— Remembrance: Leonard Wade Matheny, 68, of Dunlap, Ill., who served as longterm volunteer staff for the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference and was on the planning team for the National Older Adult Conference (NOAC), passed away on Monday, April 20. His service to the denomination included volunteering for many years as a registration coordinator for Annual Conference, and also helping to plan the NOAC events where he was a cheerful and energetic volunteer leader. On the district level, in Illinois and Wisconsin District he most recently was serving as financial secretary and previously had been chair of the Church Revitalization and Development Team, coordinator of the Potluck Experience planning team, a leadership team member, and also had served a term as district moderator, among other roles. He was a longstanding member of First Church of the Brethren in Peoria, Ill., where he carried a variety of roles from Sunday school teacher and youth leader to properties chair and sound system operator. He also volunteered for Mountain Mission in southeast Kentucky. In his professional life, as a Caterpillar employee he climbed the ladder from a third shift pneumatic chipper to Group Manager of the Cast Metals Organization over the course of his 38-year career. He was born on May 15, 1957, to Janice (Hurst) and Wade Matheny. He married his high school sweetheart, Vicki (Balzell) Matheny, on June 5, 1976, and was looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. He is survived by his wife; children Wendy (Navid) Samadani-Matheny and Justin (Andrea) Matheny; and grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held at Peoria First Church of the Brethren on Saturday, April 25, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation starting at 9 a.m. A lunch will follow. Memorial gifts are received to Peoria First Church of the Brethren designated “Mountain Mission,” or to the OSF Cancer Institute that cared for him in his final months. Find a full obituary at www.schmidthaller.com/obituaries/leonard-matheny-2/#!/Obituary
— Camp Swatara invites applications for its next executive director. The camp is located near Bethel, Pa. Following seven years of faithful leadership by Tim Courtright, who is concluding his time as executive director this September, the camp is prayerfully searching for the next executive director—a mission-driven leader called to the intersection of ministry, community, and outdoor camp life on 700-plus acres at the foot of Blue Mountain. This is more than a job. It’s a calling. As part of the search process, the Camp Swatara community—campers, families, alumni, donors, and friends—also are invited to share input on the qualities and priorities that should guide the search. Learn more, share input, and apply at www.campswatara.org/leadcamp
— “We are just about a week away from the beginning of the 2nd ever CoB L.E.A.D. Conference,” writes Nate Polzin, executive of the Church of the Brethren Discipleship and Leadership Formation. The conference takes place at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and online from the evening of Friday, May 1, through the morning of Sunday, May 3. “There is still time to register as a virtual attendee. Those participating online will have access to everything that is happening in the sanctuary during the conference. From our opening worship service featuring Michela Alphonse bringing a dynamic message based on our theme Scripture of Hebrews 11:8, to the thought-provoking keynote messages from award-winning author and speaker, Tod Bolsinger, and four powerful breakout sessions lead by Brethren leaders and practitioners, you will be able to see and interact with others through the chat functions.” Online registration costs $75. Full participation in the virtual conference can earn pastors 0.8 continuing education credit. Go to www.brethren.org/dlf/lead-conference
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— An Earth Day action alert from the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy urges church members to “tell your senators to oppose the SPEED and PERMIT acts.” The alert brings attention to two bills passed by the House of Representatives but are still to come to Senate, that would roll back environmental laws: “Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act” (H.R. 4776) would weaken the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) originally signed into law on January 1, 1970, as a foundational environmental law requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major actions, mandating an interdisciplinary approach, evaluating impacts and alternatives through Environmental Assessments (EAs) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS); and the “Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act” (H.R. 3898) threatens the Clean Water Act, aiming to curtail regulatory oversight to speed up infrastructure projects, with potential to remove federal protections for streams that do not flow year-round, seasonal wetlands, and ground water, restricting the ability of states and Tribes to review and place conditions on federal projects (e.g., pipelines), making it easier to discharge pollutants, including PFAS (“forever chemicals”), pesticides, and agricultural waste into waterways, empowering federal agencies (EPA/Army Corps) to exempt entire categories of waterways from protection without public input or scientific review. “While these bills have passed the House, it is not too late to contact your Senators!” said the alert. Find full information and a sample letter to senators at https://mailchi.mp/brethren/oppose-speed-permit-acts
— Brethren Press has begun a celebration of 125 years of Inglenook. “When the first Inglenook cookbook was published in October 1901, it spawned a cherished tradition within the Church of the Brethren,” said an announcement. “In celebration of 125 years of Inglenook, join us as we explore some of the stories and try some of the recipes from this treasure trove of simple deliciousness. Follow along on Facebook!”
An anniversary post on the Inglenook Facebook page notes that “The Inglenook didn’t start as a cookbook at all! ‘The Inglenook’ was a weekly literary magazine whose focus was meant to bridge the gap between readers of the ‘Young Disciple’ and ‘Messenger’ papers, although it truly appealed to all ages. First published as ‘The Pilot,’ a newsletter printed in Mount Morris, Ill., Inglenook’s debut issue published April 7, 1900, from Brethren Press in Elgin. Its articles ranged from travelogues, natural history, gardening tips, poetry, stories, and more. The first recipe didn’t appear for many months!” Find the Inglenook Facebook page at www.facebook.com/inglenookcookbook
— Two Church of the Brethren congregations in Mid-Atlantic District are hosting BeSMART workshops sponsored by On Earth Peace:
Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren’s Peace and Justice Forum is hosting a BeSMART Gun Safety Workshop sponsored by On Earth Peace on Saturday, May 23, at 1:30-3 p.m. (Eastern time) at the Exploration Commons, Westminster Library. To register, scan the QR code in the flier or call the church office at 410-848-8090.
