A Faith Forum on Middle East Policy and the World Council of Churches (WCC) have issued statements on the violence occurring in Iraq. Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, was one of the American church leaders to sign a letter to US President Barack Obama organized by the Faith Forum, that urged alternatives to US military action in Iraq.
Brethren Academy, Ministry Office, Bethany Seminary Create New Sustaining Ministerial Excellence Advanced Seminar
The Brethren Academy, the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry, and Bethany Theological Seminary are developing a new Sustaining Ministerial Excellence Advanced Seminar to succeed the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program that concluded last year. The first seminar experience is scheduled for Jan. 16-19, 2015, designated as a Beginning Retreat for a Bivocational Pastors Cohort.
International Day of Prayer for Peace 2014 Is Scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21
Sunday, Sept. 21 is the International Day of Prayer for Peace, and On Earth Peace invites all in the Church of the Brethren to participate. Facing all the violence in the headlines and in human hearts, what if on Sept. 21 our communities of faith renewed our commitment to challenge violence and build peace?
Newsline for Aug. 26, 2014
1) Plans progress for Nigeria relief effort in cooperation with EYN, Global Mission and Service, and Brethren Disaster Ministries. 2) Grant goes to IMA World Health appeal for Ebola emergency. 3) Bethany Seminary surpasses $5.9 million campaign goal. 4) International Day of Prayer for Peace 2014 is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21. 5) Brethren Academy, Ministry Office, Bethany Seminary create new Sustaining Ministerial Excellence Advanced Seminar. 6) Brethren Academy announces upcoming courses in 2014, 2015. 7) Webinar series to address ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Post-Christendom.’ 8) Children’s Disaster Services offers training workshops in Hawaii, Indiana, Oregon.
9) Brethren bits
Brethren Bits for Aug. 26, 2014
In this issue: New assistant workcamp coordinators, relief materials for Kentucky, National Service of Mourning for the dead in Palestine and Israel, 100 years at Geiger Church, Brethren CPTer aids efforts for abducted Yazidi women, among news tidbits from congregations, districts, camps, colleges, ecumenical partners, and more.
Brethren Academy Announces Upcoming Courses in 2014, 2015
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has issued an updated list of courses for 2014 and 2015. The Brethren Academy is a partnership of the Church of the Brethren and Bethany Theological Seminary, with offices on the Bethany campus in Richmond, Ind.
Grant Goes to IMA World Health Appeal for Ebola Emergency
Brethren Disaster Ministries is directing an allocation of $15,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to an IMA World Health appeal for support of Ebola health workers in Liberia. The grant is funding work carried out through the Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL).
Children’s Disaster Services Offers Training Workshops in Hawaii, Indiana, Oregon
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a Church of the Brethren ministry offering care for children and families following disasters, is holding three volunteer training workshops in September and October. The workshops will be held in Hawaii, Indiana, and Oregon. Cost is $45. Register and find more information at www.brethren.org/cds/training/dates.html .
Plans Progress for Nigeria Relief Effort in Cooperation with EYN, Global Mission and Service, and Brethren Disaster Ministries
Plans are progressing for a relief effort responding to the violence in northeastern Nigeria, in cooperation with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission and Service and Brethren Disaster Ministries.
Webinar Series to Address ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Post-Christendom’
Authors of published or forthcoming books in the popular “After Christendom” series will lead a series of six webinars this year and next, presented by the Church of the Brethren, the Center for Anabaptist Studies at Bristol Baptist College in the UK, the Anabaptist Network, and the Mennonite Trust.