Leah J. Hileman began Dec. 10 as district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren’s West Marva District, serving in a half-time position. She was ordained in 2011 in Atlantic Southeast District and is currently pastoring Robinson Church of the Brethren in Seward, Pa., in a quarter-time capacity. She lives in Seward and will travel as needed to West Marva District to carry out this role.
West Marva District
Hanging Rock congregation celebrates progress on construction of a new church building
Hanging Rock Church of the Brethren, a small congregation located in rural West Virginia, has started work on a new church building! The congregation, led by pastors Bob and Brenda Combs, has held services in a rented space since being formed 10 years ago with the help of the West Marva District.

Brethren bits for Nov. 18, 2019
— Remembrance: Dorothy Brandt Davis, 89, passed away Sept. 30. She authored three iconic Brethren Press books for children, “The Tall Man,” “The Middle Man,” and “The Little Man,” about historical figures in the Church of the Brethren. She was born in Pomona, Calif., on Dec. 8, 1929, followed shortly thereafter by her twin brother Daryl. Her

Brethren bits for Dec 20, 2018
— The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is monitoring the situation in Yemen, which has been the subject of many Action Alerts sent out to Brethren. Last week, the Senate voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution 54 (www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/54 ) calling for an end to unauthorized US military involvement in Yemen. “The legislation still faces

Michigan and West Marva Districts call interim executives
Michigan District has called Edward “Ike” Porter to serve as interim district executive minister beginning Jan. 1, 2019. West Marva has called John Ballinger to serve as interim district executive minister beginning Jan. 14.
Kendal Elmore to Serve as Executive for West Marva District
Kendal W. Elmore will begin as executive minister for West Marva District, as of Aug. 1. Since Jan. 2006 he has pastored Toledo (Ohio) Heatherdowns Church of the Brethren. Elmore has more than 36 years of experience in ministry, having also served as pastor of a number of congregations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana.