Brethren bits

— The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership seeks applicants for the position of administrative assistant, a part-time, non-exempt, 25 to 30 hours per week position either onsite at the Bethany Theological Seminary campus in Richmond, Ind., or remote. Pay is $16 to $18 an hour. The academy is a ministry training partnership of Bethany Seminary and the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office. The administrative assistant provides direct secretarial and administrative support to the academy staff, students, and programs; works collegially with Bethany Seminary staff and faculty, the staff of the Ministry Office, and Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center; processes correspondence and phone calls, photocopying, document and manual preparation; processes course fees and other income; prepares check requests, reimbursements, invoices, credit card statements, and instructor compensation; designs and publishes materials that assist and promote the academy; processes course registrations, distributes syllabi, and arranges online course access; maintains student and academy records; manages a website as well as logistics for student orientations, courses, continuing education programs, and special events. Required qualifications include a high school diploma with an associate degree preferred; clerical experience preferred; strong professional and interpersonal skills including a warm and welcoming presence; organizational skills; good proofreading skills; intermediate knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite and general knowledge of databases; ability to use typical office equipment; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to work as part of a team; ability to set priorities and follow through on tasks; flexible schedule; bilingual ability in English and Spanish preferred. Applicants who live within commuting distance would be expected to work in person at Bethany Seminary. Applicants who live at a distance may apply as a remote employee, but orientation would require a visit to the campus. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply by sending a resume, letter of interest, and contact information for three references by email to Janet Ober Lambert, Director, Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, 615 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374; academysearch@bethanyseminary.edu. Bethany Theological Seminary’s policy prohibits discrimination in employment opportunities or practices with regard to race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or religion.

An invitation for congregations to participate in the Candlelight Vigil for Gun Violence Victims of 2025 comes from the Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team. Churches are invited to host a vigil or remembrance service in December. “This initiative is anchored by the 13th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence being held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., on December 10, 2025,” said the announcement (see www.newtownactionalliancefoundation.org/nationwide-vigils). The team is suggesting, in addition to the Dec. 10 date, the option of Dec. 21 as a Longest Night Service on the Winter Solstice. “We encourage you to list the names of gun violence victims from your community, city, state, or the U.S. in a bulletin insert or printed on separate pieces of paper,” said the announcement. “Congregants could be given the name of a specific victim to read during the service and then pray for the family over the next year. We also invite you to invite family members of the victims or promote this service to your community.” Find names and pictures of gun violence victims at https://gunmemorial.org/search. For more information, contact the team by emailing cob-gvp@onearthpeace.org

— A Human Rights Day Webinar is offered by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) on Dec. 10 at 12 noon (Eastern time) with the focus “How to Advance Human Rights in the Current Context.” The webinar commemorates Human Rights Day, the day set in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “The Trump Administration’s policies and practices are causing real harm and deepening injustice not just in the U.S. but globally,” said the announcement. “NRCAT staff will lead this discussion of how faith communities are working side-by-side with advocacy partners to advance human rights and uphold the inherent dignity of all people. Register today and invite others in your community to attend this important conversation!” Speakers include Ron Stief, NRCAT’s executive director; Johnny Perez, director of NRCAT’s U.S. Prisons Program; T.C. Morrow, NRCAT’s director of Finance and Operations. NRCAT has been a partner for the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. Register for the webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fXHMJ3weTh-KQEKrfYgTzA

— “Walk with us this season as together we pray to Let Children Live,” said an invitation from Churches for Middle East Peace. “Be part of CMEP’s Let Children Live Advent Prayer Chain and 2025 Advent Devotional.” The campaign offers a chance to participate in prayer with others concerned about the Palestinian children affected by war and violance, and to “commit to praying that they may live and flourish…. As we prepare for Christmas, we remember that the peace of Christ is revealed in the lives of children, their resilience, their joy, and their vulnerability. Each day of Advent, pray for your assigned child by name, reflect on Scripture, and take simple steps toward peace.” Find out more at https://cmep.salsalabs.org/adventlclchains/index.html