Dana Cassell has resigned as program manager of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative for the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry, effective Sept. 16. She has served in this role since Jan. 7, 2019, most recently managing the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program.
The Church of the Brethren’s National Youth Cabinet gathered Aug. 6-10 in Fort Collins, Colo., at Colorado State University for an onsite visit preparing for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2022.
COVID-19 affected the ways in which we worship. Many congregations responded by offering ways to gather online, and this shift will change how worship attendance is counted and then reported to the Church of the Brethren Yearbook Office. All Church of the Brethren congregations–whether they offer online worship or not–are encouraged to complete this 5-minute survey.
summer orientation at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio, from July 18 to Aug. 6. Unit 329 had five volunteers. BVSers and staff spent three weeks in intentional community connecting with each other through meaningful conversations, exploring different cooking techniques, living in solidarity, and serving the local community in Ohio.
The Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College begins its 2021-2022 season with an evening course on “Christ, Culture, and God-talk for the Coming Church.” The course will be held online on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Central time) presented by Scott Holland of the Bethany Seminary faculty.
has been tending to their community garden for about five years now, thanks to the original initiative of former pastor Belita Mitchell. The current garden coordinator, Waneta Benson, cites this year as the best year yet!
In this issue: The logo for the 2022 Annual Conference is released, prayer requests from Global Mission, job opening, Calling the Called, ‘The Truth About Military Recruiting,’ Atlantic Southeast’s annual Family Peace Camp, McPherson experiences record enrollment, among other news by, for, and about Brethren.
COBYS Family Services will hold its 25th annual Bike & Hike fundraising event on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The signature components of walking and riding bicycles or motorcycles continue. Group starts return this year and an updated route for the walkers, who will stroll through the Lititz business district on Main and Broad Streets, is being introduced. Families, friends, church groups, and riding clubs are encouraged to attend, line up sponsors to support their efforts or donate to the event.
The Church of the Brethren extends its prayers on behalf of our Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ due to the devastating earthquake that hit the island nation on Saturday. We mourn for the loss of life, shelter, and basic needs, and are deeply concerned for the impending tropical storm. Heavy rains were forecast for today.
NEWS
1) Global Mission staff released from custody in South Sudan
2) Global Food Initiative makes Ecuador visit
3) Action alert brings attention to crisis situation in Nigeria
4) Office of Peacebuilding and Policy monitors AUMF and withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan
5) Letter encourages equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines
6) Church workers’ COVID emergency grants are extended again
7) Haiti Medical Project continues to meet needs for health care and community development
UPCOMING EVENTS
8) Virtual National Older Adult Conference to offer keynote presentations, worship and Bible study, unique online gatherings
9) Online formation experience is offered by Discipleship Ministries and Diversity 2 Inclusion
10) Annual Conference office co-sponsors webinars on theme of equipping for leadership
RESOURCES
11) Video promotes nominations and explains process for choosing denominational leadership
12) Brethren Press offers a new Bible story book from Shine
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS
13) Chicago First Church speaks out in support of Brethren Volunteer Service
14) Neighborhood prayer walk helps Celebration of Christ Church reach out
15) Lancaster Church to host International Fun Day on Aug. 21
16) Manchester Church of the Brethren hosts blood drive in honor of 5-year-old
17) Lakeview Church participates in conversation about community center
18) Trinity Church members make quilts for Sabetha Community Hospital
PERSONNEL
19) Joshua Rowan to work in IT for the Church of the Brethren
20) Brethren bits: Remembering Kendal Elmore, BHLA welcomes Jennifer Houser with Facebook event, Bethany Seminary seeks executive for Institutional Advancement, Material Resources gets trailer of Lutheran World quilts, district conferences, new staff for Anabaptist Disabilities Network, more
