Messenger, the Church of the Brethren magazine, received three awards–an award of excellence, an award of merit, and an honorable mention–from the Associated Church Press in the 2024 “Best of the Church Press” contest.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to walk in solidarity with those who face racial injustice and to live out the gospel message of love, justice, and dignity for all. The Standing with People of Color mandate has guided us these past three years in awakening our collective conscience, drawing from the teachings of Christ and inspiration from scriptures like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and the Woman at the Well (John 4).
The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) has published The Story of God’s First People: Bible Stories from the Old Testament, a Bible study curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. Written by Jeanne Davies, ADN executive director, this Bible study fills the need for faith formation resources written from an Anabaptist perspective specifically for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.
In this issue: National Junior High Conference registration ends June 1, prayer concern from the Dominican Republic, action needed to support FEMA, latest Messenger playlist, Southern Pennsylvania District seeks executive minister, Moler Ave. Church of the Brethren 85th anniversary, food running out in Gaza warns WCC, Marie Bachman’s One World quilt gains media attention
Stan Dueck will retire as director of Formation Leadership for the Church of the Brethren, effective July 31.
The business items to be addressed by the delegate body at the 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference have been announced. There are three items of unfinished business and six items of new business on the agenda, including recommendations for renewal of the agency status of Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace, and two new queries–along with numerous reports and the annual ballot.
Shine: Living in God’s Light, a Bible-based Sunday school curriculum published jointly by MennoMedia and Brethren Press, is launching two important surveys this spring—one for congregations and one for families.
In this issue: Registration opens for National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) 2025, registration is extended for Young Adult Conference, job opening in Discipleship and Leadership Formation, lectionary texts posted by Brethren Press, 44th Annual Mid-Atlantic District Disaster Response Auction, Salem Church Historical Marker Dedication in Northern Plains District, Bridgewater College announces Commencement and Baccalaureate speakers, McPherson College announces Citation of Merit awardees
Church of the Brethren leaders are sending a letter expressing condolence to the Catholic Church on the death of Pope Francis. The letter is signed by Annual Conference moderator Dava Hensley and general secretary David Steele, and is being sent to the Vatican and to denominational ecumenical partners that are based in the Catholic tradition.
The Annual Conference Witness to the Host City this year in Greensboro, N.C., is benefiting BackPack Beginnings, a nonprofit dedicated to making a difference for local, low-income children and families by providing for their tangible basic needs.
