— Remembrance: Earle W. Fike Jr., 95, a former moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference and a former executive on the denominational staff, among other church leadership roles, died on May 30 at the Bridgewater (Va.) Retirement Community. He was born in Harrisonburg, Va., on Jan. 28, 1930, to Earle W. and Hannah Myers Fike. Following his mother’s death, he was raised in the home of his uncle and aunt, Jos. W. and Dove Fike Miller. He was married to the late Jean Kiser Fike for 62 years and is survived by children Dwynn Fike Helms of Valencia, Calif., Joseph Fike of Forest, Va., and Jon Fike of Lancaster, Pa., and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was ordained to the ministry in the Church of the Brethren in 1952 and ordained to the eldership in 1955. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Bridgewater (Va.) College in 1951, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bridgewater in 1972. He earned a bachelor of divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1954, as well as a master of theology in 1964, and taught at Bethany as assistant professor of Homiletics and director of Field Ministries from 1964 to 1969. He also did post-graduate studies at Garrett Theological Seminary and Northwestern University. He filled several pastorates including at Meyersdale (Pa.) Church of the Brethren from 1954 to 1957; Chicago (Ill.) First Church of the Brethren from 1957 to 1963, followed by work as chaplain and director of Development for the nearby Bethany Hospital; Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren from 1978 to 1987; and Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa., from 1987 to 1992, when he retired. He was on the denominational staff from 1969 to 1978 as executive of Parish Ministries and associate general secretary. He was moderator of the 1982 Annual Conference held on the theme, “Would that You Knew the Things that Make for Peace.” He was a preacher for Annual Conference as well, most recently in 2010. His volunteer service to the church included terms on the former General Board from 1960 to 1969; moderator of Illinois and Wisconsin District and a member the district board; a board member of Bethany Hospital; president of the Brethren Journal Association; service on the Higher Education Committee of the Church of the Brethren; a trustee for Juniata College; and a trustee of Bethany Seminary, during which time he was vice chair of the board. A notable volunteer ministry during his time at Elizabethtown was the Brethren Broadcast Ministries radio show “Think About It,” which he worked on with his wife, Jean, as a production of the General Board’s Salvation and Justice Project. His ecumenical involvements included membership in the Association of Seminary Professors in the Practical Field; the executive committee of the Division of Education and Ministry of the National Council of Churches; and the Chicago Communications Center Committee of the Church Federation of Greater Chicago. He was a prolific writer and contributed to many church publications including Messenger, Pulpit, Brethren Life and Thought, Leader, and Horizons. He was an editor for the Pastor’s Manual of 1977 and chaired committees for Book of Worship of 1964 and For All Who Minister of 1992. His Brethren Press books include A Raspberry Seed Under God’s Denture and Please Pray with Me. He also wrote A Month of Sundays, published by Herald Press, and The Something Else Lady, a children’s book about Anna Mow illustrated by Yolanda Wegner and published by Bethany Seminary as part of its centennial celebration in 2005. There will be a Celebration of Life at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren in July. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service in Bridgewater and online condolences to the family may be shared at www.johnsonfs.com. An online obituary is at www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/rocktownnow/name/earle-fike-obituary
— Remembrance: Emmert Foster Bittinger, 99, professor emeritus at Bridgewater (Va.) College noted for his publications on church history in the area, passed away May 12 at Serenity House of Bridgewater (Va.) Retirement Community. He was born Sept. 22, 1925, at Jordan Run, W.Va., to Foster and Esther Bair Bittinger. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and pastored at seven churches in West Virginia and Maryland. After earning a doctorate in sociology from the University of Maryland, he dedicated his professional life to teaching sociology and anthropology at his alma mater, Bridgewater College. He authored and edited numerous publications, the most notable of which are Heritage and Promise (1970), Allegheny Passage: Churches and Families of the West Marva District (1990), and the six-volume Unionists and the Civil War Experience in the Shenandoah Valley. He also is remembered for leading the John Kline Memorial Riders. He shared 77 years of marriage with his wife, Esther Landis Bittinger, who survives. He also is survived by daughters Lorraine Lineweaver (David) of Bridgewater, Mildred Arnett (Ronald) of Shippensburg, Pa., and Marion Bittinger (Antonio Martinez) of Verona, Va, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held May 18 at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. Interment of ashes will be at a later date in the Eglon (W.Va.) Community Cemetery. Memorial gifts are received to Heifer International and the Dr. Emmert F. Bittinger Endowed Fund of Bridgewater College. Find a full obituary at www.dnronline.com/obituaries/emmert-foster-bittinger/article_08dea03f-4769-5d0f-9172-b18050578f8d.html
— Green Hill Church of the Brethren in Salem, Va., will host a workshop on caring for persons with dementia on June 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Heddie Sumner, a registered nurse with a BSN from the University of Virginia and certification in Advanced Dementia Care from the University of Michigan Geriatric Center, will present and answer questions on dementia and community care, understanding the basics of dementia, tips for communicating with persons who have dementia, and practical ways to stay connected. She has previously served as Care Manager, director of Dementia Services, and director of Resources and Development for the Senior Services/Midland County Council on Aging in Michigan. To register contact 540-362-8868 or ecarver6@comcast.net
