1) Presidential Forum at Bethany Seminary explores the intersections of Just Peace. 2) New unit of Brethren Volunteer Service completes orientation. 3) Office of Public Witness issues action alert on refugee crisis. 4) Heifer partners with the Brethren and Ted & Co. for new creative funding initiative. 5) Material Resources program logs a busy October. 6) BBT announces Medicare Supplement open enrollment through November. 7) EYN Disaster Team brings relief for Maiduguri’s displaced. 8) EYN offers seminar on trauma healing for displaced pastors. 9) At UN, anti-nuclear majorities challenge nuclear-dependent minority. 10) Advent Offering supports Church of the Brethren ministries, focuses on the Magnificat. 11) Advent devotional, winter quarter of Guide for Biblical Studies provide seasonal focus on gifts. 12) Brethren bits
Brethren Bits for Nov. 6, 2015
In this issue: Personnel notes, volunteer positions open with Youth Peace Travel Team and Heifer Farm, experiential learning trip to South Sudan, Congregational Life leader attends ethical evangelism event, BDM leader visits Syria refugee camps, Shoulder to Shoulder campaign issues pledge challenge, Congregational Outreach Forms due soon, and more news from congregations, districts, colleges, and ecumenical partners–plus a sermon award contest.
Presidential Forum at Bethany Seminary Explores the Intersections of Just Peace
An array of speakers addressed many intersections of Just Peace at the 2015 Presidential Forum at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., on Oct. 29-31. With a focus on “Rejecting Cruelty, Creating Community, Rediscovering Divinity” the event juxtaposed a variety of ways to address and understand the concept of Just Peace. It was the seventh Presidential Forum held by the seminary and the first hosted by Bethany’s president Jeff Carter.
EYN Offers Seminar on Trauma Healing for Displaced Pastors
A seminar on trauma healing for displaced pastors of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), was offered at Yola from Sept. 7-12. This seminar was organized by the office of the Ministers Council in conjunction with the EYN Disaster Relief Management financed by the Church of the Brethren. It was offered for 100 displaced pastors.
Heifer Partners with the Brethren and Ted & Co. for New Creative Funding Initiative
A new original play by Ted and Co. Theaterworks, titled “12 Baskets and a Goat,” will begin a campaign in partnership with the Church of the Brethren to support Heifer International. The campaign begins in Harrisonburg, Va., on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. when “12 Baskets and a Goat” will be performed at the restored old Sale Barn on Sunny Slope Farm. All proceeds from the production, including an auction of home-made breads, will support Heifer’s work to bring families and communities out of poverty.
New Unit of Brethren Volunteer Service Completes Orientation
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 311 has completed orientation, and the volunteers in the unit have begun work at their project sites. Following are the names, congregations or hometowns, and project sites of the new BVS volunteers:
Material Resources Program Logs a Busy October
“October was just crazy (in a wonderful way),” said an update on the work of the Material Resources program of the Church of the Brethren, provided by office coordinator Terry Goodger. Material Resources processes, warehouses, and ships disaster relief goods and other humanitarian aid on behalf of a number of ecumenical partners, based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Advent Offering Supports Church of the Brethren Ministries, Focuses on the Magnificat
The annual Advent Offering for Church of the Brethren ministries is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13, the third Sunday of Advent. The theme, “Rejoice: The Lord Has Done Great Things,” is inspired by Luke 1:46-49, the opening verses of Mary’s “Magnificat.”
Advent Devotional, Winter Quarter of Guide for Biblical Studies Provide Seasonal Focus on Gifts
New resources from Brethren Press provide a seasonal focus on gifts, with the 2015 Advent Devotional on the topic “In the Fullness of Time,” written by Anita Hooley Yoder, and the Winter quarter of A Guide for Biblical Studies on the theme “Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings,” written by Herb Smith, with the Out of Context feature written by Frank Ramirez.
Church of the Brethren Issues Position Posting for General Secretary
The Church of the Brethren has posted a position opening for General Secretary, as the next step in the search process for a candidate to fill the top executive staff position in the denomination. The application deadline is Dec. 15.