MMB Allocates $1 million to Continue Nigeria Crisis Response, Begins New Effort for Financial Support of Ongoing Ministries

A major action at the Spring meeting of the Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren allocated another $1 million of donated funds to continue the Nigeria Crisis Response. The board also engaged in significant conversation about financial shortfalls for ongoing denominational ministries, and how to develop more support and foster relationship-building across the wider church.

Grant of $50,000 Will Send Aid for Syrian Refugee Crisis in Lebanon

The staff at Brethren Disaster Ministries have directed an allocation of $50,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to support the Syrian refugee relief programs of Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development (LSESD).

Denomination Records Stellar Giving, but Core Ministries Giving Suffers

The Church of the Brethren is recording exceptionally generous giving to its denominational ministries this year, the Mission and Ministry Board learned at its Fall meeting. The financial reporting was given by treasurer Brian Bultman and assistant treasurer Ed Woolf. For a full report from the meeting, and a report of the 2016 budget decision, see the story below.

Brethren Disaster Ministries Directs $50,000 in Grants to Refugee and Migrant Crisis

Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed $50,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to support ecumenical partners who are serving people affected by the refugee and migrant crisis. Other recent EDF grants include the allocation of $30,000 to continue the Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding project in Spotswood, N.J.

Brethren Bits: A Focus on the Refugee and Migrant Crisis

In this issue: A focus on the refugee and migrant crisis, plus news of Children’s Disaster Services response to California wildfires, Sept. 20’s Mission Offering Emphasis, the 39th annual Brethren Disaster Relief Auction, personnel notes and job openings, prayer requests from Global Mission, a “March for Peace” in Haiti, church anniversaries, Brethren in the news, and more.

Newsline for Aug. 26, 2015

1) Called to help rebuild, we became part of a new family
2) Brethren Disaster Ministries notes accomplishments of Hurricane Katrina response
3) Children’s Disaster Services changed the lives of children and families after Katrina
4) On the road to Damascus: When the scales fall from our eyes
5) Christian leaders urge Congress to vote for diplomatic agreement with Iran
6) Prayer is requested for those affected by wildfires in western states
7) Brethren volunteers in Nigeria renew wedding vows after 48 years of marriage
8) Brethren Disaster Ministries restructures, makes personnel changes
9) Brethren Volunteer Service unit begins work at project sites
10) Congregations invited to plan special prayers, events for Peace Day
11) Covenant Bible Studies shed light on 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
12) Brethren bits

Brethren Disaster Ministries Notes Accomplishments of Hurricane Katrina Response

The largest and longest domestic response in Brethren Disaster Ministries history ended when the work at its sixth and final Hurricane Katrina recovery project, in St. Bernard Parish, La., was completed in June 2011. During the nearly 6-year response, Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers repaired or rebuilt homes for 531 families in 6 communities along the Gulf Coast, giving an estimated value of $6,776,416.80 in labor (2010 dollar value). Project consultants John and Mary Mueller oversaw this project for more than four years.

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