The Church of the Brethren, through action of general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger and the Office of Public Witness, has signed on to a letter to the US Senate in support of Syrian refugees. The letter also expresses opposition to a piece of legislation being sent to the Senate by the House of Representatives, the “American Security Against Foreign Enemies” (SAFE) Act of 2015 (H.R. 4038).
General Secretary
MMB Announces Conclusion of Noffsinger’s Service, Appointment of Interim General Secretary
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren has reached agreement with Stanley J. Noffsinger that he will conclude his service as general secretary on Friday, Feb. 12.
Church of the Brethren General Secretary Speaks out Against Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
Church of the Brethren general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger has issued a statement against the current escalation of rhetoric that seeks to demonize Muslims. Citing Jesus’ commands to love God, and love neighbor as self, and the parable of the Good Samaritan, the statement also calls church members to revisit portions of the 1991 Annual Conference statement “Peacemaking: The Call of God’s Peace in History” that direct the church to “explore avenues of interfaith dialogue leading toward a visible expression of God’s plan for human unity.”
NCC Issues Statement on Recent Middle East Violence and Acts of Terrorism
“As we approach the celebration of the birth of Christ our hearts are filled with sorrow and fear that peace will remain out of reach in the Middle East for much longer than we could ever have imagined.”
Brethren Are Called to Prayer in the Face of Extremist Violence
As the world begins to comprehend the magnitude of yesterday’s terror attacks in Paris, Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger is calling the church to prayer for those affected by extremist violence in Paris, and around the world.
Church of the Brethren Issues Position Posting for General Secretary
The Church of the Brethren has posted a position opening for General Secretary, as the next step in the search process for a candidate to fill the top executive staff position in the denomination. The application deadline is Dec. 15.
Mission and Ministry Board Adopts 2016 Budget of $9.5 Million for Denominational Ministries
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren held its Fall meeting on Oct. 15-19 at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The meeting was led by chair Don Fitzkee, and chair-elect Connie Burk Davis.
World Council of Churches Condemns Escalation of Conflict in Syria
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed grave concern over the escalation of conflict in Syria, in an official statement issued on Oct. 12. The statement strongly condemns all foreign military operations “especially since hope has been raised for a political process in line with the proposals made by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, and approved by the UN Security Council last August,” said a WCC release.
Brethren Representative Reports from United Nations 70th Anniversary Event
The 193 nations of the United Nations opened the UN’s 70th anniversary (Sept. 23-Oct. 2) at the headquarters in New York with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that reflect the desires of the world’s people.
Freed from the Smoke and Ashes: Reflecting on Pope Francis’s Service of Prayer for 9/11
We lined up two by two in rows on Liberty Street in Manhattan to enter onto the Foot Prints grounds where the Twin Towers had once stood. In the line were the families of survivors and those like myself, representatives of our faith communities. As the line began to move you first hear the sounds of the water flowing, and then all eyes beheld the sight of the mighty pool of never-ending, streaming waters.