— In the wake of the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case, an invitation to an anti-racism experience called “30 Days of Anti-Racism” has been issued by the Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministry. Although the experience was designed for the month of September, the Intercultural Ministry is inviting Brethren to begin this
“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10). NEWS1) Brethren share from areas affected by wildfires and hurricanes2) Workcamp Ministry shares interest survey for planning 2021 workcamps3) Bethany Seminary announces new and reaffirmed trustees4) EYN Disaster Relief Ministry reports on recent work in Nigeria5) Churches join hands for
— Remembrance: Dallas Oswalt, 92, a former Church of the Brethren mission worker in Nigeria, passed away on Aug. 14. He was living in Charlotte, N.C. His early church work included volunteering at age 17 as a seagoing cowboy for the Brethren Service Committee, sailing to Italy with the fourth transatlantic livestock delivery. He married
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund has announced recent grants awarded to eight Church of the Brethren congregations and camps. The fund supports outreach ministry projects that serve their communities, strengthen the congregation or camp, and expand the reign of God, using monies generated by sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
NEWS
1) Church of the Brethren Annual Report ‘Living Letters’ is available in three formats
2) ‘A Fall Sunday Off from Preaching’ offered by Annual Conference moderator
3) Disaster ministry cancels Nebraska flood response, monitors needs after Derecho and earthquake
4) Children’s Disaster Services invites parents to new Facebook group
PERSONNEL
5) Kevin Kessler resigns from leadership of Illinois and Wisconsin District
RESOURCES
6) ‘We Bear It in Tears’ shares voices of Nigerian Brethren affected by Boko Haram violence
UPCOMING EVENTS
7) Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center to postpone or hold fall events virtually
8) ‘The Church in Black and White’ symposium is planned for Sept. 12
9) Brethren bits: Remembering Phyllis Kingery Ruff, personnel and jobs, district conferences, news from international partners, Camp Bethel’s “safe and in-person” 5K, the August “Brethren Voices,” MAA receives award, Partners for Sacred Places study, more
NEWS
1) COVID-19 Pandemic Grants Program issues grants to another 11 congregations
2) Fellowship of Brethren Homes signs letter to the US President, Vice President, and Congress
3) Southeastern District Conference approves withdrawal of 19 congregations
4) Illinois and Wisconsin District issues statement of response to racial injustice
5) Giveaway Garden produces good food and good will
UPCOMING EVENTS
6) Marking the 75th anniversary of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
7) Webinars explore path to healing racism, eco-discipleship
8) Brethren bits: Remembering Art Myers, Brethren Disaster Ministries updates on Hurricane Isaias, BBT extends COVID-19 Emergency Grant as part of Church Worker’s Assistance Plan, webinar on “COVID-19 Mental and Spiritual Health of Children and Teens,” Columbia City participates in “Bells for John Lewis”
NEWS
1) Creating community at virtual National Young Adult Conference
2) Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund responds to COVID-19 crisis, Mutual Aid Agency announces new name
3) Brooklyn First voices speak in the midst of COVID-19 and racism pandemics
4) EYN members are among aid workers executed by insurgents in Nigeria
PERSONNEL
5) Jon Kobel’s service with the Annual Conference Office ends
UPCOMING EVENTS
6) Brethren Volunteer Service fall orientation is going virtual
RESOURCES
7) New Brethren Press resources include a Bible study on the Psalms and a new book for children’s worship
8) Brethren bits: Remembering Gene Hipskind and Timothy Sites, celebrating the class of 2020, personnel, jobs, free webinars and online courses, Global Mission prayers, news from districts, World Council of Churches executive committee, music by women at Ephrata Cloister, a children’s book by Gimbiya Kettering, and more
NEWS
1) Mission and Ministry Board holds July 1 meeting via Zoom
2) Committee recommends small increase to minimum cash salary table for pastors in 2021
3) Nominations are sought for 2021 Annual Conference ballot
4) Global Mission creates Country Advisory Teams
5) Brethren Disaster Ministries celebrates Puerto Rico completion and new Ohio project, among updates
6) Bethany Seminary details reopening plans
7) EYN Majalisa holds election for leadership
8) A report on the work of Nigeria’s Disaster Ministry Team
PERSONNEL
9) Scott Kinnick resigns as district executive minister for Southeastern District
UPCOMING EVENTS
10) Webinar to explore Holy Spirit as ‘mover and shaker of ideas and actions’
11) Moderator’s Town Hall on ‘Faith, Science, and COVID-19: Part 2′ slated for Aug. 13
REFLECTION
12) Death Row Support Project reflects on first federal executions in 17 years
13) Brethren bits: Racial justice resources, personnel, COVID-19 grants at work, “Inhabit 2020 at Home,” webinars, another district conference goes online, Bridgewater College announces test-optional admission, Christians advocate to keep Hagia Sophia as shared heritage site, more
NEWS
1) Denominational events bring a new level of virtual experience to the Church of the Brethren
2) Standing Committee holds elections for Nominating Committee and Appeals Committee
3) Ministerial ethics training shifts to online format
4) Push back against the imposition of mandatory draft registration for women and support H.R. 5492
5) Press conference by EYN president brings attention to recent Boko Haram attacks, calls on government and international community for action
6) Elizabethtown Church ‘walks to Nigeria’ in virtual challenge
7) Chambersburg Church of the Brethren gets record attendance at virtual VBS
PERSONNEL
8) Ministry Summer Service interns for 2020 serve home congregations or serve remotely
9) Brethren bits: Group of denominational staff offer “Checklist for Reopening Church Buildings” in Spanish and English, job openings, Children’s Disaster Services seeks donations for Individual Kits of Comfort, N. Indiana District Conference is different this year, Womaen’s Caucus “virtual luncheon” is an online panel discussion, cooking class and fundraiser for Fundacion Brethren y Unida in Ecuador, Bread for the World’s 2020 Hunger Report
NEWS
1) Young adult webinar is dedicated to uncovering the complexity of racism
2) EYN officials dedicate church for IDP camp funded in the name of a ‘spirited sister’
3) Digital hymn sing keeps West Green Tree singing all week long
UPCOMING EVENTS
4) Webinar series will focus on ‘Lessons from the Latinx Church’
RESOURCES
5) Brethren Press digital curriculum for the Fall offers Christian formation options during pandemic
6) Brethren bits