General secretary David Steele invites the members, congregations, and districts of the Church of the Brethren into prayer for the crisis in Ukraine.
General Secretary
Bridgewater College community mourns fallen heroes, General Secretary reaches out with condolences on behalf of the Church of the Brethren
The Bridgewater (Va.) College community is mourning the deaths of police officer John Painter and campus safety officer Vashon “J.J.” Jefferson, who were shot and killed on the college campus on Feb. 1. The two men were coworkers and close friends. Media report that a former student has been charged in their deaths.
Together let us be Jesus in the neighborhood
Together, we concluded a four-year process of discernment earlier this year as the Annual Conference delegates virtually affirmed the compelling vision. Our Jesus in the neighborhood vision statement is now our Church of the Brethren vision.
Mission and Ministry Board approves grant for new collaboration to aid Afghanistan evacuees
A new joint Church of the Brethren and Church World Service (CWS) effort supporting the resettlement of Afghan evacuees in the US has received support from the Mission and Ministry Board and a grant of $52,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF).
A statement of concern for Afghanistan from Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele
he Church of the Brethren stands by our conviction that “all war is sin” and “we may not participate or benefit from war” (1970 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference statement on war, www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1970-war) but we must ask how we have been complicit in the war in Afghanistan and how we are called to turn now to repentance and right living.
Prayers for Haiti and the Haitian Brethren
The Church of the Brethren extends its prayers on behalf of our Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ due to the devastating earthquake that hit the island nation on Saturday. We mourn for the loss of life, shelter, and basic needs, and are deeply concerned for the impending tropical storm. Heavy rains were forecast for today.
Mission and Ministry Board sets new priorities for denominational ministries
Among other business, the board spent a significant amount of time continuing its work to align denominational ministries with its new Strategic Plan. Other top agenda items included a 2022 budget parameter for Core Ministries, recommendations from a team “re-imagining” Brethren Press, and the calling of a new Executive Committee.
Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed!
This Easter proclamation is both the foundation of our faith and source of our hope. While for us it transforms our way of living in the world, the world finds resurrection foolish. Resurrection contradicts experience and it confounds human reason. Yet Christians proclaim the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the restoration of all things in Christ. The promised resurrection with Christ is more than an idea; it is a promise revealed in day-to-day living.
Church of the Brethren General Secretary issues a statement on the events of Jan. 6
Wednesday was Epiphany, the day marking the arrival of the Magi, seekers of the young Prince of Peace. Yet the violent actions in our nation’s capital revealed the violence of Herod rather than the peace of God.
Mission and Ministry Board approves 2021 budget for denominational ministries
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren held fall meetings via Zoom on Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18. Sessions on Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday afternoon were open to the public via a published link. The main item of business was the 2021 budget for the ministries of the denomination.
