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District News Notes, June 18, 2026
CREEKSIDE
Creekside has partnered with SAW's (Servant at Work) specializing in building wooden wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled individuals.
https://sawsramps.volunteerhub.com/vv2/event/ebe94b2d-4f6f-4a10-8795-464cc1c3d9b2
If you are interested in helping or would like additional Information, please contact Mike Kauffman mkauff2012@gmail.com or Roger Griffith 14rogergriffith@gmail.com , 574-707-9872
Annual Conference Opportunities for Youth!!!
Area youth & advisors, please consider joining some of these activities during Annual Conference in Ft. Wayne this summer! It’s a wonderful way to connect with the larger church. Youth should have transportation & an advisor. Advisors need to pay the daily registration fee each day you’re there, but youth do not. Youth do need to pay daily fees to cover the cost of specific activities, ranging from $10 to $40, depending on how the final schedule comes together.
Schedule
online: https://www.brethren.org/ac2026/activities/age-group-activities/
Sunday, June 28 (evening only) Welcome & games, get to know each other, and have fun!
Monday, June 29
Activities Planned:
Morning: Visit with On Earth Peace and activities with Angelo/Peace Academy
young adults
Lunch with Peace Academy
Afternoon: Service Project at Community Garden in downtown Fort Wayne
Evening: Activities with Youth and Young Adult team
Tuesday, June 30
Activities Planned:
Morning: Tour of Sweetwater Music
Ordered lunch provided by Bethany Seminary
Afternoon: Trip to Paige’s Crossing for mini golf, rock climbing, arcade games, go
karts, batting cages (ticket purchase required)
Evening: Activities with BVS/FaithX Team
Wednesday, July 1
Activities Planned:
Morning: BVS/FaithX Scavenger Hunt
Morning/Afternoon: Zoo (depart 10:30 am, ticket purchase required)
Packed lunches
If extra time after zoo: Explore Downtown Fort Wayne - Library, Headwaters Park
(yard games)
Evening: Visit from Bethany/Brethren Colleges
Questions? Contact Virginia Rendler
Interim Co-Director of Brethren Volunteer Service | Coordinator of Long-Term
Service; vrendler@brethren.org (612) 750-9777 or (847) 429-4387
Annual Conference worship services will be livestreamed.
The daily worship services at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren will be livestreamed and available free of charge with no registration required, although donations will be appreciated.
Annual Conference takes place in Fort Wayne, Ind., on June 28 to July 2.
The worship livestream can be viewed at www.brethren.org/ac2026/webcasts either live-starting with the Sunday evening worship service at 6:45 p.m. (Eastern time) on June 28--or later via recordings. Read more at: www.brethren.org/news/2026/annual-conference-worship-livestreamed
DISTRICT CONFERENCE - SAVE THE DATE
September 18 - 19, 2026
Camp Alexander Mack, Milford, IN
Moderator: Anna Lisa Gross
Moderator-Elect: Evan Garber
Here is the link for reserving a room and breakfast for the 2026 Northern Indiana District Conference:
NONVIOLENCE, HOPE, COURAGE, AND STRATEGIC DEFIANCE!
Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 26-28, 2026
This year, millions of people have stood with their immigrant neighbors, raised their voices against abuses of power, and found new ways to use love as a force for public good.
Join On Earth Peace for a weekend of strategic nonviolence analysis, skill-building, and spiritual power. This training is meant to help Christians and people of goodwill build spiritual and practical grounding for the work ahead. Prepare your spirit, mind, and body for whatever is coming next as we read the signs of the times, build and refine our nonviolence tools, and generate ideas for creative ways forward.
Objectives:
· Activate nonviolent Christians in the context of political violence in the United States
· Analyze the current landscape to identify opportunities for movement and action
· Use key strategy tools to develop options for addressing pressing community situations
· Prepare to engage, respond, and de-escalate situations to develop the capacity for courageous response at the personal and community level
· Equip ourselves through music, prayer, and spiritual sharing
Conceptual content to be drawn from:
· Kingian Nonviolence - the values, theology, and philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the US Civil Rights Movement
· Strategic Nonviolence - planning and analysis tools from global nonviolence movements
· De-escalation - learning and practicing skills to de-escalate tense situations
· Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence (HOPE-PV)/ Backfire methodology - understand the dynamics of political violence, and organize in ways that make it less likely that perpetrators will continue to act
· Noncooperation - learning how to withdraw society’s “pillars of support” from authoritarian systems
On Earth Peace is an agency of the Church of the Brethren which works with churches and community groups around the country to develop leadership for justice and peace.
