The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is presenting the following ballot for the 2026 Conference taking place in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Sunday, June 28, to Thursday, July 2.
The Annual Conference organizers have announced the preachers for the five daily worship services to be held during the Conference. Each worship service will focus on a theme and symbol from the Church of the Brethren’s biblical heritage. Speakers will be asked to reexamine and reappropriate historic Brethren themes for our time.
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 first Black man and the first Black woman to serve as moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
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.
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference provides an opportunity for the body of Christ to come together to hear the voice of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit within and among us. Please join us for inspiring worship, informational Bible studies, communal discernment, engaging breakout sessions, energizing exhibits, empowering witness, nurturing fellowship, and meaningful connection.
The Review and Evaluation Committee is made up of five members, elected by the Annual Conference from across the denomination. The members of the committee include: Daniel Rudy (chairperson), Chris Douglas (secretary), Lupita Ortiz-Cruz, Ilexene Alphonse, and Anna Lisa Gross.
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board held its fall 2025 meeting on Oct. 17-19 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., led by chair Kathy Mack with chair-elect Josiah Ludwick and general secretary David Steele.
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost amidst tongues of fire and miracles of speaking and hearing, the people were amazed and perplexed. Peter explained to them that the words of the prophet Joel were being fulfilled.
Annual Conference will be held Sunday, June 28, through Thursday, July 2, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. Annual Conference registration and housing reservations will open to the public on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Two pastors of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren—David R. Miller and Jennifer K. Scarr—have had their ordinations terminated by Shenandoah District. However, the district Leadership Team has credentialed them as commissioned ministers.