Roger Schrock as former mission staff in South Sudan, Roy Winter as executive for Service Ministries and Brethren Disaster Ministries, and I traveled recently to Uganda to meet with South Sudan staff Athanasus Ungang and two of his team members* to consult on positioning for the future in South Sudan.
Grants support increased humanitarian needs in South Sudan, among other responses to violence and war
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to fund planning for increased humanitarian needs in South Sudan; an aid program by l’Eglise des Freres au Congo (Church of the Brethren in the DR Congo) for displaced families and refugees in Burundi who have fled the M23 violence; and purchase of medicines and medical equipment for hospitals and clinics serving Palestinians displaced in Gaza City due to the Israel-Hamas war.
Messenger magazine receives three awards from the Associated Church Press
Messenger, the Church of the Brethren magazine, received three awards–an award of excellence, an award of merit, and an honorable mention–from the Associated Church Press in the 2024 “Best of the Church Press” contest.
Meet-up is offered for racial justice advocates and allies
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to walk in solidarity with those who face racial injustice and to live out the gospel message of love, justice, and dignity for all. The Standing with People of Color mandate has guided us these past three years in awakening our collective conscience, drawing from the teachings of Christ and inspiration from scriptures like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and the Woman at the Well (John 4).
New Bible study curriculum for adults with intellectual disabilities
The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) has published The Story of God’s First People: Bible Stories from the Old Testament, a Bible study curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. Written by Jeanne Davies, ADN executive director, this Bible study fills the need for faith formation resources written from an Anabaptist perspective specifically for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Brethren bits
In this issue: National Junior High Conference registration ends June 1, prayer concern from the Dominican Republic, action needed to support FEMA, latest Messenger playlist, Southern Pennsylvania District seeks executive minister, Moler Ave. Church of the Brethren 85th anniversary, food running out in Gaza warns WCC, Marie Bachman’s One World quilt gains media attention
Stan Dueck retires from staff of the Church of the Brethren’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation
Stan Dueck will retire as director of Formation Leadership for the Church of the Brethren, effective July 31.
Annual Conference business items are announced
The business items to be addressed by the delegate body at the 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference have been announced. There are three items of unfinished business and six items of new business on the agenda, including recommendations for renewal of the agency status of Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace, and two new queries–along with numerous reports and the annual ballot.
Shine curriculum launches surveys to hear directly from congregations and families
Shine: Living in God’s Light, a Bible-based Sunday school curriculum published jointly by MennoMedia and Brethren Press, is launching two important surveys this spring—one for congregations and one for families.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Registration opens for National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) 2025, registration is extended for Young Adult Conference, job opening in Discipleship and Leadership Formation, lectionary texts posted by Brethren Press, 44th Annual Mid-Atlantic District Disaster Response Auction, Salem Church Historical Marker Dedication in Northern Plains District, Bridgewater College announces Commencement and Baccalaureate speakers, McPherson College announces Citation of Merit awardees
