— Remembrance: Keith Goering, a former member of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, passed away on Aug. 28. He served on the Mission and Ministry Board for one term, from 2011 to 2016. He spent many years as associate pastor of Bowmont Church of the Brethren in Nampa, Idaho, and as leadership at Camp Stover in New Meadows, Idaho.
— Job opening: The Church of the Brethren seeks a Mission Advancement advocate to fill a fulltime salaried position with the major responsibility to strengthen individual and congregational relationships and increase financial support for the ministries of the Church of the Brethren through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Responsibilities include building relationships through denominational, district, and congregational events and gatherings, personal visits, and ongoing communication; encouraging current, increased, and legacy giving; and supporting special denominational giving initiatives. Requirements include at least three years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, constituent engagement, nonprofit advancement, or comparable relationship-management work; strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships and engage with cultural humility and respect across differences in background, identity, experience, perspective, and level of connection to the Church of the Brethren; ability and willingness to invite individuals and congregations to provide financial support and to conduct fundraising conversations confidently, respectfully, and appropriately; familiarity with or willingness and ability to develop knowledge in planned and legacy giving; among others. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required. Location is the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., or remote within the United States. Regular auto and air travel is expected and geographic assignments will be appropriate to the assigned portfolio. Pay: $52,000 to $56,000 per year. Benefits: health insurance, health savings account, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, paid parental leave, sponsored short-term disability, sponsored Basic life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment, paid time off (vacation days, and sick leave) professional development assistance, and flexible schedule. Applications are being received and reviewed until the position is filled. Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org. The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
— Job opening: The Western Plains District of the Church of the Brethren seeks an administrative assistant to fill a part-time position providing functional support to the district executive ministers. This is a non-exempt position paid on a salary basis. Over the course of the year, work time should average 20 hours per week with vacation and holiday time as specified. The administrative assistant will be expected to work from the district office in McPherson, Kan., with some flexibility as deemed necessary. Responsibilities include, among others, to serve as the office focal point for communications for the district; preparing and distributing a monthly e-newsletter; preparing and distributing information and registration materials for district events; providing administrative support for district events and meetings. Applications are being received and reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. To apply, send a cover letter, resumé, and two professional references to DEMNancy@wpcob.org or to Nancy and Blaine Miner, Western Plains District, P.O. Box 394, McPherson, KS 67460.
— The Deportation Defense Response Team is announcing the next online prayer gathering next Thursday, Oct. 1, at 12 noon (Eastern time). The DDR is supported by Church of the Brethren districts in partnership with the Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace. “We exhort the church to care for our siblings and neighbors under threat of immigration-related detention and deportation, and we invite you to join us in praying for them and for all who are supporting them,” said the announcement. Register for the Zoom prayer gathering.
— “Think of a young adult in your life,” says an invitation from Messenger, the Church of the Brethren magazine. “Maybe they’re beginning another year of school, starting a new job, settling into a new community, or simply finding their way through a new season. Wherever this year takes them, Messenger can be one way to stay connected with the wider Church of the Brethren. Through stories, perspectives, Bible studies, and news from across the church, Messenger invites readers to explore what it means to follow Jesus and live out our faith in the world today. For $18, you can give a young adult 10 issues over the coming year—a simple and thoughtful way to share Messenger with someone you care about.” Give a subscription.
— The National Youth Conference (NYC) worship resources are available online, free to download. The worship resources include most if not all of those used during the twice-daily worship services during the 2026 NYC, such as prayers, calls to worship, scripture readings, reflections, and more.
Also available is an NYC playlist of the songs from NYC 2026, posted by Messenger magazine. Links take visitors to the playlist on either YouTube or Spotify.
— Mid-Atlantic District is sharing a recording of this past Sunday’s Dunker Church Service at the Antietam Civil War Battlefield. View the recording. “Even if you couldn’t attend the service,” said the announcement, “you can experience this year’s moving music, scripture, lament and message.”
— Brethren Hillcrest Homes, a retirement community in La Verne, Calif., has announced a CEO transition with the appointment of former chief financial officer Joel Brouwer as interim president and CEO. He joined Hillcrest in 2023 and brings more than 25 years of financial and strategic leadership experience, said a release. Brouwer was recognized as CFO of the Year in the Small to Midsize Company category at the 2025 LA Executive Leadership Awards. The transition follows the resignation of Matthew Neeley as president and CEO after more than 20 years of service to Hillcrest. “During his tenure, he helped guide the organization through many significant accomplishments,” said the release. “The Board is grateful for his years of service and contributions to the Hillcrest community.”
