The Reflector - April 2024
Monday, April 01, 2024
The Village ILWIDIot
Walt Wiltschek
“Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38b, NLT
I suspect many of you were among the millions who spent some time observing the rare total solar eclipse this past week (or near-total, depending on where you were). I experienced it from my back yard, where we had about 94 percent coverage. It didn’t get as dark as I expected, but the sky did take on a strange tinge, and the temperature dropped noticeably.
It’s silly, but a thought flickered through my mind at that moment: What if the moon just stopped there on its transit, deciding that blocking out the sun was an enjoyable pastime or simply getting stuck. Imagine if the crazy doomsayers were somehow actually right!
They weren’t, of course. The moon continued on its merry way, following the usual astronomical patterns. And within a few minutes the sun was emerging from its game of cosmic peek-a-boo to provide its life-sustaining warmth and light.
The unique phenomenon of an eclipse fascinates us, and rightly so, causing us to pause and contemplate the wonders of the universe. It also, though, serves as a brief reminder of how dependent we are on our sun running like clockwork. We wouldn’t last very long if anything were to block us from its nurturing rays for the long haul.
A similar thing could be said of our spiritual existence. If anything interrupts our connection with God for very long, it takes a toll on our well-being. We feel that void in our lives. A healthy soul needs divine sustenance.
Fortunately, we’re promised that nothing can block that sustenance if we seek it. The apostle Paul, writing in Romans 8, asks rhetorically: “Can anything ever separate us from God’s love?” (NLT). Or in The Message, it frames it: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?” Paul’s answer: “No way!” Rattling off a list of potential obstacles, he concludes: Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Our congregations and camps have a lot on their plates, as do each of us. But whatever struggles or challenges or distractions you face, remember that the living love of Christ eclipses them all—not the other way around. Blessings as you soak up some nourishing rays this spring!
Picture Sources:
Picture one: https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/08/world/gallery/solar-eclipse-photos/index.html & Bobby Goddin/USA Today Network/Reuters
Picture 2: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/seeing-totality/ & NASA/Keegan Barber
“Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38b, NLT
It’s silly, but a thought flickered through my mind at that moment: What if the moon just stopped there on its transit, deciding that blocking out the sun was an enjoyable pastime or simply getting stuck. Imagine if the crazy doomsayers were somehow actually right!
The unique phenomenon of an eclipse fascinates us, and rightly so, causing us to pause and contemplate the wonders of the universe. It also, though, serves as a brief reminder of how dependent we are on our sun running like clockwork. We wouldn’t last very long if anything were to block us from its nurturing rays for the long haul.
A similar thing could be said of our spiritual existence. If anything interrupts our connection with God for very long, it takes a toll on our well-being. We feel that void in our lives. A healthy soul needs divine sustenance.
Fortunately, we’re promised that nothing can block that sustenance if we seek it. The apostle Paul, writing in Romans 8, asks rhetorically: “Can anything ever separate us from God’s love?” (NLT). Or in The Message, it frames it: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?” Paul’s answer: “No way!” Rattling off a list of potential obstacles, he concludes: Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Our congregations and camps have a lot on their plates, as do each of us. But whatever struggles or challenges or distractions you face, remember that the living love of Christ eclipses them all—not the other way around. Blessings as you soak up some nourishing rays this spring!
Picture Sources:
Picture one: https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/08/world/gallery/solar-eclipse-photos/index.html & Bobby Goddin/USA Today Network/Reuters
Picture 2: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/seeing-totality/ & NASA/Keegan Barber
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE
Walt is available to visit your church, do pulpit supply, lead sessions, have conversation times, or otherwise connect with your congregation. Please contact IWDDE@outlook.com to schedule a time. He is half-time, and is usually on district duty Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus Sundays.
FASHION ADVICE FROM THE DISTRICT MODERATOR
by Christy Waltersdorff
Did you buy new clothing for Easter? I have memories from childhood of getting a new dress to wear to church on Easter Sunday. And not only did I get a new dress, but so did my four sisters. And the dresses were identical. I am sure some of you are thinking, “How adorable—five little girls all dressed alike.” Not only did we have the dresses, but we often had identical hats and gloves and frilly socks and black patent leather shoes, too. I hated it! I was number three of five and hated looking like everyone else.
Even though my sisters and I dressed alike for the holidays, we were (and are) very different people with very different personalities. There is a family resemblance, and we share some similar traits, but even if we dress alike now (which we don’t!), we would not be mistaken as identical.
In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul instructs all Christians to wear the same things: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and love. Even though we are called to wear the same things, the ways in which we wear these characteristics in our own lives will differ. Hopefully, we all bear a family resemblance to Jesus Christ and live our lives as the unique individuals we are. We can “allow the word of Christ to dwell in us richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in our hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God” (Colossians 3:16) and celebrate the ways in which others do the same in their own way. We are called to be faithful, not identical.
The diversity of our district is one of our superpowers. We bring the strength of our faith and our community from north and south, east and west—from the country and the city, from suburbia and small towns. We gather as a district wearing different sizes of the same design of the love of God. All are welcome, all are crucial, all are beautiful, all are unique, and all are adorable!
Did you buy new clothing for Easter? I have memories from childhood of getting a new dress to wear to church on Easter Sunday. And not only did I get a new dress, but so did my four sisters. And the dresses were identical. I am sure some of you are thinking, “How adorable—five little girls all dressed alike.” Not only did we have the dresses, but we often had identical hats and gloves and frilly socks and black patent leather shoes, too. I hated it! I was number three of five and hated looking like everyone else.
Even though my sisters and I dressed alike for the holidays, we were (and are) very different people with very different personalities. There is a family resemblance, and we share some similar traits, but even if we dress alike now (which we don’t!), we would not be mistaken as identical.
In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul instructs all Christians to wear the same things: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and love. Even though we are called to wear the same things, the ways in which we wear these characteristics in our own lives will differ. Hopefully, we all bear a family resemblance to Jesus Christ and live our lives as the unique individuals we are. We can “allow the word of Christ to dwell in us richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in our hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God” (Colossians 3:16) and celebrate the ways in which others do the same in their own way. We are called to be faithful, not identical.
The diversity of our district is one of our superpowers. We bring the strength of our faith and our community from north and south, east and west—from the country and the city, from suburbia and small towns. We gather as a district wearing different sizes of the same design of the love of God. All are welcome, all are crucial, all are beautiful, all are unique, and all are adorable!
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
- Spring clergy retreat, April 15-16, Bishop Lane Retreat Center, Rockford
- Outdoor Ministries Association meeting, April 18-20 at Camp Emmaus
- Council of District Executives meeting, April 24, 12 p.m.
- Creation care event, “One Earth, One Chance,” April 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, and via streaming/Zoom
- Ministry Leadership Development Team, May 8, 6:30 p.m.
- Program & Arrangements Committee, May 9, 7 p.m.
- Gifts Discernment and Call Committee, May 14, 6:30 p.m.
- Church Revitalization and Development Team, May 18, 9 a.m.
- Leadership Team, June 4, 6:30 p.m.
IN OUR PRAYERS
Week of April 15: Be in prayer for the district’s Ministry Leadership Development Team as it encourages current and future pastors, chaplains, and others who are called to lead the church, and for TRIM ministry training coordinator Mary Jessup. Also pray for the clergy retreat that MLDT will be coordinating in Rockford this week.
Week of April 22: Pray for the Martin Creek congregation, and for the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry as it supports and equips pastors around the denomination.
Week of April 29: Pray for the Springfield First congregation, and for the expansive ministries of Heifer International, SERRV, and other organizations that received their start in the Church of the Brethren.
Week of May 6: Pray for the La Place congregation, and for the “Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church” program as it seeks to support and encourage small congregations and their pastors.
Week of May 13: Pray for the Champaign congregation, and for all the church’s ongoing efforts to live out the vision of being “Jesus in the Neighborhood” through community outreach.
MINISTRY NEWS
Katie Shaw Thompson, pastor at Highland Avenue, has accepted a call to serve as our district’s Annual Conference Standing Committee delegate to complete the term of Bobbi Dykema, who resigned in March as she finished her service at Springfield First. The current term until the 2025 Annual Conference. Katie will be eligible to continue and serve a full three-year term (2025-2028) on Standing Committee as part of the ballot at this year’s district conference.
The five-year ethics training and CEU cycle for all ministers will be occurring in 2024-2025. An ethics training session will be held during the spring clergy retreat April 15-16 at Bishop Lane Retreat Center near Rockford. Another in-person training will likely be scheduled in the district at a later date for those unable to attend in April. A team of nine ethics trainers recently met in Elgin to prepare for the events around the denomination. Dennis Webb (Naperville) helped create a new intercultural element that will be included in this cycle’s trainings. All ministers should also begin gathering information for their CEU report, which will be due by early 2025.The Celebration of Christ congregation in St. Petersburg, Fla., has turned its parsonage into a hospitality house. They are inviting Church of the Brethren pastors to take advantage of this “retreat from the usual.” It is fully furnished with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus an additional office/bedroom combo, kitchen, laundry room, family room, screened-in porch, and patio. It’s within an easy drive of the beach or the city. A minimum one-week stay is required, no pets or smoking permitted. For details or reservations, call 727-381-0709 or email firstchurchofthebrethren@tampabay.rr.com.
Congregational vacancies:
Cherry Grove: Using regular pulpit supply
Oakley Brick: David Roe has announced his retirement effective November 2024
Springfield First: Bobbi Dykema completed her service in March. Springfield is using a congregational team ministry approach as its model going forward.
York Center: Christy Waltersdorff has announced her retirement effective Dec. 31, 2024
Grants available: The denomination’s Office of Ministry has shared that grants are available through the Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program for pastors who would like to do a sabbatical or continuing education experience. For more information or an application, contact district executive minister Walt Wiltschek at IWDDE@outlook.com.
CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS
Highland Avenue (Elgin) held a rousing coffee house concert on April 5, featuring various musical members of the congregation. Peg Lehman, Nancy Miner, Matt and Noelle Bohrer, Jonathan Shively, and PennyLou Walbridge were among the performers for the event, which was open to the community. The congregation also recently welcomed a new office administrator, Ariceli Soriano.
The community garden project at Champaign keeps growing, with 58 garden beds now part of the landscape and pushing the boundaries of the project’s property. The congregation hopes to continue expanding this popular organic ministry.
Canton has recently been working on plaster repair and painting updates to its building. Girard has also been doing plaster work and other upgrades in its lower-level fellowship hall, hoping to enable more usage in the community.
The district Gifts Discernment and Call Committee has been meeting and working on district positions to be filled in the coming year. Several positions have been filled—and thank you to those who have said “yes”!—but others are still in process. If you get a call from a GDCC member, please prayerfully consider whether you might be called to serve. Pat Ball (Dixon) is chairing the committee this year, with Dan McFadden (Highland Avenue) as vice chair.
Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send those to the district office: andreag.iwdcob@gmail.com.
The community garden project at Champaign keeps growing, with 58 garden beds now part of the landscape and pushing the boundaries of the project’s property. The congregation hopes to continue expanding this popular organic ministry.
Canton has recently been working on plaster repair and painting updates to its building. Girard has also been doing plaster work and other upgrades in its lower-level fellowship hall, hoping to enable more usage in the community.
The district Gifts Discernment and Call Committee has been meeting and working on district positions to be filled in the coming year. Several positions have been filled—and thank you to those who have said “yes”!—but others are still in process. If you get a call from a GDCC member, please prayerfully consider whether you might be called to serve. Pat Ball (Dixon) is chairing the committee this year, with Dan McFadden (Highland Avenue) as vice chair.
Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send those to the district office: andreag.iwdcob@gmail.com.
DID YOU KNOW?
A bit of district trivia: This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren Annual Meeting (now Annual Conference) taking place in Macoupin County, Illinois—home to the Virden and Girard congregations today. That 1874 meeting was the third time the Annual Meeting had taken place in Illinois; it was in Stephenson County in 1856 and Lee County in 1865. It has taken place in the Land of Lincoln another eight times since 1874, most recently in 2005 in Peoria.
SPRING CLERGY RETREAT
The theme this year is “Ethical Considerations,” part of the denomination's every-five-years ethics training required for all credentialed ministers. Office of Ministry director Nancy Sollenberger Heishman will be the primary leader for the event, assisted by Naperville pastor Dennis Webb and district executive minister Walt Wiltschek. (Note that a CEU report for the past five-year period is also part of the credential renewal process; more information will be sent about that at a later date.)
The retreat will run from 4 p.m. on Monday, April 15, to no later than 4 p.m. the following day. The ethics training will occur during three sessions over the course of the time together. Participants will receive 0.6 CEU's. In addition to the educational component and common meals, the schedule will include times of worship together, as well as opportunities for fellowship, games, relaxation, and other activities.
Another ethics training will likely be offered elsewhere in the district at a future date for those unable to attend the retreat.
Another ethics training will likely be offered elsewhere in the district at a future date for those unable to attend the retreat.
ONE EARTH, ONE CHANCE: A CONVERSATION ON CARE FOR CREATION
David Radcliff of New Community Project (NCP) will be the keynote presenter, on the theme "One Earth, One Chance." NCP is a non-profit with Brethren connections that works primarily in the areas of environmental sustainability and social justice issues.
Following David's presentation from 10-11, several breakout sessions will be available, as follows:
11:10-11:40 a.m.
11:10-11:40 a.m.
Option 1: “Continuing the Conversation” with David Radcliff: David will do a follow-up to his presentation with time for Q&A and deeper discussion of how to change course as our planetary ship heads for a collision with the bridge into a livable future.
Option 2: “Eco-Discipleship and Compassion Fatigue” led by Randall Westfall (Camp Emmaus manager) and Jonathan Stauffer (Polo): We all have experienced compassion fatigue as it relates to our care for creation practices. In this session we’ll explore how biblical kinship with Christ and Creation holds the key for reframing our understanding of the current environmental crisis.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Option 1: “Growing a Green Team,” with Highland Avenue’s own “Green Team”: How can your congregation respond to creation care issues and take meaningful action? Highland Avenue’s ‘Green Team’ will share some of their ideas and the approaches they’ve been taking.
Option 2: “Eco-Blueprint Praxes for Healing” with Randall Westfall and Jonathan Stauffer: In this session, we’ll follow up from session 1 with deep creation connection practices that will move us deeper into the four stages of creation connection. Each of these regenerative practices/disciplines will restore us to our original design in God’s eco-blueprint and revive the spirit in the face of compassion fatigue.
There is no charge for this event, and all are welcome. Mark your calendars, and watch for additional updates!
CAMP NEWS
Registration for our camps’ summer programs is now open! Visit the camps’ respective websites (below) for registration links.
Camp Emmaus (Mount Morris, Ill.) has announced its summer camping schedule for 2024. This year’s curriculum theme will be “Linked by Love”:
April 13 Spring Into Camp
May 24-27 Memorial Day Family Camp
July 7-11 Intermediate Camp (grades 3-5)
July 12-14 Young Adult and Young at Heart Camp (YAAYAH)
July 14-20 Senior High Camp (grades 9-12)
July 21-27 Middle School Camp (grades 6-8)
Aug. 2-4 CIT training
Aug. 3-4 Elementary Camp (grades 1-2)
Aug. 8-10 Women’s Camp
Aug. 16-18 Men’s Camp
Aug. 30-Sept. 2 Labor Day Family Camp
Camp Emmanuel (Astoria, Ill.) has announced its summer 2024 camping schedule:
Women’s Camp May 31-June 2Youth Camp (grades 9-12) 2nd week in June or 2nd weekend in June (to be determined)Middle School Camp (grades 6-8) June 9-15Junior Camp (grades 3-5) June 19-23Pre-Junior Camp (grades K-2) June 28-30Day Camp (grades K-5) July 15-19Men’s Camp Aug. 9-11Family Camp Aug. 30-Sept. 2Creation Camp (grades 3-6) Sept. 6-8
Camp Emmanuel will be holding Spring Work Days April 20-25. The camp opens to the public May 1 for fishing and hiking.
