Feb. 24, 2011 “You should not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need…” (Deuteronomy 15:7b-8a). NEWS 1) Global Food Crisis Fund hosts gathering for Foods Resource Bank. 2) Advocacy office urges federal budget to care for those in poverty. 3) Religious
From the Moderator: An Outline of the Special Response Process
The following column from Annual Conference moderator Robert Alley provides an outline of the Church of the Brethren’s Special Response process. This process was entered into when two business items related to human sexuality came to the 2009 Conference: “A Statement of Confession and Commitment” and “Query: Language on Same Sex Covenantal Relationships.” The two
Congregational Life Ministries Offers New ‘Ministry Fair’
A listing of events during the 2011 Annual Conference can be found here. Go to www.cobannualconference.org/grand_rapids/ other_events.html to find out about events sponsored by other departments of the Church of the Brethren, and other Brethren agencies and organizations including Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, On Earth Peace, the Ministers Association, the Deacon Ministry, and many more.
Districts Close Out Hearings Providing Input to Special Response Process
This month the Church of the Brethren’s 23 districts are closing out a series of hearings that have invited church members to provide input to the denomination’s Special Response process. This process for strongly controversial issues was entered into when two business items related to human sexuality came to the 2009 Annual Conference (see www.brethren.org/ac
Newsline Special: Annual Conference Ballot, Special Response Process
Logo and theme of the 2011 Annual Conference. Below: A night-time view of Grand Rapids (photo by Gary Syrba courtesy of Experience Grand Rapids). General registration has opened for the 2011 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, go to www.brethren.org/ac . The Conference takes place in Grand Rapids, Mich., on July 2-6. Also,
Annual Conference Ballot for 2011 Is Released
Logo and theme of the 2011 Annual Conference. Below: A night-time view of Grand Rapids (photo by Gary Syrba courtesy of Experience Grand Rapids). General registration has opened for the 2011 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, go to www.brethren.org/ac . The Conference takes place in Grand Rapids, Mich., on July 2-6. Also, hotel and
Salaam alaikum: Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine
Above, Wallace Cole, a member of the Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board, speaks with a young Israeli soldier during the delegation trip to the Middle East (photo by Michael Snarr). Below, Cole with new Palestinian friend Atta Jaber (photo by Rick Polhamus). Salaam alaikum. In a land where this Arabic greeting means “Peace be with
All Africa Conference of Churches Issues Statement on Sudan
The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has issued a statement on the referendum held in southern Sudan in early January. CNN reported that final results show close to 99 percent majority vote to split from the north of Sudan. This would create southern Sudan as the world’s newest country. The independence celebration is
Reading with the Moderator
(“From the Moderator” is a new column in Newsline that will appear on occasion through the 2011 Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., July 2-6. Most books listed here are available from Brethren Press, call 800-441-3712.) In recent years, as a pastor and now as moderator, the following books have helped to inform my theology, Christology, ethics,
Out of a Small Green Box: A Rediscovered Manuscript on John Kline
Shortly after assuming the directorship of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) on Nov. 1, 2010, I examined a small green box in my office labeled, “Original Penciled Manuscript of book LIFE OF JOHN KLINE by Funk.” I quickly realized that I was looking at Benjamin Funk’s original hand-written manuscript (partial) for his book, “Life