The older adult FaithX trip took place Feb. 22-27 at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla. There was a total of 14 participants alongside Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred and Aly Heckeroth of the FaithX and Brethren Volunteer Service staff, who acted as leaders.
Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred and Virginia Rendler have accepted the positions of interim co-directors of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), starting Jan. 26.
The Church of the Brethren’s Service Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 1. Service Sunday is recognized annually on the first Sunday in February. The 2026 theme “Living with Purpose: Equipping God’s People for Works of Service” is inspired by the scripture text from Ephesians 4:11-13
Loretta Wolf and Glenna Thompson on Dec. 30, 2025, concluded their work with the Church of the Brethren Material Resources program at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. These layoffs were due to the closing of the Material Resources program at the end of 2025.
Chelsea Skillen has resigned as director of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) effective Feb. 10. She has served in leadership of BVS for more than three years, since Oct. 24, 2022. She plans to move to Portugal and will be joining her husband’s publishing business.
Brenda Giles on Dec. 8 concluded her work with the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources program based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Scott Senseney on Dec. 8 concluded his work with the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources program based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
FaithX will offer seven service trips in 2026, along with the option for custom-designed trips for families, congregations, or districts. To prioritize senior high participation in National Youth Conference (NYC) this coming July, we will be offering fewer youth trips.
The Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding program has exciting news to share about our work this fall! The location has now been finalized for the short-term schedule of volunteers set for Project 2 this September through November. These groups of volunteers and leaders will return to continue serving the Dawson Springs, Ky., 2021 tornado recovery.
On Friday, July 5, six panelists presented a hybrid equipping session titled Strangers No More: Ministry with Immigrants, Refugees, and Other Newcomers. They shared about their experiences with welcoming ministries, what their congregations have done for newcomers to the United States, and what advice they have for communities hoping to start engaging in this ministry.
