Another Nigerian Brethren congregation has suffered an attack during worship, shortly before leaders of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) are to gather for the Majalisa or general church council, equivalent to the Annual Conference of the US church. EYN’s 66th Majalisa is scheduled for April 16-19
Sponsor a Peace and Reconciliation Scholarship in South Sudan
Although South Sudan is a new country, decades of war have left traumatic scars that today manifest themselves in re-occurring clashes, conflicts, and challenges, which all witness to the need for relevant, practical, and sustainable peace efforts in the country.
Big-Name Speakers to Headline Annual Conference in Charlotte
A riddle from Jon Kobel in the Conference Office: Stanley Hauerwas, Philip Yancey, Mark Yaconelli, John McCullough, Sharon Watkins, Ruthann Knechel Johansen, Devorah Lieberman, James Troha, Michael Schneider, Darla K. Deardorff. What do these nationally recognized theologians, authors, educators, and religious leaders all have in common? Answer: All are speaking at the 2013 Annual Conference.
Newsline for April 5, 2013
NEWS: 1) Youth voice is heard in New York and Washington during Christian Citizenship Seminar. 2) Christian leaders celebrate adoption of the world’s first Arms Trade Treaty. 3) New ‘Shine’ curriculum is underway for fall 2014. 4) Fellowship of Brethren Homes members awarded 2013 Continuing Education Grants. 5) Same love, new look: Three new special offerings for the Church of the Brethren. UPCOMING EVENTS: 6) Big-name speakers to headline Annual Conference in Charlotte. 7) Children’s Aid Society celebrates 100 years with author of ‘The Shack.’ PERSONNEL: 8) Brethren Journal Association announces new editor. FEATURE: 9) Global data upend usual picture of Christianity trends. 10) Brethren bits.
Brethren Bits for April 5, 2013
Brethren bits for April 5, 2013: In this issue: The ending of a joint staff position in peacemaking between the Church of the Brethren and the NCC, an April 9 advocacy day on gun violence, Older Adult Month resources for congregations to use in May, the new Pope Francis washes feet, and lots of news from Brethren congregations, districts, and colleges.
Same Love, New Look: Three New Special Offerings for the Church of the Brethren
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.