New project, fellowship, and congregation

Madtown Church of the Brethren, East Dayton Fellowship, and Gordonsville Chapel were recognized as new projects, fellowships, and congregations respectively, during the July 5 business session at Annual Conference 2023.

People on stage with large screens a selfie of the Madtown group.

Prayer support requested for Lower Miami Church

Leaders at Lower Miami Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio, have reached out for prayer support from the wider church following an incident directed at the congregation and its pastor. A special service will be held at the church tomorrow, Wednesday, March 1, at 5 p.m. (Eastern time), in response.

Southern Ohio and Kentucky District Conference celebrates ‘firsts’

The theme was “Celebrate God’s Abundant Goodness” from Psalm 145:3-7 (NIV). Over the preceding year, the district was encouraged to focus on celebrating God’s goodness in the life of the district and each congregation. What would happen if we really celebrated how God has abundantly blessed our ministries?

Committee seeks to contact Church of the Brethren members and initiatives working for racial justice

Who is already called to the work of racial justice, or is already active in any way? The committee is hoping to start with an accurate picture of what is already happening. It wants to connect with initiatives or individuals at any level in the Church of the Brethren (community, congregation, district, denomination) who are working on racial justice issues in any way (education, activism, healing, spiritual renewal, etc.), whether they are doing their work inside or outside of the church. The committee also is interested in getting to know people who have a passion for this topic but may not yet be publicly active.

Brethren Disaster Ministries, Material Resources work with districts and partner organizations to continue flood response

During the week of July 25, a single storm system moved across multiple states causing flash flooding from Missouri to parts of Virginia and West Virginia. The flooding resulted in damaged homes and buildings, loss of life, and whole towns left underwater, especially in the greater St. Louis, Mo., area and a large area of southeastern Kentucky. Brethren Disaster Ministries and the Material Resources program have been responding as possible and requested.

Conference adopts concerns of ‘Query: Standing with People of Color,’ sets in motion two-year study/action process

The delegate body on Tuesday, July 12, took action on “Query: Standing with People of Color” (new business item 2) from Southern Ohio and Kentucky District, which asks, “How can the Church of the Brethren stand with People of Color to offer sanctuary from violence and dismantle systems of oppression and racial inequity in our congregations, neighborhoods, and throughout the nation?”

Standing Committee makes recommendations on new business, approves recommendations from Nominating Committee and task team that has held conversations with On Earth Peace

The Standing Committee of district delegates from the 24 Church of the Brethren districts began meeting in Omaha, Neb., on the evening of July 7, through this morning. It was presided over by Conference moderator David Sollenberger, moderator-elect Tim McElwee, and secretary James M. Beckwith. One of its primary functions is to make recommendations on the new business items and queries coming to Annual Conference.