Church of the Brethren
J. Richard (Dick) Gottshall of Roanoke, Va., celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday, Aug. 26, with visits from family, friends, pastoral colleagues, and birthday cards from members of Virlina District congregations. The wisdom he gained throughout his almost 80 years of set-apart ministry continues to be sought after by pastors throughout the Virlina District.
Children’s Disaster Services deploys to Lake Isabella, Calif.
On Aug. 9, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deployed a team of three volunteers to Lake Isabella, Calif., where they served in a Local Assistance Center (LAC) until Aug. 13. Setting up a disaster care center, the team aided the needs of 20 children.
Strength for the Journey: Applications are accepted for 2025 cohorts
Throughout 2024, four clergy cohorts have met for mutual encouragement, spiritual support, and conversation around topics of shared interest. Meeting via Zoom, these cohorts worship together, share resources, discuss familiar challenges, and help each other find strength for the journey of ministry.
New book study addresses spiritual formation, sponsored by Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church is announcing its next book study, beginning in early September via Zoom. “Circuit rider” John Fillmore will lead a discussion of Christian Spiritual Formation by Diane J. Chandler.
Annual Conference resources are still available
Wish you could have attended more equipping sessions during Annual Conference? Recordings of the hybrid equipping sessions are still available to registered attendees on the Eventsquid platform (links are provided to those who registered for the Conference).
Latest Brethren Press publications include Bible studies for small groups, plus Shine extras
Brethren Press has new books and resources available for churches entering into the Fall and a new season for Sunday school classes.
New unit of Brethren Volunteer Service begins work at project sites
The Summer 2024 unit of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), Unit 335, has completed orientation and has been assigned to project sites across the United States and in Northern Ireland. The unit’s orientation took place July 28 to Aug. 5 at Camp Colorado in Sedalia, Colo. The volunteers, their congregations or home locations, and project sites
Brethren Faith in Action grants go to four congregations and a camp
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has given grants to four Church of the Brethren congregations and to one church-related camp. The fund provides grants using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Disaster grants support rebuilding in York County, Child Life Disaster Relief, children in Maui
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have requested the following grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF): $10,000 for a rebuilding project in York County, Pa., following Tropical Storm Ida; $15,000 to support training models and resource development by Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) partner Child Life Disaster Relief; and $5,000 to support families connected with the Maui (Hawaii) Economic Opportunity, Inc.’s Head Start center.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Children's Disaster Services upcoming volunteer trainings, prayer sought for Rwanda Church of the Brethren, new additions to the YouTube channel of historical Church of the Brethren videos, Ted & Co. benefit for On Earth Peace, COBYS Bike & Hike, and more.
Church anniversaries celebrate significant years of ministry in communities
Among Church of the Brethren congregations celebrating significant milestone anniversaries this fall are Summit Church of the Brethren in Bridgewater, Va., and Midland (Mich.) Church of the Brethren.
Bridgewater hosts symposium ‘Perspectives in the Twenty-First Century: Challenges for the Church of the Brethren’
The Bridgewater (Va.) College Forum for Brethren Studies together with the Bridgewater College Endowed Lecture Series present the symposium “Perspectives in the Twenty-First Century: Challenges for the Church of the Brethren,” on Sept. 12-13.
Fall Ventures series kicks off Sept. 7 with course on children and anxiety
The Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College begins its 2024-2025 season with a course on “Supporting Children Overwhelmed by Anxiety.” The course will be presented by John Wenger and Adam Wenger. The course will be held via Zoom on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Central time). Continuing education credit is available.