Since a special appeal for the Nigeria crisis at the 2014 Annual Conference in early July, giving to the EYN Compassion Fund topped $168,459, according to the Church of the Brethren finance office. That amount is in addition to the $120,210.45 collected in the first half of this year.
Washington, D.C., Briefing on Nigeria Features Interfaith Delegation Connected with EYN
A briefing on the crisis in Nigeria planned for Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. in the Methodist Building (100 Maryland Ave, NE) in Washington, D.C., is co-sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness, the Islamic Society of North America, and the National Council of Churches, USA. “Join us to support
Congregational Life Ministries Offers Webinars on ‘Just Friendship’ and ‘Youth Work After Christendom’
Congregational Life Ministries is a co-sponsor of two webinars scheduled for this week: on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Anthony Grinnell will present a webinar related to ministry and evangelism and justice titled “Just Friendship”; and on Thursday, Nov. 20, Nigel Pimlott is the presenter of a webinar on the topic “Youth Work after Christendom-Revisited.” Both webinars start at 2:30 p.m. (eastern time).
Communication Informs About New IRS Rule on Pre-Tax Health Insurance Premium Contributions for Pastors, Church Workers
A communication with important information about how churches report their pastors’ (and lay employees’) income with regard to health insurance premiums is being sent to each Church of the Brethren congregation. The joint letter is from Mary Jo Flory-Steury, associate general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and executive of the Ministry Office, and Scott W. Douglas, BBT director of Employee Benefits. An additional letter from Douglas gives information about IRS rules for Section 105 HRA pre-tax insurance contributions.
On Earth Peace to Host Informational Webinar on Anti-Racism Transformation Team
On Earth Peace invites interested individuals to participate in an informational webinar to learn more about the organization’s Anti-Racism Transformation Team.
Court Rules to ‘Vacate’ Clergy Housing Allowance Case
“We have good news to share!” said an update from Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) about a court case that had the potential to seriously affect the tax status of clergy housing allowances. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the clergy housing allowance case brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. is to be vacated (eliminated) and remanded (sent back) to the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin with instructions to dismiss the case. The court ruled that the plaintiffs have no standing to bring a complaint.
Brethren Bits for Nov. 18, 2014
In this issue: Church of the Brethren seeks chief financial officer, ADNet seeks half-time director, registration opens Dec. 1 for Christian Citizenship Seminar, youth group starts a Dunker Punks Café, dates for 2015 Meat Canning Project are set, E’town School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers new Health Care Administration degree program, UNHCR release numbers Nigerians in the thousands fleeing into neighboring countries, and more news from and for Brethren.
National Council of Churches Governing Board Issues Statement from Ferguson
As Missouri governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency yesterday in anticipation of the imminent indictment, or lack thereof, of officer Darren Wilson, the National Council of Churches (NCC) gathered in St. Louis for a meeting of its governing board. The atmosphere was tense in the room as the governor’s order to ready the National Guard came during a panel discussion featuring four pastors and community leaders from Ferguson, Mo.
Newsline for Nov. 18, 2014
NEWS: 1) National Council of Churches governing board issues statement from Ferguson
2) In addition to constant prayer, funds are needed in Nigeria
3) Court rules to ‘vacate’ clergy housing allowance case
4) Communication informs about new IRS rule on pre-tax health insurance premium contributions for pastors, church workers
UPCOMING EVENTS: 5) Congregational Life Ministries offers webinars on ‘Just Friendship’ and ‘Youth Work after Christendom’
6) On Earth Peace to host informational webinar on Anti-Racism Transformation Team
FEATURE REFLECTION: 7) How a concern becomes a value
8) Brethren bits
In Addition to Constant Prayer, Funds Are Needed in Nigeria
The following is the script from a short video report on the Nigeria crisis by Church of the Brethren videographer David Sollenberger. He returned last week from a reporting trip to Nigeria on behalf of Brethren Disaster Ministries and Global Mission and Service. In the video, this script is interspersed with brief interviews not quoted here. View the video at www.brethren.org or on YouTube at http://youtu.be/T_Y9hlxuBfo :