COBYS Family Services Names Cunningham Executive Director

(Leola, PA) January 29-The COBYS Family Services Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Mark A. Cunningham to the position of Executive Director. After a several-month search, Cunningham was unanimously approved by the Board at a January 27 meeting.

"Mark demonstrated a thorough knowledge of and a passion for COBYS," said Search Committee chair Deb Krantz, "and for all of the children and families that they serve. He exhibits a strong Christian faith and will strive to lead with integrity."

Cunningham has been employed by COBYS since November 1996, serving initially as Development Representative. Since January 2002, he has been Associate Administrator, with responsibilities in human resources, development, and program supervision. He has served as Acting Administrator for the past six months.

Cunningham earned a Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education from Messiah College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary. He previously served as Associate Pastor of the Lampeter Church of the Brethren, where he is a member.

Cunningham, his wife, Mari, and their three children live in West Lampeter Township and currently attend Willow Street Mennonite Church.

COBYS Family Services is a family service agency affiliated with the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren. Motivated by Christian faith, COBYS educates, supports, and empowers children and adults to reach their full potential.

COBYS carries out this mission through adoption and foster care services, including the specialized permanency unit in Lancaster; counseling; family life education; and a home for teen mothers and their children. With an annual budget of $3.3 million, COBYS serves children and families throughout south central Pennsylvania

COBYS to Host 30th Anniversary Banquet

While some people start lying about their age when they turn 30, COBYS Family Services is planning a banquet to celebrate its 30th birthday.

The annual COBYS Informational/Fundraising Banquet, slated for Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, will feature good food, music by the a cappella trio Braided Rain, and an entertaining and informative 30th anniversary program. Along the way, some COBYS clients and staff will tell their stories about how COBYS ministries are touching the lives of children and families.

In addition, the event will feature a commissioning service for COBYS Executive Director Mark Cunningham, whose appointment was announced by the Board of Directors in late January.

Braided Rain is comprised of three young adults from the Indian Creek Church of the Brethren in Harleysville, PA. Sisters Caris & Erin Baliles, and friend Madi Hart, first began playing basketball together when they were girls. They soon discovered they preferred musical scores to scoring baskets and began singing in church and other venues.

Caris, 21, is a junior at Messiah College, majoring in theater. A freshman at Montgomery County Community College, Madi, 19, is majoring in theater arts. Erin, also 19, is a freshman at Eastern University, majoring in psychology.

Invitations with directions to the Middle Creek Church will be mailed in early February, and also are available here. Middle Creek Church of the Brethren is located at 351 Middle Creek Rd., Lititz.

While there is no cost to attend the banquet, an opportunity to support COBYS ministries will be given. Those unable to attend can support COBYS by sending checks earmarked for the banquet to COBYS Family Services, 1417 Oregon Rd., Leola, PA 17540.

Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a place, contact Don Fitzkee by March 4 at 800-452-6517 don@cobys.org.

Praise Dinner to Feature Family Groups; Event Benefits COBYS

The 15th annual Wenger Foundation Praise Dinner will feature plenty of good food and Southern Gospel music from the Allen Family and the Diplomats Quartet. Slated for Thursday, April 29, at 6:00 p.m., at the Lebanon Expo Center, the event will benefit COBYS Family Services and three other ministries.

Known for their good harmony and humor, Todd & Michelle Allen and their eight children live in their bus 365 days a year and fill over 275 engagements annually. Industry professionals awarded Todd, Michelle, and their oldest son, Caleb, a first place finish at the 2000 National Quartet Convention Talent Search in Louisville, Kentucky. In the years to follow, the other Allen children joined in, and they quickly became a favorite family group. Learn more at www.allenministries.com.

Based in Carrollton, GA, The Diplomats Quartet (diplomatsqt.com) is a mixed quartet anchored by three members of the Pearson family-Jimmy & Rita and their son, Corey. The Diplomats have been performing on the Southern Gospel circuit for many years.

In addition to the inspirational music, the evening will include a buffet meal catered by Country Home Catering. Other ministries benefitting from the event are Evangelical Theological Seminary, Friendship Community, and On Fire Youth Ministries.

The cost to attend is $100 per person or $1,000 per table of 10 guests. One hundred percent of donations support the designated ministries. Underwriting all of the event's expenses are the Achey family, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry, Schaefferstown; John and Judy Byler, Lancaster; Bud & Joyce Mitstifer, Myerstown; the Wenger Family, Wengers of Myerstown; and other anonymous contributors.

The Wenger Foundation, Inc., was established in 1996 as the charitable giving arm of the Wenger Family of Companies, which includes Wengers of Myerstown; Reading Kubota, Inc.; Ag-Industrial, Inc.; Wenger Farms; and Champion Leasing, Inc. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to a variety of Christian and community ministries, including more than $200,000 to COBYS, which first became a beneficiary of the Praise Dinner in 1999. Last year's Praise Dinner attracted some 750 people and raised $85,259, including $21,407.75 for COBYS.

For more information, please contact the Wenger Foundation at 717-866-2130 or rwalmer@wengers.com.

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