On Oct. 20, 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution designating the first week in February to be the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. Larry Ulrich, Church of the Brethren representative on the Interfaith Relations Commission of the National Council of Churches, is encouraging congregations to observe the week scheduled for Feb. 1-7, 2013.
Year: 2012
Peace Camp 2012 in Bosnia-Herzegovina: A BVS Reflection
The following report on Peace Camp 2012 held in Bosnia-Herzegovina is from Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker Julianne Funk, originally published in the BVS Europe newsletter. Kristin Flory, coordinator for Brethren Service in Europe, notes that “20 years ago this year, we started sending BVSers to peace groups in ex-Yugoslavia.”
Vital Ministry Journey Now Open to All Congregations, Districts
Initially developed with Middle Pennsylvania District, the new Vital Ministry Journey is being considered by several other districts and congregations across the denomination. An emerging effort of Congregational Life Ministries, Vital Ministry Journey is a way for denominational staff to partner with congregations and districts toward holistic health.
Newsline for Nov. 15, 2012
1) Sandy shipments from New Windsor center now exceed $900,000 in value. 2) Church fund makes grants for Sandy response, new BDM project in Binghamton, NY. 3) Seminary trustees meet, approve expansion of Brethren and reconciliation studies. 4) Bethany announces faculty openings in Brethren, reconciliation studies. 5) Committee shares hopes for Sunday of renewal, releases logo for 2013 Annual Conference. 6) Nigerian Brethren leaders to speak at Young Center, Mission Alive. 7) Special interest courses offered through Bethany Seminary in the spring. 8) Pre-publication price available for Lenten devotional from Brethren Press. 9) Congo Journal: A Brethren pastor’s run/walk for peace. 10) Brethren bits.
Special Interest Courses Offered Through Bethany Seminary in the Spring
Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. – May 2012 Bethany Seminary is offering four graduate-level courses during the spring 2013 semester that may be of interest to the occasional student, those interested in taking courses without enrolling in a degree program. The courses are offered as weekend intensives. Two special topic
Nigerian Brethren Leaders to Speak at Young Center, Mission Alive
Samuel Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and his wife Rebecca, a scholar who recently received her doctorate from the university in Jos, Nigeria, are traveling in the United States. Their itinerary includes speaking engagements at Mission Alive 2012 hosted by Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and at the Young Center at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. They also will visit Manchester University and Bethany Seminary, lead Sunday school and worship at Crest Manor Church of the Brethren in South Bend, Ind., and spend an evening with Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.
Brethren Bits for Nov. 15, 2012
Brethren bits includes remembrances for Jim Sampson, John Post, Roy Edwin McAuley, and Ruth Clark. Also featured: the Gemmer Peacemaking Award from Atlantic Southeast District, an opening for BL&T editor, a 100th birthday at the Westminster Church, and lots and lots more church news from across the denomination.
Pre-Publication Price Available for Lenten Devotional from Brethren Press
The 2013 Lenten devotional from Brethren Press is now available to order at pre-publication pricing. To place orders, call 800-441-3712 or go to www.brethrenpress.com . “The Practice of Paying Attention: Devotions for Ash Wednesday through Easter” is written by Dana Cassell
Congo Journal: A Brethren Pastor’s Run/Walk for Peace
Gary Benesh, pastor of Friendship Church of the Brethren in N. Wilkesboro, N.C., was inspired to return to long distance running after he heard Global Mission and Service executive Jay Wittmeyer share the story of the Congo Brethren. “Coming from the most violent area on earth, they were particularly interested in taking seriously Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and the Gospel being a ‘Gospel of Peace’ (Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15),” he explained. Benesh set out to “run, walk, or crawl” 28 miles across Wilkes County in the northwestern North Carolina foothills of the Blue Ridge escarpment to raise money for the Congo mission and for peace in that region of the eastern Congo. Here is his story:
Committee Shares Hopes for Sunday of Renewal, Releases Logo for 2013 Annual Conference
A logo for the 2013 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, and more details about the schedule including a Sunday focused on spiritual renewal, have been released by the Program and Arrangements Committee. The 2013 Conference takes place June 29-July 3 in Charlotte, N.C. The largest block of the committee’s meeting was spent “fleshing out the Sunday plans as a day of renewal,” reported Douglas. This is a new initiative of Program and Arrangements, following calls for an emphasis on spirituality at the annual meeting, along with a worshipful context for the carrying out of church business.