On Dec. 10 the Shenandoah District Leadership Team “terminated with possibility of reinstatement” the ordination of Chris Zepp, associate pastor of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. This action was taken at the recommendation of the district’s Ministerial Leadership Team, after Zepp officiated at a same-sex marriage.
EYN President Samuel Dali Addresses Nigerian Nation in Christmas Message
Samuel Dante Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), addressed the nation of Nigeria from the capital city of Abuja as part of a national Christmas celebration. Dr. Dali spoke to the country in a televised address on Sunday, Dec. 13, from the National Christian Center. The theme of his presentation was, “We Thank Thee, O Lord.”
Newsline for Dec. 22, 2015
NEWS
1) Queries address same-sex marriage, On Earth Peace, life together in the church, Creation care
2) District terminates ordination of pastor who performed same-sex marriage
3) EYN president Samuel Dali addresses Nigerian nation in Christmas message
4) EYN choir tour proves ‘phenomenally successful’
5) BBT Board increases benevolent grant levels
6) Pacific Southwest District Conference meets on the theme of ‘Justice’
7) New Ventures session offer opportunity for story of grief, healing
8) Brethren bits
EYN Choir Tour Proves ‘Phenomenally Successful’
This update on the EYN Women’s Fellowship Choir and BEST tour has been prepared by the secretary and chair of the EYN Visit Planning Committee from Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and Atlantic Northeast District. The EYN 2015 Fraternal Visit turned out to be a phenomenally successful “God event.” It strengthened the bond of Christian love and fellowship between EYN (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria) and the Church of the Brethren more than any other experience in recent years.
New Ventures Session Offer Opportunity for Story of Grief, Healing
The newest offering in the Ventures sessions hosted at McPherson (Kan.) College comes up on Jan. 16, titled “The Road We Travel…a Journey Shared.” Deb and Dale Ziegler will share about their journey of loss, grief, and healing since September 2012 when their 19-year-old son–a college student at McPherson–was killed while riding his bicycle.
Queries Address Same-Sex Marriage, On Earth Peace, Life Together in the Church, Creation Care
Five queries have been acted on by district conferences this year and received by the officers of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, for consideration in 2016 by the Standing Committee and/or the Annual Conference. The Standing Committee of district delegates makes recommendations about the business items that will be presented to the Conference.
Brethren Bits for December 12, 2015
In this issue: Invitation to simulcast Christmas Service from Bethlehem, alert for nonprofits about proposed IRS rule changes, Highland Avenue church to host special music and worship weekend led by Shawn Kirchner, S. Pennsylvania District plans “Man 2 Man,” National Council of Churches announces new leaders, NCC welcomes Assyrian church, and more.
Newsline for Dec. 12, 2015
1) Church of the Brethren general secretary speaks out against anti-Muslim rhetoric
2) Haiti Service Ministry Consultation strengthens partnerships, assesses ministries
3) Review and Evaluation Committee holds second meeting
4) Press conference urges support for US refugee resettlement
5) Congregations host Ted & Co. event, help raise funds for Heifer Arks
6) Kindness is good for your health, research shows
UPCOMING EVENTS
7) Winter and spring workshops are offered by Children’s Disaster Services
8) Brethren bits
Kindness Is Good for Your Health, Research Shows
Research shows that kindness and generosity have positive physiological effects. Researchers sometimes call this “helper’s high.” Two studies found that older adults who did volunteer work were living longer. Another study found a significant reduction in early death for people who volunteered often. This actually had a larger effect than regular exercise. In the 1990s, a study looked at personal essays written by nuns in the 1930s. The nuns who expressed the most positive emotions lived about 10 years longer than those who were less positive.
Church of the Brethren General Secretary Speaks out Against Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
Church of the Brethren general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger has issued a statement against the current escalation of rhetoric that seeks to demonize Muslims. Citing Jesus’ commands to love God, and love neighbor as self, and the parable of the Good Samaritan, the statement also calls church members to revisit portions of the 1991 Annual Conference statement “Peacemaking: The Call of God’s Peace in History” that direct the church to “explore avenues of interfaith dialogue leading toward a visible expression of God’s plan for human unity.”