Brethren bits for May 30, 2020

In this issue: Ecumenical statements on the killing of George Floyd and a statement from Central Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va.; Annual Conference Moderator’s Town Hall on “Faith, Science, and COVID-19″; first-ever virtual graduation at McPherson College; and more.

Brethren in Brazil facing major COVID-19 outbreak

The Global Mission office has received emails from Marcos Inhauser of Igreja da Irmandade (Church of the Brethren in Brazil) with updates about the situation in one of the globe’s “hot spots” for COVID-19. The city of São Paulo has become one of the largest localized outbreaks, according to media reports this week. “We are

Church districts offer recommendations regarding in-person gatherings

By Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of Ministry for the Church of the Brethren Leadership teams of several Church of the Brethren districts have issued recommendations recently regarding congregations gathering in buildings. Districts that have begun sharing guidance include, among others, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, and Southern Ohio and Kentucky. Mid-Atlantic District leadership recommended that congregations not gather

Moderator’s Town Hall on ‘Faith, Science, and COVID-19′ slated for June 4

Church of the Brethren Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey has announced plans for a Moderator’s Town Hall on June 4 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time), held in online webinar format. The topic will be “Faith, Science, and COVID-19” with leadership from Dr. Kathryn Jacobsen, professor in the Department of Global and Community Health at George

Brethren bits for May 16, 2020

New from Messenger magazine:     Dr. Kathryn Jacobsen, a member of Oakton Church of the Brethren in Vienna, Va., and a professor of epidemiology and global health at George Mason University, has given an interview to the Church of the Brethren “Messenger” magazine, answering questions about the COVID-19 pandemic with down-to-earth and sensible responses. The interview addresses

Sunday worship under lock down in Nigeria

By Zakariya Musa, communications staff for Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) Following the lock down measures put in place by the Nigerian government to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection among its citizens, the preventives measure are considered differently depending on the environment or level of understanding. Some

A map of northeast Nigeria showing Adamawa State

Emergency Disaster Fund grant supports COVID-19 efforts in Nigeria

A grant of $14,000 has been given from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) directed by the Brethren Disaster Ministries staff to COVID-19 response in Nigeria. This allocation supports Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) for two months of its pandemic response. EYN made a request of

Denominational board amends BFIA grant guidelines to help churches and camps

By Stan Dueck COVID-19 has created programming and financial stress on Church of the Brethren camps and congregations. Due to the coronavirus, the Mission and Ministry Board of the denomination made the following changes to the Brethren Faith in Action Fund guidelines. The amendments are in place through Dec. 31, 2020. First, Church of the

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