Coming home

“The conversations and worship connect everyone on a meaningful level.” Photos by Kelsey Murray

“The conversations and worship connect everyone on a meaningful level.”
Photos by Kelsey Murray

by Rachel Witkovsky

What is YAC, and why can’t young adults of the Church of the Brethren stop talking about it?

“I love YAC,” said Eric Landram with a twinkle in his eye. “At first, you think it’s a conference celebrating the animal. But you quickly learn that it’s actually a worshipful weekend with fellow young adults in the Church of the Brethren.”

This year’s Young Adult Conference is May 23-25 at Camp Brethren Woods in Keezletown, Va. The theme is “Coming Home: For I know the plans I have for you,” which comes from Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Eric Landram, Bethany Clark, and Jessica Strawderman have been busy planning worship, and Heather Houff Landram and Laura Whitman are preparing for YAC with other members of the Young Adult Steering Committee. When asked why they love YAC, Heather said that she enjoys “seeing young adults use their gifts and talents to glorify God.” Laura added that it’s “a bunch of great Brethren people all in one place, talking about things that matter.”

Bryan Hanger, Brethren Volunteer Service worker, shared that “YAC is great because you get to meet and share with other young folks who care deeply about their faith and want to find creative ways to live it out. The time together is short, but the conversations and worship connect everyone on a meaningful level.”

In addition to the “wonderful fellowship, meaningful worship services, singing, and insightful workshops,” Tim Stauffer of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, said that, “carpooling makes a great road trip and adds to the experience as a whole.” Jacob Crouse, member of the 2013 Youth Peace Travel Team, took Tim’s advice and hitched a ride with him on the way home last year.“When I needed inspiration, time to learn, socialize, and worship with my peers, and just a Brethren-ly fantastic break from routine,” Jacob said, “I found it at YAC.”

Register for YAC at www.brethren.org/yac . Rachel Witkovsky is director of Young Adult Ministries for Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.

(Read this issue of eBrethren)

Peace by piece

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Luke 24:36-49

Question for reflection:
How will you carry the peace and promise of this Easter celebration into your daily living this week? Who do you know that needs you to represent the living Christ to them?

Prayer for the day:

God, thank you for making me a witness to the resurrection. Help me carry the hope and promise of Easter into the dark and doubting places of the world. With gratitude for the gift of your presence and your peace, I pray. AMEN

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Holy Saturday

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Leviticus 19:9-18

Question for reflection:
What is going on in your life that would benefit from a change in perspective? What “tapes” play over and over in your mind that you might suspend on this Holy Saturday, in order to be open to a new story?


Prayer for the day:

[Take a deep breath. Spend several minutes in silence] Breathe new life into my longing heart, O God.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Our own burdens to bear

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Mark 15:33-39

Question for reflection:
Where are you experiencing loneliness in your life today? What fears are you facing on your own? What burdens do you bear? What seemingly unbearable set of circumstances are looming in front of you?

Prayer for the day:

Suffering Jesus, you carried your cross on Good Friday; you also know the burdens that are heavy in my life right now. I am calling on you, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Give light to my way through this dark time. Put my anxieties to rest. Show me signs of your abiding presence. Provide your assurance that no matter what happens, I am yours.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

He has set an example

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John 13:12-20

Question for reflection:
What is an issue about which you hold a strong opinion? As you approach the love feast, are you ready to lay the issue, and your opinion about it, before God for scrutiny and wisdom?


Prayer for the day:

God, you know how I feel about [issue]. At times I can be consumed by my own opinion. Help me set aside my own agenda and listen carefully to you. Through your scriptures, in humility within my church family, and by the presence of your Holy Spirit, give me patience and grace to hear anew your will about [issue]. In the name of Jesus, servant first and savior forever, I pray. AMEN.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Unchanging faith

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Luke 19:41-48

Prayer for the day:
Forgiving Lord, help us to throw out the things in our hearts and minds that distract us from you. Restore in us a new openness that will keep hanging on to every word of your teachings.

Question for reflection:
What preoccupies you from staying focused on God?

~ Sarah Neher, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Taking hold of life

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Matthew 13:31-33; Luke 17:20-21

Prayer for the day:
Nurturing God, we all come to you with our pasts and histories. Foster in us the courage to burst forth with renewed vigor to look beyond our past and into the future so that we can truly draw out the kingdom that is among us.

Question for reflection:
What is the story of you roots? Where are your branches stretching to?

~ Sarah Neher, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

True treasure

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Matthew 13:44-53

Prayer for the day:
Mysterious God, don’t let us settle for anything less than the true treasure of your kingdom. Keep the fire lit within us to continue the search for your truth.

Question for reflection:
Have you given up on the search for the kingdom of heaven? Where can you continue to discover God’s treasure?

~ Sarah Neher, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Jesus and the ‘do nots’

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Luke 12:22-31

Prayer for the day:
Steadfast God, we come to you often distracted by worries and lose sight of your glory and what you want us to do. Help us to stay focused on you as we strive for your kingdom.

Question for reflection:

What earthly worries distract you from God?

~ Sarah Neher, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Do not be afraid

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Luke 12:32-34

Prayer for the day:
Generous Lord! We are often preoccupied with worldly things. Teach us to trust that you will provide not only for our human concerns but also those concerns of the soul.

Question for reflection:

Where do you have excess in your life? Where can you purge excess to make room for God?

~ Sarah Neher, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.