When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021, Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren member Sherri Kimmel worried about the family of a student she’d met through her work at Bucknell University. Her efforts to help that family led her to Church World Service (CWS), one of nine national organizations working with the US government to resettle the 76,000 Afghans lucky enough to reach the United States.
Tag: Peace
Chernihiv (Chernigov) Brethren pastor returns to city, finds meetinghouse miraculously undamaged
“Last week Alex and I had opportunity to Facetime, something we had not done in several weeks. He and his family are back at their home in Chernihiv (Chernigov). I was able to extend greetings to all the family…. The family is doing well, particularly in light of the circumstances….”
Children’s Disaster Services team deploys to Uvalde
A team of six Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) volunteers traveled this morning to Uvalde, Texas, to provide specialized assistance to children and families impacted by the shooting. These volunteers are experienced and specially trained for critical responses that involved the loss of lives.
Shipment from Brethren Service Center sends relief to Ukraine
“This shipment has been in the works for quite a while but FINALLY is on its way,” reported Loretta Wolf, director of Material Resources for the Church of the Brethren.
Middlebury Church sponsors book event on peacemaking legacy of Michael Sharp
We believe in working for peace, not war. We try to live in harmony with our families, our friends, and our neighbors. But very few go out seeking violent places and trying to bring the peace of Jesus to people even there. Michael “MJ” Sharp was one of those who did.
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs on to letter to President Biden encouraging creative peacebuilding for Ukraine
The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signed on to an April 6 letter to President Biden, that was sent cooperatively with several other partner organizations. The letter called on the President to “think creatively about how to end this catastrophe rather than maintaining it through violence and escalations” and offered “examples of creative, courageous nonviolent resistance.”
Nothing quite compares to this: A reflection on the war in Ukraine
As director of Humanitarian and Disaster Response for World Relief, and someone who has attended a Church of the Brethren congregation for many years, I am stunned and saddened by what is happening in Ukraine. As a member of the Integral Alliance, World Relief has witnessed many natural and man-made disasters over the years. Nothing quite compares to this.
Mission and Ministry Board’s Spring meeting addresses Ukraine, reviews Strategic Plan initiatives and BFIA guidelines, among other business
A statement on the war in Ukraine topped the agenda of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board at its meeting on March 11-13, held in person at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and via Zoom. Chair Carl Fike led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board issues statement on Ukraine, calls for time of concerted prayer and action for peacebuilding
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board issued a statement on Ukraine during its Spring meeting at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Board chair Carl Fike, who led the meeting, signed the statement with the unanimous consent of the members of the board.
Brethren Disaster Ministries distributes first round of grant money for Ukraine crisis
Responding to this crisis will be a massive, multi-year effort. Brethren Disaster Ministries is working with partners to determine the best avenues of support, including immediate assistance as well as a longer-term response. An initial Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant of $10,000 has been given to CORUS International.