Online registration for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2014 opens this evening, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. central time. The conference will be held July 19-24 on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., and all youth who have completed 9th grade through one year of college are eligible to attend. To register, beginning at 7 p.m. (central), visit www.brethren.org/NYC .
Church of the Brethren Aids Refugees in South Sudan, Some Mission Staff Leave the Country
“We’re actively purchasing supplies for distribution to refugees” in South Sudan, reports Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren. One of three Brethren mission workers remains in South Sudan, while two have left the country, after violence broke out shortly before Christmas. The violence is linked to a coup attempt by a recently deposed vice president, and fears of the exacerbation of ethnic tensions in the nation.
Annual Conference Moderator Shares New Year’s Greetings with the Church
Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, is sharing greetings with the denomination and its members in this New Year 2014. The following letter offering encouragement for a life of Christian discipleship, is being sent to congregational delegates by mail. For more information about Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac .
Newsline for Jan. 3, 2014
1) Annual Conference moderator shares New Year’s greetings with the church; 2) Church of the Brethren aids refugees in South Sudan, some mission staff leave the country; 3) Online registration for National Youth Conference begins this evening; 4) Press Conference with King Herod: A contemporary reflection on the murder of the Bethlehem children; 5) Brethren bits
Press Conference with King Herod: A Contemporary Reflection on the Murder of the Bethlehem Children
“When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger” (Matthew 2:16a).
Brethren Bits for Jan. 3, 2014
In this issue: Remembering Brethren Colleges Abroad’s Allen Deeter, personnel notes from the Church of the Brethren and BBT, Timbercrest chaplain to retire, Brethren Mission Fund committee change and grant to EYN Compassion Fund, “Keeping Our Children Safe” in Virlina District, Camp Harmony celebrates its 90th, and more news about and for Brethren.
Brethren Bits for Dec. 20, 2013
In this issue: A note on year-end donations, a date correction, remembering Larry Ulrich, Sarah Thompson to lead CPT, Material Resources seeks an office assistant, Bethany Seminary seeks a project director related to a Lilly grant, mission staff watch situation in South Sudan, registration for NYC and Clergy Women’s Retreat, and much more.
Feature: Deacon Ministry Reminds Churches to Welcome New Friends This Holiday Season
Things were a little sparse in the primary Sunday school class the weekend after Thanksgiving. Only two little girls were there, one of them a visitor. Elbow-deep in the glitter and glue of the construction paper Advent wreathes they were making, the visiting kindergartner smiled at the other and said, “Wanna make friends?”
Brethren Academy Issues Updated Course Listing
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has issued an updated listing of courses to be offered. Courses are open to Training in Ministry (TRIM) students, pastors who may earn 2 continuing education units per course, and all interested persons.
Brethren Attend Echo Caribbean Conference in the DR, GFCF Manager Assesses Situation of Haitian Dominicans
Brethren representatives from the Dominican Republic and the United States were part of an ECHO Caribbean conference this fall, including Jeff Boshart, manager of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF).