On Thursday, Feb. 5, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C., will hear opening oral arguments in an appeal for injunctive relief in the “sensitive locations” lawsuit, “Mennonite Church USA et al., v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al.” The Church of the Brethren is a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
Traci Rabenstein to serve as Southern Pennsylvania District executive minister
The Southern Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren has called Traci Rabenstein to serve as district executive minister starting April 6. She resides in Enola, Pa., from where she will serve in this fulltime role.
Brethren bits
In this issue: A new webpage offers resources for interim ministry, the Arlington congregation is among those to use the new hymn “Just Like Selma” during Black History Month, 2026 Blackwell Prize in Music goes to Church of the Brethren composer Shawn Kirchner, the next episode of Brethren Voices, and more
Sydney Goldsborough joins staff of On Earth Peace
Sydney Goldsborough has been hired by On Earth Peace in the new role of director of Administration and Communication. The fulltime appointment is to the permanent staff of the organization. On Earth Peace is an agency of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
Gene Hollenberg announces his retirement from leadership of Camp Mack
Gene Hollenberg has announced his plan to retire as executive director of Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind., at the end of the year. He has served in the position for almost 10 years, since September 2016. He previously gave 40 years of volunteer leadership.
Intercultural Ministries imagines a beloved community vision that inspires and challenges us
As we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I dream of a day when we embrace discomfort as part of our sacred calling to live in unity—many stories, one Spirit, one body in Christ. Hope is born when love refuses to remain silent. Justice, after all, is love made visible, and kindness is faith in action.
Review and Evaluation Committee begins its work
The Review and Evaluation Committee is made up of five members, elected by the Annual Conference from across the denomination. The members of the committee include: Daniel Rudy (chairperson), Chris Douglas (secretary), Lupita Ortiz-Cruz, Ilexene Alphonse, and Anna Lisa Gross.
Worship resources are available for Service Sunday on Feb. 1
The Church of the Brethren’s Service Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 1. Service Sunday is recognized annually on the first Sunday in February. The 2026 theme “Living with Purpose: Equipping God’s People for Works of Service” is inspired by the scripture text from Ephesians 4:11-13
Loretta Wolf and Glenna Thompson conclude their work with the Material Resources program
Loretta Wolf and Glenna Thompson on Dec. 30, 2025, concluded their work with the Church of the Brethren Material Resources program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. These layoffs were due to the closing of the Material Resources program at the end of 2025.
Pat Marsh to retire from the Church of the Brethren Finance office
Pat Marsh will retire as manager of Accounting and as assistant treasurer for the Church of the Brethren effective May 29. She began her employment with the denomination in January 1995, and has worked for the church for 31 years.