“In person” is the mode for most Church of the Brethren camps this summer. Representatives of several of the camps reported on their planning for the 2021 season in a recent Zoom meeting of the Outdoor Ministries Association, chaired by Gene Hollenberg with Linetta Ballew as vice-chair.
NEWS
1) Bethany Seminary to confer 26 degrees and certificates to Class of 2021
2) EDF grants support CDS work on border, COVID-19 relief in Nigeria and around the world
3) Brethren Benefit Trust board affirms five strategic goals
4) BBT issues annual lists of companies screened from investments for Dept. of Defense contracts
5) On Earth Peace holds early April board meeting
6) EYN 74th Majalisa commends six districts, lists resolutions
PERSONNEL
7) Rhonda Pittman Gingrich is hired as director of Annual Conference
8) Jennifer Houser to direct the Brethren Historical Library and Archives
9) Zechariah Houser to coordinate short-term service for the Church of the Brethren
10) Fabiola Fernandez resigns from Church of the Brethren’s Information Technology department
11) Kim Gingerich to be interim program assistant for Brethren Disaster Ministries
12) Lee Marsh to assist at Church of the Brethren General Offices
UPCOMING EVENTS
13) Brethren Volunteer Service offers in-person summer orientation unit
14) New and Renew virtual conference to occur next week
15) Brethren bits: Prayer for India, update on US deportations to Haiti, Shenandoah District to hold in-person disaster auction, SVMC announces changes in its governing board, Bridgewater College celebrates commencement, and more
In this issue: Prayer for India, update on US deportations to Haiti, Shenandoah District to hold in-person disaster auction, SVMC announces changes in its governing board, Bridgewater College celebrates commencement, and more
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund to COVID-19 response in Nigeria through Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and the worldwide COVID response by Church World Service (CWS). Another grant supports CWS relief work in Indonesia and Timor-Leste following flooding. A grant also has been given to support a humanitarian response at the southern US border by Children’s Disaster Services (CDS).
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) held its General Church Council Annual Conference, also known as Majalisa, with successful approvals, deliberations, commendations, celebrations, and presentations on April 27-30. About 2,000 pastors, delegates, and heads of programs and institutions were in attendance at the EYN Headquarters in Kwarhi, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is pleased to announce that we will be hosting an in-person summer orientation for Unit 329 at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio, from July 18-Aug. 6. We are excited to be able to gather safely and in intentional community for the orientation experience once more!
As an agency of a historic peace church that believes in nonviolence, Brethren Benefit Trust has long screened out investing the funds of Brethren Pension Plan members and its money management clients in weapons and weapons systems, firearms, and US Department of Defense contracts.
Continuing to affirm bold steps in the plan to position Brethren Benefit Trust for a strong future, the BBT board affirmed the five strategic goals that evolved throughout 2020 from conversations among board and staff members, with members and clients, and with denominational leadership.
Rhonda Pittman Gingrich has been hired as director of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. She will begin her work on Aug. 23, working from her home in Minneapolis, Minn., and from the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. She will succeed Chris Douglas, who retires as Conference director on Oct. 1.
Zechariah Houser has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as coordinator of short-term service for Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), working from the General Offices in Elgin, Ill.