To participate in next week’s weekly online prayer gathering for immigrant justice, on Thursday, June 12, at 12 noon (Eastern time), sponsored by the Deportation Defense Response Team, go to www.onearthpeace.org/2025_06_12_prayer_gathering_for_immigrant_justice_20250612
The Standing with People of Color Coordinating Committee of Annual Conference is holding a special Racial Justice Advocates and Allies Meet-Up on Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). “Whether you’ve been a racial justice advocate for a long time or are just starting out, we urgently need your voice and presence,” said an invitation. “As SWPOC nears the end of its formal mandate this July, this gathering is a chance to pause, discern, and build together what comes next. Rooted in the teachings of Christ (Luke 10 & John 4), we’ll explore how to sustain and grow grassroots efforts for racial justice within the Church of the Brethren and beyond.” Participants will prayerfully consider roles they may take for continuing this movement after the SWPOC committee concludes its term of service. Registration is open through June 8 at www.onearthpeace.org/racial_justice_advocates_and_allies_meet_up
Denny Skeweris, West Marva District disaster coordinator, is organizing volunteers to help with recovery and clean-up efforts in Westernport, Md., following torrential rains on May 13 that caused severe flash flooding in western Maryland and nearby Pennsylvania and West Virgina. Western Allegany County, Md., particularly the town of Westernport, were among the areas hardest hit. There are overnight accommodations available for volunteers who can stay for more than one day. Please contact Skeweris at 301-616-0013 or denskew@gmail.com
Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind., has an opening for a Guest Services coordinator. This detail-oriented position requires a self-starter who enjoys helping people match their visions with services and ministry Camp Mack provides. The coordinator talks with camp and event planners and leaders to coordinate the guest experience, ensure guest hospitality, and respond quickly to guest questions and concerns. They will manage contracts and invoices and participate fully as a member of the marketing team. The successful candidate will possess a degree in business, marketing, or hospitality, or have equivalent experience. They will enjoy working in a relaxed and collaborative work environment as part of an energetic team. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits in line with a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry. Questions and inquiries can be sent to Camp Mack executive director Gene Hollenberg at gene@campmack.org. Initial applications should be sent to the same email with a cover letter and resumé. The position is open until filled. Find the job description at www.campmack.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Guest-Services-Director-JD-2025.pdf
— The Northern Ohio District pre-district conference workshop this year is led by Joshua Brockway of the Church of the Brethren’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation staff. The event on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 8, will be held on the topic, “Fruit of Discipleship in Shifting Times.” The location will be East Chippewa Church of the Brethren. Said an announcement from the district: “There is little doubt that the church in North America is experiencing dramatic shifts. Using the parable of the fig tree, we will explore together what it means to be tended and nourished so that we might produce the fruit of God’s salvation. Josh will focus on the demographic shifts that are impacting the church and wider society. He will then turn to the practices of the church as regrounding us in the salvation of God.”
— McPherson (Kan.) College got attention from the New York Times in a May 20 article titled “Republican Plan to Tax Elite Colleges Could Hit in Unexpected Places” about how attempts by the federal government to impose a new tax on colleges and universities with large endowments could affect smaller schools like McPherson. The unintended consequences may affect small schools who have increased their endowments in recent years, such as has happened at McPherson. Reported the Times: “A plan for a hefty new tax on university endowments was crafted to target ‘woke’ schools, lawmakers said. But a small Kansas college and a Texas medical school might also be hit.” Find the full article at www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/us/universities-endowment-tax-republicans.html
— Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a partner organization of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, in the “Letters for Gaza” effort to urge members of Congress “to support full, unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and an immediate halt to the bombardment of civilians. Members of Congress have the power to pressure the Trump Administration to use all diplomatic tools to lift the blockade and push for a permanent ceasefire,” said an announcement. “Handwritten letters move members of Congress in ways that other forms of advocacy don’t. That’s why we’re asking you to take one simple but powerful action: Write one handwritten letter to your member of Congress–and ask a friend to do the same.” For more information go to www.afcfp.org/letters-for-gaza
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Largest congregations send leaders for a time of learning, sharing, and support
- Intercultural Ministries schedules first ‘frontliners’ training, announces new online book club
- Faithful Response Immigration gathering offers inspiration and retreat experience for leaders of immigrant support efforts
- Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center and Brethren Press partner to offer Faith Formation Series
- Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: A space to contemplate resurrection and life