{"id":6183,"date":"2017-02-18T18:19:37","date_gmt":"2017-02-18T18:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.brethren.org\/news\/?p=6183"},"modified":"2018-10-05T18:30:35","modified_gmt":"2018-10-05T18:30:35","slug":"newsline-for-feb-18-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2017\/newsline-for-feb-18-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsline for Feb. 18, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

Church of the Brethren Newsline
\nFebruary\u00a018,\u00a02017<\/b><\/p>\n

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A winter prayer labyrinth at Shepherd’s Spring outdoor ministry center. Photo courtesy of Debbie Eisenbise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NEWS
\n1) Children\u2019s Disaster Services sends team to aid evacuees in northern California
\n2) Global Food Initiative supports soybean consultation in Africa, community garden in Illinois
\n3) Nigeria Crisis Response volunteers visit rebuilt church, IDP camp in Maiduguri
\n4) EYN disaster ministry conducts Hepatitis B screening, aids Bdagu refugees<\/p>\n

UPCOMING EVENTS
\n5) General secretary continues to hold listening sessions
\n6) Global Mission and Service offers more Nigeria workcamps<\/p>\n

PERSONNEL
\n7) Brethren Benefit Trust announces staffing changes<\/p>\n

REFLECTION
\n8) Values of retirement community cooperative group live on<\/p>\n

REMEMBER WHEN
\n9) Resolution on Justice for Japanese-American World War II Internees: An action of the former General Board of the Church of the Brethren<\/p>\n

10) Brethren bits: ACT Alliance names new general secretary, job opening, news from congregations and camps, ULV class on leadership and culture gains attention, Bread for the World reports decreases in poverty and hunger among African Americans, and more<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

Quote of the week:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe experience was too traumatic; it devastated our personhood…. This is my story. I tell it now, to help people to know about and to understand the pain that the internment caused, so that such an atrocity will never happen in this country again.\u201d<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Florence Dat\u00e9 Smith in a \u201cMessenger\u201d article first published in November 1988. Now now 95 years old, she was one of the Japanese-Americans interned by her own government during World War II. On Sunday, 75 years will have passed since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 on Feb. 19, 1942, setting in motion the internment of hundreds of thousands of Japanese-Americans and US citizens. NBC News reports that \u201cover the next five years, more than 120,000 people, two-thirds of whom were native-born United States citizens, were forced to leave their homes and livelihoods for quickly-built camps in some of the country\u2019s most unforgiving climates\u201d (find a special NBC report at\u00a0www.nbcnews.com\/news\/asian-america\/75-years-after-executive-order-9066-n721831<\/a>\u00a0). Look for the full text of Smith\u2019s \u201cMessenger\u201d article, and an update on her work to keep the story of the Japanese-American internment experience alive, in next week\u2019s Newsline.<\/em><\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

1) Children\u2019s Disaster Services sends team to aid evacuees in northern California<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Children’s Disaster Services volunteers care for children following tornado in Albany, Ga. Photo courtesy of CDS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A team of volunteers from Children\u2019s Disaster Services (CDS) set up yesterday morning at a MARC (Multi Agency Resource Center) in Albany, Ga. CDS provides child care for families affected by disasters, often offering care for children while parents apply for aid or take care of other necessary tasks in the wake of disasters.<\/p>\n

The Albany area was hit by a devastating tornado on Jan. 22. Yesterday afternoon and evening the CDS volunteers cared for seven children, reported associate director Kathy Fry-Miller.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne mother had to leave in the afternoon to pick up her children from school,\u201d Fry-Miller reported by e-mail. \u201cIt was in the middle of filling out applications. She saw the children\u2019s area and said, \u2018This is great! I\u2019m bringing my kids back here!\u2019 She needed to be able to concentrate on talking with people from organizations offering many types of services, as well as fill out paperwork to take care of her family\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CDS team is expected to work at the MARC through tomorrow, with the possibility of continuing next week. Mary Geisler is serving as project manager. This response is funded by a grant of $5,000 from the Church of the Brethren\u2019s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF).<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully, families will take advantage of this service,\u201d Fry-Miller said.<\/p>\n

For more information about Children\u2019s Disaster Services go to\u00a0www.brethren.org\/cds<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

