June 1, 2012 (Elgin, Ill.) — Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger today made an announcement concerning the BMC Kaleidoscope Coordinator as a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) project. The decision was shared in a letter addressed to Carol Wise, executive of BMC–the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.
On Earth Peace Announces Bill Scheurer as New Executive Director
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors has announced the selection of Bill Scheurer as its new executive director. Scheurer will take over the role as previous executive director Bob Gross moves to other responsibilities within the organization. The selection was made after an extensive national search and selection process.
National Young Adult Conference Takes Place in Mid-June
Online registration closes June 1 for the 2012 National Young Adult Conference of the Church of the Brethren. NYAC will be held June 18-22 at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville on the theme “Humble, Yet Bold: Being the Church” (Matthew 5:13-18). Young adults ages 18-35 who attend will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities including daily worship and Bible studies, free time for fun activities and good conversation, service projects, and more. Bible studies and worship services will be webcast live and available to view online.
June 4 Is the Last Day of Operation of New Windsor Conference Center
The New Windsor Conference Center on the campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., ceases operation as of June 4. After this week’s chapel service at the denomination’s General Offices, staff called for prayer for those leaving employment with the Conference Center and expressed thanks for their work for the church.
Pre-Registration Remains Open for Ministers’ Association Event
Walter Brueggemann, well-known and sought after speaker, author, and biblical scholar, is the keynote speaker for the 2012 Ministers’ Association Pre-Conference Continuing Education Event. The event takes place July 6-7 at the America’s Center Room 120, St. Louis, Mo., in advance of Annual Conference.
Newsline for May 31, 2012
Stories include: 1) New Church Planting Conference emphasizes love for God, and others. 2) BBT Board approves new funds for BFI clients and charts a course for Pension Plan. 3) June 4 is the last day of operation of New Windsor Conference Center. 4) Gather ’Round co-sponsors conference on children and youth. 5) Global Food Crisis Fund gives first round of grants for 2012. 6) On Earth Peace announces Bill Scheurer as new executive director. 7) National Young Adult Conference takes place in mid-June. 8) Pre-registration remains open for Ministers’ Association event. 9) Brethren Volunteer Service holds summer orientation unit. 10) Brethren bits: Correction, personnel, Annual Conference deadline, church anniversaries, and much much more.
Brethren Volunteer Service Holds Summer Orientation Unit
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) announces the start of the 2012 Summer Orientation. To be held June 10-29 at the Brother David Darst Center in Chicago, Ill., this orientation will be the 297th unit for BVS and will consist of eight volunteers from across the US and Germany.
Gather ’Round Co-Sponsors Conference on Children and Youth
An innovative conference on ministry with children and youth drew well over 400 people from across North America and from several other countries. “Whatever our faith tradition, wherever we live, we are united in shared convictions that the vitality of the church depends on children and youth and that young people are dear to God’s heart,” said Dave Csinos, founder and chief planner of the conference, called “Children, Youth, and a New Kind of Christianity” (CYNKC).
Brethren Bits for May 31, 2012
Brethren bits in this issue of Newsline include a correction to a previous issue, personnal announcements, a volunteer opportunity for electricians through BDM, a key deadline for Annual Conference registration, church anniversaries, a $1 million grant for Juniata College, preliminary auction results in Shenandoah District, honors for Brethren individuals, and much more.
Global Food Crisis Fund Gives First Round of Grants for 2012
A first round of grants for 2012 has been announced by the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF). Totaling $23,500, the grants have supported work toward food security in the Sahel region of northern Africa, Haiti, and Honduras. A new review panel for the GFCF also has been named.