The Global Food Initiative (formerly the Global Food Crisis Fund) issued a grant of $660 for representatives of Iglesia de los Hermanos (the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic) to travel to Santiago, DR, for a week of training with Medical Ambassadors International. Other recent grants support cultural/garden exchanges partnering indigenous communities in Lybrook, N.M., and Circle, Alaska.
Newsline for October 13, 2016
NEWS
1) Group of Chibok schoolgirls are released from captivity
2) Disaster ministries, mission staff assess hurricane damage, begin planning for response
3) Global Food Initiative supports medical training for Brethren in DR, cultural/garden exchanges
UPCOMING EVENTS
4) National Junior High Sunday calls youth to ‘Grow in Wisdom’
5) ‘Vision for new hope’ is theme of Advent Offering for Church of the Brethren ministries
6) Brethren bits
Brethren Bits for October 13, 2016
In this issue: Remembering Parker Marden, National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund seeks volunteers, Lick Creek ice cream social benefits Habitat, Western Pennsylvania to hold its 150th annual district conference, World Hunger Auction distributions, Bridgewater College students give up meals for CROP, “Seek Peace and Pursue It” exhibit at Bridgewater, and more.
‘Vision for New Hope’ is Theme of Advent Offering for Church of the Brethren Ministries
The annual Advent Offering for Church of the Brethren ministries is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 4, the second Sunday of Advent. The theme, “Vision for New Hope,” is inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10 from the lectionary.
On Earth Peace Board Holds Fall Meeting
The On Earth Peace board and staff met together on Oct. 6-8 and were hosted by West Charleston Church of the Brethren near Tipp City, Ohio. On Earth Peace board member and co-pastor Irv Heishman hosted the meeting with the expectation that a congregation that welcomes diversity in its midst, with Spanish and English speakers, would be a welcoming place for all members of the On Earth Peace board, and especially welcoming to persons of color.
Group of Chibok Schoolgirls Are Released from Captivity
The Nigerian government says 21 of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014 have been freed in negotiations with the insurgents, according to reports from media outlets today including the Associated Press and ABC News. The negotiations were carried out with help from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss government.
National Junior High Sunday Calls Youth to ‘Grow in Wisdom’
The theme for the 2016 National Junior High Sunday in the Church of the Brethren is “Grow in Wisdom” with a scripture theme from 1 Timothy 4:12-15. The suggested date for the annual observance is Sunday, Nov. 6. Find worship resources, logos, and more free downloads at www.brethren.org/yya/jr-high-resources.html .
Hurricane Matthew Updates
As Hurricane Matthew batters Florida today, Brethren Disaster Ministries continues to monitor the situation and is working to determine response plans in the Caribbean and on the east coast. Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has put volunteers on alert.
Bridgewater College to Hold Symposium on ‘Anabaptist Nonresistance in Age of Terror’
Bridgewater (Va.) College’s Forum for Brethren Studies and the Kline-Bowman Institute for Creative Peace-building will host a 2017 symposium, “Anabaptist Non-Resistance in the Age of Terror.”
Brethren Bits for October 7, 2016
In this issue: Remembering Stewart Kauffman, job openings, Nigeria Crisis Response continues to collect books for Nigeria, BBT open enrollment for insurance services, Children’s Sabbath resources, church anniversaries, district conferences, Bread for the World comments on statements released by presidential candidates about hunger and poverty, CPT team visits Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Friends with the Weather, and more.