John Fillmore has been called by the Church of the Brethren’s Idaho/Western Montana District as district executive minister in a quarter-time capacity. He was affirmed and installed at the district conference on Oct. 12.
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Brethren bits
In this issue: A prayer request from Brazil, job openings with Eder Financial, ecumenical training and service opportunity for young adults, resources from Churches for Middle East Peace, “Last chance to save” on the Anabaptist Community Bible, an invitation to a research project on music’s effects on convictions and Brethren identity, and much more.
Brethren Disaster Ministries works to help coordinate response with districts
Staff of Brethren Disaster Ministries continue to work with district leaders to help coordinate response efforts including the collection and distribution of relief materials and donations for emergency funding–especially for the hardest-hit areas in Southeastern District. Another conference call with district leaders is planned for Friday afternoon, Oct. 11. Brethren Disaster Ministries urges church members
Church World Service distributes thousands of disaster kits, offers support to survivors in wake of hurricanes
Church World Service (CWS) is sharing updated kit distribution numbers and information about relief efforts following on the recent hurricanes. To date, CWS has coordinated the shipment of 4,372 Clean-Up Buckets, 8,720 Hygiene Kits, 5,890 blankets, 1,205 Menstrual Hygiene Kits, 590 School Kits, and 72 Welcome Backpacks to partners in Florida and North Carolina (a
Children’s Disaster Services places two teams of volunteers in North Carolina
CDS has two teams of volunteers serving in North Carolina. The four volunteers in “Team Fletcher” have been serving children and families at a shelter in Fletcher, N.C., since Thursday, Oct. 3. This response is in partnership with the Red Cross. When they arrived, the shelter housed 300 people, and there was a boil water
Districts respond with aid to hurricane survivors, collections of relief goods and monetary donations
Several Church of the Brethren districts have issued calls or started service projects in response to Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton. In addition, reports Brethren Disaster Ministries, “individuals and congregations have been calling and emailing all week asking how they can help in the effort.” Here are some of the ways districts and congregations
Children’s Disaster Services helps families in shelter, Brethren Disaster Ministries directs grants for aid, among other Hurricane Helene updates
As media report that the death toll from Hurricane Helene has topped 200–with more than half of the deaths in western North Carolina–Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) have begun active responses to aid survivors of the storm and its aftermath.
Clergywomen’s Retreat registration is now open online for event in February 2025
Registration is now open for the 2025 denominational Clergywomen’s Retreat to be held Feb. 10-13, 2025, in Winter Park, Fla. This event, which takes place every five years, offers an opportunity for all licensed and credentialed clergywomen to gather for refreshment, renewal, and inspiration.
Standing with People of Color Committee offers October trainings
This month, the Standing with People of Color Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is offering two opportunities for facilitator training for those interested in leading a “7 Prompts” conversation in their communities and congregations.
Sharon Norton hired as executive director of Global Mission
Sharon Norton has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as executive director of Global Mission. Her previous mission work spans 27 years, including 9 years in multiple positions and the most recent 4 years as co-administrator for Europe and Africa with the Mennonite Mission Network, which is related to the Mennonite Church USA.