{"id":26500,"date":"2026-01-30T05:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T05:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=26500"},"modified":"2026-01-31T19:19:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T19:19:05","slug":"brethren-bits-99","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/brethren-bits-99\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren bits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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— \u201cDo you have a story to share with us?\u201d<\/strong> The Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Team is looking for stories of individuals in congregations who have been directly impacted by immigration enforcement and policy changes, and also for stories of people practicing \u201cfaith in motion\u201d on behalf of immigrant neighbors and siblings in Christ. Please contact migrantjustice@onearthpeace.org<\/a> with a short written story or to schedule a virtual call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In more news from the Deportation Defense Response Team, there are new resources on the team\u2019s webpage and in its online Resource Toolkit<\/strong>. Recently added are \u201cHow to Prepare for Immigration Proceedings\u201d and \u201cModules on Church Preparedness for Immigration Enforcement.\u201d Said an announcement: \u201cWe encourage you to watch these modules and prepare with your churches in the event immigration enforcement comes to your church. If this happens, please document everything and contact Marcia Sowles at msowles@brethren.org<\/a>.\u201d Find the webpage and a link to the Resource Toolkit at www.onearthpeace.org\/deportation_defense_response_team<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— During the COVID pandemic,<\/strong> the Church of the Brethren communications staff collected information on congregations offering remote worship opportunities. Since this information is now out of date, updates are requested to help congregations connect with people who are looking to participate in worship online or virtually. Information will be received via district offices and will be posted as it arrives. If your congregation offers remote worship, please contact your district executive minister to ask to be added to this online page<\/strong> titled \u201cChurch of the Brethren congregations offer remote worship opportunities\u201d at www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/church-of-the-brethren-congregations-worship-online<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— In a prayer request received from Nigeria,<\/strong> prayers of praise are requested for the final proofreading of the New Testament translation into the Margi language. The Margi translation team is meeting in Jos, Nigeria, for the final proofreading on Feb. 4 to 27, reports translator and EYN pastor Sikabiya Ishaya Samson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Julie Wheeler, pastor at Pomona (Calif.) Fellowship Church of the Brethren<\/strong>, is interviewed in an article from the Claremont Courier<\/em> titled \u201cLocal clergy speak out, act in defense of immigrants\u201d by Mick Rhodes. In December 2024, she began hosting ICE Out of Pomona, a community group including representatives from the University of La Verne, Pomona Day Labor Center, Latino & Latina Roundtable, Gente Organizada, Cal Poly Pomona, University of La Verne, Western University, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, the teacher\u2019s union at Pomona Unified School District, among others. \u201cAs a pastor, I am very, very, very clear: Old Testament and New tell us to watch out, be careful for the foreigner, the oppressed, the widow, those that are in jail,\u201d she told the paper. \u201cThese are the people that actually are blessed. These are the people that are on the please care about list.\u201d Read more at https:\/\/claremont-courier.com\/latest-news\/local-clergy-speak-out-act-in-defense-of-immigrants-86890<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has issued a statement<\/strong> mourning the lives lost to violent immigration enforcement and calling for transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing Isaiah 5:20. The NCC extended condolences to family, friends, and colleagues of Alex Jeffery Pretti and expressed its support for the Minneapolis community and the Minnesota Council of Churches. The statement raised “grave and growing concerns about the presence, role, and intent of CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in communities across the country” and about deaths in ICE custody and detention as well as \u201cthe harsh treatment of children\u2014some barely old enough to attend elementary school\u2014and other vulnerable individuals.\u201d It called for an end to federal funding for and a halt to immigration enforcement operations. See https:\/\/nationalcouncilofchurches.us\/national-council-of-churches-mourns-lives-lost-calls-for-dhs-transparency-and-accountability<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOn this Service Sunday, explore the Church of the Brethren\u2019s history of service,\u201d<\/strong> invites Brethren Press. \u201cAnd consider where you fit in!\u201d The Church of the Brethren publishing house is offering a page curating resources on the theme of service at www.brethrenpress.com\/searchresults.asp?search=Service<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Service Sunday is observed on Feb. 1<\/strong> this year, sponsored by the Service Ministries of the Church of the Brethren: Brethren Volunteer Service, FaithX, Brethren Disaster Ministries, and Children\u2019s Disaster Services. The 2026 theme is \u201cLiving with Purpose: Equipping God\u2019s People for Works of Service\u201d (Ephesians 4:11-13). Worship resources in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole are free to download from www.brethren.org\/bvs\/service-sunday<\/a>. The Service Ministries have posted a YouTube video slideshow<\/strong> combining photos with the song \u201cLive Out Who You Are\u201d by Seth Hendricks and performed by Seth Hendricks and David Hupp at www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yEKmEQM9eBo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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The Wondrous Works of God: 2026 Devotional for Ash Wednesday Through Easter<\/strong> written by Carol Davis is available from Brethren Press for the season of Lent starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. \u201cThis devotional invites you to stop and consider the wondrous works of God\u2014mystery and magnificence, intentionality of worlds without end\u2014and to discover that all things are possible because of our connection to the Creator through the natural world,\u201d said the announcement. \u201cThrough exploring specific aspects of nature, Old Testament stories and prophesies, Jesus\u2019 ministry and passion in the Gospels, and other biblical references as they relate to the wondrous works of God, we can discover personal and universal relevance to our own lives.\u201d The small paperback book is suitable for individual use and for congregations to provide to their members. Purchase online at www.brethrenpress.com\/product_p\/lentendev-0001.htm<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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— \u201cPeacebuilding Lessons from the Middle East\u201d<\/strong> is an online course taught by Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. CMEP is a partner organization of the Church of the Brethren\u2019s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. The course is offered from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 16 and 23 and March 2 and 9, hosted by the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. \u201cIn a time of deep global division and conflict, this course invites participants to learn from the lived witness of Christians in the Middle East who embody faith, resilience, and hope amid adversity,\u201d said an announcement. “Together, we will explore what it means to \u2018love one\u2019s enemy\u2019 and move from apathy to action in the pursuit of justice and peace in the Middle East and in our own communities.\u201d Find out more at https:\/\/berkeleydivinity.yale.edu\/events\/2026-02-16-peacebuilding-lessons-from-the-middle-east<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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