wfn.org | Newsline - Church of the Brethren news update

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Date: Sept. 14, 2001
Contact: Walt Wiltschek
V: 847/742-5100 F: 847/742-6103
E-MAIL: CoBNews@AOL.Com

SPECIAL REPORT

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Ps. 46:1

NEWS
 1) Brethren Press develops list of worship/nurture resources "For
a Time of Crisis."
 2) Dominican Brethren share their support and prayers.
 3) Roundup of latest denominational news related to US terrorist
attacks.

***************************************************************

 1) Brethren Press staff have compiled a list of resources to help
congregations respond to Tuesday's terrorist attacks along the East
Coast. Titled "For a Time of Crisis," the lists suggest hymns and
worship resources from the Church of the Brethren "Hymnal: A
Worship Book," the first Hymnal supplement booklet, and the
pastors' manual "For All Who Minister."

Among the hymns named are "For the healing of the nations," "Healer
of our every ill," "My life flows on," and "When grief is raw." The
worship resources include affirmations of faith, statements of
confession/reconciliation, pastoral prayers, general prayers, and
a benediction.

Sections on peace resources and responding to children are also
available to assist with congregational worship or nurture
activities. Other information will be added in the days to come.

The resources are posted on the denominational website, at
www.brethren.org/genbd/BP/resources.htm.

 2) Among the many statements of solidarity and support sent to the
Church of the Brethren in the past week, a recent one came from the
Brethren in the Dominican Republic. Jerry and Becky Baile Crouse,
mission coordinators in the Dominican Republic for the Church of
the Brethren General Board's Global Mission Partnerships office,
share these thoughts:

"In the wake of the tragic events in New York, Washington, D.C.,
and Pennsylvania this past Tuesday, calls of support have been
flowing into our mission coordinator office each day. We wanted to
relay to each of you that the Dominican Brethren are deeply grieved
by the horrible events of this week.

"They are keeping all the families of those who have lost loved
ones, all the leaders of our church and nation, and all those
working in disaster response and medical work in their prayers.
Many of the 23 churches meet nightly and have held special times of
prayer for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and an end to such
acts of hatred and violence.

"Their prayers are for the light of Christ to shine within all of
the US Brethren as you minister to those in need and to one another
in this time of crisis. They are praying that God's love, joy, and
hope will illuminate the world through each of you as you stand
firm in your faith in Jesus Christ.

"Dios les bendiga (God bless you all)!"

 3) Other brief news items related to Tuesday's attacks:

*Judy Mills Reimer, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren
General Board, issued a statement related to the terrorist attacks.
That statement, along with several other reflections and resources
by General Board staff, is being sent to all congregations. It is
also posted on the denominational website at
www.brethren.org/genbd/exdir/reflections.htm.

*Judy Myers-Walls, a member of the Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the
Brethren, is a professor at Purdue University and an expert on
dealing with children. She has created a website on "Terrorism and
Children" at www.ces.purdue.edu, giving suggestions for talking
with children about this week's attacks. Myers-Walls has received
calls and e-mails from around the world seeking help or interviews.

*A World Council of Churches delegation scheduled to visit the
Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Sept. 18
has indefinitely postponed their trip due to current travel
shutdowns and restrictions. The Church of the Brethren InterAgency
Forum meeting scheduled for this week in New Windsor, Md., was
earlier also cancelled.

*The American Red Cross announced Thursday that they are no longer
asking for blood donations, as immediate needs have been met.
Future needs will exist, however, so appointments for coming weeks
can be made by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The Brethren Service Center
in New Windsor, Md., said material donations are also not needed at
this time, as warehouses are overflowing.

*Church of the Brethren offices involved in coordinating the
denomination's participation in the Decade to Overcome Violence
drafted a response to the violence of Sept. 11. It is posted on the
denominational website at www.brethren.org/dov.

*Sojourners has compiled a list of church statements, worship
materials, and other resources on its website, at
www.sojo.net/special/index.cfm/action/special/statement/packet.ht
ml. Among those is an ecumenical statement initiated by the Rev.
Jim Wallis of Sojourners and five others, since signed by more than
100 church leaders. Among early signers were Southern Ohio District
executive Mark Flory Steury and La Verne (Calif.) Church of the
Brethren pastor Chuck Boyer. 

 

Newsline is produced by Walt Wiltschek, manager of news services
for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third
and fifth Friday of each month. Newsline stories may be reprinted
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