By Peter F. Johnson, lead pastor of Hanoverdale Church of the Brethren in Hummelstown, Pa.

For years, our church hosted monthly community meals in our multi-ministry center. The kitchen crew made nourishing meals for about 200 people before children, youth, and adult midweek ministries would take place. Then COVID hit and all indoor eating meetings ended. In a time of health crisis and loss of jobs, food disparity became all the more prevalent.

Instead of closing the kitchen, we decided to double our efforts, sending out monthly mailers to households in our area letting them know that they could register for a free meal, and come to the front door of the church to pick it up in order to bring it home on a particular night each month. The response was tremendous.

Now three years later we continue to prepare, package, and provide monthly meals to between 500 and 600 people. Most recently, 650 meals were prepared and served on October 10, and 750 on November 14. In the bag with the meals we give information about our church and how to have a relationship with the Lord. On occasion people will ask for prayer, and we have the opportunity to pray with them in their cars before they return home to eat their meal.

Feeding the hungry has always been an important part of true religion. In Isaiah 58:10 we find, “Spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.” James also showed how “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. . . .  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 1:27; 2:15–16). The physical food offered in true religion leads to lasting relationship when the Spirit of God then opens the heart, and a person’s spiritual hunger is met as they come to faith in Jesus Christ.

The Office of Mission Advancement of the Church of the Brethren is grateful for this reflection from Peter Johnson. It represents our passion to grow in authentic faith and care for the hungry—physically and spiritually. For more inspirational stories about congregations living as “Jesus in the Neighborhood” visit www.brethren.org/church/#church-stories. Learn more about the missions and ministries of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/greatthings.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement Communications

“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” ~Psalm 117, NIV

More than 31.5 million seconds in a year, more than 2.2 billion seconds in a lifetime (of 70 years)—each one accounted for and cared for by God. And God has certainly been at work long before we (or anyone we have met) walked the earth. Before and ever since time began, God has been the loving creator, the gracious redeemer, and the faithful sustainer of all things. Short of fully understanding, we can rest in awe as we reflect on the greatness of God.

The wonderful work of God is still present and active among us. Through the missions and ministries of the Church of the Brethren, people of all ages serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, embody and articulate their faith, receive training and support for ministry, walk alongside vulnerable persons through seasons of long-term recovery, and nurture partnerships and relationships around the world. As we consider all that we are able to do together, we recognize that God deserves the honor and praise at every moment in time. We give thanks for God’s great love and enduring faithfulness—in all the world and through the Church of the Brethren.

On Giving Tuesday, November 28, join us for (at least) a handful of seconds to celebrate what God has done and will still do among us. Make a gift to our ministries to celebrate now or then at www.brethren.org/givingtuesday.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Video text:
> 541 persons gathered at Lake Junaluska for NOAC 2023. This included attendees of the 1958 National Youth Conference that was also held at Lake Junaluska, and 4 participants over 90 years of age. Additional participants attended online.
> 1,375 hygiene kits were assembled for Church World Service. 84 walkers raised more than $4,500 for the new NOAC scholarship fund. Worship service offerings exceeded $26,000.
> Special thanks to the NOAC 2023 coordinator Christy Waltersdorff; planning team members Glenn Bollinger, Karen Dillon, Jim Martinez, Leonard Matheny, Don Mitchell, Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, and Karlene Tyler; and the NOAC news team members David Sollenberger, Larry Glick, and Chris Stover-Brown.
> See you for NOAC 2025, September 1-5.

God is doing a new thing:
National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) 2023

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” –Isaiah 43:19

Reflection by Traci Rabenstein, executive director of Mission Advancement

When the email arrived with the announcement that it was time to register for National Older Adult Conference (NOAC), I couldn’t click on the link fast enough! After attending three other NOACs, I knew it was going to be in an opportunity to be with people who renew my spirit and recharge my batteries. It would be a week to have good fellowship, more activities to choose from than hours in the day, speakers that would challenge the lens I use to view the world around me, and sermons that would nourish my soul.

While my plans shifted and I couldn’t attend as many activities as originally thought, the fellowship with others attending the conference and the speakers with powerful sermons didn’t disappoint. Our office, Mission Advancement, hosted a table at the welcome center at the gymnasium behind the building where registration occurred. We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, sharing snacks and other goodies, and I was able to “do a new thing” right away. Well, an almost new thing.

For the past few in-person NOACs, Frances Townsend has brought an entire workshop of materials, dye, and other items needed for tie-dyeing. After seeing her decorate t-shirts and other items years ago during a previous NOAC, I finally had the chance to do tie-dying for myself with the help of her technique and expertise. I picked out a piece of material from the many items she had, and then she helped me fold and tie it for dyeing.

Frances showed me all the colored dye powders and an example of a completed piece, and I was inspired to use similar colors. Then we went to the lawn space where she had an activity station, strategically placed the powders on the material, and then used hot water to soak the color into the fabric. During that time, I thought about the week ahead and began to ponder the conference theme, “God Is Doing a New Thing.”

As I watched the color change from powder and seep deep into the fabric, I considered whether the work Frances and I put into each fold and turn, each string tightened and tied, would produce a beautiful thing. Would this piece of plain material be turned into something new and beautiful?

Isn’t this just like life? With twists and turns, situations that make us feel tightened and tied down, feeling the heat of whatever is weighing upon us, and not knowing exactly how we would come through to the other side. Just when we think we can’t bear one more thing, God’s peace and love spring forth and we find ourselves on the other side of the trial or tribulation forever changed… just like a dyed piece of fabric. It had been twisted and tied up tightly then exposed to hot and cold elements and emerged forever changed.

By the end of the week at NOAC, I found myself answering the question from the theme text found in Isaiah: “Yes, God! I do perceive it; you are doing a new thing.” And I offered praises of thanksgiving. What Christ did for me and for all, and what Christ has brought us through, makes us forever changed!

Learn more about National Older Adult Conference at www.brethren.org/NOAC or support its work today at www.brethren.org/giveNOAC.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Shannon McNeil Smith, Mission Advancement advocate

“I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit.” ~Philippians 1:25-27, NIV

Sharing abundantly is something I equate to this plentiful season of fresh garden produce – especially the hot peppers we have grown the last few years. My husband has dutifully tended the seedlings from winter until we can plant in June. The work continues all through the season and well into fall. Early frosts mean our garage is filled with a cornucopia of planters with hot peppers yet to be harvested. Some of these plants have produced so plentifully that we have freezer bags full of prepared peppers ready to make hot sauce and dehydrated peppers in the pantry ready to make spices. So much abundance that we have shared with neighbors and friends, getting to know them through what our garden and hard work produces.
 
Similarly, shouldn’t we ABUNDANTLY share God’s everlasting love and the peace of Christ?! It can be daunting, much more difficult than talking to someone about produce. Yet it might not always be in evangelizing words that we share our joy. We may share abundantly in acts of service, showing others how much they are loved by our Creator. We could share abundantly by listening and showing the faith that is needed to be filled with Christ’s peace.
 
We all have different gifts that allow us to share with others the abundance that we have as children of God. As we are many parts to one body, we are called to use our gifts to glorify God. This week use your gifts to share abundantly!

This reflection was originally featured on a bulletin produced by Brethren Press. Learn more about the missions and ministries of the Church of the Brethren that inspire us to share abundantly at www.brethren.org/greatthings or support our shared work today at www.brethren.org/give.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Worship resources for the 2023 Mission Offering of the Church of the Brethren