A theme interpretation by Rachel Johnson for National Youth Sunday 2025
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” ~ Romans 12:4-8
As the National Youth Cabinet was brainstorming themes during our planning weekend, quite a few ideas were brought up for our 2025 National Youth Sunday theme. Throughout the weekend we often noticed that each of us brought different gifts and skills to the table. Some members of the Youth Cabinet bring a lot of energy and many ideas to the table, while others bring a quieter, thoughtful presence. Many different skills and gifts are needed in a group of people so that there can be diverse thought, and you can receive many different types of Youth Sunday materials. Plus, it would have likely not been a successful planning weekend if everyone brought the same skills and gifts.
Our National Youth Sunday theme for 2025 is “Embodying Our Gifts,” referencing Romans 12:4-8. This passage from Romans mentions that “we have gifts that differ.” Each of the youth in your congregation bring different gifts to Youth Sunday: some of them will want to be leading in front of the congregation, some will want to lead parts of the service more geared towards children, and some will want to help lead behind the scenes – each being an important and vital part of the church service. The youth will be working together “as one body in Christ” on Youth Sunday to lead the church service. Through their actions and words on Youth Sunday, we will also be reminding the congregation of our different gifts that come together to form the body of Christ.
A theme reflection for Young Adult Conference 2025 by Luke Haldeman, Young Adult Steering Committee member
While Jeremiah speaks, his world shatters around him. Massive corruption in his government and priesthood spell doom for the prosperous ways of life his people have come to take for granted. “The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen,” he prophesies, “with a diamond point it is engraved on the tablet of their hearts” (17:1a). If God’s description of those who bring a curse upon themselves (v. 5) is any indication, Jeremiah’s people surrender their trust before human leaders. Instead of something higher, they find their strength in “mere flesh.”
The world we see around us often feels like Jeremiah’s. Every day we see and hear of the abuses of wealth and power, and the ways people chase these “other gods.” We are grieved by the fruits of this misdirected worship—the seemingly endless wars, mass death, mental and physical health crises, hero worship, and worsening climate, to name only a few. And even when we look toward communities meant to help, we sometimes find them insufficient, or not even there. Even young adults with access to non-judgmental church communities may experience a lack of peers their age, an ambivalence to deeper concerns, and a lack of opportunities for help, meaningful connection, and growth.
Yet when Jeremiah, in his own crumbling world, allows God to speak, God identifies a path to hope. Perhaps it is a promise. Perhaps it is simply a truth. In contrast to those who put their trust in human leaders and in power over others, the scripture says:
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
In these words, God offers an image of hope and rejuvenation, even through difficult times. Inspired by them, we wish, at this year’s conference, to trace the roots and branches of this hope: To look back to tradition, scripture, and history, and to investigate these generous and rejuvenating wellsprings which we sometimes leave untapped. We also wish to look forward in our own futures and our own lives: Where are the areas and opportunities we can grow into? What are our next steps in this transitional time, both in our lives and in our communities? What ideas or images can we envision as we step into the next five hundred years of our faith?
Left: Rose, women’s association leader and farmer. Right: Sharon Brugger Norton preaching at Khor English Church. Photos by Sharon Brugger Norton and Donna Parcell.
My lasting impression, now over a month later, is that South Sudan is a beautiful and complicated place on our planet. Many times throughout the trip I felt despair as I saw poverty, effects of intercommunal violence and corruption on a scale I’ve never seen before. How could Global Brethren Services (GBS), our non-governmental organization (NGO) in South Sudan, ever do enough to bring healing and rebuild this country? Do local people have hope? Or do they live in tragedy and despair?
I began praying early on that God would show me something other than reasons for despair, if it should be God’s will. God got on that right away! Just hours after the first time I prayed that, a young man serving as security guard at the GBS sat down next to me in the courtyard and began telling me what a wonderful country South Sudan is and how much he loves it. He loves Jesus, he is a singer and a youth minister, and spreads joy everywhere he goes.
Other times when I dipped into despair, God answered my prayer by sending women. I saw their resilience and determination to end to gender-based violence, their advocacy for education and health, and that they are trustworthy ministers to the needy around them. They are the ones who do most of the manual labor and raise their children to love the Lord and go to school!
