Global Mission and Service executive director Jay Wittmeyer spent several days visiting the fledgling Brethren group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), returning on Sept. 18. Wittmeyer flew into Bujumbura, Burundi, and then traveled overland into the Congo, first to Uvira in South Kivu and then south to Fizi and Ngovi.
EYN Leaders Visit Refugee Camps, Pilot Relocation Project Starts
Over the past couple of weeks, leaders and staff of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have shared about the hardships faced by Brethren and others fleeing the violence in northeast Nigeria, and the struggle of EYN and its leadership in the midst of the crisis. The news has come through reports to Church of the Brethren staff in the US, and piecemeal through brief e-mails, calls, texts, and Facebook posts.
Disaster Grant of $100,000 Is Directed to Nigeria
Brethren Disaster Ministries is directing a grant of $100,000 to provide for the basic needs of displaced Nigerians and other needs in Nigeria, where members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) as well as families of EYN denominational staff are among the thousands of people who have fled violence.
Webinar on Urban Mission Offered Under Title ‘Telling the Truth and Shaming the Devil’
“Telling the Truth and Shaming the Devil: A Postcolonial Take on Urban Mission in the 21st Century,” is the title of an Oct. 9 webinar jointly sponsored by the Church of the Brethren, Baptist Mission Society, Baptists Together, Bristol Baptist College, and Urban Expression UK.
Speakers, Worship, and Music Leadership Announced for 2015 Annual Conference
The preachers and the worship and music leadership for next year’s Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has been announced by the Conference Office. The 2015 Conference will return to a Saturday-through-Wednesday schedule on July 11-15, in Tampa, Fla. Moderator David Steele will lead the Conference on the theme “Abide in My Love…and Bear Fruit” (John 15:9-17). Find his reflection on the theme at www.brethren.org/ac/2015/theme.html .
Brethren Bits for Sept. 16, 2014
New staff in Northern Plains, Mission Offering, Bethany Sunday, CDS trainings in Hawaii, churches and mosques raise funds and prayer for Nigerian Brethren, Adult Bible School (ABS?) in Southern Ohio, continuing ed on Job, and more
Laminating with a BA: Learning How to Make a Life in Brethren Volunteer Service
It was Thursday morning, four days into my first week at Highland Park Elementary School, and I was sitting on the floor in the office cutting out still more newly laminated classroom decorations for the teachers. The principal turned to me and said, “After you’re done with that, I have a terribly mundane and tedious job for you.”
Peace Day Events Are Planned by Church of the Brethren and Other Groups
Church of the Brethren congregations and other groups in many different communities are planning worship services, witnesses, prayer vigils, and even theater performances to celebrate the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sunday, Sept. 21. A Peace Day campaign by On Earth Peace helps connect the Church of the Brethren and others to the annual event, offers resources, and collects an online listing of events and groups that are participating. Here are just a few of the Peace Day events in the works:
Newsline for Sept. 16, 2014
NEWS: 1) Peace Day events are planned by Church of the Brethren and other groups
2) Praying and worshiping in the spirit of Pentecost on Peace Day
3) Speakers, worship, and music leadership announced for 2015 Annual Conference
4) Nigerian Christians say ‘We are on the run’: An interview with EYN president Samuel Dali
5) Haiti Medical Project attains 30-month milestone, Lancaster church raises more than $100,000, Brethren World Mission continues support
6) Annual BRF unit of Brethren Volunteer Service begins a year of service
7) Bethany Seminary engages youth in thinking about faith and call
8) Life goes on under a shadow in Iraqi Kurdistan
FEATURE: 9) Laminating with a BA: Learning how to make a life in Brethren Volunteer Service
10) Brethren bits
Haiti Medical Project Attains 30-Month Milestone, Lancaster Church Raises More Than $100,000, Brethren World Mission Continues Support
The Haiti Medical Project attained a 30-month milestone this summer in June, reports Dale Minnich who serves as a volunteer fundraiser for the project. Also this summer, Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren surpassed its fundraising goal of $100,000 to raise an actual amount of $103,700, reported by Lancaster member Otto Schaudel.