The new “Escape to Emmaus” series at Camp Emmaus continued April 6 with a Flintknapping Day that drew about 10 people to learn about carving stone into arrowheads, garden tools, and other shapes. The series continues May 4 with a Birding Day (in partnership with Northwest Illinois Audubon) and June 1 with Target Sports (archery/slingshots). See www.campemmaus.org for details and registration. The camp also benefited recently from a group of volunteers who helped remove about a dozen diseased and dead trees around the camp.
The Camp Emmaus “Spring into Camp” event will be April 13, 1-6 p.m., with time to informally enjoy the camp’s amenities in the afternoon before a dedication of the new stone council ring at 4 p.m., a campfire at 4:30 p.m., and a cookout dinner (food provided) at 5:30 p.m.
Stay up to date on what’s happening at our district camps! Visit www.campem.com for Camp Emmanuel news and www.campemmaus.org for Camp Emmaus news.
YOUTH NEWS
National Youth Sunday is scheduled for May 4, though congregations can observe it another Sunday if needed. The theme this year is “Your Life, God’s Direction,” from Jeremiah 29:11. Resources are at https://www.brethren.org/yya/national-youth-sunday/. Naperville member Nik Gameti is part of this year’s National Youth Cabinet, which helped to develop the resources.
DISASTER RESPONSE
A BDM volunteer appreciation breakfast will take place during Annual Conference. Register at www.brethren.org/bdm-cds-breakfast by June 10. BDM will also again sponsor a blood drive at Annual Conference. Those who can’t attend but want to participate can join a virtual blood drive at www.brethren.org/virtualblooddrive2024.
FINANCIAL REMINDER
Leonard Matheny (Peoria First) has taken over the work of district financial secretary from Christine Knotts. Please send any donations/gifts for the district to Leonard at 1231 W. Wonderview Dr., Dunlap, IL 61525. And thank you to everyone for their support of the district!
CHILDREN’S DISASTER SERVICES TRAINING
We're grateful to Freeport for stepping forward to offer to host this event. Hopefully another training can be scheduled in the district at a future date. In the meantime, look for other opportunities to engage with CDS. Dates are posted as they become available at Workshop dates and locations – Children's Disaster Services (brethren.org)
FAITHX
The trips provide opportunities for all ages to serve. Traditional junior and senior high youth trips are happening during summer, along with a family trip, adult trips in the US with Brethren Disaster Ministries and in Ecuador, a We Are Able trip for persons with intellectual disabilities, and options for combined junior and senior high youth groups to attend together. An older adult trip to Florida took place in February.
Registration for this summer’s FaithX trips has closed, but please be in prayer for those who are participating and consider being part of a FaithX experience next year. Learn more at www.brethren.org/faithx.
QUERY PUT ON HOLD
The query sent from the Illinois/Wisconsin District to Annual Conference after action of district conference delegates this past year has been put on hold, at the request of the Annual Conference officers. The officers have recommended some refinements in the language of the query, making it more general in its request, as queries with specific, yes-and-no questions are being discouraged under current polity.
District leadership will work on those refinements, preparing an updated version of the query to come back to the 2024 district conference for approval. It would then return to the Annual Conference pipeline with the hope of being part of business at the 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C.
We are in the process of planning an online Annual Conference briefing for the district in June. Watch for more details!
District leadership will work on those refinements, preparing an updated version of the query to come back to the 2024 district conference for approval. It would then return to the Annual Conference pipeline with the hope of being part of business at the 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C.
We are in the process of planning an online Annual Conference briefing for the district in June. Watch for more details!
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024
Daily scripture themes are as follows: Wednesday, July 3: Romans 16:1-4 (CEB) with supporting scriptures from Matthew 5:1-16 (CEB) and Revelation 7:9-10; Thursday, July 4: Luke 1:46-49 (NIV) with supporting scriptures from Jeremiah 1:4-10 and 2 Samuel 9:1-10a; Friday, July 5: Romans 12:3-10 with supporting scriptures from John 15:9-13 and 2 Chronicles 30:18-21; Saturday, July 6: Acts 2:42-47 with supporting scriptures from Ephesians 4:1-6 and 1 Peter 4:8-11; Sunday, July 7: Philippians 2:1-11 with supporting scriptures from Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:8-10, and Galatians 6:2 and 6-10.
Worship preachers will be moderator Madalyn Metzger on Wednesday; Greg Broyles of Roanoke, Va. (Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren) on Thursday; Brandon Grady of Glenville, Pa. (Black Rock Church of the Brethren) on Friday; Leonard M. Dow, vice president of Community and Church Development for Everence and previously pastor of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church in Philadelphia on Saturday; and Cindy Laprade Lattimer of Huntingdon, Pa. (Stone Church of the Brethren) on Sunday morning.
Nathan Hollenberg of Broadway, Va., is serving as the Program and Arrangements Committee liaison to the worship team, which also includes Founa Augustin Badet of Delray Beach, Fla.; Calvin Park of Knoxville, Md.; and Amber Harris of Winston-Salem, N.C. The music coordinator is Seth Crissman of Harrisonburg, Va.; choir director is Julie Richard of Finksburg, Md.; and pianist is Jocelyn Watkins of East Peoria, Ill. The organist is Robin Risser Mundey of Frederick, Md., and the children’s choir director is Stephanie Rappatta of Elkhart, Ind.
