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.
US Religious Leaders, WCC Issue Statements on Violence in Iraq
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.