MINISTRY NEWS

Materials went out to all ordained ministers in late May to continue the every-five-years ordination renewal process. That includes an ordination renewal form and a CEU report, which will be due by Aug. 10. Copies of the continuing education report form can be found at https://www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/forms/. The district Ministry Leadership Development Team (MLDT) will be completing document reviews and renewals for all credentialed ministers in the district later this year. Congregations are currently completing their part of the renewal documents for any credentialed ministers (active or retired) who are members there. Most have been received; if you are not sure if your congregation has completed yours, please check with your board/leadership team. Ministers who have not yet done the ethics training this cycle MUST complete the training this summer or fall. An in-person training is available before Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C. Another opportunity will be in person, at 10 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 19 at Camp Mack in Milford, Ind. Another training will also be offered in the fall, likely in October. Please contact the district office for more information or with any questions. 

The new denominational Deportation Defense Response Team—organized by several districts with large numbers of undocumented members to provide support, advocacy, and legal assistance as needed—is inviting partnerships. Congregations wishing to aid this need through special offerings or other fundraising can send gifts to Atlantic Southeast District; contact district executive Beth Sollenberger for more information about sending an offering to the Deportation Defense Response Team: <atlanticsoutheastcob@gmail.com>. The team will distribute funds received to members of the church facing immigration challenges who are in need of legal support. The group is also extending an open invitation to a weekly Zoom prayer meeting specifically to pray for immigrants who are detained, for those who are at risk of detention and deportation, and for all who are supporting them. The first such gathering was May 29. The gatherings are planned to continue at 11 a.m. Central each Thursday through June. Use this Link to join. The group is also seeking Brethren attorneys who might be willing to assist the work. If you can help, please contact Julie Avila, Educator & Organizer on the Deportation Defense Response Team, at migrantjustice@onearthpeace.org. 

The denomination’s Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program will offer an equipping session and a meal event at this summer’s Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C. The equipping session, “Leadership in a Multi-Vocational Reality,” will be 12:30-1:30 p.m. July 4, featuring presenter Bill Ludwig. The dinner, 5:30 p.m. July 5, is titled “Rooted in Jesus: Living Into God’s Calling for Your Ministry,” featuring pastors/church planters Macho and Erica Lara as speakers. 

This year’s pre-Annual Conference Ministers’ Association continuing education event will focus on the theme “A Place for Every Body: Disability, Accessibility, and the Church.” The conference will be presented by Jeanne Davies (York Center), executive director of the Anabaptist Disabilities Network, who will offer sessions on “What Disables Us?,” “Creating Accessible Congregations,” and “Accessible Worship.” Registration opened March 5. Plan to arrive on Tuesday, July 1, in time for the Meet and Greet dinner and the opening session that evening. The Wednesday, July 2, sessions conclude at 4 p.m. Find the registration link and flyer at www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/sustaining/#event.

Congregational vacancies/updates: 

Cerro Gordo: Larry Traxler is retiring effective Aug. 10. Plans are under way to complete a congregational profile and form a search committee. District executive Walt Wiltschek met with the congregation in May to help begin the process. 

Dutchtown (Milledgeville): Ed Livengood is serving as an internal preacher and providing pastoral care. Ed is pursuing a call to ministry and has recently entered the licensing discernment process, with Rick Koch serving as district mentor.

Highland Avenue (Elgin): Krista Dutt (Chicago First) began serving as interim pastor on April 1. Krista completed her M.Div. at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and plans to go through the credentialing process in our district. The congregation is working on a congregational profile and calling a search committee.

Lanark: The congregational profile is circulating, and the search committee has begun doing interviews. The congregation is currently using pulpit supply.

Mount Morris: Rodney Caldwell has announced his retirement effective in mid-August. District executive Walt Wiltschek met with congregational leaders in late May to discuss next steps.

Woodland: Local pastor Mathew Thiner is serving as an interim preacher and providing some pastoral care. Woodland member Kevin Sager is also helping to provide interim leadership, aided by a congregational team.

York Center (Lombard): A congregational profile has been published, and the search committee has begun doing interviews. Jonathan Shively and Tony Asta are serving as an interim pastoral team and have extended their contract through Sept. 30.