A Spiritual Directors retreat is being planned for May 18-20 at Shepherd’s Spring, an outdoor ministry center and retreat center of Mid-Atlantic District, located near Sharpsburg, Md. The retreat is sponsored by the Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren.
Open Roof Award Recognizes Churches Who Welcome Those Dealing with Disabilities
The Open Roof Award is presented annually to congregations who widen their welcome to include those who have to deal with significant physical or mental disabilities. Fourteen congregations have received this award in the eight years since it was initially established. Congregations are recognized during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting just prior to Annual Conference.
Newsline for March 31, 2015
1) Summer workcamp to be at new Brethren Disaster Ministries project site in Colorado. 2) Open Roof Award recognizes churches who welcome those dealing with disabilities. 3) Thompson Fund makes grants. 4) New book shows Mister Rogers as quiet political pacifist. 5) Trip to Nigeria yields testimonies of thanks for support from American Brethren. 6) Report from Nigeria elections: Continuing to hope and pray. 7) ‘They called to us to come closer’: An interview with a Chibok girl who escaped. 8) Retreat to be held for Church of the Brethren spiritual directors. 9) Ethics in Ministry Relations Training offered in advance of Annual Conference. 10) Questions still surface. 11) Brethren bits
Thompson Fund Makes Grants
The Joel K. Thompson Memorial Endowment Fund, administered by Brethren Foundation, is helping to underwrite the planned visit of Dr. Alexander Gee Jr. to the National Older Adult Conference. Dr. Gee is the founder and president of The Nehemiah Urban Leadership Institute in Madison, Wis. He will speak on “In Search of Racial Righteousness” on Sept. 9, 2015.
‘They Called to Us to Come Closer’: An Interview with a Chibok Girl Who Escaped
On the night of April 14, 2014, Hauwa was in her room at school when she heard voices outside. When she looked outside she saw soldiers coming toward their dormitory. “They called to us to come closer,” Hauwa recalls. “When we got closer to the men, they asked us where our teachers were. When we told them that our teachers were staying in town, they wanted us to show them where the food was being stored. It became clear to us that these men were not soldiers but Boko Haram. We were all very frightened. Before we realized what was happening, they began shoving us into cars and driving us away.”
Trip to Nigeria Yields Testimonies of Thanks for Support from American Brethren
This report from Roxane and Carl Hill’s recent trip to Nigeria highlights testimonies about how the aid of the Church of the Brethren is appreciated by members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Carl and Roxane Hill are co-directors of the Nigeria Crisis Response of the Church of the Brethren.
Mission and Ministry Board Meets in Pennsylvania, Discusses Mission and Church Vitality Among Other Business
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board met at Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren over the weekend of March 13-16. Meetings were led by board chair Becky Ball-Miller, who is completing her term of service on the board by mid-2015.
Applications for Nursing Scholarships Are Due Soon
The Church of the Brethren awards a limited number of scholarships each year to individuals enrolled in a nursing program. Candidates for the scholarships must be enrolled in an LPN, RN, or nursing graduate program and must be members of the Church of the Brethren.
‘Resolution on Christian Minority Communities’ Adopted by Board, Recommended to Annual Conference
The denomination’s Mission and Ministry Board has approved a “Resolution on Christian Minority Communities” and recommended it to the 2015 Annual Conference for adoption.
‘Early Bird’ Registration for National Junior High Conference Ends Soon
Thinking about attending National Junior High Conference 2015? Online registration is open! We encourage you to register soon to take advantage of special early bird rates. Through March 31, the cost is $160 per person. After March 31, the cost for regular registration is $185 per person. Travel scholarships are available to those who live west of the Mississippi River. For more information and to register, visit www.brethren.org/njhc or call 847-429-4389.