“Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). Newsline will have a guest editor for several issues this year. Kathleen Campanella, director of partner and public relations at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., will edit Newsline during three periods of time in April, June, and
Newsline Extra for March 18, 2011
“The Lord of hosts is with us” (Psalm 46:11a). Church provides grant for disaster relief in Japan; Brethren Disaster Ministries, BVS receive reports from partner organizations Location of the devastation in Japan. Map provided by FEMA An initial grant of $25,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund is being given in support of disaster relief work
Newsline for March 12, 2011
1) Church board issues call to prayer for Japan and all affected by earthquake and tsunami. 2) Brethren Disaster Ministries begins planning to support CWS relief efforts in Japan. 1) Church board issues call to prayer for Japan and all affected by earthquake and tsunami. The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board this
BVS Unit 292 Completes Orientation, Begins Service
BVS Unit 292 worked at a Habitat for Humanity site as part of their orientation and training. Photo by Sue Myers. The volunteers who completed orientation in Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 292 have begun work at their new projects. Following are the volunteers’ names, congregations or home towns, and BVS placements: Rebekah Blazer of Garden
Decade to Overcome Violence to Culminate in Jamaica in May
Jamaica–a proud and independent Caribbean nation struggling with a high level of violence and criminality–is the location of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) facilitated by the World Council of Churches (WCC) from May 17-25. The event is the “harvest festival” of the Decade to Overcome Violence, which since 2001 has been coordinating and strengthening
Increased Compliance Efforts at BBT Protect Church Members
What does it mean for a non-profit organization like Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) to be compliant in this day of increased regulations, including more recent laws like HIPAA and HITECH that protect personal health information, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006? We’re finding out. Last fall, BBT hired a consulting company that specializes in
Leadership Team Meets, Rejoices Over Deficit Reduction
Rejoicing over a significant reduction in the Annual Conference Fund deficit was a highlight of the January meeting of the Church of the Brethren Leadership Team. The meeting involved general secretary Stan Noffsinger and the three Annual Conference officers: moderator Robert Alley, moderator-elect Tim Harvey, and secretary Fred Swartz. It was held Jan. 26-27 in
Church of the Brethren Posts Financial Results for 2010
Building an annual budget for the denomination in the midst of economic challenges requires both careful analysis and faith that gifts and other income will offset expenses. When planning for 2010, it was important for the Church of the Brethren staff to be realistic about the impact the economy would have, but to count on
Brethren Volunteer Hosts Meeting for Agent Orange Delegation
Grace Mishler serves in Vietnam as a program volunteer supported in part by the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission Partnerships. She teaches in the Department of Social Work at the National Vietnam University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, training others to compassionately mainstream the physically disabled. Grace Mishler, a
Newsline Extra for March 9, 2011
Photo by Glenn Riegel “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice…? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry…?” (Isaiah 58:6a, 7a). Brethren organizations and ecumenical partners are making a wide variety of resources available for study and reflection in this season of Lent: — “The