Prayer is already an important part of our preparation for and participation in all Annual Conference events. This year, however, we are seeking to blanket the entire event in prayer…morning to night. The 2021 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference takes place as a virtual, online event on Wednesday through Sunday, June 30-July 4.
The above statement was released on June 19, 2020. In November of 2020, BVS was asked to take the statement down temporarily because some of the language was offensive to members of the Church of the Brethren. In the spirit of the 2009 Annual Conference statement “A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues,” BVS staff took time to work at mutual understanding, doing much research, listening, and learning. After reviewing Annual Conference statements, referencing the newly adopted Mission and Ministry Board Strategic Plan, and in light of events that have occurred since its initial release, BVS staff feels the need to restate its stance on racism and recommit itself to working towards healing racism.
NEWS
1) Most Brethren camps are planning to be ‘in-person’ this summer
2) BFIA grants go to three more churches
3) Hillcrest School issues statement about former principal
PERSONNEL
4) Walt Wiltschek to serve as Illinois and Wisconsin District executive minister
5) Brethren bits: Remembering Ernie Bolz, continued prayer for India and Venezuela, Bermudian Church of the Brethren history, Southern Ohio and Kentucky District offers virtual camping, On Earth Peace webinars, Laszakovitz sermon chosen for El Camino collection
In this issue: Remembering Ernie Bolz, continued prayer for India and Venezuela, Bermudian Church of the Brethren’s history told in blogpost, Southern Ohio and Kentucky District offers virtual camping this summer, On Earth Peace webinars, Laszakovitz sermon chosen for El Camino collection.
The Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District has called Walt Wiltschek to serve as district executive minister. He will begin in this half-time position on Sept. 1, planning to relocate to the district in November.
Three more churches have received grants from the Brethren Faith in Action (BFIA) fund. This fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps in the United States, using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria, has issued a statement about former principal James McDowell’s admission of having molested students. He was principal from 1974-1984. He made the admission in a Facebook post on April 15. McDowell was not a Church of the Brethren mission worker.
“In person” is the mode for most Church of the Brethren camps this summer. Representatives of several of the camps reported on their planning for the 2021 season in a recent Zoom meeting of the Outdoor Ministries Association, chaired by Gene Hollenberg with Linetta Ballew as vice-chair.
NEWS
1) Bethany Seminary to confer 26 degrees and certificates to Class of 2021
2) EDF grants support CDS work on border, COVID-19 relief in Nigeria and around the world
3) Brethren Benefit Trust board affirms five strategic goals
4) BBT issues annual lists of companies screened from investments for Dept. of Defense contracts
5) On Earth Peace holds early April board meeting
6) EYN 74th Majalisa commends six districts, lists resolutions
PERSONNEL
7) Rhonda Pittman Gingrich is hired as director of Annual Conference
8) Jennifer Houser to direct the Brethren Historical Library and Archives
9) Zechariah Houser to coordinate short-term service for the Church of the Brethren
10) Fabiola Fernandez resigns from Church of the Brethren’s Information Technology department
11) Kim Gingerich to be interim program assistant for Brethren Disaster Ministries
12) Lee Marsh to assist at Church of the Brethren General Offices
UPCOMING EVENTS
13) Brethren Volunteer Service offers in-person summer orientation unit
14) New and Renew virtual conference to occur next week
15) Brethren bits: Prayer for India, update on US deportations to Haiti, Shenandoah District to hold in-person disaster auction, SVMC announces changes in its governing board, Bridgewater College celebrates commencement, and more
In this issue: Prayer for India, update on US deportations to Haiti, Shenandoah District to hold in-person disaster auction, SVMC announces changes in its governing board, Bridgewater College celebrates commencement, and more