One new church plant and one new fellowship were welcomed into the Church of the Brethren denomination during the opening business session of the 2026 Annual Conference on Monday, June 29.
International guests received a warm welcome from the 2026 Annual Conference. On Monday morning, June 29, during the opening business session Global Mission executive Sharon Brugger Norton introduced the guests from the stage. She noted that this might have been the first time that Annual Conference has welcomed international guests from Vietnam.
It was already a timely topic when it was scheduled as one of the Equipping Sessions at the 2026 Annual Conference—but the events of the past few days led “Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors: Legal Updates, Ally Resources, and US Militarism” to be a standing-room-only session, with the seats filled and many people leaning on walls and sitting on the floor.
The Brethren Disaster Ministries and Child Disaster Services breakfast at Annual Conference always has the feel of a reunion, looking backwards, and a planning committee, looking forward. This year was no different as the past and future were celebrated.
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its pre-Annual Conference meeting on Sunday, June 28, adopted two statements on Supreme Court decisions.
The Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries held its annual Revelation 7:9 Award presentation during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting on Sunday, June 28. Intercultural director Founa Augustin Badet presented the award, which recognizes church members and congregations for their contributions to a vision of intercultural ministries in their communities, within the denomination, and in the world at large.
The Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference held meetings from Thursday evening, June 25, through Saturday afternoon, June 27, in Fort Wayne, Ind. Annual Conference moderator Don Fitzkee presided, assisted by moderator-elect Dennis Beckner and Conference secretary David Shumate.
Networking Groups are designed to provide an opportunity for those with similar leadership roles in their congregations to gather for more informal, but facilitated and intentional, conversation to make connections and share mutual support.
The daily worship services at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren will be livestreamed and available free of charge with no registration required, although donations will be appreciated. Annual Conference takes place in Fort Wayne, Ind., on June 28 to July 2.
As we collectively prepare to gather at the 2026 Annual Conference in Fort Wayne near the end of this month, the Review and Evaluation Committee has been working diligently on its task of making a comprehensive study of the denominational program.