Upcoming events include a virtual session March 27, “Music as a Gateway to the Sacred,” an online book study beginning April 18, the Ministers’ Association pre-conference event July 3-4 in Cincinnati, and the Clergywomen’s Breakfast July 5.
The Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry has issued its annual e-packet of compensation documents to the 24 district offices. In addition, a new webpage offers the new annual compensation documents.
The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) is offering the TRIM (Training in Ministry) course “Pathways for Effective Leadership, Part 1,” with Randy Yoder as the instructor. This is scheduled as an intensive course to be held online over two weekends, March 25‐26 and April 29‐30.
The following English-language courses are offered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a joint program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry and Bethany Theological Seminary. Courses may be taken for personal enrichment, for continuing education (two continuing education units per course are available to Church of the Brethren credentialed ministers), or
Recognizing that live participation is becoming increasingly difficult for mulitivocational ministers and given the growing library of recorded webinars available from denominational agencies, the Brethren Academy is offering clergy the opportunity to view and report on prerecorded webinars and other educational events for CEUs. A standardized reporting process will provide the necessary accountability.
Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) has announced that its continuing education events this fall will be postponed or held virtually via Zoom. SVMC is a Church of the Brethren ministry education partner with Bethany Seminary, the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and the districts of Atlantic Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. “The pandemic continues to push us to be as wise as possible in our health management and interactions with others,” said executive director Donna Rhodes.
Kevin Kessler has resigned as district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District, effective Dec. 31. He has filled the half-time role for 14 years while also serving as pastor of Canton (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, a role he will continue to maintain.
At the invitation of the Office of Ministry, Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey is preparing a Sabbath rest-themed sermon designed to encourage preachers to take a Sunday off from preaching sometime this fall.
Upcoming webinars are by the Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries, Intercultural Ministry, Outdoor Ministry Association, and Office of Ministry. Topics include “Witness of Churches on the Path to Healing Racism: A Theological Exploration” and “Cultivating a Verdant Faith: Eco Discipleship Practices for the 21st Century Church.”
The Office of Ministry is sponsoring a webinar titled “Exploring the Holy Spirit: Mover and Shaker of Ideas and Actions” on July 30 from 1-2 p.m. (Eastern time). Leading the event will be Grace Ji-Sun Kim, professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion, and Denise Kettering-Lane, associate professor of Brethren Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary. Both schools are located in Richmond, Ind.