Now in its seventh year, the Gather ’Round curriculum for children and youth jointly published by Brethren Press and MennoMedia continues to attract attention from a variety of Christians beyond Brethren and Mennonites. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has just signed on as an endorsing partner, and Gather ’Round recently received a strong endorsement from popular Christian author Brian McLaren.
Sixth Annual Family Peace Camp Is Held in Florida
About 35 campers came together on Labor Day weekend at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla. Quakers, Catholics, and Brethren from six congregations met with Donald E. Miller of Richmond, Ind., to hear stories from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where Christians face violent threats to human life.
Unique Deacon Training to Be Offered at the Village at Morrisons Cove
Worship, workshops, and fellowship are standard components of deacon training, but when staff from Middle Pennsylvania District asked about hosting a day of training at the Village at Morrisons Cove, they requested that the focus be on ministry specific to older adults.
Haiti Medical Project Reports Growth of Its Endowment Fund
The Haiti Medical Project has issued an update on efforts to raise an endowment fund to support Church of the Brethren medical clinics in Haiti, as the project approaches the one-year mark.
Brethren Press, Mennomedia to Develop Gather ’Round Successor
Brethren Press and MennoMedia are beginning work on a successor to the Gather ’Round Sunday school curriculum. The two publishing houses, working on behalf of the Church of the Brethren and the Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, plan to continue their decades-long cooperative work to produce joint Christian education curriculum.
Newsline for Sept. 6, 2012
Stories include 1) Children’s Disaster Services aids families displaced by Isaac. 2) Workcamp coordinators wrap up their service, review the summer. 3) Reorganized BBT Board focuses on committee work and investments. 4) Bethany Seminary hosts annual Exploring Your Call event. 5) Brethren couple go to Israel and Palestine as accompaniers. 6) Beach retires from leadership of Atlantic Southeast District. 7) Hipps to begin as denomination’s director of Donor Relations. 8) Communities around the globe invited to ‘Pray for Ceasefire’ Sept. 21. 9) Dunker Church Service at Antietam National Battlefield set for Sept. 16. 10) Workcamp ministry announces theme for 2013, new coordinators. 11) Top 10 favorite hymns from ‘Hymnal: A Worship Book.’ 12) Brethren bits.
Brethren Bits for Sept. 6, 2012
This issue of Brethren reviews recent Annual Conference-related meetings, the new resources for the Global Mission Offering in October, upcoming events at various congregations, districts, camps, and colleges, more.
Hipps to Begin as Denomination’s Director of Donor Relations
John R. Hipps begins Sept. 24 as director of Donor Relations for the Church of the Brethren. He is a member of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren and brings a broad range of knowledge and expertise in fundraising to the position, having helped carry out a $40 million fundraising campaign at Bridgewater College.
Workcamp Coordinators Wrap Up Their Service, Review the Summer
The Church of the Brethren’s Workcamp Office is simultaneously wrapping up the summer and gearing up for next summer’s events. There were 23 workcamps held this summer: 7 for junior high youth, 13 for senior highs, 1 for young adults, and 2 for intergenerational groups. Attending those camps were approximately 500 people–over 100 advisors and adult participants as well as over 350 youth and young adult participants. At each camp there were also two leaders provided by the Workcamp Office. Out of those leaders, about 33 were volunteers.
Workcamp Ministry Announces Theme for 2013, New Coordinators
The Workcamp Ministry has announced a theme and released a logo for the 2013 workcamps to be held next summer. For 2013, the ministry has announced the theme “Deeply Rooted.”