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District Conference 2025 is Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Stone Church of the Brethren. Marlys Hershberger will serve as District Moderator and Karen Biddle is Moderator-designate.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2025
LETTER FROM THE MODERATOR
The 2025 District Conference of Middle PA District Churches of the Brethren will be held on Saturday, October 11 at Stone Church of the Brethren, Huntingdon, PA. This annual event brings together representatives of our congregations to update news, strengthen relationships, and deepen our faith in Christ Jesus’ presence and work among us. Conference includes music and worship, report highlights, discussions, voting, and the sharing of ideas and resources being used effectively in our district churches to enrich congregational life in these days. You will gain inspiring news and practical ideas to take back to your congregations.
Having lived in various communities across different states and another country, I have cherished the Christ-centered faith and relationships in my Brethren context the most. I am hoping that each congregation will send more representatives and visitors to District Conference than usual this year as we create a space for God’s Spirit to move among us and encourage us, attending to our roots and branches in the faith that God is indeed our gardener and that our Brethren heritage unites us in a unique way that will guide us in bearing luscious fruit in a world starving for meaning and purpose.
The conference theme is "Grounded in CHRIST," represented by a thriving tree with strong roots. The theme's words come from Ephesians 3:17: “. . . that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”
Mid PA District churches share a heritage that grounds us in a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, enlivened in the activity of the Holy Spirit. We follow Jesus' teachings and example, taking them seriously, living in grateful response to God's amazing grace, and sharing a cross-shaped love with a hurting world. Will you and your congregation please commit to prayer and presence at this year’s District Conference as we encourage and build each other up in this flourishing faith, grounded in the love of Christ?
Christ’s peace,
Marlys Hershberger
District Moderator
“Take-Aways”
Invitation to Share Congregational Activities
at District Conference
Each of our District congregations has one or two activities that are especially effective in enhancing church life, helping deepen the spiritual life of the congregation, stimulating participation, or engaging in social ministry that reaches out into the community. And all of our congregations are looking for more ideas to enhance their congregational life and impact.
The Program & Arrangements Team invites your congregation to send someone to District Conference to describe one of your meaningful activities to the attending delegates. This opportunity will allow us to recognize and celebrate your ministries, while providing all participants with innovative ideas to implement in their own congregations as we all strive to live out and share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Please share an interesting ministry idea from your congregation’s experience at District Conference. The P&A Team looks forward to this unique opportunity to share ideas among our congregations.
Contact District Moderator Marlys Hershberger at 814-329-5604 or hershma@gmail.com to make arrangements. Deadline: August 15.
The Program & Arrangements Committee would like to support a local outreach in the Huntingdon Area.
Hometown Hearts is a nonprofit charitable organization founded by Amy Yocum and Michele Rupert, the directors of the former Soup Kitchen. The name Hometown Hearts comes from the fact that Huntingdon is the women's hometown, and they put their heart and soul into the ministry of feeding those in need. In addition to being co-founders of Hometown Hearts, both women each have over 30 years of work in their respective fields, Amy as a church secretary and Michele as a business owner.
Hometown Hearts is an organization that participates in the Fresh Express food program every third Saturday of each month year-round. Fresh Express is a monthly food giveaway program to individuals and families that meet an income guideline requirement; however, proof of income is never required to participate in the program. In addition to the monthly food giveaway, a free meal is offered to anyone, regardless of income, every Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 pm.
Amy and Michele look forward to meeting new people and continuing God's work of feeding people, whether that hunger is for the mind, body, or soul.
Checks payable: Middle PA District
Offerings:
Church of the Brethren Emergency Donations from District Conference Offering will be given to the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) . The Emergency Disaster Fund enables Brethren Disaster Ministries to reach out to the most vulnerable communities anywhere. Make checks payable to: Middle PA District
Pennies for Witness is an offering emphasis on our outreach ministries: Trucker Traveler, CentrePeace, Global Outreach. We encourage congregations to collect pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters and dollars. That is a lot of spare change! Checks payable: Middle PA District
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