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The Bruderhof a Call to Christian Community
A few weeks ago I experienced one of the most distinct ways of celebrating Whitsun; this is what the Broderhof call the Day of Pentecost. I was recently invited to visit the Fox Hill Bruderhof community in Walden, NY for a weekend. The Bruderhof is a Christian community with roots in the Anabaptist movement, who trace their beginnings to the early 1900's in Germany. They seek to live in an authentic Christ-centered community based on the Sermon on the Mount and Acts 2 & 4.
One of their main beliefs is life in community. They believe "The whole of life in church community must be a sacrament, a living symbol that illustrates God's calling for humankind. We do not want to wait for peace and justice until the day of Christ's return. We wish to demonstrate a shared life of work and worship in which the harmony of his coming kingdom can be seen and touched today, in our daily lives."
During my visit, I was invited to share about the work and ministry of Christian Churches Together, as well as my own Christian journey. I was deeply impressed by the commitment to live the principles of the gospel in very tangible and intentional ways. I had the opportunity to spend a full day with one of the families and learn and ask as much as I wished about their way of life.
The Bruderhof are clear in that their way of living out the gospel is not for everyone, it requires a full commitment to abandon private possession and share life in a community were all are equal and all possessions are shared. I returned to our traditional way of life with many questions about our gospel priorities, our obsession with war, and a desire to live more simply.
I invite you to learn more about their faith and their commitment to live radically in community.
The leadership of the Bruderhof communities is considering applying for participation in Christian Churches Together.
Rev. Carlos L. Malave
Executive Director
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North American Academy of Ecumenists
Annual gathering "Commemorating the Reformation: Churches Looking Together Toward 2017 - and Beyond"
September 23-25, 2016
Atlanta, GA
The 2016 Student Prize
The Brother Jeffrey Gros Memorial Fund
-- June 15, 2016 Deadline
Open to current undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in Christian unity.
For more information, visit www.naae.net
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Racial Justice Institute
Sponsored by Evangelicals for Social Action
Thursday July 7th, 2016
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
A day to talk about race, in a way you may never have before.
Are you tired of conversations about race that quickly turn into shouting matches? Do you feel awkward, as a white person, bringing up race, or feel your "help" is not wanted in movements like Black Lives Matter? Do you feel frustrated, as a person of color, being asked to explain things to white folks? Do you want to know the difference between "celebrating diversity" and "challenging racial injustice"? Whose job is it to educate others about race-based social disparities? Is it possible to confront white privilege, promote racial justice, and still have friends?
Join us for a one-day interactive workshop to talk, pray, sing, learn, reflect, heal, ask tough questions and discover creative ways to address racial injustice, together. This personal and communal journey will be facilitated by a group ofgifted and wise, multiracial and interdisciplinary facilitators including Micky ScottBey Jones, Dr. Paul Alexander, Kenji Kuramitsu, Rev. Jennifer Bailey and many more.
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Meeting of CCT Communion Leaders in the NYC Area
Catholics, Orthodox and Protestant senior national leaders in the New York City area met on May 13, 2016. CCT brought together these leaders to strengthen relationships among them, to know about each others communion's ministry and work and to talk about the persecuted Christians around the world. Some of the leaders met for the first time, Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA. Each of them contributed with ideas towards the CCT Forum on the Persecuted Christians to be held later in 2016.
One of the leaders said that, suffering and persecutions is not only of Christians, but of Muslims also. Christians in the Middle-East have repeatedly call attention to this fact. This has been a way for these Christians to witness to the gospel. Another leader commented: "However there is a Christian genocide happening."
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CCT Steering Committee Spring Meeting
Should Christian Churches Together include among its dialogue and common efforts the issues of Pornography and Sex/Human Trafficking? This was one of the important questions that the Steering Committee of CCT discussed during its spring meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. They were graciously hosted at the Habitat for Humanity national offices.
The Rev. Suzzi Paynter, Executive Coordinator Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a member communion of CCT, made a presentation on the topic of Human/Sex Trafficking. Following this presentation, they heard a second address by Rick Schatz, Executive Director of Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP).
Some of the other items discussed in the agenda includes:
- The ongoing work on racial justice and reconciliation. The steering committee discussed at length the next steps in their efforts to strengthen the relationships with the Methodist-Episcopal Churches (CME, AME, AMEZ).
- The creation of a Creation Justice Network in CCT.
- They received a report of a very successful meeting of the CCT Latino Network held in Los Angeles last April.
- The steering committee approved receiving as official participants the Assyrian Church of the East and the World Convention of Christian Churches. Final consensus of all communions will be requested through electronic communication.
The topics of the 2017 CCT Annual Convocation were identified. The theme for the 2017 convocation is: "500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation Sings of Hope & What Divides Us Today." The convocation will be held from January 31 to February 3 in Garden Grove, CA. Part of the convocation will be at the Christ Cathedral (previously Cristal Cathedral).
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David Steele is named general secretary-elect of the Church of the Brethren
May 25, 2016 (Elgin, IL) -- David A. Steele of Martinsburg, Pa., has been named general secretary-elect of the Church of the Brethren. He is district executive minister of the church's Middle Pennsylvania District, a position he has held since 2005. His start date as general secretary will be Sept. 1.
"I am humbled to be called," Steele said. "Obviously it is a daunting call in some respects, given the currents in the life of the church, but it's an exciting call. I look forward to the opportunity of serving in this capacity."
Steele is an ordained minister who has held many leadership positions, including in 2015 serving as Annual Conference moderator--the highest elected position in the Church of the Brethren. He also has served on the Council of District Executives and the Ministry Advisory Council, he has been a board member for the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center based at Elizabethtown, Pa., has coordinated music and worship for the National Youth Conference, has been on the planning team and a worship coordinator for the National Junior High Conference, and was an advisor for the National Youth Cabinet.
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DONATE
You can support CCT efforts to build bridges of understanding among American Christians. Your contribution, regardless of the amount is needed.
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Christian Churches Together | 502-509-5168 | Email | Website |
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