‘Dear Ms. Grace, My Name Is Linh’: Vietnamese Students Learn from a Brethren Life Story

On Friday, Jan. 30, the English Communication Skills Class at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, had the pleasure of celebrating Ms. Grace Mishler’s and Miss Lan’s birthdays in the classroom. Our guest, Grace Mishler, took center stage as the 12 students in attendance introduced themselves. She is a Social Work Project Developer at the university.

Church of the Brethren Offers ‘We Are Able’ Workcamp

During the summer months, the Church of the Brethren holds a variety of workcamps in various locations around the country. Every other year, the “We Are Able” workcamp is offered to youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities, ages 16-23. In the summer of 2015, this workcamp will be hosted by the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., from June 29-July 2.

Anabaptist Disabilities Network Seeks Stories of Supportive Care in Congregations

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) is looking for stories of church congregations that are providing a congregational network of care for persons with significant disabilities and/or their families. Such care may include supporting their church participation, but goes beyond this to support aspects of daily living needs and/or participation in the wider community.

Mission and Ministry Board Hears Update on Nigeria, Discusses Finances, Celebrates Open Roof Award and Ministry Summer Service

At their Annual Conference meeting on Wednesday, July 2, Mission and Ministry Board members got acquainted with international visitors and received an update from Global Mission and Service director Jay Wittmeyer on conditions facing Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). They also celebrated this year’s Open Roof Award to congregations that are making strides in welcoming people with disabilities, were briefed on the denomination’s financial status, and heard a report on the Ministry Summer Service program.

Nominations Sought for Open Roof Awards

The deadline is drawing near for nominations for the 2014 Open Roof Awards, presented annually to a congregation or district in the Church of the Brethren that has made great strides in becoming accessible to people with disabilities and offering opportunities for them to serve.

The History of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam

The first event of International Cane Awareness Day in Vietnam occurred in October 2011, at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Blind School, Ho Chi Minh City. An overall theme was chosen for this event: “The white-tipped cane is an adaptive, functional cane used by blind persons, which alerts people to give priority to the person using the cane.”

Workbook on Physical Loss and Disability Is Published in Vietnam

On Sept. 3, 2013, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) Faculty of Social Work received boxes containing the first 1,000 copies of the Vietnamese translation of “Coping with Physical Loss and Disability Workbook,” written by Rick Ritter, M.S.W., who has been part of Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren in Indiana. The book was published by Youth Publisher, Ho Chi Minh City.

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.

Four Congregations Receive the 2013 Open Roof Award

The Open Roof Award is presented each year to congregations who have made specific efforts to “ensure that all may worship, serve, be served, learn, and grow in the presence of God, as valued members of the Christian community.”

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