My greatest wish is to bring a women’s delegation from South Sudan to our Annual Conference, so that they may bless us with their stories and we may bless them with our love and care.
By Nancy Timbrook McCrickard, Mission Advancement advocate
As I write this reflection, in front of me there is an image of the inspiring words of Mahatma Ghandi: “My life is my message.” These words have invited me to reflect on my own life. Currently, at my home, we are in the midst of downsizing all our “stuff.” Nearly every non-working moment is filled with sorting items we have collected over the years–and then either packing it in a container, donating it, recycling it, or disposing of it. Frequently, I find myself wondering, “How have we collected this much stuff?” And, “Where has the time gone?” The years seem to have slipped by.
While many aspects of this process are sometimes overwhelming, this process is, in all honesty, also refreshing. Over the weekend the voice of my father came into my mind—words he spoke during his final weeks in hospice as I worked with him and my mother to downsize their 62-plus years together accumulation of “stuff”: “I’m touching memories!” I’m touching memories. Wow! His words and that perspective specifically struck me over the weekend as I was sorting through a box of “stuff” stowed away from my years growing up in West Virginia.
Yes, I found my first-grade naptime blanket (pictured above) that my Mom made for me 55-years ago (we didn’t have kindergarten then), but I also found small things like a bag of newspaper clippings. My first thought was—as you might be thinking right now—“Why did I keep this?” While the answer totally eludes me, upon closer analysis I realized that these clippings belonged to my maternal grandmother. A date on one of them is 1958–nearly 70 years ago! When my grandmother clipped the poem “The Wondrous World” by Olive Plants so many years ago, she could not have imagined that I would be inspired by it all these years later—much less that I would have the opportunity to tell all of you about it!
Truthfully, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Like my grandmother and my mother, I sometimes collect “inspirational tidbits” that I stow away to reread later, at times even tucking them into my Bible.
In light of this current moment in my life of “touching memories” and reflecting on the passage of time, I want to share one more “inspirational tidbit” that I collected a few years ago from a devotion that was shared on one of my Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding Project trips:
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!
Each has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.
Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.
Go forth treasuring the moments you have and treasuring those with whom you share them. May you be blessed by every opportunity to make—and touch—memories.
Learn more about the ministries of the Church of the Brethren that offer opportunities to make meaningful memories at www.brethren.org/greatthings. Support the faith-building and life-changing work that is passed on from one generation to the next at www.brethren.org/give.
A theme interpretation and scriptural exegesis written by Rev. Barbara Essex for the 2025 One Great Hour of Sharing
“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.” ~Matthew 5:14, The Message
The fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel opens with the Sermon on the Mount and Beatitudes. At first glance, Jesus’ words are shocking—people who are burdened in mind, body, and spirit are actually blessed!
Despite their situation or condition, they are already winning…or maybe, it is because of their pain that blessings come. The anxiety, fear, grief, confusion, hunger, discouragement, and despair they experience actually put them closer to God. Jesus does not glorify pain; rather, he teaches that such suffering puts them first in God’s heart. God is there to help and heal—as a gift, no conditions, and no strings. They are part of God’s family, God’s Reign, and God’s Kingdom. God’s Kingdom is more than a place or future destination—it is a relationship with a loving and just God.
Jesus does not sugar-coat the reality of most people during his day. He declares that their suffering is not the end of the story. God sees them and hears their cries; God moves to alleviate their pain, in the short run and the long run. God’s Reign of love and healing is already happening—bringing life out of death, joy out of sorrow, hope out of despair.
Jesus cautions that the response to God’s blessing is not one of passivity. He makes clear that God’s children are blessed and are to be a blessing to and for others; those who receive, are to give back.
God’s Reign is not a spectator sport; the faithful do not have the option to sit back and watch events unfold. They are invited and challenged to be something and to do something. Followers of Jesus are transformed—from the inside out—as they receive the gifts of God’s grace and are called to gift others with love, compassion, and generosity.
