The Shine curriculum from Brethren Press and MennoMedia is offering a webinar on July 27 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time) for those interested in finding out more about what is planned for the fall quarter. Registration is now open at https://shinecurriculum.com/resources/webinar-registration.
NEWS
1) Eglise des Freres Haitiens general secretary expresses appreciation for prayers for Haiti
2) Ministers’ Association hears Michael Gorman presentation on 1 Corinthians
3) McPherson gets ready for virtual NOAC
4) Bethany Seminary announces 2021 Peace Essay Contest winners
5) Womaen’s Caucus celebrates its 50th anniversary during Annual Conference 2021
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: CONGREGATIONAL STORIES
6) Her quilting inspiration comes from God
7) Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren proclaims ‘Peace is patriotic’
8) Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren celebrates a century of ministry
9) Albright Church of the Brethren hosts Relay for Life
10) Wanted: Jesus in the neighborhood stories
11) Brethren bits: Annual Conference reporting resources, personnel notes, job openings, new dates for the fall orientation of Brethren Volunteer Service, extended deadline for Healing Racism Mini-grants, more
In this issue: Annual Conference reporting resources for use by delegates and churches, personnel notes and job openings, new dates for the fall orientation of Brethren Volunteer Service, extended deadline to apply for a Healing Racism Mini-grant, and more.
Approximately 130 people virtually attended the Church of the Brethren Ministers’ Association Pre-Annual Conference Event on June 29-30. Michael Gorman, a biblical scholar who was a featured speaker at the 2021 Annual Conference, spoke on 1 Corinthians, focusing on the church as Paul describes it.
The general secretary of Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti), Romy Telfort, is expressing appreciation for prayers from the US Church of the Brethren following the assassination of Haiti’s president Jovenel Moïse.
Exciting things are happening at the Cedars Retirement Community in McPherson, Kan. A group of dedicated folk are making plans for a great National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) experience on Sept. 6-10.
At the close of this morning’s Annual Conference worship service, new leadership was consecrated with prayer and the laying on of hands. David Sollenberger (kneeling at left) was consecrated to serve as moderator of the 2022 Conference, and Tim McElwee (kneeling at right) was consecrated as moderator-elect.
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference affirmed board-elected and constituency-elected directors and trustees for the denomination’s Mission and Ministry Board and the Conference agencies Bethany Theological Seminary, On Earth Peace, and Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT). Also affirmed were district executive representatives to the denomination’s Leadership Team and the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee.
“We are in the third year of a five-year review,” said Cage, chair of the group. “We appreciate the work of our pastors. Seventy-seven percent of our pastors are serving less than fulltime. We needed to reimagine the compensation and working arrangements between pastors and congregations.”
The Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) of the Church of the Brethren hosted a networking session during Annual Conference on July 2. Attendees were updated on the work of OMA’s board and member camps. Awards were presented to camp staff and volunteers for many years of faithful service.
