Church of the Brethren

In this issue: Remembering Mike Leiter, take the Shine survey, last session of moderator Dava Hensley's grief workshops, new video resource from Discipleship and Leadership Formation, job openings, Children's Disaster Services trainings, new district disaster coordinators, anniversaries, and much much more

The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) and the Church of the Brethren and its Discipleship and Leadership Formation department have renewed their partnership to provide training, education, and resources that support congregations in becoming more inclusive of people with disabilities and mental illness.

The Deportation Defense Response Team, an initiative of Church of the Brethren districts, has received many requests for legal expertise and funding to support immigrants in local communities.

Dr. Mary Abraham of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy represented the denomination at a prayer vigil held by ecumenical Christian leaders affiliated with Creation Justice Ministries in Phoenix, Ariz.

This year’s Song and Sory Fest, titled “Blue Ridge: Singin’ the Blues, Searchin’ the Stars!” takes place July 6-12 at Camp Brethren Woods in Keezletown, Va. This annual family camp featuring Church of the Brethren musicians and storytellers and friends is co-sponsored by On Earth Peace.

Tis the season of viriditas. It’s a Latin word that means greenness, but to the 12th-century Christian mystic Hildegard of Bingen, the term went beyond just a color. For her, viriditas was a symbol of the creative spark, the life force that permeates all existence

On Earth Peace is congratulating Darlene Johnson on her retirement after nearly 25 years with the agency. She has served as co-executive director and administration director. The agency also is welcoming Andrew Duffy as interim transition director.

The Church of the Brethren’s Shenandoah District has called Kevin Daggett and Rebecca House to serve as co-district executive ministers beginning Sept. 15. Each will serve a one-half time position carrying out varied responsibilities as determined through their partnership with the district’s Leadership Team.

Keith Call has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. He will begin work at the General Offices on June 2.

The Church of the Brethren’s Mid-Atlantic District has announced a new role at the district level titled the Regional Ministry Associate. In April, Charlotte Bear and Rusty Curling were called to this role, beginning May 1.

Stan Dueck, director of organizational leadership for the Church of the Brethren, served as keynote speaker on the topic “Ministry in a BANI* World” (*Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible)

This year has brought significant transitions. After 25 years of dedicated service, our beloved director of administration, Darlene Johnson, has retired. We are deeply grateful for her long-standing commitment and the stability she provided, and we wish her a happy retirement filled with family, friends, and plenty of gardening!

The Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum has issued the following letter regarding this year’s Annual Conference, which takes place in Greensboro, N.C., on July 2-6 (see www.brethren.org/ac). The Inter-Agency Forum includes the Annual Conference officers and director, the general secretary, representatives from the Council of District Executives, and top leadership of the Conference agencies

Intercultural Ministries Frontliners: A volunteer opportunity for Church of the Brethren members as liaisons in their districts, working alongside the Intercultural Ministries office to help carry out the vision of togetherness as described in the compelling vision

Roger Schrock as former mission staff in South Sudan, Roy Winter as executive for Service Ministries and Brethren Disaster Ministries, and I traveled recently to Uganda to meet with South Sudan staff Athanasus Ungang and two of his team members* to consult on positioning for the future in South Sudan.

Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to fund planning for increased humanitarian needs in South Sudan; an aid program by l’Eglise des Freres au Congo (Church of the Brethren in the DR Congo) for displaced families and refugees in Burundi who have fled the M23 violence; and purchase of medicines and medical equipment for hospitals and clinics serving Palestinians displaced in Gaza City due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Messenger, the Church of the Brethren magazine, received three awards--an award of excellence, an award of merit, and an honorable mention--from the Associated Church Press in the 2024 “Best of the Church Press” contest.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to walk in solidarity with those who face racial injustice and to live out the gospel message of love, justice, and dignity for all. The Standing with People of Color mandate has guided us these past three years in awakening our collective conscience, drawing from the teachings of Christ and inspiration from scriptures like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and the Woman at the Well (John 4).

The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) has published The Story of God’s First People: Bible Stories from the Old Testament, a Bible study curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. Written by Jeanne Davies, ADN executive director, this Bible study fills the need for faith formation resources written from an Anabaptist perspective specifically for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.

In this issue: National Junior High Conference registration ends June 1, prayer concern from the Dominican Republic, action needed to support FEMA, latest Messenger playlist, Southern Pennsylvania District seeks executive minister, Moler Ave. Church of the Brethren 85th anniversary, food running out in Gaza warns WCC, Marie Bachman's One World quilt gains media attention