Jesus’ entire ministry is active—teaching, preaching, healing, connecting. Jesus sets the standard for “Kingdom-living”—where love, unity, and harmony are the benchmarks for community life. Jesus invites us all to be active—doing what we can to embody compassion; to stand up for equity and fairness; to care for those in need without seeking reward or notoriety. Jesus teaches his disciples—and us—that God’s Reign is a present reality and a future hope.
For Jesus, God’s Reign is about forming communities of diverse people, living as siblings, caring for each other and the created order; communities of justice and love where all are fed, sheltered, healed, and safe. Jesus declares that God’s Reign is happening right now, even as we wait for its fulfillment.
Jesus invites his listeners—and us—to live fully into the gift and grace God offers—be the gift that keeps on giving; be the light that keeps on shining. Many of the ordinary people listening to, and eavesdropping on, Jesus’ conversation with his disciples that day understand and dedicate themselves to the challenge.
Jesus assures us that we are what God intends—open-hearted, generous, compassionate—it’s already in us. By fully living into our identity as children of God, we spread God-colors throughout the world…bearing light and hope and love to a desperate and dying world.
Have you ever watched suncatchers? Suncatchers are ornaments made of glass, crystal, or some translucent material. Usually hung in a window or outdoors, suncatchers spin to reflect and filter light, casting color in the area surrounding them—hues of blue and red and green and purple and yellow: a limitless array of colors and patterns that symbolize warmth, love, compassion, generosity, hospitality. Suncatchers bear and spread color—just as our good deeds bear light and send color into the world.
Be light—in your home, church, and community. Tutor students after school; make a casserole for a bereaved family; gather signatures for petitions that highlight important issues; pick up trash around your neighborhood; make blankets for the unsheltered—let the need beckon you to action.
Be light—in the world by making a generous contribution to One Great Hour of Sharing. Your gift supports those who are doing ministry throughout the United States and across the globe—bringing hope, expertise, compassion, and love to places we may never visit and people we may never meet. Your giving to OGHS provides funding and hands-on assistance and promotes collaboration with local and international partners.
Be the light! For the sake of sisters and brothers who have renewed hope because you care enough to shine.
Be the light! So that women and men around the world can find their way and know that there is a path forward.
Be the light! Sharing God-colors with all you encounter!
Give generously to One Great Hour of Sharing! Follow in the footsteps of The Light of the World! Shine brightly!
Photos by Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, Kathy Howell, and Church of the Brethren staff
By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement communications
“When the [disciples of John] came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ ’ // At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.’” ~Luke 7:20-22, NIV
During the most trying times of our lives—perhaps even in recent days—how many of us have asked, “Is this for real?” When circumstances in our country or the world occur that we could not have imagined or when events in our personal lives happen that we did not expect, we can feel caught off-guard, confused, or concerned.
As John the Baptist saw hurting people in his community and harmful actions of the empire, it seems he questioned in whom it was safe to place hope. Despite his doubts, John took a step of faith. He raised a question with his disciples (for which he also sent them to gather an answer): “Jesus, are you the real deal?”
John’s doubts can give us great comfort. The gospel of Luke tracks the narrative for us. This is the same John who jumped the first time he was in a room with Jesus—while they were both in the womb—startling his mother and creating a memory about which John certainly heard often as he grew up (Luke 1:39-45). This is also the same John who baptized Jesus and saw the christening of the Holy Spirit like a dove and the voice of God echoing the same blessing (Luke 3:21-22). Even after John had both of these first-hand encounters with Jesus, he still had doubts! If he could, surely there’s room for you, for me, for anyone to have doubts and questions in trying times.
As John’s disciples approached Jesus and asked their question, Jesus didn’t immediately share an answer. Jesus continued in his ministry of healing and encouragement, and then shared these words:
“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
Throughout our lives, there are times when we search for welcoming spaces and find disappointment or rejection instead. Even people who say that they value hospitality, peace, and love may not realize that their actions convey an entirely different message.
In contrast, what a breath of fresh air it is when people confess the peace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and they reveal by how they live that they mean it. What a blessing it is to find life-giving environments where people see the words of Jesus as challenges to wrestle with in community, not controversial words to shy away from.
