— Correction: David R. Miller was misidentified in the last issue of Newsline’s “Brethren bits.” He is a member of the Worship Leadership Team for the 2023 Annual Conference.
— The Church of the Brethren seeks applicants for the full-time, salaried position of managing editor of Brethren Press. The managing editor manages the publishing projects and production schedule for Brethren Press; supervises the work of contracted writers, editors, designers, and others; edits and typesets selected publications; and handles acquisitions and permissions. Qualifications include experience in project management, excellent writing and editing skills, strong organizational abilities, and the capability to become deeply informed about the identity and beliefs of the Church of the Brethren. A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master’s degree in a related field, such as divinity or biblical studies, is preferred. The managing editor is expected to work proficiently in Microsoft products, InDesign, Adobe Acrobat, and Access. Full COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment. The managing editor reports to the publisher of Brethren Press. The position is based at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.; location is negotiable. A position description will be provided upon request. Applications will be reviewed and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org; Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 ; 800-323-8039 ext. 367. The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
— On Earth Peace has announced a new goal to train 1,000 Church of the Brethren members in Kingian Nonviolence. Kingian Nonviolence is rooted in the philosophy and leadership of the Martin Luther King Jr. and the leadership of the Civil Rights Movement. “Our hope with the 1,000 Brethren Kingian Nonviolence Training program is to help revitalize the church to use nonviolence for Christian peacemaking and help Brethren to re-imagine how to engage with communities and issues of concern,” said a release. “We see this as an opportunity for our historic peace church to come alive in our times with a spiritually rooted and strategic approach in responding to violence and injustice. This is a great opportunity for the church to engage with its communities and help rejuvenate peace throughout the church.” Contact Annabell Knapp, knv-fellow@onearthpeace.org, for more information about this project.
Beginning Sept. 15, On Earth Peace is offering a Level 1 Training of Trainers in Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation. The classwork section of the course is four hours a week, from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15, meeting on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern time). Those who successfully complete the classwork section will be eligible for practice teaching from January through April 2023, working a senior trainer to co-facilitate a public, 16-hour core workshop in Kingian Nonviolence. For more information go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/13kVxYQdK9DSnakHjvIgj_GrSw2z5iLjmMWgSknSTppg/edit. Find the application form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZ9nem57jKppoUZX51Q0Qz14pNBHqFwO1ugY2cTK3hgUXtvw/viewform.
— In more news from On Earth Peace, the agency is holding an online meet up for a gun violence organizing campaign on Sept. 2 at 3 p.m. (Eastern time). “We want to connect with people in churches and neighborhoods who are concerned about gun violence in the US–people who are already taking some action or who want to get involved,” said an announcement. “Come share your story or your hopes for involvement! The goal of this campaign is to move into direct action to reduce gun violence in the United States. If you have been active, we want to hear your stories so others can learn from your experience; if you are recently fired up we want to offer community and place to connect. For all of us, we want to build capacity and commitment and see the way forward.” Go to www.onearthpeace.org/gun_violence_campaign_organzing_meet_up_20220902.
— Virlina District is requesting help with a campus ministry effort at Virginia Tech. “The Blacksburg Ministries Committee of the New Church Development Committee has been diligently working towards establishing an on-campus ministry for Church of the Brethren students at Virginia Tech,” said the district newsletter. “The application process requires the sponsorship of students…. If you know of a current Virginia Tech student who would help us in the application process, please contact Paul J. Stover at (540) 797-5015 or pstover1980@gmail.com, Glen H. Sage at (276) 398-3548 or glensage@centurylink.net or Amber T. Harris at (540) 230-2923 or atharris11@gmail.com.”
— The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) seeks applicants for the position of director of communications. This position is based at the NCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. The director of communications is responsible for all of the NCC’s outward messaging including press statements, social media, website, multimedia, and weekly email newsletter. Find the full job description at https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/ncc-seeks-a-director-of-communications. Apply by sending a cover letter and resume/cv to jobs@nationalcouncilofchurches.us.
— In more news from the NCC, leaders of the council joined with Faith for Black Lives to hold an interfaith Prayer Vigil on the 180th day of Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia. Griner, a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17, said an NCC release. “President Biden has described Brittney Griner as being wrongfully detained and has called on Russia to release her,” the NCC reported. “Faith leaders offered prayers for Brittney Griner, her family, teammates, and for those unjustly incarcerated throughout the world. We call for the immediate release of Brittney Griner and all who are unjustly incarcerated in the United States and abroad. As faith leaders we are committed to pray and protest to bring Brittney home.” Participants in the vigil included Vashti M. McKenzie, a bishop and interim president and general secretary of the NCC. View a recording of the online vigil at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMeVaW65T4.
— Kylie Crist, a member of Quinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, has been nominated for the Kansas Teacher of Promise Award by the Tabor College Education Department. Crist is a 2022 graduate of the college and is in her first year of teaching at Oakley (Kan.) Elementary School. She will be honored by the Kansas State Department of Education on Sunday, Sept. 25. Read more at https://tabor.edu/crist-rader-nominated-for-kansas-teacher-of-promise-award.