The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board holds its fall meetings this weekend at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Leading the meeting is chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Brethren Disaster Ministries, districts work on hurricane response
Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage along Florida’s southwest coast on Sept. 28 when it made landfall near Fort Myers. More than a week later, first responders are still out searching the hardest hit neighborhoods for survivors. With the death toll over 100, this storm is one of the deadliest in the state’s history. The level of damage has impeded relief and response efforts as volunteers come to help. Shelter and rental cars are scarce in the state, with many volunteers driving over two hours to get to the damage zone each day.
Witness Weekend at Cabool Church will be on Nov. 5-6
This year for their Witness Weekend, Cabool (Mo.) Church of the Brethren will be hosting a workshop on Nov. 5-6 at the church and online featuring David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project.
Celebrating the Brethren Historical Library and Archives during National Archives Awareness Month
October is National Archives Awareness Month! Archives everywhere are a wonderful tool that anyone can utilize to learn more about any topic they are interested in.
‘Sing Me Home’: Creating space ‘for a community to experience a deep, spiritual sense of home’
“Sing Me Home” welcomes regional musicians and artists to North Manchester, Ind., for a Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8. The free outdoor event is hosted on the grounds of Manchester Church of the Brethren from 4-10 p.m., featuring educational workshops, intergenerational activities and games, a local artisans marketplace, original music, a community sing-along, local food trucks, and more.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Correction, Dunker Church Service now on Facebook, news from congregations, “21st-Century Youth/Young Adult Ministry” with keynote speaker Becky Ullom Naugle, “A Million Letters of Hope” at the Village at Morrisons Cove.
Hurricane Ian causes devastation across central Florida, Hurricane Fiona relief continues in Puerto Rico
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff and the Atlantic Southeast District leadership are continuing to reach out to affected churches and communities to learn of the impact of the storm and the needs that have developed. So far there are no reports of injury among church members, but there is news of minor damage in two churches.
Brethren bits
In this issue: An email address for the Standing with People of Color Committee, job openings, the latest Messenger play list, On Earth Peace meet up for gun violence organizing, Community Peacemaker Teams to receive award, and more.
Nigerian communities suffer natural and man-made disasters
Boko Haram has attacked the Bwalgyang community in the Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State. In the attack on Sept. 19, two people were killed and the church auditorium of the congregation of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) as well as many houses and properties were burnt or looted.
Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred hired as interim coordinator of Short-term Service
Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as interim coordinator of Short-term Service, beginning Oct. 3 as a remote employee working from Washington, D.C.