Church of the Brethren mission workers Nathan and Jennifer Hosler have concluded their service in Nigeria and returned to the United States in mid-December. Following is an excerpt from their final newsletter reporting on their work at Kulp Bible College of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
Peace Meditation: Reflections from a BVS Volunteer in Europe
Brethren Volunteer (BVS) worker Susan Pracht has completed a term of service with Church and Peace in Laufdorf, Germany–the first BVSer to serve there since the late 1980s. Church and Peace is an ecumenical organization of more than 110 corporate and individual members from all over Europe. Before departing Europe, Pracht posted this meditation on Facebook.
GFCF Gives Grants to Rural Service Center, Brethren Group in Congo
Recent grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) have gone to the Rural Service Center in India and an agricultural development project of Brethren congregations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
NCC Condemns Attack on Worshipers in Nigeria
The National Council of Churches (NCC) has condemned the Christmas Day bombing of a Roman Catholic Church in Madella, Nigeria, as “intrinsically evil.” Incoming NCC president Kathryn Mary Lohre joined Pope Benedict XVI and other religious leaders in denouncing the terrorist acts that claimed the lives of 39 people and injured hundreds.
Brethren Staff Leave North Korea for Christmas Break
Robert and Linda Shank, Church of the Brethren staff in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), were free to leave as scheduled for a Christmas break, reports mission executive Jay Wittmeyer.
Brethren Bits
This issue’s “Brethren bits” includes a remembrance for Terri Meushaw, former administrative assistant in Mid-Atlantic District, along with notices of job openings with the Church of the Brethren and the World Council of Churches, youth opportunities for summer 2012, registration deadlines for Annual Conference and other upcoming events, plus more Brethren news.
Royer Retires as Manager of Global Food Crisis Fund
Howard E. Royer is retiring as manager of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) on Dec. 31. He has completed eight years as GFCF manager, serving three-quarter time on a contract/volunteer basis.
Brethren in the News
Clips from the latest news stories featuring Brethren, obituaries of church members, and more, with links to the full stories online.
Reflections on Cuba, December 2011
Becky Ball-Miller, a member of the Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board and CEO of Troyer Foods, Inc., an employee-owned company in Goshen, Ind., wrote the following reflection after she returned from an ecumenical delegation to Cuba.
Brethren Bits: Job Openings, Annual Conference Delegate Registration, College News, and More
News bits range from a job opening for a district executive and writers sought for the Gather ’Round curriculum, to an opening date for online registration of delegates to the 2012 Annual Conference and news from the Brethren-related colleges.