The Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum (IAF) met in Florida on Jan. 27 and has issued the following statement. The IAF includes officers of the denomination’s Annual Conference; the general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and the chair of the Mission and Ministry Board; representatives of the Council of District Executives; and executives and chairs of the boards of the three Annual Conference agencies: Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace.
Feature for Black History Month: John T. Lewis (1835-1906)
For Black History Month 2026, Newsline is offering a feature for each week in February to celebrate our Black forebears in the Church of the Brethren. In this issue, we celebrate the faith and witness of John T. Lewis, whose extraordinary life included a close friendship with Mark Twain.
Nancy Sollenberger Heishman to retire as director of the Ministry Office
Nancy Sollenberger Heishman will retire on July 17 as director of the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office, after holding the position for almost nine years. She started as director of Ministry on Nov. 6, 2017.
Discipleship and Leadership Formation convenes ‘Large Church Leaders Summit’
A meeting of leaders of the largest Church of the Brethren congregations, in terms of in-person worship attendance, is being convened by Discipleship and Leadership Formation on Feb. 23-25 in Orlando, Fla. Spouses of the leaders also were invited.
Church of the Brethren joins amici curiae brief in the Supreme Court
On Feb. 17, the Church of the Brethren joined with 30 other denominations and faith organizations in filing an amici curiae brief in the Supreme Court in support of the plaintiffs in Noem v. Al Otro Lado, No. 25-5. The case is challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to prevent individuals from filing for asylum at ports of entry.
‘Faithful Response Immigration Gathering’ planned for Ohio in March
The Church of the Brethren, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Church of Christ, and Mennonite Church USA are sponsoring a “Faithful Response Immigration Gathering” at Camp Christian in Marysville, Ohio, from March 17-19
Deportation Defense Legal and Mutual Aid Fund seeks to meet $250,000 goal by Easter
All of the following individuals have received money because their congregation applied for a Deportation Defense Response Legal and Mutual Aid Grant. Thanks be to God!
The Souper Bowl of Caring Challenge: Inspiring acts of love and service
The Northern Indiana District Churches of the Brethren recently wrapped up their second Annual Souper Bowl of Caring Challenge. This initiative encouraged congregations throughout the district to gather cans of soup to aid the hungry, over a period of time spanning six and a half weeks from Christmas to Super Bowl Sunday.
God of every people and every language: Intercultural Ministries prayer
By Founa I. Augustin Badet, director of Intercultural Ministries: God of every people and every language, You spoke creation into being and called it good.
Worship at National Youth Conference 2026: A sacred space
Worship is an essential component of the National Youth Conference (NYC) experience. It is the one time where everyone is gathered together during the week. Read on to learn a bit of what to expect during worship at NYC:
