On March 10, a meeting of Christians and Muslims took place at Camp Ithiel in the Church of the Brethren’s Atlantic Southeast District. Initiated by the district’s Action for Peace Team, the event was planned with leaders of the Turkish Cultural Center in Orlando. Over 40 people attended, including 35 Brethren along with 8 Turkish who live in the area.
Peace
Honoring Those Who Said No to War
The following article by Howard Royer, who recently retired from the denominational staff, was written for the newsletter of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.–and may provide a model for how other congregations remember and honor conscientious objectors:
Civilian Public Service Camps Mark 70th Anniversaries
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of a number of the Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps where Church of the Brethren conscientious objectors worked during World War II. Some 15 CPS camps overseen by the Brethren Service Committee opened in 1942.
Youth Peace Travel Team Is Named for 2012
The 2012 Youth Peace Travel Team has been named. As they spend time with junior and senior high youth this summer at camps across the Church of the Brethren, the team will teach about peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Hosler to Serve as Advocacy Officer in Joint Appointment with NCC
Nathan Hosler has accepted a position as advocacy officer with the Church of the Brethren, effective March 1. Located in Washington, D.C., this is a shared position with the National Council of Churches.
What Makes for Peace? A Nomination for Okinawa Peace Prize
Since 1895 the world recognizes individuals through the Nobel Prize for achievements in various fields such as economics, physics, literature, or medicine. The Nobel Peace Prize is the best known and perhaps the most revered prize as it recognizes a peacemaker in a world that is often in conflict. There is another peace prize award. It is not as well known and has a history only since 2001. It is the Okinawa Peace Prize.
Brethren Colleges Hold Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
A number of colleges related to the Church of the Brethren are holding special events to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, including Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., and Manchester College in N. Manchester, Ind. (information is from college press releases).
Church’s Elgin Warehouse to Be Collection Point for MLK Food Drive
The warehouse at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., is to be the collection point for the city’s food drive commemorating Martin Luther King Day. Food collected over the weekend by churches and schools will be brought to the warehouse at 1451 Dundee Ave. for sorting and distribution to area food pantries and the Community Crisis Center.
World Interfaith Harmony Week is Feb. 1-7
On Oct. 20, 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution designating the first week in February to be an annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. The General Assembly called for dialogue among the different religions internationally, nationally, and locally to enhance interfaith harmony and cooperation.
Newsline for December 29, 2011
The Dec. 29, 2011, issue of the Church of the Brethren Newsline offers the following stories: 1) GFCF gives grants to Rural Service Center, Brethren group in Congo; 2) EDF sends money to Thailand, Cambodia for flood response; 3) Brethren staff leave North Korea for Christmas break; 4) Hoslers conclude their service in Nigeria, report on peace work; 5) NCC condemns attack on worshipers in Nigeria; 6) BVS Europe welcomes largest number of volunteers since 2004; 7) Juniata takes action during Sandusky investigation; 8) Royer retires as manager of Global Food Crisis Fund; 9) Blevins resigns as advocacy officer, ecumenical peace coordinator; 10) World Interfaith Harmony Week is Feb. 1-7; 11) Peace meditation: Reflections from a BVS volunteer in Europe; 12) Brethren bits.