In December 2014 Larry and Donna Elliott, former Church of the Brethren mission workers in Nigeria, attended a concert at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colo. While strolling through the art gallery before the concert, a big piece of artwork caught their eye–many tiny gingham dresses–and they saw the caption, “Bring Back Our Girls.” They discovered this piece was telling a story that was near and dear to them: the abduction of the schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria.
Registration Is Open for 2015 NOAC on the Theme ‘Then Jesus Told Them a Story…’
Register for NOAC now! National Older Adult Conference is Sept. 7-11 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Register for the conference online at www.brethren.org/NOAC or by mail or fax. Registration forms are available online and in the registration brochure, which has been mailed to past NOAC participants and to the Church of the Brethren congregations. For a brochure contact 800-323-8039 ext. 305 or NOAC2015@brethren.org .
Mary Ann Grossnickle Begins as Manager of Zigler Hospitality Center
Mary Ann Grossnickle begins as manager of Zigler Hospitality Center, at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Brethren Bits for March 4, 2015
In this issue: Clergy Tax Seminar postponed, personnel notes, Zigler Hospitality Center seeks volunteers, Mission and Ministry Board to meet in Lancaster, E. Chippewa Church celebrates 125 years, Staunton to host general secretary Stan Noffsinger, Atlantic Southeast’s Venture Fun(d) Day, Camp Blue Diamond sponsors Mutual Kumquat concert, Elizabethtown College first to offer major in Interfaith Leadership Studies, Gun Violence Sabbath Weekend, and more.
Giving to Nigeria Crisis Fund Tops $1 Million, Staff Provide Summary of Accomplishments
Donations of more than $1,061,400 have been posted to the Nigeria Crisis Fund, from October 2014 through part of Feb. 2015, received from individuals, congregations, and other groups.
Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 308 Completes Orientation
Unit 308 of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) completed orientation on Jan. 25-Feb. 14 at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla. The members of the unit, their home congregations or hometowns, and the project placements follow:
Spring Issue of Guide for Biblical Studies Seeks the Holy Spirit
“A Guide for Biblical Studies,” the Brethren Press curriculum for adults, this spring will have a focus on the Holy Spirit. The theme for the quarter–March, April, and May 2015–is “The Spirit Comes.”
Newsline for Feb. 25, 2015
1) IRS issues new ruling regarding Affordable Care Act. 2) Nigerian Brethren leaders visit refugees in Cameroon. 3) Nigerian initiative declares ‘Education Must Continue’. 4) Bethany Seminary recognized for ‘Education That Engages’. 5) Peace churches hold sixth annual gathering in Florida. 6) ‘Together for Nigeria’ event in Michigan raises funds, brings attention to the crisis. 7) Jenn Dorsch begins as director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. 8) Tina Christian to be Gulf Coast coordinator for Children’s Disaster Services. 9) Youth ministry webinar series continues with focus on ‘Life and Time’. 10) Webinar will focus on ‘Reading the Bible after Christendom’. 11) ENGAGE to welcome prospective students to Bethany Seminary. 12) Spring issue of Guide for Biblical Studies seeks the Holy Spirit. 13) Brethren bits.
Brethren Bits for Feb. 25, 2015
Remembering Pete Roudebush, Margie Petry, June Kindy; National Youth Cabinet; webinar on Syria and Iraq; jobs at BBT and Timbercrest; Seniors for Peace meet on Nigeria; registration for leadership conference; La Verne Church celebrates 125 and Casa de Modesto 50 years; “Keep Calm and Be a Dunker Punk” with Mutual Kumquat and Ted and Co.
Webinar Will Focus on ‘Reading the Bible After Christendom’
Although regarded as a classic of Western civilization, the contents of the Bible are not well known. Christendom marginalized the teachings of Jesus, resulting in ways of reading scripture alien to the earliest church.