In this issue: Remembrances, personnel notes, job openings, new online resources featuring Brethren speakers, reporting from Africa Great Lakes delegation, a reminder of upcoming events from SVMC, extended deadline for group orders for “The Seagoing Cowboy,” EYN’s theme for the year, and much more news by, for, and about Brethren.
Rockford Community Church Sends Mobile Library to Nigeria
With an eye on helping young people and promoting peace, a mobile library has been sent to northeast Nigeria by Rockford (Ill.) Community Church of the Brethren, with help from many other donors.
Applications Are Welcomed for Summer and Fall Brethren Volunteer Service Orientations
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is scheduled to run three more orientations in 2016, already having completed one orientation in February. BVS is a fulltime volunteer program that places volunteers in a one- to two-year assignment in the United States and locations around the world.
Church of the Brethren Mourns Loss of Associate General Secretary Mary Jo Flory-Steury
Mary Jo Flory-Steury, associate general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and executive director of the denomination’s Office of Ministry, died this morning at Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center.
Ronald Beachley to Retire from Leadership of W. Pennsylvania District
Ronald D. Beachley has announced his plans to retire as district executive of the Western Pennsylvania District effective Dec. 31, 2016. He began his ministry as district executive on Sept. 15, 1985.
Brethren Bits for February 27, 2016
In this issue: SVMC personnel announcement, job openings at SVMC and the Church of the Brethren General Offices, BRF group serves in Haiti, theology session at 2016 Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Ventures features Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, Mutual Kumquat concert at Beavercreek Church benefits Nigerian family, Roundtable registration is open, spring candlelight dinners at John Kline Homestead, and more news by, for, and about Brethren.
Christian Churches Together Holds 10th Annual Convocation
At the 10th annual convocation of Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT), held in early 2016 in Arlington, Va., member churches and organizations deepened their work on racism and other issues of common concern.
CCEPI Graduates First Set of Orphans and Widows in Skill Acquisition
Director of the Center for Caring and Peace Initiative (CCEPI) in Nigeria, Rebecca S. Dali, charged the first graduates of the Livelihood Skill Acquisition Center established by CCEPI to work hard by utilizing the materials such as knitting machines, sewing machines, and computers given to them to make them economically independent.
Newsline for February 27, 2016
NEWS
1) Christian Churches Together holds 10th annual convocation
2) Office of Public Witness urges reduction of military spending in 2017 federal budget
3) Congregational Life Ministries and ADNet extend agreement to work together
4) CCEPI graduates first set of orphans and widows in skill acquisition
PERSONNEL
5) Ronald Beachley to retire from leadership of W. Pennsylvania District
UPCOMING EVENTS
6) Bethany Seminary holds second annual young adult event
7) Brethren bits
Congregational Life Ministries and ADNet Extend Agreement to Work Together
In January 2016, Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) and the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries extended an agreement to work together to advocate for persons with disabilities in the church. Since 2014, the Church of the Brethren has had a representative serving on the ADNet board of directors and has worked in cooperation with ADNet’s mission to “support Anabaptist congregations, families, and persons touched by disabilities to nurture inclusive communities.”