Registration opened on March 1. Note that a new registration system is being used this year and might require some adjustments. Advance registration will be $330 for delegates and $150 for non-delegates attending the full conference (or $50 daily rate). Current high school students and younger can attend with no registration charge; those post-high school through age 21 are $40. Advance registration closes June 10. Fees are higher for on-site registration beginning July 2. For virtual participation only, the non-delegate rate is $195 (or $75 daily) before June 10 and $225 thereafter. New this year is an option for groups and institutions to participate virtually from a common location. For more information go to www.brethren.org/ac2024/registration and select “Virtual.”
All congregations are encouraged to send delegates for which they are eligible. Congregations of up to 200 members receive one delegate, with an additional delegate for every 200 members or portion thereof beyond that. Our own Leonard and Vicki Matheny (Peoria First) head up on-site registration.
Two hotel options, the Amway Grand Plaza and the Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown, will be available for $119 plus tax (total of $136.90) per night with complimentary self-parking and in-room WiFi. Housing reservations also opened to the public March 1. For more information, visit https://www.brethren.org/ac2024.
Don Fitzkee (Lancaster, Pa.) and Gene Hollenberg (Nappanee, Ind.) head this year’s ballot as candidates for moderator-elect. Complete biographical information for all nominees is at www.brethren.org/ac2024/business/ballot and will be printed in the Conference booklet.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is also offering Listening for the Sound of Genuine July 2-3 with Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey as facilitator. This course is a Directed Independent Study Unit (DISU) in conjunction with attending the Ministers' Association Pre-Conference event with Frank A. Thomas, in Grand Rapids, Mich. TRIM/EFSM students will receive one credit in Ministry Skills upon completion. This also qualifies for the Annual Conference Experience. Clergy seeking CEUs will receive 2 continuing education units upon successful completion of this course. Registration deadline is May 28 at https://bethanyseminary.edu/brethren-academy/brethren-academy-course-listings/brethren-academy-course-registration-annual-trim-payment/. Learn more about the conference, and register for the conference, at https://www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/.
McPherson College’s Ventures in Christian Discipleship program will offer the two-part “Becoming a More Loving and Inclusive Church,” with instructor Tim McElwee, May 7 and 9, 7-8:30 p.m. Central each night. Register and learn more at Ventures in Christian Discipleship - McPherson College. Suggested donation is $25 per course.
Upcoming Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) continuing education courses include “Worship Models from Genesis to Revelation” led by Leah Hileman April 13, 8-11 a.m. Central, via Zoom, cost $35 (with 0.3 CEU’s); “Christian ID in an Age of AI” led by Bethany Theological Seminary professor Russell Haitch April 27, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Central, via Zoom, cost $45 (with 0.5 CEU’s); and “Suicide and Your Congregation,” led by Julie Guistwite, June 4, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Central, via Zoom, cost $35 (with 0.3 CEU’s). Register by visiting the SVMC course page or by contacting Karen Hodges at karenhodges@svmccob.org.
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is offering an in-person session of its “Fractured Lives, Fractured Churches” workshop May 7 at Utica United Methodist Church in Sterling Heights, Mich., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $99, with group discounts available. LMPC will also offer “Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches” online May 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Central. Cost is $99. For more details and registration information, and to see other events, go to https://lmpeacecenter.org/all-events/.
NCP Learning Tours: New Community Project will offer an educational trip to Ecuador’s Amazon region May 30-June 5; to Lybrook, N.M., June 20-26; to the Denali/Kenai Fjords region of Alaska July 28-Aug. 4; and to Arctic Village, Alaska, Aug. 4-12. These trips are open to all ages and explore the beauty of and challenges facing God’s creation and God’s children. Learn more at https://www.newcommunityproject.info/learning-tours.
A Church of the Brethren L.E.A.D. (Listen – Equip – Adapt – Disciple) Conference is planned for Nov. 15-17, 2024, sponsored by the denomination’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation department. The event will be hosted at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren on the scripture theme 2 Timothy 2:2. This will be a leadership development conference for congregational leaders such as pastors and church board members. The focus will be on raising the leadership skills of congregational leaders to help them be more effective in their local ministries. The event will be a mix of plenary and break-out sessions. Attendance will be capped at 250 participants. More information and registration will be available closer to the date.
Video recordings of online events sponsored by the Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry are available online at https://vimeo.com/ptpftcbrethren. Among them is a webinar with Jon Ritner, author of the book Positively Irritating: Embracing a Post-Christian World to Form a More Faithful and Innovative Church, hosted by Ryan Braught, church planter and pastor of Veritas Community, a Church of the Brethren congregation. For more information contact Tabitha H. Rudy, administrative assistant for Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church, at adminptpftc@brethren.org.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The Western Plains District is seeking a half-time district executive minister to serve its 36 congregations located in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. This is a half-time time position (approximately 25 hours per week). The office location is negotiable. Travel is required both within and outside of the district. The full position description is posted at: https://www.brethren.org/about/employment/. Responsibilities include leading and coordinating district ministries, providing a strong emphasis on the missional church, working with congregations in calling and credentialing ministers and placing pastors, and providing a link between the district and denomination. Candidates should be ordained through an accredited program, have skills in organization and communication, and be committed to the Church of the Brethren, with five to 10 years of pastoral experience preferred. Interested and qualified persons may apply for this position by sending a letter of interest and resume’ to Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Director of Ministry, via email at officeofministry@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three persons who are willing to provide a letter of reference. Upon receipt of the resume’, the individual will be sent a candidate profile that must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
PERSONNEL NOTES
Dr. Tamisha Tyler, Louisville Institute postdoctoral fellow, has been appointed to a full-time teaching faculty position at Bethany Theological Seminary. She will begin her new position as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture and Theopoetics, and director of the MA Program July 1. As a postdoctoral fellow, she taught Afrofuturism and Theology, Religion in the Literary World of Octavia Butler, Methods in Theopoetics, and Art, Faith, and Justice: LA, California. As she moves into her full-time role, Tyler will teach each of these courses again and add new offerings in the areas of Black Theology, the Craft of Writing, and Worldbuilding. She will also serve as the MA Program Director, and she will teach Introduction to Theological Reflection while another faculty member is on sabbatical. Tyler earned her Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is co-editor of the Feminist Studies in Religion blog.
