Mission Statement: We are called to enrich and strengthen the Church of the Brethren by our unity as people across cultures, modeling for the larger church the blessings of being one as God’s people.
Related News
- Welcome session announced by Standing with People of Color committee
A “Standing with People of Color Welcome Session” is announced for March 14 at 7-8:30 p.m. (Eastern time).
- LaDonna Sanders Nkosi resigns as director of Intercultural Ministries
LaDonna Sanders Nkosi has resigned as director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, and as staff of Discipleship Ministries, effective Dec. 31. She has served in the position for three years, since Jan. 16, 2020.
- Committee seeks to contact Church of the Brethren members and initiatives working for racial justice
Who is already called to the work of racial justice, or is already active in any way? The committee is hoping to start with an accurate picture of what is already happening. It wants to connect with initiatives or individuals at any level in the Church of the Brethren (community, congregation, district, denomination) who are working on racial justice issues in any way (education, activism, healing, spiritual renewal, etc.), whether they are doing their work inside or outside of the church. The committee also is interested in getting to know people who have a passion for this topic but may not yet be publicly active.
- Standing with People of Color Committee begins its work
A newly-formed Standing with People of Color Committee met via Zoom on Sept. 13 and 21 to begin work delegated by the 2022 Annual Conference.
- Young adults visit Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha
On Wednesday afternoon, a group of nine Brethren young adults carpooled to Tri-Faith, a spacious campus home to Temple Israel, Countryside Community Church, and American Muslim Institute. The three independent religious communities are all connected by a circular walkway known as Abraham’s Bridge, surrounded by native plants and near a community garden and orchard tended by all three groups. It’s the only place of its kind in the world.
- Conference adopts concerns of ‘Query: Standing with People of Color,’ sets in motion two-year study/action process
The delegate body on Tuesday, July 12, took action on “Query: Standing with People of Color” (new business item 2) from Southern Ohio and Kentucky District, which asks, “How can the Church of the Brethren stand with People of Color to offer sanctuary from violence and dismantle systems of oppression and racial inequity in our congregations, neighborhoods, and throughout the nation?”
- Standing Committee makes recommendations on new business, approves recommendations from Nominating Committee and task team that has held conversations with On Earth Peace
The Standing Committee of district delegates from the 24 Church of the Brethren districts began meeting in Omaha, Neb., on the evening of July 7, through this morning. It was presided over by Conference moderator David Sollenberger, moderator-elect Tim McElwee, and secretary James M. Beckwith. One of its primary functions is to make recommendations on the new business items and queries coming to Annual Conference.
- Changing course, ‘shifting up’ to work on race
Over the last year or more, Greg Davidson Laszakovits has made a lot of changes, all by choice. Although it was a difficult year for many reasons, on a professional level 2021 was good—but “it’s not been tidy.” Tidy is not a word commonly used by those doing the work of healing racism, and Laszakovits is no exception.
Healing Racism book list
Download the Healing Racism book list
Healing Racism Congregations & Communities Mini-grant Program
Twelve congregations and districts across the denomination received mini-grants for Racial Justice and Healing Racism in 2021. Find the list of recipients here.
The purpose of this program was to empower communities and churches to provide opportunities for racial healing and learning. We are thankful for the generosity the Chicago Community Trust, Healing Illinois, the Brethren Faith in Action Fund, and others for collaborating to support congregations and communities in providing opportunities for Racial Healing.
Healing Racism Congregations & Communities Series 2021
Igniting Antiracist Activism: A Multi-seminary Conversation with Dr. Drew G. I. Hart
Thursday, April 29th Dr. Drew G. I. Hart is speaking at a multi-seminary online event hosted by Bethany Seminary, McCormick Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Register here at http://bit.ly/IAA29April
The Ministry of Jesus, Ubuntu and Cultural Competency for These Times
On Tuesday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 11, Rev. LaDonna Sanders Nkosi is leading a Ventures in Christian Discipleship course titled “The Ministry of Jesus, Ubuntu and Cultural Competency for These Times.” You are invited to register and join, here: https://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures/
Listening and Learning from Brethren Leaders of Asian-American Heritage
On Wednesday, May 5, the Office of Ministry is hosting a conversation, “Listening and Learning from Brethren Leaders of Asian-American Heritage.” Find out more and register to attend here: https://www.brethren.org/news/2021/online-conversation-will-listen-learn/
Drew Hart, author of Who Will Be A Witness and Trouble I’ve Seen, joined us as a part of “Healing Racism Congregations and Communities Series” which launched in February.
Tuesday, February 9th “Who Will Be A Witness: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love and Deliverance.”
Journey through Justice
Join us as together we journey with featured online resources and posts on racial justice. Peacebuilding, educational videos, articles, and posts have been shared on the
- Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries Facebook page and the
- Office of Peacebuilding Policy Facebook page
Here are Racial Justice Resources, Part 1 and Racial Justice Resources, Part 2. These are resources we have shared recently on social media.
What does it mean to be God’s family? The Church of the Brethren has committed itself to being transformed completely—as individuals, as congregations, as a denomination—so that we continually grow into the vision of Revelation 7:9. We seek to be separate no more.
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)
Read the Annual Conference paper, “Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Church.”
The work of discipleship serves to restore our relationships, with one another and with God, in ways that uphold justice and righteousness. This includes the work to eliminate white supremacy in all its forms. Discipleship Ministries offers resources and opportunities to learn more about the impact of race and racism on our nation, the identity of the church, and individual discipleship.