The list of preachers and others who will be leading worship at the 2014 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren has been announced. The 2014 Annual Conference takes place in Columbus, Ohio, on July 2-6, a Wednesday through Sunday schedule. Delegate registration opens in early January. General registration will open in mid-February. Also from the Conference Office: a call for nominations.
Bethany President Focuses on Making Seminary a Priority for the Church
This interview with Jeff Carter, the new president at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., was provided to Newsline by Frank Ramirez, pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Ramirez interviewed Carter while both were attending the National Older Adult Conference in Lake Junaluska, N.C., in early September. “I want Bethany to be your first thought in theological education,” Carter said, “and I want Bethany to be your first thought as a church resource.”
‘Prodigal Christianity’ Author to Speak at General Offices, Bethany, N. Ohio District
The Church of the Brethren is hosting David Fitch on a speaking tour Oct. 21-23. Workshops and lectures take place at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.; Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind.; and the Northern Ohio District Office in Ashland, Ohio. An additional event takes place at Ashland Theological Seminary.
Church Leaders Discuss Moving Syria to Peace; General Secretary Attends with Syria, Russia, US, Europe Leaders
Following a World Council of Churches (WCC) meeting with church leaders from Russia, Syria, the United States, and Europe on the role of the church moving all parties in Syria toward a peace agreement. Kofi Annan, former United Nations secretary-general, and Lakhdar Brahimi, Joint Representative for Syria, joined the group of Christian leaders today at the WCC Ecumenical Institute Center. Church of the Brethren general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger was one of the American church leaders at the meeting.
Newsline for Sept. 20, 2013
1) Church leaders discuss moving Syria to peace; General Secretary attends with Syria, Russia, US, Europe leaders. 2) Bethany Theological Seminary welcomes new class for 2013-14. 3) Children’s Disaster Services to work in Colorado following floods. 4) United Nations holds second forum on ‘The Culture of Peace.’ 5) Mid-Atlantic District leader preaches at Antietam’s Dunker Church. PERSONNEL 6) William Waugh called to lead S. Pennsylvania District. UPCOMING EVENTS 7) Many Brethren congregations and communities plan to celebrate Peace Day. 8) Brethren bits.
Children’s Disaster Services to Work in Colorado Following Floods
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is actively assembling teams to support Multi-Agency Resource Centers in response to the Colorado floods. “CDS teams will deploy soon,” said a Facebook post this morning. “Please keep CDS and the affected children and their families in your prayers.”
Grant of $100,000 Is Given to Aid Syrian Refugees
A grant of $100,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund is being prepared by Brethren Disaster Ministries, to go to the ACT Alliance for the humanitarian crisis in and around Syria.
Brethren Bits for Sept. 20, 2013
Correction, remembering Mary Workman and Mary Stowe and Olden Mitchell, a Brethren connection to the fragment of stained glass from 16th Street Baptist, and much more
United Nations Holds Second Forum on ‘the Culture of Peace’
On Friday, Sept. 6, the United Nations held the Second High Level Forum on The Culture of Peace. The background for the forum is the passing of, by consensus, Resolution 53/243 on the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace, followed by the implementation of the International Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).
Many Brethren Congregations and Communities Plan to Celebrate Peace Day
Peace Day will be celebrated on Sept. 21, and On Earth Peace and the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness have teamed up this year to invite Brethren congregations and groups to plan events on the theme “Who Will You Make Peace With?”