Among the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren (in congregations and through denominational work, in the US and around the world), the markers of Christ-like service, holistic peace, and the abundant love of God are seen and heard among us. We walk alongside survivors of disaster and turmoil of many kinds. We provide spaces where people can find healing and comfort. We identify and create opportunities with people of all walks of life to grow in relationship with one another and to follow the ways of Jesus together. As we do these things and many more, we help others hold on to hope.
I invite you to reflect on these questions: How do we see ourselves continuing the work of Jesus? When people encounter us, how will they know with certainty that we’re walking and talking and living like Jesus? (Please feel welcome to share your reflections with us at MA@brethren.org.)
As we go about our work, our play, and our rest, let us remember that there are people around us who are hurting, concerned, or scared in ways we can’t always see or imagine. As they encounter us, they may be asking: Is this person for real? Is this church the real deal? Is the healing work of Jesus present here? May our actions and words provide clear answers to these questions, especially through trying times.
By Founa Badet, director of Intercultural Ministries
The question is “What if?” It has different layers, a different capacity of expressing itself in certain situations. What if I had been born in America? What if I were not an immigrant? What if I were living the dream? The fact of the matter is, I’m not. I’m a Haitian American born and raised in Haiti. I had to learn and relearn how to live in a different country, how to adapt to a different culture.
In some shape or form, we are all immigrants. There is a smile on my face as I write this, because almost everyone is now doing an ancestry DNA test to find out where they came from or the make-up of their ethnicity.
An immigrant is someone who comes to live permanently in a foreign country, according to the dictionary, so, even if it’s not you personally, someone in your family or your great-grands migrated from somewhere else. Often safety is the main reason for anyone to leave their homes, from either political violence, fear, hunger, or all the above.
Jesus was an immigrant, going from Bethlehem to Egypt. He was born many miles away from home, traveling from one place to the next, traveling for safety reasons. I believe if we look at immigration through the lens of the Holy Spirit, we will learn to treat strangers with hospitality, because that is what Jesus taught the disciples to do: “I was a stranger, and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).
Yes, we do our best as Brethren to extend hospitality. We do our best to be Jesus in the neighborhood to the level of what we are able and capable to do. However, what we can do even better is recognize the reality of immigrants, because we are all strangers until we become family.
So, let’s go back to me, growing up in Haiti. Becoming a teenager, a young adult, and an adult in the United States has been a process for my life. There were some ups and downs. There were learning curves that could have been tragic but for God. The Lord saved me from many things, many dumb things. Without guidance, one can truly be lost. The sad part is that, through my trials, I did not see the church. The church did not welcome me. The church did not understand me. The church saw me as a runaway, and some opportunities were missed in the midst.
What if we changed that as the church of today? What if we allow space for others to truly feel welcome and worthy? I realize we will never be on the same page at the same time. But we can extend ourselves to be available, interested, patient, and willing. We can ask ourselves the hard questions: Who we are called to be? How can we be the vessel to allow others to be connected? How do we view others through Christ—not the barriers before our eyes, but the light? How do we invite others to “come as you are” but ready to be transformed in the body of Christ?
Cultural competence is relationship-building. It is not an overnight scheme or microwaveable component. It is an ability, something we develop to better understand and respect the values, beliefs, and customs of people from different cultures. Effective communication and interactions are key areas to reach other cultures and adapt.
What if we genuinely put on Christ, navigating cultures together and doing our best to confidently walk beside each immigrant we come across? What would it look like? What would that feel like? We become more mindful that what makes us different is often what makes us uncomfortable. What works for one culture as a norm may not work for the other, even in the same land. What if we truly see one another?
This coming year, things will look very different for immigrants, me included. Only God knows what’s next. Some may not have a place to go back to even if deported. Some may fear for their loved ones, and some may not even know how to process the change. I encourage you to ask God what your role is. How can you be the church that sees others and is ready to respond?
This reflection was originally featured in the January/February issue of Messenger magazine. Support the faith-building and life-changing ministry of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/give .
By Nate Will, former Faith Outreach Expedition (FaithX) participant and member of University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College, Pa.
Living with purpose is one of the most important aspects of my life.
