General Secretary – Page 13

CCT issues call to prayer for Congress in upcoming decisions affecting those in poverty

March 17, 2017

Citing scripture reminding of God’s concern for the poor, Christian Churches Together (CCT) has issued a call to prayer for the US Congress, noting that “during the last three weeks of March, the US Congress will make critical decisions that will affect the lives of millions of our brothers and sisters living in poverty. The right decisions could alleviate and pull people out of poverty; the wrong decisions will increase poverty and put the lives of hundreds of thousands at risk.” CCT is an ecumenical organization made up of five “families” of Christian denominations across the country. The Church of the Brethren is a member denomination.

More listening sessions with the general secretary are scheduled

March 3, 2017

Additional listening sessions with David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, have been announced. Steele is holding listening sessions in church districts around the denomination. The meetings are a way for him to listen closely to people within the church, and an opportunity for church members to meet the general secretary.

General secretary continues to hold listening sessions

February 18, 2017

David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, is holding listening sessions in church districts around the denomination. The meetings are a way for him to listen closely to people within the church, and an opportunity for church members to meet the general secretary. Last fall, several listening sessions were held–mostly in conjunction with district conferences.

Church of the Brethren general secretary among 2,000 religious leaders signing letter supporting refugee resettlement

January 27, 2017

General secretary David Steele on behalf of the Church of the Brethren has signed a letter to President Trump and members of Congress expressing support for refugee resettlement. The letter, which has now been signed by more than 2,000 religious leaders from across the country–and is still open to receiving more signatures–is an initiative of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.

Denominational leaders request prayer for upcoming meetings

January 20, 2017

Partnership in prayer is requested Jan. 22-27 as the Council of District Executives, the Church of the Brethren Leadership Team, and the Inter-Agency Forum hold their annual January meetings.

General secretary signs letter to new administration calling for defense of dignity of all people

January 14, 2017

Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is one of the American faith leaders who have sign a letter to president-elect Donald Trump calling on the incoming administration to robustly defend the dignity of all people. The letter also was copied to the members of the 115th Congress.

Leadership Team and CODE Leaders Express Thanks for Prayer Support

November 17, 2016

The Leadership Team of the Church of the Brethren and the executive committee of the Council of District Executives (CODE) met Nov. 1-2 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and have expressed their gratitude for everyone who prayed with them during that time. The combined leadership experienced God’s presence and guidance and has begun to discern what they believe the Lord wants the church to say in response to the task assigned to them by Annual Conference.

Christ the King Sunday Letter Calls the Denomination to Renewed Discipleship

November 16, 2016

A letter has been written to the Church of the Brethren by Annual Conference moderator Carol Scheppard and general secretary David Steele, calling the church and its members to renewed discipleship to Jesus Christ on Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 20. The Sunday between Thanksgiving and the start of Advent is called “Christ the King” or “Reign of Christ” Sunday in the church calendar and invites Christians to be reminded–before a season of waiting–of whom we await.

Church of the Brethren Signs Purchase Agreement for ‘Upper Campus’ of Brethren Service Center

November 4, 2016

The Church of the Brethren has signed a purchase agreement with Shanghai Yulun Education Group for the “upper campus” of the Brethren Service Center property in New Windsor, Md. The purchaser intends to establish a private school on the property. The agreement is effective today, Nov. 14, 2016, but it is anticipated that a sale will not be finalized until spring 2017.

UN Working Group on People of African Descent Presents Findings

October 19, 2016

The Working Group of Experts on the People of African Descent was established in 2002 following the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. Their mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council in various resolutions during the subsequent years leading up to their 2016 findings which were put forward at the Sept. 26 meeting of the council.