DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE

The Church of the Brethren has received reports of a fraudulent email sent to churches and pastors using the denomination’s name and contact information. The known version uses the subject “Urgent: Brethren Update”; says the sender is the “Church of the Brethren,” using admin@docupdatedd.org as its email address; and includes a link labeled “BRETHREN – UPDATE.” The message is not from the Church of the Brethren. Its link may download software that could allow someone else to access the recipient’s computer remotely. If you receive this message, do not reply, click the link, or download or install the file. Mark or report the message as phishing to your email provider and delete it. If you downloaded the file but did not open it, delete it and run a security scan on your computer. If you opened or installed the file, disconnect the computer from Wi-Fi and any wired network. Contact a trusted technology professional before using the device again for email, financial transactions, or other sensitive activity. Always be cautious of emails that seem suspicious and verify the sender’s address.

Save the date! The dates for the 2027 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) have been announced. The next NOAC will take place Sept. 6-10, 2027.

Mid-Atlantic District is sharing a recording of the recent Dunker Church Service at the historic Antietam Civil War Battlefield in Maryland. View the recording here. “Even if you couldn’t attend the service,” said the announcement, “you can experience this year’s moving music, scripture, lament and message.”

On Earth Peace is beginning a monthly online chapel service titled “The Signs of the Times Faith Formation Series.” The virtual event “is a monthly gathering hosted by On Earth Peace for followers of Jesus seeking spiritual grounding, wisdom, and courage in a time marked by authoritarianism, violence, polarization, and social upheaval,” said an announcement. This month’s theme is “Following Jesus in a Time of Authoritarian Threat and Violence.” This inaugural chapel time is planned for Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) with Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace co-director and director of organizing, sharing the message. RSVP here.

For 30 years, faith communities across the country, including many in the Church of the Brethren fold, have used Equal Exchange fair trade products to support their fellowship hour, table sales, holiday bazaars, and more. In previous years, the former Brethren Witness/Washington Office was a denominational partner with Equal Exchange in an Interfaith Program that sponsored a fair trade Brethren Coffee Project. Equal Exchange this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary as an organization and also the 30th anniversary of its Interfaith Program. Equal Exchange is a leader in the fair-trade movement and a worker-owned cooperative since 1986.

The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is holding its annual Christian Unity Gathering Oct. 12-16 in Philadelphia. This year’s gathering focused “on Religious Freedom, providing an opportunity for church leaders, ecumenical partners, scholars, and emerging theologians to explore the vital role of religious liberty in advancing justice and peace.” Find out more.

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.

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.

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.