“Thinking Theologically with Our Hands,” a virtual webinar featuring MaryAnn McKibben Dana, will be presented by the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministries on June 13 from 5-6 p.m. (Eastern time). Registration is free, and ministers may earn .01 continuing education units through the Brethren Academy for $10.
“You told us that you’d like a choice, so we’re offering both print and digital teaching resources this fall,” said an announcement from Brethren Press and the Shine curriculum produced jointly with MennoMedia.
David Shetler has announced his retirement as executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Southern Ohio and Kentucky District, as of Dec. 31. He has served in leadership of the district for 11 years, since Jan. 1, 2011.
Norman and Carol Spicher Waggy have concluded an interim assignment as directors of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren, as of May 14. They served in the position on a part-time basis starting March 2, 2020.
The Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources director Loretta Wolf has issued a plea for more donations of Church World Service (CWS) disaster relief kits. The Material Resources staff process, warehouse, and ship disaster relief materials and other goods working out of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) has announced grants to support agriculture and food security projects in four countries including a soybean project in Nigeria, a food crops project in Ecuador, a maize mill project in Uganda, and two community gardens in the US.
Prayer is already an important part of our preparation for and participation in all Annual Conference events. This year, however, we are seeking to blanket the entire event in prayer…morning to night. The 2021 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference takes place as a virtual, online event on Wednesday through Sunday, June 30-July 4.
The above statement was released on June 19, 2020. In November of 2020, BVS was asked to take the statement down temporarily because some of the language was offensive to members of the Church of the Brethren. In the spirit of the 2009 Annual Conference statement “A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues,” BVS staff took time to work at mutual understanding, doing much research, listening, and learning. After reviewing Annual Conference statements, referencing the newly adopted Mission and Ministry Board Strategic Plan, and in light of events that have occurred since its initial release, BVS staff feels the need to restate its stance on racism and recommit itself to working towards healing racism.
NEWS
1) Most Brethren camps are planning to be ‘in-person’ this summer
2) BFIA grants go to three more churches
3) Hillcrest School issues statement about former principal
PERSONNEL
4) Walt Wiltschek to serve as Illinois and Wisconsin District executive minister
5) Brethren bits: Remembering Ernie Bolz, continued prayer for India and Venezuela, Bermudian Church of the Brethren history, Southern Ohio and Kentucky District offers virtual camping, On Earth Peace webinars, Laszakovitz sermon chosen for El Camino collection
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has issued a statement condemning the violence in Jerusalem and calling for the Biden administration to intervene immediately.
