Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Merlyngate Consulting

Help Wanted: Relocation Consultants

The Ad Hoc Relocation Committee has contracted the consulting services of the Anglo Leasing Finance Company to aid in its search for possible future locations of General Board offices. The General Board’s Management Consultant and Development Advisor, Dr. Merlyn Kettering, will be serving as a liaison to the consultants. Dr. Kettering will be available in Charleston during Annual Conference to anyone wishing to provide input into the process. Other firms also providing input to the process are Dyntech International, Kamsons Limited, Kasson International, and Sagaar Associates.

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Legalize Pot-Lucks

Illinois Incentive

Brethren can keep sharing their fried chicken and green bean casserole if Illinois lawmakers get their way. Illinois legislators voted in favor of loosening health regulations for traditional potluck dinners. The move to legalize potlucks is expected to make the state much more attractive to the Church of the Brethren and could affect the ongoing discussion of the General Offices' location.

The legislation would lift the usual health rules for potlucks that don't charge a fee and aren't held on public property.

Sunday, June 27, 2004

Sudan Funds in Jeopardy

Sudan Funds in Jeopardy

Funds slated for the New Sudan Council of Churches are now in question as financial scandals wrack that small country and others. While Nigeria has long been noted for its internet money scams, it seems that Kenya has troubles of its own. And where there's a Kenya connection there is also a Sudan connection.

Charleston 2004 Buzzword Bingo

Annual Conference Buzzword Bingo

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Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Molding Young Minds

Building Bridges of Love and Understanding

While BRF leaders are insisting that the scheduling of workcamps is a coincidence, rumors are rampant that there is some conspiracy behind the concurrent workcamps in progress in the end of June in the Dominican Republic. BRF leaders, and General Board staff alike, are frantically reassuring their respective members that the larger BRF workcamp is not working towards instilling conservative values upon others. As stated of the Youth/Young Adult workcamp site, they are in the DR merely to "build bridges of love and understanding".

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

“…for every seed I plant, will grow into a tree…”

If any of you are familiar with the second verse of the “Johnny Appleseed” blessing, you’ve heard that line before. At NYAC, participants were going to have the opportunity to plant some seedlings that would soon be trees which would later be destroyed by forest fires. However, plans change and, in order to streamline the process, the closing evening activities will include a bonfire of seedlings - eliminating the middle-man, so to speak. In addition to eliminating the pointless growth and destruction, time and other resources will be saved that would otherwise been used in the distribution and planting of the seedlings. Plans are under way for next year's NYAC where the bonfire will be symbolic, thus saving yet another segment in this circle of life.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Statistics Don't Lie

Statistics Don't Lie

Plans for a Nigerian relocation of Brethren headquarters are on hold due to a brewing statistical controversy. It appears that the large membership figures reported by the Nigerian churches may be inflated or inaccurate. Tom and Janet Crago, Interim Mission Coordinators, report that some churches are reporting active membership while not reporting any church or Sunday School attendance.

Weighing in on the Nigeria location's behest are the overwhelming offers of financial support.

Sunday, June 06, 2004

We Still Love You Matt

The much beloved Matt Guynn was recently identified as one of the Church of the Brethren’s high-level leaders. Other members of this august group include Mark Flory Steury, David Shumate, Ron and Harriet Finneys, Fred Swartz, Kathy and Stephen Reid, Jeff Bach, Dena Pence Frantz, Jonathan Shively, Stan Noffsinger, Wendy McFadden, Mary Jo Flory Steury, Julie Hostetter, and Del Keeney.