“Given this is budget preparation time for many congregations, we’ve had calls and e-mails asking about the registration fees for Annual Conference next year,” said a note from the Conference Office, which highlights a new “family friendly” change made by the Program and Arrangements Committee.
Lerch Concludes Her Work with TRIM and the Brethren Academy
Marilyn Lerch, coordinator of the Training In Ministry (TRIM) program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, will conclude her half-time position on Dec. 31 as a result of staff reconfiguration at the academy. She will continue as half-time pastor of Bedford (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.
‘Pioneering’ Is the Subject of a Three-Webinar Series
Congregational Life Ministries is offering three new webinars on the topic of church pioneering. The webcast presenters are leaders from the Anabaptist Network in the United Kingdom, an organization that models dynamic ministry strategies and creative processes for new church development. The three webinars are hosted by the Church of the Brethren and organized together with Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist, and BMS World Mission.
Children Have Disaster Consequences Too: CDS Serves in Colorado Following Floods
By Dick McGee of the American Red Cross. The following report on the work of Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) in Longmont, Colo., following the extreme flooding in the state, was provided by the American Red Cross. A team of CDS volunteers has been serving at the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Longmont. The team will finish up tomorrow and travel home on Sunday, reports Roy Winter, associate executive director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. “Disaster relief services are not just for grown-ups….”
Nigerian Brethren Die in More Violent Attacks on Communities, Churches
Leaders of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have reported recent violent attacks that have taken lives of church members and destroyed many homes and some churches in northeastern Nigeria. The Global Mission and Service office requests prayer for people who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their homes and churches, and for EYN and its leaders. Global Mission and Service is sending a grant of $10,000 to the EYN fund that aids church members affected by the ongoing violence, and is requesting donations to the EYN Compassion Fund.
Newsline for Oct. 4, 2013
1) Children have disaster consequences too: CDS serves in Colorado following floods. 2) Nigerian Brethren die in more violent attacks on communities, churches. 3) Webinar series to give information about Brethren ministries for young people. 4) New resources include calendar to learn Philippians, Domestic Violence Awareness, Children’s Sabbaths, more. 5) Curriculum helps youth develop beliefs on peace, conscientious objection. 6) Workcamps schedule is announced for 2014. 7) US church leaders renew emphasis on immigration. 8) Bethany’s ‘Explore Your Call’ 2014 to be held in Colorado prior to NYC. 9) Brethren bits.
US Church Leaders Renew Emphasis on Immigration
By Wendy McFadden. Christian leaders representing the breadth of Christian churches and denominations in the US have renewed their emphasis on the issue of immigration. Immigration was the main topic at the annual meeting of Christian Churches Together earlier this year, and the CCT steering committee has announced that the urgency of the matter–particularly in light of congressional delays on immigration reform–will keep it in front of the organization’s annual meeting through 2015.
Brethren Bits for Oct. 4, 2013
In this issue: remembering Duane Ramsey, Brethren Disaster Ministries honors longterm volunteer Helen Kinsel, job openings at the World Council of Churches and at Camp Swatara, a difficult court decision for Haitians in the Dominican Republic, and much more.
Workcamps Schedule Is Announced for 2014
The schedule for the 2014 summer workcamps offered by the Church of the Brethren is now available online at www.brethren.org/workcamps/schedule . Workcamps will be offered for junior high youth, BRF senior high youth, young adults, and an intergenerational group. Because senior high youth will be attending National Youth Conference in July 2014, a full slate of workcamps for senior high youth will be offered again in 2015.
New Resources Include Calendar to Learn Philippians, Domestic Violence Awareness, Children’s Sabbaths, More
October offers congregations the opportunity to participate in two national observances promoting the welfare of families and children: Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Children’s Sabbaths Celebration. A calendar for learning the book of Philippians by heart also begins in October, offered by the Annual Conference moderator as a focus for Bible study in preparation for the 2014 annual meeting.