Both words and actions were evident and obvious at the 43rd annual Brethren Service at the Dunker Meetinghouse, the landmark and centerpiece of the Civil War battlefield at Antietam National Park. The service is held each year on the Sunday closest to the battle, which took place 151 years ago on Sept. 17, 1862.
Bethany Theological Seminary Welcomes New Class for 2013-14
On Aug. 26-27, Bethany Theological Seminary welcomed new students for the 2013-14 academic year to orientation on the school’s campus in Richmond, Ind., including Alexandre Gonçalves from Brazil, a pastor and leader in Igreja da Irmandade (the Church of the Brethren in Brazil).
William Waugh Called to Lead S. Pennsylvania District
William A. (Bill) Waugh will begin as Southern Pennsylvania District executive minister on Jan. 1, 2014. He has 27 years of experience in pastoral ministry serving two congregations, Greensburg Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania District since 1992 and Mohrsville Church of the Brethren in Atlantic Northeast District from 1985-92.
Workcamp Ministry Closes out Successful 2013 Season, Announces Theme for 2014
The Church of the Brethren workcamp ministry closed out a successful summer season in 2013, holding 23 workcamps at a variety of sites across the nation for Brethren junior and senior high youth and adults.
Haiti Medical Project Grows and Develops, with Help from Individuals, Churches, and Denomination
Nancy Young provided the report below on efforts at McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren to help grow the Haiti Medical Project–but McPherson is just one of the congregations, groups, and individuals across the country who, along with the Church of the Brethren Global Mission and Service department, are helping make the project a success. The endowment fund for the project recently attained the key level of $100,000, and the project also has a new website.
Brethren Bits for Sept. 13
In this issue: remembering Norman Yeater, praying for those affected by flooding in Colorado, seeking an associate director for Children’s Disaster Services, extending the registration deadline for the intercultural event in Virlina District, sharing a concern from northeast Nigeria, celebrating a church anniversary in Kentucky, and much much more.
Round up Report from National Older Adult Conference 2013
National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) 2013 concluded last Friday, Sept. 6, after a week of world class speakers, concerts, dramas, and shows, envigorating worship, and energizing opportunities for recreation and fellowship. Held at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina, the conference was attended by some 800 people, and organized by the denomination’s Older Adult Ministry and Congregational Life Ministries.
Newsline for Sept. 13, 2013
1) Brethren respond to Syria crisis, participate in fasting and prayer, prepare $100,000 grant for refugee needs; 2) Workcamp ministry closes out successful 2013 season, announces theme for 2014; 3) Haitian Church of the Brethren holds its first annual conference; 4) Haiti Medical Project grows and develops, with help from individuals, churches, and denomination; 5) Round up report from National Older Adult Conference 2013; 6) Feeders? A Deacon Ministry reflection on NOAC 2013; 7) Brethren Revival Fellowship to gather for 2013 General Meeting; 8) Brethren bits.
Haitian Church of the Brethren Holds Its First Annual Conference
The first official Annual Conference of Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) was held from Aug. 12-14 in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, at the Brethren Ministry Center campus. Approximately 60 delegates represented more than 20 churches and preaching points.
Brethren Respond to Syria Crisis, Participate in Fasting and Prayer, Prepare $100,000 Grant for Refugee Needs
Church of the Brethren leaders, congregations, schools, participants at National Older Adult Conference, and other individual members of the church have been responding to the crisis in Syria in a variety of ways, including participating in fasting and prayer for peace in Syria (see the call to a day of fasting and prayer at www.brethren.org/news/2013/day-of-fasting-for-peace-in-syria.html ) .