The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has called for a three-year denominational process to move toward more vibrant and effective solidarity with communities of color. You are invited to join the efforts of the Standing with People of Color Study/Action process by attending an online meeting on Saturday, Nov. 18, to get connected and find your role in our efforts.
Below are links to two upcoming meetings of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
Two upcoming courses scheduled for early 2024 are being highlighted by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a collaboration of the Church of the Brethren and Bethany Theological Seminary. The courses may be taken for course credit, continuing education, or personal enrichment:
A total of 13 service trips are planned for FaithX 2024, the Church of the Brethren’s program of short-term service opportunities for youth, young adults, and adults. New opportunities include more options for combined junior and senior high youth groups, a family camp with childcare provided, an older adult trip in February, and both international and domestic trips for adults.
From Nov. 12-16, Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa., hosted members of the Outdoor Ministries Association of the Church of the Brethren for a retreat/conference. Leadership from 14 camps and Brethren Volunteer Service joined together in exploring the theme of “Discipleship.” Pieter Tramper, from Brethren Woods in Virginia, was the coordinator.
The Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District met for its district conference Nov. 3-4 at Lanark (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, with about 125 people attending including 57 delegates. Phyllis Batterton of the Woodland congregation (Astoria, Ill.) served as moderator, with the theme “Encouraging One Another.”
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) was among the Nigerian denominations whose congregations received visits during a recent meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee in Abuja, Nigeria. Members of the WCC executive committee visited an array of congregations on Sunday, Nov. 12, “bringing a deep spiritual aspect to their gathering,” said a WCC release.
In this issue: A Thanksgiving playlist from Messenger, a prayer request from Virlina District, job openings, Material Resources shipment to Turkey, Ephrata church hosts men’s conference featuring former mafia boss, new Dunker Punks podcasts, latest episode of Brethren Voices features BVS
Clergy of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have counted 107 farms harvested by Boko Haram said Mishak T. Madziga, EYN district secretary for the Wagga district, in an exclusive interview. In addition, he reported several deaths of EYN members at the hands of the terrorists. EYN president Joel S. Billi, who was in the area to celebrate the autonomy of a new local congregation, confirmed the report of many farmers losing their farms to Boko Haram in this critical time of harvest.
“What Happened December 25, 1723?” is the title for a Brethren Heritage Center event celebrating the 300 anniversary of the founding of the first Brethren church in the Americas. Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia, Pa., is the oldest continuously existing congregation in the Brethren movement, and is considered the “mother church.”
