[Faith-Talk] Division Meeting at Convention

[Linda Mentink]

Greetings All,

I don't know what the agenda is for this year's meeting, but it 
will be Thursday, July 5, from 12:30 to 5:00, maybe.  We're 
usually through earlier.  Also, we will be having a 45-minute 
time of devotions Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:00.

Just so you have an idea of the kinds of things that take place 
at our division meetings, I'm pasting the 2017 meeting minutes 
below.  Enjoy, and I hope to see many of you in Orlando next 
week.  I wish all who going a safe trip there and back.

Blessings,

Linda Mentink, Secretary

NFB in Communities of Faith

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IN COMMUNITIES OF FAITH MEETING 
MINUTES Wednesday, July 12, 2017

The National Federation of the Blind in Communities of Faith held 
its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, July 12, 
2017.  President Tom Anderson called the meeting to order at 1:00 
PM.

We heard from publishers of Christian literature, each of whom 
answered questions from the audience.  Our first speaker was 
Gerri Rogee, Communication Director at Christian Record Services 
for the Blind, which was started in Michigan in 1899.  Their 
magazine is the Christian Record, the longest continuously 
running Braille magazine in the world.  They have other Christian 
magazines and a lending library of books on NLS cartridges.  They 
will soon be rolling out a brand-new library services system 
which will offer us services by way of our phones or our home 
computers.  They also offer national camps for the blind.  This 
camping program started in Florida in 1967.  They also have a 
Bible school.

Our next speaker was Malachy Falon, Executive Director of Xavier 
Society for the Blind, which was founded in 1900 in New York 
City.  They offer materials in Braille and audio, primarily, but 
not specifically Christian, predominantly, but not exclusively in 
the Catholic tradition.  They have about 700 titles in both audio 
and Braille.  They have a staff of six people.

Our next speaker was Paul Weigartner, Director of the Assemblies 
of God Center for the Blind in Springfield, Missouri.  This 
ministry started in 1952.  They do most of the Assemblies of God 
publications and periodicals and Berean School of the Bible 
textbooks.  They have a book lending library, and are converting 
all their cassettes to DAISY.  They have a number of 
nondenominational evangelistic materials.  The descriptive video 
of the Jesus Film is now available on DVD through the Jesus Film 
Project.  They may eventually buy some to loan or give away.  
They also give away the New Living Translation on cartridge.  He 
answered questions from the audience.

Allen Decker, spoke first about Aurora Ministries, which was 
started in 1970 by the founder of Tropicanna Orange Juice.  In 
1980 they started giving Bibles away to people on NLS cassettes.  
The Bibles are now available in talking book and DAISY formats on 
NLS cartridges and SD cards.  They have converted most of their 
major translations.  The five-year Bible study by J.  Vernon 
McGee and the Mini Bible College are also available.  They also 
offer devotionals.

He then spoke about MegaVoice, a company which makes solar 
hand-held accessible players.  Audio versions of the Jesus Film 
in many languages, the Through the Bible program and the Mini 
Bible College are available on these players.

Mike Smith gave us an update on International Christian Braille 
Mission, now in Grayson, Kentucky.  This ministry began in the 
fall of 1975 by handing out a small Braille tract titled "We 
Would See Jesus." He shared the history of their move to Grayson 
in June, 2016.

We then learned and sang together "Every Promise in the Book Is 
Mine," after which Tom announced the speakers for Devotions the 
following three mornings: Rev.  Sam Gleese, Sarah LaRose and Rev.  
Peter Heide.

We then heard from individuals in our midst who are in ministry.  
Our first speaker was Rev.  Dr.  Carolyn Peters, from Dayton, 
Ohio.  She spoke to us about our God-given gifts and giving back.  
She is a career social worker, a practicing theologian, and she 
believes that we all serve the same God.  She shared about her 
vision loss and health issues, earning her Doctorate degree 
intheology, and publishing her first book KNOWING WHEN TO GO 
based on the book of Ruth.

Our next speaker was Sarah LaRose, Professor of Hebrew Studies in 
Anderson, Indiana.  She talked about what happens when we think 
we can't do things.  She shared the trials of learning Hebrew and 
Greek in seminary as a blind person who did not want to go 
somewhere else to do this.  She believes that language study 
should be done in the person's own environment.  She is now 
teaching inclusive Hebrew classes online for credit.  Next year 
inclusive Greek classes will also be available for credit.  She 
is in her doctoral study so that she can become qualified to 
teach full time at the university level.  She also offers private 
study options for people who don't need the credit.  Knowing 
Hebrew and Greek has greatly enhanced her Scriptural study.

Next we heard from Rev.  Peter Heide, pastor of albany Lutheran 
Church in Albany, Wisconsin, and President of our new NFB of 
Wisconsin in Communities of Faith division.  He shared about 
being sighted and blind four times, going to seminary as a 
sighted person, and finally living as a blind person.  He shared 
from the Bible stories of the influence of blindness in God's 
plan.  He hopes, in the next couple years, to come up with a 
Bible study that will encourage us to start claiming our place as 
blind people who can't see, but who have vision.

Tom called the business meeting to order at 2:55.  He mentioned 
the following: Sarah LaRose is working with David Andrews on 
getting our website going.  We have a presence on FaceBook.  The 
NFB of Kansas has a Communities of Faith division which meets 
monthly by telephone conference call.  They prepared a brochure 
about how to reach out to educate churches about blind people.  
In April the Communities of Faith division was organized in 
Wisconsin.  The officers of the NFB of Kansas in Communities of 
Faith are Tom Anderson, President, Cheryl Miller, Vice President, 
and Donna Wood, Secretary-Treasurer.  The officers of the NFB of 
Wisconsin in Communities of Faith are Peter Heide, President, 
Chelsea Reilly, Vice President, Ericka Short, Secretary, and 
Steve Heesen, Treasurer.  Dr.  Peters asked about organizing a 
division in Ohio.  We discussed the value of having Communities 
of Faith divisions and connecting with other blind people of 
faith.

Linda read the minutes of the 2016 annual meeting.  Rehnee moved, 
many seconded, that the minutes be approved as read.  The motion 
carried.

In Sam's absence, Linda reported that we have $565 in the 
treasury, plus dues for 17 members.  Rehnee moved, Leslie 
seconded, that we donate $50 to each of the five funds (White 
Cane, ten Broek, Imagination, SUN and Jernigan).  The motion 
carried.

Tom mentioned that our Student Division is doing something called 
the Student Olympics.  They have asked each division to 
participate.  Tom created some Bible quiz questions that are of 
varying levels of difficulty, and he and Rehnee will participate.  
It will be a good opportunity to plant some seeds.

Elections were held, and the following people were elected by 
acclamation: Tom Anderson, President; Rehnee Aikens, Vice 
President; and Linda Mentink, Secretary.  While waiting for Sam 
to come, we discussed the treasury, asking questions such as 
Where is our current account? Is Tom's signature also on it? and 
Is Sam interested in remaining our treasurer? Tom stepped out to 
see if he could get Sam on the phone.  He did, and Sam said he 
would like to continue as Treasurer, with the stipulation that 
someone be trained to take the position in the future.  Sarah is 
willing to be trained.  Sam was nominated, and was elected by 
acclamation.  Sam said we have $655 in our account.

Donna Posont suggested that we do inspirational podcasts that we 
could share with others.  Sarah said they could be posted on our 
website.  This will be a long-term project.

The meeting adjourned at 3:42 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Mentink, Secretary