2) Global Food Initiative supports soybean consultation in Africa, community garden in Illinois<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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A workcamp in Nigeria builds a church. Photo by Donna Parcell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More Nigeria workcamp opportunities have been announced by the Global Mission and Service office of the Church of the Brethren. American Brethren and others who are interested in joining in a workcamp with members of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) are invited to consider one of two workcamps to be held in April and August.<\/p>\n

A workcamp on April 13-30 will serve at the Chinka Brethren Schools in Nigeria. The location for a workcamp tentatively scheduled for Aug. 17-Sept. 3 has not yet been decided. Participants will need to raise about $2,500 to cover the costs of transportation, food, and supplies. Those who apply for a workcamp are warned that they will face extreme heat in northeast Nigeria, as well as intense sun, and the rigors of life in a developing nation. Variables such as a rise in air fares or visa fees may affect the costs. The dates may vary by a day or two, depending on the availability of flights.<\/p>\n

EYN also is planning a series of workcamps for its own members, but the Global Mission and Service office is encouraging Brethren from the US to focus on the April and August events. EYN workcamps are tentatively scheduled for May 11-28, June 15-July 2, July 13-30, Sept. 15-Oct. 1, and Oct. 12-29, with locations yet to be determined. The EYN workcamps are held in cooperation with the BEST group of EYN members and businesspeople.<\/p>\n

To express interest in attending the Nigeria workcamp in either April or August, contact Kendra Harbeck in the Global Mission and Service office at 800-323-8039 ext. 388 or\u00a0kharbeck@brethren.org<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

3) Nigeria Crisis Response volunteers visit rebuilt church, IDP camp in Maiduguri<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Pat Krabacher<\/p>\n

On Feb. 9, John and I visited the Wulari EYN Maiduguri church of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) in the large northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri. We met the EYN HIV\/AIDS Project staff, and met the new pastor Joseph T. Kwaha. The church was rebuilt in 2015 after it was bombed by Boko Haram and totally destroyed in June 2009. We also visited the EYN IDP camp of 8,000 displaced persons located nearby on an old church compound.<\/p>\n

Impressive work is being done by the 20-person HIV\/AIDs Project staff who manage four programs with international NGOs: Save the Children–food security, livelihood, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene; UNICEF–child protection and follow-up; Christian Aid (UK)–nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene; Family Health Initiative–HIV\/AIDs, strengthening integrated delivery of HIV\/AIDS services.<\/p>\n

The staff manage the feeding programs under USAID Food for Peace, community mobilization, and livelihood support benefitting 11,000 people in eight Local Government Areas (LGA) in Borno State, with the help of 255 EYN volunteers. A new program has just started that targets 10,000 households with food vouchers, targets 1,200 \u201cacutely malnourished\u201d children in Konduga LGA, and will drill 20 boreholes and build 25 toilets in Konduga LGA of Borno State. The work of the EYN team is impressive!<\/p>\n

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Pat Krabacher visits with displaced people in EYN IDP camp in Maiduguri. Photo by Hamsatu James.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our visit to the nearby EYN IDP camp brought us into the \u201cbeehive\u201d of life for displaced people. Plastic UNHCR (United High Commissioner for Refugees) tarpaulins predominated, with hundreds of small children playing, wailing, or just staring at us–the first white people they may have seen. IDP camp chairman John Gwamma introduced us to new people who had just arrived in the camp–an elderly women who had been abducted by Boko Haram and held in Sambisa Forest, and a young new mother who was alone in a small tent with her newborn daughter, born just that morning.<\/p>\n

A bright spot of the visit was some evidence of the selling of grains, beans, and other items among the IDPs, two tailors at work, and some children attending school. This EYN camp does not have a school, but a second camp of about 900 IDPs at Shuwari, which we did not visit, has a small school.<\/p>\n

Poignant moments remain with us from our visit to the EYN IDP camp, including the story of John who was the first IDP from Gwoza to arrive in Maiduguri. His story shared the pain he and others have endured, watching family being killed, and not eating for 21 days while running from Boko Haram. Also poignant was our meeting with the old woman abducted from Gwoza, who has suffered but when greeted smiled back and tried to give us her cup of rice porridge. We laughed, but her love and care remain with us.<\/p>\n

