— Remembrance: Sandra Lea Bosserman, 75, a former district executive minister in the Church of the Brethren’s Missouri and Arkansas District, died on June 28. She was born Nov. 8, 1949, in Peace Valley, Mo., to Madge and Stacy Leach. An ordained minister, she was a former public school teacher and pastor as well as district executive. Her ministry included preaching and writing as well as church administration. Her obituary notes that “taking the words of Jesus seriously, Sandy and [her husband] Maurice opened their home to young people needing a place to lay their heads, often greeting them with a burrito and a cinnamon roll.” Her love of writing included creating scavenger hunts and games for her family, alongside Advent devotionals, poems, sermons, and reflections on the back of Brethren Press bulletin covers. She is survived by her husband of over 54 years, Maurice Bosserman; son Chris Bosserman and son-in-law Ty Watkins; son Kelly Bosserman and daughter-in-law Melissa Bosserman; daughter Jennifer Bosserman; son in spirit Will Cousins; and grandchildren. A celebration of life service was held at Cabool (Mo.) Church of the Brethren on July 19. Memorial gifts are received to Cabool Church of the Brethren, the Church of the Brethren denominational ministries, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Find a full obituary at www.robertsondrago.com/sandra-lea-bosserman
— ABC’s Eyewitness News has posted a video and news story about the “Patchwork Ladies” at Green Tree Church of the Brethren in Oaks, Pa. “50 years ago, women at Green Tree Church of the Brethren started making items for those in need. Today, they are known as the ‘Patchwork Ladies,’” the story begins. “The group consists of retirees roughly aged between 80 and 90 years old. They meet every Wednesday from September to May. They mostly produce blankets and bags that can be draped over walkers for seniors. They make donations to local organizations including nursing homes, childrens’ hospitals, pregnancy centers, veterans’ hospitals, and more.” “We wanted to reach out and be a witness to the rest of the world,” says Barbara McNally in the video report. Go to ABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News at https://abc7.com/videoClip/17247973
— Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren in Ashley, Ind., is hosting a presentation for the Ashley Growing Project of Growing Hope Globally on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. The speaker will be the senior program manager with Mennonite Central Committee in Burkina Faso, who has been involved with several different phases of Growing Hope Globally-funded programs. Read the full report from KPC News at www.kpcnews.com/newssun/article_baed84a2-ef86-411b-a28b-6576f87c8978.html
More Annual Conference resources include worship service recordings, the “We’ve Come Through Fire” video, and “Jesus in the Neighborhood” videos at www.brethren.org/ac/resources: The four new “Jesus in the Neighborhood” videos about congregations and their service to their communities were created to be shown during the Conference. Because the agenda was heavy, the officers didn’t have an opportunity to show them. View these videos to be inspired by Troy (Ohio) Church of the Brethren’s laundromat ministry, Andrews (Ind.) Church of the Brethren’s water ministry, Springfield (Ill.) Church of the Brethren’s art contest, and Warrensburg (Mo.) Church of the Brethren’s outdoor labyrinth.
Weekly Zoom prayer gatherings continue, sponsored by the Deportation Defense Response Team. The team extends an open invitation specifically to pray for immigrants who are detained, for those who are at risk of detention and deportation, and for all who are supporting them. “We also invite you to bring prayer requests, experiences, concerns, prayers, poems, and liturgy to share during this time if you would like. You may also choose to come listen and pray silently with us,” said the invitation. The next online gathering will be Thursday, July 31, at 12 noon (Eastern time). The event is free but registration is required. Go to www.onearthpeace.org/2025_07_prayer_gathering_for_immigrant_justice_20250711. For more information email migrantjustice@onearthpeace.org
Save the date: A “Service of Lament for Families Disrupted by Deportation” is being planned by the Deportation Defense Response team and at least three congregations in Ohio. Leaders of Church of the Brethren congregations who have members who have been detained or deported are planning the public service of lament on Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time). The outdoor service will include church members’ stories, scripture readings, songs, and prayer. It will take place in southwest or south central Ohio. “Please save the date and watch for further information, including location,” said the announcement.
— Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is offering fall volunteer trainings. “CDS volunteers are exceptional individuals with compassionate hearts for serving children,” said an announcement. “The specialized service they provide focuses on how children experience and react to disaster events. CDS mobilizes teams of trained volunteers to care for children in communities affected by disaster. Please come and join us in a 25-hour training that equips volunteers with the skills needed to understand and respond to children who have encountered both human-caused and natural disasters.” Go to www.brethren.org/cds/training
— Apply to be a volunteer “Shine Everywhere” partner, invites the Shine curriculum from Brethren Press and MennoMedia. “The research is clear. Parents are by far the biggest influence in shaping the faith of children. This understanding calls for a shift in how churches do faith formation,” said an announcement. “For many decades, churches focused their efforts on training teachers for settings within the congregation. How do churches shift the focus toward a more fruitful strategy? … Parents and children need to be connected to communities of support and accountability—the very thing the church is designed to be and do.” Consider becoming a Shine Everywhere partner who makes three commitments. 1. Receive a free monthly resource to pass on to each family with children in preschool through grade 5 in your congregation. 2. Collect feedback from the families about how they use the resource. 3. Identify one of these outcomes for the parents in your congregation and receive coaching to work toward it: Parents are supported by relationships in the congregation; parents are practicing faith at home with their children; or parents are growing spiritually themselves. Shine Everywhere partners hold regular conversations with Shana Peachey Boshart from the Shine staff in order to identify what is desired in the congregation and strategize together about how to do it. Apply by Aug. 11 at https://shineeverywhere.com/join/partners. Peachey Boshart is available to schedule conversations about the opportunity as well, go to https://calendly.com/shanapb/shine-everywhere-conversation-30-min
— Creation Justice Ministries is hiring a Faithful Resilience Program director. The organization is a partner to the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. “Do you have a passion for climate justice, faith-rooted organizing, and building resilience in frontline communities? Or know someone else who does?” said the announcement. “This new, fulltime position will lead and expand our growing portfolio of climate resilience programs.” This senior-level role will oversee the ministry’s “Faithful Resilience” initiative and serve as the organizational lead on major resilience projects. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated leadership in community-based environmental management, particularly participatory planning and co-production of knowledge, as well as a passion for engaging faith communities in resilience-building. Position highlights include: a fulltime, fully remote position; national scope with a focus on congregational resilience; collaborate with a small, dynamic, and mission-driven team. The deadline to apply is July 30. Go to www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit-job/f5d3a3dc0ac64c60b905c54ac2a8a7fe-faithful-resilience-program-director-creation-justice-ministries-washington
— Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren is in search of a worship leader for its contemporary service, to fill a 20 hour per week position. Qualified persons “will have a surrendered relationship with Christ, prior experience in leading worship, administrative gifts, strong instrumental and vocal abilities, and the ability to lead a highly gifted team of volunteers,” said the announcement. Those interested in “joining a wonderful congregation with a dedicated staff focused on sharing the transformative power of Jesus” are invited to get in touch. “Ephrata Church of the Brethren is a vibrant, growing mid-sized congregation passionate about loving God, centered on Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit. The church actively participates in various outreach efforts within Ephrata and its surrounding communities.” Apply by sending a resume detailing relevant ministry experience, a worship leadership demo (video preferred), and three letters of reference to pastor Brian Messler at brian@ecob.church by Aug. 15.
— McPherson (Kan.) College officially opened its new student center, the Campus Commons, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 24. “As part of the event, a rare 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona was lifted to the ceiling of the atrium, where it will serve as a striking centerpiece of this landmark building,” said a release from the college. “The multi-level, 55,000-square-foot building features new dining options, a coffee shop, campus store, student collaboration and lounge spaces. As the only college in the US offering a four-year degree in automotive restoration, it was fitting for McPherson College to showcase a unique classic automobile in its new building. The Daytona Ferrari, ranked by MotorTrend as the second greatest Ferrari of all-time, was donated in 2022 by California’s Dr. Richard Lundquist, a Giving Pledge philanthropist, real estate developer, car collector, and McPherson College Trustee.” Read the full release at www.mcpherson.edu/2025/07/mcpherson-college-unveils-rare-ferrari-at-campus-commons-ribbon-cutting-ceremony.
— The Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio, is holding a panel discussion on topics raised in the book A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century: A Search for Identity and Cultural Relevance by Brian H. Moore on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. “Brethren vary in the ways we practice our faith, but we all live in a culture that pushes God and faith to the side. This book and the panel discussion can help us consider how Brethren faith and values can witness to another way of living.” The panelists will be Mike Yingst of the Church of the Brethren; Bill Ludwig of the Brethren Church; Mark Combs of Charis (Grace Brethren); and Steve Bayer of the Old German Baptist Brethren. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for those who would like to arrive early to view the center’s collection, fellowship with others, or shop in the bookstore. “To prepare for the panel discussion we encourage you to purchase the book prior to the event,” said the announcement. The 71-page book ($7), is available at the Brethren Heritage Center, call to order a copy. Phone 937-833-5222.
— The Zero Abuse Project, which is carrying out an independent investigation and assessment of allegations of multiple forms of abuse that may have occurred at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria, is offering an online survey and has published an update on the investigation. The Church of the Brethren is one of the denominations and mission groups supporting the investigation. Hillcrest was founded by the Church of the Brethren in 1942 but for many decades has been an ecumenical endeavor of a number of Christian denominations and mission agencies including the Church of the Brethren. The confidential survey is intended to assist in collecting additional information beyond what Zero Abuse Project has collected in the past six months. The survey can be completed by anyone with knowledge they are willing to share with investigators. “We are interested in learning about the experiences of past or present teachers or students of Hillcrest, as well as parents or caregivers who had or have a student at the school,” said the announcement. “Administrators, employees, governing authorities, missionaries, volunteers, or others with knowledge are also encouraged to consider taking the survey.” To take the survey, read an update on the investigation, or simply learn more, go to the links posted at https://hillcrest.zeroabuseproject.org. If you wish to contact Zero Abuse Project before taking the survey or would like to consider being interviewed for this investigation, email hillcrest@zeroabuseproject.org
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- ‘What got us here won’t get us there’: Learnings from the L.E.A.D. Conference
- World Friendship Center in Hiroshima seeks volunteer co-directors through Brethren Volunteer Service
- Annual Conference officers to host virtual delegate briefing on May 27
- Brethren Press publishes children’s book about feetwashing written by Gimbiya Kettering
- A new Brethren Rapid Response Network is organized