Dates: June 26 - June 28, 2026
Hours and length:
Friday 6pm-9pm
Saturday 9am-9pm
Sunday 9am-12pm
Location: Grand Wayne Convention Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Cost:
This workshop is being developed as an investment in community and regional nonviolence capacity. We intend to develop leadership that will endure far beyond the time of the workshop. The bare bones cost to produce this workshop - including 3 facilitators’ labor (at living wage) & travel/hotel, site expenses, hospitality, participant packets and materials, organizing & administration - is approximately $14,000. If we have 50 participants, that averages out to about $280/participant.
Cost/Price Tiers
· $100 - Equity access rate - If this rate is still inaccessible, contact us. We will work together to identify funds to assure your attendance. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
· $300 - Full cost rate - This rate covers the full cost of your training.
· $600 - Sustainer/gift rate - This rate covers your cost and one other person’s participation.
Please RSVP Using this Link- https://forms.gle/vhQZdgG78L9zdAdE7
DUANE GRADY BIKE FUNDRAISER FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Duane Grady of Goshen, Ind., an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and a former member of the denominational staff, has announced a bicycling fundraiser. “After a 50 year hiatus, I’m biking across Iowa again this summer and while doing so, hope to raise some money for Heifer International.” Find out more at https://fundraise.heifer.org/fundraiser/7186915
TIMBERCREST
The Timbercrest Sewing Sister group makes quilts/comforters for the Linus project. We would appreciate donations of quality cotton quilting fabric (fat qtrs and larger). Cheerful colors and juvenile prints are appreciated.
CAMP MACK
New this year are summer Day Camps! Do your kids struggle to spend the night away from home? Day Camps are a new opportunity this summer for campers to experience all the fun camp adventures without spending the night yet. Daily drop off: 8–8:30 a.m. Lunch and snacks are included. Pickup: 4:30–5 p.m. Thursday evening gives an optional chance to try out an overnight at camp together. This includes dinner, activities, snacks, and vespers, and breakfast. $160 for the week. $20/adult for the Thursday overnight option.
We need you this summer! If you or someone you know would be a great counselor or health checker, contact Program Director Jessie Kreider at jessk@campmack.org.
Camp Mack is hiring a Capital Projects Manager. There are so many exciting projects coming up. We need expert guidance through these.
**Camp Alexander Mack is looking for a Capital Projects Manager to coordinate the construction of several projects over the next three years. The position begins in early August and is expected to end during the summer of 2029. This is an on-site position averaging 12-15 hours per week. The Capital Projects Manager will coordinate some volunteer work and work with independent contractors. The job requires a great deal of schedule flexibility and the demonstrated ability to work independently. Experience in managing construction projects and working with independent contractors is a necessity. To request the position description, compensation, or more information contact Camp Mack Executive Director Gene Hollenberg at info@campmack.org.
Summer camp registration is still open! Go to campmack.org to register.
Counselors needed:
Samplers, July 5-7 (2 male/ 2 female)
Seekers 1, July 5-10 (1 male)
Followers, July 5-10 (1 male/ 1 female)
Samplers 2, July 5-10 (1 male)
Seekers 2, July 12-17 (1 male)
Finders 2, July 12-17 (2 male/ 1 female)
Splash, July 12-17 (2 male/ 1 female)
Day Camp 2, July 20-24 (1 male)
These wonderful volunteers spend the week with a cabin of up to 8 campers. Lodging and meals are provided. Counselors must be at least 18 years old. Counselors in Training (CITs) begin at age 14 and are placed in a cabin with a counselor. Share a special week at camp. If you are able to counsel or perform quick health checks as campers arrive, contact jessk@campmack.org.
