National Young Adult Conference was held June 18-22 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. About 105 Brethren between the ages of 18 and 35 gathered from across the country to hear sermons, worship in community, participate in Bible studies and workshops, and explore what it means to be humble, yet bold, as the church in our world today.
Planning Begins for NOAC 2013
The planning committee for the 2013 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) met recently at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., to begin planning next year’s NOAC. The dates for NOAC are Sept. 2-6, 2013.
Nigerian Brethren Hold 65th Annual General Church Council
The 65th Annual General Church Council or “Majalisa” of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) was held April 17-20 with the theme, “Building a Living and Relevant Church.” This was the first Majalisa led by Samuel Dali as EYN president.
Endowment, Donations Help Fund Haiti Health Program
A special offering at NYAC has encouraged young adults to be among those helping to fund the Haiti Health Program, which is providing Brethren-based mobile medical clinics in Haiti. Direct contributions to the current clinic program are being received, along with donations to a term endowment created to ensure future funding for the initiative.
Bethany Seminary Begins Its Search for a New President
Bethany Seminary’s Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee have begun inviting inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of president of the seminary. President Ruthann Knechel Johansen has announced her plans to retire from the position on June 30 next year. Located in Richmond, Ind., Bethany Theological Seminary is the graduate school and academy for theological education for the Church of the Brethren.
BVS Director Participates in Conference Call with Selective Service
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) director Dan McFadden today participated in a telephone conference call with the Selective Service System. The Selective Service System hosted the call to update participants about Alternative Service plans in the event that a draft is ever called for by the US Congress. The call was hosted by Cassandra Costley, manager of the Alternative Service Program for SSS.
Newsline for June 14, 2012
This Newsline includes the following stories: 1) A large group prepares for licensing to the ministry in Haiti. 2) Church staff involved in ecumenical prayer service for peace in Syria. 3) BVS director participates in conference call with Selective Service. 4) Grants are given to start new Brethren disaster project sites. 5) Nigerian Brethren are among those killed, injured in Sunday attacks. 6) Webcasts offer opportunity to worship with Conference, from a distance. 7) Conference blood drive is a way to reach out to host city. 8) MSS interns begin a summer of service to the church. 9) Brethren bits: District contact info., NYAC webcasts, new peace witness logo, Elder John Kline birthday party, and much more.
Brethren Bits for June 14, 2012
This issue of “Brethren Bits” includes new contact information for Southeastern District, how to connect to NYAC webcasts, a new logo for the church’s advocacy and peace witness office in Washington, D.C., an invitation to Elder John Kline’s birthday party, and much more.
Nigerian Brethren Are Among Those Killed, Injured in Sunday Attacks
A congregation of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) was one of those attacked on Sunday by Islamist extremists. At least one EYN member was killed and several more injured. Nigerian church leaders have been requesting prayer for the situation in their country, where the Boko Haram sect has been targeting churches as well as government facilities and police stations with terrorist-type violence.
Grants Are Given to Start New Brethren Disaster Project Sites
Two grants have been given from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to start new Brethren Disaster Ministries project sites in New York State and Alabama. Other recent EDF grants also have been announced in response to Church World Service (CWS) appeals for Pakistan and northern Africa. In related news, the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) also has announced a grant to a Rural Development Program in Nigeria.