The things that are most important to me while living with purpose are helping others and helping the world. The FaithX trips that I have joined in Portland (Ore.) and Knoxville (Tenn.) have been amazing experiences that have made this purpose clearer in my life. These trips provided an opportunity for me to make a meaningful impact on local communities.
My most recent Faith X trip to Knoxville was extremely rewarding. We volunteered at the Knoxville Dream Center where we helped pack over 6,500 bags of school supplies for students. This was incredibly impactful to me, because as a student myself I know how nice it is to have new supplies for the upcoming school year. Knowing that we were able to help so many kids get these supplies was uplifting and was a key example to me of what living with purpose looks like, and what I can do in my life to live purposefully.
On both my FaithX trips in Knoxville and Portland, I participated in programs that directly served the unhoused population. Serving at the soup kitchen in Portland was eye-opening for me because I realized that these folks are not just homeless people, but people who have families, jobs, and hobbies, and are trying to live their lives as best as they can. I spent time talking with another volunteer who had once been a client of the soup kitchen himself. In Knoxville we volunteered one night at Under the Bridge where we served a meal and handed out clothing under a highway overpass. Some volunteers at this event have been serving at Under the Bridge for over 20 years, and it was interesting to see them interacting with the guests, calling them by name and just talking to them as friends. One of the other youth in my church group sat at the Prayer Table and talked and listened to folks, because sometimes that’s all that is needed—just someone to talk to.
FaithX trips have also been impactful because I’ve gotten to see other parts of the country and spend time with the youth and advisors from my church. You get to know people well on a cross-country flight or a 10-hour van ride! Having purpose allows me to live a fulfilling life that I am proud of, and I know I can have a positive impact on others and the world around me.
This reflection was originally featured in the winter issue of The Volunteer, a publication by Brethren Volunteer Service. Find the 2025 FaithX schedule and register to serve at www.brethren.org/FaithX .
“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NRSVue
Earlier this year, we shared a familiar but bold challenge: join us as we build up one another and our neighbors near and far. We invited you to partner in the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren to grow courageous disciples, love and serve together with our sisters and brothers around the world, extend generosity and witness, and steward God’s blessings. This is a call to which you responded with faith and generosity.
As this year draws to a close, we pause to recognize all that we have accomplished together.
Brethren Historical Library and Archives celebrated the interim work of Allison Snyder and hired Jacqueline (Claire) Flowers as its new director.
Brethren Volunteer Service onboarded 27 new volunteers through 2 orientation units, and supported a total of 54 volunteers in the US and around the world.
Children’s Disaster Services trained 68 volunteers who accompanied 727 children through 13 disaster response efforts.
Death Row Support Project celebrated 45 years of ministry and the work and retirement of Rachel Gross.
Discipleship and Leadership Formation connected with 150 participants and volunteers for the first L.E.A.D (Listen. Equip. Adapt. Disciple.) Conference in November.
The Emergency Disaster Fund provided grants to projects in 10 states and 12 countries.
The Global Food Initiative Fund allocated 10 grants to 9 countries around the world.
Intercultural Ministries welcomed Founa Augustin Badet as its new director and connected with 175 participants through 6 in-person or virtual events.
A majority of staff and Mission and Ministry Board members completed Kingian Nonviolence Training.
Material Resources gathered 14 groups to ship more than 1,128,000 pounds of quilts, blankets and kits, and more than 278,000 pounds of medical supplies and equipment to 23 states and 10 countries.
The Ministry Office assisted 8 districts in a season of transition.
Peacebuilding and Policy staff convened and contributed to 10 policy working groups and hosted or participated in 8 events and meetings to nurture relationships and support peacemaking around the world.
Rebuilding program volunteers served at 3 project sites and assisted 42 families.
Youth and Young Adult Ministries connected with 11 youth and leaders at Christian Citizenship Seminar in February and 53 individuals at Young Adult Conference in May.
Thank you for building up with us in 2024. It has been a blessing to grow and serve with you as we join Jesus in the neighborhood.
Celebrate all that God has done through the work of the Church of the Brethren this year by making a year-end offering to our mission and ministry.
