Church of the Brethren

Twenty-five years have passed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, yet the sorrow of that day remains close for many. We remember the nearly 3,000 people whose lives were taken in New York City, at the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pa. We honor those who moved toward danger to help others, and we hold in prayer the families, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, and communities that continue to carry grief, trauma, illness, and loss. We also remember the suffering that followed.

Han transcurrido veinticinco años desde los atentados terroristas del 11 de septiembre, pero el dolor de aquel día sigue muy presente para muchos. Recordamos a las casi 3.000 personas que perdieron la vida en la ciudad de Nueva York, en el Pentágono y cerca de Shanksville, Pensilvania. Honramos a quienes se enfrentaron al peligro para ayudar a los demás y oramos por las familias, los sobrevivientes, los rescatistas y los trabajadores de recuperación, y las comunidades que siguen lidiando con el dolor, el trauma, la enfermedad y la pérdida. También recordamos el sufrimiento que siguió.

Vennsenkan ane pase depi atak teworis 11 septanm yo, epoutan lapenn jou sa a toujou pre pou anpil moun. Nou sonje prèske 3,000 moun ki te pèdi lavi yo nan vil Nouyòk, nan Pentagòn nan, ak toupre Shanksville, Pa. Nou onore moun ki te deplase al nan direksyon danje pou ede lòt moun, epi nou priye pou fanmi yo, sivivan yo, travayè sekou ak rekiperasyon yo, ak kominote yo ki kontinye pote lapenn, chòk, maladi ak pèt. Nou sonje tou soufrans ki te vin apre yo.

In summer 2026, FaithX brought together 51 participants from across the Church of the Brethren for trips full of service, faith exploration, and fellowship.

Recipients of this year’s Church of the Brethren’s Health Care Education Scholarships have been announced. Ten scholarships of between $3,000 and $9,000 were awarded, totaling $75,000.

Our immigrant neighbors and siblings in Christ continue to face excruciatingly difficult times. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was terminated for Haitians at the end of July, and the Haitian community is being targeted. Haitian Church of the Brethren members in Florida have lost the ability to work, are facing significant hardships and uncertainty, and are living in fear.

Pastors and staff members of Church of the Brethren congregations, districts, and camps will be able to purchase short- and long-term disability, life, vision, dental, critical illness, and accident insurances from Eder Financial for 2027 as they have in 2026 and in the past. The rates will be released in the next couple of weeks.

“Building and Empowering Lay Leadership” (B.E.L.L.) is a new program hosted by Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia, Pa., to strengthen lay leaders in congregations with a special focus on urban ministry in culturally diverse areas. The program is a two-year sequence with seven units with instructors who are leaders in their fields.

“A Way in the Wilderness” was the theme for the very first DOAC—District Older Adult Camp—held by Shenandoah District and hosted at Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center in Keezletown, Va. More than 60 overnight and day participants were part of this inaugural program held Aug. 25-27.

In this issue: Remembering Dr. Joseph Schechter, EYN president at ecumenical service with WCC general secretary, Brethren Volunteer Service announces BVS Unit 340, upcoming online events from On Earth Peace, Center on Conscience and War featured on MS NOW, and much more.

Jon Lucas Keller has announced his resignation as Mission Advancement advocate for the Church of the Brethren as of Sept. 11. He joined the denominational staff on July 28, 2025.

Engage: Global Mission Gathering will be held on the theme “United in Mission” on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Eastern time) at Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. This will be an evening celebrating the Global Church of the Brethren Communion. Hear firsthand from Brethren leaders and partners connected with the church in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Nigeria, and explore what it means to be united in mission.

The Shine curriculum has announced several new features for the 2026-2027 year, beginning with this Fall 2026 quarter for pre-K and kindergarten, elementary ages, and junior youth. Shine also offers several additional curriculum options. All are available through Brethren Press.

Recent grants from the Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) have been given to seven Church of the Brethren congregations and one camp.

CWS launched Rise Up for Refuge earlier this year. As part of this national campaign, the Harrisburg and Lancaster offices sponsored a daylong Rise Up conference at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren.

The Living Word bulletin series from Brethren Press is offered as a worship resource for congregations. The fall 2026 quarter (for September through December) has begun shipping to those congregations with standing orders. Others may order the bulletins from Brethren Press

In this issue: The Office of Peacebuilding and Policy provides a brief update on court cases related to immigration enforcement that involve the Church of the Brethren and other peace churches, a Know Your Rights webinar on rights for congregations, Bethany Seminary and president Jeff Carter receive the David Rodgers Friend of the RSO Award, worship resources for the Season of Creation.

The latest Covenant Bible Study from Brethren Press is “Language of Lament” by Calvin and Mandy Park. Lament is a necessary component of our relationship with God. Speaking to God honestly about the pain we experience, the injustice we observe in the world, and the fears these realities create in us is not only necessary, but biblical.

This fall, learn from one of the nation’s leading voices in Trauma Informed Care. Tim Grove joins the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College to present a special 2026-2027 season-opening series: “Creating a Better World: A Deep Dive into Stress, Trauma, and Resilience as a Pathway to Healthier People, Families, and Communities.”

Starting this August, Shine Everywhere takes on a new focus—helping congregations make the most of new at-home materials in the revised and updated Shine curriculum for 2026-2027. Designed with today’s churches, teachers, and families in mind, Shine offers greater flexibility, stronger family connection, and engaging new resources while staying rooted in core values of community, peacemaking, service, and following Jesus.