On Earth Peace invites interested individuals to participate in an informational webinar to learn more about the organization’s Anti-Racism Transformation Team.
Year: 2014
Court Rules to ‘Vacate’ Clergy Housing Allowance Case
“We have good news to share!” said an update from Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) about a court case that had the potential to seriously affect the tax status of clergy housing allowances. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the clergy housing allowance case brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. is to be vacated (eliminated) and remanded (sent back) to the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin with instructions to dismiss the case. The court ruled that the plaintiffs have no standing to bring a complaint.
Brethren Bits for Nov. 18, 2014
In this issue: Church of the Brethren seeks chief financial officer, ADNet seeks half-time director, registration opens Dec. 1 for Christian Citizenship Seminar, youth group starts a Dunker Punks Café, dates for 2015 Meat Canning Project are set, E’town School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers new Health Care Administration degree program, UNHCR release numbers Nigerians in the thousands fleeing into neighboring countries, and more news from and for Brethren.
National Council of Churches Governing Board Issues Statement from Ferguson
As Missouri governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency yesterday in anticipation of the imminent indictment, or lack thereof, of officer Darren Wilson, the National Council of Churches (NCC) gathered in St. Louis for a meeting of its governing board. The atmosphere was tense in the room as the governor’s order to ready the National Guard came during a panel discussion featuring four pastors and community leaders from Ferguson, Mo.
Newsline for Nov. 18, 2014
NEWS: 1) National Council of Churches governing board issues statement from Ferguson
2) In addition to constant prayer, funds are needed in Nigeria
3) Court rules to ‘vacate’ clergy housing allowance case
4) Communication informs about new IRS rule on pre-tax health insurance premium contributions for pastors, church workers
UPCOMING EVENTS: 5) Congregational Life Ministries offers webinars on ‘Just Friendship’ and ‘Youth Work after Christendom’
6) On Earth Peace to host informational webinar on Anti-Racism Transformation Team
FEATURE REFLECTION: 7) How a concern becomes a value
8) Brethren bits
In Addition to Constant Prayer, Funds Are Needed in Nigeria
The following is the script from a short video report on the Nigeria crisis by Church of the Brethren videographer David Sollenberger. He returned last week from a reporting trip to Nigeria on behalf of Brethren Disaster Ministries and Global Mission and Service. In the video, this script is interspersed with brief interviews not quoted here. View the video at www.brethren.org or on YouTube at http://youtu.be/T_Y9hlxuBfo :
Newsline for Nov. 12, 2014
NEWS: 1) Global Food Crisis-funded project in Nigeria is lost along with EYN headquarters compound
2) WCC general secretary: Dismay over attacks on churches in Nigeria
3) Reflections on the destruction of the Armenian church in Deir Zor
PERSONNEL: 4) LeAnn Harnist resigns as treasurer of the Church of the Brethren
UPCOMING EVENTS: 5) Office of Public Witness helps plan conference on drone warfare
RESOURCES: 6) Brethren Press offers Advent devotional, winter Guide for Biblical Studies, Yearbook on CD
7) Brethren bits
LeAnn Harnist Resigns as Treasurer of the Church of the Brethren
LeAnn Harnist has resigned as executive director of Organizational Resources and treasurer of the Church of the Brethren, effective Jan. 16, 2015. She has served on the denominational staff for more than 10 years, since March 2004.
Brethren Press Offers Advent Devotional, Winter Guide for Biblical Studies, Yearbook on CD
Brethren Press has a number of new resources available including “Awake: Devotions for Advent Through Epiphany,” “Church of the Brethren Yearbook: 2014 Directory, 2013 Statistics” in CD format, and the winter quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies” on the theme “Acts of Worship.” Purchase from Brethren Press at www.brethrenpress.com or order by calling 800-441-3712.
Brethren Bits for Nov. 12, 2014
Retirement party honors Rex Miller, BDM interim staffing, jobs with the Church of the Brethren, EYN leader to speak at Young Center, W. Pennsylvania challenged to pray daily for Nigeria, Illinois/Wisconsin returns query, and more.