Eric Miller and Ruoxia Li hosted a small group of Chinese healthcare professionals and business people who visited the United States from Jan 7-20. The mission of their trip was to learn about elder care and hospice in America.
EYN Staff Report More Deaths in Another Terrorist Attack in Nigeria
“It is always very difficult to report about a Boko Haram attack,” writes one of the staff of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), reporting yet more violence in northeastern Nigeria. The EYN staff member wrote in an e-mail to the Global Mission and Service office this week that the attack on Sunday in his village at Wagga Chakawa “came as a surprise to many people.”
Puerto Rico Churches to Become 24th District in the Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren congregations in Puerto Rico acted Saturday, Jan. 25, to begin the process of becoming the denomination’s 24th district. Up to now, the Puerto Rico churches have been part of Atlantic Southeast District, grouped together with the congregations in Florida.
Work and Prayer on the Border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic
A highlight from a recent Brethren mission trip to Haiti and the Dominican Republic was a time of prayer on the border between the two countries. Two groups of volunteers traveled to the Dominican Republic in December and January to help build a church in La Descubierta, with funding from Global Mission and Service, Brethren World Mission, and both volunteer groups. Located near the border with Haiti, La Descubierta is a community comprised primarily of Haitian immigrants.
Shine Partners with Faith Forward for 2014 Children’s Ministry Event
Shine, the new curriculum from Brethren Press and MennoMedia, has joined Faith Forward as a presenting partner for their 2014 gathering. Faith Forward is an organization dedicated to bringing together children’s and youth ministry leaders for collaboration, resourcing, and inspiration toward innovative theology and practice. The 2014 Faith Forward gathering will be May 19-22 in Nashville, Tenn.
Congregational Life Ministries Announces New ‘Basin and Towel’ Series
To celebrate its fifth year of publication “Basin and Towel” is beginning a new series on congregational vitality with the January 2014 issue. “Basin and Towel” is a quarterly magazine published by the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries.
Many State Laws Link Selective Service Registration to Driver’s Licenses
When young American men turn 18, they are required to register with the Selective Service System (SSS) because of federal law (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq). That law requires almost every male citizen, as well as immigrant men living in the United States, to register in the event of a military draft. To make sure there is 100 percent compliance, a lot of states have created legislation that links SSS registration with the process of applying for a driver’s license or state identification card.
Brethren Bits for Jan. 25, 2014
In this issue: New employees at the Brethren Service Center, district executive opening in N. Indiana, planning worship in Lent, Brethren at the National Farm Worker Ministry board, chicken canning project in S. Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic, Shenandoah peace fest, BHA breaks ground on project in Harrisburg, Fahrney-Keedy approves master plan, and more.
Newsline for Jan. 25, 2014
1) Many state laws link Selective Service registration to driver’s licenses. 2) Global Food Crisis Fund gives $50,000 for agricultural projects in Haiti. 3) Disaster grants go to South Sudan, Honduras. 4) NPR finds Peace Studies class in story about detained immigrants. 5) Carrie Eikler to serve as TRIM and EFSM coordinator. 6) Annual Clergy Tax Seminar is offered online and at Bethany Seminary. 7) ‘Jesus Weeps–Resisting Violence, Building Peace’ is theme for advocacy days. 8) Action Alert: End the violence in Syria. 9) Brethren bits
‘Jesus Weeps–Resisting Violence, Building Peace’ Is Theme for Advocacy Days
The Office of Public Witness invites Brethren to the 12th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) that will take place in Washington, D.C., from on March 21-24. This year’s theme is “Jesus Weeps–Resisting Violence, Building Peace.”