Monthly Archives: April 2025

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Embodying our gifts

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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.

Learn more and find worship resources for National Youth Sunday (suggested date: May 4) at www.brethren.org/yya/national-youth-sunday.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

eBrethren

Hope: Roots and Branches

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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?

This reflection is excerpted from the Spring 2025 Bridge newsletter produced by Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Learn more about this year’s Young Adult Conference (May 23-25) at www.brethren.org/yac . Support the work of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at www.brethren.org/giveyya .

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)