{"id":27286,"date":"2026-06-12T03:07:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T03:07:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27286"},"modified":"2026-06-13T03:25:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T03:25:43","slug":"brethren-bits-112","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/brethren-bits-112\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren bits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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— Global Mission prayer requests:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The South Sudan pastoral team<\/strong> will be receiving training in Church of the Brethren theology and practices from June 16-21 with Athanasus Ungang, country director for South Sudan, and Bishop Expert Bukene and pastor Felicien Nkunzimana from Burundi Church of the Brethren leading the sessions. Please pray for safety as they travel and for good teaching outcomes for all who participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From La Iglesia de los Hermanos (IHRD),<\/strong> a Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, is a request \u201cto pray for the growth of all the Brethren churches where we have influence and for a spiritual awakening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Iglesia Cristiana Viviendo en Amor y Fe in Honduras <\/strong>requests prayer for rain and for air quality issues due to smoke with high levels of carbon monoxide pollution and heat waves. \u201cWe ask for your prayers for the people and the government of Honduras,\u201d the prayer request continued. \u201cThe violence has intensified. On May 21, in less than 6 hours, there were 2 massacres, and 26 people lost their lives. In one location most were workers on an African palm plantation. According to reports, they were celebrating a service before starting their work. In the other area, 6 members of the national police force and 3 people who were in a building were killed\u2026. May 20, our Congress passed a law authorizing the military to take to the streets to combat extortion, gangs, and organized crime. God save Honduras.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L\u2019Eglise des Freres au Congo,<\/strong> the Church of the Brethren in Democratic Republic of Congo, requests prayer for the area of the globe where the Ebola disease is spreading including the DRC provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where many Church of the Brethren congregations are located. \u201cPray for those who are sick, that they may get well and regain their strength; for those in governmental and medical organizations as they work to reduce the spread of the disease; for those whose daily lives have been upset by both the disease and the restrictions in place to reduce its spread; and for those who are mourning the deaths of loved ones. May God bless the people of DR Congo with a swift reversal of the impacts of this highly contagious and life-threatening illness and a cessation of new infections.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Church of the Brethren in Uganda<\/strong> also requests prayer to help stop the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Uganda and DRC. \u201cAs the number of Ebola cases are increasing, there is a lot of fear and uncertainty, especially in areas where cases have been reported and in districts bordering DR Congo. Blessings on all who pray with us. Always remembering that God is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1), please join us in praying.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The latest Newsline podcast is out and available at www.brethren.org\/news\/podcast<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) fall applications are due June 24.<\/strong> \u201cApplications for the fall orientation unit will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 24. This is the last opportunity to apply to volunteer for the 2026-2027 year!\u201d said an announcement. This fall orientation for BVS Unit 340 takes place Sept. 15-23 at Camp Emmaus in Mount Morris, Ill. If you have questions about becoming a volunteer or would like more information, please reach out via email to bvs@brethren.org<\/a>. The application to join BVS can be found at www.brethren.org\/bvs\/volunteer\/apply<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The FaithX summer has kicked off with the first trips of the summer schedule taking place this month.<\/strong> On June 14-19, participants will be serving at SPARK in Winston-Salem, N.C., engaging in relationship-building, education, storytelling, and service alongside former or currently unhoused individuals. On June 14-22, adult participants will travel to Northern Ireland to visit and volunteer with several of the current Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) projects in Belfast, as well as learn more about the country\u2019s history and witness how faith shapes healing in a place marked by division. \u201cKeep an eye on our social media accounts to see photos and updates from these trips!\u201d said the FaithX announcement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

— The National Council of Churches is seeking to fill two positions: Associate General Secretary, and Assistant Project Coordinator.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Associate General Secretary and Director, Faith and Order, Interreligious Relations and Collaboration, International Affairs and Peace: <\/strong>This is a full-time, exempt position with the location: hybrid, New York City metropolitan area preferred. The position summary: \u201cThe National Council of Churches\u2019 Associate General Secretaries serve the organization at a level just below the President\/General Secretary. In this capacity, they help to lead the Council by representing the policy positions of the organization, carrying out duties assigned by the President\/General Secretary, and directing the programmatic work required by the convening tables and other critical areas. The Council is seeking an AGS to direct three distinct programmatic areas: Faith and Order, which carries out pertinent theological study related to the Council\u2019s work; Interreligious Relations and Collaboration, which nurtures and conducts the Council\u2019s interaction with other faith communities; and International Affairs and Peace, which articulates the Council\u2019s positions on matters affecting the world community. For this role, the NCC is seeking a highly motivated, organized, detail-oriented, theologically trained individual who is able to guide the work of the Faith & Order and Interreligious Relations & Collaboration Convening Tables as well as provide NCC with guidance and direction as it pertains to international affairs and peace. The person in this role will promote, advance and support the mission of the Council.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Assistant Project Coordinator:<\/strong> This full-time, exempt position has the location: hybrid, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia preferred. The position summary: \u201cThe NCC is seeking a highly organized, detail oriented, multifaceted, and motivated individual for the position of Project Coordinator to help with planning, logistics, and clerical support for special projects, programs, events, and activities. This role will provide essential research, writing, administrative, strategic and logistical support to NCC staff on projects related to the mission, goals, and objectives of NCC. This position requires the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, as well as exceptional organizational, research and communication skills. The Project Coordinator will be expected to live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and work in the office at least three days per week. The Project Coordinator reports to the President\/General Secretary and Senior Associate General Secretary & Advocacy Director.