Shana Peachey Boshart has been hired as the new program facilitator for the Shine Curriculum, a partnership between Brethren Press and MennoMedia. This grant-funded, fulltime position was created to facilitate the development of the Everywhere Faith program, a new faith practice resource. Shine was awarded a grant of $1,250,000 in August 2023 from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Lafayette group witnesses for peace and a ceasefire; Shine curriculum seeks a project editor, and announces a grant for a new youth curriculum; Juniata College sends a delegation to COP28, and repeats a famous “Book Move”; Bethany Seminary celebrates its new Steinway Grand; Powerhouse update; Global Women’s Project Steering Committee update; latest episodes of Dunker Punks Podcast and Brethren Voices; a special mural at East Dayton Fellowship; and good news from the Brethren Housing Association.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Remembering Ken Holderread, job openings, Lansing Brethren get media coverage for their witness against gun violence, resources on role of media reporting on migration, advocacy effort against solitary confinement, “Songs for Kids by Michael Stern and Friends,” and Juniata women’s volleyball wins again!
The Shine Vacation Bible School curriculum for 2024 invites children to discover Jesus
The Shine curriculum’s Vacation Bible School for 2024 is titled “Seekers in Sneakers: Discover Jesus!” and is available for purchase through Brethren Press. The boxed set includes the basics needed to offer a VBS session this coming summer.
Introducing the Young Adult Steering Committee and the 2024 theme ‘Transformed by God’
This past October, the Young Adult Steering Committee met at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., to begin planning for Young Adult Conference 2024, which will be held May 24-26 at Camp Shepherds Spring in Sharpsburg, Md.
Deadline is extended to make nominations for the 2024 Annual Conference ballot
The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference continues to seek nominations for the 2024 ballot. We are extending the deadline for submitting nominations from Dec. 4, 2023, to Jan. 5, 2024.
In the glow of the Christmas tree lights, let us remember the forests
This year “The People’s Tree” comes from Monongahela National Forest in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. While it makes its way from town to town on its tour to Washington, D.C., its old-growth arboreal neighbors in the forest are at risk of being harvested for timber.
Christian Citizenship Seminar 2024 will focus on immigration
The next Church of the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS), for senior high youth and first-year college students and their adult advisors, will be April 11-16, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The 2024 theme is “And They Fled: Advocating for Just Immigration Policy,” drawing from Matthew 2:13-23.
Strength for the Journey: Brethren Academy is forming 2024 cohorts
New Strength for the Journey cohorts are forming for 2024, with different themes but the same format: monthly, virtual gatherings supported by funds for resources and a skilled convener to help hold sacred space for each group of ministers.
Brethren bits
In this issue: A variety of Advent devotionals and calendars from church-related organizations, remembering Joan Pelletier, job opening, conversations with Howard Royer, “Send some Christmas cheer!” invites Brethren Volunteer Service, BVS anniversary celebrations, upcoming regional youth conferences, “Weaponizing Women in War” webinar, and a new academic volume on “Reparations and the Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair” edited by Drew G. I. Hart and Gimbiya Kettering, among others.
