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.
The following statement was provided to Newsline by Abbie Parkhurst, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications at Bridgewater (Va.) College: Bridgewater College’s Board of Trustees concluded its fall meeting on Nov. 6. After extensive review, the trustees voted to accept nearly all of the administration’s recommendations. This includes phasing out low-enrollment majors in Applied Chemistry, French, Mathematics, Nutritional Science, Philosophy and Religion, and Physics, as well as the restructuring of the college’s equestrian program. …
The Illinois and Wisconsin District Leadership Team has called Connie Burkholder to serve as interim district executive minister, beginning Jan. 1, 2021. She has previous experience in district leadership in Northern Plains District, where she was district executive minister 1996-2006.
At least three districts in the Church of the Brethren have this week shared updated COVID-19 guidance with their congregations, including Southern Ohio and Kentucky District, Middle Pennsylvania District, and Virlina District.
Brethren Press is highlighting a round dozen resources for use by individuals and churches in this fourth quarter of 2020. On the list are new resources published by Brethren Press for education and enjoyment of young and old. Also recommended are new books by Brethren authors, from other publishers but available to purchase through Brethren Press.
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grants to provide COVID-19 and disaster relief aid in a number of countries. The grants include an additional allocation for the domestic COVID-19 Relief Program in the United States through the end of 2020, to assist Church of the Brethren congregations and districts in providing relief activities in their own communities.
NEWS
1) Workcamp Ministry to be known as Faith Outreach Expeditions or FaithX
UPCOMING EVENTS
2) Planning team announces decision that NOAC 2021 will be a virtual conference
RESOURCES
3) Bible studies on compelling vision to be released for use in Spring 2021
4) Brethren bits: General secretary signs “Statement in Support of Armenia and Armenian Church,” personnel note, Ecumenical Stewardship Center to close, Journaling Experience Afternoon Mini-Retreat, open enrollment for Brethren Insurance Services continues, prayer concerns, and much more
Brethren bits for the Newsline of Nov. 6, 2020
The Compelling Vision Team announces a 13-week Bible study structured around the compelling vision, to be released in February 2021–just in time for spring Sunday school classes and Bible studies. We have 13 different writers from across the denomination preparing these studies.
Workcamp Ministry announces that the program will now be operating under a new name: Faith Outreach Expeditions, or FaithX for short.