Much more needs to be done to support these vulnerable displaced people, and prayer will surely help them.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Pat and John Krabacher are Brethren Volunteer Service workers and volunteers with the Nigeria Crisis Response, a cooperative venture of the Church of the Brethren and Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Find out more at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/nigeriacrisis<\/a>\u00a0.<\/em><\/p>\n

4) EYN disaster ministry conducts Hepatitis B screening, aids Bdagu refugees<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Zakariya Musa<\/p>\n

Following the EYN president\u2019s statement declaring a state of emergency on health, the Disaster Relief Ministry of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) moved to conduct Hepatitis B screening starting with staff and students of Kulp Bible College in Kwarhi.<\/p>\n

In more news from the work of the Disaster Relief Ministry, the EYN program has been sharing relief aid with refugees from Bdagu who were camped at Lassa following a recent attack on their village.<\/p>\n

Hepatitis B screening<\/strong><\/p>\n

Medical personnel Charles Ezra reported that out of 178 people between the ages of 25 to 60 who have been screened so far, 30 were identified positive. A confirmation test is being carried out on those with positive results. After reconfirmation, the group will be undergoing further profiling for medication.<\/p>\n

The exercise will continue at the EYN Headquarters, the EYN Ministers Annual Conference, and with staff and students at the EYN secondary school. The demand is high, as people are eager to get screened knowing that the disease has killed some relatives in their communities.<\/p>\n

EYN president Joel S. Billi, while narrating concern about the deadly disease, said that EYN has experienced the deaths of young pastors to the killer disease over the years.<\/p>\n

Emergency response to Bdagu refugees<\/strong><\/p>\n

EYN\u2019s Disaster Relief Ministry conveyed emergency relief material to Bdagu refugees who were camped at Lassa following the recent attack on their village. The relief materials delivered to 124 households included rice, cooking oil, mats, Maggi Cubes, and blankets.<\/p>\n

On the EYN team were the director of the Disaster Relief Ministry, Yuguda Z. Mdurvwa; coordinator Amos S. Duwala; project officer Zakariya Musa; accountant Aniya Simon; medical coordinator Charles E. Gaya; driver John Haha; and two other commercial drivers and their conductor. Part of the material budgeted for 300 households was returned.<\/p>\n

Each household received one mat, one blanket, one packet of Maggi Cubes, one bag of 25 kilograms of rice, and one liter of cooking oil. Some families are many in number, and only a few have two or three family members. The majority are between 6 and 10 people in each household.<\/p>\n

The displaced are sleeping under the burnt buildings of the Vocational Training Center in Lassa. Tanko Waba, one of the displaced, thanked the church for coming to their aid. He called on the government to reconsider the area, which he said faced several attacks.<\/p>\n

In the camp was the man whose family was taken away by the Boko Haram at Bdagu. Mallum Abau, about 70, could not control his tears on mentioning the names of his family members abducted during the attack. Mr. Abau listed their names as: Ndalna Mallum, a wife carrying a baby; Pana Mallum, a daughter with baby; Joro Mallum, a son; Adum Mallum, a son; Hauwa Mallum, a daughter; Hauwa Aduwamanji, a brother\u2019s daughter whose husband was killed by Boko Haram in recent years.<\/p>\n

Some of the displaced sustained levels of injuries. One of them was Mr. Ayagaja, who sustained wounds. According to Ayagaja, on hearing of gunshots he was confused and ran into a village called Yimirmugza where he fell into a band of vigilante groups who assumed he was Boko Haram. \u201cThey tied and seriously beated me until someone who knows me came around to tell them, \u2018Isn\u2019t this a man you know?\u2019 Then they untied me,\u201d he said. His left hand was seriously injured. Ayagaja is being cared for by the Disaster Relief Ministry who committed to follow up on his situation.<\/p>\n

Bdagu village head Lawan Satumary Chinda was there during the relief distribution. He thanked the church for the gesture. \u201cNo human being left in Bdagu,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The following were killed in the attack which sacked the area: Shakatri Tsukwam, Aliyu Jaduwa, Ushadari Waindu, Ijanada Ngarba–a woman about 95 years old burnt alive in her room, and Yaga Lamido who was slaughtered.<\/p>\n

