In this issue: Baltimore Orioles honor Monica Barlow, several announcements of job openings, WCC celebrates release of kidnapped Syrian nuns, CDS carries out a two-day response in Pennsylvania, airfare discount available for NYC 2014, Youth Cabinet meeting, upcoming events in congregations and districts, and lots more news about and for Brethren.
Global Food Crisis Grants Support New BVS Position in Public Witness, Agriculture in DRC Congo and Rwanda
The Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) this week announces three grants, to support a new Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) position at the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness, and for agriculture work in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Newsline for March 11, 2014
1) Mission Advisory Committee has first-hand look at Haiti, proposes work toward a global Brethren body. 2) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs grant aid to Nigerian Brethren affected by violence. 3) Global Food Crisis grants support new BVS position in public witness, agriculture in DRC Congo and Rwanda. 4) Conference witness to host city benefits YWCA shelter for women in Columbus. 5) Chaplains from Brethren-related colleges and universities hold meeting. 6) April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. 7) Brethren Academy issues an updated course listing for 2014. 8) Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum to meet in Lancaster, Pa. 9) Brethren bits.
Mission Advisory Committee Has First-Hand Look at Haiti, Proposes Work Toward a Global Brethren Body
The Mission Advisory Committee, which helps guide the international ministries of the Church of the Brethren Global Mission and Service program, held its biennial gathering in Haiti to see first-hand the holistic ministry of the Haitian mission. The visit hosted by the Brethren Ministry Center in the Port-au-Prince area, also met with Haitian leadership to better understand the growth of Eglise des Freres Haitiens, the Haitian Church of the Brethren.
Brethren Disaster Ministries Directs Grant Aid to Nigerian Brethren Affected by Violence
Brethren Disaster Ministries is directing $25,000 from the church’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to aid Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) during a time of escalating violence in northeastern Nigeria. The money will be contributed through EYN’s Compassion Fund.
Conference Witness to Host City Benefits YWCA Shelter for Women in Columbus
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference partners this year with the YWCA/YMCA of Columbus, Ohio, for an annual Witness to the Host City. Annual Conference 2014 takes place in Columbus on July 2-6, led by moderator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman. Each year, the Witness to the Host City service project invites Brethren to aid the city that hosts the denomination’s annual meeting.
Brethren Academy Issues an Updated Course Listing for 2014
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has issued an updated listing of courses offered in 2014. Courses are open to Training in Ministry (TRIM) students, pastors, and all interested persons. Offered this year: “Beyond Sunday School,” “Rock the Church,” study in conjunction with the Ministers’ Association event, “Church of the Brethren Polity and Practice,” “Conflict Transformation in Congregations,” and “Luke-Acts and the Birth of the Church.”
Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum to Meet in Lancaster, Pa.
The Brethren Village Retirement Community in Lancaster, Pa., will host this year’s Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum on April 14-16. Representatives from member communities will be joined by several denominational staff members for three days of training, updates, networking, and sharing best practices in long-term care.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Church of the Brethren Family Life Ministry is providing resources and ideas for congregations to observe Child Abuse Prevention Month during April. Find more information at www.brethren.org/childprotection/month.html .
Chaplains from Brethren-Related Colleges and Universities Hold Meeting
Chaplains from five of the six Church of the Brethren-affiliated colleges and universities and Tracy Primozich, director of admissions for Bethany Theological Seminary, met Feb. 19 in Tacoma, Wash., following the National Association of College and University Chaplains (NACUC) annual conference.