The following letter was shared with all of the pastoral leaders in Pacific Southwest District by district executive minister Russ Matteson. The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry provided it for use in Newsline
congregations
Midland Church opens its doors as a warming shelter after blizzard
Midland (Va.) Church of the Brethren was one of two locations opening their doors as warming facilities after a blizzard brought as much as 14 inches of snow to parts of Fauquier County, Va.
Helping Hands Benevolence Fund to the rescue
Oasis of Hope Fellowship (Iglesia Berith, Oasis De Esperanza) located in Lebanon, Pa., was recently able to make a difference in the life of a family in their church. This family found themselves in a difficult situation this summer. The roof of their home was damaged and water would come through the roof whenever there was rain.
Yearbook survey reveals worship habits during pandemic
Earlier this year, the Church of the Brethren Yearbook Office conducted a survey asking congregational leaders to weigh in on their worship habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 300 Church of the Brethren congregations participated in the survey, representing more than a third of the close to 900 total number of congregations in the denomination.
Northview Church begins holding Service Sundays
Here are some pictures from our first Service Sunday. We are planning to find another date this spring,” reported Joy Kain to Newsline. She is chairing the Outreach Committee at Northview Church of the Brethren in Indianapolis, Ind., which is hoping to hold a Service Sunday quarterly.
Brethren Faith in Action Fund gives grants to three congregations
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund has given its most recent grants to three congregations: Ellisforde, Lorida, and East Dayton. The fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps in the US and Puerto Rico, using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The eligibility of camps to apply for grants concludes at the end of 2021. Find out more at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action.
Brethren Faith in Action grants help congregations welcome asylees, respond to pandemic challenges
The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has distributed three new grants in recent weeks. The fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps in the United States and Puerto Rico, using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Find out more and download application forms at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action.
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS: Mountville Church provides ‘re-leaf’ and school kits
Mountville Church of the Brethren in Atlantic Northeast District has done a couple of things recently to be “Jesus in the Neighborhood.”
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS: West Goshen Church honors retiring pastor’s ministry
Sunday, Sept. 19, at West Goshen (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. One of his favorite Christian musicians, Honeytree, was invited as a special treat for this service, which was followed by a traditional Brethren carry-in meal.
JESUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: STORIES FROM CONGREGATIONS: Ephrata Church encourages families to host block parties
In July, we encouraged our congregation at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren to go out and be “Jesus in the neighborhood.” It can be challenging to meet and get to know your neighbors when many families stay to themselves and are so busy. Being Jesus to a neighbor can be as simple as helping them carry in their groceries, or mowing someone’s yard when they’re going through a hard time, or just asking how they really are doing.
