{"id":25920,"date":"2025-09-13T19:42:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=25920"},"modified":"2025-09-13T19:42:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:42:21","slug":"brethren-bits-85","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2025\/brethren-bits-85\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren bits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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— An urgent prayer request was shared by the Global Mission office<\/strong> of the Church of the Brethren following an automobile accident involving a regional Church of the Brethren team in the Great Lakes area of Africa. On Sunday evening, Sept. 7, the group was returning from the Musenyi Congolese refugee camp in the Rutana Province of Burundi, after having been in the camp for four days to implement aid activities including distributions in support of the refugees, workshops on gender-based sexual violence, trauma-healing workshops, and a visit to a temporary church building under construction on some recently purchased church land. Members of the team included Expert Bukene, president of the Church of the Brethren in Burundi; program accountant Uhangya Norbert; the driver; a volunteer; a facilitator; and Shabani Bitiens, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo. \u201cBy God’s grace, most of the brothers are already feeling better,\u201d reported Global Mission executive Sharon Brugger Norton. \u201cHowever, Pastor Shabani Bitiens has suffered painful injuries to his legs, which are inhibiting his ability to walk. He is undergoing further tests to establish a precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Please pray for these leaders and staff that they may soon recover completely and return home safely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— The Church of the Brethren mission in South Sudan delivered aid supplies<\/strong> to people in Mayom County of Unity State and Abiemnom County of Ruweng Administrative Area in mid-August. The aid reached some 6,500 households or some 30,500 people, and gained media attention from King Media. Kerbino Pow, program manager for the mission and the Brethren Global Services, is among several people quoted in the report at https:\/\/kingmediassd.com\/brethren-church-donates-non-food-items-to-mayom-abiemnom-residents<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— A first-ever volleyball tournament gained media attention for Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria<\/strong> (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Organized by the denominational leadership, the tournament saw 12 district teams participate at EYN headquarters in Kwarhi, reported the Sunday Trust, via a post on MSN. \u201cJimeta District Church Council (DCC) has emerged champions,\u201d the report said. \u201cJimeta DCC defeated Maiduguri DCC in the final while Yola DCC clinched the third position. The president of EYN, Reverend Dr. Daniel Mbaya\u2026said the weeklong event was aimed at promoting unity in the church using sports.\u201d Go to www.msn.com\/en-xl\/africa\/nigeria\/jimeta-dcc-wins-maiden-eyn-volleyball-tourney\/ar-AA1MbW53<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— The Church of the Brethren seeks candidates for the part-time, 20-hour weekly position of Buildings and Grounds assistant<\/strong> at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. This position performs custodial services for the General Offices and provides support for tasks such as room set-up, mail, supplies, equipment, maintenance, warehouse operations, and other duties as assigned by the director of Buildings and Grounds. Key performance accountabilities include maintaining a high standard of safety, cleanliness, and efficiency. Required skills and knowledge include ability to relate with integrity and respect within and beyond the organization; knowledge and experience in building operations and facilities management; ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer; skills in oral and written communication; ability to work with minimal supervision. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical skills are helpful but not required. At least five years of Buildings and Grounds operations experience is helpful but not required. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Applications are being received and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org<\/a>. The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This fall\u2019s Intercultural Jubilee has been postponed. <\/strong>The organizers plan to share more information soon.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Annual Conference officers <\/strong>met with the Program and Arrangements Committee, the Conference office staff, and the worship team for the 2026 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren in late August at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Shown here, from left: Debbie Noffsinger,<\/strong> Conference assistant; Amber Harris<\/strong>, Program and Arrangements Committee; Andy Duffey<\/strong>, worship team; Gail Heisel<\/strong>, Program and Arrangements; Jim Chinworth<\/strong>, worship team; Laura Sellers<\/strong>, Program and Arrangements; Dennis Beckner,<\/strong> Annual Conference moderator-elect; Don Fitzkee<\/strong>, Annual Conference moderator; David Shumate<\/strong>, Annual Conference secretary; Cristal Herrera<\/strong>, worship team; Marty Keeney<\/strong>, music coordinator; and Rhonda Pittman Gingrich<\/strong>, director of Annual Conference. