DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE

Scam emails have again been appearing around the denomination, sent under the names of various church leaders. These are fake, and you should be aware that the district or denomination will never request gifts or payment in the form of gift cards or other suspicious means. Check the email address from which it’s coming, and if seems odd, it probably is. Please report and delete it. If you are ever in doubt about whether an offering or financial request claiming to be from the district or other entities is legitimate, please contact the district office before you send any type of funds.

Bethany Theological Seminary has been awarded a $10 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the seminary’s new partnership with undergraduate institutions, which encourages students to pursue graduate theological education and careers in ministry. The new project is entitled, “Preparing the Way: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students.” It is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. The grant to Bethany is one of 45 that were approved in a competitive round of the initiative to support theological schools as they lead large-scale collaborations with other seminaries, colleges, and universities, and other church-related organizations.

FaithX is hosting a special service trip for adults ages 50-plus at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., Feb. 22-27. Previous trips included camp projects of painting a cabin, tree trimming, invasive species removal, deep cleaning, and kitchen assistance as well as Bible study, games, bird watching, puzzles, rocking chair relaxation, and recreational trips away from camp. Registration is open at www.brethren.org/faithx. For questions, please reach out to Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred in the FaithX Office at faithx@brethren.org or 847-429-4337.

The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board held a special meeting by Zoom on the evening of Nov. 24 to approve the 2026 budget for the denominational ministries. The meeting was led by chair Kathy Mack assisted by chair-elect Josiah Ludwick and general secretary David Steele. The board approved a grand total 2026 budget for all denominational ministries of $7,913,780 of income and $7,954,240 of expense, representing an anticipated net expense of $40,460. For the denomination’s Core Ministries, the board approved a 2026 budget of $5,453,000 of income and $5,453,260 of expense, representing an anticipated net expense of $260. The decision includes a reduction of $102,000 in anticipated net expenses in Core Ministries since the board approved a budget parameter of $5,555,000 of expense in October. Treasurer Ed Woolf explained that since October, staff have worked to make additional reductions to lower anticipated expenses for next year.

Brethren Press is offering the opportunity for congregations and individuals to pre-order next year’s Lenten devotional. The Wondrous Works of God: 2026 Devotional for Ash Wednesday Through Easter written by Carol Davis (Canton) is available for $5 each for the regular print edition. Pre-order at www.brethrenpress.com/product_p/lentendev-0001.htm. 

Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is accepting applications for 2026-2027. Before embarking on a service year, volunteers first attend an orientation. There are two volunteer orientations planned for next year, both in the Midwest. The summer orientation will be July 27 to Aug. 4 at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio. The fall orientation will be Sept. 15-23 at Camp Emmaus in Mt. Morris, Ill. For more information, go to www.brethren.org/bvs. For any questions about volunteering or the application process, email bvs@brethren.org.

The L.E.A.D. Planning Team has scheduled the next in-person denominational L.E.A.D. Conference for May 1-3, 2026, again hosted by Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Keynote leader will be Tod Bolsinger of Sloan Leadership Inc. and executive director of Fuller’s De Pree Center Church Leadership Institute. Learn more at The L.E.A.D. Conference – Discipleship and Leadership Formation.