Three more churches have received grants from the Brethren Faith in Action (BFIA) fund. This fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps in the United States, using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Hillcrest School issues statement about former principal
Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria, has issued a statement about former principal James McDowell’s admission of having molested students. He was principal from 1974-1984. He made the admission in a Facebook post on April 15. McDowell was not a Church of the Brethren mission worker.
Most Brethren camps are planning to be ‘in-person’ this summer
“In person” is the mode for most Church of the Brethren camps this summer. Representatives of several of the camps reported on their planning for the 2021 season in a recent Zoom meeting of the Outdoor Ministries Association, chaired by Gene Hollenberg with Linetta Ballew as vice-chair.
Newsline for May 7, 2021
NEWS
1) Bethany Seminary to confer 26 degrees and certificates to Class of 2021
2) EDF grants support CDS work on border, COVID-19 relief in Nigeria and around the world
3) Brethren Benefit Trust board affirms five strategic goals
4) BBT issues annual lists of companies screened from investments for Dept. of Defense contracts
5) On Earth Peace holds early April board meeting
6) EYN 74th Majalisa commends six districts, lists resolutions
PERSONNEL
7) Rhonda Pittman Gingrich is hired as director of Annual Conference
8) Jennifer Houser to direct the Brethren Historical Library and Archives
9) Zechariah Houser to coordinate short-term service for the Church of the Brethren
10) Fabiola Fernandez resigns from Church of the Brethren’s Information Technology department
11) Kim Gingerich to be interim program assistant for Brethren Disaster Ministries
12) Lee Marsh to assist at Church of the Brethren General Offices
UPCOMING EVENTS
13) Brethren Volunteer Service offers in-person summer orientation unit
14) New and Renew virtual conference to occur next week
15) Brethren bits: Prayer for India, update on US deportations to Haiti, Shenandoah District to hold in-person disaster auction, SVMC announces changes in its governing board, Bridgewater College celebrates commencement, and more
Brethren bits for May 7, 2021
In this issue: Prayer for India, update on US deportations to Haiti, Shenandoah District to hold in-person disaster auction, SVMC announces changes in its governing board, Bridgewater College celebrates commencement, and more
EDF grants support CDS work on border, COVID-19 relief in Nigeria and around the world
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund to COVID-19 response in Nigeria through Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and the worldwide COVID response by Church World Service (CWS). Another grant supports CWS relief work in Indonesia and Timor-Leste following flooding. A grant also has been given to support a humanitarian response at the southern US border by Children’s Disaster Services (CDS).
EYN 74th Majalisa commends six districts, lists resolutions
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) held its General Church Council Annual Conference, also known as Majalisa, with successful approvals, deliberations, commendations, celebrations, and presentations on April 27-30. About 2,000 pastors, delegates, and heads of programs and institutions were in attendance at the EYN Headquarters in Kwarhi, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
Brethren Volunteer Service offers in-person summer orientation unit
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is pleased to announce that we will be hosting an in-person summer orientation for Unit 329 at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio, from July 18-Aug. 6. We are excited to be able to gather safely and in intentional community for the orientation experience once more!
BBT issues annual lists of companies screened from investments for Dept. of Defense contracts
As an agency of a historic peace church that believes in nonviolence, Brethren Benefit Trust has long screened out investing the funds of Brethren Pension Plan members and its money management clients in weapons and weapons systems, firearms, and US Department of Defense contracts.
Brethren Benefit Trust board affirms five strategic goals
Continuing to affirm bold steps in the plan to position Brethren Benefit Trust for a strong future, the BBT board affirmed the five strategic goals that evolved throughout 2020 from conversations among board and staff members, with members and clients, and with denominational leadership.
