Church statements and actions

Church of the Brethren
Newsline: Sept. 14, 2001
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

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

  • 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.

  • Sojourners has compiled a list of church statements, worship materials, and other resources on its website. 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."

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