“Give now to support California wildfire response through Brethren Disaster Ministries,” said an appeal shared by denominational staff this week. “Children’s Disaster Services is already responding to the needs of children and families. Working with the Pacific Southwest District and partner organizations, Brethren Disaster Ministries is planning to address short- and long-term needs of vulnerable people impacted by the fires.”
Pacific Southwest District
Children’s Disaster Services begins caring for children in shelters in Los Angeles area
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been requested by the Red Cross to send two volunteer teams of seven to serve in shelters in the Los Angeles, Calif., area.
Pacific Southwest District requests prayer for Conexion Pasadena congregation affected by fire
Pacific Southwest District executive minister Russ Matteson today (Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025) shared the following prayer request for the Conexion Pasadena congregation of the Church of the Brethren, which has been directly affected by the Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area, as well as other church members and congregations across the area.
Sierra Wildfire Song and Story Fest is hosted by Camp Peaceful Pines
The 2023 Song and Story Fest family camp co-sponsored by On Earth Peace will be hosted at Camp Peaceful Pines on July 29-Aug. 4. The camp and outdoor ministry center of the Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, near Dardanelle, Calif.
Brethren Disaster Ministries monitors needs as California experiences extreme weather
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff are monitoring the re-occurring storms and flooding in California and their damage, and sending prayers for those who are affected. The staff have reached out to leadership of Pacific Southwest District and received word that they have not heard from any Church of the Brethren congregations experiencing issues, either for their church buildings or their members.
A dozen churches are welcomed into the denomination
At the opening business session, Stan Dueck, co-coordinator of Discipleship Ministries, introduced church groups accepted into the denomination. Twelve groups are being recognized in 2022. Also, four groups were reintroduced that were formally recognized at the 2021 virtual Annual Conference.
New church building to be dedicated in Los Banos, Calif.
“You are invited to come and see the new church building that is home to Centro Ágape en Accíon Church of the Brethren in Los Banos,” said the announcement.
Joe Vecchio to retire from the Pacific Southwest District staff
For the past 29 years, the Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District has come to count on Joe Vecchio to answer the phones, send letters and emails, build databases and websites, and be a friendly and helpful presence as the district’s administrative assistant.
Online reception will recognize and welcome new church fellowships and projects
A virtual recognition of new church fellowships and projects in the Church of the Brethren is planned as a pre-Annual Conference event on Sunday, June 27, at 6-7 p.m. (Eastern time). The event is open to the denomination, and is in place of the recognition breakfast usually held at in-person Annual Conferences.
Pacific Southwest District offers online love feast
The Church of the Brethren’s Pacific Southwest District is offering an online love feast service on Maundy Thursday, April 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific time). Those from around the denomination are welcome to join with others on the district’s YouTube channel as it premiers, or view it later as the service will remain on YouTube through Easter Sunday.
