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
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
My brother’s keeper: Remembering the Haiti earthquake of January 12, 2010
By Ilexene Alphonse January 12 is a date forever engraved in my heart for two reasons: first, January 12, 2007, I married the love of my life, Michaela Alphonse; second, January 12, 2010, the worst natural disaster in my time, a massive earthquake, destroyed my native country of Haiti and my people. It was the
Nigerian Brethren district leader and ecumenical leader Lawan Andimi has been executed by Boko Haram
Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured” (Hebrews 13:3). Lawan Andimi was executed by Boko Haram yesterday, Jan. 20. He was an ordained minister in Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in
Two Church of the Brethren funds announce year’s first grants
The Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) and the Global Food Initiative Fund (GFI) have announced first grants for the year 2020. Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed EDF grants to a rebuilding project in Florida following Hurricane Irma; new work of the Disaster Recovery Support Initiative (DRSI) under the direction of Church World Service (CWS); and flood
Puerto Rico District, Brethren Disaster Ministries identifying needs following earthquakes
By Jenn Dorsch Messler The Church of the Brethren Puerto Rico District continues to ask for prayer for those affected by earthquake aftershocks and tremors continuing daily. More than 1,200 small earthquakes have occurred in Puerto Rico since Dec. 28, 2019. Several quakes over magnitude 5.0 have caused great damage, especially in the south, with
Disaster Recovery Support Initiative to be taken up by Church World Service
A pilot program to help communities launch long-term recovery following disasters is growing ecumenically. Over the past two years the disaster ministries of the Church of the Brethren, the United Church of Christ (UCC), and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have joined forces to pioneer the Disaster Recovery Support Initiative (DRSI) in nine states
