NEWSLINE, February 25, 2014

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

Feb. 25, 2014 "Hear my voice. Don’t close your ear to my need for relief, to my cry for help" (Lamentations 3:56, CEB). NEWS 1) Brethren Disaster Ministries makes assessment visit to the Philippines 2) On Earth Peace celebrates 40 years with conversations between ‘spirited peacemakers’ 3) Bethany Seminary hosts speakers on peace and justice 4) Building peace in Washington at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days 5) National Council of Churches plans Christian Unity Gathering RESOURCES 6) ‘Guide for Biblical Studies’ studies Jesus' fulfillment of scripture FEATURES 7) Tita Grace’s tiled floor: One family’s story of Typhoon Haiyan 8) 'I trust there will be cactus blooms': Indiana leader reflects on court decision affecting church property 9) Brethren bits: Manchester announces next College of Pharmacy dean, Camp Bethel and CPT seek staff, call for CWS School Kits, WCC general secretary visits Iran, churches involved in anti-torture event, congregations host Bethany professors, and much more. A note to readers: With the shift of Newsline to a weekly publication, we are experimenting with the right time to distribute. It will be sent out on Tuesdays on a trial basis. Reader feedback and comments are welcomed, please contact editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford at cobnews@brethren.org . Find the full text of this Newsline in one document at  www.brethren.org/news/2014/newsline-for-feb-25-2014.html Quote of the week:  “Puerto Rico was the country to which Heifer International sent its first 17 cows 70 years ago. The cows traveled from Mobile, Ala., to San Juan, and then on to Castañer. Where there was once a poor, isolated village, there is now a peaceful, thriving community. Though there are no dairy cows left in Castañer (everyone buys milk in the supermarkets like they do here), the legacy that the Church of the Brethren and Heifer International brought remains.”-- Heifer International president and CEO Pierre Ferrari, in his blog on the Huffington Post website titled “I Found Social Justice in a Puerto Rican Village.” He writes about his visit to Castañer, where he found a community built on Church of the Brethren foundations and the work of Brethren volunteers during and after World War II. Ferrari visited and met with Brethren in Castañer, and visited the hospital and school founded by the Brethren. Read the blog and view photos and a Heifer video about Castañer atwww.huffingtonpost.com/pierre-ferrari/social-justice-embodied-i_b_4817957.html . 1) Brethren Disaster Ministries makes assessment visit to the Philippines  A visit to the Philippines from Jan. 18-28 to evaluate the current state of the response to Typhoon Haiyan was made by Roy Winter, associate executive director of Global Mission and Service and Brethren Disaster Ministries--part of the Church of the Brethren response following the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan last November. Brethren Disaster Ministries is using the information gained to identify local partners and how the Brethren may best contribute to ecumenical relief and recovery efforts. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-disaster-ministries-trip-to-philippines.html 2) On Earth Peace celebrates 40 years with conversations between ‘spirited peacemakers’ By Marie Benner-Rhoades "Visions and Dreams of Building Peace: On Earth Peace Celebrates 40 Years.” Through the 40-year history of On Earth Peace, its ministry of peacemaking has been the result of the dreams and visions of faithful Christians of all ages. In this anniversary year we are drawing on the Acts 2:17 passage and building on those years of practical dreaming. One of the highlights of this 40th year will be a number of planned conversations between spirited peacemakers of all generations. Read the full story at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PEACEBUILDER--On-Earth-Peace-Celebrates-40-Years.html?soid=1101789950144&aid=PJB5SrQzwf8 3) Bethany Seminary hosts speakers on peace and justice By Jenny Williams Two women known for their work toward peace, justice, and human rights spoke during the month of February at Bethany Seminary's Peace Forum, a weekly lunch gathering that highlights issues of peace and social justice through a variety of speakers and program formats. Peggy Gish has been involved with peace and justice work for 45 years, including work in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams since October 2002. Beena Sebastion, founder and chairperson of Cultural Academy for Peace in Kochi, India, spoke Feb. 20 on how peace is linked to equality between men and women. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/bethany-seminary-hosts-speakers-on-peace.html UPCOMING EVENTS 4) Building peace in Washington at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days From March 21-24 hundreds of Christians will gather in Washington, D.C., to build peace together. The 12th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference entitled "Jesus Weeps: Resisting Violence, Building Peace" will explore the violence that saturates our world and seek to find ways to build peace in all areas of society. Ecumenical gatherings like EAD help us to unite with other Christians and give us an opportunity to meet with and encourage one another to work for good, as we are called to do in Hebrews 10:24-25. Read the full story at http://cob.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=26421.0&dlv_id=32481 5) National Council of Churches plans Christian Unity Gathering The National Council of Churches (NCC) is planning a Christian Unity Gathering for May 18-20, at the Hilton hotel at Washington Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C. The NCC has gone through sweeping changes over the last two years. After a time of reflection and reorganization, the NCC is poised to convene people of faith in exploring the widening revelation of God's love and challenge to deepen Christian commitment to work with people who are marginalized and disenfranchised. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/ncc-plans-christian-unity-gathering.html RESOURCES 6) ‘Guide for Biblical Studies’ studies Jesus' fulfillment of scripture Author Estella Horning has written the Spring quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies,” the Brethren Press curriculum for adults. The theme for the quarter is “Jesus’ Fulfillment of Scripture.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/guide-for-biblical-studies.html FEATURES 7) Tita Grace’s tiled floor: One family’s story of Typhoon Haiyan By Peter Barlow Grace Anne stood on a colorful tiled foundation, the only indication that a house once stood where a few broken cinderblocks with jagged rebar were emanating. My memories of standing within these walls, sleeping, eating with this wonderful family, came from a time when they hosted me just a few years ago.  Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/tita-graces-tiled-floor.html 8) 'I trust there will be cactus blooms': Indiana leader reflects on court decision affecting church property A court has ruled against South Central Indiana District in a property suit concerning Roann Church of the Brethren. The ruling on property and assets was in favor of a group wishing to leave the Church of the Brethren. Here is a prayerful reflection on this moment in the life of the district, from district executive minister Beth Sollenberger. Read the full reflection at www.brethren.org/news/2014/i-trust-there-will-be-cactus-blooms.html 9) Brethren bits In this issue: Manchester announces next College of Pharmacy dean, Camp Bethel and CPT seek staff, call for more CWS School Kits, WCC general secretary visits Iran, churches involved in anti-torture event in Washington, congregations host Bethany professors, and much much more. Read the full Brethren bits at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-bits-for-feb-25.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Peter Barlow, Marie Benner-Rhoades, Jonathan Brenneman, Joanna Davidson-Smith, Kendra Flory, Elizabeth Harvey, Nathan Hosler, Jeri S. Kornegay, Paul Roth, Glen Sargent, Beth Sollenberger, John Wall, Jenny Williams, Roy Winter, Jane Yount, and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services for the Church of the Brethren. The next regularly scheduled issue of Newsline is planned for Feb. 28.

Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. Contact the editor at cobnews@brethren.org. Newsline appears every week, with special issues as needed. Stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. Forward Newsline to a friend    Subscribe to Newsline  Unsubscribe