REMEMBERING

Evelyn Wilderman, 92, a former member of and the long-time pianist for the now-closed Decatur congregation, passed away Jan. 23. Our prayers are with all her family members and friends.

Belita Mitchell, retired pastor and the denomination’s first Black female moderator, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 10, at her home in Mechanicsburg, Pa. The first African-American woman to be ordained in the Church of the Brethren, Mitchell was called as the 2007 Annual Conference moderator. She served as pastor to Church of the Brethren congregations at Imperial Heights (Los Angeles) and Harrisburg (Pa.) First. Along with her husband, Don, she was recognized in 2017 by the denomination’s Intercultural Ministries as a significant leader in efforts to make the Church of the Brethren an intercultural church, and in 2022 she was the preacher for the final worship service at Annual Conference in Omaha. Service arrangements are pending and will be shared when they become available.