MINISTRY NEWS

A new informational resource about sabbath rest and renewal is available via the "Faith in Process" podcast, which recently featured a conversation with pastor Angela Finet about her book in the Covenant Bible Study Series about Sabbath. They can be found at: Episode 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/54SibW0HZRge0tP5lytbjM?si=IFUwukIpQj-yufA9RRfCkA; Episode2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49wWeJHdktZuGsrRd7TLa8?si=Kpjz7pIATVGAonIH_FpiuQ. These will also be added to the Ministry Office website under Sabbath Renewal: https://www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/sabbath/.

Randall Westfall (Mount Morris), manager at Camp Emmaus, wrote the meditation for this coming Sunday’s bulletin in the Living Word Bulletin Series, titled “Stations of the Emmaus Road.”

The Seraj Library Project is offering an event on “Palestine for Clergy and Faith Leaders” on April 19, 4-7 p.m., at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston. Find more information at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026palestineforclergy/event/palestineforclergyandchurchleaderscopy/.

The “Shine” children’s/youth curriculum of which Brethren Press is a part will offer a free webinar on May 5, 7 p.m. Central Time, to introduce the newly updated Shine curriculum resources. Register at https://forms.gle/VZeAeguWygqEu6116.

Note: The current IRS mileage rate for business travel is 72.5 cents per mile for 2026, up 2.5 cents from 2025. It’s possible this will increase in coming months due to the current economic conditions. 

Congregational vacancies/updates:

Cerro Gordo: A search committee has been formed, and a congregational profile is now available. Cerro Gordo is currently using pulpit supply. District executive Walt Wiltschek met with the search committee in March, and conversations about interim possibilities are taking place this month.

Highland Avenue (Elgin): Krista Dutt (Chicago First) was commissioned (ordained for term of service) in the Church of the Brethren last fall and is serving as interim pastor through at least October. The congregation has called a search committee, and a profile is now available.

Mount Morris: Lynda Willmann bean as quarter-time interim pastor for at least six months on March 15. Jonathan Shively is also doing a consultation process with Mount Morris this year as they discern direction. Conversations about next steps for pastoral ministry are ongoing, and the congregation is working on a profile.

Naperville: A search committee has been formed, and a profile for their full-time pastoral position is now available. Conversations about interim possibilities are under way with the church board. Naperville is currently using pulpit supply.

Oakley Brick: Pastor David Roe retired in March. Initial conversations have begun with the congregation about next steps. They are currently using pulpit supply.

York Center (Lombard): Gay Bouwmeester began as part-time interim pastor in November. Gay, a member of the Highland Avenue congregation, felt a call to ministry that she finally7 realized as a second career, and she was licensed by the district last year. The congregation’s search committee has now recommended Gay for the part-time settled pastor position; a call Sunday is scheduled for April 19. District executive Walt Wiltschek will be present to facilitate the event.