“During these days of isolation and meditation, to get news from beloved people is inspiring,” said Marcos Inhauser. He and his wife, Suely, are leaders in Igreja da Irmandade-Brasil (the Church of the Brethren in Brazil). “As you know, we are in the mood as you in the United States. Social isolation, following the statistics
Tag: Covid-19
International perspectives – Democratic Republic of Congo: ‘We started already to distribute relief to the people’
Ron Lubungo, a leader in the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported on the use of an Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant from the Church of the Brethren for COVID-19 relief. A grant of $12,000 to the Brethren in the DRC was given to provide emergency food to 550
Rwanda workcamp is postponed to May 2021
By Hannah Shultz The Workcamp Ministry of the Church of the Brethren has made the decision to postpone the Rwanda workcamp until May 2021. This decision was made based on current coronavirus trends, recommendations from the CDC, and travel advisories from the State Department that suggest that international travel will not be safe in the
Disaster grants go to continuing hurricane response and COVID-19 response
In recent weeks the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) has disbursed several grants, directed by the Brethren Disaster Ministries staff. The largest are helping to continue hurricane recovery work in Puerto Rico ($150,000), the Carolinas ($40,500), and the Bahamas ($25,000). Grants for COVID-19 response are going to Honduras (two grants for $20,000
Material Resources sends shipments of face shields and masks
The Material Resources program of the Church of the Brethren has been making shipments of face shields and masks to Italy and other areas needing COVID-19 supplies. Working out of warehouse facilities at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Material Resources staff inventory, pack, and ship disaster relief goods, medical supplies, and other
Brethren Disaster Ministries extends suspension of its rebuilding sites
Brethren Disaster Ministries has announced an extended suspension of its rebuilding sites. This will temporarily move the reopening date of the Carolinas site to May 3 and the Puerto Rico site to April 25, extending the current suspension for two additional weeks. As was previously planned, the Tampa, Fla., site has closed and the location
EDF grants respond to COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo
The staff at Brethren Disaster Ministries have directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries in central Africa: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response to the pandemic, governments all over the world are closing borders, restricting travel, and
Brethren bits for March 28, 2020
—Brethren Benefit Trust through the Church Workers Assistance Fund has created a COVID-19 Emergency Grant Program. The program has a streamlined application process to provide financial support to church workers (pastors, office staff, etc.) whose financial situation is adversely affected because of COVID-19 related issues. This would include help for bi-vocational pastors whose non-church work
Church World Service closes kit depots, affects Material Resources ministry
A decision by the Church World Service (CWS) leadership team to close all of the kit depots in local congregations through May 31 will affect the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources ministry based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The Material Resources warehouse facility receives, processes, and distributes CWS disaster relief
Denominational facilities are closed to visitors, most staff to work from home
The Church of the Brethren denominational staff are minimizing the number of personnel present at both the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., in light of health authorities’ advice to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. At this time, both sites are closed to visitors and