Brownsville Church of the Brethren is hosting a BeSMART Gun Safety Training Workshop sponsored by On Earth Peace on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the church in Knoxville, Md.
— Pacific Northwest District of the Church of the Brethren is holding its Spring Event on the theme, “Songs of Resistance, Songs of Peace!” Said an announcement: “Singing together is at the heart of our spiritual connections—and it’s a practice at the heart of our peacemaking and resistance to evil, too…. Seth Hendricks and David Hupp from Friends with the Weather will be flying in from Indiana to lead our song-and-music activities, and Steve Kinzie will be leading a special songwriting workshop for kids, where kids will create the theme song for the weekend!” The event is May 8-10 at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum, Wash. All ages are welcome and child-friendly activities will be available. Standard registration is $132 per person, which includes 2 nights lodging at Camp Koinonia and meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast. Discount options are available through the registration process. Go to bit.ly/songs2026
— “Congregational Ministry to Members Navigating Divorce Experiences” is offered by the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center as a continuing education event held by Zoom and open to all. Led by Julie Guistwite on the morning of June 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Eastern time), the event is intended for those ministering with persons navigating divorce. This often is an experience of “disconnection from their church, their spirituality, and the broader community,” said an announcement. “Congregational ministry practices that intentionally nurture belonging, healing, and hope can serve as powerful expressions of Christ’s love and unconditional acceptance during these painful times. Drawing on the workplace spirituality framework, this interactive session discusses three approaches to strengthening divorce ministry while enhancing overall congregational well-being. Through dialogue and scenario-based discussions, participants will gain practical skills for integrating the approaches into ministry, nurturing a deepening personal spiritual meaning among congregants, and cultivating an active, compassionate, and inclusive church environment.” Cost is $35 for continuing education credit, or $25 without credit. Participants may earn 0.3 continuing education units. For more information and to register, go to https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pkyben9/lp/0439a849-9121-4e77-bc0c-d985117e39c7
— Church World Service (CWS) in its “State of Play” email newsletter has expressed concern that the federal administration has been considering sending more than a thousand Afghans to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. CWS cited the New York Times, which on Wednesday this week reported that a group of Afghans who have been in Qatar for more than a year may be forced to return to Afghanistan or be sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Said “State of Play”: “Approximately 1,100 Afghans – including about 400 children – are living in Camp As Sayliyah (CAS), a former U.S. military base near Doha. The camp was once a major case processing hub for Afghans bound for the United States, including interpreters, former members of the Afghan military, and the families of U.S. servicemembers. When President Trump took office, those who were in the camp found themselves stuck without any apparent path to safety as the indefinite refugee ban took effect. Though many have undergone extensive vetting, all are now effectively detained in the facility, which they are not allowed to leave. The Times reports that members of the Trump administration have spent months negotiating with the DRC and various countries in Africa to take in the Afghans. The plans are not yet final, and many details remain unclear, such as whether the administration will come to similar agreements with other countries. The DRC is facing one of the world’s most devastating and protracted displacement crises. Over 6.2 million people are internally displaced within the country, and over 1.2 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries. The U.S. has welcomed more refugees from the DRC than any other nation in nine of the ten most recent fiscal years.”
— A “Statement on the 111th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide” has been released by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a partner organization for the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. The statement follows in full:
“Washington DC, April 24, 2026:
“On this solemn 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) joins with communities around the world in remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who were systematically killed and displaced beginning in 1915. We honor the memory of those who perished, stand with their descendants, and reaffirm our commitment to truth, justice, and the dignity of all people.
“This day is not only about remembrance, it is also a call to vigilance. The legacy of the Armenian Genocide continues to reverberate today, not only in the denial and distortion of historical truth but in the ongoing erasure of Armenian presence, heritage, and identity.
“We are deeply concerned by credible reports of the continued destruction of Armenian historical and cultural sites. The recent demolition of the Stepanakert Cathedral on April 22, 2026, stands as a stark and painful example. Such acts are not isolated incidents; they reflect a broader and deeply troubling pattern of cultural erasure. The destruction of sacred spaces, monuments, and heritage sites undermines the historical continuity of a people and threatens the preservation of their identity.
“CMEP affirms that the protection of cultural and religious heritage is a moral and legal obligation under international law. The targeting of such sites, especially in post-conflict environments, raises serious concerns about accountability, reconciliation, and the prospects for a just and lasting peace.
“We also reaffirm our solidarity with Armenian churches and communities worldwide, Apostolic, Catholic, Evangelical, and others, who continue to bear witness to faith, resilience, and hope in the face of profound historical and ongoing challenges.
“On this day of remembrance, we commit ourselves not only to honoring the past but to preventing its repetition. The lessons of the Armenian Genocide demand that we speak clearly and act decisively wherever injustice, erasure, and dehumanization persist.”
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers
- Essential services of ordinances now available online as For All Who Minister prepares for reprinting
- Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding Program serves Hurricane Helene and Western Maryland storm survivors
- Shine Everywhere free six-week worship series helps churches nurture faith at home
- Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: Invitations to look up, to seek abundant life