Twenty-eight youth advisors from across the country gathered at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., in October for the first-ever NYC Advisor Preview event.
NYC 2026 Advisor Preview: A time for connection, growth, and planning
Discipleship and Leadership Formation
Rural and Small Town Initiative begins as Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church enters ‘sustainability phase’
Through the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church connections in the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office, a partnership with Ashland Seminary has resulted in a grant of almost $1 million as a “pass-through partner” within the Rural and Small Town Initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Bethany Kasten begins as assistant for Discipleship and Leadership Formation
Bethany Kasten began Nov. 3 as part-time office assistant for Discipleship and Leadership Formation at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
National Older Adult Conference planning team will offer a NOAC Book Study
The NOAC Planning Team is pleased to announce that we are launching a NOAC Book Study. We are hoping to establish book study groups on Zoom in the winter months. We will begin with one of the books from our 2025 speakers.
Gifts to immigrant legal and mutual aid fund top $40,000
At the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference this summer, On Earth Peace challenged the denomination to raise $100,000 to provide a Legal and Mutual Aid Fund to support Church of the Brethren members facing challenges as a result of the detention and deportation efforts of agencies that are part of the government’s Homeland Security administration.
Lake J Jottings from Frank Ramirez: Joyful blue
We’ve all grown old together with Ken Medema and Ted Swartz over the decades, as they have performed at National Youth Conference, Annual Conference, National Older Adult Conference. And in their new program, which they call “Curious and Clueless,” they did what we all do when we begin to feel our age.
Lake J Jottings from Frank Ramirez: The Rose Walk
If you need to walk off a heavier lunch than usual, I recommend taking a walk around Lake Junaluska. It’s around two and a half miles, give or take. This time of year it’s not too hot, so it’s well worth your time–if you like roses, kids, and dogs.
Lake J Jottings by Frank Ramirez: Welcome!
At this year’s Welcome Festival, offered during registration on the first afternoon of NOAC, a talented local bluegrass group—Upstream Rebellion—entertained folks while they waited for their rooms to be ready.
‘All In: Immersive Worship for Everybody’ is announced by Anabaptist Disabilities Network
The Mennonite Health Service Association and the Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) recently received a grant of $1.2 million from Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. As a result, ADN is launching an exciting new opportunity for Anabaptist congregations through a five-year project: “All In: Immersive Worship for Everybody.”
Three new fellowships are welcomed by Annual Conference
Today three new fellowships were welcomed into the Church of the Brethren by Annual Conference. Nate Polzin, executive director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation for the Church of the Brethren, assisted the Conference officers in recognizing the new groups and their representatives.
