From Chris Douglas, Conference Director It is still our hope and plan to gather as the 234th Annual Conference on July 1-5, 2020. You are encouraged to register and plan to be with us! We are very aware of the COVID-19 challenge and its rapidly changing character. We are carefully monitoring guidelines from the Centers
Webinar on Holy Week worship planning is offered by the Office of Ministry
By Nancy Sollenberger Heishman The Office of Ministry of the Church of the Brethren will host a Zoom webinar conversation on March 26 focused on Holy Week worship planning. Many congregations have suspended in-person worship during the COVID-19 crisis yet are seeking to find ways to stay deeply connected to one another and their communities.
Brethren Press makes free, downloadable resources available
By Jeff Lennard We know that many congregations are cancelling services as the COVID-19 virus spreads. Brethren Press wants to make it as easy as possible for your congregation to study and worship together–even from afar. Therefore, each week during this outbreak, Brethrenpress.com will be updated with free resources to help people in your church
New webpage provides ministry resources for congregations and church leaders
A new webpage with resources for congregations and church leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic has been posted at www.brethren.org/discipleshipmin/resources . This webpage, which will be updated on a regular basis, is focused on ministry resources to support congregations and church leaders during a time when congregations may not gather in person. Brethren Disaster Ministries continues to offer
Christian Citizenship Seminar 2020 is cancelled
By Becky Ullom Naugle Due to the continued concerns related to the coronavirus, Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS) 2020 has been cancelled. Staff laments this cancellation but cannot continue making plans in the current environment. Had the event taken place as planned on April 25-30, more than 40 youth and advisors from 11 districts would have
Newsline for March 17, 2020
“But [Jesus] would withdraw to deserted places and pray…. [And] the power of the Lord was with him to heal” (Luke 5:16-17–the scripture for the March 16 meditation in “Holy Manna,” the Brethren Press 2020 Lenten devotional) NEWS 1) Christian Citizenship Seminar 2020 is cancelled2) New webpage provides ministry resources for congregations and church leaders
Brethren Disaster Ministries temporarily suspends volunteer travel to rebuilding sites, Children’s Disaster Services postpones spring training workshops
Brethren Disaster Ministries temporarily suspends volunteer travel to rebuilding sites, Children’s Disaster Services postpones spring training workshops today. “After considerable discussion and prayer, BDM has made the decision to temporarily suspend all volunteer travel to rebuilding sites.” Two upcoming Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) trainings are being postponed and rescheduled to minimize non-essential travel for trainers and
Virus forces changes and/or cancellations of events at all levels of the denomination
Events at all levels of the Church of the Brethren denomination have been changed, canceled, and/or postponed because of the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, from the Mission and Ministry Board to Bethany Seminary and the Brethren Academy to districts, congregations, and other groups. Here are some of those announcements: — The Mission and Ministry Board meeting location
Some Church of the Brethren congregations are offering live-streamed worship
A number of Church of the Brethren congregations already offer live streaming of worship services. Now those congregations are in a position to be able to offer worship and fellowship online in the event in-person worship services are canceled because of the coronavirus. The denomination’s one fully online congregation is the Living Stream church. The
Brethren bits for March 13, 2020
Brethren bits for March 13, 2020