Newsline, January 3, 2014

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

Jan. 3, 2014 “The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9b).  1) Annual Conference moderator shares New Year’s greetings with the church 2) Church of the Brethren aids refugees in South Sudan, some mission staff leave the country UPCOMING EVENTS 3) Online registration for National Youth Conference begins this evening FEATURE 4) Press Conference with King Herod: A contemporary reflection on the murder of the Bethlehem children 5) Brethren bits: Remembering BCA’s Allen Deeter, Church of the Brethren and BBT personnel, Timbercrest chaplain to retire, Brethren Mission Fund committee change and grant to EYN, “Keeping Our Children Safe” in Virlina, Camp Harmony celebrates its 90th, and more. Find the full text of this Newsline in one document at www.brethren.org/news/2014/newsline-for-jan-3-2014.html ******************************************** Quote of the week: “They helped me become what I am today." -- Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker Michael Himlie talking about the congregation at Root River Church of the Brethren, the church in which he grew up. Himlie was interviewed by the “News-Record” of Marshall, Iowa, while on a holiday break from his work with Brethren Disaster Ministries. Read the full interview at www.hometown-pages.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=22&ArticleID=51661 ******************************************** 1) Annual Conference moderator shares New Year’s greetings with the church Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, is sharing greetings with the denomination and its members in this New Year 2014. The following letter offering encouragement for a life of Christian discipleship, is being sent to congregational delegates by mail. For more information about Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac . January 1, 2014  Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Church of the Brethren, greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace and the One who is God-with-us! As I write this letter we stand at the threshold of a new year, full of bright promise and possibility.... Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/annual-conference-moderator-sends-new-year-letter.html 2) Church of the Brethren aids refugees in South Sudan, some mission staff leave the country “We’re actively purchasing supplies for distribution to refugees” in South Sudan, reports Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren. One of three Brethren mission workers remains in South Sudan, while two have left the country, after violence broke out shortly before Christmas. The violence is linked to a coup attempt by a recently deposed vice president, and fears of the exacerbation of ethnic tensions in the nation. Also, a number of South Sudanese church leaders have written public letters about the situation in South Sudan. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/church-aids-refugees-in-south-sudan.html UPCOMING EVENTS 3) Online registration for National Youth Conference begins this evening Online registration for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2014 opens this evening, Jan. 3, at7 p.m. central time. The conference will be held July 19-24 on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., and all youth who have completed 9th grade through one year of college are eligible to attend. To register, beginning at 7 p.m. (central), visitwww.brethren.org/NYC and click “Register Now.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2014/online-registration-opens-for-nyc2014.html FEATURE 4) Press Conference with King Herod: A contemporary reflection on the murder of the Bethlehem children By Tim Heishman "When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger" (Matthew 2:16a). Good morning! It has come to my attention that some of you are planning to release a story about a special forces operation in the village of Bethlehem overnight. Now, I have pledged to be the most open and transparent administration in history and today is no exception. So my administration wants to make sure you have all the correct information on this developing situation.... Read the full reflection at www.brethren.org/news/2014/press-conference-with-king-herod.html 5) Brethren bits In this issue: Remembering Brethren Colleges Abroad’s Allen Deeter, personnel notes from the Church of the Brethren and BBT, Timbercrest chaplain to retire, Brethren Mission Fund committee change and grant to EYN Compassion Fund, “Keeping Our Children Safe” in Virlina District, Camp Harmony celebrates its 90th, and more news about and for Brethren. Read the full Brethren bits at www.brethren.org/news/2014/brethren-bits-for-jan-3.html Contributors to this issue of Newsline include Deborah Brehm, Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Tim Heishman, Brian Solem, Jay Wittmeyer, David Young, 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 Jan. 10.

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