— The Brethren Historical Library and Archives at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., seeks applicants for its Archival Internship Program. The purpose of the program is to develop interest in vocations related to archives and libraries and/or Brethren history. The program will provide the intern with work assignments in the BHLA and with opportunities to develop professional contacts. Work includes processing archival materials, writing descriptive inventories, preparing books for cataloging, responding to reference requests, and assisting researchers in the library. Professional contacts may include attending archival and library conferences and workshops, visits to libraries and archives in the Chicago area, and participation in a Brethren Historical Committee meeting (pending COVID-19 restrictions). BHLA is the official repository for Church of the Brethren publications and records. The collection consists of more than 10,000 volumes, 3,500 linear feet of manuscripts and records, 40,000 photographs, plus videos, films, DVDs, and recordings. The one-year internship begins July 2022 (preferred). Compensation includes housing, a stipend of $550 every two weeks, and health insurance. A graduate student is preferred, or an undergraduate with at least two years of college, with interest in history and/or library and archival work, willingness to work with detail, accurate word processing skills, ability to lift 30-pound boxes. Full COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of the internship. Submit a resume to COBApply@brethren.org or contact the Office of Human Resources, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323-8039 ext. 367. All submissions must be completed by April 1, 2022.
An update from pastor Alexander Zazhytko of the Chernigov Brethren in Ukraine has been received from Quinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren pastor Keith Funk, who is the congregation’s main contact in the US. “Alex and family are no longer in Chernigov (Chernihiv). We are communicating a little more as they are at an undisclosed area in Ukraine, where it is safer for them,” Funk has reported to Newsline. “The immediate challenges for them are getting medicines and food, particularly the former as they have prescription needs in the family. As with many in their country, they are now of the status of refugees. Though they are in the country, they have been forced from their home due to the destruction of the city.” Funk asked Newsline readers “to remember this family in prayer as they have left their home for purposes of safety and security. And may we pray for this war to end that life, hope and peace be restored to this people and their land.”
— “Today we had the second of the Global Check-in & Prayer series,” wrote LaDonna Sanders Nkosi, director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, in an announcement of an online interview with Youth and Young Adult Ministries director Becky Ullom Naugle. Find it on Facebook at https://fb.watch/bZJv_o8aZt.
— “To God be the glory, the Margi South portion of the New Testament has been printed and…will be dedicated and launched on April 23, 2022,” wrote Sikabiya Ishaya Samson, a Bible translator and minister of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). His email to Newsline celebrated completion of translation of the New Testament in the Margi South language of northeast Nigeria. “Pray for the success of the program,” he wrote. “Pray that God will touch lives and many will come to the language of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray also that God will use the avenue to raised local support for the completion of the whole New Testament.”
— “If you’re connected to the Michigan District of the Church of the Brethren, this Kingian Nonviolence Training is for you!” said an announcement from On Earth Peace. The training is offered from March 22 through May 17. Participants will learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy and methodology for nonviolence. Sessions will include special attention to Christian spiritual formation for nonviolence, grounded in Dr. King’s sermons and writings, and time for spiritual discipline and socio-theological reflection. Go to www.onearthpeace.org/2022-03-22_knv_core_trng_michigan. If you are interested in the training but not connected with the Michigan District, contact knv-training@onearthpeace.org to inquire about future opportunities.
— Sounds of the Mountain Storytelling Festival is returning in person at Camp Bethel near Fincastle, Va. “Be here for another dynamic and fun storytelling event,” said an announcement. Tickets, schedule, and all the details are at www.SoundsoftheMountains.org.
— The Global Women’s Project, a Church of the Brethren-related group, is seeking new members to serve on its steering committee. “Are you or do you know a woman who is globally minded and has gifts to offer?” said an announcement. “The GWP steering committee is in charge of all the programming and administration of the organization. The commitment is a five-year term. The committee meets monthly for an hour on Zoom and twice a year for a longer meeting. Once online and once in person. There is typically 1-3 hours of work between meetings.” To nominate someone, fill out the online form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOnDBylNwWUpbzqc1njxVykwn6XfeulusJTgeUwJvSaYa_8A/viewform.
–– “After being put on hold for two years, our CPT delegations have returned!” said an announcement from Community Peacemaker Teams. Delegates will be expected to adhere to team and local COVID protocols. The organization announced two upcoming delegations:
Iraqi Kurdistan, May 29 to June 10: The delegation will delve into Kurdish culture and their history of resistance from the team’s home in Sulaimani; will travel to several different regions to meet families and visit villages targeted by Turkey and Iran’s cross-border bombing; and will meet civil society activists and journalists whose rights to freedom of expression are systematically silenced through orchestrated political efforts, like the recently released Badinan prisoners and their families, whom CPT accompanied during their imprisonment and trial.
Colombia, June 26 to July 7: The lack of implementation of the 2016 peace agreements signed between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has resulted in a volatile space for establishing a comprehensive and lasting peace. The mining and farming communities of Northeast Antioquia fear a new escalation of violence by different armed groups in their territory. This delegation will share with communities and grassroots organizations that resist violence and oppression.
Go to www.cpt.org.
— An online panel presentation titled “The Historic Peace Churches: Integrating Theology and Practice for Peacebuilding” will be held on Tuesday, April 5, from 3:30-5 p.m. (Eastern time) as part of Carter School Spring Peace Week at George Mason University. One of the facilitators for the event is Naomi J. Kraenbring, a current doctoral student at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at GMU, an ordained minister at Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and an adjunct professor in the religious studies department at Elizabethtown College. A number of Church of the Brethren participants will be taking part in the panel including Nate Hosler of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, Matt Guynn of the staff of On Earth Peace, and Rebecca Dali of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) who is well known for her work with widows and orphans affected by violence in northeast Nigeria. Also on the panel will be several Mennonites and Friends (Quakers) who are working at peacebuilding and conflict transformation in various capacities. Panelists will discuss their current work and how it has evolved from their relationship with and connection to the Historic Peace Church traditions, as well as insights about the relevance of the Historic Peace Churches’ peacebuilding activity and what these traditions might have to offer the larger peacebuilding community, both scholars and practitioners. Free registration is required at www.eventbrite.com/e/265338493577. Also, there are other events held during this Spring Peace Week through the Carter School that may be of interest–see https://carterschool.gmu.edu/news-events/carter-school-peace-week/spring-2022-peace-week.
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Annual Conference 2024 invites Church of the Brethren to gather in Grand Rapids
- Annual Conference officers return query regarding congregational latitude on matters of human sexuality
- Silent Auction to benefit translation expenses and the general Annual Conference budget
- Mission and Ministry Board completes Kingian Nonviolence training, works at envisioning
- Leadership Team issues clarification on On Earth Peace membership with Supportive Communities Network