The tagline for the Church of the Brethren is “Continuing the Work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.” Because of COVID-19, the “together” part for the 2020 National Young Adult Conference presented a difficulty in our ability to create a sense of community. Young adult conference favorite activities include playing late-night board games, singing hymns and campfire songs, gathering for meals, dissecting the scripture in messages and in small groups, and generally just being together.
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Brooklyn First voices speak in the midst of COVID-19 and racism pandemics
The men, women, and children at Brooklyn (N.Y.) First Church of the Brethren speak with a wide variety of voices based in their identities as people of color, trapped for 100 days in their homes by the twin pandemics of coronavirus and racism. Listen carefully and you will hear their anger, beliefs, Christian praises, fears, joys, and hopes for tomorrow.
Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund responds to COVID-19 crisis, Mutual Aid Agency announces new name
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund is announcing that any grant requests related to the virus will be eligible for double matching through the fund. The fund’s parent agency is announcing a name change in celebration of its 135th anniversary. The former Brethren Mutual Aid Agency is now known as the Mutual Aid Agency, or MAA.
Brethren bits for July 18, 2020
In this issue: Racial justice resources from Intercultural Ministries, personnel notes, COVID-19 grants at work, “Inhabit 2020 at Home,” webinars on various topics, another district conference goes online, Bridgewater College announces test-optional admission policy, Christians advocate to keep Hagia Sophia as shared heritage site, and more news by, for, and about Brethren.
Newsline for July 18, 2020
NEWS
1) Mission and Ministry Board holds July 1 meeting via Zoom
2) Committee recommends small increase to minimum cash salary table for pastors in 2021
3) Nominations are sought for 2021 Annual Conference ballot
4) Global Mission creates Country Advisory Teams
5) Brethren Disaster Ministries celebrates Puerto Rico completion and new Ohio project, among updates
6) Bethany Seminary details reopening plans
7) EYN Majalisa holds election for leadership
8) A report on the work of Nigeria’s Disaster Ministry Team
PERSONNEL
9) Scott Kinnick resigns as district executive minister for Southeastern District
UPCOMING EVENTS
10) Webinar to explore Holy Spirit as ‘mover and shaker of ideas and actions’
11) Moderator’s Town Hall on ‘Faith, Science, and COVID-19: Part 2′ slated for Aug. 13
REFLECTION
12) Death Row Support Project reflects on first federal executions in 17 years
13) Brethren bits: Racial justice resources, personnel, COVID-19 grants at work, “Inhabit 2020 at Home,” webinars, another district conference goes online, Bridgewater College announces test-optional admission, Christians advocate to keep Hagia Sophia as shared heritage site, more
A report on the work of Nigeria’s Disaster Ministry Team
The Disaster Ministry of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria’s (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) has been operating for more than five years. The staff work in numerous humanitarian sectors specifically in Nigeria’s northeast. One of their constant struggles is knowing who to help, as there is always more need than funds and materials to go around.
Moderator’s Town Hall on ‘Faith, Science, and COVID-19: Part 2′ slated for Aug. 13
Church of the Brethren Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey has announced plans for another Moderator’s Town Hall on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). The topic will be “Faith, Science, and COVID-19: Part 2.” A special focus will be the current reality of the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the reopening of churches.
EYN Majalisa holds election for leadership
The 73rd Annual General Church Council Conference (Majalisa) of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) was held July 14-16 at the EYN Headquarters in Kwarhi, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. The highest decision-making body of the church denomination was initially scheduled for March 31 to April 3, but was postponed due to the global pandemic.
New Brethren Press resources include a Bible study on the Psalms and a new book for children’s worship
“People of faith across the centuries have used the Psalms, laden with powerful images and emotions, in their devotional life,” said an announcement from Brethren Press about its newest Covenant Bible Study. “God’s Steadfast Love in the Psalms” is written by Christina Bucher, a professor of religion at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College.
Webinar to explore Holy Spirit as ‘mover and shaker of ideas and actions’
The Office of Ministry is sponsoring a webinar titled “Exploring the Holy Spirit: Mover and Shaker of Ideas and Actions” on July 30 from 1-2 p.m. (Eastern time). Leading the event will be Grace Ji-Sun Kim, professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion, and Denise Kettering-Lane, associate professor of Brethren Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary. Both schools are located in Richmond, Ind.