The Palestine Committee meeting on the morning of Dec. 1 at the United Nations was in commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. All too often I hear “Palestine” and it does not register that about 2 million Palestinians live under occupation in the densely populated area of the Gaza Strip, under a 13-year blockade, in a place where 90 percent of the water is undrinkable. The people depend on international humanitarian aid in order to survive from day to day.
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Newsline for Nov. 21, 2020
NEWS
1) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs EDF grants to hurricane relief in Central America
2) Global Brethren Communion holds second meeting as virtual gathering
3) Bethany Seminary announces tuition freeze in response to student need
4) West Charleston celebrates Thanksgiving with ‘Flat Mack’
UPCOMING EVENTS
5) Brethren Volunteer Service offers a virtual orientation this Winter
REFLECTION
6) Celebrating Thanksgiving in spite of the pandemic (and maybe a little because of it)
7) Brethren bits: Last call for Brethren Insurance Services open enrollment, BBT extends COVID-19 emergency grant program, Brethren Disaster Ministries celebrates two house blessings, Brethren Historical Library and Archives plans next online tour of “1700s Publications,” prayer requests from Nigeria, and more
Brethren bits for Nov. 21, 2020
— “Time is running out!” said an announcement from Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT). “Open enrollment for Brethren Insurance Services ends Nov. 30, so now is the time to sign up for new insurance products, add coverage for products you already use, increase limits, and make other changes. And you can do all this without medical
West Charleston celebrates Thanksgiving with ‘Flat Mack’
Unable to have our traditional indoor Thanksgiving worship service and carry-in meal, the church leadership team at West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, Ohio, engaged in a session of creative thinking in which “Flat Mack” was born.
Global Brethren Communion holds second meeting as virtual gathering
In December 2019, Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) hosted a gathering of representatives from seven global Church of the Brethren denominations. A second gathering in person was not possible this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the first virtual Global Church of the Brethren Communion meeting was held on Nov. 10.
Brethren Volunteer Service offers a virtual orientation this Winter
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) will be holding a virtual Winter Orientation for Unit 328. Due to the number of interested applicants and the continued health concerns over the pandemic, BVS has made the decision to offer a virtual orientation for new volunteers from Jan. 31-Feb. 12, 2021.
Brethren Disaster Ministries directs EDF grants to hurricane relief in Central America
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed two grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to assist the hurricane relief work of partner organizations in Central America. The grants respond to needs following two hurricanes that have hit Central America this month, Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
Moderator’s name used in spam email
Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey’s name has been used in a spam email this week. Church of the Brethren members are advised not to reply to this fake email and to immediately delete it. The email is titled “OUR LORD BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU” and includes a scam request for gift cards to donate to patients with COVID-19.
Newsline for Nov. 14, 2020
1) EDF grants provide relief aid in the US, Nigeria, DRC, Lebanon, and Venezuela
2) Districts share updated COVID-19 guidance with churches
3) Bridgewater College issues statement about Strategic Resource Allocation plan restructuring
4) Connie Burkholder to be interim executive minister for Illinois and Wisconsin District
5) Brethren Press highlights a dozen resources for the fourth quarter of 2020
6) Brethren bits: Copies of annual report ‘Living Letters’ postcard sets are still available, a report and prayer requests from EYN’s disaster ministry in Nigeria, reminders of the next Moderator’s Town Hall and open enrollment at BBT, World Council of Churches publishes “Global Health COVID-19 Response Framework,” and more
Brethren bits for Nov. 14, 2020
In this issue: Copies of annual report ‘Living Letters’ postcard sets are still available, a report and prayer requests from EYN’s disaster ministry in Nigeria, reminders of the next Moderator’s Town Hall and open enrollment at BBT, World Council of Churches publishes “Global Health COVID-19 Response Framework,” and more news by, for, and about Brethren.
