After so much pandemic living and the isolation it’s caused, the centrality of community in this scripture compelled the Young Adult Steering Committee to choose Romans 12:5 as the theme for National Young Adult Conference (NYAC) 2022.
The Program and Arrangements Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is shifting away from a long-standing practice of offering “insight sessions” at the denomination’s annual meeting, focusing instead on “equipping sessions.”
Charles Ezra, about 70 years old, assists on the Disaster Relief Management Medical Team of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). He was abducted Saturday, Dec. 4, on his way home from his farm. He rejoined his family after three terrible days in the hands of his abductors. In more news from EYN, president Joel S. Billi has release his Christmas message.
NEWS
1) Ministry Summer Service: Seeking clarity for the needs of young adults and the church
2) ‘We need you!’: Continuing nominations are welcome
3) Brethren Press Advent devotional breaks sales records
4) EDF grants fund Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding site in North Carolina, aid for displaced Syrians, Yemen war relief
5) Brethren Faith in Action Fund gives grants to three congregations
6) Seeking racial justice: Seminary continues a multifaceted effort
PERSONNEL
7) Jen Jensen hired as Thriving in Ministry program manager
UPCOMING EVENTS
8) Book study on ‘Flourishing in Ministry’
9) Webinar will offer panel on US-China relations
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS
10) York Center book study discusses plight of refugees and immigrants
FEATURE
11) Curious about the new Forerunners faces
12) Brethren bits: National Youth Conference registration opens, Brethren Volunteer Service Christmas list and Winter orientation, study guide for Tod Bolsinger’s plenary at Annual Conference, Nigerian Brethren dedicate annual theme and devotional for 2022, personnel, more
In this issue: National Youth Conference registration opens; Brethren Volunteer Service Christmas list and Winter orientation; study guide for Tod Bolsinger’s plenary at Annual Conference; Nigerian Brethren dedicate annual theme and devotional for 2022; personnel notes; and more.
A webinar titled “US-China Relations: Reconstructing the Escalating US-China Relations Through Peacebuilding” is sponsored by the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. The online event is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time).
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed grants from the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to a rebuilding project site in Pamlico County, N.C.; Syrians displaced by civil war; and people displaced by the war in Yemen. To support these grants financially, give online at https://churchofthebrethren.givingfuel.com/bdm.
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund has given its most recent grants to three congregations: Ellisforde, Lorida, and East Dayton. The fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps in the US and Puerto Rico, using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The eligibility of camps to apply for grants concludes at the end of 2021. Find out more at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action.
The Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program of the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry is offering a book study on Flourishing in Ministry: How to Cultivate Clergy Wellbeing by Matt Bloom. The online event is planned once a week from Jan. 4 to March 3, 2022, on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). Continuing education units are available.
The deadline for nominations for the Annual Conference ballot has been extended until Jan. 1, 2022. The Church of the Brethren denomination and its agencies depend on leaders elected at Annual Conference from nominees proposed by the wider church. We need you!
