To build just and sustainable peace, engaging churches as well as ecumenical organizations and civil society, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has launched an Ecumenical Peace Advocacy Network (EPAN). The launch came out of a consultation on Dec. 1-5 in Sigtuna, Sweden.
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Congregational Life Blog Adds Dimension to Brethren Press Advent Devotional
Congregational Life Ministries staff are posting a daily blog on www.brethren.org to accompany the 2014 Advent devotional published by Brethren Press. The blogposts are provided each day from the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, through Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2015.
Brethren Bits for Dec. 2, 2014
In this issue: Correction, Fellowship of Brethren Homes personnel announcements, Brethren Disaster Ministries seeks volunteers to work in Nigeria, registration is open for CCS 2015, LOVE EYN at Frederick, and more.
Reflections on Returning to South Sudan
“Malέ?” the Nuer greeting of “peace” filled the air as I reconnected with Nuer people of the Mayom/Bentiu area of South Sudan after 34 years. What a joyous occasion to again see these friends and to be able to introduce them to Jay Wittmeyer on our recent trip to South Sudan. This meeting confirmed the importance of the presence of the Church of the Brethren personnel from the 1980s to the present as we worked on issues of development and peace.
Newsline for Dec. 2, 2014
NEWS 1) Haiti Medical Project receives second grant from Royer Family Charitable Foundation. 2) Congregational Life Ministries leader addresses Powerhouse at Camp Mack.
PERSONNEL 3) Carl and Roxane Hill to co-direct Nigeria crisis response
RESOURCES 4) Congregational Life blog adds dimension to Brethren Press Advent devotional
FEATURES 5) Reflections on returning to South Sudan. 6) Borderlands reflection: ‘What did you go out to the desert to see?’ Luke 7:26. 7) Brethren bits
Haiti Medical Project Receives Second Grant from Royer Family Charitable Foundation
For the second year the Royer Family Charitable Foundation of Lancaster, Pa., is providing major support to the Church of the Brethren Haiti Medical Project. The current grant of $126,300 will support an expanded program of mobile clinics, a first Social Ministries Consultation in Haiti, a new thrust into community health and pure water projects, and an endowment fund.
Carl and Roxane Hill to Co-Direct Nigeria Crisis Response
Carl and Roxane Hill have been named co-directors of the Nigerian Crisis Response for the Church of the Brethren, beginning Dec. 1. They will be working as part of the Global Mission and Service department and Brethren Disaster Ministries, and will be based at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Congregational Life Ministries Leader Addresses Powerhouse at Camp Mack
More than 80 youth and advisors met at Camp Mack in Milford, Ind., on Nov. 15-16 for the Powerhouse regional youth conference sponsored by Manchester University. All six Midwest districts of the Church of the Brethren were represented, covering Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Newsline for Nov. 25, 2014
1) Brethren Disaster Ministries surpasses goal of Sandy recovery grant from Red Cross
2) EYN Compassion Fund has distributed more than $200,000 to aid Nigerian Brethren
3) Musa Mambula speaking tour to extend into mid-January
4) Global Food Crisis Fund grant supports agriculture training in east Africa
RESOURCES
5) Advent worship resources are online for the 2014 Advent offering
6) Brethren bits
Advent Worship Resources Are Online for the 2014 Advent Offering
This quote from an invocation prayer written by Tim Harvey for the 2014 Advent offering in the Church of the Brethren provides a sample of the free Advent worship materials that are now available online.