In scattered reports received piecemeal by e-mail, text, and Facebook since the weekend, it appears that most if not all the denominational staff of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and their families have left the EYN headquarters as Boko Haram insurgents advance on the area.
Newsline for Sept. 9, 2014
1) Global Mission and Service, Brethren Disaster Ministries provide emergency aid to Nigerian Brethren as EYN denominational staff flee insurgent advance. 2) Brethren Foundation increases safety of client assets. 3) Bethany Seminary represented at environmental stewardship events. 4) Global Food Crisis Fund supports Africa development symposium, clean water in Cuba. 5) Atlantic Southeast District holds eighth annual Family Peace Camp. 6) Mission Offering focuses on praise and overflowing love, suggested date is Sept. 21. 7) Brethren bits.
Atlantic Southeast District Holds Eighth Annual Family Peace Camp
The 8th Annual Family Peace Camp in Atlantic Southeast District was held at Ithiel Camp and Retreat Center in central Florida on Aug. 29-31. The theme for the event, which was held just a few miles from Disney World, was “Living in the Magic Kin-dom.”
Prayer Is Requested as EYN Temporarily Closes Kulp Bible College in Face of Boko Haram Advance
Prayer is requested for the students and staff of Kulp Bible College (KBC), and the leadership of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), as the decision has been made to temporarily close the college. Students will be leaving for other areas of the country, and headquarters staff also may be making ready to leave as Boko Haram forces advance to within 50 kilometers of the EYN headquarters.
Newsline for Sept. 3, 2014
1) US religious leaders, WCC issue statements on violence in Iraq. 2) Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 305 completes orientation, begins service. 3) ‘100 Years for Nonviolence’ is celebrated at IFOR centennial gathering. 4) Powerhouse regional youth conference to be at Camp Mack in mid-November. 5) ‘Awake’ Advent devotional, fall ‘Guide,’ updated Generation Why are new from Brethren Press. 6) Now is the time we say ‘No More Stolen Sisters.’ 7) Brethren bits.
Brethren Bits for Sept. 3, 2014
In this issue: Remembering Channie Johnson, BVS Europe retreat, CAS leadership change, Bethany seeks faculty in theological studies, service of mourning for Gaza conflict, relief shipment to Honduras, Tom Mullen Ministry of Writing Fellowship, Bridgewater celebrates Nininger Hall and plans first night game on Jopson Field, new USDA figures reveal continuing hunger and risk for children, amid more news from church agencies, districts, congregations.
Powerhouse Regional Youth Conference to Be at Camp Mack in Mid-November
The Powerhouse regional youth conference has reached its fifth anniversary! Powerhouse will return to Camp Mack near Milford, Ind., on Nov. 15-16, providing a weekend of worship, workshops, music, recreation, and more for senior high youth in the Midwest and their advisors.
Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 305 Completes Orientation, Begins Service
The summer unit of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) completed orientation on Aug. 8 at Camp Mardela on the eastern shore of Maryland. The group of 12 volunteers is the 305th unit of BVS. Following are the names of the volunteers, their home congregations or home towns, and project placements:
‘100 Years for Nonviolence’ Is Celebrated at the IFOR Centennial Gathering
“Pray and resist!” That was the message from Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, Northern Ireland Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1976, at the Aug. 1 opening ceremony of the Centennial of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR). The centennial celebration was held in Konstanz, Germany, on Aug. 1-3.
‘Awake’ Advent Devotional, Fall ‘Guide,’ Updated Generation Why Are New from Brethren Press
New resources from Brethren Press include “Awake: Devotions for Advent Through Epiphany,” the 2014 Advent devotional written by Sandy Bosserman; the fall 2014 quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies” on the theme Sustaining Hope written by Larry M. Dentler, Ken Gibble, and Frank Ramirez; and a series of Bible studies for youth as part of an update of the Generation Why curriculum. More information about each resource follows; order online at www.brethrenpress.com or from Brethren Press customer service at 800-441-3712.