This listing of work and achievements of the Brethren in Haiti 2010-2011 was compiled by Klebert Exceus, who has led the Brethren Disaster Ministries building projects there (translated from French with the help of Jeff Boshart). All disaster related relief and response programs were funded by Brethren Disaster Ministries via the Emergency Disaster Fund including support for strategic partnerships and much of the agricultural work, except where it is noted that the Global Food Crisis Fund supported the project. All of the church building was made possible through special donations from congregations and individuals to the Emerging Global Mission Fund.
Brethren Colleges Hold Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
A number of colleges related to the Church of the Brethren are holding special events to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, including Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., and Manchester College in N. Manchester, Ind. (information is from college press releases).
Newsline for Jan. 11, 2012
The Jan. 11, 2012, issue of Newsline includes the following stories: 1) Brethren mark the second anniversary of Haiti’s earthquake. 2) An overview of Brethren accomplishments in Haiti, 2010-2011. 3) A reflection on the Haiti earthquake: Two years of recovery. 4) Dear beloved Church of the Brethren: A letter from Port-au-Prince. 5) Thoughts from Haiti on the new year. 6) BBT members, clients invest $700,000 in low-income communities. 7) Dueck offers coaching, resources on ‘Emotional Intelligence.’
8) Gross moves into new role at On Earth Peace. 9) Church’s Elgin warehouse to be collection point for MLK food drive. 10) Brethren colleges hold events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
11) Schedule, workshop topics, DVD available for congregational workshop. 12) New Church Development Conference registration opens Jan. 17. 13) New from Brethren Press: Devotions for Lent, hymn plaque, more. 14) Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, prayer for Nigeria, and more.
Church’s Elgin Warehouse to Be Collection Point for MLK Food Drive
The warehouse at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is to be the collection point for the city’s food drive commemorating Martin Luther King Day. Food collected over the weekend by churches and schools will be brought to the warehouse at 1451 Dundee Ave. for sorting and distribution to area food pantries and the Community Crisis Center.
EDF Sends Money to Thailand, Cambodia for Flood Response
Grants have been made for flood response in Thailand and Cambodia by the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF). Also in recent grants is support for disaster relief following wildfires in Texas.
World Interfaith Harmony Week is Feb. 1-7
On Oct. 20, 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution designating the first week in February to be an annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. The General Assembly called for dialogue among the different religions internationally, nationally, and locally to enhance interfaith harmony and cooperation.
Newsline for December 29, 2011
The Dec. 29, 2011, issue of the Church of the Brethren Newsline offers the following stories: 1) GFCF gives grants to Rural Service Center, Brethren group in Congo; 2) EDF sends money to Thailand, Cambodia for flood response; 3) Brethren staff leave North Korea for Christmas break; 4) Hoslers conclude their service in Nigeria, report on peace work; 5) NCC condemns attack on worshipers in Nigeria; 6) BVS Europe welcomes largest number of volunteers since 2004; 7) Juniata takes action during Sandusky investigation; 8) Royer retires as manager of Global Food Crisis Fund; 9) Blevins resigns as advocacy officer, ecumenical peace coordinator; 10) World Interfaith Harmony Week is Feb. 1-7; 11) Peace meditation: Reflections from a BVS volunteer in Europe; 12) Brethren bits.
Brethren in the News
Links to the latest online news reports featuring Brethren people, congregations, organizations, and more.
BVS Europe Welcomes Largest Number of Volunteers Since 2004
The Europe program of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) welcomed many new BVS volunteers this year, 2011–16 in all, “which is more than we’ve seen since 2004,” reports coordinator Kristin Flory in a recent newsletter. Flory works out of an office in Geneva, Switzerland.
Hoslers Conclude Their Service in Nigeria, Report on Peace Work
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).