— Remembrance: Carolee Ogburn, 88, a former longterm mission worker in Nigeria for the Church of the Brethren, passed away on July 17. She lived in Bryson City, N.C., and was born on Oct 31, 1936. With her late husband, Howard Ogburn, she served in Nigeria for 23 years, ending in 1984. The couple worked for a time in Chibok, among other locations in Nigeria, and served with a variety of church and mission institutions including the Theological College of North Nigeria, an ecumenical theological school located near the city of Jos. During their tenure they transitioned from working for the Church of the Brethren Mission to working directly for Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). During their final years in Nigeria they were serving as advisor/consultant for the leadership at the EYN headquarters in Kwarhi, and taught at Kulp Bible School (now Kulp Theological Seminary). Their four children grew up in Nigeria and attended Hillcrest School in Jos. The couple also served in pastoral leadership in the United States.
— Opportunities to connect with the Deportation Defense Response initiative:
The DDR Fall Book Club will be held online every other Tuesday at 12 p.m. (Eastern time). Participants will read and discuss the book The God Who Sees by Karen Gonzalez. Can’t join at that time? The team suggests getting a group together and reading along with them. Find more information and RSVP at www.onearthpeace.org/2025_09_23_ddr_book_club_20250923
The Biweekly Prayer Gatherings for Immigrant Justice are now held every other Thursday from 12-1 p.m. (Eastern time) over Zoom. Find more information and RSVP at www.onearthpeace.org/2025_09_prayer_gathering_for_immigrant_justice
A new Biweekly Pastoral Care Gathering in Spanish and Haitian Creole takes place from 6-7 p.m. (Eastern time) over Zoom. More information will be made available through a WhatsApp group with Spanish-speaking and Haitian Creole-speaking pastors. To be added to the WhatsApp group, contact 561-647-8981.
— Also from Intercultural Ministries are new videos that have been posted and are available online:
A short video posted at www.brethren.org/intercultural called “Learn with Founa – Aprann avék Founa – Aprende con Founa” features Intercultural Ministries director Founa Badet teaching how to share Jesus’ love through learning the words in Spanish and Haitian Creole.
A video about US immigration is on the “Know Your Rights” page along with other helpful resources at www.brethren.org/intercultural/kyr-resources
— The Shine: Living in God’s Light Curriculum is seeking a contract marketer to bring fresh marketing and communications expertise to the team. The Shine curriculum is jointly produced by Brethren Press and MennoMedia. The Shine team seeks candidates who are passionate about helping families and churches grow in faith and who want to use their skills to make an impact. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15. Go to https://shinecurriculum.com/jobs
— The Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding Program was recently awarded a 2025 UPS Long Term Recovery Grant through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). This grant from the UPS Foundation provides $5,000 to support a portion of the monthly expenses for project operations in Letcher and Knott Counties in eastern Kentucky. Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers and leaders currently are building new homes and making repairs in the area after the deadly July 2022 flooding.
— Mount Morris (Ill.) Church of the Brethren has sold its building to another church group, Iglesia Pentecostal Jesucristo Amor & Esperanza AIC, and has begun meeting at the Pinecrest Community Grove building at Allure of Pinecrest, a retirement community in Mount Morris. The announcement from Illinois and Wisconsin District said that the congregation will continue to use its post office box as its mailing address. “Our prayers are with the Mount Morris congregation in this time of transition,” said the announcement from district executive minister Walt Wiltschek.
— McPherson (Kan.) College is a great place to work, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. “The results, featured in a special edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, recognize McPherson College for the 11th consecutive year,” said a release from the school. “The results are based on a survey completed by 199 colleges nationwide. In total, only 76 institutions achieved recognition on the list for specific practices and policies. McPherson College was recognized in 4 categories, including compensation & benefits, confidence in leadership, shared governance, and faculty experience.” Read the full release at www.mcpherson.edu/2025/09/mcpherson-college-recognized-on-national-survey
— Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has announced a November “Encountering the Holy Land” trip to Israel/Palestine. CMEP is a partner organization for the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. “This trip will highlight the spiritual significance of the land, the role of local Christians in shaping the region’s past and present, and opportunities to meet with religious, academic, and non-profit leaders working toward peace and justice in the land,” said an announcement. “Alongside visits to sacred sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and beyond, participants will engage in thoughtful conversations that bring deeper understanding of the complex realities on the ground today.” Trip dates are Nov. 8-17. A $500 deposit is due by Sept. 28 to reserve your spot. Full payment is due by Oct. 15. Find out more at https://cmep.salsalabs.org/cmepencounteringtheholyland/index.html
— European theologians are uniting to establish “ecotheology” as an academic discipline, reports the World Council of Churches (WCC). Eighty professors and church activists from 27 countries gathered in Norway on Sept. 21-23 for the first European Christian Ecotheology Research Network conference. The event marks “a decisive step toward institutionalizing ecotheological education as churches worldwide grapple with accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss,” said the WCC release. The council had two key representatives to the conference: WCC Central Committee moderator Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm presented on “Eco-Theology in the Work of the World Council of Churches in past and present” and Louk Andrianos, WCC consultant on care for creation, sustainability, and climate justice, attended in person. Conference chair Tom Sverre Bredal-Tomren reflected on the gathering’s significance: “The time was ripe to gather all the good forces that are concerned with ecotheology in higher education,” he said. “Many churches have long been concerned with climate and the environment, but if we are to translate concern for the planet into good theology and good practice, we need both new and innovative thinking and deeper knowledge of ecological resources in our Christian traditions.” Read more at https://oikoumene.org/news/european-theologians-unite-to-establish-ecotheology-as-academic-discipline
— In related news from the WCC, an upcoming webinar on Sept. 29, at 8-9:30 a.m. (Eastern time), will explore creation theology and what it means to confess faith in “God, Maker of Heaven and Earth.” This theological dialogue is intended to help churches prepare for both the 6th Faith and Order World Conference in Egypt and the newly launched Ecumenical Decade for Climate Justice Action. It is timed to take place during the ecumenical “Season of Creation” when churches globally consider humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Leadership will include Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, moderator of the webinar, and four speakers: Te Aroha Rountree, president of the Methodist Church in New Zealand, who will bring Maori insights on creation theology; Daniel A. Bruno from Universidad del Centro Educativo Latinoamericano, Argentina, with a Wesleyan perspective on creation and new creation; Jerusha Matsen Neal from Duke Divinity School, addressing worship and preaching during the climate crisis; and Mercy Ah Siu-Maliko, bringing Pacific theological wisdom to understanding God as creator. Learn more and find a registration link at https://oikoumene.org/news/wcc-presents-creation-theology-webinar-during-season-of-creation
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers
- Essential services of ordinances now available online as For All Who Minister prepares for reprinting
- Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding Program serves Hurricane Helene and Western Maryland storm survivors
- Shine Everywhere free six-week worship series helps churches nurture faith at home
- Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: Invitations to look up, to seek abundant life