One of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) kidnapped while traveling from an IDP camp in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, has miraculously returned home, while his brother is still missing. According to a camp official, the two brothers–Ishaya Daniel and Titus Daniel, aged 20 and 22–were kidnapped from a commercial bus when they were stopped by Boko Haram terrorists along Burutai Road.
Church of the Brethren
Mission and Ministry Board adopts statement on the Doctrine of Discovery
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, meeting March 10-12 in Elgin, Ill., approved a statement lamenting the Doctrine of Discovery and recommended its adoption by Annual Conference. The Church of the Brethren statement grew out of years of background work by the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and Discipleship Ministries.
Standing Committee approves time of silent reflection and confession
At a March 3 online meeting, Standing Committee decided on a path forward responding to a recommendation from the 2022 Annual Conference. They voted to read the recommendation of the 2022 Standing Committee and provide for a time of silent personal reflection and confession. Four other subcommittees presented progress reports on their tasks.
On Earth Peace launches Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team
A new Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team launched in January 2023, with the purpose of encouraging the Church of the Brethren to be faithful as an effective force for reducing gun violence in our neighborhoods and wherever it occurs. On Earth Peace is convening this action team as part of a broader campaign to activate advocates for gun violence prevention.
Washington City supports asylum seekers bused to nation’s capital
Due to numerous humanitarian crises around the world, thousands of people are seeking asylum in the United States, some of whom make perilous journeys to the southern border. In April 2022, the state of Texas began sending many of these asylum seekers in buses to Washington, D.C., without plans for their care or in coordination with the city government or others in the area.
General secretary signs interfaith letter on reparations
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is one of the American faith leaders who have signed a letter to President Biden urging that the president “issue an executive order to establish a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.”
Standing Committee to make decision about ‘time of confession and repentance’ at 2023 Annual Conference
The Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is holding a series of meetings via Zoom in order to handle additional tasks assigned last year.
Taking a ‘balcony view’ of pastoral ministry and its challenges
With just under two years remaining for the grant, the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry gathered a group of circuit riders, advisory team members, district executives, and others at the denominational offices in Elgin, Ill., Feb. 24-26, to take a “balcony view” of the program to date and consider possibilities and direction going forward.
Walt Wiltschek to begin additional part-time position with Brethren Volunteer Service
Walt Wiltschek has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as part-time office coordinator for Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), beginning on March 7. He continues as district executive minister for Illinois and Wisconsin District, and also continues his role on the editorial team for Messenger magazine.
Brethren bits for March 2, 2023
In this issue: Remembering Bob Richards and Joanne Nesler, Lower Miami Church responds to hateful incident with love, job opening, Global Peace Prayer on March 22, WCC involvement with the 67th Commission on the Status of Women, and more
