BVS Unit 292 worked at a Habitat for Humanity site as part of their orientation and training. Photo by Sue Myers. The volunteers who completed orientation in Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 292 have begun work at their new projects. Following are the volunteers’ names, congregations or home towns, and BVS placements: Rebekah Blazer of Garden
Decade to Overcome Violence to Culminate in Jamaica in May
Jamaica–a proud and independent Caribbean nation struggling with a high level of violence and criminality–is the location of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) facilitated by the World Council of Churches (WCC) from May 17-25. The event is the “harvest festival” of the Decade to Overcome Violence, which since 2001 has been coordinating and strengthening
Increased Compliance Efforts at BBT Protect Church Members
What does it mean for a non-profit organization like Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) to be compliant in this day of increased regulations, including more recent laws like HIPAA and HITECH that protect personal health information, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006? We’re finding out. Last fall, BBT hired a consulting company that specializes in
Leadership Team Meets, Rejoices Over Deficit Reduction
Rejoicing over a significant reduction in the Annual Conference Fund deficit was a highlight of the January meeting of the Church of the Brethren Leadership Team. The meeting involved general secretary Stan Noffsinger and the three Annual Conference officers: moderator Robert Alley, moderator-elect Tim Harvey, and secretary Fred Swartz. It was held Jan. 26-27 in
Church of the Brethren Posts Financial Results for 2010
Building an annual budget for the denomination in the midst of economic challenges requires both careful analysis and faith that gifts and other income will offset expenses. When planning for 2010, it was important for the Church of the Brethren staff to be realistic about the impact the economy would have, but to count on
Brethren Volunteer Hosts Meeting for Agent Orange Delegation
Grace Mishler serves in Vietnam as a program volunteer supported in part by the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission Partnerships. She teaches in the Department of Social Work at the National Vietnam University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, training others to compassionately mainstream the physically disabled. Grace Mishler, a
Newsline Extra for March 9, 2011
Photo by Glenn Riegel “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice…? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry…?” (Isaiah 58:6a, 7a). Brethren organizations and ecumenical partners are making a wide variety of resources available for study and reflection in this season of Lent: — “The
Newsline for March 9, 2011
“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places…” (Isaiah 58:11a). Disabilities Awareness Month resources have been updated. The last Newsline announced the celebration of Disabilities Awareness Month throughout the month of March. For those who may have been frustrated by the lack of availability of worship resources, staff apologize for
Advocacy Office Urges Federal Budget to Care for Those in Poverty
Go to https://secure2.convio.net/cob/site /Advocacy?cmd=display&page =UserAction&id=121 to send a letter to government representatives calling for a “budget of mutuality.” Brethren taking part in the campaign may choose to cite the biblical text of Genesis 4:9 in which Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Last week’s Action Alert from the Church of the Brethren’s office for advocacy and peace
Brethren Disaster Ministries Reports on Completed and New Projects
Linda (right above) and Robert Leon receive a handmade quilt from members of Eaton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren. The Leon family lost everything in the northwest Indiana flood, and have had their home rebuilt through Brethren Disaster Ministries’ project in Hammond, Ind. Making quilts for disaster survivors has become a tradition for the Eaton congregation.