DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE

In summer 2026, the FaithX service program brought together 51 participants from across the Church of the Brethren for trips full of service, faith exploration, and fellowship. The summer began with 13 adult participants traveling to Northern Ireland to work alongside nonprofit partners within the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) year-long program. A total of 33 junior high youth and advisors served those in need throughout the United States, including at a therapeutic horse-riding farm near Hershey, Pa., and at community organizations in WinstonSalem, N.C. The summer concluded with the We Are Able trip in which 5 young adults with intellectual disabilities served in southern Michigan and enjoyed time together at Amigo Camp. 

Registration for summer 2027 FaithX opens on Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. Registration is open now for the next Older Adult FaithX experience. Adults ages 50-plus are invited to join FaithX at Camp Ithiel in Florida Feb. 21-26 for a week of volunteering, relaxing in the southern sunshine, and growing in faith together. There will be options that are suitable for all abilities. Registration will close on Feb. 1. Click here to sign up.

On Earth Peace is offering “I Object! Now What? (Opposing War and the Things that Make for War),” a virtual event for adults who are discerning how to broach with youth topics such as peace, conscientious objection, Selective Service registration, and the draft. The event takes place online on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. RSVP here.

The Church of the Brethren’s webpage on conscientious objection to war is at www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co. Links on this page direct young people who want to learn more about what conscientious objection means and its biblical and Brethren roots to a free downloadable curriculum titled “Call of Conscience.” The direct link to the curriculum is www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co/introduction.

The Shine curriculum from Brethren Press has announced several new features for the 2026- 2027 year, including more unit choices, reproducible pages for classroom use, and at-home student materials bundled with each teaching kit. These features begin with the fall 2026 quarter for pre-K and kindergarten, elementary ages, and junior youth. Shine also offers several additional curriculum options. All are available through Brethren Press. The Shine curriculum for Sunday school and Christian education classes is published jointly by Brethren Press and MennoMedia. Brethren Press also recently published its latest Covenant Bible Study, “Language of Lament,” by Calvin and Mandy Park.

Bethany Theological Seminary has completed Flourish: A Campaign for Bethany Theological Seminary, raising $13.7 million in cash gifts and estate commitments to advance the institution’s educational mission. Launched in 2023, the campaign received the support of more than 1,200 donors and represents one of the most successful fundraising initiatives in the history of the seminary. The campaign far surpassed the $12M goal that the Board of Trustees approved at the beginning of the effort.

Samuel Hupp has begun work at the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, serving through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). He is a member of Manchester Church of the  Brethren in North Manchester, Ind. He graduated from Manchester University in the class of 2026 with a bachelor of arts degree in Philosophy and Peace Studies. His work in Washington, D.C., will involve foreign policy research, analysis, and advocacy opposed to the perpetuation of warfare, war profiteering, and state violence.

Intercultural Ministries Café: Faith & Culture Conversations—rooted in relationship, discipleship, and practical intercultural engagement—will be held once a month through Oct. 20. The registration link is available at www.brethren.org/intercultural/#cafe.