Church of the Brethren Newsline
\nFebruary\u00a025,\u00a02017<\/b><\/p>\n
—\u00a0Children\u2019s Disaster Services (CDS) reports that its team of volunteers<\/strong>\u00a0who were working with families and children affected by evacuations in Oroville, Calif., have returned home. \u201cThey were a team on the move, following the river flow downstream from the Oroville Dam area to Sacramento to San Jose,\u201d said a CDS Facebook post yesterday. \u201cShelters closed as families were able to return home. The team cared for 106 children and also for each other! Thank you to the volunteers who were able to go and to other volunteers who were willing to be in the next group to go if the need for services had continued!\u201d For more about the ministry of Children\u2019s Disaster Services go to\u00a0www.brethren.org\/cds<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0Brethren Disaster Ministries has published its Winter 2017 newsletter<\/strong>, available online as well as in print. This issue includes updates on the Nigeria Crisis Response and work in Haiti responding to Hurricane Matthew, as well as 2016 statistics for the domestic rebuilding program and Children\u2019s Disaster Services, and a wrap up of the project site in Detroit, among other articles. Find the newsletter at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/bdm\/files\/bridges\/bridges-winter-2017.pdf<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0Global Mission and Service this week is requesting prayer<\/strong>\u00a0for three initiatives for Church of the Brethren mission around the world: this weekend\u2019s Asamblea, the annual conference of Iglesia de los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic), meeting on the theme of resting in God\u2019s grace based on 2 Corinthians 12:9; a gathering of ministers affiliating with the developing Brethren group in Venezuela, where organizers expect 200 people from 64 churches and ministries to attend a conference that will include continued instruction in Brethren beliefs and practices and discussion on how to further develop and organize the church; and a trip to Nigeria by Church of the Brethren members Carol Mason and Donna Parcell who will be recording interviews and take photographs for a future book project in partnership with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The vision of the book is to paint a large-scale picture of the crisis of violence in northeast Nigeria featuring narratives from EYN denominational leaders, pastors, and displaced persons.<\/p>\n —\u00a0An insightful article about Boko Haram by Charles Kwuelum<\/strong>, a Nigerian man now working in Washington, D.C., who grew up in the neighborhood of young men who joined the Nigerian insurgent group, is recommended by the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness. The article is published by Sojourners. Find it at\u00a0https:\/\/sojo.net\/magazine\/march-2017\/my-neighbor-boko-haram<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0\u201cLooking ahead to spring!\u201d announced the newsletter of the Shine curriculum<\/strong>\u00a0published by Brethren Press and MennoMedia. The Spring 2017 quarter includes the season of Lent and Easter, and begins on Sunday, March 5. \u201cThe curriculum invites children to explore Jesus\u2019 journey to the cross and the wonder of his resurrection as told by Matthew and John,\u201d said the announcement. \u201cAfter Easter, Primary through Junior Youth will have a series of six stories under the theme \u2018God Cares for the Weak.\u2019 Both Old and New Testament stories help children and youth know that God cares for the weak and powerless, and calls each of us to do the same. In late spring, preschool children hear stories from both the Old and New Testaments that encourage them to \u2018Follow the Way of Peace.\u2019\u201d To order curriculum call Brethren Press at 800-441-3712.<\/p>\n —\u00a0On Earth Peace is planning a Palestine Witness Delegation<\/strong>\u00a0to focus on conflict transformation, nonviolent social change, and community building in the West Bank. The announcement of the delegation in the agency\u2019s e-mail newsletter noted that the Palestine Witness Delegation \u201cfocuses on the Israel-Palestine conflict from the Palestinian perspective. Delegates will have the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the interlocking complexities of Israeli occupation and apartheid, and explore the conditions which must be addressed to achieve a realistic, sustainable, and just peace in the region.\u201d Participants will experience local immersion through an intensive two-week program, with local service providers and guides; engage in interdisciplinary, intersectional, and holistic dialogue through daily reflections, group debriefing, and seminars; hear a wide diversity of Palestinian and Israeli perspectives; build spiritual solidarity rooted in Christ, across cultures, religions, and nations; among other aspects of the trip. The delegation will travel in August, with specific dates to be announced. Cost is $1,990 including all in-country expenses. The cost excludes airfare and travel insurance. To learn more contact coordinator Sarah Bond-Yancey at\u00a0impact@onearthpeace.org<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0The National Council of Churches (NCC) has denounced recent anti-Semitic incidents<\/strong>\u00a0and is condemning the rhetoric that fuels such acts in a statement released this week. \u201cWe stand firmly with our Jewish brothers and sisters during this difficult time,\u201d the statement said, in part. \u201cAs a community of 38 Christian communions in the United States, the National Council of Churches continues to pray and work for a nation in which all persons may freely worship as they wish without fear.