{"id":25514,"date":"2025-07-04T00:46:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T00:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=25514"},"modified":"2025-07-04T00:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T00:47:10","slug":"district-executives-hold-meetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2025\/district-executives-hold-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"District executives hold pre-Conference meetings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Walt Wiltschek<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council of District Executives (CODE) held meetings in Greensboro, N.C., June 30-July 2 prior to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to engaging with denominational agencies and programs for regular reports and conversation, CODE sat in on two sessions of the Standing Committee of district delegates as they considered queries coming to the Conference and developed a list of potential names for upcoming position openings at a “nominating party.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other business included sharing updates from the 23 districts, working with the Ministry Advisory Council on potential updates to the 2014 Ministerial Leadership Paper, approval of CODE’s 2026 budget, elections and approval of appointments, and an update from the Deportation Defense Response team that was created by four districts with large numbers of multicultural congregations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kris Hawk (Northern Ohio) completed two years as chair with these meetings. Walt Wiltschek (Illinois and Wisconsin) will serve as chair of CODE for the next two years, with Beth Sollenberger (Atlantic Southeast) as chair-elect, Russ Matteson (Pacific Southwest) as treasurer, and Andy Hamilton (Southeastern) as secretary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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District executives report to the Standing Committee of district delegates about the Deportation Defense initiative that has been started by several districts in collaboration with the Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

At a recognition dinner, CODE shared tributes to former Shenandoah District executive John Jantzi, who retired this past spring, and Northern Plains District executive Tim Button-Harrison, who will be retiring at the end of this year after 19 years of service. CODE will next meet for a professional development event in mid-October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Walt Wiltschek is district executive minister for Illinois and Wisconsin District.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n