Beth Sollenberger is concluding her service as interim district executive minister and member of the Michigan District Executive Leadership Team over the past several years. She has served in an interim role for the last several years, specifically during the calendar year of 2018 and then beginning again in May 2020. In January 2022, she was called to another interim term. She will conclude her service on Dec. 31.
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Marie Willoughby to serve as co-interim executive for South Central Indiana District
South Central Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren has called Marie Willoughby as co-interim district executive minister, as of Oct. 15, serving alongside Anna Lisa Gross. She replaces Kay Gaier, who served in the position from Jan. 15, 2022.
Emergency Disaster Fund grants fund relief work in Africa and Puerto Rico
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to support relief efforts by the denomination’s Puerto Rico District following Hurricane Fiona, and in the African nations of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda. To financially support the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries, and to give to these and other EDF grants, go to www.brethren.org/edf.
Latest Global Food Initiative grants go to the DRC, Rwanda, and Venezuela
The latest round of grants from the Global Food Initiative (GFI) have been given to ministries of Churches of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for the Seed Projects; Rwanda, for purchase of a grain mill; and Venezuela, for agriculture micro-projects. For more about the GFI and to contribute financially to these grants, go to www.brethren.org/gfi.
Mission and Ministry Board meets this weekend, agenda focuses on budget
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board holds its fall meetings this weekend at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Leading the meeting is chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Brethren Disaster Ministries, districts work on hurricane response
Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage along Florida’s southwest coast on Sept. 28 when it made landfall near Fort Myers. More than a week later, first responders are still out searching the hardest hit neighborhoods for survivors. With the death toll over 100, this storm is one of the deadliest in the state’s history. The level of damage has impeded relief and response efforts as volunteers come to help. Shelter and rental cars are scarce in the state, with many volunteers driving over two hours to get to the damage zone each day.
Witness Weekend at Cabool Church will be on Nov. 5-6
This year for their Witness Weekend, Cabool (Mo.) Church of the Brethren will be hosting a workshop on Nov. 5-6 at the church and online featuring David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project.
Celebrating the Brethren Historical Library and Archives during National Archives Awareness Month
October is National Archives Awareness Month! Archives everywhere are a wonderful tool that anyone can utilize to learn more about any topic they are interested in.
‘Sing Me Home’: Creating space ‘for a community to experience a deep, spiritual sense of home’
“Sing Me Home” welcomes regional musicians and artists to North Manchester, Ind., for a Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8. The free outdoor event is hosted on the grounds of Manchester Church of the Brethren from 4-10 p.m., featuring educational workshops, intergenerational activities and games, a local artisans marketplace, original music, a community sing-along, local food trucks, and more.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Correction, Dunker Church Service now on Facebook, news from congregations, “21st-Century Youth/Young Adult Ministry” with keynote speaker Becky Ullom Naugle, “A Million Letters of Hope” at the Village at Morrisons Cove.