\u201d The NCC statement notes the sharp rise in threats made against synagogues and Jewish community centers. \u201cThere have been at least 67 incidents at 56 Jewish Community Centers in 27 states and one Canadian province since the beginning of 2017. This week, bomb threats were called in to Jewish organizations across the nation, and a Jewish cemetery in University City, Missouri, was vandalized,\u201d the NCC said. The statement also lifted up the \u201cacts of love, moral courage, and solidarity among faith groups in response,\u201d citing Jewish community leaders aiding members of a mosque that was destroyed in an apparent arson in Victoria, Texas, and Muslims raising funds to repair the Jewish cemetery that was vandalized. \u201cWe encourage churches to reach out to Jewish communities being threatened and offer similar acts of friendship and solidarity.\u201d Find the full statement at\u00a0http:\/\/nationalcouncilofchurches.us\/statement-on-recent-anti-semitic-incidents<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0Henry Fork Church of the Brethren<\/strong>\u00a0in Rocky Mount, Va., is teaming up with Living Waters Assembly of God to provide a free meal to seniors, reports the Franklin News-Post. The once-a-month meal is prepared by master chef Robert Iuppa. The event has attracted as many as 100 people to share in food and fellowship. Read the article at\u00a0www.thefranklinnewspost.com\/news\/seniors-enjoy-good-food-and-fun\/article_baeedb4a-fa98-11e6-a900-ab49dcbfbdbc.html<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0Holmesville (Neb.) Church of the Brethren<\/strong>\u00a0has returned to an old practice of holding a \u201cFounders Day\u201d program each spring. On March 4, the congregation invites all interested persons to an afternoon event beginning with a lunch at 12 noon followed by two afternoon sessions and a hymn sing. The first session from 12:45-2:15 p.m. is on \u201cThe Power of Words\u201d presented by Dylan Dell-Haro. The hymn sing will take place from 2:15-2:45 p.m. The second session from 3-4:30 p.m. is on \u201cUnity in the Church\u201d presented by Alan Stucky.<\/p>\n —\u00a0Manchester Church of the Brethren<\/strong>\u00a0in N. Manchester, Ind., is hosting a concert by Friends with the Weather on March 11 at 7 p.m. The group is founded by singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalists Seth Hendricks, Chris Good, and David Hupp. They will be joined by drummer\/ —\u00a0A member of Plymouth Church of the Brethren<\/strong>\u00a0in South Central Indiana District, Kate Finney, has published a collection of children\u2019s stories that she has presented in worship at the church. The book is titled \u201cWorship With Kids! Sunday Morning Worship Stories for Children of All Ages.\u201d Additionally, she is hosting the website\u00a0www.worshipwithkids.net<\/a>\u00a0where she adds a new story every other week, and is developing a community page where others can contribute and collaborate. Contact her at\u00a0worshipwithkids@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0\u201cGreat news!\u201d said the Western Plains District newsletter.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWe have now reached $166,305 in donations to the Nigeria Crisis Fund!\u201d The newsletter reported that the district has achieved 83 percent of a goal of raising $200,000. \u201cWould it not be great to celebrate meeting our goal at District Conference?\u201d the newsletter asked.<\/p>\n —\u00a0McPherson (Kan.) College is offering a Ventures course<\/strong>\u00a0exploring the season of Lent, on Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m.-12 noon (central time). Steve Crain, pastor of Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, is leading the event. He is \u201cpassionate about Christian spirituality and will help deepen our bonds of spirituality,\u201d said an announcement. The title for the course is \u201cChrist Is My New Me: A Lenten Exploration\u201d (Galatians 2:19-20). A goal is for course attendees to explore the depths of what Paul means, interpret the passage in its context, ponder how spiritual teachers have understood it, and open hearts to its meaning for here and now.