker Punks Podcast at bit.ly/DPP_iTunes.

-- Christian Peacemaker Teams is issuing an urgent call for reservists and interns to serve in Israel and Palestine. “Are you being called to engage in peacemaking?” asked an invitation. “Israel continues to ban human rights observers from Palestine, and CPT is committed to maintaining our presence with our partners in al-Khalil/Hebron. We request interns and Reservists to join the Palestine team ASAP!” Both trained CPTers and interns are welcome. Airfare and costs on the ground are covered by CPT with a three-month commitment. Contact Mona el-Zuhairi at monazuhairi@cpt.org.

-- CPT also is seeking participants for a delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan on Sept. 21-Oct. 5. “Are you called to learn more about transforming violence and oppression? Join CPT in Iraqi Kurdistan to witness active peacemaking and nonviolent resistance, as our team members and partners join together to demand an end to the violence against Kurdish and Assyrian civilians,” said the announcement. “Cross-border bombardments of Iraqi Kurdistan communities have been worse than ever in 2019. In June, a Turkish airstrike killed three, and injured two members of one family driving in a car on a mountain road used daily by civilians. In July, Iranian shelling killed a teenage girl and wounded her two brothers. CPT partners with Kurdish and Assyrian Christian communities that are repeatedly bombarded in Turkish or Iranian military operations, their fields and crops burned, homes destroyed, and livestock killed.... Delegates will learn about the history and political realities that civil society and ethnic and religious minorities in Iraqi Kurdistan face. They will meet with families who lost their relatives in the bombardments, and visit farming and pastoral communities targeted by Turkish and Iranian military.” Contact the delegations coordinator at delegations@cpt.org.

Extra Tidbits
A Message from Messenger Magazine
BCM Peace Job Announcement
Church of the Brethren Job Opening: Executive Director of Organizational Resources and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Church of the Brethren Job Opening: Manager, Office of Global Mission and Service
BBT Director of Human Resources Opening