The staff at Brethren Disaster Ministries have directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries in central Africa: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response to the pandemic, governments all over the world are closing borders, restricting travel, and
Brethren Disaster Ministries
Church World Service closes kit depots, affects Material Resources ministry
A decision by the Church World Service (CWS) leadership team to close all of the kit depots in local congregations through May 31 will affect the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources ministry based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The Material Resources warehouse facility receives, processes, and distributes CWS disaster relief
Children’s Disaster Services shares Covid-19 resources for children
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) associate director Lisa Crouch has shared Covid-19 resources for children. These include online resources from trusted sources for talking with children about the virus, a comic for exploring the situation, downloadable resources for working through emotions and helping children cope, among others: “Talking with Kids” from PBSwww.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus “Just for Kids: A
Brethren Disaster Ministries temporarily suspends volunteer travel to rebuilding sites, Children’s Disaster Services postpones spring training workshops
Brethren Disaster Ministries temporarily suspends volunteer travel to rebuilding sites, Children’s Disaster Services postpones spring training workshops today. “After considerable discussion and prayer, BDM has made the decision to temporarily suspend all volunteer travel to rebuilding sites.” Two upcoming Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) trainings are being postponed and rescheduled to minimize non-essential travel for trainers and
Brethren Disaster Ministries offers resources and recommendations on coronavirus COVID-19
A webpage of resources and recommendations on coronavirus COVID-19 has been posted by Brethren Disaster Ministries. The webpage includes sections of guidance for families and individuals, guidance for church leaders and congregations–including emergency planning, and a warning about coronavirus scams. Go to www.brethren.org/bdm/covid-19.html The webpage helps answers commonly asked questions such as what are the symptoms
Church of the Brethren staff plan to go forward with spring and summer events, while monitoring circumstances surrounding coronavirus
The Church of the Brethren staff planning events this spring and summer do not intend to make any cancellations because of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). However, they are assessing risks and monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health authorities to plan ahead for eventualities and circumstances beyond their control. Brethren
Brethren Disaster Ministries offers resources and recommendations on Coronavirus
Brethren Disaster Ministries is offering resources and recommendations to help Brethren congregations and members better understand the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and ways to respond. Included are links to trusted websites to visit frequently for updates and suggestions. Contact Brethren Disaster Ministries at 800-451-4407 for more information. Background The current outbreak of the respiratory illness that
Brethren bits for Feb. 28, 2020
—Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) director Emily Tyler has expressed shock and heartbreak over recent news about Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche network of more than 154 communities in 38 countries where people with intellectual disabilities and those without intellectual disabilities live together in community. In a statement from L’Arche International, an inquiry that began in
Garkida attacked by Boko Haram, town was birthplace of EYN in Nigeria
The town of Garkida in northeast Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram the night of Feb. 21-22. Garkida is considered the birthplace of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) as the place where the Church of the Brethren was started in Nigeria in 1923. Many buildings were burned in the
Garkida attacked by Boko Haram
The town of Garkida in northeastern Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram the night of Feb. 21-22. A number of buildings were burned, including the church building for Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN—the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The EYN women’s fellowship of Garkida district was having its annual conference at the church that
