Falfurrias (Texas) Church of the Brethren is one of the congregations receiving support from the Global Food Crisis Fund and the Office of Public Witness through the “Going to the Garden” initiative that gives grants for community gardens. Recently, church members reported to GFCF manager Jeff Boshart how the church’s mission is continuing. The following is excerpted from a lengthier report:
Tag: Advocacy
Global Food Crisis Grants Support New BVS Position in Public Witness, Agriculture in DRC Congo and Rwanda
The Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) this week announces three grants, to support a new Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) position at the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness, and for agriculture work in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Congress Adopts Farm Bill: Points of Interest for the Church
The Farm Bill is one of the largest pieces of legislation Congress deals with, and this week the bill was finally passed and signed into law after a three-year legislative process. The $956 billion bill will be in effect for the next five years and it affects things such as farming policy, international food aid, food stamps, and conservation. Below are a few points of interest for the church.
Youth Peace Travel Team is Announced for 2014
Members of the 2014 Youth Peace Travel Team have been announced. The team is sponsored each year by the Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Church of the Brethren, the Ministry Office, the Office of Public Witness, the Outdoor Ministries Association, and On Earth Peace. The group of young adults spends the summer at camps across the denomination, teaching about peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Conference Secretary Attends Meeting on Legislative Priorities with Senate Committee
The Church of the Brethren was represented at a meeting of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee by Annual Conference secretary James Beckwith. The Church of the Brethren was one of several faith groups invited to send representatives to the meeting on Jan. 29 at the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., to speak with senators about legislative priorities. An excerpt from Beckwith’s summary of the meeting follows.
‘Jesus Weeps–Resisting Violence, Building Peace’ Is Theme for Advocacy Days
The Office of Public Witness invites Brethren to the 12th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) that will take place in Washington, D.C., from on March 21-24. This year’s theme is “Jesus Weeps–Resisting Violence, Building Peace.”
Joint Representative for Syria to Deliver Urgent Call from Churches to Geneva 2 Talks
With the Geneva 2 talks on Syria scheduled for Jan. 22, some 30 church leaders from Syria and around the world gathered a week ahead of time at the headquarters of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland, and called for substantial action be taken at the talks to end the armed conflict. Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger was one of the American church leaders who participated.
Reflecting on the Anniversary of Newtown
Dec. 14 marks the one-year anniversary of the deadly mass shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. As we take time to reflect on the anniversary of this terrible loss of life, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence has organized a letter signed by over 50 national religious leaders, including Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger. Below is an excerpt from the letter that will be released to the public and sent to every member of Congress on Monday, Dec. 9.
Church of the Brethren Joins in Message to Congress on Reopening Government
Earlier this week, as the US Congress continued to wrangle over the impasse that closed the government for more than two weeks, scores of religious leaders descended on Capitol Hill on Oct. 15 to call the government back to work. The Church of the Brethren was one of 32 denominations and faith-based organizations to endorse an accompanying message to Congress calling for the re-opening of the government.
US Church Leaders Renew Emphasis on Immigration
By Wendy McFadden. Christian leaders representing the breadth of Christian churches and denominations in the US have renewed their emphasis on the issue of immigration. Immigration was the main topic at the annual meeting of Christian Churches Together earlier this year, and the CCT steering committee has announced that the urgency of the matter–particularly in light of congressional delays on immigration reform–will keep it in front of the organization’s annual meeting through 2015.