Brethren bits

— The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership seeks candidates for the position of administrative assistant to fill a part-time, non-exempt, 25-30 hours per week, weekday position located at the campus of Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Pay range is $16-$18 an hour. The administrative assistant provides direct secretarial and administrative support to the academy staff, students, and programs; works collegially with Bethany Theological Seminary staff and faculty, the Church of the Brethren Ministry Office, and Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center. For a detailed position description including qualifications, go to https://bethanyseminary.edu/jobs/administrative-assistant. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply by sending a resume, letter of interest, and contact information for three references by email to Janet Ober Lambert, Director, Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, 615 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374; academysearch@bethanyseminary.edu

— Western Plains District has shared a concern for prayer, as it continues in relationship with pastor Alex Zazhytko and the Chernihiv congregation in Ukraine. The relationship has been passed on to district leaders after the retirement of Keith Funk as pastor of Quinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, who has been the main US contact for the church in Chernihiv. The Western Plains District conference in late July raised up the Chernihiv congregation in prayer. An email following the conference, sent on July 31, shared the latest prayer concern from pastor Zazhytko: “Dear brothers and sisters, I want to thank you all for your prayers on our behalf. It was quiet last night here in Chernihiv. However, it wasn’t quiet in other parts of Ukraine. Russia launched a massive drone/ missile attack on Kyiv. There are casualties, including children. Part of a residential building collapsed. Fires broke out in several parts of the city. The Russians are using both missiles and drones—and just a few days ago, they started deploying upgraded drones with jet engines, which are even more dangerous. Russia is now openly bombing residential areas and civilians. Adults are dying. Children are dying. They’re deliberately targeting hospitals, schools, maternity homes, kindergartens—civilian infrastructure all across the country. What’s happening in Ukraine is a genocide against the Ukrainian people. There’s no other way to describe it. This has been going on for three and a half years. And the whole world is watching, seemingly unable to stop this horror. The only thing we can do in this situation is to continue to trust in the Lord and keep praying that He would protect us. Please, continue to pray with us.”

— Illinois and Wisconsin District has announced a special workshop for Saturday, Oct. 4, titled “Love Has No Borders: Immigration Issues, Deportation, and Today’s Church.” This online Zoom event will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. (central time) led by Phyllis Dodd, a social worker and Church of the Brethren member from Greensboro, Md., who has worked extensively in the fields of immigration and deportation cases for many years. She wrote the book Love Has No Borders: True Stories of Desperation as Seen by a Social Worker. A graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., she has also served as refugee resettlement coordinator for Mid-Atlantic District and is a talented musician who plays bass with a local band. There is no charge for this event, and anyone is welcome to attend. Clergy can receive 0.15 continuing education units for participating. To register and receive the Zoom link, please contact the Illinois and Wisconsin District office at iwdde@outlook.com.

— McPherson (Kan.) College received a large gift from Dondlinger Construction of Wichita during a ribbon-cutting and car-unveiling ceremony on July 24 (above photo courtesy of McPherson College). The $125,000 check will support student activities and programs, said a release from the college. The gift was presented by company president Tom Dondlinger, along with project executive Troy Kapels, project manager Jared Woody, assistant project manager Zach Newell, superintendent Richard Scovel, and many other members of the project and leadership team. Dondlinger Construction was the general contractor for the new Campus Commons at the college. “In addition to overseeing construction, Dondlinger planned and implemented the custom rigging system used to suspend two classic automobiles from the building’s three-story atrium,” said the release. “The first car, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, was unveiled during the ceremony. A second car, a 1956 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans Roadster, was installed later. As the only college in the U.S. offering a four-year degree in automotive restoration, it is fitting for the college to showcase classic automobiles in its new flagship building.” The Campus Commons is part of a larger expansion effort by the college, which has seen campus size increase by 20 percent since 2022. The gift was presented on behalf of Dondlinger Construction by company president Tom Dondlinger, along with project executive Troy Kapels, project manager Jared Woody, assistant project manager Zach Newell, superintendent Richard Scovel, and many other members of the project and leadership team.

