Equipping Sessions

Monday afternoon, June 29

12:30 PM

Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors: Legal Updates, Ally Resources, and US Militarism (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Nathan Hosler, Founa Badet, Marcia Sowles, Hannah Nelson
Focus: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35, NRSVUE) As threats of deportation continue and intensify, how can we as members of the Church of the Brethren continue to respond to the biblical call to love our neighbor and welcome strangers? This session, hosted by the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and Intercultural Ministries, will provide updates on advocacy around immigration issues, including legal updates on key cases, know your rights resources, and exploring the connection to growing US militarism.
Agency/District: Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Representative: Hannah Nelson
Location: Jefferson B

Your Retirement Journey: A Practical Guide for Pastors (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Mark Watson, Joe Sullivan
Focus: Retirement isn’t an ending—it’s a new chapter in your calling. Like planning a meaningful road trip, preparing for retirement requires a clear map and the right tools. In this session, we’ll explore the essential steps for creating a secure, fulfilling retirement that aligns with your values and ministry experience. You’ll leave with a practical checklist and actionable insights to help you navigate this important transition with confidence and peace of mind.
Agency/District: Eder Financial
Representative: Loyce Borgmann
Location: Jefferson C

Setting Up Global Churches for Self-sustainability (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Sharon Norton
Focus: Micah 4:4 uses the phrase “and each will live under their own vine and fig tree” in a passage about a future reign of peace, symbolizing everyone having enough to live in dignity and tranquility. Right before this verse it talks of beating their swords into plowshares. What would it look like for our global churches to be able to live in peace and be able to generate enough income locally to fund all their own ministries? We will explore some possible ways to lay the groundwork for this to happen. Anyone who has entrepreneurial experience and evaluating business plans is especially welcome to this conversation.
Agency/District: Global Mission
Representative: Sharon Norton
Location: Jefferson A

Be SMART – Safe Gun Storage Training

Presenters: Sandi Evans Rogers, Mandy Park, Rhonda Baker
Focus: Be SMART is a Campaign that was launched in 2015 as a framework is a framework that parents, caretakers, and community leaders can follow to help keep their communities safer from gun violence with a focus on safe gun storage. This session with equip you to train others; your congregation, local school, local parent organization and more on how that can use Be SMART with families in their congregations, organizations and/or community. Our goal is to trained leaders in every District, who in turn can train others in their congregations.
Agency/District: On Earth Peace
Representative: Sandi Evans Rogers
Location: Anthony Wayne A

Building an Inclusive Church: Evaluating your congregation’s welcome to the LGBTQ+ community

Presenters: Naomi Kraenbring/ SCN Pastors
Focus: Has your congregation thought about being part of Supportive Communities Network (SCN)? Come and learn more about SCN, a network of over 150 affirming congregations coordinated by the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ+ Interests (BMC). We’ll share about the process in which congregations engage to become part of SCN and why it’s important to go beyond a heartfelt “all are welcome here” statement. Utilizing the “Building an Inclusive Church: A Welcoming Toolkit 3.0,” we will engage in a real-time evaluation of your congregation’s inclusive practices. You will leave with resources and practical ideas for how to encourage your congregation to be a place of welcome, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized people.
Agency/District: Brethren Mennonite Council
Representative: Naomi Kraenbring
Location: Anthony Wayne B

Monday evening, June 29

8:30 PM

Jesus’s Simple Plan for Growing the Church (.1 CEU)

Presenter: James Washington
Focus: But sometimes, we make it complicated. We get caught in the tension between tradition and transformation, between the commitment and to the institution and commitment to the Christ. This workshop is designed to tackle that tension head-on by exploring two core ideas, or two parts, as we have laid out: Part One: Reimagining Our Relationship with Jesus. We will be examining what it means to be followers of Christ. Is this the same as our commitment to the church, or are they different? Part Two: Reimagining How We Worship. We will ask the challenging question: Are we being faithful to our denomination by continuing to do worship the traditional way? Would we be unfaithful if we decided to do church a new way?
The Invitation to Grow. “This is not a session about tearing down the past. It’s about building a better future by asking the hard questions: What does it mean to follow Jesus? Are we followers of Jesus because we pay our tithes and attend church regularly?
Agency/District: Discipleship and Leadership Formation / Intercultural Ministries
Representative: Founa Badet
Location: Jefferson A

Waging Peace in South Sudan / Hurricane Melissa Recovery in Haiti

Presenters: Athanasus Ungang, Roy Winter, Ilexene Alphonse, Sharon Norton
Focus: South Sudan: Join Athanasus Ungang and US staff to learn about the growing church and relief activities that are building the foundations for peace, even in the midst of civil war. Haiti: Join Haitian American church leaders and US staff to learn about the Hurricane Melissa recovery program, the Haiti Medical Project, and other updates from Haiti. Participants will learn about the current situations in South Sudan and Haiti, the challenges that the Churches are helping families overcome, programs that support the local churches, and how US congregations can support this work.
Agency/District: Brethren Disaster Ministries/Global Mission
Representative: Roy Winter
Location: Harrison C

Rebooting your Ministry: Technology as a Tool for Outreach (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred, Aly Heckeroth
Focus: How is God calling your congregation to reach beyond its walls in this season, and how might you utilize technology to enhance your response to that call? Join us to explore creative and effective ways to use technology to expand your ministry and reach more people. This session will introduce practical tools that your congregation can use to build connections with your community and beyond. You are welcome to bring a laptop to follow along and engage with the tools in real time.
Agency/District: Brethren Volunteer Service/ FaithX
Representative: Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred
Location: Jefferson C

Envisioning the Future of Eder Financial: Strengthening Our Shared Ministry

Presenters: Nevin Dulabaum, Lynnae Rodeffer
Focus: Join us for an important update on the ongoing work of Eder Financial as we continue living out our commitment to faithfully serve individuals, congregations, districts, and affiliated ministries. This session will highlight the latest developments designed to support long-term vitality across our shared ministries. You will learn how Eder is working to strengthen the financial sustainability of employee benefit programs, support the future of deferred giving and stewardship ministries, enhance organizational investment strategies, preserve church plan status in ways that honor Brethren practices, and ensure ongoing alignment with our denominational values, faith commitments, and the mission we carry together. Come explore how these efforts help sustain the members and ministries of the Church of the Brethren for generations to come.
Agency/District: Eder Financial
Representative: Loyce Borgmann
Location: Anthony Wayne B

Transforming Polarized Conversations (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Dr. Betty Pries
Focus: Transforming polarized conversations is challenging especially when we miss the wisdom that polarized perspectives are longing to reveal. This session considers the dynamics of polarization while proposing strategies and spiritual principles for transforming deeply entrenched differences.
Agency/District: Discipleship and Leadership Formation / Ministry Office
Representative: Nancy Sollenberger Heishman
Location: Jefferson B
Events with Dr. Betty Pries

Saving our Humanity in the Age of AI (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Russell Haitch
Focus: Whether the latest news about artificial intelligence brings excitement, fatigue, or dread, there’s still a discussion pastors and church leaders need to have about how it is affecting our humanity, one that runs deeper than headlines or “hot takes.” The bigger question is not only what AI is doing to our jobs but to our souls—our relationships with God and one another. As machines become human-like in language ability and robotic appearance, and as people become more mechanical with the integration of technology into our bodies as well as our lives, how can we ensure we do not lose our essential humanity as God’s image-bearers? Come hear and share insights that speak to this question.
Agency/District: Bethany Theological Seminary
Representative: Lori Current
Location: Anthony Wayne A

Dunkers and the Declaration of Independence: Then and Now (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Denise Kettering-Lane
Focus: Dr. Denise Kettering-Lane will be discussing the interplay between the Declaration of Independence and Brethren development during the early decades of our country, with a few thoughts about church and state in our times.
Agency/District: Brethren Historical Library and Archives
Representative: Keith Call
Location: Harrison E

Supporting Immigrant Members of Brethren Churches

Presenters: Beth Sollenberger, Matt Guynn
Focus: Those working as part of the Deportation Defense Response Team will share stories of how current government enforcement of immigration law is impacting Church of the Brethren congregations and their members. The session will also share ways that Brethren from any congregation can become involved in helping these churches or working with those impacted in their local community.
Agency/District: Atlantic Northeast, Atlantic Southeast, Pacific Southwest, and Virlina Districts
Representative: Russ Matteson
Location: Harrison D