— Bridgewater (Va.) College student Lauren Fisher has made the news for her work to find nature-based fungicides. The Daily News-Record published an article about her research, titled “Trial and error: Bridgewater College students looks for natural solutions to common fungal problem for gardeners” by Lori D’Angelo. “Fungus can be a problem for gardeners. But overuse of some of the broad-spectrum synthetic pesticides in the past has led to antifungal resistance and has also been found to cause cancer in rats. These issues have led some researchers, including one Bridgewater College student, to look for more nature-based methods that can both control fungus and have a less negative impact.” Fisher is looking at sassafras oil as a natural solution after working in the sustainable garden at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, a community project that grows fresh produce for local food pantries. Read the article
— Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) recently led a delegation of Christian leaders to Armenia. According to the CMEP release, it was “a solidarity visit focused on the country’s Christian heritage, current geopolitical challenges, the situation of displaced Armenians from Artsakh, and the vital role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the spiritual and cultural life of the Armenian people. The delegation included representatives of CMEP, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), and the World Council of Churches. The visit provided an opportunity for Christian leaders from across the global Church to listen to Armenian communities, engage with civil society, and deepen relationships with the Armenian Apostolic Church.” The release concluded, “Churches for Middle East Peace stands in solidarity with the Armenian people and the Armenian Apostolic Church and looks forward to strengthening its partnerships and advocacy on behalf ofChristian communities in Armenia and the Middle East.” Read the full release.
— “On the Same Page with Free Minds” is the next Healing Through Art online event from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT). “Join us on Wednesday, September 30, from 1–2:30pm ET for an engaging poetry workshop and conversation with our friends at Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop,” said an invitation. “All levels of poetry experience are invited! Whether you write poetry yourself or simply want to explore another artistic avenue for healing, particularly from carceral trauma, we invite you to join us! It will leave you with insights, stories, and poems you’ll never forget. Featuring readings from formerly incarcerated Free Minds Poet Ambassadors and poetry submitted by incarcerated Free Minds members, this gathering will explore how poetry can create space for healing, connection, and reflection amid the lasting impacts of carceral trauma.” Register for this Zoom event.
— The Center on Conscience and War (CCW), a partner organization for the Church of the Brethren, received media attention in an article from The Nation magazine. Titled, “As Morale Sags, More Military Service Members Are Having a Crisis of Conscience,” the subhead reads, “According to multiple GI rights organizations, service members are inquiring in unprecedented numbers about seeking conscientious objector status.” Written by Sophie Mann-Shafir, the article interviews CCW staff who have “seen a dramatic influx of inquiries related to conscientious objection in recent months. Mike Prysner, the executive director…told me in May that they had over 100 enlisted objector-hopefuls on their new client list since March, when typically a whole year would see roughly 50.” The article also interviews Lenore Yarger, who answers calls for Quaker House, through the GI Rights Hotline, where “this March and April were also entirely unprecedented. Their call volume doubled, with most service members dialing in about conscientious objection…. By and large, those reaching out to these organizations cite the February 28 bombing of the elementary school in Minab as the moment their wartime opposition crystallized.” Find the full article.
— The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) holds its annual Christian Unity Gathering on Oct. 12-16 in Philadelphia, Pa. “The Christian Unity Gathering offers space to deepen relationships, discern strategic priorities, and define shared goals for collaborative action and advocacy,” said an announcement. “This year’s gathering will focus on Religious Freedom, providing an opportunity for church leaders, ecumenical partners, scholars, and emerging theologians to explore the vital role of religious liberty in advancing justice and peace.” Find out more.
— An appeal for a humanitarian catastrophe in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky has been received by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other international religious bodies from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. “The city of Oleshky, located in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russian forces, is under a humanitarian blockade and is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe,” reads the appeal, dated Sept. 19. “The last food supplies were delivered to the area at the end of May 2026.” A WCC release said that “residents are starving, while Russian forces are preventing them from leaving the city…. Reports by Ukraine officials, human rights organizations, and international media confirm that since the end of May 2026 no food supplies were delivered to the area anymore.” The WCC has urgently appealed for an end to the blockade, and has called for prayer “for the end of the violence and for a change of heart of those who are responsible for it.” Find the full appeal. Read a Sept. 23 BBC report about the situation in Oleshky.
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