The Brethren Village Retirement Community in Lancaster, Pa., will host this year’s Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum on April 14-16. Representatives from member communities will be joined by several denominational staff members for three days of training, updates, networking, and sharing best practices in long-term care.
Congregational Life Ministries
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Church of the Brethren Family Life Ministry is providing resources and ideas for congregations to observe Child Abuse Prevention Month during April. Find more information at www.brethren.org/childprotection/month.html .
Applications Are Due Soon for Nursing Scholarships
The Church of the Brethren awards a limited number of scholarships each year to individuals enrolled in a nursing program. Candidates for the scholarships must be enrolled in an LPN, RN, or nursing graduate program and must be members of the Church of the Brethren. The scholarships are awarded from the Health Education and Research Endowment.
Pre-Conference Events Include Ministers’ Association, Congregational Vitality Workshops
Two ministry training events head the meetings that precede the 2014 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio: the Ministers’ Association, and Congregational Vitality Workshops. Other regular annual meetings held prior to the Conference include the Standing Committee of district delegates, the Mission and Ministry Board, and the Council of District Executives, among others.
Webinars on ‘Generative Leadership’ Offered by Congregational Life Ministries with Partners in the UK
Two new webinars are being offered by Congregational Life Ministries and partners in the United Kingdom. The topic is “Generative Leadership.” Hosted by the Church of the Brethren, the webinars are organized together with Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist College, and BMS World Mission. The webinars feature presenters Kerry Coke and Fran Beckett, Christian leaders actively
Young Adults to Study Jeremiah 29:11 at YAC
The Church of the Brethren Young Adult Conference (YAC) will be held May 23-25 at Camp Brethren Woods near Keezletown, Va. With the words from Jeremiah 29:11 as a focus, participants will address the theme “Coming Home: For I Know the Plans I Have for You.”
NYC Offers Intercultural Scholarships to 100 Youth and Advisors
The National Youth Conference (NYC) Office awarded about 100 intercultural scholarships last week to youth and advisors from around the denomination. NYC has offered scholarships for many years to congregations that have a membership that is majority intercultural. Scholarships were awarded to youth and advisors from 12 churches in 5 districts.
Next Intercultural Gathering to Be Co-Sponsored by Pacific Southwest District
Co-sponsored by the Intercultural Ministries of the Church of the Brethren and Pacific Southwest District, the next intercultural gathering in the Church of the Brethren will be held March 28-30 at Iglesia Principe de Paz in Santa Ana, Calif.
Church of the Brethren Begins Partnership with Anabaptist Disabilities Network
The Church of the Brethren has begun a formal partnership with ADNet, the Anabaptist Disabilities Network. Based out of Elkhart, Ind., ADNet is a strong voice for disabilities and mental health advocacy both within the Mennonite Church USA and ecumenically. The good work they have done and their clear passion for this ministry recently led the Church of the Brethren’s Congregational Life Ministries to develop this partnership.
Vital Ministry Journey Helps Congregations and Relationships
The Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries started the Vital Ministry Journey in 2011. According to Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, the initiative started with a conversation between Congregational Life staff and Middle Pennsylvania District executive David Steele. Shively and Stan Dueck, director of Transforming Practices, had conversations with Steele about how to find a way to work with different congregations to solve problems proactively.