In this issue: A Thanksgiving playlist from Messenger, a prayer request from Virlina District, job openings, Material Resources shipment to Turkey, Ephrata church hosts men’s conference featuring former mafia boss, new Dunker Punks podcasts, latest episode of Brethren Voices features BVS
Clergy of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have counted 107 farms harvested by Boko Haram said Mishak T. Madziga, EYN district secretary for the Wagga district, in an exclusive interview. In addition, he reported several deaths of EYN members at the hands of the terrorists. EYN president Joel S. Billi, who was in the area to celebrate the autonomy of a new local congregation, confirmed the report of many farmers losing their farms to Boko Haram in this critical time of harvest.
“What Happened December 25, 1723?” is the title for a Brethren Heritage Center event celebrating the 300 anniversary of the founding of the first Brethren church in the Americas. Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia, Pa., is the oldest continuously existing congregation in the Brethren movement, and is considered the “mother church.”
In this issue: Office of Peacebuilding and Policy staff participate at a pray-in for peace in Israel and Palestine, the Material Resources program has shipped a 20-foot container to Honduras, job openings include director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives and director of Finance for Atlantic Northeast District, and the Council of District Executives meets.
Part 2 of the webinar “Leading in Alignment and Wholeness” is coming up on Nov. 14. The presenter is Due Quach. The event is online on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. (Eastern time). Credentialed ministers may receive 0.1 continuing education credit for participating.
This poetic reflection on the experience of members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) when under attack by Boko Haram was written by Sara Zakariya Musa and contributed to Newsline by Zakariya Musa who serves as head of EYN Media.
On Sunday, Nov. 5, Church of the Brethren congregations around the country will celebrate the leadership of their junior high youth in worship. The National Junior High Sunday theme is “Worried and Distracted,” from the story of Jesus’ visit with Martha and Mary.
“Believing and Belonging: Exploring Membership and Baptism for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities” is the title of the second part of a webinar from Anabaptist Disabilities Network, set for Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. (Eastern time).
The November online offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “Meet the Matriarchs,” to be presented by Bobbi Dykema. The course will be held on Zoom Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Central time). Continuing education credit is available.
Our next series of seasonal devotionals from Brethren Press are offered for Advent 2023 and Lent 2024. These paperback, pocket-sized books are suitable for individual use and for churches to give to their members: “All Things New” by Kevin Kessler (Advent 2023), “Through Thick and Thin” by Beth Sollenberger (Lent 2024)
