In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund is announcing that any grant requests related to the virus will be eligible for double matching through the fund. The fund’s parent agency is announcing a name change in celebration of its 135th anniversary. The former Brethren Mutual Aid Agency is now known as the Mutual Aid Agency, or MAA.
Tag: Stewardship
Giving to denominational ministries falls behind last year’s totals
Giving to Church of the Brethren denominational ministries as of the end of April has fallen short of giving during the first four months of 2019. The shortfall is significant, with total combined giving by congregations and individuals falling behind last year by more than $320,000.
Brethren Benefit Trust updates its Department of Defense screening lists for 2020
By Jean Bednar, director of communications for Brethren Benefit Trust Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has released the 2020 Department of Defense lists that are used for screening investments under its management. All investments managed for members, clients, and donors follow Brethren Values Investing guidelines that are consistent with Church of the Brethren Annual Conference statements.
Ecumenical Stewardship Center offers helpful guide to implement online giving
By Joshua Brockway Congregational leaders often do not think of funding needs in the first quarter of the year. The budget preparations feel like they just finished, and we already did the annual giving appeal. Every congregational treasurer will remind us, however, that the expenses don’t stop after the budget is passed, and neither can
New Ventures in Christian Discipleship season to begin September 28
By Kendra Flory The Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College is moving into its eighth year of providing useful, affordable education to small church congregations. The first two online courses of the year will focus on creation care. All classes are donation-based and continuing education credit is available for $10 per course.
Brian Bultman resigns as CFO of the Church of the Brethren
Brian Bultman has resigned as chief financial officer and executive director of organizational resources for the Church of the Brethren to pursue an opportunity as vice president of finance and CFO at Central Credit Union of Illinois in Bellwood. Over the course of his career he has held leading management positions at several credit unions in Illinois and Maryland.
Faith leaders gather in Flint for environmental justice tour, plan for ecumenical water justice action
From May 13-14 in Flint, Mich., 23 board members of Creation Justice Ministries, an ecumenical eco-justice organization, gathered to pray, learn, and act for water justice. The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is an active member, and membership affords opportunities to network with other Christian communions, denominations, and fellowships with active commitments to protect, restore, and more rightly share God’s creation.
Newsline for March 22, 2019
NEWS 1) Housing allowance is upheld by appeals court2) Faith, civil, and human rights groups join to urge official visit by UN independent expert to investigate racism in the United States3) Sili buried beside husband at Chibok, among recent losses of EYN members4) Nigeria Crisis Response work continues amidst the violence PERSONNEL 5) BVS volunteers
New parking lot tax may affect some congregations
A change to the Internal Revenue Code imposes a new tax on parking facilities owned by nonprofits, and may affect some churches. This new business income tax provision is found in Section 512(a)(7) of the code.
Shannon McNeil to be on team of advocates for Mission Advancement
Shannon McNeil has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as a fulltime Mission Advancement advocate, working out of the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. She and Nancy Timbrook McCrickard will serve as a team of advocates working at relationship-building with donors.