Government regulations, basic operations and compliance tips, and the potential impact of health care reform will be examined at an interdenominational tax and benefits workshop titled “Best Financial Practices for Your Congregation: Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity” on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Kansas City, Mo. The event, co-sponsored by Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), is designed for pastors, church treasurers, financial secretaries, stewardship and finance committee members, and others involved with church finances.
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Brethren Mark the Second Anniversary of Haiti’s Earthquake
The Church of the Brethren in Haiti this week is remembering the earthquake that devastated the Caribbean island nation in early 2010. Tomorrow, Jan. 12, is the second anniversary of the earthquake.
A Reflection on the Haiti Earthquake: Two Years of Recovery
Roy Winter is associate executive director of Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren and director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. He provided this personal reflection to mark the second anniversary of the earthquake.
Dear Beloved Church of the Brethren: A Letter from Port-au-Prince
Ilexene Alphonse is manager of the Ministry Center and Guesthouse of Eglise des Freres Haitiens, where he serves as a program volunteer for the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission and Service program. He sent this letter to the Church of the Brethren in the US.
Thoughts from Haiti on the New Year
Jean Bily Telfort is general secretary of the Comité National of Eglise des Freres Haitiens, the National Committee of the Haitian Church of the Brethren. He wrote these thoughts on the new year on Dec. 31, as 2011 transitioned into 2012 (translated from Kreyol by Jeff Boshart).
BBT’s Members and Clients Invest over $700,000 in Low-Income Communities
From soup kitchens to small businesses in the US and abroad, Brethren Benefit Trust’s member and client assets are making a positive impact on projects that serve low-income areas. In 2011, Brethren Pension Plan members and Brethren Foundation clients provided $735,776 in loans to projects that serve the needs of at-risk communities through BBT’s Community Development Investment Fund (CDIF).
An Overview of Brethren Accomplishments in Haiti, 2010-2011
This listing of work and achievements of the Brethren in Haiti 2010-2011 was compiled by Klebert Exceus, who has led the Brethren Disaster Ministries building projects there (translated from French with the help of Jeff Boshart). All disaster related relief and response programs were funded by Brethren Disaster Ministries via the Emergency Disaster Fund including support for strategic partnerships and much of the agricultural work, except where it is noted that the Global Food Crisis Fund supported the project. All of the church building was made possible through special donations from congregations and individuals to the Emerging Global Mission Fund.
Brethren Colleges Hold Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
A number of colleges related to the Church of the Brethren are holding special events to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, including Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., and Manchester College in N. Manchester, Ind. (information is from college press releases).
Newsline for Jan. 11, 2012
The Jan. 11, 2012, issue of Newsline includes the following stories: 1) Brethren mark the second anniversary of Haiti’s earthquake. 2) An overview of Brethren accomplishments in Haiti, 2010-2011. 3) A reflection on the Haiti earthquake: Two years of recovery. 4) Dear beloved Church of the Brethren: A letter from Port-au-Prince. 5) Thoughts from Haiti on the new year. 6) BBT members, clients invest $700,000 in low-income communities. 7) Dueck offers coaching, resources on ‘Emotional Intelligence.’
8) Gross moves into new role at On Earth Peace. 9) Church’s Elgin warehouse to be collection point for MLK food drive. 10) Brethren colleges hold events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
11) Schedule, workshop topics, DVD available for congregational workshop. 12) New Church Development Conference registration opens Jan. 17. 13) New from Brethren Press: Devotions for Lent, hymn plaque, more. 14) Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, prayer for Nigeria, and more.
Church’s Elgin Warehouse to Be Collection Point for MLK Food Drive
The warehouse at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is to be the collection point for the city’s food drive commemorating Martin Luther King Day. Food collected over the weekend by churches and schools will be brought to the warehouse at 1451 Dundee Ave. for sorting and distribution to area food pantries and the Community Crisis Center.