“Our Children’s Disaster Services team in Houston is keeping busy,” reported Kathy Fry-Miller, associate director of Children’s Disaster Services (CDS). A CDS volunteer team has been caring for children and families affected by the storms that have hit Texas recently, causing tornados and also widespread flooding in north-central areas of the state.
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Global Food Crisis Fund Gives More Than $90,000 in Grants
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) has allocated a number of grants totaling more than $90,000. The allocations support Proyecto Aldea Global in Honduras, THARS in Burundi, a community garden related to Mountain View Church of the Brethren in Idaho, two community garden projects in Spain, and agricultural training in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Brethren Bits for June 3, 2015
In this issue: Betsy Mullich resigns from Brethren Disaster Ministries, Aaron Neff to serve as Brethren Historical Library and Archives intern, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks a personnel coordinator and Palestine Project support coordinator, Nigerian Brethren give thanks for people who escaped from Gwoza, Brethren Academy provides “Healthy Boundaries 201″ training at Annual Conference, webinar about World Refugee Day, and more.
Trauma Healing in Nigeria: A Cathedral of Tears and Forgiveness
Musa* grew up in a close-knit family that did not change even as they became adults. The siblings looked out for each other and their parents. When Boko Haram insurgent activity increased in 2014, the family became concerned for the welfare of their parents and tried to get them to move to a safer place. The parents refused, saying that at their age, they had no interest in running away from home.
District Executives Sponsor Conference Celebrating Gifts, Calling for Leadership
“Are you fanning into flame your gift? Have you started any fires yet?” asked Belita Mitchell, who spoke for the opening plenary of a conference on leadership sponsored by the Council of District Executives (CODE). The conference on May 14-16 was the first such CODE event, and was hosted by Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren.
Ministry Summer Service Pairs Interns with Mentors for Church Ministry
Ministry Summer Service (MSS) orientation is being held this week at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Interns arrived over the weekend, mentors arrived on Monday afternoon, and the group continues its orientation through Wednesday.
Newsline for June 3, 2015
1) Children’s Disaster Services cares for children affected by Texas storms, flooding. 2) District executives sponsor conference celebrating gifts, calling for leadership. 3) Transforming ‘thorns’ into joyful action at Young Adult Conference. 4) Global Food Crisis Fund gives more than $90,000 in grants. 5) Ministry Summer Service pairs interns with mentors for church ministry. 6) The EYN pastor’s wives’ conference: A joyful reunion. 7) Trauma healing in Nigeria: A cathedral of tears and forgiveness. 8) Brethren bits
Transforming ‘Thorns’ Into Joyful Action at Young Adult Conference
Collect. Plant. Grow. Tend. When we came together as a group for Young Adult Conference over Memorial Day weekend, our focus during worship, workshops, and small groups was on these four themes. Overall, we reflected on and discussed how we can take the negative and painful “thorns” of our world and transform them into “joyful action” meant to bring God’s kingdom into this world.
Breaking the Chains: A Reflection from Ecumenical Advocacy Days
I don’t often watch the news anymore; it is too frustrating. I read my fair share of articles while scrolling through my Facebook feed that describe just what state of disarray our world is falling toward. There are few things more terrifying than seeing the brilliantly dramatized retelling of the things that are going on around me, and many days it is hard to find comfort in knowing too much about the world that I live in. Some days I cry.
Brethren Bits for May 27, 2015
In this issue: Remembering Gerald Neher who served in Chibok, new leadership for ADNet, Brethren Academy seeks coordinator of Spanish Language Ministry Training Programs, two Bethany courses to be offered at Brethren-related colleges this fall, last webinar in the “After Christendom” series, and more news by, for, and about Brethren.