“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.

www.brethren.org/year-end-offering

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Worship resources for the 2024 Advent Offering of the Church of the Brethren

By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement Communications

Our family has entered a season of gathering at the table. Beginning with some family birthdays last month and continuing until Christmas, we will continue to gather with friends and family—for holidays and celebrations and other ordinary moments in between.

For life in general, we might see an ongoing sequence of gathering at tables—for a meal or coffee, for a meeting or conversation, for play or puzzles, for worship or fellowship.

Whenever we gather with others, each of us has something to bring and to share. Most commonly, we might bring a favorite dish or a beloved family recipe, but we also bring ourselves and all that we carry—our hopes, our dreams, our concerns, our cares. Not all of these things need to be expressed, but as we pass the rolls, there are times when we should not pass on the opportunity to be heard and supported by people we care about and trust.

In his life and ministry, Jesus had a habit of gathering around tables. He met with people from all walks of life—some who invited him and others whom Jesus requested to join. We might think of when Jesus had a meal with tax collectors and brushed off the ridicule by the Pharisees (Matthew 9:10-13). Or perhaps the time when a host offered minimal hospitality to Jesus and a woman washed his feet with expensive oil and her hair (Matthew 26:6-13). We might also consider the times when Jesus fed people by the thousands and they sat in family groups with minimal table accommodations (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:29-38). Or perhaps there is another “table moment” from the ministry of Jesus that is captivating to you. In all of these moments, Jesus served as host and guest, inviting others to do the same.

This posture also holds true as we consider Jesus gathering at the table with his disciples for his last meal (John 13:1-17). We remember that, as they reclined at the table, Jesus first washed their feet and then they broke bread together. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, offered himself as the servant of all and invited them to remember the bread and the wine as symbols of how we are fed by his life.

We remember that evening when Jesus shared with his disciples as we look to the table of communion. Though we may think of this ordinance and the elements as symbolic—and they certainly are—we also believe that when two or more are gathered, so also is the Lord gathered among us (Matthew 18:20). Some might call it sacramental, but at the least, we are embracing the mystery of what Jesus did in his life and ministry and remembering its significance for us today. As we share in the bread and the cup, we remember the gift of Jesus for the life the world. We partake of bread and wine or grape juice and recognize how God provides for earthly needs—for us and for others who join us.

Every time we gather around a table, something sacred is happening. Every gathering is an opportunity to share and to receive. As we are together, there is always enough to go around and each of us has something unique to share. At the table, we can recognize and honor all that each of us brings.  No matter what table we find ourselves gathering at in this season, may we enjoy the blessings of food upon it and the fellowship with people around it. Whether it be for a picnic with family, a celebration with friends, a time of play, a meal at home, or even a time of reflection on our own— may we find the Lord present with us as we gather at the table.

Gathering at the table is important for the life of faith and for the work of the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren. Learn more about our shared work at www.brethren.org/greatthings or support our ministry today at www.brethren.org/give .

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Grace Elliott, Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit #331

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepest, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” ~Psalm 126:5-6, KJV

One evening, not too long ago, I was sitting in my bedroom. I listened to the hum of the fan blowing away the scorching dry season heat of the day as it came to a close, along with the occasional buzz of a pesky blood-thirsty mosquito on my sun-browned neck. Sounds of my housemates were heard in the background, a lively mixture of English and the sweet musical quality of Kinyarwanda. Residing with a mixed-culture family means that a minimum of two or three languages can be spoken, perhaps even by the same person in one sentence! Sounds of the household died down as the various humans went to their rooms retiring for the night.

I continued to sit in a state of deep reflection, joined by one of the resident felines climbing uninvited through the window, which was left open to let in the crisp night-time highland breeze. An occasional scent of eucalyptus smoke mixed with tropical flowers in bloom reached my nostrils and the cry of a baby and the cackles emitting from the neighborhood bar in my ears.

I reflected on many things. My two-year volunteer teaching term amongst the Abayarwanda (People of Rwanda) is quickly coming to a close. A wonderful ceremony and celebration of Top Class graduation has passed into the realm of memory.

Memories, so many memories. I smile fondly on the many joyous and lovely events. I look upon the painful and traumatic memories as one viewing the sunrise of a new day after a dark, dark night. Tears run down my face as I think of those memories still in the dark of night. I think of the days of the past when God has given me strength to rise well from the darkness of nights of the past and how one day He will do the same again.

I smile through the tears as I think of soon seeing my family and dear friends again in the US. Excitement and trepidation when thinking of returning later this year to the Land of Eternal Spring with the start of a new project. A new day is dawning. One chapter has come to a close. Another is beginning to unfold in the misty light of the dawn in the shadow of Nyargongo.

A chapter of life sown in tears may very well be a chapter concluding in rejoicing. The One who writes that story is the same yesterday, today, and the days that are to come. He will never leave us or forsake us. Let all the earth rejoice!

Grace Elliott concluded service through BVS at Brethren Nursery School in Ginsenyi, Rwanda, in July. Learn more about this core ministry of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/bvs or support its ministry today at www.brethren.org/givebvs.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)