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 book list
Download the Healing Racism book list
Healing Racism Congregations & Communities Mini-grant Program
Healing Racism Mini-grant applications will now be received for a new grant period ending December 15. 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 until December 15. Grant project reports will be 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.
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.
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.
Go to Discipleship Ministries resources on race and racism.
Intercultural Ministries news
- Online worship in various languages / Adoración en línea en varios idiomas / Adorasyon sou entènèt nan divès lang / العبادة عبر الإنترنت بلغات مختلفة
Church of the Brethren congregations offering online worship in English and other languages--*Spanish/bilingual; **Haitian Kreyol/bilingual; ***Arabic/bilingual. Un solo asterisco * indica español/bilingüe. Dos asteriscos ** indican kreyol haitiano/bilingüe. ***عربي / ثنائي اللغة
- Atlantic Southeast District to present a Virtual Peace Camp 2020
The Action for Peace Team of the Church of the Brethren’s Atlantic Southeast District is presenting a Virtual Peace Camp 2020, the 13th peace camp to be held by the district. Usually the event is held over Labor Day Weekend at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., but because of the pandemic the event this year will be online via Zoom and offered free to participants.
- Moderator’s virtual town hall will feature Andrew Young on Sept. 17
Church of the Brethren Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey has announced plans for the next Moderator’s Town Hall on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). The featured speaker will be Andrew J. Young, veteran civil rights leader and former US ambassador to the United Nations. The focus of the town hall will be: “Racism: Deeper Awareness, Bolder Action.”
- ‘The Church in Black and White’ symposium is planned for Sept. 12
The Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va., announces “The Church in Black and White,” a one-day symposium on the racial history and future of the Brethren and Mennonite churches, Saturday, Sept. 12, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, and virtually via Zoom.
- Webinars explore path to healing racism, eco-discipleship
Upcoming webinars are by the Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries, Intercultural Ministry, Outdoor Ministry Association, and Office of Ministry. Topics include “Witness of Churches on the Path to Healing Racism: A Theological Exploration” and “Cultivating a Verdant Faith: Eco Discipleship Practices for the 21st Century Church.”
- Illinois and Wisconsin District issues statement of response to racial injustice
The Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District has issued a statement of response to racial injustice, signed by district executive minister Kevin Kessler on behalf of the District Leadership Team.
- Brooklyn First voices speak in the midst of COVID-19 and racism pandemics
The men, women, and children at Brooklyn (N.Y.) First Church of the Brethren speak with a wide variety of voices based in their identities as people of color, trapped for 100 days in their homes by the twin pandemics of coronavirus and racism. Listen carefully and you will hear their anger, beliefs, Christian praises, fears, joys, and hopes for tomorrow.
- New Brethren Press resources include a Bible study on the Psalms and a new book for children’s worship
“People of faith across the centuries have used the Psalms, laden with powerful images and emotions, in their devotional life,” said an announcement from Brethren Press about its newest Covenant Bible Study. “God’s Steadfast Love in the Psalms” is written by Christina Bucher, a professor of religion at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College.
- Webinar series will focus on ‘Lessons from the Latinx Church’
“Lessons from the Latinx Church” is a webinar series provided by the Freedom Road Institute for Leadership and Justice to help church leaders and pastors learn and live into the new possibilities for ministry. A free introductory session is taking place on June 30 at 12 noon (Eastern time). Sessions will continue at 12 noon (Eastern time) every Tuesday through July 28.
- Young adult webinar is dedicated to uncovering the complexity of racism
Two days before George Floyd’s murder, National Young Adult Conference (NYAC) participants gathered to watch Drew Hart present on the systemic racism that was about to once again become front-page news. But for far too many of us in the church, particularly those of us who are white, it is all too easy to ignore when it doesn’t dominate the headlines.