Registration is open for Powerhouse 2013, the Church of the Brethren regional youth conference for the Midwest. The event is organized by Manchester University and this year will be held at a new venue: Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind. The dates are Nov. 16-17.
Shari McCabe to Retire, Carol A. Davis to Lead Fellowship of Brethren Homes
Fellowship of Brethren Homes has named Carol A. Davis to succeed Shari McCabe as executive director of the fellowship. McCabe has spent five years as executive director of the Fellowship. Davis is retired from years of service at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, and Pinecrest Community in Mount Morris, Ill. After a brief respite following her retirement, she is choosing to serve once again in this leadership position.
Congregational Life Ministries Offers Webinar on ‘Prayer and Service’
Author and spiritual director Phileena Heuertz will lead a webinar on “Prayer and Service” sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. (Eastern time).
God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace: An Interview with Leaders of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches staff Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary, and Natasha Klukach, program executive for church and ecumenical relations, were hosted by the Church of the Brethren for three days in mid-August. Their visit came as the WCC prepares for its 2013 assembly, a worldwide gathering of Christians that takes place every seven years and considered the most significant time when Christians get together. During their time in Illinois, the WCC leaders met with Brethren communicators. General secretary Stan Noffsinger also sat in on the conversation. Here is an excerpt.
Newsline for August 23, 2013
1) God of life, lead us to justice and peace: An interview with leaders of the World Council of Churches. 2) Christian ecumenical organizations call attention to Egypt. 3) Southern Ohio District launches Vital Ministry Journey. 4) The 301st unit of Brethren Volunteer Service begins work. 5) Camp Emmaus auction raises $1,000-plus for camp scholarships. 6) 43rd annual Dunker Church Service planned at Antietam battlefield. 7) Churches plan creative events for Peace Day 2013. 8) World Council of Churches calls members to observe day of prayer for peace. 9) The Time Is Now: An Annual Conference statement from the summer of 1963. 10) Brethren bits.
Christian Ecumenical Organizations Call Attention to Egypt
The World Council of Churches, Christian Churches Together in the USA, and the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have issued statements in the last few days calling attention to the crisis of political unrest and violence in Egypt. The three documents follow in full.
The Time Is Now: An Annual Conference Statement from the Summer of 1963
The following statement was adopted by the 1963 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, which met in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., that June. The statement is reprinted here as published in the “Gospel Messenger” magazine of July 20, 1963, pp. 11 and 13: “The time is now to heal our racial brokenness…”
43rd Annual Dunker Church Service Planned at Antietam Battlefield
The 43rd annual worship service in the restored Dunker Church at the Antietam National Battlefield, a Civil War battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md., will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. The service will be similar to an 1862 Dunker worship service, with Gene Hagenberger preaching on “Words Around Antietam.” Scripture texts will be James 1:19 and 26, and 3:1-12.
The 301st Unit of Brethren Volunteer Service Begins Work
The volunteers in Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 301 completed their orientation on July 16-Aug. 3 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The members of the unit, home congregations or home towns, and project placements follow.
Southern Ohio District Launches Vital Ministry Journey
Seventy-five people representing 23 congregations attended Southern Ohio District’s launch event of Vital Ministry Journey (VMJ) on Saturday, Aug. 10.