A Resolution Against Drone Warfare was issued by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board on March 11. Proposed by the denomination’s Peace Witness Ministry based in Washington, D.C., the resolution will be sent on to the 2013 Annual Conference for its consideration in early July. The resolution addresses the use of drones in warfare in the context of a reaffirmation of the Church of the Brethren’s longstanding assertion that “war is sin.”
Response on Equitable Board Representation Will Go to Annual Conference
A response to the query about equitable representation on the Mission Ministry Board, which came originally from Southern Pennsylvania District, will be on the business docket at the 2013 Conference. The board recommended changes to bylaws of the Church of the Brethren Inc., in a section governing the number and geographic balance of members of the board.
Church of the Brethren in Spain Receives Recognition from Denominational Board
Recognizing the Church of the Brethren in Spain–and passing on to Annual Conference a recommendation for that body to recognize the fledgling Spanish church, was a key action of the Mission and Ministry Board at its March 8-11 meeting at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Newsline for March 8, 2013
1) Major US ecumenical organizations restructure. 2) Prattsville rebuilding project expands to Schoharie, N.Y. 3) Consultation considers expansion of Haiti Medical Project. 4) Haiti Medical Project grows with strong support from Brethren. 5) Agape-Satyagraha program now at six sites across the country. 6) Historic Brethren documents now available online. 7) Registration opens for National Older Adult Conference. 8) ‘3,000 Miles for Peace’ campaign is underway. 9) Peace Witness Ministries staff organize webinar on ‘just peace.’ 10) Press takes pre-publication orders for ‘New Inglenook Cookbook.’ 11) Brethren bits.
Press Takes Pre-Publication Orders for ‘New Inglenook Cookbook’
“The New Inglenook Cookbook” is coming to your kitchen this summer! Pre-order now from Brethren Press and save up to 40 percent off the retail price of $28.
Registration Opens for National Older Adult Conference
For adults age 50 and older, it is time to register for the denomination’s 2013 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC), held Sept. 2-6 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. The theme of the conference will be “Healing Springs Forth,” with the scripture verse, “Then you will be refreshed in the Lord” (Isaiah 58:14).
Agape-Satyagraha Program Now at Six Sites Across the Country
The On Earth Peace program to teach nonviolence and Christian peacemaking to youth, called Agape-Satyagraha, is now active at six sites across the country. Reports Marie Benner-Rhoades, Youth and Young Adult Peace Formation director for On Earth Peace: “Agape-Satyagraha Leadership Training helps junior and senior high youth learn to deal with conflict without using violence by presenting concepts and skills training through the completion of five levels.
‘3,000 Miles for Peace’ Campaign is Underway
On March 1, On Earth Peace kicked-off “3,000 Miles for Peace,” a national campaign of riders and walkers that is raising funds and awareness for violence-prevention in honor of Paul Ziegler, a McPherson (Kan.) College student who had a dream of biking across the country for peace. Tragically, he died in a bicycle accident in September and never got the chance to make his journey. So far, there are over three dozen events planned in 15 states and 3 countries.
Consultation Considers Expansion of Haiti Medical Project
On Feb. 28-March 3 a consultation about the Haiti Medical Project was held with leaders of L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Haitian Church of the Brethren) and the Global Mission and Service arm of the US church.
Peace Witness Ministries Staff Organize Webinar on ‘Just Peace’
As part of his work as joint staff with the National Council of Churches (NCC), Nathan Hosler has organized a webinar on March 19 at 12 noon on the “Ecumenical Call to Just Peace.” Hosler is director of Peace Witness Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, working out of Washington, D.C. This webinar will feature presenters from four distinct streams of church life.