Over the last year or more, Greg Davidson Laszakovits has made a lot of changes, all by choice. Although it was a difficult year for many reasons, on a professional level 2021 was good—but “it’s not been tidy.” Tidy is not a word commonly used by those doing the work of healing racism, and Laszakovits is no exception.
For the past 29 years, the Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District has come to count on Joe Vecchio to answer the phones, send letters and emails, build databases and websites, and be a friendly and helpful presence as the district’s administrative assistant.
As director of Humanitarian and Disaster Response for World Relief, and someone who has attended a Church of the Brethren congregation for many years, I am stunned and saddened by what is happening in Ukraine. As a member of the Integral Alliance, World Relief has witnessed many natural and man-made disasters over the years. Nothing quite compares to this.
The Virlina District of the Church of the Brethren has announced the retirement of district executive minister David Shumate, as of Dec. 31. He has led the district for almost 30 years, since Jan. 1, 1993.
NEWS
1) Mission and Ministry Board’s Spring meeting addresses Ukraine, reviews Strategic Plan initiatives and BFIA guidelines, among other business
2) Prospects for new ministry in Ecuador emerge from passion and compassion
3) Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria dedicates two factories
4) Church World Service calls for signatures to support displaced Ukrainians
5) South Sudan church official highlights country’s humanitarian crisis, as global attention turns to Ukraine
6) Bridgewater College launches support program for students with autism spectrum disorder
PERSONNEL
7) Connie Sandman retires from 40-year career at Brethren Benefit Trust
UPCOMING EVENTS
8) Intercultural Ministries offers online Global Check-in and Prayer Series
9) BBT offers webinar on clergy and church worker eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS
10) West Richmond Church participates in Henrico County book drive for school libraries
FEATURE
11) Using the gifts we have: A reflection from the church’s work in Brazil
12) Brethren bits: Remembering Stanley Smith and Gene Swords, prayer requests for moderator David Sollenberger’s trip to Rwanda and Uganda and for a fire at the Orlando (Fla.) Haitian congregation, FaithX registration open until April 1, video of annual conference of the church in Venezuela, Lenten videos based on the art of Paul Grout, and more
A statement on the war in Ukraine topped the agenda of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board at its meeting on March 11-13, held in person at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and via Zoom. Chair Carl Fike led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
At her new church, Silva brought her passion and compassion for children’s and youth ministries in Ecuador. One of her friends from work in New Jersey was from Ecuador. This friend invited her to on numerous trips to Ecuador to work with a church near the city of Cayambe with a local congregation, about an hour north of Quito, Ecuador’s capital city. In early 2020, Silva shared with her pastors the idea of organizing a trip to Ecuador.
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) has dedicated water and bread factories on March 3. The factories are based in Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State. The factories called Crago Bread and Stover Kulp Water are named after two of the Brethren missionaries from the USA who worked in Nigeria.
The Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries has started an online Global Check-in and Prayer Series, which will welcome special guests to speak on various topics.
A change in federal regulations governing student loan forgiveness means that clergy and other church workers, previously excluded from this program, are now eligible. If you are interested in learning whether your student loan debt qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, you are invited to attend a free webinar that will explain the qualifications and requirements, what the application deadline is, and what you must do to apply.
