Are you a former Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) volunteer? Do you have afond memory, a story to tell, or words of praise from your time in BVS? Do you love to talk about BVS, but have no one to talk to about it?
Outcomes of an international survey asking what characteristics are essential for a church to be Church of the Brethren have been released. A committee of the Global Church of the Brethren Communion developed the survey. The committee had asked all interested Church of the Brethren members around the world to respond, and provided the survey in English, Spanish, Haitian Kreyol, and Portuguese.
In two new efforts related to Church World Service (CWS) work for refugees, immigrants, migrants, and most recently Afghan evacuees, the ecumenical humanitarian organization has announced “Together We Welcome: A National Faith Gathering to Strengthen Support for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants” and a new “Welcome Backpack” kit.
Monday of this week was the busiest day at the Material Resources warehouse in years. Staff unloaded 1 trailer from Ohio, 4 trailers from Wisconsin, 1 trailer from Pennsylvania, 3 U-Haul trucks from Pennsylvania, and quite a few cars, pickup trucks, and a church bus filled with donations for Lutheran World Relief.
David Sollenberger, moderator for the 2022 Annual Conference, has chosen the theme “Embracing One Another as Christ Embraces Us.” As we prepare to explore this theme through worship, the Program and Arrangements Committee is excited to announce the line-up of preachers for the Conference to be held in Omaha, Neb., on July 10-14, 2022.
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board holds its fall meeting this weekend as a hybrid event with the in-person events at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Executive Committee meetings and board member orientation begin Friday, Oct. 15. The full board meets Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday morning, Oct. 17.
Using 2 Corinthians 5:7 as a starting point, FaithX’s 2022 theme is “Boundless Faith.” This theme explores the different ways that the Bible describes Christian faith and seeks broader horizons in the faith we share.
NEWS
1) Brethren Disaster Ministries carries out short-term flood response in Nebraska
2) Brethren Faith in Action grants help congregations welcome asylees, respond to pandemic challenges
3) Three nursing students receive 2021 Nursing Scholarships
4) Bethany Seminary seeks new peace studies faculty member
RESOURCES
5) Brethren Press special offers are available for Maria’s Kit of Comfort, study guide for Advent devotional
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS
6) Roaring Spring Church restarts its ‘Recharge’ family program
7) Lakeview Church gets media attention for food pantry
FEATURE
8) First edition of ‘Moderator Musings’ from David Sollenberger shares ‘joys and concerns’
9) Brethren bits: Jr. High Sunday resources, Children’s Disaster Services training, Brethren Disaster Ministries celebrations, Global Food Initiative newsletter, webinar with Christian Peacemaker Teams’ Cliff Kindy, On Earth Peace webinars, seeking video of Anna Mow, more
In this issue: National Junior High Sunday resources, Children’s Disaster Services training, Brethren Disaster Ministries celebrates with international partners, latest issue of Global Food Initiative newsletter, webinar with Christian Peacemaker Teams’ Cliff Kindy, webinars from On Earth Peace, seeking video of Anna Mow, and more news by, for, and about Brethren
Three nursing students are recipients of Church of the Brethren Nursing Scholarships for 2021. We would like to highlight the outstanding work of the following recipients: Kasie Campbell of Meyersdale (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, Emma Frederick of Roaring Spring (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren, and Makenzie Goering of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren.