In a similar response, 153 households were relieved when maize, rice, Maggi Cubes, cooking oil, and salt were distributed at Munni in EYN DCC Michika, in the Michika Local Government area of Adamawa State. Munni village was damaged in 2014 attacks.<\/p>\n

Many villages around Chibok, Lassa, Dille, Madagali, Mildu, etc., are under-reported or unreported in terms of Boko Haram attacks, because most of the areas have no access to communication networks.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Zakariya Musa serves on the communications staff of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).<\/em><\/p>\n

UPCOMING EVENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

5) General secretary continues to hold listening sessions<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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General secretary David Steele at a listening session in Atlantic Northeast District. Photo by Glenn Riegel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, is holding listening sessions in church districts around the denomination. The meetings are a way for him to listen closely to people within the church, and an opportunity for church members to meet the general secretary. Last fall, several listening sessions were held–mostly in conjunction with district conferences.<\/p>\n

In January, listening sessions were held in Illinois and Wisconsin District and Atlantic Southeast District. Beginning this month, more listening sessions will be offered in several districts in the Midwest. All are invited.<\/p>\n

Here is a list of upcoming listening sessions scheduled to date:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Cedars, a Church of the Brethren-related retirement community in McPherson, Kan. (Western Plains District)<\/p>\n

Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren (Western Plains District)<\/p>\n

Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at First Church of the Brethren in Wichita, Kan. (Western Plains District)<\/p>\n

Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at Warrensburg (Mo.) Church of the Brethren (Missouri and Arkansas District)<\/p>\n

March 21 at 2 p.m. at Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester, Ind. (N. Indiana and South Central Indiana Districts)<\/p>\n

March 21 at 7 p.m. at Union Center Church of the Brethren in Nappanee, Ind. (N. Indiana District)<\/p>\n

March 22 at 7 p.m. at Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren (South Central Indiana District)<\/p>\n

March 27 at 2 p.m. at the Brethren Home Community in Windber, Pa. (Western Pennsylvania District)<\/p>\n

March 27 at 7 p.m. at Greensburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren (Western Pennsylvania District)<\/p>\n

Additional listening sessions are in the works for late March through June, and will be announced as they are finalized. For more information contact Mark Flory Steury in the Church of the Brethren Donor Relations office at\u00a0mfsteury@brethren.org<\/a>\u00a0or 800-323-8039 ext. 345.<\/p>\n

6) Global Mission and Service offers more Nigeria workcamps<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
A workcamp in Nigeria builds a church. Photo by Donna Parcell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More Nigeria workcamp opportunities have been announced by the Global Mission and Service office of the Church of the Brethren. American Brethren and others who are interested in joining in a workcamp with members of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) are invited to consider one of two workcamps to be held in April and August.<\/p>\n

A workcamp on April 13-30 will serve at the Chinka Brethren Schools in Nigeria. The location for a workcamp tentatively scheduled for Aug. 17-Sept. 3 has not yet been decided. Participants will need to raise about $2,500 to cover the costs of transportation, food, and supplies. Those who apply for a workcamp are warned that they will face extreme heat in northeast Nigeria, as well as intense sun, and the rigors of life in a developing nation. Variables such as a rise in air fares or visa fees may affect the costs. The dates may vary by a day or two, depending on the availability of flights.<\/p>\n

EYN also is planning a series of workcamps for its own members, but the Global Mission and Service office is encouraging Brethren from the US to focus on the April and August events. EYN workcamps are tentatively scheduled for May 11-28, June 15-July 2, July 13-30, Sept. 15-Oct. 1, and Oct. 12-29, with locations yet to be determined. The EYN workcamps are held in cooperation with the BEST group of EYN members and businesspeople.<\/p>\n

To express interest in attending the Nigeria workcamp in either April or August, contact Kendra Harbeck in the Global Mission and Service office at 800-323-8039 ext. 388 or\u00a0kharbeck@brethren.org<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

