Two long-standing ecumenical bodies in the United States–the National Council of Churches (NCC) and Church World Service (CWS)–have undergone restructuring and re-envisioning in recent months. The NCC began a plan for re-envisioning and restructuring last fall including elimination of administrative positions on the staff and a move away from historic headquarters in New York. CWS, which formerly shared the same general assembly as the NCC, has instituted a new governing structure that is independent of denominational representation. CWS is the primary means through which Brethren Disaster Ministries extends its work internationally.
Haiti Medical Project Grows with Strong Support from Brethren
The Haiti Medical Project is growing with strong support from Brethren congregations and individuals. The support is making possible new developments, among them construction of a simple building on the headquarters compound of L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti), the planning of more clinics in cooperation with the Haitian Brethren, and exploration of expansion into other areas such as neo-natal care and public health education.
Brethren Bits for March 7, 2013
In this issue: An urgent call for volunteer kitchen assistants at Zigler Hospitality Center in New Windsor, general secretary attends the DR Asamblea, peace pole dance revolution, Brethren-related colleges go on service projects for spring break, and much much more.
Historic Brethren Documents Now Available Online
How has Brethren theology changed since 1708? What was the discussion in church conferences in the late 1800s? What was life like on the mission field in the 1960s? When did my own congregation begin to meet? These are among the questions that until a few years ago could only be answered by turning pages of dusty, fragile Brethren publications located in basement archives of colleges and denominational offices.
Prattsville Rebuilding Project Expands to Schoharie, N.Y.
A Brethren Disaster Ministries home rebuilding and repair project in Prattsville, N.Y., is expanding into a nearby location, the town of Schoharie. The New York State project was established in response to the flooding of homes by Hurricane Irene, and is supported through donations to the Emergency Disaster Fund.
Bethany Seminary Announces New Presidential Leadership
The Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees has announced that Jeffrey W. Carter of Manassas, Va., has accepted the call to serve as the seminary’s tenth president, beginning July 1. “The board of trustees is very pleased that someone with Dr. Carter’s commitment, talents, and background answered the call to the leadership of Bethany,” stated Lynn Myers, chair of the board.
Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence: Church Representative Attends Senate Subcommittee Hearing
Last week, I represented the Church of the Brethren by attending a hearing held by the US Senate’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. The hearing was entitled “Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence: Protecting Our Communities While Respecting the Second Amendment.” The event was presided over by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and it provided an array of incredibly informative testimony regarding the effectiveness of certain gun laws, the human cost of gun violence, and what lessons from the past we can apply to our present problems.
Newsline for Feb. 21, 2013
1) Beam and Steele head up Annual Conference ballot for 2013. 2) Ten receive Church of the Brethren nursing scholarships in 2012. 3) Executive Committee of denominational board holds January meeting. 4) ‘Going to the Garden’ grants go to five churches so far. 5) National Youth Cabinet meets, announces theme for NYC 2014. 6) Brethren Academy issues update on spring and summer courses. 7) Upcoming college speakers include Nobel peace laureate, popular religion scholar. 8) Proposals to reduce gun violence: Church representative attends Senate Subcommittee hearing. 9) ‘A trying moment in Nigeria’: An EYN leader tallies deaths and churches lost to violence. 10) Brethren bits.
Church of the Brethren Written Testimony to the Senate Subcommittee Hearing on ‘Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence’
The written testimony, submitted in letter form, made by the Peace Witness Ministry on behalf of the Church of the Brethren denomination to the Senate Subcommittee hearing on ‘Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence,’ held Feb. 11, 2013.
Brethren Bits for Feb. 21
Noted in this issue: The Pope’s resignation, employee notices and job openings, former BVSers remembered, the CT Project for CDS, NOAC registration, other Brethren-related efforts against gun violence, among lots and lots more news from across the church and around the world.