Upcoming Events:
*Grades are grade completed at the time of camp
July 5–7 Samplers (Grades 1 & 2)
July 5–10 Seekers (Grades 3–4), Finders (Grades 5–6),
Followers (Grades 7–9), Eco-Adventure (Grades 5–6),
July 5–11 Survivor (Grades 6–9)
July 8–10 Samplers (Grades 1 & 2)
July 12–17 Seekers (Grades 3–4), Finders (Grades 5–6),
Splash (Grades 5–8)
July 20–24 Day Camp (Kindergarten–6)
July 26–31 Adventure Camp (Grades 6–11)
August 2–4 Grand Camp (Grandkids ages 5–10, Grandparents of all ages)
-Target Sports, Creative Arts, and Culinary will no longer run this summer.
Young Adult Retreat: August 7–9
Colony Family Camp: August 14–16. Relax with family at camp! Bring your own meals & join the potlucks.
Sailing 101 Get-A-Way Day: August 15
Older Adult Retreat (OAR) Day: August 29 (registration available soon)
Labor Day Family Camp: September 4–7. Bring your family to camp for a weekend of memories.
Women Creating Community and Men Creating Community: monthly starting again this fall
Website: http://www.campmack.org
Phone: 574-658-4831 | Email: info@campmack.org
Prayer Request: Please pray for campers and staff, for endurance, meaningful experiences, & God’s guidance.
Ohio Valley Song & Story Fest:
Can We See a New World Coming? July 5-11, 2026
This year in our district at Inspiration Hills, Burbank, OH, A unique Family Camp in the glacial valleys of Northern Ohio
Can you see a new world coming in these bleak times of greed, self-destruction and fear? Can we envision a different world, a new and better community where every-one is free, enjoying justice and love and peace?
At the Fest, through music and stories and community interaction, we open ourselves to the holy so that our life and work is guided by the energizing Spirit of Life. We want to help birth and become God’s Beloved Community.
Song & Story Fest #30:
This is the thirtieth summer in a row for these Song and Story Fests and our fourth visit to Inspiration Hills, the Church of the Brethren camp for Northern Ohio. We will be gathering the week af-ter Annual Conference in Fort Wayne, IN. We will begin Sunday evening, July 5, with supper at 5:30 pm, an opening campfire, and some music and dancing. The Fest will close Saturday morning, July 11, after breakfast, worship, and hugs.
An Intergenerational Camp for All Ages - Single persons and families of any size and shape will enjoy this com-bination of performance and participation in the woodlands of northern Ohio.
On Earth Peace co-sponsors the Fest, providing leadership, administrative support, and liability insurance coverage. “Inspiration Hills will be held harmless in case of accident, injury, or death during this event.”
Registration and Fees
Registration includes all meals, on-site facilities, and leadership and is based upon age. Children 5 and under are welcome, no charge.
Please register now and remit the entire fee by June 1. Registrations after June 1 should add 10% as a late fee. No discount for off-site, tent or RV housing.
Daily Fee (if coming for 4 days/nights or less) - $60/adult, $40/teen, $30/child, $150/family, includes all meals and pro-gram. Lodging is an additional $20/night/person.
We want you to come, regardless of your finances. We will work with you. Contact Ken at bksmeltz@comcast.net or 814-571-0495 for help.
And if you are willing to contribute to our help fund, add your contribution on the registration fee tally.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/
e/1FAIpQLScQQFfEWeUTiXcWcw1hcG cDUUSpEzNX9wH4IPKWgCjuw-ZBTw/viewform
and pay on-line or send a check to the address below:
On Earth Peace, P. O. Box 188; New Windsor, MD 21776
For general questions, email the Song and Story Fest planning committee at songandstoryfest@gmail.com or call Tina at 510-778-4484.
We expect a high turnout, so be ad-vised to register early!
BRETHREN ACADEMY
Multivocational Ministry
Online - August 19-October 13, 2026
Instructor: John Fillmore
Credit: MS
Registration Deadline: July 22, 2026
Course Brochure coming
Cultivating an Everyday Faith
Online - September 23-November 17, 2026
Instructor: Joan Daggett
Credit: MS, FCR
Registration Deadline: August 19, 2026
Course Brochure coming
Introduction to New Testament
Online - October 21-December 15, 2026
Instructor: Matt Boersma
Credit: BHTS, FCR, BTS
Registration Deadline: September 16, 2026
Course Brochure coming
For more information or to register, go to: https://bethanyseminary.edu/brethren-academy/brethren-academy-course-listings/
Upcoming Part-Time Pastor: Full-Time Church Program Opportunities
Online Listening Sessions
Online listening sessions will give opportunity to MVP's (multi-vocational pastor) to meet with other MVP's, share their thoughts, ideas, and ways that our program can be helpful and supportive of their lives and ministries.
