Recent grants made from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) have been directed by Brethren Disaster Ministries
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Brethren Disaster Ministries director makes visit to area affected by Hurricane Helene
The director of Brethren Disaster Ministries, Jenn Dorsch-Messler, traveled through Virginia and North Carolina the week of Oct. 21 to visit with Church of the Brethren district and church leaders. The trip responded to the impact of Hurricane Helen in both states.
Crucial Christian conversations on racial justice and racism
Let’s take the opportunity, in small groups of three or four people, to share, listen to, and process our feelings and observations about racial justice and racism in our lives as Brethren by coming together via Zoom on Nov. 23 from 1-5 p.m. (Eastern time). During this four-hour session, members of the Standing with People of Color Committee will help you experience the “7 Prompts” and the BELOVED model of communication first-hand.
Jeff Lennard announces his retirement from Brethren Press
Jeff Lennard has announced his retirement from Brethren Press, effective March 28, 2025. He has served as director of Marketing and Sales for the Church of the Brethren publishing house for 18 years, since Nov. 2006.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Remembering Jennifer Quijano West, Church World Service (CWS) has shared information about how it is planning to continue to support immigrants and refugees, at COP29 religious leaders have called for “regeneration and renewal of our only planetary home,” latest from Brethren Voices, and more.
‘Learning to Wash Feet’ resource offers new videos defining discipleship, exploring Brethren ordinances
The Discipleship and Leadership Formation department of the Church of the Brethren is announcing a new discipleship resource called “Learning to Wash Feet.” Director of spiritual formation Joshua Brockway has produced a series of five videos that define discipleship and explore the ordinances as examples of practices of discipleship formation.
November Ventures course to focus on understanding grief
The November offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “Understanding Your Grief to Find Hope and Healing” to be presented by Chris Whitacre and Kathy Reid. The course will be held online in two sessions, Tuesdays, Nov. 19 and 26, both at 7-8:30 p.m. (central time).
Brethren bits
In this issue: International prayer concerns, Children’s Disaster Services volunteers work in Florida, Annville church delivers 75 Clean-Up Buckets, job opening at the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, upcoming events offered by the SVMC and On Earth Peace, and more.
Coalition sends letter calling on senators to support joint resolutions of disapproval on arms sales to Israel
The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is one of more than 100 faith-based and humanitarian organizations signing a letter to the senators in the US Congress urging them to cosponsor and vote in favor of four joint resolutions of disapproval introduced by Senators Sanders, Welch, and Merkley regarding several specific major arms sales to Israel.
Standing Committee meets by Zoom to adopt agency covenants
The Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference met via Zoom on the evening of Sept. 30 to consider and act on covenants with the three agencies of Annual Conference—Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace. Also acted on was a recommendation to Annual Conference to renew their agency status.