Ruoxia Li and Eric Miller, Church of the Brethren members who are living in Pinding, China, spoke about their work at the Global Mission and Service Dinner and related insight sessions at Annual Conference this summer.
Brethren Bits for August 26, 2016
In this issue: Nigerian lamps are still available, Action Alert to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, United Nations warning of a new multi-nation crisis of hunger related to Boko Haram, a Death Penalty Symposium in memory of Miami pastor Bill Bosler, Manchester University honors two inspirational faculty, and more.
Q&A: Disaster Response
Brethren Disaster Ministries executive Roy Winter answers frequently asked questions about the role of the church’s disaster response in the wake of heart-wrenching recent disasters in Louisiana and in Italy.
Peace Day Bulletin Inserts and Posters Are Available from On Earth Peace
“Looking for a bulletin insert or poster to use at your Peace Day event? Check out our resources!” said an announcement from On Earth Peace. The agency has made bulletin inserts and posters available in advance of Peace Day 2016, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21. Many congregations hold Peace Day worship services, prayer vigils, or other commemorations on a Sunday close to the Sept. 21 date.
New Resources from Brethren Press Offer Aids for Worship, Bible Study, Devotions
Among new resources from Brethren Press are the 2016-17 Living Word Bulletin Series, the Sept.-Nov. 2016 book in the curriculum for adult Bible studies, “A Guide for Biblical Studies,” and this year’s Advent devotional titled “Witnesses to Jesus.” Brethren Press also is taking pre-publication orders for “Speak Peace: A Daily Reader,” which offer a discount for orders placed before Oct. 1.
Webinar to Discuss Jesus as Focal Point of God’s Revelation
A new webinar in the “Heart of Anabaptism” series will be offered on Sept. 1, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (eastern time) on the topic “Jesus, the Focal Point of God’s Revelation.” Leading the webinar is LaDonna Sanders Nkosi, a poet, preacher, and church planter from Chicago, Ill.
CDS Aids Children Displaced by Flooding in Louisiana
Two teams of Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) volunteers have begun work in Baton Rouge, La., this week, and more teams have been requested to help care for children and families who have been displaced by massive flooding.
Series of Workcamps Is Planned for Church Rebuilding in Nigeria
The Church of the Brethren is planning a series of workcamps in Nigeria, as part of the new effort to rebuild churches of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Nearly 70 percent of EYN’s churches in northeast Nigeria have been destroyed in the Boko Haram insurgency. A Nigeria Church Rebuilding Fund has been developed to help provide support to EYN congregations who are working to rebuild.
Song and Story Fest Gathers Multiple Generations for Relaxation, Reflection, Rejuvenation
Every summer, multiple generations gather at a Church of the Brethren camp for a time of relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation. For 20 years now, some 120 to 180 people come together for Song and Story Fest, one week each year set aside for singing, playing music, and hearing and telling stories.
Haiti Theological Training Program Celebrates Graduation of 22 Ministers
Aug. 13 was a day of celebration for the inaugural class of the Haiti Theological Training program, Ecole Theologie de la Mission Evangelique des Eglises des Frères D’Haïti. The graduation ceremony witnessed 22 graduates walking across the stage to receive diplomas and shake hands with professors and guests of honor.