— Arlington (Va.) Church of the Brethren and pastor Matt Rittle are among those cited and quoted in a Religion News Service article about the “Just Like Selma” hymn project. Arlington is among the dozens of churches across the country who have indicated they will use the song during Black History Month this February, reports RNS. “Those that registered to incorporate the song on the NEWorks website receive resources, including sheet music, to help them prepare to sing the hymn.” Rittle told RNS that “he hopes his mostly white congregation that usually gathers 25 to 40 people on Sunday will sing ‘Just Like Selma,’ after congregants began an email thread discussing it.”
The “Just Like Selma” hymn project by composer Nolan Williams Jr. aims to help churches recall Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and mark Black History Month centering on African American life and focusing on the history of and continuing advocacy for voting rights. The song debuted via a video ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Find a link to view the video of the “Just Like Selma” Martin Luther King Day performance and read the full article at https://religionnews.com/2026/01/15/just-like-selma-hymn-project-to-help-churches-recall-king-mark-black-history-month
A new webpage featuring resources for interim ministry has been launched by the Church of the Brethren Ministry Office at www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/interim-ministry. These new resources arrive in time for the upcoming third round table discussion sponsored by the Ministry Office on Monday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time) where the conversation will focus on questions of placement surrounding interim/transitional ministry including lifting up the resources and guidance that districts are able to supply. Both pastors and laity are invited to attend. Several district executive ministers will join seasoned interim ministers and facilitators Tara Hornbacker, Enten Eller, and Christy Dowdy in hosting the conversation. Go to https://tiny.cc/COB-Interim or contact the Ministry Office for more information at officeofministry@brethren.org
— The 2026 Blackwell Prize in Music was awarded to composer and musician Shawn Kirchner, a member of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren who has led music at denominational conferences among other church venues. An announcement noted, “Kirchner’s compositions incorporate folk, carol, and hymn traditions, as well as jazz, gospel and bluegrass. He is widely celebrated for his musicianship, and his choral works have been performed around the world.” Kirchner has celebrated his win by conducting mass choir performances and workshops this January, hosted by the University of West Georgia Culture Lab. Find out more from this Facebook post at www.facebook.com/uwg.newnan and at www.westga.edu/calendar.php#event-details/896fe266-6ab3-4ac7-847d-d850e4b6b0b1
— “The Historical Jesus and the Kingdom of GOD” is the topic of the February episode of “Brethren Voices,” the community television program produced by Portland (Ore.) Peace Church of the Brethren. Robert Miller, professor of Christian and Religious studies at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., is featured in this re-release of a two-part series originally filmed in November 2008. “Miller provides us with an in depth look at the life of Jesus, in the context of the times in which he lived,” said an announcement. “It was a time when a million people were killed by the Romans, during their occupation of their kingdom. According to Miller, Jesus didn’t have a plan for the kingdom of God, but relied on the imagination of those who were hearing his message. He uses metaphors and images and powerful exaggerations and parables.” Included is an analysis of the parable of the mustard seed. Find this and preceding episodes of Brethren Voices on YouTube.
— John Yusuf, chair of the Media Crew for the Viniklang congregation and district of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), shared with Newsline information about connecting with their online posts and streaming available via Facebook. “We in the media live stream our Sunday service and other programs in the church, we produce a program titled ‘From the pastor’s desk,’ we cast our news,” he reported. He also shared gratitude for receiving news about the American church, writing, “Thanks for the good work in the vineyard of our Lord.” Find the Viniklang media crew’s posts, videos, reels, sermons and worship events, etc. by searching Facebook for “EYN LCC No:1 Viniklang” or going to www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551627036355
— The World Council of Churches (WCC) on Jan. 22 marked the fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. “Since nuclear weapons were first used over Hiroshima and Nagasaki over 80 years ago, the WCC has always stood in categorical opposition to nuclear weapons,” said a release. “Those who convened at the founding assembly of the WCC in 1948, [which included the Church of the Brethren] declared that war with nuclear weapons is a ‘sin against God and a degradation of man,’ and in the following years began to place particular attention on the situation of peoples suffering from the toxic legacy of nuclear testing programmes in the Pacific and elsewhere – and to the racism and colonialism inherent in nuclear weapon states’ choices of locations for their tests. The WCC continues to advocate with churches at the national and international levels to prohibit the development, testing and use of nuclear weapons, and works with churches to impress upon their government the immorality of nuclear weapons and need for their total elimination.” The release included information from the WCC department for Human Rights and Disarmament that today’s global nuclear arsenals are estimated to exceed by almost 400 times the combined explosive force of both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs together with all the weapons used during World War II. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has now been ratified by 74 countries and signed—ahead of expected ratification—by a further 21, representing a majority of the world’s countries.
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Standing Committee acts on relationship with Eder Financial and Everence at special Zoom meeting
- EDF grants continue Nigeria Crisis Response, support Lebanese affected by war
- Standing Committee to hold special Zoom meeting
- Resources now available for National Youth Sunday 2026
- Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs interfaith letter opposing $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget