A reflection from the chapel service at the Church of the Brethren General Offices, Elgin, Ill., this week, given by Global Mission and Service executive director Jay Wittmeyer. The reflection focuses on the story of St. Martin, the saint’s day that is celebrated in the US as Veteran’s Day, and the story of Dr. James Kim, founder of Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in N. Korea.
Northeast Nigeria Again Experiences Violence, EYN Church Burned
Northeast Nigeria has again suffered terrorist-type violence since Friday, when attacks blamed on the Boko Haram sect began. “Pray for peace and safety in Nigeria,” said a note of condolence from Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission and Service department. “Our condolences to the family of Jinatu Libra Wamdeo, general secretary of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, whose wife’s brother was killed at a road block on his way home from work in Sokoto State.” At least one church of EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria–has been burned.
Assisi Event Calls for Peace as a Human Right
Among religious leaders on the stage with Pope Benedict XVI at the World Day of Peace in Assisi last week was Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren. The main message of the Oct. 27 event was that peace is a human right, Noffsinger said in an interview on his return from Italy.
Brethren Faculty Report on Conference at N. Korean University
Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in North Korea held its first International Conference on Science and Technology on Oct. 4-7 with 27 foreign and almost as many DPRK guests/speakers. Robert Shank, Church of the Brethren faculty member, and department DPRK partner co-chaired the Ag/Life Science session.
New Bible Studies, Yearbook Available from Brethren Press
Two new Bible studies are now available from Brethren Press: a Covenant Bible Study on “Miracles of Jesus,” and the Winter quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies” on the theme “God Establishes a Faithful People.” The 2011 Advent Devotional also is now available, along with a special Christmas card featuring a colorful graphic from the devotional cover. In addition, the Church of the Brethren Yearbook for 2012 may be purchased on CD.
Newsline for Nov. 2, 2011
News items include: 1) Assisi event calls for peace as a human right. 2) Brethren faculty report on conference at N. Korean university. 3) BBT goes green’ with e-mail publications, simplifies e-mail addresses. 4) Global Food Crisis Fund showcases projects for holiday giving. 5) Brethren Volunteer Service unit begins its work. 6) BBT co-sponsors financial and benefits seminar for congregations. 7) New Bible studies, Yearbook available from Brethren Press. 8) Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, college news, more.
Global Food Crisis Fund Showcases Projects for Holiday Giving
The Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) has launched a web page showcasing projects for alternative gift giving this holiday season. Go to www.brethren.org/gfcfgive. “Reach out your soul to the hungry,” says an invitation. “Honor loved ones by giving a gift in their name to the Global Food Crisis Fund.
Board Gives Provisional Approval to Ministerial Leadership Paper, Makes Haiti Earthquake Grant
In addition to its decision to cease operation of the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center (reported in Newsline on Sunday, Oct. 16), the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its Fall meeting appointed LeAnn Wine as treasurer, and Ed Woolf as assistant treasurer; gave provisional approval to a revision of the denomination’s Ministerial Leadership Paper; and approved a $300,000 grant from the Emergency Disaster Fund to continue disaster relief and rebuilding in Haiti following the earthquake of 2010.
Board Gives Provisional Approval to Ministerial Leadership Paper, Makes Haiti Earthquake Grant
In addition to its decision to cease operation of the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center (reported in Newsline on Sunday, Oct. 16), the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its Fall meeting appointed LeAnn Wine as treasurer, and Ed Woolf as assistant treasurer; gave provisional approval to a revision of the denomination’s Ministerial Leadership Paper; and approved a $300,000 grant from the Emergency Disaster Fund to continue disaster relief and rebuilding in Haiti following the earthquake of 2010.
Workcamps Are Announced for 2012
“Ready to Listen” (1 Samuel 3:10) is the theme for the Church of the Brethren workcamps in 2012. A list of workcamp sites , dates, and costs for next summer is available at www.brethren.org/workcamps along with a downloadable flier that can be printed out for distribution to congregations and youth groups. Workcamps are offered for jr high and sr high youth, young adults, and intergenerational groups. “We Are Able” is offered for youth with intellectual disabilities.