The Church of the Brethren Young Adult Conference (YAC) will be held May 23-25 at Camp Brethren Woods near Keezletown, Va. With the words from Jeremiah 29:11 as a focus, participants will address the theme “Coming Home: For I Know the Plans I Have for You.”
Brethren Bits for Feb. 15, 2014
In this issue: New hire at Brethren Service Center, youth ministry director completes certificate, #NYC, last chance for youth speech and music contest entries, registration deadlines for events at Bethany, WCC condemns military use of drones, notes from congregations and districts, and more.
EYN Ministers Hold Annual Conference
The Minister’s Annual Conference of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) opened the evening of Feb. 10 with worship sessions led by Bulus Danladi Jau. In their song during the session, the EYN Headquarters Church ZME (women’s choir) sang, “Nigeria is in confusion, as killings and burnings are going on. Why? God help us.”
Newsline for Feb. 8, 2014
1) Minnich and Murray head up Annual Conference ballot for 2014. 2) Vital Ministry Journey helps congregations and relationships. 3) Church of the Brethren begins partnership with Anabaptist Disabilities Network. 4) Grant aids displaced people in South Sudan. 5) NYC offers intercultural scholarships to 100 youth and advisors. 6) Brethren teaching at PUST are on view in BBC One news show. 7) Congress adopts Farm Bill: Points of interest for the church. 8) Christian Peacemaker Teams to challenge denial of entry in Israeli High Court. 9) Youth Peace Travel Team is announced for 2014. 10) Next intercultural gathering to be co-sponsored by Pacific Southwest District. 11) Brethren Academy updates its course listing for 2014. 12) Congregational Life offers new Spiritual Gifts Resource. 13) Brethren bits.
Brethren Bits for Feb. 8
Corrections, job opening for director of Brethren Disaster Ministries, “Jesus Weeps: Resisting Violence, Building Peace,” SVMC continuing ed events, Hollins Road men can cook, benefit concert for Haiti Medical Project, new directors at Fahrney-Keedy, “COBYS Nightly News Banquet,” Camp Harmony celebrates, a 100th birthday sermon at Timbercrest, and more.
Grant Aids Displaced People in South Sudan
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed an allocation of $15,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to aid displaced people in South Sudan. Fighting that began in Dec. 2013 has resulted in the displacement of more than 200,000 people in South Sudan.
Congress Adopts Farm Bill: Points of Interest for the Church
The Farm Bill is one of the largest pieces of legislation Congress deals with, and this week the bill was finally passed and signed into law after a three-year legislative process. The $956 billion bill will be in effect for the next five years and it affects things such as farming policy, international food aid, food stamps, and conservation. Below are a few points of interest for the church.
NYC Offers Intercultural Scholarships to 100 Youth and Advisors
The National Youth Conference (NYC) Office awarded about 100 intercultural scholarships last week to youth and advisors from around the denomination. NYC has offered scholarships for many years to congregations that have a membership that is majority intercultural. Scholarships were awarded to youth and advisors from 12 churches in 5 districts.
Next Intercultural Gathering to Be Co-Sponsored by Pacific Southwest District
Co-sponsored by the Intercultural Ministries of the Church of the Brethren and Pacific Southwest District, the next intercultural gathering in the Church of the Brethren will be held March 28-30 at Iglesia Principe de Paz in Santa Ana, Calif.
Church of the Brethren Begins Partnership with Anabaptist Disabilities Network
The Church of the Brethren has begun a formal partnership with ADNet, the Anabaptist Disabilities Network. Based out of Elkhart, Ind., ADNet is a strong voice for disabilities and mental health advocacy both within the Mennonite Church USA and ecumenically. The good work they have done and their clear passion for this ministry recently led the Church of the Brethren’s Congregational Life Ministries to develop this partnership.