Brethren bits

— Remembrance: Bruce Holderreed (82) of Buhl, Idaho, a former member of the Church of the Brethren General Board and a former district executive minister, died on Aug. 25. He served a five-year term on the former General Board from 2005-2010 and served as district executive minister for the Idaho and Western Montana District for 10 years from 2013-2023. He was born on March 12, 1943, in Olympia, Wash., to Andrew and Louise Holderreed. He spent much of his childhood in India, where his parents served as missionaries. He attended McPherson (Kan.) College and earned his teaching certificate through Central Washington University. He and Lurena (Rena) married and relocated to Filer, Idaho, where he dedicated 25 years to the Filer Schools as both a teacher and a member of the IT department. He was active in Twin Falls (Idaho) Church of the Brethren. Beyond his professional and church commitments, his greatest passions were the land he cared for and the animals he loved, finding joy and fulfillment in the simple rhythms of farm life. He is survived by his wife, Lurena Holderreed; stepchildren John Woods, Faron Woods, Kathryn Bausman, Rose Maulden, and Melissa Torgerson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Twin Falls Church of the Brethren on Aug. 30. Find a full obituary at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/bruce-holerreed

— A memorial service for Estella Boggs Horning, a former Church of the Brethren mission worker and Bethany Theological Seminary faculty member who passed away on June 21 (find a full remembrance at www.brethren.org/news/2025/brethren-bits-79), has been announced by her family. The memorial service will be held at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill., on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m. (central time). Memorial gifts will be received for the York Center Church. For those who would like to view the service online, a Zoom link will be shared at www.yccob.org/remembrance.

— The latest Global Mission Prayer Update has been shared by the Church of the Brethren Global Mission office. Updates and prayer requests are shared by the South Sudan mission and Churches of the Brethren in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vietnam, Honduras, and Venezuela. Go to https://mailchi.mp/brethren/mission-prayer-update-2025-9

— Camp Bethel’s 41st annual Brethren Heritage Day Festival is Saturday, Oct. 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The camp is located in Fincastle, Va. “Activities for the whole family and lots of great good!” said an announcement. “Vendors include churches, outside vendors, Camp Bethel activities and more! This festival is FREE for EVERYONE to attend, and 100% of all sales of food, crafts, and activities benefit the programs and operations of Camp Bethel in Fincastle, VA. FREE PARKING and FREE ENTRY.” The schedule includes breakfast, booths, children’s activities like fishing and train rides, and more. A special activity this year is sharing favorite memories of being at Camp Bethel in anticipation of its 100th anniversary celebration in 2027. Find out more at www.campbethelvirginia.org/heritage-day.html

— The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is inviting the public to attend the worship services held in conjunction with its 75th Anniversary Celebration and annual Christian Unity Gathering on Oct. 14-16 (listing at right). Registration is not required to attend the worship services. Find out more at https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/ncc75/#schedule

— The World Council of Churches (WCC) has sent a letter of congratulations to Sarah Mullally, newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the top leadership position in the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The letter from WCC general secretary Jerry Pillay said, in part: “It is with joy and hope that we witness this moment in the life of the Church of England, as we give thanks and celebrate your nomination to this position of sacred responsibility…. You take up this great responsibility at a challenging time. May God grant you wisdom, courage, humility, and patience for the times ahead.” Mullally will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026. Read the full letter at https://oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-congratulatory-letter-to-the-rt-rev-and-rt-hon-dame-sarah-mullally-upon-her-nomination-as-new-archbishop-of-canterbury