Newsline

1) Annual Conference 2014 will celebrate courageous discipleship. 2) Pre-Conference events include Ministers’ Association, Congregational Vitality Workshops. 3) Bidding process brings Annual Conference back to Ohio and California. 4) On Earth Peace seeks volunteers for Ministers of Reconciliation team at Annual Conference.
5) Court decision on properties is celebrated by First District Church of the Brethren in India. 6) WCC shares hopes for peace in Syria with members of Syrian opposition. 7) National Christian leaders oppose mass incarceration. 8) EYN ministers hold annual conference. 9) Young adults to study Jeremiah 29:11 at YAC. 10) Webinars on ‘Generative Leadership’ offered by Congregational Life Ministries with partners in the UK. 11) Brethren bits

1) Minnich and Murray head up Annual Conference ballot for 2014. 2) Vital Ministry Journey helps congregations and relationships. 3) Church of the Brethren begins partnership with Anabaptist Disabilities Network. 4) Grant aids displaced people in South Sudan. 5) NYC offers intercultural scholarships to 100 youth and advisors. 6) Brethren teaching at PUST are on view in BBC One news show. 7) Congress adopts Farm Bill: Points of interest for the church. 8) Christian Peacemaker Teams to challenge denial of entry in Israeli High Court. 9) Youth Peace Travel Team is announced for 2014. 10) Next intercultural gathering to be co-sponsored by Pacific Southwest District. 11) Brethren Academy updates its course listing for 2014. 12) Congregational Life offers new Spiritual Gifts Resource. 13) Brethren bits.

1) Many state laws link Selective Service registration to driver’s licenses. 2) Global Food Crisis Fund gives $50,000 for agricultural projects in Haiti. 3) Disaster grants go to South Sudan, Honduras. 4) NPR finds Peace Studies class in story about detained immigrants. 5) Carrie Eikler to serve as TRIM and EFSM coordinator. 6) Annual Clergy Tax Seminar is offered online and at Bethany Seminary. 7) ‘Jesus Weeps–Resisting Violence, Building Peace’ is theme for advocacy days. 8) Action Alert: End the violence in Syria. 9) Brethren bits

1) Joint representative for Syria to deliver urgent call from churches to Geneva 2 talks. 2) Brethren Disaster Ministries staff to evaluate state of response to Typhoon Haiyan. 3) COMS meeting brings together leaders of Anabaptist denominations. 4) Service Sunday 2014 will focus on serving God by serving all. 5) Youth ministry webinar series continues with event on Jan. 21. 6) Nigerian Brethren hold Christmas celebrations despite the threat of violence. 7) Brethren bits

1) Church youth groups get together to register for National Youth Conference; 2) Strategic pathways work continues by Brethren Benefit Trust board; 3) Virlina District Conference supports peace efforts of Nigerian Brethren; 4) Today is opening day for workcamp registration, last day to apply for Ministry Summer Service, Youth Peace Travel Team; 5) Church Planting Conference looks toward an intercultural future; 6) Living Love Feast is theme of Bethany’s 2014 Forum; 7) Church of the Brethren member leads peace training in Democratic Republic of Congo; 8) New Year’s resolutions: A reflection for January 2014 from the Older Adult Ministry; 9) Brethren bits

1) Annual Conference moderator shares New Year’s greetings with the church; 2) Church of the Brethren aids refugees in South Sudan, some mission staff leave the country; 3) Online registration for National Youth Conference begins this evening; 4) Press Conference with King Herod: A contemporary reflection on the murder of the Bethlehem children; 5) Brethren bits

1) A passion for teaching God’s word: Interview with mission workers Carl and Roxane Hill; 2) Brethren attend ECHO Caribbean conference in the DR, GFCF manager assesses situation of Haitian Dominicans; 3) Dominican Republic court ruling from the international perspective; 4) Brethren Academy issues updated course listing; 5) Brethren Press announces curriculum resources for 2014; 6) Feature: Deacon Ministry reminds churches to welcome new friends this holiday season; 7) Brethren bits

1) Shine On storybook Bible will offer new way to teach children the faith; 2) Zach Wolgemuth resigns as associate director of Brethren Disaster Ministries; 3) Kathy Fry-Miller to lead Children’s Disaster Services; 4) Lent devotional ‘Real Rest’ to focus on themes of grace, light living; 5) Bethany Seminary invites junior high youth to ‘Immerse!’; 6) Covenant Bible Study will take a look ‘Behind the Drama’; 7) Manchester $1 million grant brings new degree in sales, internships, collaborations to bolster employment opportunities for graduates; 8) Juniata College faith-based service program among those honored by White House; 9) Virlina District produces new stewardship curriculum; 10) ‘Summertime Children’ re-released to mark 40th anniversary of first NYC theme song; 11) Brethren bits

1) Royer Family Charitable Foundation offers major support to Haiti Medical Project, 2) Brethren Disaster Ministries opens rebuilding site in New Jersey, Illinois tornado clean up, 3) Ministry Office offers information on clergy housing ruling, BBT involved in appeal through the Church Alliance, 4) Seminary receives Lilly Endowment grant to improve economic well-being of future ministers, 5) Crop breeding success in North Korea, 6) Powerhouse 2013 gathers youth from the midwest region, 7) ‘Pioneering in a Global Context’ webinar set for Dec. 11,
8) Gather ’Round staff complete employment with Brethren Press and MennoMedia, 9) Michigan, Atlantic Southeast Districts announce staffing changes, 10) Reflecting on the anniversary of Newtown, 11) Brethren bits

1) Former general secretary Judy Mills Reimer is remembered for her leadership to the Church of the Brethren. 2) Great Multitude Symposium considers the intercultural vision of church. 3) Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 303 begins service. 4) New Young Adult Steering Committee members announced. 5) Church World Service issues update on Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. 6) World Hunger Auction completes its 30th year. 7) Progressive Brethren Gathering to be webcast live this weekend. 8) National Youth Conference speakers announced, registration opens January 3. 9) New video series asks, ‘Why NYC?’ 10) Bethany Seminary offers course on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 11) Brethren bits.