“We understand peace and peacemaking as an indispensable part of our common faith,” states the opening sentence of a “final message” from the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC). The message issued yesterday, May 24, 2011, in Jamaica on the last day of the IEPC, is not considered an official statement of the sponsoring body, the World Council of Churches. Instead it is intended to represent a sense of the meeting.
Intercultural Consultation Celebrates Unity Through the Cross of Peace
Approximately 100 Brethren from across the US and Puerto Rico gathered April 28-30 in Mills River, N.C., hosted by His Way Church of the Brethren/Iglesia Jesucristo El Camino and Southeastern District…
Emergency Disaster Fund Makes Grants for Tornado Response
Two grants have been given from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) for disaster response work following recent tornadoes in the United States. A grant of $15,000 responds to an expanded appeal from Church World Service (CWS) following a weekend of tornadoes that affected seven states from Oklahoma to Minnesota, and $5,000 is supporting the work of Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) volunteers in Joplin, Mo.
Americorps Education Awards Cut off to Faith-Based Volunteer Network
After 15 years of participation in the AmeriCorps education award program, Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) has learned that its access to the program has been cut off. Federal budget cuts mean the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is not funding such grants to the volunteer networking organization of which BVS is a member, for the 2011-2012 term.
Planting Network Rolls Out Year-Long Prayer Emphasis
The New Church Development Advisory Committee is “rolling out a year-long prayer emphasis” according to Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries. Over the months leading up to the 2012 church planting conference, the committee aims “to cultivate a dynamic network of prayer that includes sharing prayer needs and telling stories about ways that prayer is being answered,” he announced in a Facebook post.
BBT Board Approves Changes Impacting Retirees of Brethren Pension Plan
The phasing out of the Brethren Pension Plan Annuity Benefit Reduction Assistance Program and a change in how the fund that pays out all Pension Plan annuities is invested were two major action items approved by the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) Board of Directors when they met April 30 and May 1 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Brethren and the Civil War
In a recent newsletter, Shenandoah District included the following reflection on the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and how Brethren at the time responded: “On May 19-22, 1861, the Brethren held their Yearly Meeting at Beaver Creek (now a congregation near Bridgewater, Va.). This is a particularly historic and meaningful gathering that deserves commemoration because it occurred in our district during the turbulent, opening days of the Civil War….”
Officers Issue Prayer Calendar to Prepare for Annual Conference
The Annual Conference officers are requesting prayer for the 2011 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, on July 2-6 in Grand Rapids, Mich. A prayer calendar is available in this news story, and is online at www.brethren.org/ac in a format designed for easy use as a planner and for printing. The Implementation Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates was asked to create a resource to help the officers and committee spiritually prepare for the work in Grand Rapids. This prayer calendar is the result, and is being shared with the whole church.
Journal from Jamaica – May 21, 2011
It can’t be easy to take care of almost a thousand international guests, with so many different needs and expectations. Even at the most chaotic times, such as yesterday afternoon when hundreds of people were trying to get their sack lunches for the Peace Concert, and the cafeteria staff were trying to make sure the right people got the right lunch boxes, no one was taking their stress or anxiety out on anyone else. The attendant at the women’s restroom tent exemplifies this attitude. She keeps 10-plus porta potties clean, maintain the hand washing station, soap, and towels, and even watches our belongings when we come in loaded with bags and umbrellas. And she’s always cheerful and friendly.
Newsline Special : Disaster Response Update and IEPC Final Message
Children’s Disaster Services responds in Joplin, Brethren Disaster Ministries reports on preliminary activities, requests EDF grant, Convocation final message rejects war in favor of ‘just peace’