Each May, the Church of the Brethren observes Older Adult Month, an opportunity to celebrate God’s gift of aging and the contributions of older adults to our lives and our congregations. This year, the denomination’s Older Adult Ministry invites the church to consider the “Rhythms of Life: For Everything There Is a Season…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity Heads up Annual Conference Business Agenda
The business agenda for the Church of the Brethren’s 2014 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on July 2-6 includes proposed revisions to the Ministerial Leadership Polity, along with other returning business items that deal with guidelines for implementing the Congregational Ethics Paper, guidance for responding to the changing of Earth’s climate, a Vision of Ecumenism for the 21st century, and more equitable representation on the Mission and Ministry Board.
National Youth Conference Registration Fee to Increase May 1
Youth and advisors have a day to register for this summer’s National Youth Conference (NYC) before the price goes up to $500 on May 1. All participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to avoid a late fee. For all information regarding the conference, visit www.brethren.org/NYC .
Mission Across Margins Is Topic for Webinars in May and June
Two webinars with Mike Pears will explore the theme of mission in marginal places. They are sponsored by the Church of the Brethren and its Congregational Life Ministries, with partners in the UK: Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist College, and BMS World Mission.
Newsline for April 29, 2014
1) Nigerian churches urge global prayer for 230 missing girls, most from EYN. 2) Bethany Seminary to hold commencement. 3) Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity heads up Annual Conference business agenda. 4) New Annual Conference App designed to aid Conference-goers. 5) Congregations are invited to join in Annual Conference Sunday. 6) National Youth Conference registration fee to increase May 1. 7) May is Older Adult Month: Celebrate the gift of aging. 8) Mission across margins is topic for webinars in May and June. 9) Protests reveal a country’s struggle: A BVSer reports from Bosnia. 10) Brethren bits
Protests Reveal a Country’s Struggle: A BVSer Reports from Bosnia
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker Stephanie Barras provided this report from Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where she has been living since Sept. 2013. She is working at OKC Abrasevic, a youth cultural center: I will do my best to explain what has been happening here after the Feb. 7 protests. A day or so before, there was
Newsline for April 22, 2014
1) Presidential inauguration highlights Bethany Seminary trustee meeting. 2) Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust supports Church Alliance filing of Amicus Brief in clergy housing exclusion case. 3) Global Food Crisis Fund to assist Fisherfolk’s Association in Philippines. 4) Brethren Press offers summer curriculum. 5) Water, Holy Water: Praising God on Earth Day. 6) The history of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam. 7) Brethren bits
Brethren Bits for April 22, 2014
In this issue: Medical volunteers needed at Annual Conference, project leaders needed by Brethren Disaster Ministries, continued prayer needed for Nigeria, plus the SVMC board meeting, May 1 registration deadline for NYC, 150th anniversary of Elder John Kline’s death, and lots of news from congregations, districts, colleges, and more.
The History of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam
The first event of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam occurred in October 2011, at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Blind School, Ho Chi Minh City. An overall theme was chosen for this event: “The white-tipped cane is an adaptive, functional cane used by blind persons, which alerts people to give priority to the person using the cane.”
Global Food Crisis Fund to Assist Fisherfolk’s Association in Philippines
A grant of $10,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) has been allocated for replacement of fishing equipment in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. The recipient of the grant is Barangay District 1 Fisherfolk’s Association of Babatngon, Leyte, the Philippines.