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1) Brethren funds distribute $77,958, Brethren Disaster Ministries starts new project in West Virginia<\/span><\/p>\n 2) Church of the Brethren among 500 groups signing letter in support of Syrian refugees<\/span><\/p>\n 3) Manchester University reaches $1.5 million goal for endowed Peace Studies professorship<\/span><\/p>\n RESOURCES<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 4) \u2018Let Us Also Go\u2019 is theme for 2016 Lenten devotional from Brethren Press<\/span><\/p>\n 5) Brethren bits: Remembering Marianne Michael, Brethren Woods hires program directors, Southeastern District seek district executive, Lancaster Church holds 30 years of prayer breakfasts, Nominating Committee meets, BVS announces start of Winter Orientation, Latvian Christians provide resources for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and much more<\/span><\/p>\n Quote of the week:<\/span><\/strong><\/small><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something good about a season that depends on resurrections. Once the coming resurrection is recognized, it\u2019s simply a matter of counting days and being prepared.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n — Chris Bowman in the introduction to the 2016 Lenten devotional from Brethren Press, \u201cLet Us Also Go.\u201d See the story below or go to www.brethrenpress.com<\/a> for more information and to order a copy.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n 1) Brethren funds distribute $77,958, Brethren Disaster Ministries starts new project in West Virginia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A total of $77,958 has been distributed in recent grants from two funds of the Church of the Brethren, the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) and the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF). The grants provide funding for the completion of a Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding project in New Jersey and the start up of a new rebuilding project in West Virginia, as well as a rabbit project in Haiti and assessment of GFCF-sponsored projects in the Africa Great Lakes region.<\/p>\n EDF: Spotswood, N.J.<\/strong><\/p>\n Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed $25,000 from the EDF to close out its rebuilding project in Spotswood, N.J. Since January 2014, volunteers have been working on home repair and rebuilding in various areas of Monmouth County, N.J., most recently with Monmouth County Long Term Recovery Group serving as primary response partner. Until the end of March 2015, this project was funded by a grant from the American Red Cross. Although the recovery work in Monmouth County is still needed, with outside funding options no longer available the local recovery group had to close at the end of 2015. Brethren Disaster Ministries will be working to close out the current project site during the last week of January 2016, preparing to move to a new location in southern West Virginia at the beginning of February for a new flood response project. This grant funds the completion of the rebuilding project in New Jersey.<\/p>\n EDF: Harts, W.Va.<\/strong><\/p>\n Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed an EDF allocation of $45,000 to begin a new rebuilding project site following flooding in West Virginia in March, April, and July of 2015. More than 1,400 families in 32 counties were affected, in an area with high unemployment rates and a nearly 37 percent poverty rate in many counties, and FEMA assistance was denied for all three events, said the grant request. \u201cAn additional challenge is the record number of bridges and water crossing that were damaged or destroyed. A collaborative effort among National VOAD member organizations and committees, state and federal officials, the Army Corp of Engineers, and other public engineering and business sectors has resulted in a pilot project of 20 water crossings to be built in 4 counties.\u201d Brethren Disaster Ministries reported that after monitoring the situation, enough unmet needs were discovered to justify a rebuilding response. Volunteers working on the West Virginia project are expected to help with traditional home repair and rebuilding, but will likely be providing assistance for a bridge project as well. This initial grant will open a new rebuilding project site in Harts, in Lincoln County, W.Va.<\/p>\n GFCF: Africa Great Lakes region<\/strong><\/p>\n A GFCF grant of $4,900 is funding a program evaluation of three GFCF-sponsored projects in the Africa Great Lakes region, in the nations of Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The evaluation is to be conducted in early 2016 by the staff of Ebenezer University of Minembwe, DR Congo. This university was recommended by Charles Franzen, a member of the Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren and country director for World Relief’s Democratic Republic of Congo programs.