The Church of the Brethren Material Resources program has loaded two 40-foot containers filled with Hygiene Kits and School kits, and shipped them to aid Syrian refugees fleeing from the violence afflicting the Middle East. This shipment was arranged by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in partnership with Church World Service (CWS), reports Material Resources office coordinator Terry Goodger.
Southeastern District Begins Consideration of Query Focused on on Earth Peace, Adopts ‘Resolution on Same-Sex Marriage’
Southeastern District’s 2015 conference has given support to consideration of a query focused on On Earth Peace, which has the potential to come to the 2016 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren. The district conference also adopted a resolution on same-sex marriage, according to a review of the district conference written by district moderator Gary Benesh and distributed by the district office.
Brethren Bits for July 31, 2015
In this issue: Correction; remembering David Huffaker, Conrad Snavely, Jerry Rodeffer, and Emlyn Harley Kline; Kate Edelen to work with Office of Public Witness; job opening at World Student Christian Federation; Mission and Ministry Board sets 2016 budget parameter at Annual Conference meeting; and more news from the 2015 Conference and around the church.
Newsline for July 31, 2015
1) Open Roof Award honors disabilities efforts of two Church of the Brethren congregations
2) Material Resources contributes to shipment of relief supplies for Syrian refugees
3) Southeastern District begins consideration of query focused on On Earth Peace, adopts ‘Resolution on Same-Sex Marriage’
4) US and Nigerian Brethren gather for love feast at Camp Ithiel in Atlantic Southeast District
5) Rare Bible at Bridgewater College nominated for statewide preservation program
6) Nancy Sollenberger Heishman named to Brethren Academy staff
7) NOAC to meet in September on the theme ‘Then Jesus Told Them a Story’
8) Webinar ‘Healthy Boundaries 201′ meets requirements for ordination review
9) On Earth Peace invites congregations to participate in Peace Day 2015
10) Bethany Seminary’s Presidential Forum weekend to explore ‘Just Peace’
11) Activity book will help children understand Nigeria crisis, among other new Nigeria-related resources
12) After Amen
13) Brethren bits
Nancy Sollenberger Heishman Named to Brethren Academy Staff
Nancy Sollenberger Heishman has been named part-time coordinator of the Spanish-Language Ministry Training Programs for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, beginning July 22.
Open Roof Award Honors Disabilities Efforts of Two Church of the Brethren Congregations
The 2015 Open Roof Award was presented on behalf of the Disabilities Ministry of Congregational Life Ministries to two Church of the Brethren congregations: Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren in Northern Indiana District, and Staunton (Va.) Church of the Brethren in Shenandoah District. The award was given to representatives of the two churches during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting in Tampa, Fla., in advance of Annual Conference.
US and Nigerian Brethren Gather for Love Feast at Camp Ithiel in Atlantic Southeast District
Following the closing worship service of the 229th Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, in Tampa, Fla., there was a second gathering of Brethren at Camp Ithiel in Atlantic Southeast District. The EYN Women’s Fellowship Choir and a number of other guests from Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) stayed at the camp for a time of rest and recovery following a demanding tour that took them to Church of the Brethren congregations across the United States.
Newsline for July 16, 2015
This issue of Newsline reviews events and outcomes of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference held in Tampa, Fla., on July 11-15, 2015.
Conference Celebrates the Service of General Secretary Stan Noffsinger
Stanley Noffsinger’s term as General Secretary will conclude before the 2016 Annual Conference, and so a celebration of his service to the church was held at this Conference, and became a highlight of the meeting. Through a video and the reflections of many speakers, Conference-goers were reminded of the many aspects of his leadership of the denomination since he accepted the call to that position in 2003.
Resolution Expresses Support for Christian Minority Communities, Among Other Conference Business
A Resolution on Christian Minority Communities brought by the Mission and Ministry Board was adopted by the Annual Conference. In other business, the Conference dealt with a number of business items deferred from the 2014 annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren including changes to bylaws of the Church of the Brethren Inc. and a polity change related to Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT).