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District News Notes, July 7, 2026
Vietnam Eye Project
Come and learn about the work of the Vietnam Eye Project!
Grace Mishler is eager to share about her ministry to infants with ROPVN, Retinopathy of Prematurity. Though she retired from program work in Vietnam, she continues to serve as a social work advisor as well as coordinating prayer requests and donations to assist the Vietnam Eye Project in providing education and connections that help prevent unnecessary infant/child blindness. Grace’s colleagues and friends from Vietnam, Thanh Doan and Nhi Train, attended Annual Conference at the invitation of the denominational Global Missions office, and Thanh will be part of Grace’s presentation on Sunday the 12th of July.
You are invited to join us at Creekside Church of the Brethren (60455 CR 113 , Elkhart) for an evening of mission conversation and fellowship as we learn more about this project. We will begin with a potluck at 6:00pm. Please bring a dish to share and your own table service. After the meal, Thahn and Grace will share about their ongoing work in Vietnam and answer your questions.
We hope you can join us!
For questions, contact Creekside Church at creeksidepastor@gmail.com, or call 574 875-7800.
GLOBAL MISSIONS
How is your congregation doing in its understanding and practice of mission? The best resource for any of you who wish to know more about the Church of the Brethren’s global mission is to check out the web page found at the denominational website Brethren.org. Another great resource for our district is having Sharon Brugger Norton, Executive Director of Global Mission, living among us. She is a member at Union Center and is open to invitations to speak at your church. And I too welcome discussion with you about mission topics. You can contact me at ncwaggy@gmail.com. Carol Spicher Waggy
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:
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
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:
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 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.
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.
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
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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Annual Conference 2026 by the numbers (from Newsline)
1,659 registered participants including 389 delegates, 1,117 nondelegates, and 153 virtual attendees. These numbers represent a correction of previously published figures.
$50,788.29 received in worship offerings (as of Thursday, July 2) including both onsite and online giving, representing the total of the daily offerings: $9,409.70 received for the Core Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, with a focus on Global Mission, on Sunday, June 28; $14,268.05 received in support of Annual Conference operations on Monday, June 29; $11,350.63 received for the Witness to Host City benefiting Alive Community Outreach on Tuesday, June 30, with an additional 4 pallets of material goods also donated; $10,066.59 received for the Annual Conference children and youth programing on Wednesday, July 1; and $5,693.32 received in support of the Church of the Brethren Core Ministries with a focus on Discipleship and Leadership Formation on Thursday, July 2.
$14,759 was raised by the Silent Auction to undergird the operating budget of Annual Conference.
181 copies of Healing Resistance and 162 copies of Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief were sold by the Brethren Press at the onsite bookstore. It is expected that the majority of these books have been donated to the Witness to the Host City for use by Alive Community Outreach—however, some copies may have gone home with Conferencegoers who were inspired to read them!
191 daily average devices connected with the Conference worship services, representing an average of the daily totals: 239 connected with the opening worship on Sunday, June 28; 209 connected with the worship service on Monday, June 29; 205 connected with the worship service on Tuesday, June 30; 201 connected with the worship service on Wednesday, July 1; 103 connected with the worship service on Thursday, July 2. During each of the services, a few dozen connected via YouTube and Facebook Live. Each connecting device may translate to significantly more viewers, reported Enten Eller, who organized the streaming, given that there were viewing parties of 35 to 50 people at some churches and retirement communities.
41 average peak numbers of Zoom log-ins for the business sessions, representing an average of the following: 38 for the opening business session on Monday, June 29; 47 for the afternoon business session on Monday, June 29; 30 for the morning keynote speaker on Tuesday, June 30; 50 for the afternoon business session on Tuesday, June 29; 41 for the morning business session on Wednesday, July 1; and 42 for the afternoon business session on Wednesday, July 1. Eller said virtual attendees reported that being able to engage in “table talk” online, when those onsite talked around tables on the business floor, was one of the most important experiences.
1 new fellowship and 1 new church plant were welcomed into the Church of the Brethren denomination: Iglesia Cristiana Elohim was welcomed as a new fellowship located in Las Vegas, Nev., in Pacific Southwest District. The Sanctuary was welcomed as a new church plant located in a rural area of Indiana, in Northern Indiana District.
4.2 percent cost of living increase was approved for the Minimum Cash Salary Table for Pastors in 2027, as proposed by the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee. The Standing Committee recommendation to adopt the increase, which was approved by the delegate body, included the instruction: “All congregations are encouraged to consult the Pastoral Compensation Calculator in order to equalize wage with work expectations.” Find the calculator and other tools and documents for pastoral compensation at www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/compensation
110 units of blood were collected over 2 days onsite. The Annual Conference Virtual Blood Drive, in which church members and friends can give blood in their own communities, continues through July 31. For information about how to participate contact Brethren Disaster Ministries at bdm@brethren.org.
2 honorees received the annual Revelation 7:9 Award this year, presented during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting by Intercultural Ministries director Founa Augustin Badet. The award recognizes church members and congregations for their contributions to a vision of intercultural ministries in their communities, within the denomination, and in the world at large. Both 2026 recipients are women retiring from the denominational staff in July: Wendy McFadden, publisher and executive director of Brethren Press and Communications, and Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of Ministry.
3 camp staff and volunteers were honored by the Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA): Kyle Lapp received the award for Camp Volunteer of the Year, Wayne Guyer received the award for OMA Volunteer of the Year, and Gene Hollenberg of the Camp Alexander Mack staff received the award for Camp Staff of the Year.
64 is the record number of consecutive Annual Conferences attended by Fred Swartz. He is a retired pastor who is a former secretary of Annual Conference and has served on the Church of the Brethren communications staff. He has attended every Annual Conference since 1962.
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