Intercultural ministries

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.

Healing Racism Congregations & Communities Mini-grant Program

Healing Racism Mini-grant applications will now be received for a new grant period beginning April 1 – June 30. Congregations and communities officially affiliated with the Church of the Brethren USA are encouraged to review the grant details and to apply.

Purpose:  To invite congregations and communities to host and engage in Healing Racism programs and events that

  • “Build and advance knowledge and understanding of racial healing and racial equity
  • Increase trust and relationship building
  • Provide opportunities for communities and individuals to begin to heal from the harms caused by racism
  • Build the foundation for long-term racial healing and anti-racism”*

 *(Adapted from Healing Illinois racial healing grant program which is a part of a grant to the Church of the Brethren.)

Details:

  • Applications are currently being received and will be reviewed weekly February 1 – March 10. All project must be completed by March 30th with grant project reports due directly after.
  • Mini-grants are $750 or less.  If request is larger, you may be referred to apply for a Brethren Faith in Action Grant.
  • Applicants must be affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, USA.

Go to the grant application

Grant application sample form. This is to help you to prepare to fill out the online form. All applications need to use the online form.

Please refer questions to RacialJustice@brethren.org.  If you would like to talk through your ideas, please contact Rev. LaDonna Sanders Nkosi at LNkosi@brethren.org to set up a phone or Zoom conversation.

The purpose of this program is to empower you in your 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.

Sign up for updates

Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries

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

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.

Go to Discipleship Ministries resources on race and racism.

Intercultural Ministries news