DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE
The Nominating Committee of the denomination’s Standing Committee is seeking nominations for leadership positions open in 2025. Go
to www.brethren.org/ac/nominations for nomination resources, including a link to a downloadable bulletin insert you can use in your congregation.
The new Anabaptist Community Bible is part of the “Anabaptism at 500” project led by MennoMedia, celebrating five centuries since Jan. 21, 1525, when a small group of Christians secretly gathered in Zurich, Switzerland, renounced their baptism as infants, and received baptism as adults. It marked the beginning of the Anabaptist movement that continues today in the form of the Amish, Hutterites, Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and many other related groups. Brethren Press is taking pre-publication orders, to be shipped in January 2025. The pre- publication discount (hardcover $39.99, “soft touch” edition $49.99) is good through Oct. 20. Go to www.brethrenpress.com.
Unit 336 of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) completed orientation in late September at Camp Brethren Heights in Michigan, and the 15 volunteers have begun work at project sites across the United States and in Japan.
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deployed four volunteers to Lake Elsinore, Calif., to assist children impacted by the recent wildfire. The volunteers provided a calm and supportive presence for 21 children while their parents and guardians sought assistance at a Local Assistance Center (LAC). CDS volunteers played an essential role in helping children cope with the stress and trauma of the disaster. The wildfire, which began on Sept. 9, burned more than 23,519 acres in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, Calif., forcing evacuations. The blaze spread east into Riverside County, affecting the community of Lake Elsinore.
The Fellowship of Brethren Homes met for an annual forum at Bridgewater (Va.) Retirement Community on Aug. 14-16. The keynote presentation was a panel discussion covering current issues and challenges as well as insights and perspectives about the future. The expert panel comprised nationally recognized leaders in senior living and longterm care, all from nearby Washington, D.C.
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is holding its 11th annual Christian Unity Gathering Oct. 15-18 in Nashville, Tenn., on the theme “Equitable Futures: Paving the Way for Environmental and Economic Justice” delving into the intersection of ecological sustainability and socio-economic equity
Mutual Aid Agency (MAA), which is related to the Church of the Brethren, and its partner agency Brotherhood Mutual are offering a set of resources free to congregations and their leadership. The following may be downloaded from online links: “Child Protection in a Ministry Environment–Guidelines for Ministry Workers,” “Protect Your Ministry’s Directors and Officers,” “Protect Your Roof from Early Failure,” and “Three Payroll Problems to Avoid.” Find out more about MAA at https://maabrethren.com.
The Church of the Brethren’s Standing with People of Color Committee has created a curated resource list featuring books, articles, media, and additional resources that provide insight, education, and understanding of anti-racism and racial justice. This guide will be continually improved as the committee obtains and identifies more relevant resources. It is designed to aid in reflection, discussion, and personal growth. For suggestions and comments on this guide, email standingwithpeopleofcolor@brethren.org. The resource list can be found at www.brethren.org/swpoc or www.onearthpeace.org/swpoc. Trainings for a “7 Prompts” conversation are being offered as online events on Oct. 26, at 12 p.m. Central Time; register at www.onearthpeace.org; and Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. Central Time; register at www.onearthpeace.org/2024_10_28_swpoc_7_prompts_facilitator_training. Registration for each event closes 24 hours before the workshop starts. For more information contact StandingWithPeopleOfColor@brethren.org.
The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team is seeking congregational ambassadors. A role description is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QbQhC3qYsl8FhFWEk9Z5Zr6jWmX5S7M4/view. To express interest, email the team at cob-gvp@onearthpeace.org. Also, the team now has a custom orange t-shirt available for purchase. Go to https://on- earth-peace-merch.printify.me/product/7692810/oep-gun-violence-prevention-campaign-t-shirt.
The new Anabaptist Community Bible is part of the “Anabaptism at 500” project led by MennoMedia, celebrating five centuries since Jan. 21, 1525, when a small group of Christians secretly gathered in Zurich, Switzerland, renounced their baptism as infants, and received baptism as adults. It marked the beginning of the Anabaptist movement that continues today in the form of the Amish, Hutterites, Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and many other related groups. Brethren Press is taking pre-publication orders, to be shipped in January 2025. The pre- publication discount (hardcover $39.99, “soft touch” edition $49.99) is good through Oct. 20. Go to www.brethrenpress.com.
Unit 336 of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) completed orientation in late September at Camp Brethren Heights in Michigan, and the 15 volunteers have begun work at project sites across the United States and in Japan.
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deployed four volunteers to Lake Elsinore, Calif., to assist children impacted by the recent wildfire. The volunteers provided a calm and supportive presence for 21 children while their parents and guardians sought assistance at a Local Assistance Center (LAC). CDS volunteers played an essential role in helping children cope with the stress and trauma of the disaster. The wildfire, which began on Sept. 9, burned more than 23,519 acres in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, Calif., forcing evacuations. The blaze spread east into Riverside County, affecting the community of Lake Elsinore.
The Fellowship of Brethren Homes met for an annual forum at Bridgewater (Va.) Retirement Community on Aug. 14-16. The keynote presentation was a panel discussion covering current issues and challenges as well as insights and perspectives about the future. The expert panel comprised nationally recognized leaders in senior living and longterm care, all from nearby Washington, D.C.
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is holding its 11th annual Christian Unity Gathering Oct. 15-18 in Nashville, Tenn., on the theme “Equitable Futures: Paving the Way for Environmental and Economic Justice” delving into the intersection of ecological sustainability and socio-economic equity
Mutual Aid Agency (MAA), which is related to the Church of the Brethren, and its partner agency Brotherhood Mutual are offering a set of resources free to congregations and their leadership. The following may be downloaded from online links: “Child Protection in a Ministry Environment–Guidelines for Ministry Workers,” “Protect Your Ministry’s Directors and Officers,” “Protect Your Roof from Early Failure,” and “Three Payroll Problems to Avoid.” Find out more about MAA at https://maabrethren.com.
The Church of the Brethren’s Standing with People of Color Committee has created a curated resource list featuring books, articles, media, and additional resources that provide insight, education, and understanding of anti-racism and racial justice. This guide will be continually improved as the committee obtains and identifies more relevant resources. It is designed to aid in reflection, discussion, and personal growth. For suggestions and comments on this guide, email standingwithpeopleofcolor@brethren.org. The resource list can be found at www.brethren.org/swpoc or www.onearthpeace.org/swpoc. Trainings for a “7 Prompts” conversation are being offered as online events on Oct. 26, at 12 p.m. Central Time; register at www.onearthpeace.org; and Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. Central Time; register at www.onearthpeace.org/2024_10_28_swpoc_7_prompts_facilitator_training. Registration for each event closes 24 hours before the workshop starts. For more information contact StandingWithPeopleOfColor@brethren.org.
The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team is seeking congregational ambassadors. A role description is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QbQhC3qYsl8FhFWEk9Z5Zr6jWmX5S7M4/view. To express interest, email the team at cob-gvp@onearthpeace.org. Also, the team now has a custom orange t-shirt available for purchase. Go to https://on- earth-peace-merch.printify.me/product/7692810/oep-gun-violence-prevention-campaign-t-shirt.
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