Tamisha Tyler has resigned from her position as visiting assistant professor and director of the Master of Arts program at Bethany Seminary in Richmond, Ind., effective at the end of the spring semester 2026. She will become the co-director of Level Ground, a nonprofit artist collective, project incubator, and documentary production company in Los Angeles, Calif.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Correction, resignation, book studies and recommended reading from Church of the Brethren ministries, job opening, 2026 Young Adult Conference, grant opportunities for congregations, regional youth conferences, and much more
Brethren Press offers new Shine curriculum for youth titled ‘Reach’
A new Reach curriculum for youth in grades 9 through 12 is now available from Brethren Press through the Shine curriculum, a joint effort of Brethren Press and MennoMedia.
Educational resources and upcoming events are provided by the Deportation Defense Response Team
The Deportation Defense Response Team, an initiative of several Church of the Brethren districts with the Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace, has provided a toolkit of resources online at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/168SYb-D3cMBO8ORb4sDXMqMbA2yvSGCN.
Kentucky partner for Brethren Disaster Ministries offers more than disaster recovery
The Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding Program local partner in eastern Kentucky’s Letcher County to support the recovery from July 2022 flooding is HOMES, Inc. Originally a project of Mennonite Central Committee, HOMES began in the 1980s and has always focused on more than just initial disaster recovery by working to repair homes in the area and to provide affordable rental properties.
National Youth Conference registration is open
This past Monday, Jan. 5, National Youth Conference (NYC) 2026 registration officially opened! The NYC staff is so excited for those that have registered so far and those who will continue to register in coming weeks. Find the registration link at www.brethren.org/nyc.
Global Food Initiative closes out 2025 with last set of grants for the year
The last set of grants for 2025 from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) rounded out the year by supporting needs around the world, from Honduras to Rwanda, Nigeria to Ecuador, as well as local projects in Pennsylvania.
Brethren bits
In this issue: Remembering Beverly Minnich, grant for church employees losing ACA credit, new deadline to apply for the Health Care Education Scholarship, “Adaptability in Leadership” led by Jeremy Ashworth, “Identifying and Responding to Suicide Risk” led by Julie Guistwite, the annual Clergy Tax Seminar led by Deb Oskin, another information series from the DRSP, and much more
South/Central Indiana District announces ‘Being the Body of Christ’ initiative
As I visit congregations, people often ask me what commonalities are present in thriving churches. The three markers I have learned to name are ancient wisdom rearticulated: orientation around spiritual practices (Love of God), healthy internal relationships (Love of one another), and taking the literal needs of actual neighbors seriously (Love of neighbor). The integration of these three markers is what we are calling Being the Body of Christ.
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church book discussion to address ‘how to lead’
How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going: Leading in a Liminal Season by Susan Beaumont is the book chosen for an upcoming online book discussion sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Ministry Office and the Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program.
