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.
Deacon Ministry Announces Fall Workshops
The Church of the Brethren Deacon Ministry has scheduled five workshops this fall, offering training for deacons in local congregations.
Newsline for August 9, 2012
Newsline stories today: 1) Church leaders express heartache at shootings, call for action on gun violence. 2) Children’s Disaster Services works in Oklahoma. 3) Disaster grants announced for Haiti, Angola, summer storms in US. 4) New Global Mission Advocate Network is begun. 5) Seminary receives $20,000 grant for ministry formation program. 6) Haiti theological training to focus on the church’s foundation in Christ. 7) Deacon Ministry announces fall workshops. 8) Brethren Academy releases updated list of courses. 9) ‘My 2¢ Worth’ has a new look, new collection label. 10) Have mercy on us: A prayer response. 11) Peace: A world without borders. 12) Brethren bits: remembrance, personnel, Peace Day, invitation from the moderator, and more.
Disaster Grants Announced for Haiti, Angola, Summer Storms in US
Several grants have been given recently by the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF). Heading the list is a grant continuing the post-earthquake work of Brethren Disaster Ministries in Haiti.
Children’s Disaster Services Works in Oklahoma
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) on Tuesday, Aug. 7, opened a child care center in Glencoe, Okla., to aid families affected by fires.
Brethren Bits for August 9, 2012
This section of Brethren bits remembers Alma Maxine Moyers Long, who was among the youth calling for BVS at the 1948 Conference. Also in this edition: personnel announcements, Camp Swatara seeking a new administrator, a Peace Day update from On Earth Peace, an invitation from moderator Bob Krouse who would like to visit in congregations and districts over the next year, and much much more.
Peace: A World Without Borders
Borders are everywhere. There are borders separating countries/nations, borders drawn between states or municipalities, and even borders that define factory areas or commerce areas within cities. Some say we have to have borders. But what if borders between countries didn’t exist? What if people could travel from one area to another without hostility? The Peace Bell in Hiroshima’s Peace Park in Japan imagines such a world.
Brethren Academy Releases Updated List of Courses
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has released an updated list of courses for 2012 and into 2013. Courses are open to Training in Ministry (TRIM) students, pastors (who may earn continuing education units), and all interested persons. Also listed are additional courses offered by the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center in Pennsylvania.
Peace Day 2012 Theme Is ‘Praying for Ceasefire’
On Earth Peace has announced a theme and a new name for its campaign encouraging churches and communities to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21. This is the sixth year that On Earth Peace has held its campaign. Peace Day is the new name for the campaign, centered this year on the theme, “Praying for Ceasefire.”