In a partial-day meeting on July 2, the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board approved a resolution on Afghanistan, sharply reduced the budget for 2012, heard several reports, and participated in presentation of this year’s Open Roof Award. The resolution on Afghanistan was forwarded to Standing Committee for Annual Conference consideration.
Conference Business Addresses Issues Related to Sexuality, Church Ethics, Climate Change, Decorum.
The 2011 Annual Conference taking place in Grand Rapids, Mich., on July 2-6 will have on its business agenda items related to human sexuality, along with a report from a committee studying the need for new guidelines on congregational ethics, and two new queries on climate change and proper decorum for discussions of church business.
Group is Encouraging Local CPS Anniversary Celebrations
A group that has set up a new website to tell the Civilian Public Service (CPS) story is also encouraging local celebrations of 70th anniversaries of CPS camps around the country. Nearly 12,000 conscientious objectors to war chose Civilian Public Service during World War II, performing “work of national importance” rather than bearing arms.
Ministries of Reconciliation and Listening Will Offer Assistance at Conference
Many who have attended Annual Conference in past years are familiar with the yellow “On Earth Peace MoR (Ministry of Reconciliation) Observer” badges worn by skilled practitioners during Conference business sessions. This year as particularly sensitive business is discussed, these volunteer “Ministers of Reconciliation” will offer assistance not only during business sessions but throughout the Conference, mediating conflict, facilitating communication, navigating misunderstandings, and in general helping to make sense of the proceedings.
Church Leader Signs on to Letters About Afghanistan, Medicaid Budget
Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger has added his signature to two letters from American religious leaders, one addressing the Afghanistan war, and the other on the Medicaid budget. On June 21 as President Obama prepared to announce the number of troops he planned to withdraw from Afghanistan, religious leaders sent him an open letter stating, “It is time to bring the US war in Afghanistan to an end.”
Pregunta: Orientación para responder al cambio de clima de la Tierra
Pregunta: Orientación para responder al cambio de clima de la Tierra (Annual Conference 2011 business item: Query guidance for responding to the changing of the earth’s climate) Considerando lo siguiente: Dios creó la tierra y la calificó como buena, y sigue amar a toda la creación, animada y inanimada, humana y no humana (Génesis 1, Salmo 24, Juan 3:16-17, y otros); Considerando lo siguiente: El clima de la Tierra continúa calentándose ….
Newsline Remembrance: S. Loren Bowman
S. Loren Bowman, 98, former general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, passed away on June 17. He was general secretary of the denomination for almost a decade, from July 15, 1968, until his retirement Dec. 31, 1977.
Annual Conference Bits and Pieces: Messenger Special Response Series, Join in Sunday Webcast, Follow AC News, and More
Annual Conference bits and pieces: Messenger Special Response series, join in Sunday webcast, follow AC news, and more
Newsline for June 16, 2011
The June 16 issue of Newsline features the following stories: 1. Conference officers review how Special Response decisions will be made. 2. Annual Conference bits and pieces. 3. Haitian church celebrates 100th home. 4 CDS volunteers go to Springfield, complete Joplin response. 5. Carol Bowman resigns as coordinator of stewardship formation. 6. New webinar focuses on importance of emotional intelligence. 7. Denominational Deacon Trainings continue in 2011. 8. Brethren bits: Corrections, remembrance, personnel, BVS on Today Show, and more.
CDS Volunteers Go to Springfield, Complete Joplin Response
A new response site for Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is Springfield, Mass., which was hit by a tornado on June 2. A team of five CDS volunteers began work there late last week in response to a call from the American Red Cross. Meanwhile, CDS volunteers are completing a project to care for children of families living in shelters in Joplin, Mo.