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership (BAML) has hired Terri Moses as administrative assistant. Her first day in the office was April 9. Moses earned an associate of business science degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2021. She has extensive experience in administrative roles, including positions with Reid Health, Restoration Church, and Bank One. She will bring experience in finance, customer care, and office procedures to her new role.
John Jantzi has announced his retirement as district executive minister of Shenandoah District. He began in the position on Aug. 1, 2012, and will conclude his ministry March 1, 2025. In addition to previous roles on the district level, John has been active in the wider church as a member of the Annual Conference-appointed Vitality and Viability Committee (2016-2017.) and as a member of the denomination’s Compelling Vision Team, whose work was affirmed by the 2021 Annual Conference. During his years as a member of the Council of District Executives (CODE), John served on the Ministry Issues Committee, the Ministry Advisory Council, and as CODE’s representative to Outdoor Ministries Association. Prior to his career in executive level ministry, John served pastorates in Shenandoah District and was active in a wide variety of district leadership positions. He had also served as an instructor of the Christian Growth Institute of the district as well as adjunct instructor for Eastern Mennonite University, teaching History of the Bible and Old Testament themes.
Kaitlyn Slate has been appointed by Growing Hope Globally as its new president and CEO, effective May 1. Growing Hope Globally has been a partner organization for the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative. Slate “is a visionary leader who is passionate about working to overcome material poverty by energizing others to work together to achieve success,” said an announcement from Growing Hope Globally.
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele was among more than 140 global Christian leaders signing a new letter, released during Holy Week ahead of Easter, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Signers included more than 140 bishops, ministers, and executive leaders from churches, denominations, and church-based organizations in the United States and around the world. The letter was organized by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which the Church of the Brethren is a member.
Congregational giving to the denomination’s Core Ministries totaled $1.5 million in 2023. This was down $46,000 from the previous year and $23,000 behind budget. At $652,000, individual giving to Core Ministries was down $58,000 from the previous year and $84,000 behind budget. Total combined giving to Core Ministries was $2.15 million. This was down $105,000 from 2022 and $108,000 behind budget. Income draws to Core Ministries from the Bequest Quasi-Endowment, Endowments, Savings, and BSC Quasi-Endowment funds were behind budget by a combined $97,000. Since giving finished below budget and investment draws were lower than anticipated, staff needed to use the entire $186,000 budgeted transfer from designated funds. This was the first use of designated funds to support Core Ministries since 2019. As a result, total income to Core Ministries ended the year $221,000 behind budget. Director-level expenses were under budget by $171,000 as staff did a good job of allocating resources during a high-inflationary economy. Despite being under budget, expenses outpaced income and Core Ministries finished the year with a $50,000 deficit. Despite the loss, Core Ministries maintained a $2.15 million net asset balance.
L’Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) has sent a response to a pastoral letter from David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren. That pastoral statement for Haiti was sent to the church in Haiti on March 7 (see www.brethren.org/news/2024/a-pastoral-statement-for-haiti). The response thanks “all our brothers and sisters who are helping us pray for the country of Haiti from the chaotic situation that it finds itself in today that affects every Haitian.” It continues, in part: “We believe that only prayer can get the country out of this situation. It gives us a lot of strength to know that our brothers and sisters in other nations are helping us to pray.”
The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team is seeking congregational ambassadors. At an organizing meeting on March 2, the group introduced a new path for individuals feeling a call to help their congregations take action on gun violence prevention. “It’s flexible enough to work within your community context, skills, and time constraints, while also ensuring you receive structured support and resources from the Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team and On Earth Peace,” said the announcement. “We have our first several ambassadors signed up, and we are looking for ambassadors in every district of the church.” A role description is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QbQhC3qYsl8FhFWEk9Z5Zr6jWmX5S7M4/view. To express interest, email the team at cob-gvp@onearthpeace.org.
On March 20, Childrens Disaster Services (CDS)—a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries—deployed volunteers to two Multi-Agency Recovery Centers (MARCs) in Ohio, in collaboration with longtime partner Child Life Disaster Relief. One volunteer was sent to Russells Point and two were sent to Lakeview, in the Indian Lake area, in response to the series of tornadoes that hit the Midwest on March 14. The tornadoes particularly affected Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. A series of tornadoes in Logan County, Ohio, including one that was a category EF3, killed three people and injured about two dozen others in the area of Indian Lake Reservoir.
The Womaen’s Caucus, a group connected with the Church of the Brethren, is announcing a series of online discussion sessions in preparation for an event with Heidi Ramer, author of the book Her Words, My Voice, during this summer’s Annual Conference. The book shares journal entries by Ramer’s mother about her experience of sexual abuse by a former denominational employee, alongside Ramer’s reflections on discovering this history as an adult, after her mother’s death (see www.brethren.org/news/2023/mission-and-ministry-board-statement). The discussion sessions will be held online from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern time) on four Wednesdays: April 17, April 24, May 1, and May 8. Registration will close on April 15. Go to www.womaenscaucus.org/blog/724.
