1) Reflecting the face of God that we see in Jesus: Annual Conference moderator issues letter to the church
2) CDS team cares for children, offers a supportive presence in Orlando
3) Scott Kinnick to serve as executive minister for Southeastern District
4) Brethren bits
CDS Team Cares for Children, Offers a Supportive Presence in Orlando
Our Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) Orlando team has reported that they feel they are at the right place to offer support. The team is serving in the Family Assistance Center (FAC) that was set up starting Wednesday for families of those who were killed early Sunday morning and for survivors and their families.
Brethren Bits for June 17, 2016
In this issue: Brethren participate in events for Orlando victims, personnel notes and job openings, David Steele welcomed to General Offices, Youth Peace Travel Team starts work, Bethany hosts Nigerian scholar, Nigerian Brethren visit Mill Creek Church on their way to Annual Conference, Southeastern District aids school in Haiti, Northern Plains District presents “Breaking Bread with Elizabeth Ripley,” and more.
Scott Kinnick to Serve as Executive Minister for Southeastern District
Southeastern District has announced that Scott Kinnick will serve as district executive minister, beginning Sept. 1. He is a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren and an ordained minister.
Annual Conference Moderator Issues Letter to the Church
Annual Conference moderator Andy Murray has issued the following letter to the Church of the Brethren, following the shootings in Orlando, Fla., and in advance of the denomination’s annual meeting on June 29-July 3 in Greensboro, N.C. It was first shared in an e-mail to delegates and others who are registered to attend the Conference:
CDS Team to Work in Orlando Following Gun Massacre
In response to the horrific shooting in Orlando, Fla., the American Red Cross has asked Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) to send a team of caregivers. Since 1980, CDS has been meeting the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation. Specially trained to respond to traumatized children, volunteers provide a calm, safe, and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos created by natural and human-caused disasters. CDS is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren and is part of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
Leaders on the Brethren Staff Call for Courage to Proclaim and Embody Peace
Today leaders on the Church of the Brethren denominational staff released the following statement responding to the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla.:
Northern Indiana Congregations Sponsor Project to Share Nigeria T-Shirts
Sometimes the Spirit moves in mysterious ways–even with turquoise tie-dyed t-shirts! As a pastor of Creekside Church of the Brethren in Northern Indiana District, I attended a Pastor’s Sabbath at Camp Alexander Mack in April. It was led by Carl and Roxane Hill, co-directors of the Nigeria Crisis Response. My congregation, and others in the district, had raised money for crisis relief in Nigeria through a benefit auction in June 2015, and have been considering ways to continue to generate spiritual and financial support for our brothers and sisters of EYN.
India Brethren Hold 101st Annual Meeting
The 101st Jilla Sabha was held in Champawadi, Vyara District, Tapi, on May 12-13. The meeting included the appointment of new leadership for the First District Church of the Brethren in India.
Interfaith Letter Raises Concerns, Urges Greater Transparency on Drone Warfare
Church of the Brethren interim general secretary Dale Minnich and On Earth Peace executive director Bill Scheurer were among 28 faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh traditions who sent an interfaith letter on drone warfare to President Barack Obama. Staff of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Public Witness were among those who created the letter on behalf of the Interfaith Drone Network.