News Notes

District News Notes, March 24, 2026

Ohio Valley Song & Story Fest: Can We See a New World Coming?

July 5-11, 2026

This year 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.

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!

CAMP MACK

Please join us for Giving Day on March 28th! This year, we are raising money to replace carpet and some furnishings in Sarah Major Lodge. This is our oldest building at Camp Mack, and it's used a lot. With the heavy traffic and rough wear, it's time for a refresh. Sign up to do a service project that day where we will feed you lunch afterwards. Follow along online, too! This year's projects include:

• Spreading mulch at the challenge course
• Scooping cookies in the kitchen (This is filled!)
• Splitting wood
• Cleaning Sarah Major Lodge mattresses and windows
• Picking up brush and sticks
• Raking stones
• Cleaning John Kline chairs
Meet at the gathering area in the John Kline Welcome Center. Projects will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch, which includes an ice cream sundae bar, will follow at noon. Sign up to volunteer: https://forms.gle/uaY4avfaiM8vJAhv6

April 18–19: NEW—Volunteer Retreats: All ages. Meaningful work. Fun and connection. Bring the family to serve together. Overnight optional. Projects are on Saturday: 9a–4p. Meals: Sat. lunch & dinner; Sun. breakfast. Worship service on Sunday to close the weekend together. Save the date for the October retreat, too! It's the 10th and 11th.

If you've been to Ulrich Lodge this past year, you've likely seen the beautiful paintings on the walls. They certainly add a homey touch, great for welcoming guests. In Ulrich, we've hosted a wide variety of events from a summer staff reunion to Scrapbooking Retreats to a couples retreat and beyond. Our volunteers made the frames from local wood. The art was handcrafted by artist Jan Schmuckal. They add visual interest and transport you to peaceful spaces. We have had several generous sponsors who will have their names on plaques near the image(s) they have sponsored. You too can join in. Your name, family name, church name, or other group can be featured showing your support of Camp Mack for years to come. Some have chosen to sponsor the art in honor of someone. As a sponsor of the art, you will receive a sturdy 8.5"x11" signed copy of your image to take with you, as well. You can display that in your own space. We invite you to partner with us to fund this project. Check out the website here: https://www.campmack.org/product-category/ulrich-art/

Adventure Day

General Information:

Date & Time:

Saturday April 25th, 2026

5K: Registration 8:00am-8:40am, Start 9:00am

Cinnamon Toast Breakfast: 9:30am - 11am

Adventure Day: 11:00am-4:30pm

Age Range:

There will be something to do for everyone, but some activities have age limits

Registration Cost:

5K: $35 (includes shirt and 1 entry to breakfast)

Cinnamon Toast Breakfast: $10 adult, $5 child (3-12)

Adventure Day: Free

Check out your brochure or campmack.org for all of the summer camp dates and details. There are new options this year! We already have several signed up for Adventure Camp. Spread the word about the new summer day camps, as well. It's a great opportunity for younger campers to become more comfortable spending time at camp before coming to an overnight camp. There's an optional overnight at the end of the week where parents can stay, too!

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/

Global Women’s Project: Mother’s Day Gratitude Project

Instead of buying more stuff for your loved one, express your gratitude with a gift that keeps on giving. Your donation allows us to fund women-led projects in India, South Sudan, Uganda, Mexico, and the United States focused on women’s health, education, and employment. In return, your chosen recipient(s) will receive a lovely, hand-written card indicating that a gift has been made in their honor, with a brief description of GWP.

To participate in the Mother’s Day Gratitude Project, mail your donation to:

Global Women’s Project

c/o Karin Heckman Nelson

1502 Foothill Blvd, Ste 103, PMB 153

La Verne, CA 91750

(write checks to GWP)

Remember to include your name(s) and recipient’s name and address. You may also make memorial donations, and names are honored on their website .

Gratitude cards will be mailed in time for Mother’s Day if you send your request to Karin by May 1st. After that date, they will be sent out as soon as possible.

For a bulletin insert to share about this project with your congregation, click here.

2026 FaithX

SERVICE TRIPS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

Serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, learn and live in community, build relationships, experience a new place, and explore your faith!

JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH

(6th grade-age 19)

June 9-14: University Park, MD

June 14-19: Winston-Salem, NC

June 21-26: Rodney, MI

(Camp Brethren Heights)

July 5-10: Hershey, PA

ADULT

(ages 18+)

June 14-22: Northern Ireland

WE ARE ABLE

July 13-16: Sturgis, MI

CUSTOM

Registration closes April 1 - Sign up now!

