This story of a visit to the Warming House, a school for 30 blind students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is written by Nguyen to Duc Linh. She is personal assistant to Grace Mishler, a program volunteer working in Vietnam through the Church of the Brethren Global Mission and Service. This article is edited with help from Betty Kelsey, a member of Mishler’s Mission Support Team.
Newsline for March 22, 2012
Newsline for March 22, 2012, includes the following stories: 1) Board adopts 2012 budget, discusses financial policies for self-funding ministries. 2) New phone system is installed at Church of the Brethren offices. 3) Giving among US and Canadian churches drops $1.2 billion. 4) Boshart to manage Global Food Crisis Fund, Emerging Global Mission Fund. 5) New unit of BVS volunteers begins service. 6) Illinois Central Song and Story Fest will precede Annual Conference. 7) Registration for Mission Alive 2012 opens April 1. 8) From Vietnam: The amazing story of 30 blind students. 9) Brethren bits: Personnel, jobs, Kony 2012, march for Trayvon, Bittersweet tour, much more.
Registration for Mission Alive 2012 Opens April 1
“Sign up early for your spot at the Church of the Brethren missions conference, Mission Alive 2012!” invites the church’s Global Mission and Service office. Global Mission and Service, Brethren World Mission, and the Brethren Mission Fund are co-sponsoring Mission Alive 2012 on Nov. 16-18 at Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.
Brethren Bits for March 22, 2012
Brethren bits for March 22, 2012, include a number of personnel announcements and job openings, news of an Action Alert on Kony 2012, a Bridgewater College march for Trayvon, a Spring tour by Bittersweet Gospel Band, and much much more.
Illinois Central Song and Story Fest Will Precede Annual Conference
The Song and Story Fest that is held each year around the time of Annual Conference this year will be July 1-7 at Camp Emmanuel near Astoria, Ill. The family camp featuring Brethren musicians and storytellers is titled “Illinois Central Song and Story Fest: All Aboard!” with a railroad theme.
Board Adopts 2012 Budget, Discusses Financial Policies for Self-Funding Ministries
A 2012 budget for the denominational ministries was the top business item at the spring meeting of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board. Chair Ben Barlow led the March 9-12 meeting, at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Also on the agenda were an allocation from the Global Food Crisis Fund, the Ministerial Leadership paper, an appointment to the Brethren Historical Committee, and a number of items presented for conversation including financial policies related to self-funding ministries, the proposed denominational Vision Statement, an emerging effort of Congregational Life Ministries called “Vital Ministry Journey,” and the Ecumenical Call to Just Peace.
Boshart to Manage Global Food Crisis Fund, Emerging Global Mission Fund
Jeff Boshart started March 15, 2012, as manager of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and Emerging Global Mission Fund (EGMF). This new position located at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., combines management of the two funds.
Release from the Mission and Ministry Board: Executive Session Report
A release provided by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, reporting on an executive (closed) session held during the board’s Spring meeting.
New Phone System Is Installed at Church of the Brethren Offices
A new telephone system has been installed for the Church of the Brethren at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The new VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system is expected to save the church thousands of dollars and is a significant upgrade of telephone service. Installation took place March 12.
New Unit of BVS Volunteers Begins Service
The Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Winter Orientation Unit 296 completed training from Jan. 29-Feb. 17 in Gotha, Fla. Following are the volunteers, their congregations or hometowns, and placement sites…