“Give of the First Fruits: A Study of Stewardship for the 21st Century” has just been published by the Church of the Brethren’s Virlina District. This fresh, practical approach to the Christian concept of “stewardship” is a 13-lesson quarterly with each lesson written by a different church leader or couple from the Virlina and Shenandoah Districts.
Covenant Bible Study Will Take a Look ‘Behind the Drama’
“Behind the Drama: The Old Testament You Missed” is an upcoming Covenant Bible Study by Eugene F. Roop, Old Testament scholar and former Bethany Seminary president, available from Brethren Press this spring for $7.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712 or order online at www.brethrenpress.com .
Kathy Fry-Miller to lead Children’s Disaster Services
Kathy Fry-Miller has been named associate director of Children’s Disaster Services, a Church of the Brethren program that is part of Brethren Disaster Ministries. Since 1980, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been meeting the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation.
‘Summertime Children’ Re-Released to Mark 40th Anniversary of First NYC Theme Song
Church of the Brethren musicians Andy and Terry Murray have announced the release of a CD version of their first recording featuring the first theme song for a National Youth Conference, “Summertime Children.” The song was introduced at NYC in Glorieta, N.M., in 1974. The 40th anniversary of that conference, along with continuing requests for some of the songs, prompted the Murrays to undertake the project, said a release.
Royer Family Charitable Foundation Offers Major Support to Haiti Medical Project
The Haiti Medical Project is receiving a major multi-year grant from the Royer Family Charitable Foundation that will enable a doubling of the number of communities in Haiti that are served by mobile clinics. The grant in addition will help the project purchase a truck and will contribute to an endowment fund.
Brethren Disaster Ministries Opens Rebuilding Site in New Jersey, Illinois Tornado Clean Up
At the same time that Brethren Disaster Ministries is closing out project sites following Hurricane Irene in Schoharie and Binghamton, N.Y., the program is opening a new project site in Spotswood, N.J. In other disaster relief news, Illinois and Wisconsin District disaster coordinator Rick Koch has called for volunteers to help in the clean up of tornado destruction in Illinois.
Newsline for Dec. 7, 2013
1) Royer Family Charitable Foundation offers major support to Haiti Medical Project, 2) Brethren Disaster Ministries opens rebuilding site in New Jersey, Illinois tornado clean up, 3) Ministry Office offers information on clergy housing ruling, BBT involved in appeal through the Church Alliance, 4) Seminary receives Lilly Endowment grant to improve economic well-being of future ministers, 5) Crop breeding success in North Korea, 6) Powerhouse 2013 gathers youth from the midwest region, 7) ‘Pioneering in a Global Context’ webinar set for Dec. 11,
8) Gather ’Round staff complete employment with Brethren Press and MennoMedia, 9) Michigan, Atlantic Southeast Districts announce staffing changes, 10) Reflecting on the anniversary of Newtown, 11) Brethren bits
Ministry Office Offers Information on Clergy Housing Ruling, BBT Involved in Appeal Through the Church Alliance
On Nov. 22, a judge of the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin ruled that the housing allowance that is made available to clergy by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is unconstitutional. The decision has no immediate impact because it is not yet effective, and the ruling is on hold until all appeals are exhausted.
Reflecting on the Anniversary of Newtown
Dec. 14 marks the one-year anniversary of the deadly mass shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. As we take time to reflect on the anniversary of this terrible loss of life, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence has organized a letter signed by over 50 national religious leaders, including Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger. Below is an excerpt from the letter that will be released to the public and sent to every member of Congress on Monday, Dec. 9.
Brethren Bits for Dec. 6, 2013
In this issue: Remembering former missionary Rolland Smith, NCC hires general secretary/president, Leininger retires from Camp Mack, Workcamp Ministry seeks assistant coordinator for 2015, Ministry Summer Service applications, congregations host live nativities, candlelight dinners at the John Kline Homestead, and much much more.