* What can we learn from Israelis about U.S. immigration concerns?
* If God were to give the Holy Land to another people, how would we know?
* What claim do you have to the land where you live?
* If you were forced to leave, at what point would you lose your right to return?

Anna Lisa Gross recently returned from three weeks in Palestine, Israel and Jordan and wants to discuss questions like these on February 17 at 5pm. Come for dinner, stories and discussion about politics, ethics, faith and culture in the Middle East, Christian Peacemaker Teams and what we can do to help.  continue reading »

On Earth Peace is working this year with the theme Building Bridges through Christ's Love. For our next newsletter, we are focusing on the church and the bridge building that can happen in the church. We are looking for brief stories (1-2 paragraphs) of how the church (local and denominational) is at its best when crossing divides. We cannot guarantee that we will use everything we receive. Please send your stories to bsayler_oepa@brethren.org by October 17.

The South/Central Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren, which includes churches in Wayne County, held a special conference on Saturday October, 21. Here is the issue that was voted on:

...any South Central Indiana District Church of the Brethren congregation that allows a same sex covenant service on church property or with the assistance of church ministerial leadership will have a three year moratorium placed upon their participation in elected and appointed District offices, including seating delegates at District conference. Durint this time of moratorium, the Church will also submit to work with the District Board, Ministry of Reconciliation, Annual Conference Council and other entities as directed by the 2004 Annual Conference paper - Congregational Disagreement with Annual Conference decisions - to address the issues surrounding their broken relationships with the larger church. Further, that the Church will be directed to suspend indefinitely conducting or facilitating same sex covenant services, on church property or with the assistance of church ministerial leadership.  continue reading »