Clergy of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have counted 107 farms harvested by Boko Haram said Mishak T. Madziga, EYN district secretary for the Wagga district, in an exclusive interview. In addition, he reported several deaths of EYN members at the hands of the terrorists. EYN president Joel S. Billi, who was in the area to celebrate the autonomy of a new local congregation, confirmed the report of many farmers losing their farms to Boko Haram in this critical time of harvest.
Peace
29th October: A day to remember
This poetic reflection on the experience of members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) when under attack by Boko Haram was written by Sara Zakariya Musa and contributed to Newsline by Zakariya Musa who serves as head of EYN Media.
Churches for Middle East Peace offers resources on Israel and Palestine conflict
The ecumenical organization Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which the Church of the Brethren is a member denomination, is offering a variety of resources for acting and praying for peace in Israel and Palestine, and for gaining a better understanding of the conflict there.
Buscando la paz en Israel y Palestina: Declaración de la Junta de Misión y Ministerio
La Junta de Misión y Ministerio de la Iglesia de los Hermanos adoptó el 21 de octubre una declaración sobre “Buscar la paz en Israel y Palestina”. La acción se tomó durante las reuniones de la junta de otoño de 2023 en las oficinas generales de la denominación en Elgin, Illinois.
Seeking peace in Israel and Palestine: A Mission and Ministry Board statement
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board on Oct. 21 adopted a statement on “Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine.” The action was taken during the board’s fall 2023 meetings at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Brethren bits for Oct. 19, 2023
In this issue: Special group photos from NOAC, job opening, webinar recording from Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church, latest GFI newsletter, Christian Churches Together reporting, Elizabethtown College 125th anniversary in 2024, several releases and statements on Israel and Palestine from ecumenical partner organizations, and a prayer for peace.
Church of the Brethren general secretary sends pastoral letter to the Armenian community
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele has sent a pastoral letter to the Armenian community following the Azerbaijan attack against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) which forced the Armenian population to flee the area. The letter was sent to Archbishop Vicken Aykazian on behalf of the Armenian Church of America, the global Armenian Orthodox fellowship, and the Armenian community worldwide, with particular attention to the Armenian members and attenders within the Church of the Brethren.
Church of the Brethren and the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy join ecumenical and interfaith calls for ceasefire in Israel and Palestine
The Church of the Brethren has joined more than 20 Christian churches and organizations in the United States in sending a letter to the United States Congress mourning the loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and calling for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The denomination’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signed an interfaith letter to the Biden administration and Congress, dated Oct. 16, also calling for a ceasefire.
BFIA grants support Gun Buy Back Program, Blessing Box, and more projects at eight Church of the Brethren congregations
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has aided eight Church of the Brethren congregations with its latest round of grants, including a grant of $5,000 for a Gun Buy Back Program of Spirit of Peace Church in partnership with a local municipal program administered by the state police. The fund provides grants using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
For a common spiritual cause: Prayer walk is sponsored by Virlina Peace Affairs Committee
Sponsored by the Virlina District’s Peace Affairs Committee, the walk was a new addition to the district calendar, designed as an intentional response to both rising incidents of gun violence in the city of Roanoke, Va., and recent efforts to understand and reverse the impacts of racism in the city.
