Brethren bits

— Remembrance: Anne M. Myers (82), a former Annual Conference secretary and former staff of the Church of the Brethren Pension Plan and of Timbercrest Senior Living Community, died on Oct. 16 at Timbercrest in North Manchester, Ind. She was born on April 24, 1943, in Elgin, Ill., to Richard and Irene (Winger) Myers. She spent many years in Elgin, where she was an active member of Highland Avenue Church of Brethren, serving on several boards and commissions of the congregation and singing in the choir. She was employed by the Church of the Brethren Pension Plan at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin. In 1990, she became development director at Timbercrest until she retired in July 2009. When she was elected Annual Conference secretary, she was selected to fill a position that is one of the three officers of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference alongside the moderator and moderator-elect, and served two five-year terms ending in 1997. When she moved to North Manchester, she became an active member of Manchester Church of the Brethren. In other involvements while living there she served on the town’s Park Board, eventually as president, being instrumental in construction of the Strauss-Peabody Aquatic and Fitness Center and also serving as building manager of the Town Life Center for several years; and joined the North Manchester Kiwanis Club, becoming its first female president and being honored most recently for 35 years of membership in the organization. She was a graduate of the Frances Perkins Scholar Program for non-traditional age college students at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass. She is survived by her children Bonnie Booth (Randy Shaw), Brian Booth (Amelia Finch), and Becky Laskowski (Joe); their father Douglas Booth; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern time) at Manchester Church of the Brethren. Memorial gifts are received to Manchester Church of the Brethren and Timbercrest Senior Living Community restricted to “Charitable Assistance.” Find a full obituary at www.mckeemortuary.com/obituaries/anne-myers

Nov. 30 is the deadline for applications for Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) grants to be funded with moneys available in 2025. Generated from the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., the BFIA funds outreach ministry projects that serve communities, strengthen congregations, and expand the reign of God. Such ministries will honor and continue the legacy of service that the center has epitomized while also addressing the dynamics of the present age. Grants of up to $5,000 per congregation or ministry project per year are awarded with a maximum of $15,000 allocated to any one ministry project over multiple years. Camps may apply for grants up to $2,500 every other year. Any United States Church of the Brethren congregation, fellowship, or project, and any Church of the Brethren camp may apply. Find out more at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action

The latest issue of “Rooted,” the newsletter of the Brethren Creation Care Network, is now available online at https://mailchi.mp/brethren/rooted-2025-10?e=df09813496. This issue includes a reflection by Hannah Nelson on food and harvest, and a “Policy Corner” by Marcia Sowles on the Bureau of Land Management’s proposal to repeal the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule.

— “Outwit: Biblical Stories of Regular People Taking Down Tyrants” is the title of an online class offered by On Earth Peace. “In a time when faith is often co-opted to support authoritarian politics, many are left disheartened,” said an announcement. “An upcoming online class…offers a different path, exploring the Bible’s deep roots of resistance. Facilitated by former pastor and writer Dana Cassell, this six-week series will introduce participants to often-overlooked stories of everyday people resisting tyrannical leaders. In an intimate classroom setting, we will explore these ancient narratives from both the Old and New Testaments and connect them to our present political moment.” The sessions take place on Tuesdays, Nov. 11 through Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. (Eastern time) via Zoom. Cost: no set fee. Participants are invited to support On Earth Peace’s ministries. Register at www.onearthpeace.org/2025_11_outwit_biblical_stories