<\/p>\n GFCF: Haiti<\/strong><\/p>\n A GFCF allocation of $3,058 covers the costs of four training events on rabbit production in Haiti. The recipient of this grant, Hares for Haiti, is a ministry of Juniper Community Missions. The organizer of the trainings, Abe Fisher, is a member of Bunkertown Church of the Brethren in McAlisterville, Pa. One of the four training events will be held for a select group of Haitian Brethren farmers at the Ministry Center of Eglise des Freres d’Haiti. Three members of the agricultural staff of Eglise de Freres d’Haiti attended a training in late 2015, and they recommended the training and feel it would be valuable.<\/p>\n For more about the Global Food Crisis Fund go to www.brethren.org\/gfcf<\/a> . For more about the Emergency Disaster Fund go to www.brethren.org\/edf<\/a> .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2) Church of the Brethren among 500 groups signing letter in support of Syrian refugees<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Church of the Brethren, through action of general secretary Stanley J. Noffsinger and the Office of Public Witness, has signed on to a letter to the US Senate in support of Syrian refugees. The letter also expresses opposition to a piece of legislation being sent to the Senate by the House of Representatives, the \u201cAmerican Security Against Foreign Enemies\u201d (SAFE) Act of 2015 (H.R. 4038).<\/p>\n The Church of the Brethren has a longstanding position of welcome and aid for refugees, expressed in Annual Conference statements such as the 1982 \u201cStatement Addressing the Concern of Undocumented Persons and Refugees in the United States\u201d (online at www.brethren.org\/ac\/statements\/1982refugees.html<\/a> ) and most recently the 2015 \u201cResolution on Christian Minority Communities\u201d (online at www.brethren.org\/ac\/statements\/2015resolutiononchristianminoritycommunities.html<\/a> ).<\/p>\n The letter, organized by the Refugee Council USA and dated today, Jan. 15, has been signed by 199 national organizations and 295 local organizations across the United States. A number of longstanding partners of the Church of the Brethren are on the list including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Refugee and Immigration Ministries, Church World Service, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Mennonite Central Committee US, National Council of Churches, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and the United Church of Christ, among others.<\/p>\n The letter opposes legislation that would stop the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the US. \u201cThe world is witnessing the largest refugee crisis since World War II,\u201d the letter said, in part. \u201cMore than 4 million Syrians have fled from their home country fleeing conflict and violence, and 6.5 million are displaced internally…. Syrian refugees are fleeing exactly the kind of terror that unfolded on the streets of Paris. They have suffered violence just like this for almost five years. Most have lost loved ones to persecution and violence, in addition to having had their country, their community, and everything they own brutally taken from them.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter emphasized the numerous, rigorous screenings that refugees undergo before entering the country as evidence that there is no need for Congress to impose additional restrictions or security measures. \u201cRefugees are the most thoroughly vetted group of people who come to the United States,\u201d the letter said. \u201cSecurity screenings are rigorous and involve the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Department of Defense, and multiple intelligence agencies. Department of Homeland Security officials interview each refugee to determine whether they meet the refugee definition and whether they are admissible to the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter also emphasized the traditional American value of hospitality for those in need: \u201cRefugees have enriched communities across our country and have been part of the American fabric for generations. Historically our nation has responded to every major war or conflict and has resettled refugees from Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East. Closing the door to refugees would be disastrous for not only the refugees themselves, but their family members in the United States who are waiting for them to arrive, and our reputation in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n A related action alert from the Refugee Council USA calls on supporters to contact their senators before a schedule Senate vote on the bill on Jan. 20.<\/p>\n Find the full text of the letter and list of groups that have signed it at www.rcusa.org\/uploads\/Sign-on%20Letter%20Protecting%20Syrian%20Refugees%20Opposing%20SAFE%20Act%20-%201.15.16%20%281%29.pdf<\/a> . Find the action alert at www.rcusa.org\/uploads\/Senate%20Alert%20NO%20on%20HR%204038%201.13.16.pdf<\/a> .