District Conference 

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2025 

Wrap-up

Offerings Totals as of 10/15/25

Pennies for Witness: $2,891.94

Hometown Hearts: $776.00 plus spaghetti sauce and fruit cups

Emergency Disaster Fund: $657.00

Marlys Hershberger, 2025 Moderator, shared a message of Grounded in CHRIST at Stone Church of the Brethren on Saturday, October 11. Marty Keeney led the Stone Choir and congregation in singing along with Loren and Donna Rhodes playing piano and organ. Travis Mills shared gathering music. It was a beautiful day to be together. Middle PA District Coordinating Team shared a video for their report and the 2026 Mission Plan was approved. Updates were shared by the Interim District Executive Team and Search Team. Ministry                                                                                     Moments were shared by:

Church of the Brethren: Traci Rabenstein

Standing Committee: Loren Rhodes

Juniata College: David Meadows

Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center: Mary Garvey

Bethany Theological Seminary: Dan Poole

The Village at Morrisons Cove: Corey Jones

Trucker Travel: Bruce Maxwell

Brethren Disaster Ministries/Middle PA District Disaster: Kris Shunk

Camp Blue Diamond held their Annual Meeting and shared highlights from Summer Camp and year round activities.

"Take-Home Ideas" were shared by several congregations:

Clover Creek- Kendel Krehl John's Way Ministry

Hollidaysburg- Stacy Weyant Freezer Food Ministry

Stone- Pam Grugan SANKOFA

Roaring Spring- Janie Myers Mentors for Youth

Amaranth- Pastor Mike Lida Kids Club

New Enterprise- Rich Clemens Religious Release Time

Consecrating 2026 Moderator & Moderator-designate

Karen Biddle (Hollidaysburg) and Logan Barkman (Woodbury)

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

 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