Yearbook reports Church of the Brethren denominational statistics for 2022

Church of the Brethren membership in the United States in 2022 was 81,345, according to the statistical report in the 2023 Church of the Brethren Yearbook, published by Brethren Press. The 2023 edition–published late last year–includes the 2022 statistical report and the 2023 directory for the denomination.

Brethren bits

In this issue: Remembering Harold S. Martin, On Earth Peace celebrates 50 years, BVS orientations announced, prayer requests from Global Mission, “Vintage Recipes: Take 2,” Bethany welcomes international scholar in residence, volunteer with the Brethren Heritage Center, and more.

Brethren bits

In this issue: Remembering Emma Jean Woodard, service information for Ken Holderread, new CWS kit video features Material Resources, prayer concern from BVS for Ecuador, related FaithX announcement, Rick Gardner authors Passion of Jesus, Camp La Verne celebrates 100 years, and more.

Leading Church of the Brethren staff visit South Sudan

In November 2023, the executive directors of the Church of the Brethren’s Service Ministries and Global Mission departments, Roy Winter and Eric Miller respectively, visited South Sudan for six days. During that time, they met with Athanasus Ungang, who is country director of Brethren Global Services, the Church of the Brethren mission project there.

Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs letter on Guantanamo

The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy was one of more than 80 religious, humanitarian, and peace and justice organizations and groups to sign on to a letter to President Biden calling for progress towards responsibly closing the Guantánamo detention center.

Baptism helps celebrate 300 years of the Brethren in the Americas

The first Brethren baptisms in America were held on Christmas Day 1723 in the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia. On the 300th anniversary of that event, West Shore Church of the Brethren held a baptism in the Conodoguinet Creek in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, Pa.

February Ventures course to focus on creative church

The February online offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “Divine Creativity and Holy Imagination: Cultivating a Creative Church” to be presented by Liz Ullery Swenson. The course will be held online in two Tuesday evening sessions, Feb. 13 and 20, both at 7:30 to 9 p.m. (central time).

Travel grants available for course ‘Polarization as an Opportunity for Ministry’

As part of Bethany Theological Seminary’s initiative to “Build Bridges Across Ideological Divides,” the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is offering a series of TRIM-level courses to help clergy recognize and meaningfully address division in their congregations and communities. First up is “Polarization as an Opportunity for Ministry,” a course with Russell Haitch, professor of Theology and Human Science at Bethany.

Stuart Murray Williams and colleagues to lead webinar centered on new book

The Church of the Brethren’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation department is sponsoring a webinar to be held Feb. 8 with Stuart Murray Williams and colleagues Alexandra Ellish, Judith Kilpin, and Karen Sethuraman centered around the forthcoming book The New Anabaptists: Practices for Emerging Communities. The book is to be released in late January.

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