Tuesday morning, June 30

9:30 AM

Preaching Jesus in a World Obsessed with The Chosen (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Aaron Gross
Focus: The Chosen, created by Dallas Jenkins, is a multi-season television series that dramatizes the life of Jesus Christ through the perspectives of those who encounter him. Set in first-century Roman-occupied Israel, the series follows fishermen, tax collectors, and religious leaders whose lives are transformed by Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and compassion. Rather than focusing solely on biblical events, the show explores the personal struggles, doubts, and relationships of its characters, giving them emotional depth and humanity that readers just do not see in the biblical account. The Chosen presents a relatable, intimate portrayal of faith, redemption, and the impact of encountering Jesus Christ; yet employs fictional scenarios and extrabiblical information to make its point. How does a preacher navigate this world-wide phenomenon from the pulpit and from the Sunday school room? How does a Christ-follower discern what is biblical truth, historical information, and just plain fiction?
Agency/District: Program & Arrangements Committee
Representative: Aaron Gross
Location: Anthony Wayne A

Conscience and Courage: Objecting to War Now! (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Panel
Focus: The Church of the Brethren believes that all war is sin, yet our preparedness for conscientious objection in times of war always seems to come a little too late. As armed conflict with many different countries seems to become a real possibility for American citizens, we must look to our churches and within ourselves to see what we believe about violence and war, and how we can muster the courage to walk a path of peace. Join On Earth Peace as we discuss conscientious objection for youth and adults, how we can support each other in standing up to violence in all its forms, and how we can work together to ensure the Church of the Brethren’s witness to the world is one of active peace. Participants will hear updates about conscientious objection in 2026 and receive resources you can use at the congregational and district level.
Agency/District: On Earth Peace
Representative: Marie Benner-Rhoades
Location: Anthony Wayne B

Bible Study #1 Imagination and Future Hope: God’s Call to Vision and Action in the Hebrew Bible (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Steve Schweitzer
Focus: God invites us into the process of vision, hope, and imagination for the future. In the Hebrew Bible, we see various texts calling the people to imagine and live out God’s vision for God’s people and for this world. The prophetic and wisdom literature wrestle with the past, the present, and the future as they depict possible worlds that could be, if the people embrace what God is doing among them. Selected texts from the Prophets and Wisdom books will be examined, and put in conversation with other Hebrew Bible passages, as we step into God’s unfolding story of promise and possibility.
Agency/District: Bethany Theological Seminary
Representative: Lori Current
Location: Jefferson A

Spiritual Practices that Build Resilience in Children

Presenters: Joan Daggett, Joyce Lind, Shana Boshart, Rachel Eby
Focus: In a world of uncertainty and change, how can parents and teachers help children stay grounded in God’s love? In this workshop, the Shine team invites you to discover practical, life-giving spiritual practices that help children grow in resilience, hope, and trust in God’s love. Participants will explore creative ways to read the Bible with children, experience prayer practices that involve the whole family, and practice holy listening to the Spirit at work in children’s stories. Come ready to share ideas, learn from others, and leave with concrete ideas for strengthening your ministry with children and equipping parents and caregivers to nurture faith at home. Together, we’ll rediscover sacred rhythms that foster peace, belonging, and strength for children and the wider faith community.
Agency/District: Brethren Press/Shine Curriculum
Representative: Joan Daggett
Location: Jefferson B

Travel For Your Cause: Fundraising with Fun, Faith, and Purpose

Presenter: Joshua Wood
Focus: Discover how congregations and districts can transform fundraising into a joyful, community-building experience. Travel For Your Cause equips churches with innovative group travel opportunities that raise funds for the organizations they care about most—while strengthening fellowship and deepening missional impact. This session will inspire leaders with a vision for sustainable ministry support and invite them to explore how their own church or district can begin planning a fundraising journey that blends fun, faith, and purpose.
Agency/District: Wood Travel Partners
Representative: Joshua Wood
Location: Jefferson C

