One of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) kidnapped while traveling from an IDP camp in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, has miraculously returned home, while his brother is still missing. According to a camp official, the two brothers–Ishaya Daniel and Titus Daniel, aged 20 and 22–were kidnapped from a commercial bus when they were stopped by Boko Haram terrorists along Burutai Road.
Category: Church of the Brethren Newsline
Mission and Ministry Board adopts statement on the Doctrine of Discovery
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, meeting March 10-12 in Elgin, Ill., approved a statement lamenting the Doctrine of Discovery and recommended its adoption by Annual Conference. The Church of the Brethren statement grew out of years of background work by the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and Discipleship Ministries.
Brethren bits for March 17, 2023
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy letters signature, Christian Citizenship Seminar, job listings, stories from congregations, and more
Ministry Office offers events for equipping and renewal
Upcoming events include a virtual session March 27, “Music as a Gateway to the Sacred,” an online book study beginning April 18, the Ministers’ Association pre-conference event July 3-4 in Cincinnati, and the Clergywomen’s Breakfast July 5.
Standing Committee approves time of silent reflection and confession
At a March 3 online meeting, Standing Committee decided on a path forward responding to a recommendation from the 2022 Annual Conference. They voted to read the recommendation of the 2022 Standing Committee and provide for a time of silent personal reflection and confession. Four other subcommittees presented progress reports on their tasks.
Children’s Disaster Services offers training sessions
Children’s Disaster Services has three upcoming training events. Participants completing the 25-hour workshops will have the opportunity to become certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteers. CDS would love to see an increase in the number of Church of the Brethren-related volunteers.
Ecumenical opportunities
Contests, resources, updates, and requests for action from the Center on Conscience and War, Creation Justice Ministries, Ecumenical Advocacy Days, and the World Council of Churches
Ventures in Christian Discipleship announces upcoming courses
The Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson College has announced programs for April, May, and June: “Deep Compassionate Listening,” “Beyond Burned Out to Boundaries and Balance,” and “Black Panther Films as Metaphor: Lessons about Race, Colonialism, Violence, and Identity in Wakanda”
On Earth Peace launches Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team
A new Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team launched in January 2023, with the purpose of encouraging the Church of the Brethren to be faithful as an effective force for reducing gun violence in our neighborhoods and wherever it occurs. On Earth Peace is convening this action team as part of a broader campaign to activate advocates for gun violence prevention.
EYN’s 6th Zonal Centenary Celebration abounds in gratitude
The Mubi zonal celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria included special centenary dress, presentations, dancing, singing, food, and much more, with gratitude to God and all those contributing to the life of the church.