Congregations are invited to create 8 ½ x 8 ½” quilt blocks for the 2024 Annual Conference quilts. All blocks should be postmarked by May 15 and sent to Margaret Weybright, 1801 Greencroft Blvd., Apt. 125, Goshen, IN 46526 with a dollar (or more) donation to cover costs. The outside border should be no less than 8 ½” square after it is worked, and the inside design should be not more than 8” square, with nothing in the seam allowance. Blocks (pre-shrunk cotton or cotton blend) should be cut to size after they have been pieced, embroidered, or appliqued. They should also include the congregation’s name and state and/or district. For a full instructional flier, contact the district office.
The 2024 Song and Story Fest family camp co-sponsored by On Earth Peace will be hosted at Camp Brethren Heights in the Michigan District, July 7-13, immediately after Annual Conference in Grand Rapids. This is the 28th Song and Story Fest. The theme for this year’s Muddy Waters Song and Story Fest is “Exploring the Heights and Depths of Community.” The event is billed as an intergenerational camp for all ages, individuals, and families. Storytellers, musicians, and workshop leaders include Rhonda & Greg Baker, Susan Boyer, Louise Brodie, Hannah Button-Harrison, Debbie Eisenbise, Jenny & Jeffrey Faus Family, Erin & Cody Flory Robertson, Chris Good, Anna Lisa Gross, Kathy Guisewite, Jonathan Hunter, Tim & Byron Joseph & Marlene Wood, Brian Kruschwitz, Jim Lehman, Peg Lehman, and Mike Stern. The schedule includes morning intergenerational gatherings and worship followed by workshops for adults, children, and youth; in the afternoons, family time, recreation, story swaps, and music-making; and in the evenings, campfires, snacks, and concerts or a folk dance. Registration includes all meals, on-site facilities, and leadership, and is based upon age—adults $370, teens $240, children age 5 to 12 $160, children 4 and under free—with a maximum fee per family of $1,000. Daily fees are available. Registrations after June 1 add 10 percent as a late fee. Register online at http://onearthpeace.org/song_and_story_fest_2024.
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) has announced the dates for the next two volunteer orientations that will take place in 2024. The summer unit (Unit 335) will have orientation July 28-Aug. 5 at Camp Colorado, located near Sedalia, Colo., southwest of Denver. The fall unit (Unit 336) will take place Sept. 17-25 at Camp Brethren Heights in Rodney, Mich., north of Grand Rapids. Online pre-orientation meetings also take place before each group gathers together in person. To apply or to learn more, visit www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org.
The 2024 Earth Day resource from Creation Justice Ministries is titled “Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World,” and is available to download at www.creationjustice.org/plasticjesus.html. Said an announcement: “Every year at Creation Justice Ministries, we create a resource to help churches prepare for Earth Day. It’s always our hope that these resources won’t just inform the congregation’s actions for a day, but will inform their actions on behalf of God’s creation throughout the year.”
Congregational giving to the denomination’s Core Ministries totaled $1.5 million in 2023. This was down $46,000 from the previous year and $23,000 behind budget. At $652,000, individual giving to Core Ministries was down $58,000 from the previous year and $84,000 behind budget. Total combined giving to Core Ministries was $2.15 million. This was down $105,000 from 2022 and $108,000 behind budget. Income draws to Core Ministries from the Bequest Quasi-Endowment, Endowments, Savings, and BSC Quasi-Endowment funds were behind budget by a combined $97,000. Since giving finished below budget and investment draws were lower than anticipated, staff needed to use the entire $186,000 budgeted transfer from designated funds. This was the first use of designated funds to support Core Ministries since 2019. As a result, total income to Core Ministries ended the year $221,000 behind budget. Director-level expenses were under budget by $171,000 as staff did a good job of allocating resources during a high-inflationary economy. Despite being under budget, expenses outpaced income and Core Ministries finished the year with a $50,000 deficit. Despite the loss, Core Ministries maintained a $2.15 million net asset balance.
L’Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) has sent a response to a pastoral letter from David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren. That pastoral statement for Haiti was sent to the church in Haiti on March 7 (see www.brethren.org/news/2024/a-pastoral-statement-for-haiti). The response thanks “all our brothers and sisters who are helping us pray for the country of Haiti from the chaotic situation that it finds itself in today that affects every Haitian.” It continues, in part: “We believe that only prayer can get the country out of this situation. It gives us a lot of strength to know that our brothers and sisters in other nations are helping us to pray.”
The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team is seeking congregational ambassadors. At an organizing meeting on March 2, the group introduced a new path for individuals feeling a call to help their congregations take action on gun violence prevention. “It’s flexible enough to work within your community context, skills, and time constraints, while also ensuring you receive structured support and resources from the Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team and On Earth Peace,” said the announcement. “We have our first several ambassadors signed up, and we are looking for ambassadors in every district of the church.” A role description is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QbQhC3qYsl8FhFWEk9Z5Zr6jWmX5S7M4/view. To express interest, email the team at cob-gvp@onearthpeace.org.
On March 20, Childrens Disaster Services (CDS)—a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries—deployed volunteers to two Multi-Agency Recovery Centers (MARCs) in Ohio, in collaboration with longtime partner Child Life Disaster Relief. One volunteer was sent to Russells Point and two were sent to Lakeview, in the Indian Lake area, in response to the series of tornadoes that hit the Midwest on March 14. The tornadoes particularly affected Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. A series of tornadoes in Logan County, Ohio, including one that was a category EF3, killed three people and injured about two dozen others in the area of Indian Lake Reservoir.
