This issue of “Brethren Bits” includes new contact information for Southeastern District, how to connect to NYAC webcasts, a new logo for the church’s advocacy and peace witness office in Washington, D.C., an invitation to Elder John Kline’s birthday party, and much more.
Nigerian Brethren Are Among Those Killed, Injured in Sunday Attacks
A congregation of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) was one of those attacked on Sunday by Islamist extremists. At least one EYN member was killed and several more injured. Nigerian church leaders have been requesting prayer for the situation in their country, where the Boko Haram sect has been targeting churches as well as government facilities and police stations with terrorist-type violence.
Grants Are Given to Start New Brethren Disaster Project Sites
Two grants have been given from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to start new Brethren Disaster Ministries project sites in New York State and Alabama. Other recent EDF grants also have been announced in response to Church World Service (CWS) appeals for Pakistan and northern Africa. In related news, the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) also has announced a grant to a Rural Development Program in Nigeria.
A Large Group Prepares for Licensing to the Ministry in Haiti
In late May, Church of the Brethren leaders from the US and Haiti interviewed a large group of people preparing for licensing to the ministry, to serve in Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti). Nineteen men and women were interviewed.
Church Staff Involved in Ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace in Syria
On Tuesday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. an ecumenical prayer service for peace in Syria was initiated and organized by Nathan Hosler, ecumenical peace coordinator for the National Council of Churches (NCC) and advocacy officer for the Church of the Brethren, in collaboration with Father Fady Abdulahad, a Syrian priest ministering in Alexandria, Va.
MSS Interns Begin a Summer of Service to the Church
The 2012 class of Ministry Summer Service interns have been holding orientation June 1-6 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The mentors for each intern joined the orientation for the last two days of the event. Below is a list of interns and mentors, as well as the ministry settings in which they will serve for the next 10 weeks:
Conference Blood Drive Is a Way to Reach Out to Host City
The annual blood drive is being planned again for the 2012 Annual Conference in St. Louis, as a way Brethren may give back to the host community.
Webcasts Offer Opportunity to Worship with Conference, from a Distance
Join the gathered Brethren for Sunday worship in St. Louis–from your own sanctuary! For a second year, the Annual Conference officers are inviting congregations to join in Sunday morning worship with the church gathered in St. Louis, Mo., for Annual Conference. The invitation is for as many Brethren as possible–across the denomination and across the country–to worship together on July 8.
General Secretary Announces Decision Regarding BMC Project with Brethren Volunteer Service
June 1, 2012 (Elgin, Ill.) — Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger today made an announcement concerning the BMC Kaleidoscope Coordinator as a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) project. The decision was shared in a letter addressed to Carol Wise, executive of BMC–the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.
On Earth Peace Announces Bill Scheurer as New Executive Director
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors has announced the selection of Bill Scheurer as its new executive director. Scheurer will take over the role as previous executive director Bob Gross moves to other responsibilities within the organization. The selection was made after an extensive national search and selection process.