Saturday, April 26, 2008

Screaming

I Scream, You Scream

Conservative Brethren, liberal Brethren, progressive Brethren, fundamental Brethren, left Brethren, right Brethren, wrong Brethren, red brethren, blue Brethren, and moderate purple Brethren all agree that it's a good idea.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Beardless

There's a Disturbance in the Force.

We've spotted a disturbing trend in the Brotherhood. While it's been a long time since anyone's seriously expected to see a head covering or a Brethren beard on any given Sunday morning with any kind of regularity, you could always count on those few outré young adults who hold on to the old ways. You could count on spotting a few at Brethren gatherings such as NYAC or Annual Conference and they always brought a warm fuzzy feeling to your insides. Whether it was the sincerity or outrageousness it was a welcome pillar to the foundation of the Brotherhood.

Well, they're becoming more scarce. When before, for example ,you could count on spotting the odd Brethren beard amongst those studying at Bethany it now seems that there's less hirsuteness to be found on those hallowed grounds. All too soon it will all be a memory.

Have you seen me?

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Barely Alive

Barely Alive


MISSIONARIES HAVE CONFERENCE!

SO DO THEIR OVERSEAS HOUSEKEEPERS,
DRIVERS, PLUMBERS, & GARDENERS!
  • new strategies in reusing old wine bottles and
    other banned artifacts that must be hidden in the house!
  • insight sessions on how to deal with white people's
    unruly children you must babysit!
  • how to cook white people food in a foreign land...
    Spaghetti! Onion Rings! Omelettes! Chicken Pot Pies! Even Pizza!
  • how to continue the relationship several years
    beyond their stay and get money and gifts, clothes and pictures!

Friday, March 07, 2008

Forbearance Bingo [March 2008]

Forbearance Bingo

Afraid that the meeting agenda is going to be long and tedious? For your forbearance during your idle time, don't forget to take along Buzzword Bingo.

If you're not happy with the sheet that you're initially presented, click Reload until you get a card that looks like a winner.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

2008 Manchester RYC

300th Anniversary Update: Manchester RYC Will Not Celebrate Anniversary.

The Regional Youth Conference (RYC) 2008 won't be held at Manchester (Ind.) College in April 2008 and is not being planned as a celebration of the 300 years of history of the Church of the Brethren. The theme will not be, “Cherishing the Tradition: The Church of the Brethren, 300 Years of Faithfulness,” with Mark 12:30-31 as the focus scripture.

A line-up of Brethren musicians and story tellers will not lead the conference. Musicians will not include Michael Stern, Andy and Terry Murray, or Peg Lehman. Jim Lehman will not be the story teller. Other stories will not be brought by people involved in current church programs, videos of Brethren ministries, or people representing Brethren from history. The weekend will not include worship experiences or concerts.

Students in grades 6 through 12 are not invited to register or attend; neither are adult advisors or youth volunteers. Other interested adults are not invited to attend concerts or story telling times. Registration packets will not be available in January.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Reason for the Season

Reason for the Season

Best wishes for a celebration of the winter solstice holiday.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Monday, December 10, 2007

Happy Holidays

Merry Chrifsmas



Pastafarians should not be ashamed to wish their loved ones a Merry Chrifsmas this year.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Elf YourBVSelf

BVS



Brethren Volunteer Service is persons giving their time and skills, like Santa's helpers, to help a world in need. It is a way for people to work at issues greater than themselves, recognizing that their efforts may not immediately solve deep-rooted problems, but can be part of on-going work for justice, peace, goodwill, and the integrity of creation.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

GM on Facebook

Gospel Messenger on Facebook

For our readers on Facebook, you can show your support by becoming a fan.

Resources for Youth Sunday

Resources for Youth Sunday

Again, the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office has developed worship resources for National Youth Sunday. A poster was mailed to each youth advisor. If you would like additional copies, please call 800-323-8039, ext. 289.

The theme for 2008 is “By the Manner of Their Living” from Colossians 3:12-15. All of the resources for the annual theme this year are located on our website for you to download. This is an effort to save the cost of printing materials, and yet still make them available for you to use on National Youth Sunday, May 4, 2008.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

300 Food Panties

Letter from the Youth Cabinet

November 2007

Greetings!

