1) Disaster ministry directs grant to CWS work with unaccompanied child refugees, Material Resources sends supplies following floods in Detroit.2) Children’s Disaster Services contracts with new Gulf Coast coordinator. 3) Christian Peacemaker Teams issues urgent call to help displaced Yazidi people. 4) Callie Surber resigns from Brethren Volunteer Service staff. 5) BBT announces new communications director and assistant director of financial operations. 6) Bethany Seminary and ESR hire new computing specialist. 7) Many Brethren commit to a week of prayer and fasting for Nigeria. 8) EYN leaders share updates on recent violence in Nigeria, interfaith relief efforts. 9) Why sing in worship? A reflection from Nigeria.
10) Brethren bits
Newsline
Newsline for July 30, 2014
NYC 2014: 1) That youth would encounter Christ: A conversation with the NYC coordinators. 2) NYC speakers encourage youth to seek their calling in Christ. 3) NYC enjoys a Brethren Block Party. 4) Reception welcomes international guests and NYC scholarship recipients. 5) Service projects take youth beyond campus borders to share with others. 6) Hiking trips take youth into Rocky Mountain National Park. 7) Blessed on the journey to NYC. 8) NYC bits and pieces. OTHER NEWS: 9) CWS announces efforts for unaccompanied child refugees, faith leaders and immigrant activists to protest deportations.
10) Brethren bits.
Newsline for July 16, 2014
1) District youth visit and tour General Offices on their way to NYC. 2) ‘Called by Christ: Blessed for the Journey Together’ theme shapes NYC 2014. OTHER NEWS
3) Annual Conference makes changes to ‘Special Response’ process for strongly controversial issues. 4) Nigerian Brethren write petition to United Nations. 5) EYN president represents Brethren at World Council of Churches Central Committee. 6) Anabaptist Disabilities Network seeks stories of supportive care in congregations
7) Dean of Bethany Seminary speaks to international meeting. 8) Brethren bits
Newsline for July 8, 2014
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2014: 1) Revision to Ministerial Leadership polity is adopted by Annual Conference.
2) Revision of 1996 Ethics for Congregations paper is approved by the delegates. 3) Query on Climate Change is returned, Conference declares the church is not of one mind on the issue. 4) Resolution supports Nigerian Brethren, invites worldwide community of Brethren to a week of fasting and prayer. 5) Delegates maintain current structure of Mission and Ministry Board; defer to 2015 other decisions on board bylaws, BBT articles, agency financial reports. 6) Andy Murray chosen as moderator-elect, among other election results and appointments. 7) Rebecca Dali interviewed by Columbus’ NBC4, leads insight sessions on Nigeria. 8) Three new fellowships are welcomed into the denomination. 9) Standing Committee denies support to On Earth Peace ‘Statement of Inclusion’ but commits to ‘walk in love together.’ 10) Mission and Ministry Board hears update on Nigeria, discusses finances, celebrates Open Roof Award and Ministry Summer Service. 11) Annual Conference bits and pieces
Newsline for July 1, 2014
1) Standing Committee denies support to On Earth Peace ‘Statement of Inclusion’ but commits to ‘walk in love together’. 2) EYN church among those attacked near Chibok on Sunday, as Annual Conference prepares to welcome Nigerian guests. 3) Annual Conference bits and pieces. 4) Church poultry project in Nigeria reports progress
5) Over the top: Manchester elated with $108 million . success. 6) Heifer International celebrates 70 years with ‘Beyond Hunger’ event at Camp Mack. 7) Brethren bits
Newsline for June 25, 2014
1) Situation in Nigeria is ‘awful,’ EYN continues effort to aid Chibok parents and refugees. 2) Rebecca Dali to visit and speak at several places in the US in July. 3) CWS international situation report: Nigeria displacement crisis. 4) NYC theme song is released, available online. 5) Observance of 150th anniversary of John Kline’s death. 6) Tour canceled for National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. 7) International guests to be welcomed at the 2014 Annual Conference. 8) Congregations are invited to bring cards for Nigeria to Annual Conference. 9) James Risser to serve as director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. 10) Brethren bits
Newsline for June 17, 2014
1) Church of the Brethren general secretary among church leaders at consultation on Syria, held in Armenia. 2) Brethren Volunteer Service workers are in five nations across Europe. 3) Disaster staff direct grants totaling $74,000 to flood relief in Afghanistan and the Balkans, response to spring storms in US. 4) Global Food Crisis Fund provides grant to Bittersweet Ministries, received grant request to extend Going to Garden. 5) Church of the Brethren member named to field associate position with ADNet. 6) Intergenerational events invite children and adults to ‘get real’ about courageous discipleship. 7) Ten years of the Springs initiative: Celebrating Brethren in renewal. 8) Brethren bits
Newsline for June 10, 2014
1) Ministry Summer Service interns and mentors complete orientation.2) Church of the Brethren sends representative, helps support Bread for the World anniversary gathering. 3) ‘World’s bravest orchestra’ to visit US for the first time. 4) UCC ecumenical partner involved in the struggle for religious freedom in Nigeria. 5) Updates on Nigeria. 6) Collections at Annual Conference benefit YWCA shelter, express concern for Nigeria. 7) Torin Eikler named executive minister of Northern Indiana District. 8) It’s not about the pastor: A reflection on the Vital Ministry Journey. 9) Brethren bits
Newsline for June 2, 2014
1) Brethren Disaster Ministries directs $175,000 in EDF grants to the Philippines. 2) Theme is announced for 2015 National Older Adult Conference. 3) Bethany Seminary offers course at University of La Verne. 4) ‘Grief and love in the same place’: A communication from the Church of the Brethren general secretary and the EYN president. 5) A heart for bringing Christ: The Hills speak about their time in Nigeria. 6) A round up of Nigeria news. 7) What does the Emergent Church movement have to say to Brethren? 8) Brethren bits
Newsline for May 20, 2014
1) Planting conference looks toward an intercultural church. 2) Bethany Seminary celebrates commencement. 3) Nominations sought for Open Roof Awards. 4) Committee studying ecumenism seeks responses to survey. 5) Attack by Boko Haram kills Nigerian Brethren, EYN president requests continued prayer. 6) EYN church leaders meet with 58 Chibok schoolgirls’ parents. 7) Brethren and ecumenical partners continue support for Nigeria and the abducted girls. 8) Ten Bible studies available to help youth prepare for NYC 2014. 9) One man’s journey to all 44 churches in Southern Pennsylvania District. 10) Brethren bits