Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deployed a team of three volunteers to Oak Park, Ill., to aid children and families among asylum seekers who have been sent to Chicago from the southern border of Texas. The team served from Monday, Nov. 6, to Thursday, Nov. 9, caring for 51 children.
Church of the Brethren general secretary signs letter from Christian leaders to President Biden
In a Nov. 9 letter to President Biden, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and 30 American Christian leaders including Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele called on President Biden and his administration to support an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, de-escalation, and restraint by all involved.
‘Prayer Vigil: Ceasefire Now!’ will pray for peace in Israel and Palestine
The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is among the sponsors of a time of prayer for peace in Israel and Palestine to be held in-person in the nation’s capital this coming Monday.
Next online meeting of Standing with People of Color process is Nov. 18
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has called for a three-year denominational process to move toward more vibrant and effective solidarity with communities of color. You are invited to join the efforts of the Standing with People of Color Study/Action process by attending an online meeting on Saturday, Nov. 18, to get connected and find your role in our efforts.
Standing Committee of Annual Conference to hold online meetings open to the public
Below are links to two upcoming meetings of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
Brethren Academy offers courses on pastoral care, church history ‘Reformation to today’
Two upcoming courses scheduled for early 2024 are being highlighted by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a collaboration of the Church of the Brethren and Bethany Theological Seminary. The courses may be taken for course credit, continuing education, or personal enrichment:
FaithX announces service trip opportunities for all ages in 2024
A total of 13 service trips are planned for FaithX 2024, the Church of the Brethren’s program of short-term service opportunities for youth, young adults, and adults. New opportunities include more options for combined junior and senior high youth groups, a family camp with childcare provided, an older adult trip in February, and both international and domestic trips for adults.
Outdoor Ministries Association holds its annual retreat at Camp Eder
From Nov. 12-16, Camp Eder in Fairfield, Pa., hosted members of the Outdoor Ministries Association of the Church of the Brethren for a retreat/conference. Leadership from 14 camps and Brethren Volunteer Service joined together in exploring the theme of “Discipleship.” Pieter Tramper, from Brethren Woods in Virginia, was the coordinator.
Illinois and Wisconsin District sends query on to Annual Conference
The Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District met for its district conference Nov. 3-4 at Lanark (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, with about 125 people attending including 57 delegates. Phyllis Batterton of the Woodland congregation (Astoria, Ill.) served as moderator, with the theme “Encouraging One Another.”
Churches in Nigeria fill with music, dancing, and prayer as WCC visits
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) was among the Nigerian denominations whose congregations received visits during a recent meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee in Abuja, Nigeria. Members of the WCC executive committee visited an array of congregations on Sunday, Nov. 12, “bringing a deep spiritual aspect to their gathering,” said a WCC release.