As the National Youth Cabinet for 2007 and 2008, we just wanted to introduce ourselves as well as let all of you know what we have been doing. We are extremely excited about the Church of the Brethren and youth ministry and we are lucky to be able to bring the 300th celebration to the youth of our denomination. In order to do this, we have composed a list of a few things that we would like for youth to try in honor of our 300th year as a church. Hopefully, you will look over them and decide which one your youth group would like to start in 2008:
Do 300 hours of service
Put together 300 school kits
Donate 300 cans to a local Food Panty
Spend 300 minutes doing intergenerational activities in your Congregation with adults
Give $300 to a worthy cause
Offer 300 prayers for peace or for one’s community
We invite you to also think about ways to celebrate our denomination’s 300th Anniversary with ideas that your youth group comes up with. We ask that you then send an e-mail to let us know what “300” project your youth group will do to celebrate the 300th Anniversary. Please send those to Tricia Ziegler at: ladysandwick@hotmail.com

We have also decided on our theme this year to go along with our anniversary. It is “By the Manner of Their Living.” We wanted to remind the youth that the Church of Brethren is to be known by the manner of their living: peacefully, simply, and together. The verses we have chosen to go along with this theme are Colossians 3: 12-15. For resources and further information, including Youth Sunday materials, refer to the COB website.

We will be praying for you and your ministry. Please pray with us!

With Love,

Turner Ritchie- South Central District
Elizabeth Willis- Southeastern District
Heather Popielarz- Michigan District
Seth Keller- Southern Pennsylvania District
Joel Rhodes- Middle Pennsylvania District
Tricia Ziegler- Atlantic Southeast District
Dena Gilbert- Advisor
Chris Douglas- Staff

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Generally Board: The Movie

Generally Board: The Movie

Overview
Director:
The General Board
Writer:
You might very well think you know but we couldn't possibly comment.
Release Date:
19 October 2007
Genre:
Comedy / Drama
Tagline:
A convient way of caring.

Plot Synopsis:
Otherwise good intentioned folks spending a long tedious weekend indoors.
Cast (in no particular order)
Kevin Spacey - Roy Winter
Billy Bob Thornton - Jim Beckwith
Kathy Bates - Barb Davis
Lucy Liu - Wendy McFadden
Denzel Washington - Steve Reid (early in the weekend)
Morgan Freeman - Steve Reid (later in the weekend)
Richard Gere - Phil Jones
Betty White - Karin Krog
Stevie Nicks - Tara Hornbacker
Sarah Jessica Parker - Carol Mason
Jason Alexander - Dan McFadden
Bill Nighy - Jeff Glass
Stephen Colbert - Walt Wiltschek
Sally Struthers - Janis Pyle
Michael Caine - Brad Bohrer
Della Reese - Marian Thornton
Kelsey Grammer - Merv Keeney
Paul Hogan - Dave Ingold
Jack Palance - Howard Royer
Terry Bradshaw - Wil Nolen
Martin Sheen - Stan Noffsinger
Steve Buscemi - Ken Shaffer
Rick Moranis - Mark Hartwig
Cedric the Entertainer - Terrell Lewis
Penn Jillette - Jon Kobel
Danny Masterson - Logan Congdon
Bea Arthur - Mary Jo Flory Steury
Drew Carey - Mark Steury
Bette Midler - Chris Douglas
Alanis Morrissette - Beth Merrill
Julia Roberts - Genelle Wine
Carol Burnett - Carol Bowman
Reese Witherspoon - Becky Ullom (early in the weekend)
Meg Ryan - Becky Ullom (later in the weekend)
Kevin Costner - Ken Neher
Diane Sawyer - Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Daniel Radcliffe - Travis Poling
Rachael Ray - Bekah Houff
Jamie Foxx - Pierre Convington
Steve Martin - Bob Gross
Helen Mirren - Judy Keyser
Jodie Foster - Anna Speicher
Hillary Clinton - Becky Rhodes
Desi Arnaz - Hector Borges
Robert Duvall - Jay Carter
Clint Eastwood - Dale Minnich
Sarah Silverman - LeAnn Wine
Sally Field - Kathy Reid
Dakota Fanning - Sharon Flaten
Owen Wilson - Jerry O'Donnell
Kellie Martin - Monica Rice
Megan Mullally - Callie Surber
Martin Mull - Ken Wenger
Joshua Malina - Tim Harvey
John Belushi - Steve Van Houten
Ted Danson - Ed Woolf
William H Macy - Duane Grady
Martin Short - Allen Kahler
Edward Norton - Jonathan Shively