In this issue: Job openings, Global Mission executive visits with CNI, Miami Haitian Church of the Brethren plans “March for Equality” for immigrants, Pinecrest Community celebrating 125 years, Virlina District holds Ministry and Mission event, Mid-Atlantic District Disaster Response Auction is Saturday, Bridgewater College breaks ground for “learning commons,” NCC welcomes progress toward peace on the Korean Peninsula, and more news by, for, and about Brethren.
“What kind of authority does the Bible have for us?” asked Karoline Lewis, one of the keynote presenters at the “Biblical Authority Conversations” on April 23-25. The Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, she joined with Jason Barnhart, director of Brethren Research and Resourcing for the Brethren Church’s denominational office, in leading a group of about 100 Church of the Brethren ministers and lay people at a meeting called by the midwestern districts.
Brethren Press has published a book of poetry by Ken Gibble, titled “A Poetry of the Soul,” among new resources from the Church of the Brethren denominational publishing house. The summer quarter of the Shine curriculum, jointly produced by Brethren Press and MennoMedia, is now available to order on the theme “God’s Creation.” A new children’s Advent devotional by Christy Waltersdorff and Mitch Miller is anticipated in June.
The 2018 Church of the Brethren Young Adult Conference will meet at Brethren Woods on May 25-27. The location is a camp and outdoor ministry center near Keezletown, Va. The conference brings together young adults ages 18-35 on the theme “Teach with your Life” (1 Timothy 4:11-16), sponsored by the denomination’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
“Thanks for coming to do something new, something different,” said Grover Duling, chair of the West Marva District board, to the close to 400 people at the “Brethren Prayer and Worship Summit” April 20-21 in Harrisonburg, Va. People came to the event from 14 of the 24 Church of the Brethren districts.
It is with great excitement and anticipation that we announce the winners of the National Youth Conference (NYC) 2018 Speech Contest. These two youth will get to share their speeches with those attending NYC this summer in Fort Collins, Colo.
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference planned for summer 2019 has been forced to change locations, according to director Chris Douglas. Unexpected delays with major renovations at the Town and Country resort in San Diego, Calif., where the Conference was to have been held, have forced this change. “Town and Country cancelled our contract,” she reported.
This group brought a diversity of gifts and perspectives as it worked to lay out a general roadmap for the development of a compelling vision for the Church of the Brethren. This first meeting was led by Keister, who guided the team through its first stages of planning and the calling of the chair. Pittman Gingrich was called to be chair, and will work in partnership with the Annual Conference moderator to lead the work of the team going forward.
NEWS
1) Mission Alive gathers Brethren around the concept of a global church
2) Global Food Initiative issues grants for community gardens, agriculture initiatives
3) Class of 2018 to graduate from Bethany Seminary
4) Chiques kicks off 150th anniversary with old-time worship service
PERSONNEL
5) Dan McFadden resigns as director of Brethren Volunteer Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
6) Brethren Academy lists upcoming courses
FEATURE
7) Reflections from the National Mall
8) Brethren bits
In this issue: Global Mission executive remembers a warm welcome from new Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deploys a team to aid families affected by wildfires in Oklahoma, recent meetings at the Church of the Brethren General Offices, Bethany Seminary hosts the Council of District Executives, and more new by, for, and about Brethren.