As we begin this new year, it is with great joy that Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren’s Little Lites Daycare Ministry celebrates receiving a “Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization” grant from Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. The grant was made possible by funding that the state of Indiana received from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. Little Lites received $134,300–the amount of three months’ estimated expenses.
Prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author Shane Claiborne is the keynote speaker for the March 26-27 “Seeking First the Kingdom” spiritual renewal event at Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. The event focuses on the theme “Living Simply in a Complex World.”
We are excited to celebrate 120 years as Glendora Church of the Brethren. This congregation was established in 1902.
NEWS
1) Crisis in Ukraine: Preparing to respond to needs
2) Surprise find: 1889 time capsule hidden in Manchester cornerstone
PERSONNEL
3) Pete Kaltenbaugh Jr. to represent Western Pennsylvania District
UPCOMING EVENTS
4) Annual Conference 2022 will include virtual, online option for nondelegates
5) Lent Conversation Groups are offered by Discipleship Ministries and the Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program
6) Inhabit Conference is scheduled for end of April in Seattle
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS
7) Miami Haitian Church of the Brethren celebrates 40th anniversary
8) Columbia City pays off mortgage early as congregation celebrates highest active membership
9) Brethren bits: Prayer requests from Nigeria, job openings, Cross Keys Village is in Newsweek “best” rankings for 2022, Lenten devotionals from Global Women’s Project and Creation Justice Ministries, Afghan Adjustment Act, WCC urges Russia to stop the war
All believers are called to continue praying for the people of Ukraine and all impacted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Please also pray for world leaders and Russian leadership that a miracle will happen, and a road to peace and justice will be found. Brethren Disaster Ministries is monitoring the needs of response partners and mapping out the Church of the Brethren response.
The Annual Conference office has announced a virtual, online option for nondelegates who are not planning to travel to Omaha, Neb., for this summer’s Conference but would like to participate in more than just worship (which will continue to be livestreamed for all, free of charge).
The Church of the Brethren’s Discipleship Ministries and the Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program are offering two Lent Conversation Groups.
Quinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, which has a longstanding relationship with a partner congregation in Ukraine, is requesting prayer “for intervention for peace and safety and an end to the escalation of the situation.” Quinter pastor Keith Funk shared the request in a telephone interview this afternoon. The partner congregation in the city of Chernigov, Ukraine, identifies as the “Church of the Brethren in Chernigov.” It is pastored by Alexander Zazhytko.
The Miami (Fla.) Haitian Church was established by Miami First Church of the Brethren in 1982. This coming month of March, the congregation will celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren members learned their efforts to make additional mortgage payments the past five years has paid off, literally. Church treasurer Landon Rehrer was joined by board chair Pam Hoppe at the Feb. 6 Congregational Business Meeting to share the wonderful news that the mortgage would be paid off this month–10 years early.
