The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) organized and led a delegation of 22 religious leaders and NRCAT staff in a meeting Nov. 27 with White House staff, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to discuss the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture. Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger took part in the delegation.
Water Project in Haiti Is a Memorial to Robert and Ruth Ebey
A well and water system near Gonaives, Haiti, constructed with help from the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF), have been installed as a memorial to former mission workers Robert and Ruth Ebey. The well is adjacent to a congregation of L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) in Praville, on the outskirts of the city of Gonaives.
Atlantic Southeast, Northern Indiana Name Interim District Executives
Two districts have named interim executive ministers, Northern Indiana District and Atlantic Southeast District. Carol Spicher Waggy will be interim district executive for Northern Indiana in a three-quarter-time position beginning Jan. 1, 2013, for a period of up to two years. Terry L. Grove begins immediately as interim district executive for Atlantic Southeast, in a part-time position.
Children’s Disaster Services Continues to Aid Families Recovering from Storm
By the end of the day yesterday, Nov. 27, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) had six volunteers working at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers–continuing the response that CDS has made to the “superstorm” Sandy.
World Interfaith Harmony Week Is Scheduled for February
On Oct. 20, 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution designating the first week in February to be the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. Larry Ulrich, Church of the Brethren representative on the Interfaith Relations Commission of the National Council of Churches, is encouraging congregations to observe the week scheduled for Feb. 1-7, 2013.
Peace Camp 2012 in Bosnia-Herzegovina: A BVS Reflection
The following report on Peace Camp 2012 held in Bosnia-Herzegovina is from Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker Julianne Funk, originally published in the BVS Europe newsletter. Kristin Flory, coordinator for Brethren Service in Europe, notes that “20 years ago this year, we started sending BVSers to peace groups in ex-Yugoslavia.”
Vital Ministry Journey Now Open to All Congregations, Districts
Initially developed with Middle Pennsylvania District, the new Vital Ministry Journey is being considered by several other districts and congregations across the denomination. An emerging effort of Congregational Life Ministries, Vital Ministry Journey is a way for denominational staff to partner with congregations and districts toward holistic health.
Newsline for Nov. 15, 2012
1) Sandy shipments from New Windsor center now exceed $900,000 in value. 2) Church fund makes grants for Sandy response, new BDM project in Binghamton, NY. 3) Seminary trustees meet, approve expansion of Brethren and reconciliation studies. 4) Bethany announces faculty openings in Brethren, reconciliation studies. 5) Committee shares hopes for Sunday of renewal, releases logo for 2013 Annual Conference. 6) Nigerian Brethren leaders to speak at Young Center, Mission Alive. 7) Special interest courses offered through Bethany Seminary in the spring. 8) Pre-publication price available for Lenten devotional from Brethren Press. 9) Congo Journal: A Brethren pastor’s run/walk for peace. 10) Brethren bits.
Special Interest Courses Offered Through Bethany Seminary in the Spring
Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. – May 2012 Bethany Seminary is offering four graduate-level courses during the spring 2013 semester that may be of interest to the occasional student, those interested in taking courses without enrolling in a degree program. The courses are offered as weekend intensives. Two special topic
Nigerian Brethren Leaders to Speak at Young Center, Mission Alive
Samuel Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and his wife Rebecca, a scholar who recently received her doctorate from the university in Jos, Nigeria, are traveling in the United States. Their itinerary includes speaking engagements at Mission Alive 2012 hosted by Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and at the Young Center at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. They also will visit Manchester University and Bethany Seminary, lead Sunday school and worship at Crest Manor Church of the Brethren in South Bend, Ind., and spend an evening with Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.