Six youth and two advisors from across the denomination came together for a year and a half of meetings and brainstorming sessions before finally arriving at Fort Collins, Colo., for National Youth Conference (NYC). Each member was recommended for the job of working with Kelsey Murray, NYC coordinator, and Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, to create NYC.
Tag: Spiritual Life
Deep dive: NYC small groups explore ideas, broaden their faith together
The small group experience at National Youth Conference (NYC) felt similar to Sunday school for Aubrey, a youth participant from Maryland. Her small group was a setting that encouraged everyone to contribute to the discussions as they wished.
Deep dive: Finding God’s Spirit moving among the nations
Sisters Julia and Marina Moneta Facini travelled from São Paulo, Brazil, to attend National Youth Conference. They were two of six international participants who were able to get visas to attend the conference through the Church of the Brethren Global Mission and Service.
‘Poetry is something you discover’
As Wendy McFadden introduced the session “Poetry: Read It. Write It,” she remarked that it is the first or only insight session on the specific topic of poetry that she is aware of in her history with Annual Conference. If that is the case, Ken Gibble stepped up to the plate.
‘Vitality and Viability’ report focuses on providing resources for renewed vitality
The report titled “Vitality and Viability” and its recommendations were adopted by the 2018 Annual Conference. The study committee that brought this report was formed to address concerns raised at the 2015 Annual Conference, which returned a query about district structure but assigned to this committee the broader topic of viability within congregations, districts, and the denomination.
A BRF leader reflects on how a divided house can stand
Eric Brubaker, a member of the ministry team at Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, admitted his apprehension at wrestling with the ramifications of the assigned topic, “How can a divided house stand?” at an insight session sponsored by the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF). In keeping with the Annual Conference theme, “Living Parables,” the selected scripture was Mark 3:20-26. Key verses are 24-26, referring to a kingdom and a house divided, and Satan risen up against himself.
‘Inglenook Desserts,’ Joseph Bible study, children’s Advent devotional now available from Brethren Press
Church of the Brethren Newsline June 25, 2018Three new Brethren Press books are now available: “Inglenook Desserts,” the latest in the Inglenook cookbooks series offering recipes from Brethren kitchens; “25 Days to Jesus: A Children’s Advent Devotional” written by Christy Waltersdorff and illustrated by Mitch Miller; and “Joseph,” a Covenant Bible Study written by Eugene F. Roop.Inglenook
Brethren attend ‘Reclaiming Jesus’ event in nation’s capital
More than half a dozen Brethren attended the major “Reclaiming Jesus” witness event held at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., on May 24. The event, organized by a variety of progressive-leaning Christian leaders, was centered around a series of declarations against lying, misogyny, authoritarianism, xenophobia, and other issues that recently have dominated cultural discourse.
Meeting promotes conversation about biblical inspiration and authority
“What kind of authority does the Bible have for us?” asked Karoline Lewis, one of the keynote presenters at the “Biblical Authority Conversations” on April 23-25. The Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, she joined with Jason Barnhart, director of Brethren Research and Resourcing for the Brethren Church’s denominational office, in leading a group of about 100 Church of the Brethren ministers and lay people at a meeting called by the midwestern districts.
Brethren Press publishes book of poetry by Ken Gibble, among new resources
Brethren Press has published a book of poetry by Ken Gibble, titled “A Poetry of the Soul,” among new resources from the Church of the Brethren denominational publishing house. The summer quarter of the Shine curriculum, jointly produced by Brethren Press and MennoMedia, is now available to order on the theme “God’s Creation.” A new children’s Advent devotional by Christy Waltersdorff and Mitch Miller is anticipated in June.