10:45 AM

Preaching to those who Struggle with Chemical Addictions (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Aaron Gross
Focus: The struggle with drug addiction in America is a profound crisis that affects individuals, families, and communities. From a Christian perspective, addiction reflects both human brokenness and the deep need for grace, healing, and redemption. Believers must respond with compassion rather than judgment. Scripture emphasizes love, restoration, and caring for the suffering, urging the Church to support recovery. But how can a preacher use the pulpit as a tool for Christ-centered recovery? What can be done in a sermon to promote healing and wholeness to those in the grip of addictive tendencies? By viewing addiction as an illness and a spiritual battle, preachers can offer hope. But the words they speak from the pulpit must be understood for hope to take root. What does it take, preacher, for the person seeking recovery to understand the sermon? Come and glean insights on how 16 years of recovery ministry and preaching to those in the grip of addiction has transformed a local community.
Agency/District: Program & Arrangements Committee
Representative: Aaron Gross
Location: Anthony Wayne A

Hard Conversations Can Build Family, Community, Church, and Future (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Carol Lindquist
Focus: In a time when lines of communication have broken down and it can be hard to trust or believe one another, we all carry the ability to practice the spiritual disciplines of listening and engaging with one another that build the foundation of effective communication. These skills can be applied across different topics and settings: political disagreements, church conflicts, workplace challenges, and differences with those we hold most dear. Despite the polarization of society, we in the church can be a different force – a force for simple, wholesome relationship-building, informed by scriptures like Matthew 18:15-22, James 3:17-18, and Colossians 3:12-14. Participants will receive specific tools and handouts that will be immediately applicable and useful in a variety of settings.
Representative: Matt Guynn
Agency/District: On Earth Peace
Location: Anthony Wayne B

Bible Study #2 Imagining and Living the Future Reign of God (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Dan Ulrich
Focus: When New Testament authors proclaimed Jesus as Messiah, they understood that the Messiah’s role was to bring about God’s end-time reign of justice and peace. Despite the obvious continuation of injustice and conflict in the world they inhabited, they believed that God’s reign had already begun and that Jesus would complete the promised transformation of the world in due time. In this workshop, we will sample New Testament texts that call us to imagine and practice already the new way of living that God’s reign entails.
Agency/District: Bethany Theological Seminary
Representative: Lori Current
Location: Jefferson A

Imagine God’s Abundance: Addressing Food Insecurity in the US and around the World (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Jenn Hosler
Focus: Jesus’ gospel calls us to a new reality, where there is good news for the poor, the hungry are fed, and the thirsty are given water (Lk 4:18; Lk 6:20-21; Mt 25:31-46). Around the world and in the United States, churches and organizations partner with Global Food Initiative (GFI) to imagine God’s abundance for their communities. GFI is the primary way the Church of the Brethren addresses hunger and food insecurity, empowering people to meet their nutritional needs, farm sustainably, feed children, and create livelihoods. Recent international grants supported regenerative agriculture training, grain mills for subsistence farmers, clean water projects, agriculture-based income generation projects, and other initiatives. GFI also funds ministries in the United States, including church-based gardens, nutrition education, food pantries, community meals, and more. Come and learn how GFI partners with congregations and communities to imagine God’s abundance and address food insecurity.
Agency/District: Global Mission
Representative: Jennifer Hosler
Location: Jefferson B

Resources at the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center

Presenter: Allison Singleton
Focus: Being Brethren … Understanding Your Roots… Bringing History to Life: Using the Genealogy Center. The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center offers free resources to make history come alive. Whether homeschooling or leading a co-op, explore hands-on ways to connect with the past using historical records, family stories, and local resources to enrich studies in American history, immigration, military history, and more. We have invited Allison DePrey Singleton, MA, MLS, the Genealogy Services Manager to share. Allison is a frequent speaker; she also served as Co-Chair of the 2018 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference. Allison is President of the Indiana Genealogical Society, Vice-President of Fort Wayne Sister Cities International, and serves on the board of the Indiana German Heritage Society.
Agency/District: Fellowship of Brethren Genealogists
Representative: Thomas Liby
Location: Allen County Public Library, Meeting Room C

