Church of the Brethren Newsline January 13, 2018 NEWS 1) Ending of temporary protected status affects Haitian Brethren and their churches 2) Nigeria Crisis Response celebrates work and achievements in 2017 3) Building dedication marks beginning of classes in EYN-Bethany partnership 4) EYN commissions multi-million Naira project with Bethany Seminary 5) Brethren Microfinance Bank Board of Directors
A multi-million Naira Technological Centre was dedicated and commissioned by Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) president Joel S. Billi on Monday, Jan. 8, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. In his address at the occasion, the president stated that the facility would not be standing today if it were not for the tremendous financial support received from brothers and sisters in America.
In this issue: Remembering Samsudin Moledina, personnel notes, job openings, Jan. 25 is the next moderator’s Town Hall, mission vehicle arrives in South Sudan, worship resources for Service Sunday on Feb. 4, Office of Public Witness involved with upcoming events in D.C., Global Women’s Project celebrates 40th anniversary, World Council of Churches begins 70th anniversary with delegation to China, and more.
Roxanne Aguirre begins Jan. 16 as part-time coordinator of Spanish-language ministry training programs at the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. She will work from her home in central California. The academy is a ministry training partnership of Bethany Theological Seminary and the Church of the Brethren.
This year’s Lenten devotional from Brethren Press, written by Erin Matteson, is titled “Growing in God’s Garden.” The pocket-sized paperback includes daily devotions, scriptures, and prayers for Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, through Easter Sunday, April 1.
A Brethren Microfinance Bank Board of Directors was inaugurated by Joel S. Billi, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) on Saturday, Jan. 5, at the EYN Headquarters, Kwarhi. The seven-person board is to be chaired by Eugenia L. Zoaka, and has Daniel Y. C. Mbaya as its secretary. Other members include Paul Mele Gadzama, Samuel Wiam, Sani Drmbi Zira, Rebecca S. Dali, and Joseph Yabwa.
In November, the Trump administration rescinded the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that gave protections against deportation for some 60,000 Haitians who came to the US after a massive earthquake hit their country. Today is the eighth anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.
Registration for the 2018 National Youth Conference of the Church of the Brethren opens in six days on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. (central time). NYC takes place at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., on July 21-26.
I am amazed at the end of each year when I add up and record all the work that has been done in Nigeria by the Nigeria Crisis Response, a joint effort of the Church of the Brethren with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Last year, 2017, was no different.
New to National Youth Conference in 2018: all service projects will take place on the campus of Colorado State University. NYC will be hosted at CSU in Fort Collins, Colo., on July 21-26, 2018. Registration opens online on Jan. 18, 2018, at 6 p.m. (central time) at www.brethren.org/nyc .
