—The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is one of 62 faith-based organizations sending a letter to members of Congress calling on legislators to dramatically cut militarized spending, reinvest in the wellbeing of communities, and curtail the harms of the United States militarized foreign policy. Read the full letter here.
—At Christian Citizenship Seminar 2023, held in Washington, D.C., April 22-27, youth in high school and the first year of college will learn about the climate crisis in relation to food security, gain tools to address Congress, hear examples of local communities’ ministry and Church of the Brethren churches around the world, and strengthen their biblical understanding of God’s love in this work.
The culminating activity will be when youth meet with their legislators on Capitol Hill, encouraging them to enact laws that prioritize the most vulnerable. To get ready for that visit, youth will engage in a variety of learning sessions about different facets of the problems.
Besides these learning sessions, youth will meet and talk with others from across the country in small groups. On Sunday morning, all will enjoy ecumenical worship in a variety of settings in the city. Cultural opportunities, like visiting museums and national monuments, provide additional enrichment.
—Jen Houser, director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, invites people to volunteer in the archives. “We would love to have some volunteers, whether short-term or long-term, to help us process our backlog of materials, organize our space and materials, or help us complete other projects.” For more information, contact Houser at brethrenarchives@brethren.org or 847-429-4368.
—The Church of the Brethren presently seeks to fill the following positions:
- Associate Director of Children’s Disaster Services
- Volunteer Coordinator of Brethren Volunteer Service
- Brethren Historical Library and Archives intern (paid)
Find the details at https://www.brethren.org/about/employment/
—Camp Brethren Heights has an opening for part-time Camp Director. The availability is planned to overlap with current director Randall Westfall, who will depart in August. The camp, founded in 1949, is 70 ecologically diverse acres on the western shores of Jehnsen Lake. If interested in the position, please contact camp board chair, Jack Durnbaugh at durnbaugh.family@yahoo.com by April 15, 2023.
—Oakland Church of the Brethren in Bradford, Ohio, will hold “Let’s Fall in Love,” an adult prom, on April 15 from 5-9 p.m. to benefit Brethren Disaster Ministries and district camps. The program includes a catered dinner and music and is open to all those over 21 in the Southern Ohio/Kentucky district. For more information or to order tickets, call Oakland Church of the Brethren at 937-448-2287.
—The Elizabethtown College Concert Choir will perform at the Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren (LCOB) on March 25, at 7 p.m., as part of the congregation’s Starlight Tea concert series. In keeping with the Starlight Tea tradition, tea and cookies will be served following the concert. This free concert series is supported by patrons and free will offerings received at concerts.
—Nadina Pupic, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from Bosnia, recently gave a shout out to sponsor Linville Creek Church of the Brethren in Broadway, Va. Read her story at https://www.dnronline.com/i-want-to-say-thank-you-bosnia-native-shares-story/article_a202f425-198b-5f46-958e-458c7299dfd8.html
—The Holyoke Enterprise recently featured the “Sew Blessed” group at Haxtun (Colo.) Church of the Brethren. The group meets each Monday to sew useful items from recycled T-shirts and pillowcases. Read the story at https://www.holyokeenterprise.com/local/sew-blessed-group-seeks-aid-young-and-old-using-recycled-items
—The Bridgewater College Forum for Brethren Studies will sponsor a Conversation with the Moderator on Thursday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Boitnott Room at Bridgewater College. The Forum has asked Moderator Tim McElwee to offer brief remarks on the state of the denomination before opening the session for questions.
—Author and activist Shane Claiborne recently profiled Church of the Brethren member SueZann Bosler in a new film series “The People vs. The Death Penalty“. Find the video at https://twitter.com/ShaneClaiborne/status/1630035960732823553?s=20