The Womaen’s Caucus, a group connected with the Church of the Brethren, is announcing a series of online discussion sessions in preparation for an event with Heidi Ramer, author of the book Her Words, My Voice, during this summer’s Annual Conference. The book shares journal entries by Ramer’s mother about her experience of sexual abuse by a former denominational employee, alongside Ramer’s reflections on discovering this history as an adult, after her mother’s death (see www.brethren.org/news/2023/mission-and-ministry-board-statement). The discussion sessions will be held online from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern time) on four Wednesdays: April 17, April 24, May 1, and May 8. Registration will close on April 15. Go to www.womaenscaucus.org/blog/724.
Congregations are invited to create 8 ½ x 8 ½” quilt blocks for the 2024 Annual Conference quilts. All blocks should be postmarked by May 15 and sent to Margaret Weybright, 1801 Greencroft Blvd., Apt. 125, Goshen, IN 46526 with a dollar (or more) donation to cover costs. The outside border should be no less than 8 ½” square after it is worked, and the inside design should be not more than 8” square, with nothing in the seam allowance. Blocks (pre-shrunk cotton or cotton blend) should be cut to size after they have been pieced, embroidered, or appliqued. They should also include the congregation’s name and state and/or district. For a full instructional flier, contact the district office.
The 2024 Song and Story Fest family camp co-sponsored by On Earth Peace will be hosted at Camp Brethren Heights in the Michigan District, July 7-13, immediately after Annual Conference in Grand Rapids. This is the 28th Song and Story Fest. The theme for this year’s Muddy Waters Song and Story Fest is “Exploring the Heights and Depths of Community.” The event is billed as an intergenerational camp for all ages, individuals, and families. Storytellers, musicians, and workshop leaders include Rhonda & Greg Baker, Susan Boyer, Louise Brodie, Hannah Button-Harrison, Debbie Eisenbise, Jenny & Jeffrey Faus Family, Erin & Cody Flory Robertson, Chris Good, Anna Lisa Gross, Kathy Guisewite, Jonathan Hunter, Tim & Byron Joseph & Marlene Wood, Brian Kruschwitz, Jim Lehman, Peg Lehman, and Mike Stern. The schedule includes morning intergenerational gatherings and worship followed by workshops for adults, children, and youth; in the afternoons, family time, recreation, story swaps, and music-making; and in the evenings, campfires, snacks, and concerts or a folk dance. Registration includes all meals, on-site facilities, and leadership, and is based upon age—adults $370, teens $240, children age 5 to 12 $160, children 4 and under free—with a maximum fee per family of $1,000. Daily fees are available. Registrations after June 1 add 10 percent as a late fee. Register online at http://onearthpeace.org/song_and_story_fest_2024.
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) has announced the dates for the next two volunteer orientations that will take place in 2024. The summer unit (Unit 335) will have orientation July 28-Aug. 5 at Camp Colorado, located near Sedalia, Colo., southwest of Denver. The fall unit (Unit 336) will take place Sept. 17-25 at Camp Brethren Heights in Rodney, Mich., north of Grand Rapids. Online pre-orientation meetings also take place before each group gathers together in person. To apply or to learn more, visit www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org.
The 2024 Earth Day resource from Creation Justice Ministries is titled “Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World,” and is available to download at www.creationjustice.org/plasticjesus.html. Said an announcement: “Every year at Creation Justice Ministries, we create a resource to help churches prepare for Earth Day. It’s always our hope that these resources won’t just inform the congregation’s actions for a day, but will inform their actions on behalf of God’s creation throughout the year.”
GRANTS AND GIVING
Grants available through the district include the following:
1. Mission and Mortar: Sustaining and developing ministry (mission) within congregations, as well as maintaining property (mortar), is sometimes hindered because of inadequate financial resources. The Illinois/Wisconsin District, whose mission is to support the growth and development of member congregations, realizes that this dilemma exists and desires to financially support congregations that are in good standing with the district and have specific needs. More information can be found here.
2. Being Jesus in the Neighborhood: Congregations can apply for $100 in seed money to start a new outreach project or initiative in their local communities, or to expand an existing one. These should be projects that intentionally engage with the neighborhood immediately around the congregation, or for those in rural locations, with the town or area around the church. Each congregation receiving a grant will be asked to share a little about their project at district conference. More information can be found here.
3. Give Your Pastor a Break: Congregations can apply for up to $100 for a grant to cover or help cover a guest speaker for an extra Sunday to give your pastor a day off—or at least a day off from having to prepare and preach a sermon. We hope this might be part of the ways you care for your pastor. More information can be found here.
4. Emerging Missions Fund: To facilitate the growth and establishment of new faith communities, this grant is available for church and ministry planting initiatives. New church and ministry plants are encouraged to apply by contacting the district office and/or the CRDT.
SUPPORTING YOUR DISTRICT
The Illinois/Wisconsin District is active in a variety of ministry and mission efforts, both directly and indirectly. For these efforts to continue, resources are needed in the form of time, tools, knowledge, and especially finances.
Consider making a contribution to one or more of the following:
- Disaster Relief Fund
- Endowment Fund
- Mission and Mortar Fund
- Youth Fund (new!)
- General Fund
- Emerging Ministries
- Ministry Training
Look for the donate button at iwdcob.org, or send your checks to the district office: 269 E. Chestnut St., Canton, IL 61520. Thank you!
