Following are worship resources by two Church of the Brethren pastors, a prayer sparked by the tragedy at Newtown and a new version of the Christmas carol, “What Child Is This?”
Peace
Brethren Make Efforts to Support Nigerians in the Face of Violence
Several efforts to support and encourage Nigerian Brethren affected by violence are being made by American Brethren, responding to concern for Nigeria expressed during the Annual Conference in July and to news of continuing incidents of terrorist violence. A season of prayer for Nigeria has been announced by Annual Conference moderator Bob Krouse.
Dranesville Holds Peace Service Marking Anniversary of Civil War Battle
At the start of the Civil War, Union and Confederate troops met at Dranesville, Va., in a short, bloody battle that left more than 50 dead and 200 wounded. Today, part of the battlefield belongs to Dranesville Church of the Brethren. On Dec. 16, at 7 p.m., the congregation will gather to remember the battle and pray for peace.
Fund Makes Grants to Start New Brethren Disaster Project, Aid Congolese Refugees
Grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) have been given to start a Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding site in southeastern Indiana, and to help a church group aid Congolese refugees fleeing violence.
Peace Camp 2012 in Bosnia-Herzegovina: A BVS Reflection
The following report on Peace Camp 2012 held in Bosnia-Herzegovina is from Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker Julianne Funk, originally published in the BVS Europe newsletter. Kristin Flory, coordinator for Brethren Service in Europe, notes that “20 years ago this year, we started sending BVSers to peace groups in ex-Yugoslavia.”
Congo Journal: A Brethren Pastor’s Run/Walk for Peace
Gary Benesh, pastor of Friendship Church of the Brethren in N. Wilkesboro, N.C., was inspired to return to long distance running after he heard Global Mission and Service executive Jay Wittmeyer share the story of the Congo Brethren. “Coming from the most violent area on earth, they were particularly interested in taking seriously Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and the Gospel being a ‘Gospel of Peace’ (Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15),” he explained. Benesh set out to “run, walk, or crawl” 28 miles across Wilkes County in the northwestern North Carolina foothills of the Blue Ridge escarpment to raise money for the Congo mission and for peace in that region of the eastern Congo. Here is his story:
James Skelly Named Interim Director of Baker Institute at Juniata College
James Skelly, a longtime senior fellow at Juniata College’s Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, has been named interim director of the institute for a two-year period, effective immediately. Juniata College is a Church of the Brethren-related school in Huntingdon, Pa.
Sixth Annual Family Peace Camp Is Held in Florida
About 35 campers came together on Labor Day weekend at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla. Quakers, Catholics, and Brethren from six congregations met with Donald E. Miller of Richmond, Ind., to hear stories from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where Christians face violent threats to human life.
Communities Around the Globe Invited to ‘Pray for Ceasefire’ Sept. 21
Sept. 21 is the International Day of Prayer for Peace–and it’s not too late to participate! On Earth Peace is inviting all churches and community groups to use this day to lift up a message of peace and ceasefire in whatever ways make sense in your community, including shortly before or after the 21st itself. Register at http://prayingforceasefire.tumblr.com/signup .
Brethren Couple Go to Israel and Palestine as Accompaniers
Church of the Brethren members Joyce and John Cassel of Oak Park, Ill., have begun work in Palestine and Israel with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program of the World Council of Churches (WCC). They departed Sept. 1 for a three month tour of duty, from September through November this year.