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Peace Table: A Storybook Bible<\/strong> for children from the Shine curriculum jointly published by Brethren Press and MennoMedia is on sale through the end of September. Any quantity purchased through Sept. 30 will receive a 20 percent discount. Go to https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/brethren\/shine-storybook-bible-sale-2025<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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— On Earth Peace is offering an online event providing an overview of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation<\/strong> at 6 p.m. (Eastern time) on Sept. 22. \u201cKingian Nonviolence is an approach to conflict and community leadership that offers values and methods useful for anyone who wants to use conflict constructively in your personal life, in group settings, or in community issues and building a reconciled world,\u201d said the announcement. This two-hour webinar covers the 4 pillars of Kingian Nonviolence, initial introduction to the 6 principles and 6 steps or the \u201cWill\u201d and the \u201cSkill\u201d of Kingian Nonviolence, the social dynamics of Kingian Nonviolence. The training is co-facilitated by Mark A. Friedman and Mary Quigley. Go to www.onearthpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— McPherson (Kan.) College has announced a new partnership with the University of Kansas School of Nursing<\/strong> that will make it possible for McPherson students to earn a bachelor of science in nursing with courses beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. \u201cThe collaboration strengthens McPherson College\u2019s commitment to addressing healthcare needs in rural Kansas,\u201d said a release from the college\u2026. Students enrolling in the program will complete 60 credits of prerequisite nursing courses at the McPherson campus. They will be eligible for guaranteed admissions into the KU nursing program and complete the remaining 60 credits of nursing courses at the KU campus in Salina and online, while remaining at McPherson College. Nursing degrees will be awarded by KU.\u201d The release cited a report published last fall by the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center finding a direct correlation between the number of nurses per 1,000 residents and county health outcome rankings, and anticipating continued nursing shortages in Kansas within the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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— The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) holds its 75th anniversary celebration gathering<\/strong> on Oct. 13-16 in Boston, Mass. \u201cThe National Council of Churches was founded in 1950 during a time of tumult following the end of World War II. Now, 75 years later, we are in another time of tumult where Christian unity and witness for justice is vitally important,\u201d said an announcement. \u201cYou are invited to join us in Boston as we celebrate the dedicated work of generations of leaders who have shown us the way as we face today’s challenges and chart a course for the future. Come and remember those who came before us, celebrate today’s Christian witnesses, and experience the future of ecumenism.\u201d Learn more and find a registration link at https:\/\/nationalcouncilofchurches.us\/ncc75<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

— \u201cA Death Sentence: Aid Agencies Warn of Israel’s Assault on Gaza City\u201d is the title of a joint statement<\/strong> by some 45 humanitarian and civil society organizations, and distributed by Churches for Middle East Peace. The Church of the Brethren is a partner denomination for CMEP. \u201cIntensified Israeli military attacks on Gaza City and forced displacement orders for the entire city are leaving families with an impossible dilemma: flee and risk death on the road and in overcrowded displacement areas, or stay and face relentless bombardment in their shelters,\u201d said the statement, in part. \u201cStarvation and siege await them regardless\u2026. Nearly one million Palestinians, starved, grieving, and displaced many times over, remain in Gaza City. If Israel\u2019s operation in Gaza City continues, hospitals will be cut off and attacked, shelters and schools bombed, aid convoys blocked, and those too weak, old, or sick to flee will be left to die.\u201d Signers include the American Friends Service Committee, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mennonite Central Committee, Christian Aid, Oxfam, and many others. Find a link to the full statement at https:\/\/cmep.org\/press-news\/public-statements-letters<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Resources for the \u201cWorld Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel\u201d have been published by the World Council of Churches<\/strong> (WCC) to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the week of Sept. 20-26. The theme this year is \u201cWe Must Give Account,\u201d taken from Hebrews 4:13. \u201cThe week aims to encourage people of faith to pray for, and work towards, an end to Israeli occupation and oppression, and allowing both Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace,\u201d said a release. \u201cDuring the special week\u2014which includes the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September\u2014church organizations, congregations, and people of faith are encouraged to bear a common witness by participating in prayer services, educational events, and acts of support in favor of peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis.\u201d The resources include poetry, a liturgy, testimonies, stories, prayers, and reflections. Go to https:\/\/oikoumene.org\/events\/world-week-for-peace-in-palestine-and-israel-0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Peter Barlow,<\/strong> a member of Montezuma Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Va., currently attending a Mennonite church, and a graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College, has announced his candidacy for Congress in Virginia’s Sixth District (Pete-Barlow.com). \u201cWe need to advocate for Anabaptist values which are on such short supply right now,\u201d he wrote to Newsline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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