Month: October 2015

  • CRT Meeting Minutes – 10/11/15

    Congregational Resourcing Team Meeting – Oct. 11, 2015 at 4 pm (more…)

  • Domestic Violence Awareness Program Hosted in Independence

    Eloise McCarty, chair of the Independence Church of the Brethren Witness Commission, invited members of the community on Friday, October 9th to hear informal speeches and dialogue on this critical issue.  One speaker shared her families’ tragic experience, with the hope that others might take action before suffering such a loss.  LaKisha Johnson, the Community Outreach Advocate for the Safehouse in Coffeyville replied when asked about  funding “It’s all from God.  There is no other way I would have ever had the strength or resources to meet the needs of the Safehouse. ”   The Montgomery  County Sheriff’s representative Detective Chad Dunham, relayed statistics which demonstrate a critical level of prayer and care are needed for all those involved. What is the Christian response to seeing domestic violence occur around us in our communities?  Our communities need volunteers willing to learn more, speak out more, become better listeners and observers of signs around us.  Later at the gathering, each person was offered a chance to light a candle in honor of someone who has  been a victim of domestic violence.  Some people named individuals and families, while some stayed silent. The Independence Daily Reporter featured this information in two articles in the Sunday edition, written by Denise Sage, covering this event.  We appreciate the input from the speakers and response by the local media.  More information on domestic violence can be found at www.nomore.org.

  • District office moves to new location

    The Western Plains District office has moved to a new location. Still located on the main level of Miller Library on the McPherson (Kan.) College campus, we are 20 feet south of our previous location in southeast corner of the library just beyond the circulation desk. It is a beautiful space…with outside windows (!), which we did not have before. Feel free to come visit when you’re on campus!

  • I WAS JUST THINKING…

    Witness the grandeur of the mountains! They soar and sing their song of magnificence! Stand under a waterfall! It splashes the wonder of God onto your waiting skin! Listen to the quiet or the crashing tones of a symphony orchestra! Somehow, some way, the music takes one to places of new joy, new insight, new comfort, new challenge! (more…)

  • Ministry updates

    Alan Stucky, pastor of the Wichita First congregation, was ordained to ministry in the Church of the Brethren on September 27. Prayers and blessings to Alan in his continuing ministry.

  • Building bridges with Ukrainian Brethren

    “So he [Jesus Christ] came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near…” (Ephesians 2: 17  NRSV)

    For over a decade I have been in conversation with a brother in Christ who leads a small congregation in Chernigov, Ukraine. Brother Alexandr Zazhytko (Brother Alex) and I have grown a relationship over the years with the desire that one day we should meet face-to-face. (more…)

  • Travel the horn of Africa

    You are invited to join Drs. Herb and Jeanne Smith of McPherson College on their annual trip to the New Jerusalem of Africa, Lalibela, Ethiopia. (more…)

  • Moderator invites preparation for District Conference 2016

    At the 2016 District Conference one of our keynote speakers will be Sister Lucy Slinger, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration based out of La Crosse, Wisconsin and an ecological advocate. (more…)

  • From the Moderator: A reflection on the 2016 District Conference theme

    God is Love and love unites, not divides. We are One, our theme for District Conference 2016, comes from Galatians 3:28, which says “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (more…)