he Church of the Brethren stands by our conviction that “all war is sin” and “we may not participate or benefit from war” (1970 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference statement on war, www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1970-war) but we must ask how we have been complicit in the war in Afghanistan and how we are called to turn now to repentance and right living.
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Haitian Brethren leaders travel to earthquake zone
reres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) this week met and traveled to the area of southern Haiti most affected by the recent earthquake. The trip was to identify emergency needs and possible response by the church.
Dana Cassell resigns from the Thriving in Ministry Initiative
Dana Cassell has resigned as program manager of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative for the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry, effective Sept. 16. She has served in this role since Jan. 7, 2019, most recently managing the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program.
Cabinet gathers in Colorado for onsite meeting preparing for National Youth Conference
The Church of the Brethren’s National Youth Cabinet gathered Aug. 6-10 in Fort Collins, Colo., at Colorado State University for an onsite visit preparing for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2022.
‘How has the pandemic changed your worship habits?’ Yearbook takes survey
COVID-19 affected the ways in which we worship. Many congregations responded by offering ways to gather online, and this shift will change how worship attendance is counted and then reported to the Church of the Brethren Yearbook Office. All Church of the Brethren congregations–whether they offer online worship or not–are encouraged to complete this 5-minute survey.
New Ventures season begins with course on ‘Christ, Culture, and God-talk for the Coming Church’
The Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College begins its 2021-2022 season with an evening course on “Christ, Culture, and God-talk for the Coming Church.” The course will be held online on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Central time) presented by Scott Holland of the Bethany Seminary faculty.
Brethren Volunteer Service holds in-person summer orientation, plans in-person fall orientation
summer orientation at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio, from July 18 to Aug. 6. Unit 329 had five volunteers. BVSers and staff spent three weeks in intentional community connecting with each other through meaningful conversations, exploring different cooking techniques, living in solidarity, and serving the local community in Ohio.
Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren tends its community garden
has been tending to their community garden for about five years now, thanks to the original initiative of former pastor Belita Mitchell. The current garden coordinator, Waneta Benson, cites this year as the best year yet!
COBYS celebrates 25th Annual Bike & Hike
COBYS Family Services will hold its 25th annual Bike & Hike fundraising event on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The signature components of walking and riding bicycles or motorcycles continue. Group starts return this year and an updated route for the walkers, who will stroll through the Lititz business district on Main and Broad Streets, is being introduced. Families, friends, church groups, and riding clubs are encouraged to attend, line up sponsors to support their efforts or donate to the event.
Brethren bits for Aug. 19, 2021
In this issue: The logo for the 2022 Annual Conference is released, prayer requests from Global Mission, job opening, Calling the Called, ‘The Truth About Military Recruiting,’ Atlantic Southeast’s annual Family Peace Camp, McPherson experiences record enrollment, among other news by, for, and about Brethren.