Annual Conference worship services will be livestreamed

The daily worship services at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren will be livestreamed and available free of charge with no registration required, although donations will be appreciated. Annual Conference takes place in Fort Wayne, Ind., on June 28 to July 2.

The worship livestream can be viewed at www.brethren.org/ac2026/webcasts either live–starting with the Sunday evening worship service at 6:45 p.m. (Eastern time) on June 28–or later via recordings. The worship services continue at 6:45 p.m. (Eastern time) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, June 29-July 1. The closing worship service on Thursday morning, July 2, starts at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). A livestream of the worship services, as well as recordings, also will be available in Spanish.

Annual Conference daily worship will focus on familiar themes from the Church of the Brethren’s past and present—radical discipleship, a New Testament church, peace, community, service, helping us engage with God, and inspiring us for the future.

Preachers for the daily services are Annual Conference moderator Don Fitzkee on Sunday evening, June 28; Beth Jarrett of Staunton Church of the Brethren on Monday evening, June 29; James Washington of Pleasant View and Elm Street Churches of the Brethren on Tuesday evening, June 30; Becky Zapata of Principe de Paz Church of the Brethren on Wednesday evening, July 1; and Caleb Kragt of West Charleston Church of the Brethren on Thursday morning, July 2.

The worship team of Jim Chinworth, Andy Duffey, Cristal Herrera, music coordinator Marty Keeney, and third-year Program and Arrangements Committee member Gail Heisel have been working hard to prepare a variety of worship experiences including multicultural leadership, a dramatic retelling of scripture, a children’s story time, a symbolic footwashing, and more. The service musicians include pianist David Hupp assisted by Mary Ellen DeWitt, organist Margaret Marsch, choir director Matthew Fritz, children’s choir director Jamie Nace, and many more guest musicians.

New this year for those worshiping onsite in Fort Wayne is a “Prayground” for engaging young children in worship. “A Prayground will welcome children as a part of our shared life during worship, helping all draw closer to God,” said an announcement. “A Prayground is a place for children to worship through play, creativity, and movement. Activities will be geared toward children kindergarten through 2nd grade. We invite all conferencegoers to celebrate the presence of the children in our midst and to welcome their worshipful play.”

Children’s resources will be available for onsite worship provided by Shine Curriculum and Brethren Press featuring theme-based illustrations and activities. These resources are designed to help children engage more deeply with each worship in a creative and meaningful way.

On Earth Peace also is preparing a special Annual Conference edition of Agape: A Peacemaking Guide for Kids, a magazine crafted for children ages 8-12 who are eager to learn more about peacemaking.

A special invitation from the Annual Conference office to those who are attending in person and may be able to arrive early: join Church of the Brethren congregations in Fort Wayne for Sunday morning worship on June 28, before the Conference begins.

“If you are in Fort Wayne on Sunday, June 28, you might consider worshipping at one of these congregations,” said the invitation.

The local congregations include:

Agape Church of the Brethren, 11610 Lima Rd., Fort Wayne, IN; https://agapechurchofthebrethren.wordpress.com; 260-489-6908

Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, 2810 Beacon St., Fort Wayne, IN; www.beaconheights.net; 260-482-8595

Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren, 6404 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, IN; www.lincnotes.org; 260-456-1993

— Find detailed information about the Conference at www.brethren.org/ac2026

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