PERSONNEL<\/strong><\/p>\n

7) Brethren Benefit Trust announces staffing changes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has announced staffing changes, including a resignation and a new hire at its offices located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Eric Thompson has tendered his resignation as director of operations for Information Technology. Jeremiah Thompson has accepted the position of director of BBT\u2019s Insurance Operations.<\/p>\n

Eric Thompson<\/strong>\u00a0has tendered his resignation as director of operations for Information Technology, after working for BBT for 16 years. He will continue working with BBT until March 24. He was hired on Jan. 2, 2001, as Information Services support technician. His growing expertise and knowledge of the evolving needs of BBT technology systems prompted his promotion to his current title in 2008. In 2011, his department grew to two people, providing in-house programming. He has accepted a position with the United Methodist Church.<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Thompson<\/strong>\u00a0has accepted the position of director of Insurance Operations, beginning March 20. Most recently, he has been providing oversight for personnel and payroll administration at Judson University in Elgin, Ill., a position he has held since August 2005. He holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in religion with a Christian ministry concentration from Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Ill., and a master\u2019s degree in business administration from Judson University. He has served a bi-vocational role as associate pastor for Elgin Church of the Nazarene 2004-13.<\/p>\n

REFLECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

8) Values of retirement community cooperative group live on<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Ralph McFadden<\/p>\n

The Peace Church Risk Retention Group and the Peace Church Health Insurance Program hold two annual meetings, in which the Fellowship of Brethren Homes participates. In a recent meeting of the Peace Church Retention Group, which is served by Phil Leaman as COO and Russ Shaner as executive director, we were reminded of the group\u2019s mission and values statements.<\/p>\n

In the statements, five commonly held core values or attributes of the three Historic Peace Churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and Society of Friends or Quakers) were recognized. The statements were written and approved a number of years ago and, although they are related to the peace churches, they are certainly significant for any of our retirement centers.<\/p>\n

Peace Church Risk Retention Group – Values Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Church of the Brethren, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and the Mennonite denominations have different roots, theologies, and traditions, yet share many common core values…. The common values of our faith traditions lead us to a shared value set in the work of Peace Church Risk Retention Group:<\/p>\n

Community — With shared values and a commitment to quality, we can together better manage our practice of risk management and our business for liability insurance. We support and respect each other in our work and find there is strength and knowledge in pursuing this work together. Membership in PCRRG is seen as a long-term commitment which recognizes the value of mutual aid and support to our fellow members.<\/p>\n

Stewardship — Our common commitment to stewardship–of missions, resources, and all of our gifts–leads us to a strong sense of responsibility for the trust bestowed in us by member organizations and the need for careful and considered decisions and actions.<\/p>\n

Peace — Our shared commitment to peace and nonviolence is the historical thread which runs through our denominations. This belief guides us to conduct our business and interactions with respect and tolerance.<\/p>\n

Ethics and Integrity — We are called to operate from a core of respectfulness, fairness, justice, and simplicity. We conduct our work in an honest and forthright manner, treating each other and those with whom we interact with honor and respect.<\/p>\n

Equality — We believe that there is that of the Divine in each of us and seek to honor the intrinsic value of all. This leads us to appreciate the diversity among us and focus on where we are alike, rather than how we are different.<\/p>\n

— Ralph G. McFadden is executive director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, an organization of the Church of the Brethren-related retirement communities. Find out more at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/homes<\/a>\u00a0.<\/em><\/p>\n

REMEMBER WHEN<\/strong><\/p>\n

9) Resolution on Justice for Japanese-American World War II Internees: An action of the former General Board of the Church of the Brethren<\/strong><\/p>\n

In October 1981, the Church of the Brethren General Board adopted a \u201cResolution on Justice for Japanese-American World War II Internees.\u201d This Sunday, 75 years will have passed since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 that allowed the internment of hundreds of thousands of Japanese-Americans.<\/p>\n

Here is the full text of the resolution:<\/em><\/p>\n

Church of the Brethren General Board<\/strong>
\nResolution on Justice for Japanese-American World War II Internees<\/strong><\/p>\n

October 10-13, 1981<\/p>\n

WHEREAS, the Presidential issuance of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942, placed in motion the uprooting and internment of approximately 120,000 men, women, and children of Japanese descent resulting in serious violations of their human rights as well as inestimable personal and material losses; and,<\/p>\n

