Jesus used stories when he spoke to the people. In fact, he did not tell them anything without using stories. So God’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, “I will use stories to speak my message and to explain things that have been hidden since the creation of the world” (Matthew 13:34-35, CEV).
‘Grief and Love in the Same Place’: A Communication from the Church of the Brethren General Secretary and the EYN President
“In my grief I saw myself being held…” This quote from Margaret J. Wheatley’s book, “Perseverance,” has been riding in my soul since I returned from Nigeria. The circumstances of the Nigerian conflicts happening around the gathering of the church at the Majalisa provide me with enough incongruence to feel grief and love in the same place.
A Round Up of Nigeria News
A gathering of news and updates from Nigeria, along with news of continuing prayer and support for Nigerian Brethren from US congregations and ecumenical partners:
Brethren Disaster Ministries Directs $175,000 in EDF Grants to the Philippines
The Brethren Disaster Ministries staff are directing three grants totaling $175,000 to rehabilitation and livelihoods work in the Philippines. The grants from the denomination’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) follow up on the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in Nov. 2013. The grants will support Heifer International livelihoods work on the island of Leyte, Lutheran World Relief livelihoods work on the islands of Cebu and Leyte, and rehabilitation work by a Filipino nonprofit organization in the coastal community of Tanauan, Leyte.
Brethren Bits for June 2, 2014
Remembering Harry Gardner, a new intern for the BHLA, job openings with On Earth Peace and BBT, volunteers sought for Zigler Hospitality Center, congregations celebrate anniversaries, meat canning update, camp and retirement community news, and much more.
What Does the Emergent Church Movement Have to Say to Brethren?
What does the Emergent Church movement have to say to us Brethren? The Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor and St. Clare’s Episcopal Church (two very different congregations in Ann Arbor, Mich.) co-sponsored the Blue Ocean Summit, an ecumenical conference, May 15-17. Blue Ocean Faith is an informal network of churches, leaders, and laity who aim to live out vibrant Christian faith in predominantly secular settings, among and with secular-leaning folk.
A Heart for Bringing Christ: The Hills Speak About Their Time in Nigeria
Newsline interviewed Carl and Roxane Hill shortly after they returned to the United States from a term of service at Kulp Bible College of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The Hills flew back to the US on May 14, in time to attend the church planting conference in Richmond, Ind., where Brethren videographer David Sollenberger taped a series of short interviews; find them at www.brethren.org/partners/nigeria/news.html .Following is the Newsline interview with the Hills:
Newsline for June 2, 2014
1) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs $175,000 in EDF grants to the Philippines. 2) Theme is announced for 2015 National Older Adult Conference. 3) Bethany Seminary offers course at University of La Verne. 4) ‘Grief and love in the same place’: A communication from the Church of the Brethren general secretary and the EYN president. 5) A heart for bringing Christ: The Hills speak about their time in Nigeria. 6) A round up of Nigeria news. 7) What does the Emergent Church movement have to say to Brethren? 8) Brethren bits
One Man’s Journey to All 44 Churches in Southern Pennsylvania District
While sitting at our District Conference in 2011, I turned to my pastor and whispered that I suddenly felt a need to visit all 44 congregations in our district. His look of question probably matched my confused feeling, for even as the words left my mouth I had no idea why I had the need to do this. I wasn’t sure I had the time, or the energy, to carry it through. Up to this point, I had only visited a few other congregations outside of Mechanicsburg, which I have been part of since birth. All I knew for sure was that I was being nudged for some unknown reason to take this venture.
Planting Conference Looks Toward an Intercultural Church
Church of the Brethren planters and those interested in church planting gathered for the 2014 conference, “Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully–Toward an Intercultural Future.” The conference is offered every two years, sponsored by Congregational Life Ministries and the New Church Development Advisory Committee.