Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Brethren Ministries Live Report

Titled “Loving God with Your Gifts,” this year's energetic Live Report will feature a Polish group that helps poor and marginalized youth, along with others, demonstrating their God given talents. Hip-hop music, blaring from several boomboxes—appropriate for the group's interpretive movement—will weave its way throughout the presentation, providing an interlude between videos and other ministry highlights shared by the five Annual Conference agencies.

Friday, January 16, 2004

Fogle Relocating

A California pastor will replace "Eight Is Enough" television actor Lerry W. Fogle as the next "Bibleman," a comic book-style action hero who quotes Scripture to children in a touring ministry.

Fogle, who is relocating to Frederick Md. after fifteen months in the role, plans to "creatively use current technology" to perform his duties while maintaining his primary residence with his family.

Robert T. Schlipp will assume the role next spring. He'll be joined by his wife, Anayansi Schlipp, who will portray Biblegirl.

It can take Schlipp an hour to struggle into his 32-pound plastic and spandex costume, which includes a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit.

"Everything Bibleman wears has a meaning, " said Schlipp, 28, though he acknowledges "it's hard to take someone seriously when they're wearing spandex."

Friday, January 09, 2004

MAD Cow

Due to worries about US beef exports, the Mid-Atlantic District would like to reiterate that they are no longer in the practice of canning beef. They also point out that they will be canning chicken again this year. Ever since the British beef scare they have found that packages of beef labeled "MAD" have not been heartily welcomed regardless of the need for food. Last spring, the Southern Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic districts processed approximately 80,000 pounds of chicken.

Wednesday, January 07, 2004

Anniversary Plans Underway

The 300th Anniversary Committee is in the early stages of hatching schemes to celebrate three centuries of Brethrenism in 2008. One idea in particular has caught the Gospel Messenger eye. Some feel that it would be a wondrous and compelling thing if the 2008 Annual Conference could have the look and feel of the first Conference held in 1708. Meetings would be held in tents staked out in a farmer’s field and everyone would be brought in by horse and buggy. Even the Amish would look on, amazed. The first step, of course, is to get all of the conference goers decked out properly. And the foundation for any good decking has got to be beards for the men and prayer coverings for the women. The next phase of this plan will be to encourage participation without compelling it or resorting to queries or legislation.