Wednesday July 29 from 7:00-8:30 PM and individuals can sign up for this listening session here: https://forms.gle/LANW8VRXVc938S1FA
Tuesday August 26 from 7:00-8:30 PM and individuals can sign up for this listening session here: https://forms.gle/fuzTdcg5rc9KrpVj8
In-person Sessions at AC
There will be a listening session on the morning of Tuesday June 30. Time and location TBD
There will be an equipping session on Tuesday night June 30 from 8:30-9:30 PM entitled Betwixt and Between: Following Jesus in the midst of liminality. That will take place in Jefferson A.
For those MVP's that won't be able to make any of the online listening sessions, or the in-person listening session at Annual Conference, Sarah at SC District put together a listening survey that can be completed in 10-15 minutes. That survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/pG1BFAUY9MF22sdi9
OEP Calendar for 2026
The calendar below lists the events we will be promoting in 2026. Please share this with your leadership, affinity, or interest groups. Choose which events/activities you will want to participate in fully, so you can plan ahead. Each month we will provide resources to support the listed event.
Click on the blue link below to find out more information.
July: (TBD)
August: Pinwheels for Whilred Peace
Prepare for International Day of Peace
September: Bystander Training Tips
Learn different methods a person can use to help victims of harassment
October: Elections/Legislation Activism
Information will be provided about Gun Violence Prevention and national/local elections
November: National Vigil to End Gun Violence (new resources)
Prepare for Blue Christmas or All Saints Day Service
Service Elements will be provided
December: Celebrate Progress
Let us know what your congregation contributed to Gun Violence Prevention
OEP 3000 Miles for Peace Fundraiser
It’s almost time for our third annual 3000 Miles for Peace fundraiser! We want to invite you to join us in this fun peer-to-peer virtual race fundraiser to support the work of On Earth Peace.
This year, we’re especially excited because one of our children’s programming mascots, Orby, is joining us for the race! Orby is very curious about our new conscientious objection program and is eager to learn more. As Annual Conference attendees in Fort Wayne, IN head home, Orby will start a tour of sites that will help us together learn about the history of conscientious objection in the Church of the Brethren and what it looks like to be a conscientious objector today. Once the race starts, we’ll be able to track our collective progress toward helping Orby reach each stop along the way to the final destination in Washington, DC.
The 3000 Miles for Peace event is hosted through a platform called Racery. In June, the registration and fundraising phase of the event begins. To join the event as a racer, follow this link: https://onearthpeace.racery.com/r/2026-miles-for-peace/ and click the “JOIN NOW!” button. Once registered, you will be offered a dashboard that includes a fundraising link to share with your friends and family and a link to invite others to join. There is a $25 registration fee, which goes to On Earth Peace as a donation and also helps defray the Racery platform fees.
Throughout the month of July, the OEP community will collectively walk, run, dance, swim, shoot hoops–anything!–to accumulate miles towards our goal. Money raised through the 3000 Miles for Peace event will go towards On Earth Peace's work to develop young peacemakers, including through our new “I Object! Now What?” conscientious objection program.
Global Food Initiative grants can help churches address hunger in their communities
By Jenn Hosler
Did you know that the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) grants can help churches address hunger in their communities? GFI grants can support church-based community gardens, nutrition education, cooking classes, food pantries, community meals, blessing boxes, and more.
Read more at www.brethren.org/news/2025/gfi-helps-churches-address-hunger
National Youth Conference 2026
National Youth Conference 2026 will take place July 18-23, 2026, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The theme for NYC 2026 is “Light Within Us,” based on Matthew 5:14-16. Youth who have finished 9th grade through their first year of college (or age equivalent) are invited to attend with adult advisors. This will be a week full of fellowship, worship, service projects, recreation, and so much more!
To register, visit www.brethren.org/nyc. The cost of NYC is $625 for early bird registration, $650 for regular registration, and $675 for late registration.
If you have any questions, reach out to Rachel Johnson (rjohnson@brethren.org).
2026 New Community Project Learning Tours
David Radcliff, New Community Project dradcliffncp@yahoo.com Go. Meet. Learn. Grow. Change yourself – and your world. For more information: www.newcommunityproject.info/learning-tour
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