Tuesday afternoon, June 30

12:30 PM

Both the practical and the visionary: What does holistic peace look like? (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Nathan Hosler, Hannah Nelson, Marcia Sowles, Brigitte Zawadi
Focus: The work of peacebuilding requires long-term, visionary thinking, combined with the ability to translate a vision into practical short-term steps. Sometimes, we can get bogged down in everyday details and administrative steps to get things done, and don’t think of alternatives. Sometimes, we may only think of an abstract future and not know what the first steps are. Join the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy in a discussion about bridging between these two aspects of changemaking and how these concepts apply in the work of our office.
Agency/District: Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Representative: Hannah Nelson
Location: Jefferson C

Celebrating Nigeria Crisis Response and EYN update (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Roy Winter, Daniel Mbaya, Sharon Norton
Focus: EYN President Daniel Mbaya will share the impact of the Crisis Fund as we near its completion. US staff will also share their experiences with the U.S. Church in this initiative of compassion and solidarity. This will be a celebration, marking a significant partnership with the EYN in responding to the effects of violence.
Agency/District: Global Mission/Brethren Disaster Ministries
Representative: Sharon Norton
Location: Jefferson B

Imagination and Creativity through a Theopoetic Lens: Helping the Church Think Differently (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Faculty Panel
Focus: Bethany faculty teach from a theopoetic lens that celebrates imagination and creativity in bringing theology into conversation with the whole of life. Through examples from various genres (the arts, science fiction, and literature), faculty will explore how this wider view helps the Church to think creatively in ways that help develop theological imagination for the life of faith.
Agency/District: Bethany Theological Seminary
Representative: Lori Current
Location: Anthony Wayne A

Growing Hope Globally: How Your Local Church Can Make a Global Impact

Presenters: Rachel Conley, Val Kline
Focus: Join us to learn how your church can partner with your local community to make a global impact from right where you are. Rachel Conley from Growing Hope Globally will share about the organization’s unique Growing Project model and how your congregation and community can get involved. Participants in the Ashley, IN Growing Project will share about their many years of experience partnering ecumenically to grow lasting solutions to hunger and what it has meant for their congregations.
Agency/District:
Representative: Val Kline
Location: Harrison B

Empowering Youth to Become Christ-Centered Leaders (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Becky Ullom Naugle, Richard Wehrle
Focus: Are there Youth in your congregation that want to serve, but don’t know where or how to begin? Through the Rural and Small-Town Initiative, a new program funded by the Lilly Endowment, the Discipleship and Leadership Formation Team, is creating various resources that engage our youth to discover and use their God-given strengths, talents, and abilities, equipping them to serve within and beyond the four walls of your church building. Join us for an equipping session, led by Becky Ullom Naugle the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and Richard Wehrle Program Manager Rural and Small-Town Initiative, to learn how to best connect your congregation and take part of these exciting opportunities.
Agency/District: Discipleship & Lead. Formation- RASTI & Youth/Young Adults
Representative: Richard Wehrle
Location: Anthony Wayne B

Tuesday Night at The Table: How God is Using Weekly Meals In the Neighborhood to Change All of Us (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Seth Crissman
Focus: It’s really hard to love our neighbors well if we don’t know them. This session’s goal is to provide practical tools for how to build better friendships with neighbors and embody Christ-like hospitality through new “all of us together” programs that are rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ. We will examine Kids Clubs (weekly after-school Bible clubs) as well as “At the Table” neighborhood meals. Particular attention will be spent on models that are possible for churches of all shapes/sizes, especially ones with limited human and financial resources. Since 2013, we have worked with more than a dozen congregations to launch after school ‘Kids Clubs,’ connecting with more than 1,000 children during that time in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Our current local church project is Tues. Night at The Table, a weekly meal for 60+ people, about half of which aren’t part of our local church.
Topics: Intergenerational faith formation, Meals, Practical Theology, Scripture, Sustainability
Agency/District: Soil & Seed Project
Representative: Seth Crissman
Location: Harrison A

