What does justice look like to an elementary child? If a first grader is cold on the playground, justice may look like a warm coat if the rest of his class has them. Or to a fourth-grade girl, justice may look like clothes that fit if Mom and Dad can’t afford to replace the ones she’s outgrown. Justice may look like a new toy at Christmas for a third-grade child for whom, unlike his friends, Santa never comes.
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Pacific Southwest District requests prayer for Conexion Pasadena congregation affected by fire
Pacific Southwest District executive minister Russ Matteson today (Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025) shared the following prayer request for the Conexion Pasadena congregation of the Church of the Brethren, which has been directly affected by the Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area, as well as other church members and congregations across the area.
Upcoming webinar introduces ‘Fresh Expressions in the Anabaptist/Pietist Tradition’
The Church of the Brethren’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation is offering a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. (Eastern time), as the first of a series of three online events offered in partnership with Fresh Expressions. Credentialed ministers may receive 0.1 continuing education credit.
Recent Brethren Faith in Action grants go to eight congregations
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) in its latest round of grants, approved in late 2024 through early 2025, has given grants to eight Church of the Brethren congregations. The fund provides grants using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Church of the Brethren supports investigation of past allegations of abuse at Hillcrest School in Nigeria
The Church of the Brethren is supporting an independent investigation and assessment of allegations of multiple forms of abuse that may have occurred at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria. The investigation is being carried out by the Zero Abuse Project.
CDS Critical Response Childcare team serves in New Orleans following truck attack
Early on Jan. 1, 2025, a truck was driven into a crowd on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring 35 others. Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has sent a Critical Response Childcare team to provide a calm presence for the children of victims or children of families of the victims.
Shenandoah District supports Burundi sewing project
The goal of the 2023 Shenandoah District Conference was to raise $4,000 to purchase sewing machines for use in Burundi.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Remembrances, job openings, a Zoom meeting of Standing Committee, Service Sunday, FaithX registration, EYN pastors released, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, upcoming events, and much much more.
Death Row Support Project offers series of informational sessions
The Death Row Support Project (DRSP) will be holding informational sessions for people interested in learning more about writing to those on death row. Join us on Zoom at any of the below times. During the session we will go over some basics of how this project works, introduce members of the team who are here to support you, and talk about expectations of DRSP writers.
Statement of priorities guides budget decision by Mission and Ministry Board
A statement outlining a set of ministry priorities for the Church of the Brethren denomination has guided the Mission and Ministry Board’s decision on the 2025 budget. These priorities, identified by executive-level staff following a series of retreats that general secretary David Steele held over the past year, were outlined by Steele working with the Executive Committee.