Church of the Brethren

On March 1, 47 leaders from the Church of the Brethren districts west of the Mississippi River gathered by Zoom for the first of several planned meetups designed to enhance connection and relationships across the western Brethren.

The Church of the Brethren’s National Youth Cabinet met March 21-23 to discern the theme for National Youth Sunday 2025, scheduled for May 4, and for next year’s National Youth Conference (NYC) 2026, scheduled for July 18-23, 2026, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo.

Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 year. “Put your faith in action, and volunteer with BVS!” said an invitation.

In 2025, Mutual Aid Agency (MAA) proudly marks its 140th anniversary, celebrating more than a century of faith-driven service, insurance protection, and a commitment to mutual aid.

In this issue: Remembering Pierre Ferrari and George Etzweiler, New and Renew, Beyond the Signature: Living Out the Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration, how Ugandans do church, job openings, and more

The following poem by Deborah Slone was submitted by pastor Larry Oneill of New Covenant Church of the Brethren in Atlantic Southeast District. He is serving this year as moderator of the district and as staff for English Speaking Ministry.

An interfaith prayer vigil on the evening of Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) held both in-person at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., (5 Thomas Circle NW) and online via live-stream will support a court hearing in the sensitive locations lawsuit.

A Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) team of four volunteers (three from Iowa and one from Missouri) will provide disaster child care in Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) in areas of Missouri hit by tornadoes last week.

This year’s first set of grants from the Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) have been announced, going to five Church of the Brethren congregations including GraceWay International Community, Harrisburg First, Highland Avenue, Ivester, and Sebring.

The Global Food Initiative (GFI) has given its latest round of grants to support well drilling by the Haiti Medical Project, an agricultural training component for students at the Great Lakes Bible School in Rwanda, and “Farming God's Way” in the Church of the Brethren in Burundi.

In this issue: The National Youth Cabinet meets, Youth and Young Adult Ministry recommends a video introduction to making communion bread, Josh Wilson concert at Camp Mardela, Jennifer Hosler named one of "12 Christian women shaping the church in 2025" by Sojourners.

A resolution on weapons transfers was adopted by the Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board at its spring meeting held March 7-9 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Board chair Colin Scott led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and general secretary David Steele.

My first international trip as executive director of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren was to South Sudan from Feb. 1-15. I was fortunate to travel with a group led by Carolyn and Roger Schrock. Here are excerpts from my daily journal of the trip

Registration for summer FaithX service trips closes on Tuesday, April 1. There are still open spots on several youth and adult trips. More information about the trips and availability as well as registration are at www.brethren.org/faithx.

The Church of the Brethren’s Shenandoah District has called a team of people to serve in the capacity of Interim District Executive Minister beginning on April 1. Paul Roth, Jan Orndorff, and Steve Spire will serve as the core interim team with Wayne Pence and Glenn Bollinger assisting as consultants.

In this issue: Remembering Marianne Rhoades Pittman; New and Renew offers March Madness discount; prayer requests for South Sudan, those affected by severe weather, those continuing to suffer impacts of fires in southern California; truck for Uganda; "Toward COP30" webinars from the WCC; threat to the US Institute of Peace, which got its start with help from the Church of the Brethren among other religious groups

Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to continued support for the Nigeria Crisis Response, to aid those affected in three central African countries by the warfare in Goma and the surrounding area, to aid those affected by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and to aid those affected by the war in Ukraine, among others.

The Annual Conference office has announced the daily line up of preachers for the 2025 annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren, as well as the daily themes and scripture texts and the worship planning team and music leadership.

The keynote speakers for the 2025 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) have been announced. The event takes place Sept. 1-5 in Lake Junaluska, N.C., a Spirit-filled gathering of adults 50 and older. This year’s theme is “Alive in the Spirit!” (Romans 15:13).

“Mark your calendar for BVS Visionary Voices!” said an announcement from the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) office. This new quarterly speaker series highlights inspiring professionals sharing what they do, why they do it, and how you can get involved.