MR ZIGLER

History of On Earth Peace

In 1974, M. R. Zigler brought together a group of people who wanted to strengthen the peace witness of the Church of the Brethren. Held in New Windsor, Maryland, this meeting gave birth to the On Earth Peace Assembly. On Earth Peace has always been a Church of the Brethren program, although the nature of the relationship to the denominational organization has changed through the years. Since 1998, On Earth Peace has been directly accountable to Annual Conference, as one of the three program agencies of the church (with the General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers).

One Board to Bind Them

The Review and Evaluation Committee is recommending the merger of the General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers into one incorporated legal entity entitled “The
Church of the Brethren, U.S.A.” The board of directors (trustees) of the corporation would have responsibility to oversee the domestic and international ministries as the administrative and programmatic agency for the denomination. We also strongly encourage On Earth Peace to consider joining together with these two agencies through prayerful discussions with their board, executives, and the wider church as the agencies work toward unity.

Background:
The One Board was created by the Dark Lord Sauron during the Second Age in order to gain dominion over the free peoples of Middle-earth. In disguise as Annatar, or "Lord of Gifts", he aided the Brethren smiths of Eregion and their leader Celebrimbor, in the making of the Boards of Power. He then forged the One Board himself in the fires of Mount Doom. He intended it to be the most powerful of all Boards, able to rule and control the others. Since the other Boards were extremely powerful, Sauron was obliged to place most of his native power, life force and will into it to effect his purpose. A side effect of his doing this was that as long as the Board existed, it was impossible to remove him from the mortal plane. The risk to Sauron was that if he were to lose the Board, he would also lose a great deal of his own power, and if the Board were to be destroyed, perhaps even his life.

One Board to rule them all,
One Board to find them,
One Board to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.

CCS2006

Christian Citizenship Seminar 2006

Plans have already begun for next spring’s Christian Citizenship Seminar which will use the theme “Peace is Patriotic.”

Starting in New York City, sessions will include workshops lead by On Earth Peace. Later events will include an aerial tour of the nation’s capital followed by “Homeland Security and the Brethren” led by Hayden “Jim” Sheaffer.

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.

New Logo Unveiled

As part of today's Conference business, On Earth Peace presented their new logo as displayed on its web home page. "We wanted to show that peace is patriotic," said OEP co-Director Bob Gross, addressing concerns about the bold color choices. And in another funding coup, OEP has joined a major soft drink corporation for future product branding. In exchange, the Ministry of Reconciliation will do its part to resolve the "soda" versus "pop" debate.

The Small Picture: What do peas have to do with me?

The unique event was co-sponsored by Brethren Service Center, New Windsor Conference Center, On Earth Peace, and the General Board's Small Membership/Rural Church Advisory Committee.

The day began with a challenge to the small, rural churches from Congregational Life Team staff member Jim Kinsey.

Throughout the day workshops were offered on topics includingthe group's identity and function, the pressing needs of small membership and rural churches, the best ways to process these needs, and changing rural paradigms. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with agency staff from the General Board, On Earth Peace, and the Washington Office.

Representatives Ray Barkey, Northern Indiana District, and Mary Jane Button-Harrison, Northern Plains, called it “a marvelous event which exemplifies the impact church agencies can have when they utilize their partnerships to bring people together.”