Newsline stories include:1) Annual Conference ballot for 2012 is announced. 2) Brethren give grant for tornado outbreak, Syria; CDS begins care for affected children. 3) Dominican Brethren hold annual assembly. 4) EYN Ministers’ Council 2012 is praised. 5) Bridgewater College announces change in leadership. 6) Tyler to serve as coordinator of workcamps and volunteer recruitment. 7) Crain hired by McPherson College as new campus minister. 8) Gather ’Round co-sponsors conference on children, youth, and Christianity. 9) Brethren bits: Jobs, MMB meeting, ‘Basin and Towel’ online, registration deadlines, and more.
EYN Ministers’ Council 2012 Is Praised
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) held its ministers’ annual conference from Feb. 13-17, the first under the leadership of Samuel Dali as president of EYN. The conference is the second in decision making on ministerial issues. The meeting included ordained ministers from the nationwide church and other mission fields outside Nigeria.
Gather ’Round Co-Sponsors Conference on Children, Youth, and Christianity
The Gather ’Round curriculum project is co-sponsoring an innovative conference on “Children, Youth, and a New Kind of Christianity.” The event takes place May 7-10 in Washington, D.C.
Brethren in the News
The latest online news stories from around the country featuring Church of the Brethren congregations, programs, and people. This listing was updated March 2, 2012.
Crain Hired by McPherson College as New Campus Minister
McPherson (Kan.) College has chosen a new campus minister with deep roots in both the spiritual and the scientific–Steve Crain.
Financial Report for 2011 Includes Hopeful Signs and Cause for Concern
Financial results for Church of the Brethren denominational ministries in 2011 include both hopeful signs and cause for concern. Positive results were seen in the Conference Office budget and in certain restricted giving. However, the Core Ministries and other self-funding ministries realized expenses in excess of income.
Tax Credit for Health Care Expenses Can Help a Church Save
Are medical premiums hurting your church budget? Your church may be eligible for a significant tax credit on health insurance premiums it paid for full-time or part-time employees in 2011.
May is Older Adult Month on Theme, ‘Aging with Passion and Purpose’
This May, the Church of the Brethren’s Older Adult Ministry invites congregations to celebrate God’s gift of aging and the contributions of older adults to our lives and faith communities.
Church Representative Attends World Interfaith Harmony Week at UN
Church of the Brethren representative to the United Nations, Doris Abdullah, recently attended the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2012 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Following is her report from the event:
Brethren Couple to Teach Another Semester at University in N. Korea
Robert and Linda Shank are preparing to return for another semester teaching at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The couple have been working in North Korea with sponsorship from the Global Mission and Service program of the Church of the Brethren.