Coming this October, Brethren Disaster Ministries will be offering a short-term rebuilding response to the 2021 Kentucky winter storms event. This three-week response will be in partnership with Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders.
The Annual Conference Office would like to have some COVID test kits available in Omaha, Neb., during the Church of the Brethren annual meeting on July 10-14.
“Please lift in prayer families of Grossnickle Church of the Brethren who were directly affected by the shooting in Smithsburg, MD on Thursday, June 9,” said one of a series of prayer requests from the Mid-Atlantic District leadership. Three people were killed in a shooting at Columbia Machine on that afternoon, and at least one first responder, a Maryland state trooper, was among those wounded.
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church is making the May webinars on clergy burnout and “the great resignation” available to view, share, and download.
In this issue: New leadership at the World Council of Churches, speakers announced for On Earth Peace Day of Celebration, University of La Verne receives $2.3 million gift to launch nursing program, Church World Service is honoring refugees on World Refugee Day June 20, Bible study commemorates shootings at Mother Emanuel AME Church, prayer and support requested following other recent shootings, among news by, for, and about Brethren.
NEWS
1) Brethren Disaster Ministries announces short-term rebuilding project site in Kentucky
2) Wanted: COVID test kits for Annual Conference
3) What would Jesus do…with $813 billion?
4) Mid-Atlantic District requests prayer for families, congregations affected by Smithsburg shooting
UPCOMING EVENTS
5) National Youth Conference consecration to take place at Annual Conference
RESOURCES
6) Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church webinars are now available
7) Brethren bits: New leadership at the WCC, speakers for On Earth Peace Day of Celebration, ULV receives $2.3 million gift to launch nursing program, CWS highlights World Refugee Day June 20, Bible study commemorates shootings at Mother Emanuel, prayer and support needed following other recent shootings, and more
NEWS
1) Disaster grants focus on Ukraine needs, short-term Kentucky rebuilding project, among others
2) Global Food Initiative grants provide agriculture supports in Nigeria, Ecuador, Burundi, and the US
3) BFIA grants go to five churches
4) Brethren Volunteer Service makes changes to placement process, increases monthly stipend
5) Taking action on gun violence
6) Ecumenical faith letter on the US budget is sent to Congress
PERSONNEL
7) Zechariah Houser resigns as coordinator of short-term service
UPCOMING EVENTS
8) Book study to address complex emotional landscape of family systems in churches
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS
9) University Baptist and Brethren Church recognized for 100 years of ministry
10) Harrisonburg First Church event to support Ukrainian children
11) Brethren bits: Remembering Donna Forbes Steiner, personnel note, ULV announces new mural showing “Our Citrus Roots,” Brethren Voices remembers Chuck Boyer, and more
Action is defined as the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. There are many good ways to take action, and while it is less important which action you take, it is of the utmost importance that we act and act together in ways that get us closer to our goal. During the month of May, the mass shootings at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, N.Y., and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, spurred the Washington, D.C.-based faith community to take action to address the scourge of gun violence in a few different ways.
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to various needs in recent weeks. A main focus has been the needs of Ukrainian refugees, with major grants going to Church World Service (CWS) relief focused on Ukrainian refugees sheltering in Moldova, to aid displaced Ukrainians with disabilities through L’Arche International, and to Child Life Disaster Relief programming for an orphanage in Ukraine.
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has distributed grants to five congregations in recent months. The fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Find out more at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action.