Please join the Global Mission of the Church of the Brethren and Brethren around the world in praying for a range of international concerns–including those shared by member denominations of the Global Church of the Brethren Communion–using the latest prayer update at https://mailchi.mp/brethren/mission-prayer-update-2025-7

The August Prayer Gatherings for Immigrant Justice, weekly prayer gatherings held online via Zoom, will meet every Thursday this month at 12 noon (Eastern time). Organizers would like people to RSVP for the August gatherings. Those who register will receive the Zoom link to attend. Participants only need to RSVP once to attend any or all of the weekly events in August, and the Zoom link will remain the same for each event. Go to www.onearthpeace.org/2025_08_prayer_gathering_for_immigrant_justice_20250711_20250807

In remembrance of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, a Nuclear Prayer Day will be held on Aug. 6. “The day is a global, prayerful commemoration of the bombings and a commitment to ridding the world of nuclear weapons,” said an invitation from the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. “The continued presence of nuclear weapons is a threat to all of creation. The Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is cosponsoring a Nuclear Prayer Day event in Washington, D.C.” Look here for an event in your area: www.mobilize.us/backfromthebrink. Look here for virtual events: www.voices-uri.org/nuclear-prayer-day

Scooters are now available at National Older Adult Conference (NOAC), a conference coming up the first week of September. Eder Financial has offered to fund a limited number of rented scooters for NOAC participants. The deadline to reserve a scooter is Aug. 10. Contact Jeanne Davies at jeanned@anabaptistdisabilities.net

— The latest issue of Rooted, a newsletter of the Brethren Creation Care Network is online at https://mailchi.mp/brethren/rooted-2025-7. In this issue is a reflection on current challenges to action for the creation, inspired by the starfish story; a legislative update on the Budget Reconciliation Act, which is “a step backwards from the goal of moving away from reliance on fossil fuels”; a “What You Can Do” list of action suggestions; and invitations to a Nuclear Prayer Day on Aug. 6 and an online book club discussion of “A Children’s Bible” by Lydia Millet. Closing out this issue is a request for feedback from church members and congregations: “We need YOUR feedback about our work! Please feel free to fill out this form to give us your thoughts of how we can better address topics you’re interested in (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ygs9ilQgdU3jjyq8sRgG-zaZ_yrlTq5PfbzPWVoBJZA/viewform). We’re currently in active conversation with members of our community to seek input from YOU and ways to engage more with people who are interested in our work. If your congregation is engaged in a creation care project that you would like to see featured in Rooted, please feel free to drop us an email and we will be in contact!” Contact: HNelson@brethren.org

— COBYS Family Services is holding its 2025 Bike & Hike Fundraising Event in support of the ministry’s work with foster and adopted children on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7. Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren is hosting events, which include the annual walk and bicycle rides, a Tasty Tour option, and Incredible Ice Cream Celebration, among others. This is the 29th annual Bike & Hike hosted by COBYS. “The bicycle rides have been refreshed to include familiar and new roads on the routes,” said a release. “Coming back for a second year, the Tasty Tour is a 1.5 mile walk through Lititz with four stops at local eateries to sample tasty treats. All events end back at the church for the Incredible Ice Cream Celebration. First-time and veteran participants are encouraged to join. The Bike & Hike is a great way for individuals, families or other groups to support vulnerable children and families in our community while enjoying the fresh air and tasty treats.” The event goal is to raise $25,000 before Sept. 7 through registrations and additional donations. Registration is open now and runs through the day of the event for the three-mile walk and bicycle rides, at $30, and the Tasty Tour is pre-registration only until Aug. 25, at $60, with early bird discounts available. All the details, registration, and donation options can be found at www.cobys.org/bike-and-hike

— The next EcoPreacher Cohort has been announced by Creation Justice Ministries: “With the desire to support, educate, and engage preachers in the integration of climate consciousness into their preaching, Creation Justice Ministries has partnered with The BTS Center and Lexington Theological Seminary to offer a ten month cohort for preachers of learning, companionship, and exploration that will begin in September 2025. This cohort will offer monthly sessions to help preachers understand climate change and other environmental justice issues more deeply as spiritual crises that require creative, faith-rooted action.” The application deadline is Aug. 4. The program fee is $200 (payment plan options and need-based financial assistance available). The start date is Sept. 18. Find out more at www.creationjustice.org/ecopreacher.html

— “Register now for ‘Through a Faithful Lens’ webinar,” invited the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC). The Church of the Brethren is a founding member of the NCC. “Recently, Congress passed H.R. 1, otherwise known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act.,’” continued the invitation. “H.R. 1 represents a major shift in national policy, with wide-ranging impacts on economic justice, healthcare access, immigration, and the social safety net. While proponents have framed it as bold reform, many of its provisions raise deep concerns for the communities we serve—especially those already facing systemic inequities. NCC is convening this conversation to examine the bill’s contents through a moral and theological lens and to explore how faith communities can faithfully respond.” The webinar is planned for Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time). Titled “Through a Faithful Lens: Discerning the Moral Costs of the Budget Reconciliation,” it will feature a panel of national policy and advocacy experts and faith leaders including Amelia Kegan, associate general secretary for Policy and Advocacy, Friends Committee on National Legislation; Willie Lyles III, chief of staff for Representative Troy Carter Sr. (Louisiana); Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, president and general secretary of the NCC; and Jarrett Smith, senior government relations associate for the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gmHSCSf2SCeRjMZxCvaQmA#/registration