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the full job descriptions and how to apply, go to https:\/\/nationalcouncilofchurches.us\/ncc-is-hiring<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cCan you guess what sites we’ll be visiting?\u201d said an announcement from On Earth Peace of this virtual tour of sites to help people learn about the history of conscientious objection in the Church of the Brethren, while raising funds for the agency\u2019s 3,000 Miles for Peace effort.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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— On Earth Peace has announced its third annual 3,000 Miles for Peace fundraiser. <\/strong>\u201cThis year, we\u2019re especially excited because one of our children\u2019s programming mascots, Orby, is joining us for the race! Orby is very curious about our new conscientious objection program and is eager to learn more,\u201d said an announcement. \u201cAs Annual Conference attendees in Fort Wayne, IN head home, Orby will start a tour of sites that will help us together learn about the history of conscientious objection in the Church of the Brethren and what it looks like to be a conscientious objector today. Once the race starts, we\u2019ll be able to track our collective progress toward helping Orby reach each stop along the way to the final destination in Washington, DC\u2026. Throughout the month of July, the OEP community will collectively walk, run, dance, swim, shoot hoops\u2013anything!\u2013to accumulate miles towards our goal. Money raised through the 3000 Miles for Peace event will go towards On Earth Peace’s work to develop young peacemakers, including through our new \u2018I Object! Now What?\u2019 conscientious objection program.\u201d 3,000 Miles for Peace is hosted through a platform called Racery. To participate, go to https:\/\/onearthpeace.racery.com\/r\/2026-miles-for-peace<\/a> and click the \u201cJOIN NOW!\u201d button. Registrants will have access to a dashboard that includes a fundraising link and a link to invite others to join. There is a $25 registration fee. Find out more about On Earth Peace at www.onearthpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

— \u201cWe filled the library lobby: browsing the timeline, thumbing through decades of t-shirts, greeting old friends, meeting new friends, and eating popcorn as we gathered for Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests\u2019 50th Anniversary, May 29-31,\u201d<\/strong> reports Anna Lisa Gross in a blogpost for BMC. \u201cMost of the weekend’s activities took place at the Tretter Collection\u2026the largest LGBTQ-specific archival repository in the upper Midwest, located within the Elmer L. Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Now housed at the Tretter are BMC\u2019s 50-year archives\u2014which curator Aiden Bettine highlighted in BMC 50th pop-up exhibits\u2014as is our 50th Anniversary gathering itself. Many participants shared oral histories to add to BMC\u2019s archives. Storytelling was part of every event, from the formal story showcase on Saturday evening to the impromptu and Spirit-led sharing in our parting Sunday service\u2026. Our gathering held the pain of homophobia and transphobia, the grief of so many friends who gave up on the church and who the church gave up, the despair of denominations stuck and splintering. And mostly we celebrated! 50 years of resistance and resilience. 50 years of resisting cruelty and ignorance. 50 years of caring for each other well. 50 years of creativity, faithfulness, courage and compassion.\u201d Find the full blogpost at www.bmclgbt.org\/reflections-on-bmc-s-50th-anniversary-gathering-anna-lisa-gross<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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— The Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio, is holding a Book Sale\u2013Garage Sale<\/strong> from Thursday, June 18, through Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Advertised is a special one-time \u201cfriend\u201d discount (10 percent) on Brethren new and used books for everyone. Garage sale books are 50 cents each for hard-back and 25 cents each for paperback. State sales tax will be charged. \u201cSpecial Daily discounts may be offered!!\u201d said the announcement. \u201cThis is your opportunity to visit the center on a Thursday and\/or Friday!\u201d The center is located at 428 N. Wolf Creek St. #4, Brookville, OH 45309; 937-833-5222.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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— The World Council of Churches (WCC) has renewed its commitment to God\u2019s creation<\/strong> in a time of accelerating environmental crisis. The WCC executive committee in meetings this week has released a statement recognizing that \u201cwe are living in a time of profound ecological breakdown and deepening human suffering, tearing the interconnected design of all that God has created,\u201d said a release. \u201cAcross the world, communities are experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, wars, and widening inequalities,\u201d reads the statement, in part. \u201cForests burn, waters are polluted, species disappear, lands become barren, and entire peoples are uprooted from their homes.\u201d The statement urges prophetic witness and concrete action by churches, including persevering in \u201cadvocacy for ambitious and equitable policies\u201d and \u201cusing legal strategies and processes\u2013accompanied by the WCC\u2013to promote climate justice and accountability.\u201d The statement calls on governments and the international community to \u201cprioritize sustainability, rehabilitation, justice, and long-term socio-economic resilience.\u201d Read the full statement at https:\/\/oikoumene.org\/resources\/documents\/wcc-executive-committee-statement-on-renewing-commitment-to-the-integrity-of-creation-in-a-time-of-accelerating-environmental-crisis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Paul Jeffrey \/ Life on Earth, courtesy of the WCC<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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— In another action of its executive committee, the WCC also has renewed its commitment to peacemaking.<\/strong> In a statement entitled \u201cFrom the Proliferation of War to the Way of Just Peace: A Renewed Ecumenical Appeal,\u201d the executive committee called churches to work for peace with every means at their disposal. \u201cThe ecumenical fellowship has spoken clearly and consistently: war is contrary to God\u2019s will,\u201d the statement reads, in part. \u201cThis foundational affirmation, reaffirmed by WCC governing bodies across many decades and many contexts, is a summons to prophetic witness and courageous action.\u201d The statement calls on churches and religious leaders to resist and repudiate the use of misleading and irresponsible theologies to justify war wherever they appear, including within their own traditions. The statement also affirms the WCC\u2019s continued accompaniment of member churches in all regions affected by conflict. Read the full statement at https:\/\/oikoumene.org\/resources\/documents\/wcc-executive-committee-statement-from-the-proliferation-of-war-to-the-way-of-just-peace-a-renewed-ecumenical-appeal<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n