\u00a0 Ventures in Christian Discipleship is an online program of McPherson College, designed to equip church members with skills and understandings for faithful and dynamic Christian living, action and leadership. All courses are free, but donations are welcome to help continue this effort. Registration information is available at\u00a0www.mcpherson.edu\/ventures<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0A group of Bridgewater (Va.) College students<\/strong>\u00a0and a faculty member \u201cwill trade suntan lotion and swim suits for hammers and tool belts as they spend spring break volunteering as construction workers with Habitat for Humanity\u2019s Collegiate Challenge Spring Break 2017,\u201d said a release from the college. The students are accompanied by Dr. Jason Ybarra, assistant professor of physics, and Louis Sanchez, admissions counselor. They will work in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 5-11. Lauren Flora, a junior art major from Bridgewater, is serving as the student leader for the group. She is making her third Habitat trip. She has participated in Spring Break Collegiate Challenges in Athens, Ala., and Tucker, Ga. Flora said that one of the best and most rewarding parts of the experience for her is working alongside the family who will soon live in the house being built. \u201cI get to see the joy and dedication they have and that always makes the long workdays worth it,\u201d she said. This is the 25th year that Bridgewater College students have used spring break to work on various Habitat projects, including three trips to Miami and one each to Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Independence, Mo. and Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n —\u00a0\u201cLent is just around the corner<\/strong>\u00a0and it\u2019s not too late to sign up for GWP’s annual Lenten Calendar!\u201d said an announcement from the Global Women\u2019s Project. To order a free paper copy send an e-mail to\u00a0cobgwp@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0, or request to receive a page-a-day by e-mail.<\/p>\n —\u00a0The Death Row Support Project<\/strong>\u00a0directed by Church of the Brethren member Rachel Gross recently published a review of the state of the death penalty across the country last year. \u201cIt is a time of optimism and hope of the possibility of the abolition of the American death penalty,\u201d the project\u2019s February newsletter reported, adding however, that \u201cin 2016, setbacks tempered that hope. Some troubling initiatives were voted in during the recent presidential election. The outlook isn’t entirely bleak, and there is some good news that will hopefully lead to change and reform in the future.\u201d The project reported a continued downward trend in executions and death penalty sentencing. In 2016 there were 18 executions, down from the previous year\u2019s 28, and \u201calong with the above reduced numbers, national death penalty support was at its lowest in 50 years, with polls showing 40 percent of the nation against it.\u201d However, the report noted setbacks in Oklahoma, Nebraska, California, alongside good news from Florida, Texas, Oregon, Washington, and Alabama, and an announcement from drug company Pfizer that it will not allow its drugs to be used in lethal injections. Find the newsletter at\u00a0http:\/\/support.brethren.org\/site\/MessageViewer?em_id=36240.0<\/a>\u00a0. Contact the project care of Rachel Gross, Director, P.O. Box 600, Liberty Mills, IN 46946;\u00a0www.brethren.org\/drsp<\/a>\u00a0;\u00a0www.facebook.com\/deathrowsupportproject<\/a>\u00a0;\u00a0www.instagram.com\/deathrowsupportproject<\/a>\u00a0 .<\/p>\n —\u00a0Joel S. Billi, president of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria<\/strong>\u00a0(EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), has spoken out about the Nigerian government\u2019s war on corruption. According to the Nigerian newspaper \u201cThe Guardian,\u201d Billi said in a statement during EYN\u2019s ministers\u2019 conference that, \u201cAs a church, we support the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, but the war against corruption should be executed within the ambit of the law.\u201d Billi warned that an agency for fighting corruption may be seen as a government tool for witch-hunting opposition party members in the country. \u201cHe further urged the government to intensify efforts to ensure that the remaining Chibok girls are released,\u201d the newspaper report said. Find it online at\u00a0https:\/\/guardian.ng\/news\/your-anti-corruption-war-is-lopsided-church-leaders-tells-buhari<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n —\u00a0\u201cStanding at the threshold of the Sustainable Development Goals,<\/strong>\u00a0the World Council of Churches (WCC) believes it is time for the church to reaffirm the role it has played over centuries as leader in global health, and to consolidate efforts towards health and healing for all,\u201d said Dr. Mwai Makoka, WCC program executive for Health and Healing, in a WCC release. At a meeting in Lesotho next week, the WCC is starting the process of developing a Global Ecumenical Health Strategy, following the legacy of churches\u2019 high profile in health care and mission historically. \u201cThe church has been engaged in health services for centuries,\u201d Makoka explains, \u201cand has insisted through the years that there is a unique Christian understanding of health and healing which should shape the way churches provide healthcare. The church realised and affirmed early, that health is more than medicine, more than physical and or mental well-being, and that healing is not primarily medical,\u201d Makoka added. The consultation will bring together church leaders from Africa, heads of African Christian health associations, and church organizations from Europe and the USA. A second consultation will follow in May at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.<\/p>\n
\npercussionist Dan Picollo and trumpet player Ross Huff. Admission is free; an offering will be taken. More information can be found at\u00a0www.friendswiththeweather.com<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n