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District News Notes, July 23, 2026
RESTORATIVE CONVERSATIONS ON AUG. 29
Different political viewpoints, different cultural backgrounds, different faith beliefs are but a few things that challenge our desire to communicate with and love our neighbor. The August 29th workshop will help us work through difficult or polarizing topics, process painful experiences and deal with certain levels of conflict. The day will offer times to practice in small groups. Jay Wittmeyer, director of Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, will lead this 9am -4pm event at Rock Run Church of the Brethren in Goshen. While this workshop would normally cost close to two hundred dollars, we are able to offer this for the reduced rate of $25/person or $20/person with 4 or more from one church due to multiple volunteer contributions. A 8:30am light breakfast plus lunch are included. See attached flier for registration details.
FIRST FRIDAY COMMUNITY CONCERT
Join us for First Friday at Goshen City Church, located at 203 N. 5th St., Goshen, on Friday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of live music featuring the Lake Area Community Band, based in Syracuse, Indiana. This talented ensemble of 50–60 volunteer musicians will perform a variety of favorites, including patriotic marches, jazz standards, movie themes, and popular hits.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax as you enjoy this free community concert. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors for a fun evening of great music!
THE MEN CREATING COMMUNITY BOOK STUDY IS BACK!
The Men Creating Community book study will return September 16th at Camp Mack. We will meet the third Wednesday of each month from September thru December. This is a time for prayer, devotion, reflection, fellowship, food and study with other local pastors and church members.
We meet from 9-3 at the Wampler House. We take time for a delicious lunch at the John Kline center, and then take time to walk, talk and rest, before we resume our study from 1:30-3:00.
This session our book for study will be Making it Plain by Drew Hart. “Weaving together narrative history, theology, and practical guidance, Hart compels listeners to engage the best of these faith streams to forge an Anablacktivist faith where everyone belongs, where everyone can thrive, and where everyone matters, especially the last and the least.
The shared wisdom of these faith traditions offers signposts towards a Jesus-shaped, Spirit-filled, community-oriented movement capable of surviving and resisting new mutations of nationalism, racism, and colonialism today.
MIDDLEBURY UPDATE: CHANGES AND MORE CHANGES!
There are a lot of changes happening at the Middlebury Church of the Brethren these days. Earlier this year, the congregation decided that because of financial and other difficulties related to staying where we are, we should list our church building for sale. Around the same time, we faced into the difficult decision to close the daycare ministry. Although we imagined it would take a while to sell the building, pretty quickly we received an acceptable offer from Roselawn Mennonite. So, now we are in the midst of getting ready to move out of the building. Our last Sunday on Bristol Avenue was July 19. Our Sunday morning worship, fellowship and Sunday school times will remain the same for the time being, but we will be meeting at the Greencroft Community Center on the Greencroft Middlebury campus going forward. Our church phone number remains the same, and our mailing address changes to P.O. Box 468, Middlebury.
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
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:
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.
Summer camp registration is still open! Go to campmack.org to register.
Upcoming Events:
*Grades are grade completed at the time of camp
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
Thank you to all who have volunteered or served in some way for summer camps! We so appreciate your time serving and guiding Camp Mack's campers. Keep an eye out for next year's dates, and let us know where you would like to participate.
Older Adult Retreat (OAR) Day is approaching! If you joined us for Senior Camper Day last year as a part of the Centennial Celebration, this event will have a similar, fun feel. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., come for devotions with the Church of the Brethren moderator Dennis Beckner, activities including a hay ride (weather permitting), lunch and snacks provided by the talented kitchen staff, and more. You won't want to miss this fun day. If you consider yourself an older adult, have ever attended a National Older Adult Conference, or are in the 55+ crowd, this is for you! The day is $35. Registration will open very soon.
Camp Mack is hiring a Capital Projects Manager. There are so many exciting projects coming up. We need expert guidance through these.
Young Adult Camp (YAC) is an awesome opportunity for those who have finished high school through the age of 24. Whether you are a Camp Mack alum or have never been to Camp Mack before, you are welcome. YAC offers a place to reconnect with the atmosphere that helped shape so many young believers, while also welcoming those who may have never attended Camp Mack but desire the same community, friendship, and spiritual encouragement. It is a chance to rekindle old friendships, build new ones, and grow together in Christ. Register through the form found at www.scindcob.org/yacdonate.
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
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.
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
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
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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