A total of 13 service trips are planned for FaithX 2024, the Church of the Brethren’s program of short-term service opportunities for youth, young adults, and adults. New opportunities include more options for combined junior and senior high youth groups, a family camp with childcare provided, an older adult trip in February, and both international and domestic trips for adults.
Our next series of seasonal devotionals from Brethren Press are offered for Advent 2023 and Lent 2024. These paperback, pocket-sized books are suitable for individual use and for churches to give to their members: “All Things New” by Kevin Kessler (Advent 2023), “Through Thick and Thin” by Beth Sollenberger (Lent 2024)
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 334 held orientation Sept. 26‐Oct. 4 at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum, Wash. The time included group building, sessions with a variety of guest leaders (most of whom joined the group virtually), preparing and eating meals together, a service project, a day trip into Seattle, and a time of consecration and sending.
This summer, nearly 175 participants ranging in age from 12 to 68 joined a FaithX service trip to explore a new place, live in community, grow in Christian discipleship, and act as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 333 held orientation Aug. 1-9 at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio, with 13 volunteers and 3 staff participating. Six of the volunteers came from EIRENE, BVS’s long-time service partner in Germany.
The Wednesday BVS Luncheon celebrating 75 years of the organization, began with a recognition of volunteers. The Partner in Service Award was presented to Jim Lehman.
Virginia Rendler has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as interim volunteer coordinator for Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), to begin July 17 as a remote employee working from North Manchester, Ind.
As the celebration of the diamond jubilee of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) continues, stories continue to pour in from people telling about the impact BVS had on their life. New stories are still being written, too, with 27 BVSers in the field currently, and more signing up for orientation this summer and fall.
Brethren Press is sharing information about three new and upcoming books: A Year of Living Differently, which is being published to mark the 75th year of Brethren Volunteer Service; The Peace Table, a new storybook Bible from the Shine curriculum jointly produced by Brethren Press and MennoMedia; and Luke and Acts: Turning the World Upside Down by Church of the Brethren biblical scholars Christina Bucher and Robert W. Neff.
Walt Wiltschek has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as part-time office coordinator for Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), beginning on March 7. He continues as district executive minister for Illinois and Wisconsin District, and also continues his role on the editorial team for Messenger magazine.