Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed large grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to the church’s mission in South Sudan and to provide relief for Congolese refugees in Burundi and families continuing to be affected by violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Church of the Brethren Newsline
EYN disaster relief staff, EYN Media share news of violence affecting the church in Nigeria
Two departments of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have shared information about recent violence affecting members and congregations of EYN in northeast Nigeria.
Feature for Women’s History Month: Elaine Sollenberger (d. 2022)
For Women’s History Month 2026, Newsline is offering a feature for each issue in March to celebrate women who have been leaders in Church of the Brethren history. In this issue, we celebrate the first woman to serve as moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Correction of date for Ventures course on ‘God’s Earth, Our Home’; resources for conscientious objection; playlist ‘Pacifism on Repeat’; prayer concern from the Deportation Defense Response Team and new resources plus upcoming events; Brethren Volunteer Service Zoom sessions for prospective volunteers; latest issue of Bridge newsletter for young adults; next L.E.A.D. Third Thursday webinar; Durnbaugh Lecture features Bethany Seminary president Jeff Carter; and much, much more.
Participants brave ice and fire to attend leadership training in Western Plains District
Ice and fire. No, not the epic Game of Thrones saga but the very real elements some endured to gather for the Western Plains District Leadership Training in Great Bend, Kan.
Ministers’ Association continuing education event features Russell Haitch on ‘Redeeming AI: Biblical Guidelines’
“Redeeming AI: Biblical Guidelines” is this year’s theme for the pre-Annual Conference Church of the Brethren Ministers’ Association continuing education event. Russell Haitch, Bethany Theological Seminary professor of theology and human science, will be the keynote speaker. The event will take place Saturday evening, June 27, and all day Sunday, June 28, in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Registration is open for second denominational L.E.A.D. Conference
Registration for the Church of the Brethren’s L.E.A.D. (Listen Equip Adapt Disciple) Conference is now open at www.brethren.org/dlf/lead-conference. This year’s conference is May 1-3 at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and also open to virtual attendees. The scripture theme is Hebrews 11:8, which talks about Abraham following God through unfamiliar territory—certainly an apt description of church leadership today!
Church of the Brethren general secretary, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy call for cessation of military action against Iran and call on Iran to end retaliatory strikes in the Middle East
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele and Office of Peacebuilding and Policy director Nathan Hosler are urging the United States and Israel to cease their military actions against Iran and are calling on Iran to end its retaliatory strikes against surrounding countries where the US has military bases.
Amy Gall Ritchie and Gilbert Romero Jr. head the ballot for the 2026 Annual Conference
The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is presenting the following ballot for the 2026 Conference taking place in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Sunday, June 28, to Thursday, July 2.
Preachers are announced for the five daily worship services at Annual Conference
The Annual Conference organizers have announced the preachers for the five daily worship services to be held during the Conference. Each worship service will focus on a theme and symbol from the Church of the Brethren’s biblical heritage. Speakers will be asked to reexamine and reappropriate historic Brethren themes for our time.
