The schedule for the 2014 summer workcamps offered by the Church of the Brethren is now available online at www.brethren.org/workcamps/schedule . Workcamps will be offered for junior high youth, BRF senior high youth, young adults, and an intergenerational group. Because senior high youth will be attending National Youth Conference in July 2014, a full slate of workcamps for senior high youth will be offered again in 2015.
New Resources Include Calendar to Learn Philippians, Domestic Violence Awareness, Children’s Sabbaths, More
October offers congregations the opportunity to participate in two national observances promoting the welfare of families and children: Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Children’s Sabbaths Celebration. A calendar for learning the book of Philippians by heart also begins in October, offered by the Annual Conference moderator as a focus for Bible study in preparation for the 2014 annual meeting.
Webinar Series to Give Information About Brethren Ministries for Young People
New “non-event” resources from the Youth and Young Adult Ministry this year are a series of webinars by denominational staff whose ministries relate to youth and young adults. These staff have teamed up to provide informational and educational webinars geared toward those who work with Church of the Brethren youth and young adults as advisors, pastors, or parents.
Curriculum Helps Youth Develop Beliefs on Peace, Conscientious Objection
Call of Conscience, a Church of the Brethren web-based curriculum, is available to download from www.brethren.org/CO . Written by Julie Garber, this resource is designed to help youth develop their beliefs about peace and conscientious objection to war. The curriculum focuses on developing a personal peace position based on biblical teaching and the traditions of the church.
Newsline for Sept. 27, 2013
1) Preachers are announced for Annual Conference 2014, nominations are sought for next year’s elections. 2) Coordinators of NYC 2014 issue challenge for Brethren youth to exceed capacity at host university. 3) BBT eliminates position of manager of Pension Operations. 4) Clergy Women’s Retreat is planned for January in southern California. 5) ‘Prodigal Christianity’ author to speak at General Offices, Bethany, N. Ohio District. 6) Advent devotional, outdoor ministry curriculum are among new resources from Brethren Press. 7) Feature: Bethany president focuses on making seminary a priority for the church. 8) Brethren bits.
Advent Devotional, Outdoor Ministry Curriculum Are Among New Resources from Brethren Press
“Good News of Great Joy,” the Advent devotional from Brethren Press, and “Get Real: Finding Your True Self in Jesus,” the outdoor ministries camping curriculum for the summer of 2014, are now available. Purchase these and more resources from Brethren Press at 800-441-3712 or www.brethrenpress.com. A shipping and handling charge will be added to the listed price.
Clergy Women’s Retreat Is Planned for January in Southern California
“Hand in Hand, Heart to Heart: On the Journey Together” is the theme for the Clergy Women’s Retreat early next year. The event is to be held Jan. 13-16, 2014, at the Serra Retreat Center in Malibu, Calif., sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry.
Coordinators of NYC 2014 Issue Challenge for Brethren Youth to Exceed Capacity at Host University
What if so many people registered for National Youth Conference (NYC) that Colorado State University ran out of room to house everyone? That’s the challenge NYC coordinators Katie Cummings, Tim Heishman, and Sarah Neher are issuing to Brethren youth and to the denomination as a whole. The conference is scheduled for July 19-24, 2014, in Fort Collins, Colo.
BBT Eliminates Position of Manager of Pension Operations
Given the ongoing challenges of providing a competitive and cost effective Pension Plan to members, Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has concluded that the agency needs to refocus resources. Therefore, BBT has taken another step to streamline the Benefits Department and has eliminated the position of Manager of Pension Operations, which has been held by John Carroll.
Brethren Bits for September 27
Brethren bits for Sept. 27. This week: Shine seeks curriculum writers, September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, a banquet celebrates Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, solidarity and concern for Christians in Pakistan following the bombing of All Saints Church, and much more.