Called To Serve Well: Strengthening Your Board (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Loyce Borgmann
Focus: Serving on a church or non-profit board is more than a legal responsibility—it’s a ministry of stewardship and trust. How can your board honor Christ while navigating practical realities like risk management and organizational health? This session explores essential best practices for governance. You’ll learn how to protect your church or organization legally and ethically while fostering a culture of faith-driven leadership. Participants will leave with a practical resource outlining eight key steps every board should take to safeguard its mission and ministry.
Agency/District: Eder Financial
Representative: Loyce Borgmann
Location: Jefferson A

Tuesday evening, June 30

8:30 PM

Amplifying immigrant voices / Amplificando las voces de los inmigrantes (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Lupita Ortiz, Manuel Ortiz
Focus: This session focuses on amplifying immigrant voices and sharing their stories, rooted in the wisdom and compassion found throughout scripture. Participants are invited to reflect on Proverbs 31:8-9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” In the spirit of Micah 6:8: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”
Esta sesión se enfoca en amplificar las voces de los inmigrantes y compartir sus historias, arraigadas en la sabiduría y la compasión que se encuentran en las Escrituras. Se invita a los participantes a reflexionar sobre Proverbios 31:8-9: “Habla por los que no pueden hablar por sí mismos, por los derechos de todos los indigentes. Habla y juzga con justicia; defender los derechos de los pobres y necesitados”. En el espíritu de Miqueas 6:8: “Actuar con justicia, amar la misericordia y caminar humildemente con tu Dios”
Agency/District: Discipleship and Leadership Formation / Intercultural Ministries
Representative: Founa Badet
Location: Anthony Wayne B

None of the Above: Developing Partners and Volunteers with Unaffiliated Community Members (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Roy Winter, Josh Brockway
Focus: Many people in our communities, especially young people, have no church affiliation—yet they care deeply about compassion, justice, and service. Could they be partners in ministry, volunteers in meaningful work, or even future disciples? This session explores how congregations can build authentic relationships with neighbors beyond the church walls through community engagement, shared service, and invitational discipleship. A panel will share insights, stories, and practical approaches for connecting with the unaffiliated, serving with rather than merely for the community. All will join in discussion about these topics and consider how volunteering together can strengthen ministries, expand impact, and nurture growth in faith.
Agency/District: Brethren Disaster Ministries
Representative: Roy Winter
Location: Harrison A

Cultivating Generosity: Connecting Hearts to Your Mission (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Dan Radcliff
Focus: Fundraising isn’t just about dollars—it’s about discipleship and deepening relationships. As board members, you have a unique opportunity to inspire generosity that sustains ministry and advances God’s work. In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies for engaging donors in ways that reflect your faith values, including clear processes, essential documentation, and planned giving insights. You’ll leave equipped to strengthen donor connections and nurture a culture of joyful giving that supports your church’s mission.
Agency/District: Eder Financial
Representative: Loyce Borgmann
Location: Jefferson C

Healthy Rhythms of Sabbath for Everyone (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Angela Finet
Focus: When you read the creation stories in Genesis, you will find several rhythms. God created rhythms of light and dark and seasons. And God created us to be people of restful rhythm, too. God even models and joins us in a healthy rhythm of rest. In this session, we will look at the Biblical accounts and invitations to Sabbath and discuss tools and strategies for finding a better rhythm of renewal and rest.
Agency/District: PC&BAC/Office of Ministry of DLF
Representative: Nancy Sollenberger Heishman
Location: Jefferson B

Why Leadership Matters: Navigating Polarities (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Jeff Carter
Focus: The church has dedicated significant time to identifying and discussing the diverse closely held beliefs and positions within the denomination, often expressed during the Annual Conference. Engaging in conversations fosters understanding and empathy. However, how can we transition from discussion to shared action? Navigating polarities emphasizes shared action through a discovery process that aims to acknowledge differences and embrace commonalities. Leadership plays a crucial role in navigating polarities and guiding the church in fulfilling its mission.
Agency/District: Bethany Theological Seminary
Representative: Lori Current
Location: Anthony Wayne A