Details & Registration

at www.brethren.org/faithx

Annual Conference Briefing - SAVE THE DATE:

Sunday, April 26, 2026, afternoon, Camp Alexander Mack, John Kline Center (1113 E Camp Mack Rd, Milford, IN 46542)

The Church of the Brethren Northern Indiana DIstrict, "All District" Annual Conference briefing/worship, with Annual Conference moderator Don Fitzkee.

Theme: "Imagine"

All invited, delegates and non-delegates!

Mark your calendar, plan to attend!

Questions? Call the District Office: 1-574-773-3149

Harriet Hamer, Standing Committee delegate, N IN District 1-574-850-6147

Torin Eikler, District Executive Minister, N IN District 1-574-903-3771

Brethren Volunteer Service announces new project sites, new BVS Early Enrollment Program

Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is announcing two new project sites: Food for Greater Elgin and East Belfast Mission/The Larder. “We are excited to share that BVS is partnering with two new nonprofits as placements for incoming volunteers,” said the announcement.

Also from Brethren Volunteer Service comes a new initiative called BVS Early Enrollment Program.

Read more at www.brethren.org/news/2025/bvs-new-project-sites

Part Time Pastor: Full Time Church - Program Update

Ryan Braught has taken on the role of program manager for the Part Time Pastor: Full Time Church program. Ryan was one of the presenters for the pre-district-conference CEU event. He reminds us that the PTP:FTC program offers coaching, peer mentorship, sabbath rest grants, and book studies for multi-vocational pastors.

If the program, its circuit riders, or Ryan can be of any help to any of our district’s multi-vocational pastors, please don’t hesitate to reach out to him (rbraught@brethren.org). Jan Largent is a circuit rider for the program in our district (jllargent@aol.com).

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.

April: Bereaved Mother’s Day
We will provide elements to include in your church service

May: Wear Orange
Purchase COB Orange t-shirts here

June: Bring Annual Conference to your Congregation
Get prepared for Annual Conference
Or bring Annual Conference happenings to your church

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

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

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.

BREMEN

The Bremen CoB Women’s Fellowship will be hosting a Craft Bazaar on Saturday, March 28, 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

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).

Ventures Courses Now Available

Ventures Course “God’s Earth, Our Home”

The Ventures in Christian Discipleship course previously set for March 28, “God’s Earth, Our Home: Engaging Creation Care through Faith,”, has been moved to Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time. The course will be presented online by David Radcliff, director of New Community Project.

Course Description: Join a discussion about the place of creation care in Christian theology and action. The environmental crisis is real, and a threat not only to our own current health and well-being, but to the vitality of all of lifeforms, and to the viability of future generations. But does our faith have anything to say in this situation? It often seems that the church has found ways to avoid taking this crisis seriously for all manner of reasons that we will explore. We will look at pertinent biblical texts, including the teachings of Jesus, and reflect on Brethren history and current practice. We will also virtually visit parts of the world that are on the front lines of this crisis to see how it is impacting our neighbors and our neighborhood.

Continuing education credit is available for $10 per course. During the registration process, you will have the opportunity to pay for CEUs and give an optional donation to the Ventures program.

To learn more about Ventures in Christian Discipleship and to register for courses, visit www.mcpherson.edu/ventures.

2026 New Community Project Learning Tours

David Radcliff, New Community Project dradcliffncp@yahoo.com Go. Meet. Learn. Grow. Change yourself – and your world. Himalaya, a wildlife park, NCP support of girls and women). For more information: www.newcommunityproject.info/learning-tour

2026 L.E.A.D. Conference: Leadership matters!

Learning more about leading well can only help pastors and congregations. The Church of the Brethren LEAD Conference will encourage, inspire, and equip you and your congregation’s leaders to further develop your ministry’s effectiveness and earn CEU credit. Join us for powerful times of worship, in-depth keynote messages, and practical breakout sessions taught by practitioners who are eager to share lessons they’ve learned that you can adapt and implement in your own ministry context.

This will be a leadership development conference for congregational leaders such as pastors and church board members. The focus will be on raising the leadership skills of congregational leaders to help them be more effective in their local ministries. The event will be a mix of plenary and break-out sessions.

Dates: May 1-3, 2026

Location: Ephrata Church of the Brethren, Ephrata, PA

For more information please see the official website here: https://www.brethren.org/dlf/lead-conference/

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