In this issue: Recording of denominational worship service is available, remembering Dale Ulrich and Sr. Dianna Ortiz, MMB meets next weekend, ‘Peacebuilding When We’re So Divided,’ news from congregations, districts, ecumenical partners, and more.
Multi-vocational ministers have been gathering together virtually to study and share their experience as part of Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church. This program is offered through the Thriving in Ministry initiative of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry. Participants have been sharing insights during two book studies.
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) conducted its Annual Ministers Conference under strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, with minimal numbers of participants, on Feb. 16-19 at the EYN Headquarters in Kwarhi, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
An upcoming webinar on Friday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time) will focus on the ways congregations are navigating the challenges of gathering together and some of the creativity of their initiatives in the midst of the pandemic.
Pastor Bulus Yakura, who was kidnapped, on Christmas Eve at Pemi village in Chibok Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria, was freed on Wednesday, March 3.
NEWS
1) Church of the Brethren staff plan expansion of agriculture and trauma recovery programing in South Sudan
PERSONNEL
2) Miller and Li hired as co-executives of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren
UPCOMING EVENTS
3) Youth and young adult calendar lists upcoming events to be offered online
4) Ventures course to focus on ‘Reformations Past and Present’
5) Westminster church uses mini-grant to present webinar series on racial justice
FEATURE
6) A poetic blessing for the innovative prayer covering
7) Brethren bits: Annual Conference registration opens March 2, prayer requests from Nigeria and the DRC, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs letter urging cuts to “the bloated Pentagon budget,” district and college news, CWS webinar “Thinking Beyond Resettlement: Are Complementary Pathways for Refugees the Answer,” prayer service for 500,000 American deaths to COVID-19
Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren’s Peace and Justice Committee is presenting a webinar series on racial justice in March. The series is funded by a grant obtained through the “mini-grant” program for Racial Justice and Healing Racism of the Church of the Brethren’s Intercultural Ministry.
Irvin Heishman was inspired by a photo of Martha (Mattie) Cunningham Dolby to write this poetic blessing.
Ruoxia Li and Eric Miller begin March 8 as co-executive directors of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren. The married couple will guide the international mission program of the Church of the Brethren, direct and administer denominational mission efforts, and provide administrative and clerical support for Global Mission staff, volunteers, and committees.
A calendar of online events for youth and young adults has been announced by the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult ministry. The events were shared in a letter from director Becky Ullom Naugle to youth advisors and pastors (https://mailchi.mp/brethren.org/youth-young-adult-ministry-2021). Information also is being shared via Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrethrenYYA.
