The Church of the Brethren was represented at the “A.C.T.–Awaken, Confront, Transform–to End Racism” rally in Washington, D.C., on April 4 by Gimbiya Kettering, director of Intercultural Ministries. Also in attendance were Tori Bateman of the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and the denomination’s representative to the United Nations, Doris Abdullah, along with other church members from various parts of the country.
The nine people who will make up the Compelling Vision Process Team have been named. The team’s first meeting will be April 17-19 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
NEWS
1) Leadership Team issues call to Christ-like discourse
2) Denominational ministries experience positive financial results in 2017
3) Office of Peacebuilding and Policy director signs letter on militarization of Middle East
4) Northern Plains District task force issues letter on child sexual abuse prevention
UPCOMING EVENTS
5) Junior high students invited to ‘Immerse!’ at Bethany Seminary
6) Brethren bits
Job openings, National Youth Sunday materials, Intercultural Ministries conversation about “Black Panther,” Children’s Disaster Services training, March for Our Lives breakfast in DC, ACT NOW: Unite to End Racism, On Earth Peace endorses Poor People’s Campaign, “This Evil Thing” at Highland Avenue Church and Manchester University, Ventures Course on culture of call, and more.
Positive financial results for the Church of Brethren denominational ministries in 2017 include increased nets assets, positive investment returns, increased giving to core ministries, and increased giving to some restricted funds. Concerns include the continued use of designated funds to supplement income and a few self-funding ministries that sustained a net expense.
The Leadership Team of the Church of the Brethren has issued a letter calling for Christ-like discourse at this time in the life of the church. The Leadership Team of the denomination includes the general secretary, the Annual Conference officers, a representative of the Council of District Executives, and the director of the Annual Conference office.
Church of the Brethren Newsline March 23, 2018 Nathan Hosler, director of the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy in Washington, D.C., was one of the ecumenical leaders to sign a letter on the militarization of the Middle East. Some 15 Christian leaders signed the letter, dated March 14, that was sent to members
NEWS
1) Mission and Ministry Board approves grants, adopts statement on gun violence, holds conversations on race and mission at spring meetings
2) ‘Lukewarm No More’ calls for repentance and action on gun violence
3) Discipleship Ministries represents new name, new vision for former Congregational Life Ministries
4) Brethren Disaster Ministries, Puerto Rico District plan for long-term hurricane recovery
5) Brethren Disaster Ministries closes out site in Missouri, continues work in Carolinas
6) Boko Haram attacks, abductions affect Nigerian Brethren
7) Special relief benefits 658 Muslim and Christian families in Nigeria
8) New steering committee of women in ministry is created
9) Comité directivo de ocho mujeres en el ministerio
PERSONNEL
10) Tara Hornbacker to retire from Bethany Seminary
UPCOMING EVENTS
11) Diana Butler Bass headlines Ministers’ Association continuing education event
RESOURCES
12) Brethren Press announces summer release for Inglenook Desserts
13) Brethren bits
A large Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) allocation for long-term hurricane recovery in Puerto Rico, a statement on gun violence, Wieand Trust grants to Chicago-area projects, and new names for some denominational ministries were on the agenda of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board. The board held spring meetings March 9-12 at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill., led by chair Connie Burk Davis and chair-elect Patrick Starkey.
Un comité directivo de ocho mujeres en el ministerio ha sido llamado por la Oficina del Ministerio para facilitar la programación, los proyectos y las iniciativas diseñadas para apoyar y alentar a las clérigas Hermanas.