My first international trip as executive director of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren was to South Sudan from Feb. 1-15. I was fortunate to travel with a group led by Carolyn and Roger Schrock. Here are excerpts from my daily journal of the trip
Registration for summer FaithX service trips closes on Tuesday, April 1. There are still open spots on several youth and adult trips. More information about the trips and availability as well as registration are at www.brethren.org/faithx.
The Church of the Brethren’s Shenandoah District has called a team of people to serve in the capacity of Interim District Executive Minister beginning on April 1. Paul Roth, Jan Orndorff, and Steve Spire will serve as the core interim team with Wayne Pence and Glenn Bollinger assisting as consultants.
In this issue: Remembering Marianne Rhoades Pittman; New and Renew offers March Madness discount; prayer requests for South Sudan, those affected by severe weather, those continuing to suffer impacts of fires in southern California; truck for Uganda; “Toward COP30” webinars from the WCC; threat to the US Institute of Peace, which got its start with help from the Church of the Brethren among other religious groups
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to continued support for the Nigeria Crisis Response, to aid those affected in three central African countries by the warfare in Goma and the surrounding area, to aid those affected by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and to aid those affected by the war in Ukraine, among others.
The Annual Conference office has announced the daily line up of preachers for the 2025 annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren, as well as the daily themes and scripture texts and the worship planning team and music leadership.
The keynote speakers for the 2025 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) have been announced. The event takes place Sept. 1-5 in Lake Junaluska, N.C., a Spirit-filled gathering of adults 50 and older. This year’s theme is “Alive in the Spirit!” (Romans 15:13).
“Mark your calendar for BVS Visionary Voices!” said an announcement from the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) office. This new quarterly speaker series highlights inspiring professionals sharing what they do, why they do it, and how you can get involved.
Looking to address hunger in your community? Congregations are invited to apply for a Global Food Initiative (GFI) grant to support efforts to address domestic hunger and homelessness.
The April offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “A Place for Everybody: Creating Communities of Belonging” to be presented by Jeanne Davies, executive director of the Anabaptist Disabilities Network.
