The month of September has been a busy one for Children’s Disaster Services (CDS). With pandemic protocols in place, CDS volunteer teams have been responding to many requests to serve.
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed an additional grant of $25,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to support repair or rebuilding of 54 homes damaged in the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. The volcano erupted near the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 22.
In 1971, the coalition officially rebranded as the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) in order to expand their mission to include supporting farm worker movements and attracting other communities of faith to their cause. The Church of the Brethren proved to be one such faith community that walked alongside the NFWM following its establishment, and it is in the spirit of celebration that we recognize 50 years of good work by the NFWM and their partners.
As the seasons of the year turn, we also turn to our upcoming continuing education offerings. While we certainly hoped the pandemic would be greatly diminished by now, we still find ourselves watching carefully and planning with caution. Please note the method of delivery for each event: one is in person, one is via Zoom, and one is hybrid giving both options (attending in person or via Zoom). Registration is open for all the events described below.
of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI). Recently, allocations have been made in support of an agricultural initiative of L’Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti), a pig project of Eglise des Freres au Congo (the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC), an urban poultry and vegetable garden project in Honduras, and a goat herd at Capstone 118 in New Orleans.
Franklin Grove (Ill.) Church of the Brethren honored the International Day of Peace through a special Sunday service and by giving away grant-funded, custom-made peace bookmarks and Dove-brand mini ice cream bars. Dixon (Ill.) Church of the Brethren collaborated with Franklin Grove. Their giveaway was the same day at Oliver’s Corner Market in Dixon.
Mountville Church of the Brethren in Atlantic Northeast District has done a couple of things recently to be “Jesus in the Neighborhood.”
Sunday, Sept. 19, at West Goshen (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. One of his favorite Christian musicians, Honeytree, was invited as a special treat for this service, which was followed by a traditional Brethren carry-in meal.
The Pacific Northwest District of the Church of the Brethren has called Lee‐Lani Wright, a member of the Springfield, Ore., congregation, to replace Debbie Roberts on the district’s executive team. Roberts is retiring from the team after serving in the role since 2019.
In July, we encouraged our congregation at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren to go out and be “Jesus in the neighborhood.” It can be challenging to meet and get to know your neighbors when many families stay to themselves and are so busy. Being Jesus to a neighbor can be as simple as helping them carry in their groceries, or mowing someone’s yard when they’re going through a hard time, or just asking how they really are doing.
