News

Middle PA District Interim DE Team Names New Member

The Coordinating Team of the Middle Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren has called Carolyn Willoughby to serve as a member of the Interim District Executive Minister Team beginning on August 1, 2026.  Carolyn will replace Rebecca Zeek who completes her service as of July 31st.

Carolyn is a retired minister currently working part-time as Activities Assistant for the Alzheimer’s unit of Concordia at Arbutus Park retirement center in Johnstown, PA.  Her husband Barren Deffenbaugh serves as part-time pastor of the Middle PA district’s 28th Street Church of the Brethren in Altoona, PA.  Together they are the parents of 3 adult children.

Carolyn is a 1992 graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary.  She served previously as pastor of Farmington Bethel Church of the Brethren in Western PA district.  She has served on the Shalom team and ethics committee of Western PA district in the past and currently provides pulpit supply for the Middle PA district.   Her ministry credentials are held in the Middle PA district where she will continue to serve as a member of the DEM search committee until beginning in this new role in August.

Middle PA District welcomes Carolyn into this new role.

Part Time Pastor: Full Time Church Program Offers

The Church of the Brethren, Part Time Pastor: Full Time Church program will be offering these opportunities for those  multi-vocational Pastors. 

First, we will be offering 3 different online listening sessions throughout the summer.  These listening sessions will give opportunity to MVP's 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.  

The first one will take place on Tuesday May 27 from 7:00-8:30 PM and individuals can sign up for this listening session here:  .https://forms.gle/iQcLx5bLMyjPhPvm8

The second one will take place on Wednesday July 29 from 7:00-8:30 PM and individuals can sign up for this listening session here:  https://forms.gle/LANW8VRXVc938S1FA

The third one will take place on Tuesday August 26 from 7:00-8:30 PM and individuals can sign up for this listening session here:  https://forms.gle/fuzTdcg5rc9KrpVj8

Secondly, we will be offering an in-person listening session at Annual Conference.  We will be offering this listening session on the morning of Tuesday June 30.  I'm not exactly sure of the exact time and location but the Conference schedule will have all of that information.  

Lastly, we will be offering 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.  

We'd love to have your MVP's at some of these events and gatherings that we will be offering in the next few months. 

If you have any questions about these gatherings or anything regarding the Part Time Pastor: Full Time Church program, please don't hesitate in reaching out. Thank you, Ryan Braught

Virtual Annual Conference

Thanks to generous contributions from the Living Stream Church of the Brethren and the Pacific Northwest District Annual Conference is able to offer the virtual option at no charge for 2026. This gives non-delegates the opportunity to engage in business, participate in a number of equipping sessions, and enjoy the Wednesday evening concert featuring Brethren musicians—all virtually. All virtual participants must still register between March 4 and June 23. Virtual attendees are encouraged to make a donation to Annual Conference as an expression of appreciation. Go to www.brethren.org/ac2026/registration and select Virtual Non-Delegate Registration.