DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board held its fall 2024 meeting Oct. 17-20 at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Colin Scott presided as chair, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and general secretary David Steele. Actions were taken on a proposal for a new Global Mission Development Fund, a proposal for revision of the Health Education and Research Fund, the naming of new board leadership, and Germantown Trust appointments. Also on the agenda, among other items, were a year-to-date financial update for 2024, a board growth session focused on the Strategic Plan’s goal of “Seeking God’s Racial Justice,” an envisioning time to discuss “The Church of Tomorrow,” and reports. A special reception and recognition was held for Nancy Miner, who retired as manager of the General Secretary’s Office to take up a position as co-executive minister for Western Plains District.
The Discipleship and Leadership Formation department of the Church of the Brethren is announcing a new discipleship resource called “Learning to Wash Feet.” Director of spiritual formation Joshua Brockway has produced a series of five videos that define discipleship and explore the ordinances as examples of practices of discipleship formation. The final video of the series offers a story of lifelong discipleship to illustrate the transformation of each disciple into the likeness of Christ. The videos are designed for small group study and are accompanied with downloadable handouts with key scriptures and reflection questions. The videos and handouts are available at www.brethren.org/dlf/learning-to-wash-feet. The videos can be streamed or downloaded. To download, click the Vimeo link at the bottom of the page and select “download” from the menu connected to each video.
On Earth Peace is now accepting applications for Community Engagement Grants for youth groups. The grants offer up to $500 in funding. “Organizing through a Kingian Nonviolence framework, grant winners will closely work with On Earth Peace to better their communities and spread peace,” a release said. “Community Engagement Grant recipients are required to complete three trainings through On Earth Peace. The trainings will be on organizing through a Kingian Nonviolence framework and two other webinars catered and designed specifically for the proposed project.” The deadline for applications is Dec. 15. For more information and to apply go to www.onearthpeace.org/community_engagement_grants.
As of mid-October, Church World Service had coordinated the shipment of 4,372 Clean-Up Buckets, 8,720 Hygiene Kits, 5,890 blankets, 1,205 Menstrual Hygiene Kits, 590 School Kits, and 72 Welcome Backpacks to partners in Florida and North Carolina (a value of more than $561,000) following hurricane damage in those areas, while working with various groups that are assembling kits and establishing temporary depots.
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. 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.
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 Discipleship and Leadership Formation department of the Church of the Brethren is announcing a new discipleship resource called “Learning to Wash Feet.” Director of spiritual formation Joshua Brockway has produced a series of five videos that define discipleship and explore the ordinances as examples of practices of discipleship formation. The final video of the series offers a story of lifelong discipleship to illustrate the transformation of each disciple into the likeness of Christ. The videos are designed for small group study and are accompanied with downloadable handouts with key scriptures and reflection questions. The videos and handouts are available at www.brethren.org/dlf/learning-to-wash-feet. The videos can be streamed or downloaded. To download, click the Vimeo link at the bottom of the page and select “download” from the menu connected to each video.
On Earth Peace is now accepting applications for Community Engagement Grants for youth groups. The grants offer up to $500 in funding. “Organizing through a Kingian Nonviolence framework, grant winners will closely work with On Earth Peace to better their communities and spread peace,” a release said. “Community Engagement Grant recipients are required to complete three trainings through On Earth Peace. The trainings will be on organizing through a Kingian Nonviolence framework and two other webinars catered and designed specifically for the proposed project.” The deadline for applications is Dec. 15. For more information and to apply go to www.onearthpeace.org/community_engagement_grants.
As of mid-October, Church World Service had coordinated the shipment of 4,372 Clean-Up Buckets, 8,720 Hygiene Kits, 5,890 blankets, 1,205 Menstrual Hygiene Kits, 590 School Kits, and 72 Welcome Backpacks to partners in Florida and North Carolina (a value of more than $561,000) following hurricane damage in those areas, while working with various groups that are assembling kits and establishing temporary depots.
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. 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.
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.
<< Home