WHEREAS, no hearings or trials were held prior to February 19, 1942, no credible claims of wrongdoing were ever lodged against these innocent victims who were uprooted for more than three and one half years, blatantly violating constitutional guarantees and depriving them of their human rights; and<\/p>\n

WHEREAS, we believe that violence takes many forms among which are oppression, denial of justice and a violation of personhood,* and have committed ourselves to work forthrightly for liberation, justice and peace in ways that respect the life and potential of every person and the whole human family;* and<\/p>\n

WHEREAS, many among us struggles in the 1940\u2019s for the rights of these interned people and sought to serve through the FarmersvilleWork Camp, Manzanar Relocation Camp, New York City and Chicago Brethren Ministry to resettlers, and<\/p>\n

WHEREAS, a U.S. commission onWartime relocation and Internment is now conducting hearings and is empowered to recommend remedies to the congress of the United States;<\/p>\n

THEREFORE the Church of the Brethren General Board meeting in Elgin, Illinois, on the 11th of October, 1981, feels compelled to review this sad period of our history; and<\/p>\n

BE IT RESOLVED that we encourage this special Commission to call upon the Congress of the United States to:<\/p>\n

1. Acknowledge as a nation that the actions taken against American citizens and legal residents of Japanese ancestry during 1942-46 were wrong and contrary to the Constitution of the United States.<\/p>\n

2. Make just redress.<\/p>\n

3. Enact safeguards and thus provide a lasting memorial so that the arbitrary governmental repression will never again victimize any group of people in the United States.<\/p>\n

4. Signal to all the people of the world through such actions that the United States does indeed carry out in practice the ideals embodied in our declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, and<\/p>\n

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that we call upon the staff of the General Board to convey this resolution to the President of the United States, appropriate members of the congress of the United States, and members of the Commission onWartime Relocation and Internment.<\/p>\n

*Annual Conference Policy Statement, Justice and Nonviolence, June 1977.<\/p>\n

10) Brethren bits<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"
Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren is one of the churches that are making available yard signs saying, \u201cNo matter where you are from, we\u2019re glad you\u2019re our neighbor,\u201d in English, Spanish, and Arabic. An announcement from the Lititz congregation said it is making 100 of the signs available for purchase for $10 each. The church will donate any extra funds that are received to a Church of the Brethren refugee\/displaced persons fund. These signs, thousands of which are appearing across the country according to NPR, originated with a simple hand-painted sign at Harrisonburg (Va.) Immanuel Mennonite Church. Find the NPR story at www.npr.org\/sections\/thetwo-way\/2016\/12\/09\/504969049\/a-message-of-tolerance-and-welcome-spreading-from-yard-to-yard .<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rudelmar Bueno de Faria has been named general secretary of ACT Alliance,\u00a0an international ecumenical partner organization of the Church of the Brethren and Brethren Disaster Ministries. He will begin his term on June 1. An ACT release noted that he \u201cbrings a wealth of experience to the position, having served for 25 years with the World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil. He currently serves as the WCC\u2019s representative to the United Nations where he has engaged in advocacy, diplomacy, negotiations, and relations with key people in the UN system, member states, CSOs, and ecumenical and interfaith networks. Prior to this position, he spent many years with LWF in a variety of roles in the World Service in Geneva and San Salvador.\u201d Rudelmar will succeed John Nduna, who has served as general secretary of the ACT Alliance since its founding in 2010.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

