Tag: Intercultural

Thomas Dowdy to Speak at Congregational Life Ministries Dinner

There has been a change of the speaker and topic for the Congregational Life Ministries Dinner at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Tampa, Fla. Thomas Dowdy, an African American pastor serving at Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, Calif., will speak on the topic “Keeping the Faith, Acting in Faith,”

Church of the Brethren Sends Letter of Condolence to African Methodist Episcopal Church

A letter from the Church of the Brethren, signed by general secretary Stan Noffsinger and Intercultural Ministry director Gimbiya Kettering, has been sent to members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The letter shares condolence, in response to the shooting there Wednesday, June17, which has been characterized as a hate crime.

Intercultural Retreat Brings a Rainbow of Humanity Together to Say ‘Amen!’

Two of the organizers of the 2015 Intercultural Retreat held in early May in Harrisburg, Pa., write their impressions of the gathering: “All God’s People Say Amen” was the rousing theme for an inspiring weekend intercultural retreat at Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren where Belita Mitchell serves as lead pastor. Almost 150 people from 9 districts of the Church of the Brethren gathered to participate in this three-day event….”

Mount Morris Church Celebrates Immigrant Member Isabelle Krol

Mount Morris (Ill.) Church of the Brethren on a recent Sunday held a service and celebration for member Isabelle Krol, on the 50th anniversary of her becoming an official citizen of the United States. She came to the United States from Belgium, following World War II. Following is part of her life story, taken from an interview by Dianne Swingel:

Intercultural Retreat to Be Hosted in Atlantic Northeast District in May

A weekend intercultural retreat with the theme “All God’s People Say Amen” will be hosted in Atlantic Northeast District at Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren on May 1-3. The retreat is co-sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries and Intercultural Ministries.

Congregational Life Ministries Makes Personnel Changes

The Church of the Brethren has hired Debbie Eisenbise to fill a director-level position in Congregational Life Ministries, effective Jan. 15. The main focus of her work will be the National Older Adult Conference (NOAC).

Brethren Pastors Attend First Latino Leaders Meeting of Christian Churches Together

Please see this report as gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the first Latino meeting organized by Christian Churches Together on Oct. 14-16. I felt humbly privileged by the opportunity to spend time with the directors of Latino Ministry of several denominations, among them: Catholics Pentecostals, American Reformed, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Presbyterian, American Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and of course the Church of the Brethren.

Planting Conference Looks Toward an Intercultural Church

Church of the Brethren planters and those interested in church planting gathered for the 2014 conference, “Plant Generously, Reap Bountifully–Toward an Intercultural Future.” The conference is offered every two years, sponsored by Congregational Life Ministries and the New Church Development Advisory Committee.

Conferees Discuss Bridge-Building at Pacific Southwest District Gathering

Brethren from Pacific Southwest District congregations met recently to talk about how to put hands and feet on a unity statement they adopted in 2007. Some 30 Brethren gathered March 28-30 at Principe de Paz Church of the Brethren in Santa Ana, Calif., to talk about how they could be more intentional in their efforts to build bridges across racial, cultural, ethnic, and religious boundaries.