The 2024 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren is planned for July 3-7 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Moderator Madalyn Metzger has chosen the theme “Welcome and Worthy” (Romans 16:2, CEB).
A last round of grants for the year 2023 were given from three funds of the Church of the Brethren: the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF–support this ministry with donations at https://churchofthebrethren.givingfuel.com/bdm); the Global Food Initiative (GFI–support this ministry with donations at https://churchofthebrethren.givingfuel.com/gfi); and the Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA–see www.brethren.org/faith-in-action).
Coming up in February, FaithX is hosting an older adult service trip at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., and you are invited to join us! Registration is open now for this trip and will close on Feb. 1, 2024. To register and for more information, go to www.brethren.org/faithx.
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership will offer this online course, “Cultivating an Everyday Faith,” from April 17 to June 11, 2024. Joan Daggett, ordained minister and executive director of the Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center, will be the instructor. The deadline to register is March 13, 2024.
Shana Peachey Boshart has been hired as the new program facilitator for the Shine Curriculum, a partnership between Brethren Press and MennoMedia. This grant-funded, fulltime position was created to facilitate the development of the Everywhere Faith program, a new faith practice resource. Shine was awarded a grant of $1,250,000 in August 2023 from Lilly Endowment Inc.
In this issue: Lafayette group witnesses for peace and a ceasefire; Shine curriculum seeks a project editor, and announces a grant for a new youth curriculum; Juniata College sends a delegation to COP28, and repeats a famous “Book Move”; Bethany Seminary celebrates its new Steinway Grand; Powerhouse update; Global Women’s Project Steering Committee update; latest episodes of Dunker Punks Podcast and Brethren Voices; a special mural at East Dayton Fellowship; and good news from the Brethren Housing Association.
In this issue: Remembering Ken Holderread, job openings, Lansing Brethren get media coverage for their witness against gun violence, resources on role of media reporting on migration, advocacy effort against solitary confinement, “Songs for Kids by Michael Stern and Friends,” and Juniata women’s volleyball wins again!
The Shine curriculum’s Vacation Bible School for 2024 is titled “Seekers in Sneakers: Discover Jesus!” and is available for purchase through Brethren Press. The boxed set includes the basics needed to offer a VBS session this coming summer.
This past October, the Young Adult Steering Committee met at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., to begin planning for Young Adult Conference 2024, which will be held May 24-26 at Camp Shepherds Spring in Sharpsburg, Md.
The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference continues to seek nominations for the 2024 ballot. We are extending the deadline for submitting nominations from Dec. 4, 2023, to Jan. 5, 2024.