—\u00a0Religions for Peace USA is hiring an executive director.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cReligions for Peace USA envisions a nation in which people of faith and goodwill live together in respect and mutual support, creating paths to peace and justice,\u201d said the announcement of the job opening. \u201cReligions for Peace USA’s mission is to inspire and advance common actions for peace through multireligious cooperation among our nation’s religious communities.\u201d The executive director is the organization\u2019s primary organizer and administrator, working to coordinate a bold, shared witness for peace and justice among member religious communities and to provide a moral compass in the religiously pluralistic context of the United States. Learn more at\u00a0www.idealist.org\/view\/job\/kdTCmb5zTFsP<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind.,<\/strong>\u00a0earlier this month sharing a concern about proposed legislation in Indiana, IN Senate bill SB309, that would have dramatically impacted the ability of the church to use its solar panels. The story of Beacon Heights\u2019 solar panels was featured in \u201cMessenger\u201d magazine\u2019s April 2016 issue, and the church has been asking for support in contacting state elected officials about the detrimental effects of the proposed legislation. \u201cFor us, this is a matter of faith,\u201d said a statement from pastor Brian Flory. \u201cThis is a matter of shining our light and helping our public officials to understand the moral importance of letting our faith community live out the value of being good stewards of God\u2019s creation.\u201d This week, an Indiana Senate committee made changes to the bill that would mitigate some of the worst of its effects on organizations such as Beacon Heights, that have installed solar panels with the expectation of significant savings in energy use and expense. See the Indianapolis Star report at\u00a0www.indystar.com\/story\/news\/2017\/02\/16\/solar-energy-incentives-gradually-reduced-under-indiana-senate-proposal\/97986312<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Camp Eder near Fairfield, Pa., is holding a Maple Madness Pancake Breakfast<\/strong>\u00a0on Feb. 25 and March 4, partnering with Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children. \u201cCome to Camp Eder to learn about \u2018Sugaring,\u2019 the process of turning the sap from Maple trees into delicious Maple syrup!\u201d said an invitation. \u201cStrawberry Hill naturalists will demonstrate how to tap a Maple tree, collect the sap, and boil it down into syrup. You can also enjoy the fruits of our labor by sampling real Maple syrup at a pancake breakfast.\u201d Also featured will be local arts and crafts vendors.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Camp Harmony near Hooversville, Pa., is offering a \u201cHouse of Prayer\u201d retreat<\/strong>\u00a0on April 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. \u201cCome and get away for time with the Lord and other brothers and sisters in Christ,\u201d said an announcement. Dave and Kim Butts are the speakers. The cost is $15, which includes lunch and snacks and .5 continuing education credits for ministers. Register by March 1 by contacting Western Pennsylvania District, 115 Spring Rd., Hollsopple, PA 15935.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0A class on \u201cLeadership and Culture: Building Bridges\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0at the University of La Verne is the subject of a podcast published by radio station KPCC 89.3. The university is a Church of the Brethren-related school in La Verne, Calif. The class enrolls students from the University of La Verne and CETYS University in the Tijuana area of Mexico. The link for the story, \u201cAmid heated politics, college class brings together US, Mexico students,\u201d was shared by the Pacific Southwest District office:\u00a0http:\/\/www.scpr.org\/news\/2017\/02\/16\/69095\/amid-heated-politics-college-class-brings-together<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Bread for the World is reporting<\/strong>\u00a0that despite gains, African Americans are still disproportionately affected by hunger and poverty. \u201cOver the past year, African Americans have seen significant decreases in hunger and poverty levels, with a nearly 5 percentage point drop in hunger alone. Much of these declines are due to effective federal policy and strong community leadership,\u201d said a release. \u201cHowever, much more must be done.\u201d Despite the recent gains, however, almost 50 percent of all black children younger than age 6 still live in poverty, which is more than three times the proportion of young white children. \u201cUnemployment and low wages, lack of access to healthy and affordable food, poor schools, and higher incarceration rates are just a few of the factors that contribute to this problem,\u201d the release said. \u201cWhile African-Americans make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population, they represent 22 percent of those experiencing poverty and hunger.\u201d Download the report \u201cHunger and Poverty in the African-American Community\u201d at\u00a0www.bread.org\/factsheet<\/a>\u00a0. Bread for the World recently released a new graphic, \u201cI Still Rise,\u201d highlighting African-American contributions to ending hunger and poverty over the past century; find it at\u00a0www.bread.org\/rise<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0A quarterly report from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has been gaining media attention<\/strong>\u00a0for reporting an increase in the number of American hate groups, particularly anti-Muslim groups. This is \u201cfueled in part by the recent presidential election,\u201d said an article in the Washington Post, which noted that \u201cmany of the groups the SPLC identified as part of the rise in extremist activity reject the label of \u2018hate group.\u2019\u201d However, the newspaper also noted findings that \u201chate groups in the United States nearly tripled, from 34 in 2015 to 101 last year. Nearly 50 of those new additions are local chapters of ACT for America, an anti-Muslim activist group…. Diminished are the overt Ku Klux Klan robes and Nazi insignia sometimes associated with extremist hate groups: the number of KKK chapters fell 32 percent, and the use of symbols has diminished in favor of a more \u2018intellectual\u2019 approach….\u201d The Post also cited an FBI report of a 60 percent rise in hate crimes targeting Muslims in 2015. Find the Washington Post article at\u00a0www.washingtonpost.com\/national\/southern-poverty-law-center-says-american-hate-groups-are-on-the-rise\/2017\/02\/15\/7e9cab02-f2d9-11e6-a9b0-ecee7ce475fc_story.html<\/a>\u00a0.
\nIn a review of the SPLC report by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency,<\/strong>\u00a0the increase of hate groups was characterized as anti-semitic. \u201cAt least 550 of the 917 groups are anti-Semitic in nature,\u201d the article said, in part. \u201cThe groups active in 2016 include 99 categorized as neo-Nazi, 100 as white nationalist, 130 as Ku Klux Klan, and 21 as Christian Identity, a religious movement that says whites are the true Israelites and Jews are descended from Satan.\u201d Find the article at\u00a0www.jta.org\/2017\/02\/15\/news-opinion\/united-states\/number-of-us-hate-groups-rose-in-2016-and-most-are-anti-semitic-civil-rights-center-finds<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Todd Flory, a Church of the Brethren member who works at Wheatland Elementary School<\/strong>\u00a0in Wichita, Kan., is one the teachers featured by National Public Radio (NPR) in \u201c5 Ways Teachers Are Fighting Fake News.\u201d Author Sophia Alvarez Boyd writes, \u201cAs the national attention to fake news and the debate over what to do about it continue, one place many are looking for solutions is in the classroom. Since a recent Stanford study showed that students at practically all grade levels can’t determine fake news from the real stuff, the push to teach media literacy has gained new momentum.\u201d Flory is working with a teacher in Irvine, Calif., teaming up their fifth grade classes to do \u201ca fake news challenge via Skype,\u201d the piece reported. \u201cFlory\u2019s fourth-graders chose two real articles and wrote a fake article of their own. Then, they presented them to Bedley\u2019s class in California. The fifth-graders had four minutes to do some extra research based on the presentations, and then they decided which article out of the three were fake.\u201d See\u00a0www.npr.org\/sections\/ed\/2017\/02\/16\/514364210\/5-ways-teachers-are-fighting-fake-news<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

