Greetings as we enter this year of 2025. With these new beginnings, our thoughts bring memories of the past, evaluating our present, and looking forward to the newness of life where God is leading us as individuals and as the church. It is not an easy time, and loss and grief are a part of this process.

Let’s take the opportunity, in small groups of three or four people, to share, listen to, and process our feelings and observations about racial justice and racism in our lives as Brethren by coming together via Zoom on Nov. 23 from 1-5 p.m. (Eastern time). During this four-hour session, members of the Standing with People of Color Committee will help you experience the “7 Prompts” and the BELOVED model of communication first-hand.

The Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference met via Zoom on the evening of Sept. 30 to consider and act on covenants with the three agencies of Annual Conference—Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace. Also acted on was a recommendation to Annual Conference to renew their agency status.