News

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

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 business items to be addressed by the delegate body at the 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference have been announced. There are three items of unfinished business and six items of new business on the agenda, including recommendations for renewal of the agency status of Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace, and two new queries–along with numerous reports and the annual ballot.

Church of the Brethren leaders are sending a letter expressing condolence to the Catholic Church on the death of Pope Francis. The letter is signed by Annual Conference moderator Dava Hensley and general secretary David Steele, and is being sent to the Vatican and to denominational ecumenical partners that are based in the Catholic tradition.

The 2025 Annual Conference Blood Drive will be held in the Sheraton Greensboro (N.C.) Heritage Room on Thursday, July 3, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday, July 4, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., in partnership with the American Red Cross.