Stories in this issue of Newsline: 1) Children’s Disaster Services completes Oklahoma response. 2) Southern Plains District dedicates ‘Pop’s House’ at Falfurrias. 3) Planning begins for upcoming junior and senior high youth events. 4) McPherson College to celebrate 125 years. 5) Letter of appreciation from St. Louis Public Schools. 6) ‘It’s messy’: A reflection from the Deacon Ministry. 7) Brethren bits: Personnel, Bethany grads, EDF grant, Mission Alive, and much more.
‘It’s Messy’: A Reflection from the Deacon Ministry
This reflection first appeared in the August issue of the “Deacon Update,” an e-mail newsletter from the denominational Deacon Ministry. For more deacon ministry resources, past copies of the “Deacon Update,” or to subscribe to the newsletter, go to www.brethren.org/deacons/resources.html : “A couple of months ago I took down the robins’ nest from behind the wreath on our front porch….”
Children’s Disaster Services Completes Oklahoma Response
Children’s Disaster Services has completed a response in Oklahoma, where a total of 11 volunteers cared for children for 9 days after wildfires destroyed numerous homes. The CDS volunteers saw a total of 69 children.
Letter of Appreciation from St. Louis Public Schools
The following letter of appreciation from the St. Louis (Mo.) Public Schools has been shared by the Conference Office. Addressed to past Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey, it thanks the Church of the Brethren for school supplies donated by those who attended the Conference in St. Louis in early July. The letter was signed by the school district’s Volunteer Services Specialist:
Brethren Bits for August 22, 2012
This Brethren bits reports on personnel changes, a job opening in Material Resources, a “re-energized” newsletter from Bethany admissions, Mission Alive workshops, anniversaries and celebrations, along with an upcoming Clarence Jordan Symposium, God’s grace despite a lightning strike, and much much more.
Church Leaders Express Heartache at Shootings, Call for Action on Gun Violence
Brethren leaders have joined others in the American Christian community in expressing sorrow and calling for prayer following shootings at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin this past Sunday. At least seven Sikh worshipers were killed and three others injured. The gunman, who had connections with radical right racist groups, committed suicide after being wounded by police gunfire. Statements have been made by Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger, along with Belita Mitchell who is a Brethren leader in Heeding God’s Call, and Doris Abdullah, the denomination’s representative to the United Nations. Ecumenical partners who are speaking out include the National Council of Churches.
Haiti Theological Training to Focus on the Church’s Foundation in Christ
The sixth annual theological training seminar of Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) will take place Aug. 13-16 and will conclude with a day of church business on Aug. 17. A final worship service will include the licensing of 19 new ministers.
‘My 2¢ Worth’ Has a New Look, New Collection Label
A new look and a new label are now available for “My 2¢ Worth,” formerly Two Cents a Meal. My 2¢ Worth is a program of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF).
Have Mercy on Us: A Prayer Response
On Sunday morning, Aug. 5, in a small town in Wisconsin six Sikhs worshipers were gunned down in their Gurdwara, place of worship, by a racist who then killed himself. On Sunday afternoon, the Sikh community issued a newsletter calling on the interfaith community to show solidarity with them by holding prayer vigils in our own places of worship. I do not know if my church will hold a prayer vigil. So I will pray my prayer and stand in silent worship in my home. — Doris Abdullah
New Global Mission Advocate Network Is Begun
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission and Service program has begun a network of congregational- and district-based mission advocates. The purpose of the new Global Mission Advocate Network is to equip districts and congregations to promote and invigorate Brethren mission efforts at the individual, congregational, and district levels. Each district and congregation is being encouraged to name a mission advocate.