While sitting at our District Conference in 2011, I turned to my pastor and whispered that I suddenly felt a need to visit all 44 congregations in our district. His look of question probably matched my confused feeling, for even as the words left my mouth I had no idea why I had the need to do this. I wasn’t sure I had the time, or the energy, to carry it through. Up to this point, I had only visited a few other congregations outside of Mechanicsburg, which I have been part of since birth. All I knew for sure was that I was being nudged for some unknown reason to take this venture.
Planting Conference Looks Toward an Intercultural Church
Church of the Brethren planters and those interested in church planting gathered for the 2014 conference, “Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully–Toward an Intercultural Future.” The conference is offered every two years, sponsored by Congregational Life Ministries and the New Church Development Advisory Committee.
Nominations Sought for Open Roof Awards
The deadline is drawing near for nominations for the 2014 Open Roof Awards, presented annually to a congregation or district in the Church of the Brethren that has made great strides in becoming accessible to people with disabilities and offering opportunities for them to serve.
Brethren Bits for May 20, 2014
In this issue: Remembering former mission doctor Marvin Blough, assistant coordinators named for next workcamp season–plus workcamp commissioning resources, Washington City Church seeks food ministries coordinator, promising new legislation in the Dominican Republic, orientation dates for the Brethren Academy, and much more.
Attack by Boko Haram Kills Nigerian Brethren, EYN President Requests Continued Prayer
Samuel Dali, president of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria or EYN), sent news today by e-mail of a new attack by Boko Haram in which several EYN members were killed. Boko Haram is an extremist sect in northern Nigeria violently seeking a “pure” Islamic state, and is responsible for last month’s abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls from a school in Chibok, Nigeria.
EYN Church Leaders Meet with 58 Chibok Schoolgirls’ Parents
The president of EYN (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, the Church of the Brethren Nigeria) Samuel D. Dali, met with parents of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted on April 14. EYN, a world known peace church, operates largely in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States in Nigeria, where a state of emergency has been in place for over a year.
Ten Bible Studies Available to Help Youth Prepare for NYC 2014
The National Youth Conference (NYC) Office has released 10 Bible studies for youth groups to use as they prepare to attend the July 19-24 conference. Several of the Bible studies were written by NYC speakers, using the scripture text they will preach on during the week of NYC.
Brethren and Ecumenical Partners Continue Support for Nigeria and the Abducted Girls
A round up of news tidbits from this past week, demonstrating a variety of ways in which Brethren congregations and districts have been offering prayer and support for Nigerian Brethren and the abducted schoolgirls. Also below: statements of support from ecumenical partners, as well as media interviews and stories with links to find them online:
Committee Studying Ecumenism Seeks Responses to Survey
The Annual Conference study committee on a Vision of Ecumenism for the 21st Century is conducting a survey of the delegates of Annual Conference 2013, Young Adult Conference participants, those involved in district ministry, and Mission and Ministry Board members as it prepares to write a Church of the Brethren vision paper on ecumenism.
Newsline for May 20, 2014
1) Planting conference looks toward an intercultural church. 2) Bethany Seminary celebrates commencement. 3) Nominations sought for Open Roof Awards. 4) Committee studying ecumenism seeks responses to survey. 5) Attack by Boko Haram kills Nigerian Brethren, EYN president requests continued prayer. 6) EYN church leaders meet with 58 Chibok schoolgirls’ parents. 7) Brethren and ecumenical partners continue support for Nigeria and the abducted girls. 8) Ten Bible studies available to help youth prepare for NYC 2014. 9) One man’s journey to all 44 churches in Southern Pennsylvania District. 10) Brethren bits