Church of the Brethren

The Church of the Brethren is supporting an independent investigation and assessment of allegations of multiple forms of abuse that may have occurred at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria. The investigation is being carried out by the Zero Abuse Project.

Early on Jan. 1, 2025, a truck was driven into a crowd on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring 35 others. Children's Disaster Services (CDS) has sent a Critical Response Childcare team to provide a calm presence for the children of victims or children of families of the victims.

The goal of the 2023 Shenandoah District Conference was to raise $4,000 to purchase sewing machines for use in Burundi.

In this issue: Remembrances, job openings, a Zoom meeting of Standing Committee, Service Sunday, FaithX registration, EYN pastors released, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, upcoming events, and much much more.

The Death Row Support Project (DRSP) will be holding informational sessions for people interested in learning more about writing to those on death row. Join us on Zoom at any of the below times. During the session we will go over some basics of how this project works, introduce members of the team who are here to support you, and talk about expectations of DRSP writers.

A statement outlining a set of ministry priorities for the Church of the Brethren denomination has guided the Mission and Ministry Board’s decision on the 2025 budget. These priorities, identified by executive-level staff following a series of retreats that general secretary David Steele held over the past year, were outlined by Steele working with the Executive Committee.

The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board held a special Zoom meeting Dec. 5 to act on a proposal for the 2025 budget for denominational ministries. Two items were acted on: The board approved the 2025 budget proposal brought by general secretary David Steele and treasurer Ed Woolf and recommended by the Executive Committee. The board supported a request from the board of Atlantic Southeast District for a day of prayer and fasting for immigrants.

Church of the Brethren treasurer Ed Woolf presented a year-to-date financial report to the Mission and Ministry Board’s meeting on Dec. 5, anticipating a good outcome in terms of giving to the denominational ministries.

Rachel Johnson and Anna Schweitzer will coordinate National Youth Conference (NYC) 2026. They will begin work with the 2025-2026 National Youth Cabinet in the new year to begin planning for NYC. The event will be held at the YMCA of the Rockies near Estes Park, Colo., from July 18-23, 2026.

Leah J. Hileman began Dec. 10 as district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren’s West Marva District, serving in a half-time position. She was ordained in 2011 in Atlantic Southeast District and is currently pastoring Robinson Church of the Brethren in Seward, Pa., in a quarter-time capacity. She lives in Seward and will travel as needed to West Marva District to carry out this role.

In this isssue: Remembering Doris Coppock, Mauri Flora, Leon Neher, and Ray Hileman; the Church of the Brethren Health Care Education Scholarship; upcoming Youth and Young Adult events; registration opens soon for FaithX trips in 2025; think of giving Messenger for Christmas; Brethren Volunteer Service orientation dates for 2025; property manager opening at Brethren Woods; Shine seeks writers; Southeastern District thank you; and more

The On Earth Peace board of directors held its fall 2024 meeting on Oct. 26, marking just over six months since the implementation of our new board meeting structure. Over the past year, we have welcomed several new members to the board, and as a result, we dedicated intentional time to getting to know each other better.