Preachers are announced for the five daily worship services at Annual Conference

The Annual Conference organizers have announced the preachers for the five daily worship services to be held during the Conference. Each worship service will focus on a theme and symbol from the Church of the Brethren’s biblical heritage. Speakers will be asked to reexamine and reappropriate historic Brethren themes for our time.

The overall theme for the Conference is “Imagine!” inspired by Acts 2:17-18, the experience of the first Pentecost. The theme statement by moderator Don Fitzkee says, in part, “When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost amidst tongues of fire and miracles of speaking and hearing, the people were amazed and perplexed. Peter explained to them that the words of the prophet Joel were being fulfilled…. Could it be that the key to envisioning a way forward for the church is to remember where we’ve come from? Rather than something entirely new, what may be needed are renewed dreams and restored vision as we reclaim themes like radical discipleship, commitment to our New Testament creed, caring community, humble service, and nonviolent peacemaking.”

The daily preachers for Annual Conference 2026

Sunday, June 28:

Moderator Don Fitzkee, co-pastor of Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, will preach on the theme of radical discipleship. Suggested scriptures are Luke 9:23-27 and 14:25-33. Summary: In their quest to be faithful to Jesus, our spiritual ancestors made great sacrifices. What is the cost of being a follower of Jesus today? Is the cross just about what Jesus did for us, or are we still called to take up our cross and follow him?

Monday, June 29:

Beth Jarrett, pastor of Staunton (Va.) Church of the Brethren, will preach on the theme of the New Testament church. Suggested scriptures are 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and John 1:1-5 and 14. Summary: What does it mean to be “a people of the Book” who accept the New Testament as our creed? And how does God’s authoritative written Word relate to Jesus, the Living Word?

Tuesday, June 30:

James Washington, pastor at Pleasant View Church of the Brethren in Elida, Ohio, and Elm Street Church of the Brethren in Lima, Ohio, will preach on the theme of peace. Suggested scriptures are Matthew 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, and Romans 12:14-21. Summary: Can we be “blessed peacemakers” in the world if we can’t get along with children of God in our own church? What does it mean to be ministers of reconciliation? How do we overcome evil with good?

Wednesday, July 1:

Becky Zapata, pastor of Santa Ana (Calif.) Principe De Paz Church of the Brethren, will preach on the theme of community. Suggested scriptures are Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, and Romans 12:9-10. Summary: Our church’s somewhat archaic-sounding name claims we are family. We greet each other as “brother” and “sister” at Annual Conference. How do we “love one another with mutual affection” in a deeply polarized church and world? How do we honor all parts of “one body with many members”?

Thursday, July 2:

Caleb Kragt, part-time pastor at West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, Ohio, will preach on the theme of service. Suggested scriptures are John 13:1-17 and Luke 22:24-27. Summary: Does performing the symbolic act of feetwashing make any practical difference in how we treat other people? Jesus was among us as one who serves. Are we still known by the manner of our exemplary living and serving?

For more information about the Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac

#cobac26

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