Articles include:
1. Board decides to cease operation of New Windsor Conference Center, gives provisional approval to Ministerial Leadership Paper, makes grant to Haiti earthquake response.
2. On Earth Peace releases statement of inclusion.
3. Religious leaders arrested in Rotunda in July have their day in court.
4. Peace Witness Ministries takes up food stamp challenge.
5. GFCF grants go to work in Honduras, Niger, Kenya, and Rwanda.
6. Tracy Stoddart Primozich to oversee admissions at seminary.
7. Workcamps are announced for 2012.
8. Brethren bits: Remembrance, personnel, jobs, anniversaries, more.
General Secretary
Church of the Brethren Announces Layoffs from Denominational Staff
Nine positions on the Church of the Brethren denominational staff have been cut as part of balancing the 2012 budget. The layoffs follow a new management structure for staff announced in August by general secretary Stan Noffsinger.
Newsline for Sept. 21, 2011
This week’s issue includes news of the International Day of Prayer for Peace bringing communities together, a Peace Prayer Wall posted by the World Council of Churches, a presentation by a WCC leader on peace and justice, upcoming events including preachers for the 2012 Annual Conference and the next Brethren webinar, order info for the Advent Devotional from Brethren Press, a report from the Brethren representative to the UN, and more “Brethren bits.”
Congregations Encouraged to Engage in Anti-Hunger Action This Fall
The general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, Stan Noffsinger, has sent a letter to each congregation in the denomination encouraging each to engage in some new and specific hunger action during this harvest season. The new effort is sponsored by the church’s Global Food Crisis Fund and the advocacy and peace witness office in Washington, D.C.
Newsline Special: Update on Church Responses to Disasters, Hunger
A report on Church of the Brethren responses to recent disasters in the northeast, including Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, along with a new hunger effort, and more.
Newsline for August 11, 2011
Newsline for August 11, 2011: Stories include 1. Capitol Building Prayer vigil participants arrested. 2. Training schedule announced by Children’s Disaster Services. 3. McPherson College recognized for community service. 4. Brethren Benefit Trust hosts Church Benefits Association. 5. New Windsor Conference Center Director resigns. 6. Ronald E. Wyrick to serve as Interim District Executive.
Newsline for June 30, 2011
News stories: 1) Conference business addresses issues related to sexuality, church ethics, climate change, decorum. 2) Ministries of reconciliation and listening will offer assistance at Annual Conference. 3) Church leader signs on to letters about Afghanistan, Medicaid budget. 4) Group is encouraging local CPS anniversary celebrations. 5) Disaster fund gives $30,000 to start Pulaski Country rebuilding project. 6) Hiroshima monument is dedicated to founder of friendship center. 7) Joan Daggett resigns from Shenandoah District leadership. 8) Jorge Rivera ends service as associate executive for Puerto Rico. 9) Pérez-Borges to serve as associate executive in Atlantic Southeast District. 10) BBT calls John McGough to serve as CFO. 11) Brethren bits: Personnel, job openings, college news, more.
Interfaith Coalition Says Houses of Worship Cannot Cover Cuts to Poverty Programs
An interfaith coalition of religious leaders has launched a new campaign to encourage policymakers to maintain a robust US commitment to domestic and international poverty programs. The group includes Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger.
Church Leader Signs on to Letters About Afghanistan, Medicaid Budget
Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger has added his signature to two letters from American religious leaders, one addressing the Afghanistan war, and the other on the Medicaid budget. On June 21 as President Obama prepared to announce the number of troops he planned to withdraw from Afghanistan, religious leaders sent him an open letter stating, “It is time to bring the US war in Afghanistan to an end.”
Daily Themes Highlight Peace in the Community, Peace with the Earth
The four themes of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation each are receiving a day’s worth of attention, with a morning plenary session and afternoon “innerstandings” seminar sessions.