Sept. 21 is the International Day of Prayer for Peace–and it’s not too late to participate! On Earth Peace is inviting all churches and community groups to use this day to lift up a message of peace and ceasefire in whatever ways make sense in your community, including shortly before or after the 21st itself. Register at http://prayingforceasefire.tumblr.com/signup .
Top 10 Favorite Hymns from ‘Hymnal: A Worship Book.’
At Annual Conference in July, Brethren Press sponsored a hymn sing celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Hymnal: A Worship Book.” Nancy Faus-Mullen, who chaired the committee that put together the hymnal on behalf of Brethren Press and the Mennonite publishing house, led the event. In preparation, she and a team that included Haley Goodwin and Douglas Archer surveyed a number of Brethren to find out what hymns from the 1992 hymnal are most loved by those who sing from it in worship.
Brethren Couple Go to Israel and Palestine as Accompaniers
Church of the Brethren members Joyce and John Cassel of Oak Park, Ill., have begun work in Palestine and Israel with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program of the World Council of Churches (WCC). They departed Sept. 1 for a three month tour of duty, from September through November this year.
Beach Retires from Leadership of Atlantic Southeast District
Martha R. Beach has announced her plans to retire as executive minister of Atlantic Southeast District, effective Jan. 1, 2013. She began her ministry as district executive on March 20, 2000.
Dunker Church Service at Antietam National Battlefield Set for September 16
The 42nd Annual Dunker Church Service at Antietam National Battlefield Park is planned for Sept. 16. The worship service will begin at 3 p.m. at the historic Civil War site in Sharpsburg, Md., sponsored by Church of the Brethren congregations in Maryland and West Virginia.
Children’s Disaster Services Aids Families Displaced by Isaac
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is aiding children in Louisiana who have been displaced by Hurricane Isaac. Fifteen CDS volunteers were deployed to this heavily impacted area on Sept. 3. R. Jan Thompson is serving as project manager for the response.
Newsline Special: Hurricane Isaac
Brethren Disaster Ministries monitors progress of storm, Children’s Disaster Service prepares volunteers to respond, Haitian and Dominican Brethren send updates
McPherson College to Celebrate 125 Years
McPherson (Kan.) College is celebrating 125 years since its founding, and its deep roots in the Church of the Brethren, with a special worship service on Oct. 21.
Southern Plains District Dedicates ‘Pop’s House’ at Falfurrias
The highlight of the Southern Plains District Conference was dedication of “Pop’s House,” the cottage in which the founders of the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) project at Falfurrias, Texas, lived in the early years of that project.
Planning Begins for Upcoming Junior and Senior High Youth Events
The Church of the Brethren Youth and Young Adult Ministry director Becky Ullom has announced initial planning for National Junior High Sunday this November, as well as next year’s National Junior High Conference and National Youth Sunday, and the next National Youth Conference (NYC) in 2014.