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3) Manchester University reaches $1.5 million goal for endowed Peace Studies professorship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n By Anne Gregory, from a Manchester release<\/p>\n Manchester University president Dave McFadden announced today, Jan. 15, that the $1.5 million goal has been reached to establish the Gladdys Muir Endowed Professorship in Peace Studies. Gladdys Muir, a member of the Church of the Brethren, launched the nation\u2019s first undergraduate peace studies program at Manchester in 1948. Her groundbreaking program, which examined issues of interpersonal conflict and structural injustice, was so visionary that 23 years passed before another US institution followed her lead.<\/p>\n \u201cMuir believed that if she planted the seeds of creative nonviolence in the hearts of her students, that they would scatter those potent ideas across the globe. Indeed, over the years, many Manchester graduates have done just that,\u201d McFadden said.<\/p>\n Because it is an endowed fund, the principal will remain invested, with the earnings intended to secure the professorship in perpetuity. The university will seek broad input to develop a job description and expects to launch a national search in the second half of 2016.<\/p>\n \u201cAn endowed professorship is a prestigious achievement for us and aligns closely with our strategic priorities,\u201d McFadden said. \u201cPeace studies is distinctively Manchester. This new position will encourage scholarship and effective teaching, and strengthen our ability to educate students across disciplinary boundaries. What\u2019s more, it further enhances our reputation as a global leader in peace studies education.\u201d<\/p>\n This milestone has been years in the making. A Peace Studies Advisory Council first recommended an endowed professorship in 1992. Major support first came in 2002 from Lilly Endowment Inc., through its Plowshares program, followed by many individual gifts from alumni and friends.<\/p>\n In the closing days of December 2015 and with $46,000 to go toward the $1.5 million goal, an anonymous donor offered to match, dollar for dollar, year-end gifts up to $25,000. Through the generosity of many dedicated alumni and donors, members of the Office of Advancement reached the goal around 4:20 p.m. Dec. 31–with 40 minutes to spare.<\/p>\n \u201cManchester is deeply grateful to all of those people–too numerous to name here–who nurtured the idea for this professorship. I would, however, like to extend a special thank you to my predecessor, Jo Young Switzer, for shepherding this vision throughout her presidency,\u201d McFadden said.<\/p>\n Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,500 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Athletic Training, a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy. Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school grounded in the values and traditions of the Church of the Brethren at www.manchester.edu<\/a> .<\/p>\n — Anne Gregory works in media relations at Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n RESOURCES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 4) \u2018Let Us Also Go\u2019 is theme for 2016 Lenten devotional from Brethren Press<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFollowers of Jesus, after all, follow Jesus,\u201d said an explanation of the theme for the Lenten devotional. \u201cAnd if he\u2019s headed toward the cross, so will we. As Thomas said to his fellow disciples, \u2018Let us also go, that we may die with him\u2019 (John 11:16). This is the moment of discipleship where faithfulness is primary and consequence becomes secondary.\u201d<\/p>\n Author Chris Bowman is lead pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, and was moderator of the 2004 Annual Conference. He also served as chair of the Church of the Brethren General Board from 1997-98.<\/p>\n The devotional booklet includes daily devotions, scripture texts, and prayers for each day of the Lenten season from Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, through Easter Sunday, March 27. Cost per copy is $2.75, or $5.95 for large print. Order online at www.brethrenpress.com<\/a> or from Brethren Press customer service at 800-441-3712.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5) Brethren bits<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
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A Syrian family displaced by the violence in their home country lives in a refugee camp in Iraq, in this photo from the ACT Alliance<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/09\/peace-studies-pioneer-gladdys.jpg\")
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The 2016 Lenten devotional from Brethren Press is written by Chris Bowman and titled, \u201cLet Us Also Go: Devotions for Ash Wednesday Through Easter.\u201d Brethren Press publishes a Lenten and Advent devotional each year, in a pocket-sized format suitable for individual use and for congregations to supply to their members.<\/p>\n
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