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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Is There Enough God? Can Jesus be Lord to the Gentiles? That’s like asking, “Is there enough of God to go around?” Yes. Of course. This is a major theme that weaves through Matthew’s Gospel; Jesus is the Savior of the world, not just for Jews. That was a bitter pill […]

Beth Sollenberger will retire on Sept. 30 as interim director of administration for the Church of the Brethren’s Atlantic Southeastern District. She has served in the position since April 1, 2024. She has been working both from her home in Goshen, Ind., as well as onsite in the district.

Last night, a joyful, spiritual gathering at Central Synagogue was disrupted by violence. We will not answer fear by retreating behind locked doors

The 13 members of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 339 have begun service at their project sites. The volunteers completed orientation on July 27 to Aug. 4 at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio.

The latest set of grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) support ministries of congregations in Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Also, global church leaders in East Africa received support to attend an agricultural training symposium.

Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed the latest round of grants, made this spring through early summer, from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF). The grants support disaster relief efforts and aid in North Carolina, Western Maryland, Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, and Cuba.

[Episcopal Church of New Hampshire] After an extensive search process, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire has selected three candidates for the 11th bishop, to replace retiring Bishop Robert Hirschfeld, according to an Aug. 14 announcement. The next step is for finalists to meet with church members, lay leaders and clergy across New Hampshire at three events in October. Delegates will then vote for their next bishop on Oct. 24, 2026. The candidates were identified after an eight-month process that included a diocesan survey and listening sessions with church members across the diocese. The candidates on the slate are: The Rev. Ed Cardoza, priest-in-charge, Grace Church, Manchester, New Hampshire. The Rev. Fran Gardner-Smith, rector, St. Thomas Church, McLean, Virginia. The Rev. Kristofer Lindh-Payne, canon to the ordinary for leadership, Diocese of Maryland. Additional nominees may be added through a petition process that concludes on Aug. 22, 2026. Margaret Porter, president of the standing committee, says that the process reflects the best qualities of the diocese and its membership. “We are incredibly blessed by the commitment of our search committee, who have generously shared their time,” Porter said. “Their lengthy discernment has provided us with three people who match the hopes and prayers of our Episcopal Church in New Hampshire. Our equally dedicated transition committee members and other volunteers are preparing for the upcoming events to welcome the candidates to the diocese, express our gratitude to retiring Bishop Hirschfeld after 14 years in ministry with us, and install our new bishop.” Hirschfeld became bishop in August 2014. The Episcopal Church of New Hampshire serves approximately 10,000 members across 46 congregations and eight seasonal chapels statewide. The diocese describes itself as geographically diverse, spiritually resilient and deeply committed to community-based ministry. Meet and Greet events will be held Oct. 8-10 in multiple locations: Ashland, Exeter and Concord. The candidates will spend time conversing with people, sharing their vision for the future and fielding questions. The electing convention is scheduled for Oct. 24 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Concord, when lay delegates from the 46 New Hampshire congregations, along with clergy, will vote for the next bishop. The ordination and consecration of the 11th bishop of New Hampshire will take place March 6, 2027, at Rollins Chapel in Hanover, with the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, officiating. For more information, please visit nhepiscopalbishoptransition.org.

The Rev. Adam Hamilton, United Methodist pastor and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, was honored for leadership on Aug. 4 during the 2026 installment of Discipleship Ministries’ School of Congregational Development.

Pastors and lay leaders gathered Aug. 2-5 for the RISE UP conference, a biennial event to help equip clergy and lay leaders to plant, revitalize and innovate local churches.

(Worship at the 2026 Synod of the Northern Province)  The watchword for the week: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Psalm 67:5 O Lord, let my soul rise to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun. May the love of the Lord our God be […]