Betwixt and Between: Following Jesus in the midst of liminality (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Ryan Braught, John Fillmore
Focus: It seems like we are all feeling a little Betwixt and Between- in our personal lives, in our Spiritual lives, in our congregational life, in our denominations life, and in our culture. There is a term for what we are all feeling…it’s called liminality. Liminality is an inner state and sometimes an outer situation where we can begin to think and act in new ways. It is where we are betwixt and between, having left one room or stage of life but not yet entered the next.” In this equipping session we will look at liminality through various lenses- including social, historical, philosophical, anthropological, sociological, and theological. We will also look at Scripture, metaphors within Scripture, and stories that point to Liminal spaces and times. And we will look at how faithful followers of Jesus lived Kingdom lives in the midst of liminality and how we as the people of God can move forward faithfully following Jesus and the Kingdom of God in the midst of this liminal season.
Agency/District: Discipleship & Lead. Formation
Representative: Ryan Braught
Location: Jefferson A

Camping Without Camp

Presenters: Karen Neff, Carrie Drees
Focus: When most people think of camp, they think of a specific place. Perhaps the cabins have their names signed on them, and the dining hall is full of the wear and tear of years of camp memories. But what about camps that don’t have these sites – does that make them any less “camp”? Certainly not! Camp is about so much more than the physical space it inhabits – it is about the communities that support it, the spiritual growth it fosters, and the presence of God it invites. Join Karen Neff and Carrie Drees as they explore new dimensions of what camp looks like, and that it is a multi-faceted ministry that can happen anywhere! Karen has spent years on the team for Chalice Press that helps write the ecumenical camp curriculums that most Church of the Brethren camps use, and Carrie is the director of Camp Sugarwoods, a camp that is operating without their own designated camp space in Southern Ohio, and still sharing life-enriching camp experiences with people of all ages in spite of that!
Agency/District: Outdoor Ministries Association
Representative: Karen Neff
Location: Harrison B

Wednesday afternoon, July 1

12:30 PM

The Beat of Healing Resources

Presenters: Terri Duclos, Anna Lisa Gross
Focus: Sophia’s Portico has been a friend and partner of Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren for decades. Our ministry areas and communities have some overlap, but mostly are parallel. It’s a gift to share resources and vision as we seek spiritual meaning and connection in and for our city. Experience worship and rituals that celebrate earth-based and feminine spirituality, and learn about a unique, faithful congregation/community partnership.
Agency/District:
Representative: Sandi Evans Rogers
Location:Anthony Wayne A

Demystifying Clergy Taxes (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Deb Oskin
Focus: Clergy taxes are completely different from any other kind of taxes! Come learn which taxes are paid on which types of clergy income, and how to calculate and pay those taxes. In addition, learn how to use housing exclusion, pension contributions, unreimbursed business expenses, and health insurance to lower taxable income and reduce those taxes. Handouts will be available for download at OskinTax.com/Presentations
Agency/District: Office of Ministry of DLF
Representative: Nancy Sollenberger Heishman
Location: Jefferson B

The Global Communion at Work in the World (.1 CEU)

Presenters: Sharon Norton, Chris Elliott
Focus: From Africa to South Asia, from Latin America to Europe, the Global Church of the Brethren Communion is on the move! Hear stories from the April gathering of the global communion, and updates from countries of your choice. You will learn how other churches have found their story in the story of the Church of the Brethren and ways you can relate to those churches.
Agency/District: Global Mission
Representative: Sharon Norton
Location: Jefferson C

Equipping Christ-Centered Leaders for Today’s Challenges Tomorrow’s Opportunities (.1 CEU)

Presenter: Richard Wehrle
Focus: Does your congregation need assistance in rightsizing its ministries? Is it more difficult to fill the ministry roles on your Leadership Team or Church Board? Does it seem as though the same people have been filling these roles for years? Would you like to engage in your community more effectively? Through the Rural and Small-Town Initiative, a new program funded by the Lilly Endowment, the Discipleship and Leadership Formation Team, is creating various resources that enable individuals and congregations to discover and use their God-given strengths, talents, and abilities, to serve within and beyond the four walls of your church building. Join us for an equipping session, led by program manager Richard Wehrle, to learn how to best connect your congregation and take part of these exciting opportunities.
Agency/District: Discipleship & Lead. Formation- RASTI
Representative: Richard Wehrle
Location: Anthony Wayne B