Brethren bits for May 1, 2020

— “We want to recognize your seniors! Tell us who they are and send a picture!” said an invitation from “Messenger” magazine and the Youth and Young Adult Ministry. This is an effort to give special recognition to the high school and college/university classes of 2020, who because of the pandemic are missing out on many beloved,

Church of the Brethren’s summer workcamps are canceled

From the Workcamp Ministry It is with a heavy heart that we are writing to announce the decision to cancel all workcamps this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In cancelling workcamps, we are choosing to prioritize health and safety and protect workcamp participants, local communities, and service site partners from unnecessary risk. Please know

National Young Adult Conference to be held virtually in 2020, in-person in 2021

By Becky Ullom Naugle Double dipping! Who doesn’t love two scoops rather than one? National Young Adult Conference (NYAC) will happen two years in a row: once virtually in 2020, and in-person in 2021. The NYAC 2020 theme, “Love in Action,” based on Romans 12:9-18, invites us to make our love for God’s children visible.

Zoom call yields creative ideas for this year’s National Youth Sunday

By Nolan McBride On April 14, the Church of the Brethren Youth and Young Adult Ministries hosted a Zoom meeting for youth advisors to share ideas for celebrating Youth Sunday in the era of COVID-19. This year, National Youth Sunday is scheduled for May 3. Given the fact that most congregations cannot currently meet in

Brethren bits for April 11, 2020

n this issue: Brethren Village reports COVID-19 cases and deaths, Juniata professor develops new way to test for COVID-19, “New Yorker” piece on hospice care in China features Church of the Brethren worker, National Youth Sunday Idea Swap, Good News Youth Devotional, new online form to submit information for Messenger “Turning Points” pages, and more.

Rwanda workcamp is postponed to May 2021

By Hannah Shultz The Workcamp Ministry of the Church of the Brethren has made the decision to postpone the Rwanda workcamp until May 2021. This decision was made based on current coronavirus trends, recommendations from the CDC, and travel advisories from the State Department that suggest that international travel will not be safe in the

Brethren bits for March 28, 2020

—Brethren Benefit Trust through the Church Workers Assistance Fund has created a COVID-19 Emergency Grant Program. The program has a streamlined application process to provide financial support to church workers (pastors, office staff, etc.) whose financial situation is adversely affected because of COVID-19 related issues. This would include help for bi-vocational pastors whose non-church work

Christian Citizenship Seminar 2020 is cancelled

By Becky Ullom Naugle Due to the continued concerns related to the coronavirus, Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS) 2020 has been cancelled. Staff laments this cancellation but cannot continue making plans in the current environment. Had the event taken place as planned on April 25-30, more than 40 youth and advisors from 11 districts would have

Church of the Brethren staff plan to go forward with spring and summer events, while monitoring circumstances surrounding coronavirus

The Church of the Brethren staff planning events this spring and summer do not intend to make any cancellations because of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). However, they are assessing risks and monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health authorities to plan ahead for eventualities and circumstances beyond their control. Brethren

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