The Global Mission and Service office is sharing a letter from Samuel Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), about the Christmas celebrations of the Nigerian Brethren that were held despite the constant threat of violence from the Boko Haram extremist Islamist sect. Excerpts from the letter follow below.
Service Sunday 2014 Will Focus on Serving God by Serving All
The theme for the Church of the Brethren’s observance of Service Sunday 2014 is “Serving God by Serving All” inspired by John 12: 26, “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me” (The Message version).
COMS Meeting Brings Together Leaders of Anabaptist Denominations
At the beginning of December 2013, leaders of a number of Anabaptist denominations gathered for the annual Council of Moderators and Secretaries meeting. Attending from the Church of the Brethren were general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger and Annual Conference moderator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman. The gathering was hosted by the Conservative Mennonite Conference at its Rosedale International Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Brethren Bits for Jan. 10
A correction, Bethany’s Nicarry Chapel suffers water damage, Haitian Brethren request prayer, 12th anniversary of the first detainees at Guantanamo, Nominating Committee meets, a BVS survey, Shenandoah District resignation, job opening at Camp Peaceful Pines, and more news from across the denomination and around the world.
Newsline for Jan. 10, 2014
1) Church youth groups get together to register for National Youth Conference; 2) Strategic pathways work continues by Brethren Benefit Trust board; 3) Virlina District Conference supports peace efforts of Nigerian Brethren; 4) Today is opening day for workcamp registration, last day to apply for Ministry Summer Service, Youth Peace Travel Team; 5) Church Planting Conference looks toward an intercultural future; 6) Living Love Feast is theme of Bethany’s 2014 Forum; 7) Church of the Brethren member leads peace training in Democratic Republic of Congo; 8) New Year’s resolutions: A reflection for January 2014 from the Older Adult Ministry; 9) Brethren bits
Today Is Opening Day for Workcamp Registration, Last Day to Apply for Ministry Summer Service, Youth Peace Travel Team
Today is opening day for workcamp registration, and the last day to apply for Ministry Summer Service, Youth Peace Travel Team for the summer of 2014.
Virlina District Conference Supports Peace Efforts of Nigerian Brethren
Virlina District has had individuals connected with ministry in Nigeria and has given support and prayers for the Nigerian Brethren for a long time. Because of the violence, destruction, and deaths that have taken place in Nigeria, the District Peace Affairs Committee decided to emphasize the peace efforts of Nigerian Brethren at the Sept. 2012 Virlina District Peace Sunday Service.
Church of the Brethren Member Leads Peace Training in Democratic Republic of Congo
Church of the Brethren member Cliff Kindy, who also has worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), visited Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Dec. 14-23. This was not Kindy’s first visit to the Congo, where he has traveled with CPT. This trip was made at the request of pastor Ron Lubungo and the Brethren in the DRC.
Church Youth Groups Get Together to Register for National Youth Conference
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren youth and advisors were among the youth groups that got together the evening of Jan. 3 for a National Youth Conference (NYC) registration party. The youth at Highland Avenue Church in Elgin, Ill., decided to hold their party so that they would be among the first to register for NYC 2014. They were just seven of more than 200 people who registered in the first two hours after online registration opened.
Church Planting Conference Looks Toward an Intercultural Future
The Church Planting Conference to be held May 15-17, sponsored by the Church of the Brethren through the office of Congregational Life Ministries and the New Church Development Advisory Committee. and hosted at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., will be forward-looking with the theme, “Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully–Toward an Intercultural Future.”