The Church of the Brethren’s Standing with People of Color Committee is pleased to share two announcements
Standing with People of Color Committee offers resource list, pre-Annual Conference briefing
resources
Standing with People of Color Committee offers resources
Resources to facilitate learning and growth from the Church of the Brethren Standing with People of Color Committee are part of the three-year denomination-wide study/action process. Kindly read through and share within your own congregation or district.
National Youth Cabinet sets theme for youth Sunday 2024
The National Youth Cabinet met Feb. 2-4, 2024, to discern the theme for National Youth Sunday. The cabinet selected Jeremiah 29:11 as their focus scripture, with the theme “Your life; God’s direction.”
Shine curriculum introduces Shine Everywhere
The Shine curriculum of Brethren Press and MennoMedia is introducing a new initiative called Shine Everywhere. Shine Everywhere will provide new avenues of communication between those who create Shine curriculum and the congregations and families who use it. The purpose of the new initiative is to listen attentively to congregations and families and then incorporate their input into new Shine resources.
Lenten devotional for 2024, ‘Through Thick and Thin,’ is available from Brethren Press
Through Thick and Thin: Devotions for Ash Wednesday Through Easter, written by Beth Sollenberger, is the 2024 Lenten devotional from Brethren Press. This year, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14. The daily devotions continue through Easter Sunday, March 31.
In the glow of the Christmas tree lights, let us remember the forests
This year “The People’s Tree” comes from Monongahela National Forest in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. While it makes its way from town to town on its tour to Washington, D.C., its old-growth arboreal neighbors in the forest are at risk of being harvested for timber.
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.
The new NFWM Harvest of Justice: Studying farmworkers and racism
The Office of Peacebuilding and Policy encourages congregational study of the situation of farmworkers, with new resources provided by its long-standing partner the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM).
Brethren Press offers new Bible study resources for children and adults, and Vacation Bible School curriculum
New resources offered through Brethren Press, the Church of the Brethren publishing house, include several new Bible study resources for children and adults, as well as a new Vacation Bible School curriculum for this summer, and the Lenten devotional for 2023.
Resources are available for mental health, wellbeing, and congregations
Increasingly, mental health has become a critical topic with congregational leadership as churches deal with mental illness and addictions. COVID-19 has highlighted the challenges and needs of congregations to minister effectively to people combating health and wellness problems.