**********
\nContributors to this issue of Newsline include Jeff Boshart, Chris Ford, Mark Flory Steury, Kathy Fry-Miller, Kendra Harbeck, Pat Krabacher, Donna March, Wendy McFadden, Ralph G. McFadden, Nancy Miner, Zakariya Musa, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at\u00a0cobnews@brethren.org<\/a>\u00a0. Newsline appears every week, with special issues as needed. Stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. The next regularly scheduled issue is set for Feb. 24.<\/em><\/p>\n

Go to\u00a0www.brethren.org\/Newsline<\/a>\u00a0to subscribe to the Church of the Brethren Newsline free e-mail news service and receive church news every week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NEWS
\n1) Children\u2019s Disaster Services sends team to aid evacuees in northern California
\n2) Global Food Initiative supports soybean consultation in Africa, community garden in Illinois
\n3) Nigeria Crisis Response volunteers visit rebuilt church, IDP camp in Maiduguri
\n4) EYN disaster ministry conducts Hepatitis B screening, aids Bdagu refugees<\/p>\n

UPCOMING EVENTS
\n5) General secretary continues to hold listening sessions
\n6) Global Mission and Service offers more Nigeria workcamps<\/p>\n

PERSONNEL
\n7) Brethren Benefit Trust announces staffing changes<\/p>\n

REFLECTION
\n8) Values of retirement community cooperative group live on<\/p>\n

REMEMBER WHEN
\n9) Resolution on Justice for Japanese-American World War II Internees: An action of the former General Board of the Church of the Brethren<\/p>\n

10) Brethren bits<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":6184,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[],"class_list":["post-6183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6183"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6186,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6183\/revisions\/6186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6183"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=6183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}