The Church of the Brethren is now giving congregations the opportunity to participate in a series of three new special offerings in addition to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. They are the Pentecost Offering, the Mission Offering, and the Advent Offering. Although each one has a different theme and individual look, they all share one unified goal: to support the life-changing ministries of the Church of the Brethren. Read more at www.brethren.org/offerings .
Christian Leaders Celebrate Adoption of the World’s First Arms Trade Treaty
“We give thanks to God for the adoption of the world’s first Arms Trade Treaty and for the efforts by a large majority of countries and many civil society groups to bring it into existence,” said an April 3 public statement by World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit.
Fellowship of Brethren Homes Members Awarded 2013 Continuing Education Grants
Eight members of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes have been awarded Continuing Education Grants for 2013. The $1,000 grants are funded by the denomination’s Health Education and Research Fund, which supports nursing in the Church of the Brethren, and are administered by Congregational Life Ministries.
Youth Voice Is Heard in New York and Washington During Christian Citizenship Seminar
During the last week of March, 55 Church of the Brethren youth and advisors joined forces to learn more about the issue of childhood poverty at this year’s Christian Citizenship Seminar. CCS is a week-long event sponsored by the denomination’s Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Office of Public Witness (formerly Peace Witness Ministries) based in Washington, D.C.
New ‘Shine’ Curriculum Is Underway for Fall 2014
Development of a new Sunday school curriculum called Shine is underway by Brethren Press and MennoMedia. This month writers are beginning to prepare the first quarter of Shine: Living in God’s Light, which will be available for use in fall 2014.
Children’s Aid Society Celebrates 100 Years with Author of ‘the Shack’
The Children’s Aid Society of Southern Pennsylvania District is marking April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and also its 100th birthday. The society was started on April 9, 1913. To mark the occasion, the Children’s Aid Society is holding a benefit event with Wm. Paul Young, author of “The Shack.”
Brethren Journal Association Announces New Editor
The Advisory Board of the Brethren Journal Association, in partnership with Bethany Theological Seminary, announces that Denise Kettering-Lane has been named the new editor for “Brethren Life and Thought.”
BVS Unit 300 Completes Orientation
The 300th unit of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) completed winter orientation from Jan. 27-Feb. 15 in Gotha, Fla. The new volunteers, their home towns or home congregations, and project placements are listed below.
Brethren Bits for March 21, 2013
Remembering James Forbus and Herbert Michael, a music video from Bittersweet, Child Abuse Prevention Month, workcamp in South Sudan, fracking, and more.
‘Something Must Change’: Harrisburg, Pa., Pastor Reports on Efforts Against Gun Violence
The Harrisburg (Pa.) Chapter of Heeding God’s Call continues to operate on the premise that “Something Must Change.” Heeding God’s Call is a faith-based movement to prevent gun violence. The organization got its start at a meeting of the Historic Peace Churches in Philadelphia, Pa.