Andy Hamilton, district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Southeastern District, traveled to Palestine on Nov. 9-17 with a delegation from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP).
Update on Church World Service kit program and collections
Church World Service (CWS) has announced changes related to its kit program and collections, as the Material Resources program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor closes by year’s end. Material Resources, the longterm Church of the Brethren program to collect, warehouse, and ship disaster relief and other material goods for CWS and other
The possibility of US military intervention abroad: Concern from a peace church perspective
On Nov. 20, I attended a congressional hearing on the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Coming from a different meeting, I arrived 10 minutes before the start. The room was so full that there was a line down the hallway. This was the most interest in Nigeria that I’ve witnessed on Capitol Hill since the abduction of the schoolgirls from Chibok more than 10 years ago. I am hopeful to see this much attention on Nigeria, but the focus of this attention on potential military action is troubling.
Church of the Brethren Hurricane Melissa response
Hurricane Melissa was one of the strongest hurricanes to ever appear in the Caribbean Sea. It caused extensive damage in Haiti before making landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 27 as an extremely powerful and destructive Category 5 hurricane. Melissa passed over the island nation heading north to make landfall in Cuba on Oct. 29 as a weaker hurricane with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour.
‘Season of Peace’ webinar offers tools to care for mind, body, and spirit during the holidays
“A Season of Peace: Caring for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit During the Holidays” is the topic for a webinar offered by the Church of the Brethren’s Intercultural Ministries on Dec. 16 at 12 noon (Eastern time).
Brethren bits
In this issue: Remembering Ralph McFadden, special sales from Brethren Press, give the gift of Messenger this holiday season, a Thanksgiving playlist, new from Nigeria, job openings, congregational and ecumenical news, “What Comes after Starvation in Gaza?” and much more.
Greg Davidson Laszakovits to lead Northern Plains District on interim basis
Greg Davidson Laszakovits will begin on Jan. 1, 2026, as interim district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren’s Northern Plains District. He lives in Elizabethtown, Pa., and will serve half-time in a hybrid working style that will involve traveling to the district as needed.
Annual Clergy Tax Seminar to be offered in January
Deb Oskin will again be presenting the annual Clergy Tax Seminar on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern time), sponsored by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership
Ryan Braught to manage the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program
Ryan Braught began Nov. 17 as an independent contractor to manage the Church of the Brethren’s Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program for 10 hours per week.
Richard Wehrle moves from Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program to Rural and Small Towns Initiative
Richard Wehrle transitioned on Nov. 17 from serving as program manager for the Church of the Brethren’s Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program to a new role as program manager for the Rural and Small Towns Initiative.